Shapiro Center for Writing Reception & Open House

 On Monday, Sept. 9th from 11:30 – 1:00, the Shapiro Center for Writing is having a reception to introduce/remind students about our services. We’ll also be signing students up for a Writing Workshop account so that they can access the tutors’ schedule once it comes out.

 

We encourage you to attend and have a pizza lunch on us!

 

Join the Resource Center for Its End-of-Summer Potluck & Open House

Friday, September 6th @ 4:30pm

End of Summer Potluck (facebook):

The Resource Center and Long Lane Farm are collaborating to host an end of summer potluck on Friday September 6th from 4:30pm to 7:30pm at Long Lane Farm (243 Long Lane, Middletown, CT 06457). The student staff of Long Lane will host farm hours. Feel free to bring your own bags to harvest vegetables on the farm during the potluck!

During every break, the Resource Center holds a community potluck for faculty, staff, and students who are on campus to share food and good company. You don’t need to bring a dish, but anything you could contribute would be welcome. Feel free to bring family and friends!

 

Saturday, September 7th @ 12noon,

Resource Center Open House (facebook)

Come by the Resource Center (167 High Street) on Saturday, September 7th from 12noon to 2pm for free bbq (vegan options will also be available), buttons, games, stickers, and t-shirts (shirts provided while supplies last). Learn more about the resources in the RC and how the RC can support any diversity and inclusion initiatives that you may be interested in!

$ Waste Not Sale $ – Stock Your Dorm Room While Helping Local Charities: Aug 31 & Sep 1

Get ready for the sale of the year! Come to WASTE NOT to buy affordable items for your dorm!

Waste Not is an eco-friendly tag sale for charity!

You can find electronics, kitchen appliances, dorm decorations, lamps, fans, fridges, microwaves, printers, rugs, furniture, and much more!

Dates & Times:

Saturday 8/31:  12pm – 3pm

@ 44 Brainerd garage – Fridges, mirrors, lamps, electronics, and more!

@ 56 Fountain garage – Couches and furniture

Sunday 9/1:  10am – 1pm 

@ 44 Brainerd ONLY – Everything that’s left!

Email questions about the sale to the Waste Not coordinators at wesustainability@gmail.com.

Hello and Welcome Back!

Dear Class of 2021,

Let me start with an introduction: my name is Tanesha Leathers, and I’m excited to serve as your new class dean! During my academic and professional career, I’ve been a Pioneer, Eph, Terp, Blue Jay, and now I am proud to be a Cardinal. There are a few other key things you need to know about me, apart from the fact I come to you with almost 20 years of experience in higher education. The following are in no particular order:

  • There’s nothing like a New York slice, and I’ve met few cupcakes (or other carbs for that matter) I didn’t like.
  • Sadly, I still root for the Mets, Jets, and Knicks, but don’t judge me if I go to a Nets game sometime before the year is out.
  • I love to bake and create all manner of things, and I believe laughter is the best medicine for much of what ails us.
  • I’m happy to wax (not so poetically) about a host of random things.
  • And, I would love to get to know more about you!

Do not hesitate to stop by to say hello and/or discuss any questions or concerns you may have moving forward. Starting September 2nd, I’m available for 10-minute sessions during fall drop-in advising hours: Mon. 2-3 p.m., Tues. 3-4 p.m., Wed. 4-6 p.m., Thurs. 11 a.m.-noon, and Fri. 2-4 p.m. You are also welcome to schedule a longer appointment with me by contacting my assistant, Ms. Joan Chiari, at 860.685.2758 or jchiari@wesleyan.edu. I’m available for appointments before the start of classes and through the fall and spring semesters.

As juniors, it is important to ensure you are abreast of your progress towards completing degree requirements. In service of that, I recommend you review your Credit Analysis Report (CAR) each semester; you may use WesPortal to access it. This report will inform you of the remaining credits you need to satisfy degree requirements, as well as provide guidance concerning where to direct your focus to complete those requirements. Additionally, checking your CAR will enable you to identify any room you may have for other curricular and co-curricular experiences before graduation.

This year is a time to not only experience the depth that pursuing work in your major/minor proffers, but it is a time to continue exploring the breadth of opportunities readily available to you (e.g. studying abroad, academic research, applying to an internship). Please consider the following:

  • Now is the time to prepare for honors theses and capstone projects.
    • Contact your faculty advisor to discuss research opportunities within your department, whether you will be eligible to pursue an honors thesis senior year, and how to select a thesis advisor if you do commit to honors work.
  • Do not let the year go by without meeting with a counselor in the Gordon Career Center to discuss your Summer 2020 plans and career opportunities for after graduation.

I look forward to welcoming you back to campus this fall, but don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of any help to you before your return.

Enjoy the last week of summer break!

Dean Leathers

Advice for New Transfer Students from a Former Transfer Student

Hi! My name is Jane Herz and I am a rising senior here at Wes. On campus, I’m an English major, an academic peer advisor, and an assistant arts and culture editor for the Wesleyan Argus. However, what you may not know about me is that I’m also a transfer student!

I transferred to Wesleyan as a sophomore in 2017, from Wake Forest University. I knew that transferring out of Wake would be the right decision for me, but I had no idea if Wesleyan would be the right fit. I knew that I wanted to come back to the Northeast (I’m originally from NYC!) and go to a smaller school, and while I was interested in Wesleyan, I didn’t know what kind of experience I would have there. Ultimately, I decided to accept my offer because of Wesleyan’s super-strong English and creative writing program. Transferring can be unsettling and a little bit intimidating, because, like most schools, you can’t really tell what it’ll be like until you get there!

Luckily, transferring to Wesleyan was definitely the right choice for me. I love my major, my friends, the campus, and all of the amazing opportunities that Wes provides, such as the study abroad programs! I’ve grown so much as a person throughout my time here, and learned so much about myself.

However, even though I love Wesleyan, the first few months as a transfer student were a bit of an adjustment, and there were so many things that I wish I had known during my first semester. Looking back on my time here, I’ve gathered my top 6 tips to help navigate being a transfer student:

Tip #1: Things take time
Like anything in life, things take time and it may be a little while before you feel completely settled in at Wes. That’s what happened to me, and it’s so normal! You may feel frustrated that you aren’t making friends quickly enough, or that you still don’t know where the best study spot is, or what to do on a Friday night. Try not to stress about this stuff, because it just simply takes time, as annoying as that may be. The longer you’re at Wes, the more comfortable you’ll feel, the more people you’ll get to know, and the more accustomed to campus you’ll be.

Tip #2: Put yourself out there
This is probably something that people will tell you over and over again, but it’s true! As a new student, it’s important to put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to ask to grab lunch with people, or invite classmates to study together in Exley. Students at Wesleyan are very open to meeting new people, so don’t be hesitant to initiate that. I met so many of my friends by simply just asking them to grab lunch after we had only met once or twice–it’s totally normal, and will help you meet a ton of new friends and connections on campus!

Tip #3: Go to the pre-planned campus events and activities
As a transfer student, you may feel apprehensive about going to some of the activities or events that are typically advertised to freshmen, such as the clubs fair. However, it turns out that people of all ages and grades go to these events! Don’t be concerned that you’ll be the only sophomore or junior there, because that’s not the case. Joining a club or another on-campus organization is an awesome way to make friends and get involved at Wesleyan. Also, try to go to the events that are planned for transfer students throughout the semester, because it’s a great way to connect with different students in the transfer community.

Tip #4: Figure out how your credits will transfer to Wes
This was one of my biggest mistakes as a transfer student! I had no idea how my credits from Wake were going to transfer to Wesleyan, and I ended up being slightly behind in credit hours when I came in. I had to take a course over winter session, which wasn’t a big deal (it was actually super fun!) but just make sure you know this early so you can plan accordingly. My class dean helped me navigate this, but your advisor will also be able to help.

Tip #5: Try not to compare Wesleyan to your old school
In the beginning, there were times when I found myself comparing certain aspects of Wake to Wesleyan. Instead of doing this, try to embrace Wesleyan as much as you can!

Tip #6: People want to help you
There are so many resources on campus for transfer students, including CAPS, academic peer advisors, your RA, and professors, just to name a few! Don’t be afraid to use these resources, because they are here to make your transition as smooth as possible. People want to help and support you as much as they can!

If you have any questions about transferring, please feel free to email me at jherz@wesleyan.edu. I’m happy to help you navigate your time at Wesleyan, and connect you with other transfer students and other academic resources. I look forward to meeting you all on campus this fall!

CSB and Honor Board Applications — Due March 8

COMMUNITY STANDARDS BOARD

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS for the CLASS of 2021

Applications now available

Due Friday, March 8

As a member of the Community Standards Board (CSB), you play a major role in caring for not only the student beside you, but the Wesleyan community as a whole.  This role will provide you with an opportunity to engage in inspiring and critical conversations, where you will develop skills applicable to both your time at Wesleyan and the larger world. The CSB adjudicates alleged violations of the Code of Non-Academic Conduct. 

 

The CSB seeking to fill vacant positions with students from the Class of 2021.  The tenure of applicants selected this spring runs from the Fall 2019 semester through the Spring 2021 semester.  If you are interested in helping to uphold Wesleyan’s community standards please complete and submit this application by Friday, March 8, 2019 at 5:00pm.  To apply please click on the link below:

 

https://goo.gl/forms/0qh7iSnNeLW4U0NC3

 

Please ask two faculty or staff members to provide a brief (3 to 5 sentences) description of the traits that will make you a good candidate for a CSB position. These should be sent to Karen Siciliano of the Community Standards Board, ksiciliano@wesleyan.edu or by campus mail to the Dean of Students Office, North College, First Floor, Room 108.

 

A description of the duties of the Community Standards Board can be found in the Student Handbook at http://www.wesleyan.edu/studenthandbook/.

 

HONOR BOARD

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS for the CLASS of 2021

Applications now available

Due Friday, March 8 

The Honor Code is integral to a vibrant and thriving community of learning, research and creativity.  It is affirmed by every Wesleyan student each semester.  Alleged violations of this Code are adjudicated by the Honor Board, a group of juniors and seniors serving two-year terms.  The tenure of applicants selected this spring runs from the Fall 2019 semester through the Spring 2021 semester. 

If you are interested in helping to uphold the “intellectual honesty and academic integrity”* of the Wesleyan community, please submit the application for this leadership position by Friday, March 8 at 5 p.m.  The link for the application may be found here:

https://goo.gl/forms/jAuYGpVtl47mx9x13

Please ask two faculty or staff members to provide a brief (3 to 5 sentences) description of the traits that will make you a good candidate for an Honor Board position. These should be sent to Jill Mattus, jmattus@wesleyan.edu or by campus mail to, North College, Second Floor, Room 219.

Check out the Honor Board process and responsibilities starting on page 4 of the Student Handbook: http://www.wesleyan.edu/studenthandbook/.