Dear Denison students,
I hope that this email finds you well and that you are enjoying your summer break. As we approach the start of a new academic year, I want to welcome back returning students as well as welcome those who are new to our community. We are excited to have you at Denison and look forward to the year ahead!
This year will be filled with opportunities for you to explore your interests and passions, develop new skills, and make lasting connections with your peers, faculty, and staff. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive campus environment where you can thrive and achieve your goals.
One of the many attributes that I admire about Denison is the commitment of our faculty and staff to our students. Our campus is filled with faculty and staff who are here to help you navigate your academic and personal journey. For this to happen, we ask that you show up motivated and ready to engage, work hard, and commit fully to taking advantage of all Denison has to offer. Here is the letter President Weinberg wrote to first-year students last week. It is worth all students reading it.
During my time at Denison, I have come to think about the Denison student experience being defined by three Rs: a rigorous, relational, and residential community. Our rigorous academic and campus life programs challenge you to think critically and creatively while growing your knowledge and skills. Our relational approach recognizes that your success is also tied to the relationships you build with your peers, faculty and staff. And our residential experience provides you with an immersive and dynamic living and learning community that fosters personal growth and social connections.
I am excited for the year. Let's make this a year to remember!
I write to all students each month during the academic year to share important updates and information. Below I share some updates as we head into the academic year.
All my best,
-Alex
P.S. On Monday, August 28, I invite you to swing through A-Quad to say hello, celebrate the first day of classes, and grab a cookie from Student Life.
Summer Updates
Student Life Strategic Plan: In August 2022, Student Life launched its five-year Student Life Strategic Plan to guide our work for the year, and we highlight the progress we made in the initial year in our 2022-2023 Year in Review.
Dining & Meal Plans: As you know, after engaging student voice, we launched new meal plans for this year, and we added the ability for students to use some of their meal plan dollars (Big Red Bucks) and Denison Dollars at participating Granville businesses. As a reminder, Slivy’s Market (located in Silverstein Hall) will be stocked more robustly as a mini-grocery store that you can use your Flex Dollars on.
In addition, reviewing a lot of the feedback you shared last year, Bon Appetit has increased customization and variety in the dining halls, added new menu items, and built special programming and events for this year, including the ever-popular specialty-themed meals, farmer’s markets, special weekend features, and pop-ups. We will also continue to bring more food trucks to campus, which you can now use your meal plan on. Please read more about improvements made to dining over the summer.
Hoaglin Wellness Center: We are excited to have extended our partnership with The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, where they are running the medical clinic within the Hoaglin Wellness Center. Hoaglin sent you an email last week about revised check-in processes and additional details, and I encourage you to thoroughly review that communication.
Sunday, August 27: One of the traditions we began last year was to make the Sunday before classes a campus celebration, with the Involvement Fair, carnival rides, games, performers, and Whit’s Frozen Custard and Fireworks to welcome the arrival of another school year. We are very excited to spend that day together!
New Colleagues: Student Life welcomed new colleagues this summer, and we want to take a moment to introduce you to them here. They look forward to meeting you.
New Office Locations: Over the summer, Facilities completed the renovations of Whisler Hall and Beth Eden, and many offices, particularly the ones you used to find in Doane, have moved locations.
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Beth Eden is now home to the offices of the President, Provost, General Counsel, Finance and Management, Business Services, Payroll, the Controller, and the Registrar.
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Whisler is home to Human Resources (including Student Employment), Student Accounts, the Copy Center, and the University Mailroom (not your individual mailboxes).
New Traffic Pattern: Given the move of the mailroom to Whisler and the large number of deliveries, we needed to adjust the traffic pattern. Now the road in front of Chapel Walk, Beth Eden, and Swasey heads East--all around East Quad. Please also note when you drive up the hill behind Mitchell, you can only turn right now.
Residence Hall Renovations: This summer, we completed the renovation of and new addition to King Hall, as well as renovated Upper Elm and Lower Elm.
Deans & Student Support: We piloted a Class Dean model last year and made some adjustments over the summer. Instead of class-specific deans, we have a team of deans that will work to support students: Katherine Snyder, Dean of Student Support; Nathan Graves, Associate Dean of Student Support (and also Director of Orientation & First-Year Experience); and Torrance Powell, Associate Dean of Student Support (and also Associate Director of the Academic Resource Center). This team supports students when experiencing challenging moments and helps them navigate Denison.
Other Quick Updates:
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Huffman Co-Working Space: This fall, we will open our brand-new Student Co-Working Space funded by DCGA. This dynamic hub is designed exclusively for our student leaders and provides a collaborative and inspiring environment to work, create, and connect with fellow student leaders. The space features dedicated meeting rooms, a collaborative lounge, and a versatile maker space.
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Slayter Third Floor: As the Fall Semester starts, you’ll see updated furniture on the Third Floor of Slayter Hall. We'll add new soft seating options as we move throughout the academic year. Additionally, we will upgrade the lighting and sound system on the Third Floor’s stage throughout the academic year to support new equipment and options for campus organization events.
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RecRe: On the first floor of Slayter, you’ll notice a new smart locker, allowing you to check out any items (cornhole, portable speakers, games, etc.) you want from it - at any time, just by using your student email. Please let us know if you have any ideas for additional things to include!
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The Spiritual Life Center in Gilpatrick has new furniture in our Muslim Prayer Room and common spaces and has a newly freshened space in the Chapel for Bible study groups to meet starting this fall.
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Getting Connected: There is so much to do and be involved in! Please visit WhatToDU to stay up to date on events and opportunities.