Issue 1 • June 2019 CONTENTS The Pride Experience: Registration & Orientation ����Page 2 GET THE Next Steps ������������������������������Page 2 SCOOP Living on Campus ������������������Page 3 ON WIDENER Commuting to Campus ���������Page 3 Disabilities Services ���������������Page 3 Are You Ready for the Widener Pride Experience? The time has come to begin your college journey at Widener University! Get Engaged Today ����������������Page 3 The Pride Experience, a diverse series of introductory programs, including the mandatory registration and orientation sessions, will guide you down a path Enrollment Services toward collegiate success. Information �����������������������������Page 3 What will my room be like? What classes can I take? When can I move in? We are sure you have Campus Map many questions like these and more about attending Widener. Through the Pride and Directions ������������������������Page 4 Experience programs—as well as this newsletter, a Pride Experience guidebook that you will receive at registration, and a second edition of the SCOOP newsletter later this summer—we will address your questions, remind you of deadlines and key dates, and steer you in the direction of people who can help you resolve an issue. What’s next are some of the most memorable and formative years of your life. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon! Chester, PA 19013-5792 PA Chester, One University Place University One Enrollment Services Enrollment Widener University Widener Next Steps In just two short months, you will The Pride Experience: Registration, officially be a member of the Pride! As you begin your countdown, make Orientation, and Other Programs sure to check out choose.widener.edu on The Pride Experience will prepare you for a successful college experience at Widener a weekly basis� This interactive website contains useful information and introduce you to the tools needed to succeed academically and socially. We also and important next steps in the new will help you and your family identify resources available to guide you through this student process� important transition period. There are two required parts of the Pride Experience: n Pride Experience I: Summer Registration. During our first required program, students will register for fall courses, meet new classmates, and learn more about campus life. Family members will experience their own set of orientation sessions that will introduce them to our services, support systems, faculty, and staff who will aid in their student’s success academically and socially. The dates for Summer Registration are June 18–20 and July 9–11. All registration sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. If you haven’t signed up to attend yet, please visit www.widener.edu/summerregistration. n Pride Experience II: Fall Orientation� This is our second required Orientation Program. Fall Orientation is scheduled for Tuesday, August 20 through Sunday, August 25. Classes begin on Monday, August 26. For more information, visit www.widener.edu/orientation� On Choose.widener.edu, you can: Optional pre-orientation experiences include: • Complete your online housing n The 1821 Experience: Students will learn about “We’re All Widener!”, experience application (resident students only) our diverse and inclusive campus community, meet new friends, participate in service experiences, and establish a peer support network. Through group activities both on and off • Learn more about the online math assessment (if applicable) campus, this program will prepare students to succeed! n Project Lead: Students will connect and engage with civic leaders and like-minded • Choose a summer registration date classmates through workshops and team-building activities, participate in service • Learn about the Widener experiences, and explore Chester and the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Campus ID Card n Summit Widener: Students will learn about life at Widener from current students • Connect to health documentation while gaining self-confidence through outdoor exploration. • Create reminders to send Advanced For more information, visit www.widener.edu/orientation. Placement (AP) scores and/or your official college transcript from any college-level coursework Post-orientation programs known as the Pride Experience Plus include: n The PRIDE Mentoring Program: This program provides ongoing support, • Create reminders to send your final mentoring, and guidance through individual and group workshops and personal official high school transcript development activities. • Learn about orientation and n Freshman Seminar: A one-credit freshman seminar course that covers a variety of move-in day topics related to becoming a successful student. Living on Campus Our housing policy is designed to support the success of our students. Compared to students who live off campus, students who live on campus have been found to earn better grades, graduate at a higher rate, and enjoy easier access to campus resources. This enhances their college experience. Therefore, all freshmen, sophomore, and junior full-time students must reside on campus unless they qualify for commuter status. Business Questions? Our dynamic, on-campus, residence hall environment expanded in fall 2015 when the Ask Enrollment Services university opened Harris Hall, a new 200-bed residence hall. Harris Hall also includes an Enrollment Services is here to Einstein Bros. Bagels and a Moe’s Southwest Grill on the first floor and a multipurpose room help you take care of the business that is used for a variety of activities and events, including studying. side of going to school—including processing financial aid, paying Residence Hall Room Rates for Academic Year 2019–2020 your semester bill, registering for Room rates start at $3,836 per semester ($7,672 per year) for a basic double room. class, getting a parking permit, and The rates will vary depending on the residence hall to which you are assigned; managing your student ID card� see additional room rates online at www.widener.edu/BursarOffice. If you have any questions about Meal Plan Rates for Academic Year 2019–2020 any of these services, please call All students living on campus are required to purchase a meal plan. Freshmen and sophomore us at 610-499-4161, e-mail us at students living in our residence halls must choose one of the 7-day Unlimited Meal Plans; enrollmentservices@widener�edu, platinum, gold, or silver. These plans have unlimited meals and include dining dollars. The or stop by and visit us in Lipka Hall platinum plan costs $3,532 per semester ($7,064 annually), the gold plan costs $3,465 per (near the university’s main entrance semester ($6,930 annually), and the silver plan costs $3,375 per semester ($6,750 annually). on 14th Street)� Follow us on Twitter The plans are billed with your room charges. Dining Dollars that can be used in the various @lipkahall quick-service facilities on campus amount to $375 in the platinum plan, $300 in the gold plan, and $200 in the silver plan. Paying Your Bill The Enrollment Services website Commuting to Campus at www.widener.edu/BursarOffice provides details on the services that Students may commute from home if they live with a parent or legal guardian and their we provide and has information home is within 25 miles of campus. If you meet these requirements and want to establish for our Widener parents, including commuter status, contact the Admissions Office at 610-499-4126, and then the Office of information on your bill and links Residence Life at 610-499-4390. for paying online� If you received a financial aid offer as a residential student, you also need to contact Financial Aid Services at 610-499-4161. Off-campus status is also available to married Bills are sent electronically� The students, military veterans with two years of service, and students age 24 and older. payment due dates for the 2019- Contact the Office of Residence Life for more information about off-campus status. 2020 academic year are as follows: Fall Semester 2019 Disabilities Services e-Bill Due Date: August 8, 2019 To request special accommodations due to a disability, please visit the website for the Office of Disabilities Services:www.widener.edu/disabilitiesserv. Spring Semester 2020 Please forward your request and supporting documentation to: e-Bill Due Date: January 13, 2020 Office of Disabilities Services Widener University Campus1Card One University Place You can now create your Chester, PA 19013 student ID card at home� Go to 610-499-1266 phone | 610-499-1192 fax https://optic.widener.edu, log [email protected] in with your Widener credentials, Accommodation requests are reviewed once all documentation is received. Please note and click on Submit Photo ID� that all deposit and application deadlines for housing must be met. Late requests You will be guided through the will be considered on a space available basis. creation process and will receive your Campus1Card during Pride Civic Engagement Experience Two� The Center for Civic and Global Engagement is looking forward to seeing you on campus this fall. For all students interested in living our civic mission, we want you to be well informed about the Pennsylvania clearance process, so you can serve in our community. To volunteer in Pennsylvania, participants need three clearances: PA criminal background, PA child abuse, and FBI fingerprinting. This will be done through some of our schools (education, nursing, etc.) or through service learning courses, service programs, etc. Widener University’s campuses Access: https://portal.castlebranch.com/WK60