Dear Returning Students:

Welcome to the start of the 2011-12 academic year!  We are excited about your return to campus and the arrival of our over 1550 new undergraduate students.  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.  Please plan to participate in the Welcome Week events which are open to all students.  The Welcome Week schedule can be found at:  www.newhaven.edu/orientation.

Sophomores

Sophomore year is a time when you 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 sometime 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 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 ChargerLink (www.myinterfase.com/newhaven/student), 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 which can be found at: 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, www.newhaven.edu/cdc/, is a must for all juniors.  Be sure to register with ChargerLink (www.myinterfase.com/newhaven/student), your free online career management system to view internships/jobs, post your resume, and explore careers! 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 a senior, you are beginning to prepare to leave the University and this year will be filled with “last times” as you move toward graduation and membership in the UNH Alumni Association (http://www.newhaven.edu/alumni/).  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 ChargerLink (www.myinterfase.com/newhaven/student), your free online career management system to view internships/jobs, post your resume, and explore careers; and, check with the Office of Student Activities on the content of your co-curricular transcript (www.newhaven.edu/studentactivities/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 expansion of the Bookstore which now houses the Campus Card Office, the renovation of the Kaplan parking lot and a number of improvements in the residence halls.

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