Dear Returning Students:
Welcome to the start of the 2014-15 academic year! We are excited about your return to campus and the addition of over 1440 new undergraduate students to the UNH community. I encourage you to make an effort to welcome the new students; connect with friends, faculty and staff and take advantage of the many resources and opportunities UNH has to offer.
Sophomores, you now have a number of choices to make as you reconnect with friends, faculty and staff at UNH. Some of you may have feelings of indecision, being lost or depressed. These feelings are experienced by many students at some time during their sophomore year, so know that you are not alone. If you are feeling a lack of motivation, uncertainty about being in college or continuing with your major or career choice coupled with a lack of energy, motivation and difficulty sleeping, it is important to seek assistance from a Residential Life staff member, your advisor, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Office of Academic Services or a University faculty or staff member. I encourage you to get involved in a club or organization if you didn’t do so your freshman year; meet with your academic advisor to discuss your academic plan and career goals; find a mentor on campus; start planning for an internship or study abroad experience; and register with Charger Career Link, your free online career management system to view internships/jobs, post your resume, and explore careers. To assist you, we have developed a Sophomore Experience website (http://www.newhaven.edu/sophomores).This site will link you to the resources that are designed to support your success this year. Keep an eye out for the sophomore programs which will be offered by your class officers, the Office of Student Activities and University departments.
Juniors, you are already half way through your college experience and are probably wondering how the last two years went by so quickly. Your junior year is a time to consolidate all of your experiences to date. Some of you have made plans to study abroad next semester, others will take on leadership positions and serve as mentors to freshmen and sophomores, focus on internships, co-ops or off campus jobs which enhance your learning experience and prepare you for your career. A visit to the Career Development Center is a must for all juniors; be sure to register with Charger Career Link. As a junior, you will be challenged to balance a more demanding course load along with your co-curricular activities. Please be sure to take advantage of the resources offered by the Career Development Center, Center for Learning Resources, Counseling and Psychological Services, and your academic advisor.
Seniors, as you are beginning to prepare to leave the University, this year will be filled with “last times” as you move toward graduation and membership in the UNH Alumni Association. Your courses will be even more demanding, many of you will have an internship requirement to fulfill, and you will finalize your resume and begin the job search or apply to graduate school. Be sure to visit the Career Development Center, register with Charger Career Link, and check with the Office of Student Activities on the content of your co-curricular transcript (www.newhaven.edu/cct) which will validate your out of class learning experiences at UNH. As leaders in the residence halls, student government, athletics, clubs and organizations and in the classroom you will serve as a mentor to other students. Senior year is a time to bring closure to your college experience and reflect on all that you have learned both academically and personally.
You no doubt have noticed a number of changes on campus since you left in May to include the completion of Westside Hall, a new green space and renovations to Bethel Hall, improvements to the Market Place Dining Hall, new furniture in the Campus Center, grass in the Bixler/Botwinik Quad and a number of parking lot renovations. For information on parking permits, shuttles and the UPass program please go to: http://www.newhaven.edu/student-life/3950/. In closing, I encourage you to model the UNH community values which form the Charger Compact.
As a member of the UNH community:
I will strive for academic excellence.
I will assume responsibility for my words, actions and inaction.
I will respect the dignity, rights and property of all persons.
I will strive to appreciate, respect and learn from others whose experiences and opinions are different from mine.
I will conduct my academic and personal life with integrity.
I will strive to contribute positively to the campus, local and global communities.
Best wishes for a successful year. The Dean of Students Office is always available to assist you with any question or concern you may have. We are glad you are back!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Johnson
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
