AINS GUIDE FOR NEWI STUDEDENT S CLARK TABLE OF CONTENTS WEEK ONE YOUR CLASSES What happens during Week One? 2 How should I plan for my classes? 12 Early orientation program 2 Choosing a major 12 Connections @ Clark: ALANA Pre-orientation 2 Liberal studies 12 Week One arrival 2 First-Year Intensive courses 12 Week One program 2 Designing your first semester 12 For international students 3 Transfer students 13 Placement tests 13 YOUR HOME Some advice 13 What should I bring with me? 4 Settling in 4 YOUR INTERESTS Clothing 4 Which clubs and organizations can I join? 14 Shipping things before arrival 4 Performing arts 14 What to bring 4 Social and environmental action 14 What not to bring 5 Preprofessional 14 For long-distance travelers 5 Religious and spiritual 14 For international students 5 Intercultural 15 Media 15 YOUR CAMPUS Varsity athletics and recreation 15 What does campus life mean? 6 Student organizations 16 Residential life 6 During campus holidays and semester breaks 6 YOUR CITY For your convenience 6 What will I find in Worcester? 17 Dining services 7 Zipcar 17 Health services 7 Getting around 17 Insurance 7 Worcester Consortium 17 Wellness outreach 7 Things to do in Worcester 18 For international students 8 YOUR ROUTE Keeping in touch 8 How do I get to campus? 18 Cars on campus 8 Early arrivals 18 Computers & printing 8 Late arrivals 19 Networking & the Internet 9 For international students 19 Technology help desk 9 Public transportation 19 Sustainable Clark recycles 9 Directions to campus 19 Sustainable Clark reduces & reuses 9 QUESTIONS YOUR EXPENSES Hotels in Worcester 20 How much money do I need? 10 Phone numbers 20 Paying tuition and fees 10 For international students 10 ACADEMIC CALENDAR 21 Banking and cashing checks 10 Buying books 11 Dean of Students Office 508-793-7423 950 Main Street [email protected] Worcester MA 01610-1477 ORIENTclarku.edu Dear Student, Congratulations and welcome to our Clark community! The months of waiting and wondering where you will spend your next four years are over, and now you can begin planning your college career. It’s natural to be both elated and anxious, to have mixed emotions about leaving home and embarking on your new life at Clark. All your classmates feel the same way— wondering if they will succeed in their courses, make friends, adjust to campus life, and find people who will help them reach their academic and personal goals. This booklet will answer many of your questions about life at Clark and help you prepare for your first semester. It describes what to expect during your first months here and gives some academic information so you can start mapping your educational journey (the 2016-17 academic catalog is available to you online at clarku.edu/catalog). Other questions you may have should be answered in the information we will send you in the next few weeks, including what you need to know about computers and technology at Clark. Your peer adviser will contact you during the summer to answer questions and give you that all-important student perspective. As you read through this booklet, we encourage you to consider how you would like to design your years at Clark to be intellectually and personally rewarding. College is an exhilarating time when you can sharpen your mind, discover new interests, and explore new ideas. The fascinating people you meet here will expand your knowledge of the world in wonderful, unexpected ways. When you arrive, I know you will find a warm and receptive community that prizes academic rigor, engagement, and diversity of perspectives. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email [email protected] or call the Dean of Students Office at 508-793-7423, or the Office of Student Leadership and Programming at 508-793-7549. Should the arrival dates present any conflicts with your religious observances, let us know. We also will make every effort to provide appropriate services for students with physical or learning disabilities, special needs, or any other individual conditions or requirements. I look forward to seeing you on campus soon. Sincerely, Francy Magee, Ed.D. Assistant Provost and Dean of Students WEEK ONE AcaDEMIC CLARK ExcELLENCE (ACE) SUMMER INSTITUTE PRE-ORIENTATION The Academic Clark Excellence (ACE) Summer Institute is a pre-orientation program for ALANA and first-generation college students. This living and learning program provides students the opportunity to take two college courses for partial credit, participate in a community service project, receive guidance from peer mentors and learn about various on- and off-campus resources. Students will receive more information about this program from YOUR FUTURE the Academic Advancement Office. Check-in for We know you have many questions about what those attending this pre-orientation program is on to expect of your future at Clark. This booklet will Monday, Aug. 8. (clarku.edu/welcome/ace) give you some answers, put your mind at ease and encourage you to explore new possibilities. CONNECTIONS @ CLARK: ALANA STUDENT PRE-ORIENTATION WHAT HAPPENS DURING WEEK ONE? The ALANA Student Pre-Orientation program, Orientation for first-year students, called “Week called Connections @ Clark, is designed to assist One,” takes place Thursday, Aug. 25 through new first-year African-, Latino(a)-, Asian-, and Sunday, Aug. 28, and is designed to help you Native American, Pacific Islander, and biracial through your transition to college life. and multiracial students in their cultural, social During this time, you will meet classmates, faculty, and academic adjustment to Clark University. The LEEP and peer advisers, deans and directors of Connections @ Clark program will address issues student affairs, the residential life staff, and many such as culture, social life, campus employment, others in the Clark community. Formal and informal wellness and academic advising. More importantly, meetings, information sessions and social events will you will meet and network with Clark community help you get acquainted with academic programs, members, including returning students, faculty, student services and campus life. administrators and alumni. You will receive more information about this program from the Dean of Students Office. Check-in for those attending this EARly ORIENTATION PROGRAM pre-orientation is on Monday, Aug. 22. Students who have sent in their documentation (clarku.edu/welcome/connections) of disability and registered with the Student Accessibility Services have been invited to attend an early orientation program, which begins on WEEK ONE ARRIVAL Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. This one-day Please plan to arrive on your assigned date between orientation allows for a quieter transition to campus 9 a.m. and noon. When you arrive, University staff life. If you’re participating, you will receive an email will direct you and your family to where you can (at your Clark address) with the day’s schedule. park and unload your belongings. Be sure to check Please check in and pick up your room key at the in at the Kneller Athletic Center (Higgins University Higgins University Center Information Desk between Center for transfer and commuter students) before 9 a.m. and noon. If you arrive after noon, go to the you unpack your car to guarantee you have the Information Desk and ask to be connected to the right destination. University parking lots are located orientation coordinator. (clarku.edu/early) on Maywood, Downing, Beaver, Woodland and Charlotte streets. Limited on-street parking is also available. At your residence, you will be welcomed by upperclass students, alumni and Clark staff members, who will give you your room key and help you move in. 2 WEEK ONE PROGRAM Jet lag/culture shock After check-in, you and your family may join us You will often experience jet lag after your arrival for a welcome from the President, Dean of the in the United States as your body adjusts to a new College, Dean of Students, and others. You will time zone. Don’t be alarmed; after a few days of then begin Week One activities while your family sleepiness and slight confusion, you will adjust to is invited to attend a program that addresses many the new schedule. questions related to Clark and what to expect over Because it requires great effort to adjust to new the course of the first year. During this first day, you surroundings, a new culture and a different will meet your peer adviser as well as with your peer language, you may experience some disorientation group, Peer advisers will introduce you to campus or “culture shock.” This may occur a few weeks life. The next several days are filled with meetings after your arrival in the United States. In time you with your faculty, peer and LEEP advisers, and will adjust to the new culture, food, customs and your peer group to discuss myriad challenges and climate. The International Students and Scholars opportunities. Office will be happy to help you with your transition. All entering students, including transfer students, are expected to attend Week One activities, CHECK IT OUT ONLINE which include presentations on academic majors, information about various offices, and a dynamic clarku.edu/weekone round of social programs. All are designed to Learn about your Week One schedule and help you prepare to be a Clark student. We will what to expect. Check back often for updates. also schedule time during Week One to have clarku.edu/isso departmental presentations and special interest The International Students and Scholars Office sessions. helps international students with any questions Every person you meet will give you a better idea of or concerns. the richness and diversity of the Clark community. By participating fully in Week One programs, you will discover the exciting options waiting for you at Clark—and you’ll make new friends.