Class of 2012

To: Members of the Class of 2012
From: David Phillips, Dean for the Class of 2012
Subject: Preparing for Graduation

Welcome back to your final semester!

This on-line “packet” contains important information about the graduation process and Wesleyan’s graduation requirements. Please review the contents carefully and contact me immediately (217 North College, x2757, dphillips@wesleyan.edu), if you have any questions or concerns.

Preparing for Graduation: Explains Wesleyan’s graduation requirements, the Major Certification Form, the Credit Analysis Report, oversubscription, December Completion, and honors.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Senior Year: Answers to common questions about graduation requirements and the graduation process.

Academic History: Your academic history can be found in your e-portfolio in the “Wesleyan Career” bucket.

Major Certification Form: The Major Certification Form, which can be accessed through your e-portfolio, is used to identify the courses that you have taken and will be taking to complete your major. The form must be submitted electronically by February 23 at 5:00 p.m.

Credit Analysis Report: The link to this report, which reviews your academic record in light of oversubscription and monitors your progress towards meeting graduation requirements, can be found in the “Weselyan Career” bucket in your e-portfolio.

Honors and Thesis Information: Deadlines and other important information for students undertaking honors theses.

Graduation does not just happen; you must make it happen! It is important that you fully understand Wesleyan’s graduation requirements (concentration, credit, GPA, residency) and that you are able to interpret your academic record in light of these requirements. As the you choose courses and build a program of study for your senior year, it is essential that you know exactly where you stand in terms of fulfilling Wesleyan’s graduation requirements so that everything goes smoothly when degree certification takes place in the Spring. Remember, you are responsible for your own graduation and you must fulfill all graduation requirements to participate in the Commencement ceremony on May 27, 2012.

Have a great semester!

David Phillips
Dean for the Class of 2012

Drop-in hours: Mon. 2-3 p.m.; Tue. 3-4 p.m.; Wed. 5-7 p.m.; Thu. 11-12 p.m.; Fri. 2-4 p.m

The editors of Historical Narratives, Wesleyan’s peer-reviewed undergraduate journal in history, are now collecting papers for the journal’s 2011-2012 issue.

This will be the last time you can submit a paper for publication in this year’s issue.

Historical Narratives accepts submissions between 5 and 30 pages from any field in history and from a variety of other disciplines examining historical problems and issues. In the past the journal has published seminar papers, thesis chapters and excerpts, and museum and art reviews.

The journal is an excellent opportunity for undergraduates to have their work peer-reviewed, edited and potentially published.

The submission deadline is Friday, February 3. Papers should be sent to hnarratives@gmail.com. The selection process is entirely anonymous.

You are cordially invited to a Welcome Back Reception for the Class of 2012, hosted by Megan Norris ’83 and SWAG (Seniors of Wesleyan Annual Gift)!

Come enjoy Wine & Cheese with your classmates and celebrate
the beginning of Spring semester.

Friday, January 27 at 6:00 pm
Daniel Family Commons (3rd floor Usdan)

We hope that you can find time in your schedule to join us.

See you there!

Peter Frank and Cella Jones, Senior Gift Interns
Dean Mike Whaley and Dean David Phillips

Bring your photo ID

Building on the successful model of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), President Clinton hosts the CGI U Annual Meeting for students and youth organizations to create innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. Since its inaugural meeting in 2008, CGI U has brought together more than 3,500 students from over 650 schools and 110 countries.

In order to attend, all CGI U participants are required to develop a Commitment to Action: a new, specific, and measurable plan that addresses a challenge on their campus, in their local community, or around the world. The CGI U meeting includes plenary sessions, working sessions, and other special events that provide participants with a wide variety of knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities. The program allows CGI U members to discuss global issues, develop practical skills, identify potential partners, and formulate concrete plans of action for the months ahead.

The application to attend the 2012 meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), hosted by President Clinton, is now available. Click here to apply online. The deadline for applying to attend the meeting is Tuesday, January 17.

President Clinton will host CGI U 2012 at The George Washington University from Friday, March 30 to Sunday, April 1, 2012. CGI U is President Clinton’s initiative designed to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world. Each CGI U student member makes a Commitment to Action: a specific plan of action that addresses a pressing challenge on their campus, in their community, or in a different part of the world.

CGI U is proof that young people have the power to make a significant impact by confronting some of the world’s most urgent challenges.

Oddfellows Playhouse has a limited number of seats available for a sneak preview of David Sedaris’ Santaland Diaries on Wednesday 12/14 at 6:30pm.  Students should arrive by 6:15 on Wednesday evening.

Additional performances are 12/15 through 12/17 at 7:30pm.  Student tickets are $15.  Tickets can be purchased for performances by calling 860-347-6143 or visiting the Oddfellows website. This hysterical play is only an hour long and a great tonic for the stress of the holidays and end of the semester.

All the theater professionals involved in the show have donated their time and talents to make this event a fundraiser towards Oddfellows Playhouse’s scholarship funds and operating costs.

The WSA is pleased to announce WesBooks (www.wesbooks.org), a platform for Wesleyan students to buy and sell books to other students. By dealing directly with other students instead of third-party dealers, students can save from 30-70% when purchasing books and receive more money for their used books.  Students determine how much to sell their books for and once a book is purchased, the two parties arrange for the payment and book exchange.  We encourage you to take advantage of this free service by posting your books from this semester!

Please email wesbooks2011@gmail.com with any feedback and we will continue to work on making WesBooks as user friendly as possible.  This website was created by a student group and is managed by the WSA.

For more information, contact the Academic Affairs Committee of the WSA.

Ali Chaudhry ’12
Brian Lau ’12
Mari Jaris ’14

All information is available at http://www.wesleyan.edu/ocs/peace/index.html

Samsara is Wesleyan’s South Asian Cultural Show! Over the years, we have collected all of Wesleyan’s biggest and most talented South Asian enthusiasts to put on exciting shows about all things South Asia. This year we’re thrilled to be hosting two dance teams, one from Brown University and one from Yale University, along with different groups on campus to celebrate the wonderful culture. All proceeds for the event will go to Brighter Dawns!

The show is December 3 at 8:30pm in Crowell Hall. Tickets are on sale NOW at the Box office.

The last day to withdraw from full-semester and second-quarter classes is Friday, December 2. Completed forms are due in the Registrar’s Office by 5:00 p.m. and must include the following signatures: instructor, faculty advisor, and class dean.

If you are thinking about withdrawing from a course:

• Do use this time to talk to your professors, your advisors, and me about your concerns. If you can’t make my drop-ins, please email me at dphillips@wesleyan.edu or call me at x2757 to schedule an appointment.
• Do make sure you are taking advantage of all the resources available to you.
• Do get the signatures of your instructor and advisor on your drop/add form. I cannot sign for either without his or her permission, so please save yourself the trouble of waiting to see me during drop-ins just for me to tell you that.
• Do not wait until Friday at 4:00 p.m. to see me or you may find yourself waiting in a very long line!!!

Drop-in Hours: M 2-3; Tu 3-4; W 5-7; Th 11-12; F 2-4

This job opening was sent to us by Wes 2009 alum Timothy DeVane.

Bitly is looking for a Sales Research Associate to help expand our enterprise business to new verticals and larger clients.

The position will revolve primarily around generating and enhancing the leads, clients, business relationships for Bitly’s enterprise product.   No engineering background and no prior experience with technology are required.

Tim writes that they are looking  for young eager, very interested in tech/start-ups/entrepreneurship.   This is an awesome opportunity for a December completion trying to find a way to prove themselves and break into the scene.

The link to the posting is here: http://bit.ly/smveoX

Tim would be happy to meet with interested applicants.

For more information, contact Vicky Zwelling in the Career Center at vzwelling@wesleyan.edu.

The Wesleyan American Medical Student Association is hosting a Bone Marrow Registry drive this Friday, December 2nd, at USDAN 110 from 1:30-5 to find a match for Louis, a 6-yr old who has been diagnosed with leukemia. Participating only takes a few minutes so please stop by to potentially save a life.

The Health Center will close for Thanksgiving Recess on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

We will reopen on Monday, November 28 at 9:00 a.m.

An On-Call Provider will be available during recess for urgent concerns
by calling (860) 685-2470.  You will speak “live” with an after hours call center rep who will take a message and contact the Doctor on-call.

Students in need of medical assistance when Health Services is closed may contact:

Preferred Walk-In Medical Center
(next to Super Food Mart)
842 Washington Street
Middletown, CT  06457
(860) 346-4484

(*Please alert clinic staff that you are a Wesleyan student)

Middlesex Family Physicians
400 Old Saybrook Road
Middletown, Ct  06457
(860) 346-7738

Crescent Street Obstetrics and Gynecology
49 Crescent Street
Middletown, CT  06457
(860) 344-9993

If the above facilities are closed, students should access the
Middlesex Hospital Emergency Department
28 Crescent Street
(860) 344-6000.

In case of Emergency, call 911

Please read the following information from the Office of Residential Life:

Thanksgiving Break
As you prepare for the Thanksgiving Holiday, remember to LOCK ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS whether you will be remaining on campus or leaving for the break.  Also, please consider taking home your bikes and other belongings that you will not need through the winter.

If you are staying on campus over the break period, please remember to walk in well lit areas after dark, preferably in groups, and report suspicious people to Public Safety immediately at 860-685-3333 or x-3333 from a campus phone line.  Although the RIDE program will not be operating Thursday through Saturday, Public Safety will provide escorts for individuals upon request.  Public Safety’s general phone number is 860-685-2345.

Preparing for Winter Break
As you finalize your travel arrangements for the winter break, remember residential units will close for the fall semester at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Sunday, December 18, 2011.  All residential units, with the exception of the wood frame houses, will close at this time.  Students can return to campus at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

Seniors who live in wood frame houses can stay in their houses during winter break.  Students who want to stay in their wood frame house over break need to register with Residential Life by Saturday, December 17, 2011 so that the University knows when houses are completely vacant (movement will indicate a burglary and approached as such) and when occupied (in the event of necessary repairs being done).  The registration form is available on the Residential Life website at: http://www.wesleyan.edu/reslife/Forms/wood_frame_winter_break_form.html.

There will be a limited number of employment opportunities for students looking for work on campus during winter break.  Students wishing to do so must request housing with Residential Life by, Thursday, December 1, 2011.   Requests should be made through the Winter Break web site at: http://www.wesleyan.edu/reslife/ugrad_housing/winter_closing.html.

Please note:  Housing is not guaranteed during the winter break period, students who are granted permission to live in their units during the break will be notified via email on December 9, 2011.

The Usdan University Center Activities Board (UCAB) is now hiring! UCAB is looking for 4-5 students who are not only excited and passionate about new opportunities in the Wesleyan community, but also about program planning, teamwork, and leadership development. Applicants should be creative, organized, motivated, dependable and enthusiastic. Due to the nature of the position, applicants should be free to work Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, attend weekly meeting with the board and have FUN! Visit http://www.wesleyan.edu/stuact/ucab for a detailed job description and application. Contact Veronica Young, Graduate Intern of Student Activities, for more information.

We are going to write, edit, design, and publish a magazine over the course of forty-eight hours.

We’re seeking writers, photographers, artists, filmmakers, designers (both print and web), copy editors, and anyone else who thinks this is even remotely a good idea. Your efforts will define this project because we can only make it happen with a great team of contributors. You can spend anywhere from one to forty-eight hours with us, assisting with any or every step of the process. Experience is not necessary.

Here’s how it will go:

At noon on Friday, November 11th, we will announce the magazine’s theme, a loose topic that you can use as a jumping-off point for your work. We’ll also have a selection of prompts, prods, and suggestions if you’re looking for a little extra direction. Over the next forty-eight hours, you will join us in selecting and editing content, establishing the magazine’s graphical and editorial identity, and designing the print and web editions. You’ll even get to help choose the name.

Why bother? It’s going to be forty-eight hours of frenzied fun and free food. When we’re done we will have an awesome magazine to distribute throughout campus (for free!), and we will weep joyous tears of elated exhaustion and/or exhausted elation.

If you want to contribute, send an email to 48hourmag@gmail.com. At noon on Friday, will will announce the theme and prompts  via facebook and email (and on Wesleying).

Follow us on Facebook.

Also, tell your friends.

Many thanks to the Shapiro Creative Writing Center for making this event possible.