Dear Class of 2028!
Welcome to Wesleyan! I look forward to meeting you and learning about each of you as your Class Dean over the next four years. Get ready. Wesleyan will challenge you to make important choices and assume personal responsibilities about academics and your life. These moments will influence your educational and individual goals and set in motion the person you will become in the world and in life beyond Wesleyan. Begin now to imagine yourself a part of a place where you will lean into your curiosity, work hard, understand the expectations of your professors, and exercise good time management and study skills. Envision yourself in a position of strength from the start. You are a Cardinal now!
As your Class Dean and part of your advising network, I am here to support you and help you take full advantage of the resources facilitating your success at Wesleyan. The most important thing I can tell you at this point is to learn and be comfortable asking questions and reaching out—to get help when you need it. First-year students may find this a bit intimidating to do, but there are countless resources at Wes to assist you at any point, and self-advocacy leads to success. Part of my career passion is assisting students in becoming fully cognizant of themselves as important and functional participants making up the fabric that is Wesleyan.
Summer Preparations.
Your engagement with life at Wes begins this summer. There are various tasks you must complete in preparation for the fall semester. In June, you will set up your email and gain access to WesPortal (an electronic hub of student information for your time at Wesleyan). Pay attention now to deadlines coming your way throughout the summer and mark them down. The Academic Road Map (located in WesPortal) will help you learn about the curriculum, learn about academic advising resources available to you and enable you to engage with me and or an Academic Peer Advisor (APA). These are specially vetted and trained students who can help with pre-registration and other questions. In June, you will fill out the Academic Interest Questionnaire (that helps us learn more about you as a learner and assign your liberal arts advisor), and connect with Accessibility Services where applicable.
Course Registration & Housing Assignments.
In July, you will select a list of courses that interest you through pre-registration planning and adjustment, which take place from July 8 though August 1. You will be able to speak with your faculty liberal arts advisor about these course selections when you arrive on campus. In August, the Road Map will help you with your housing assignment, arrange your medical insurance and begin your Orientation virtually before your arrival. There will be more information about each of these steps throughout the summer, so stay alert! These are the first steps in becoming responsible for your journey.
First Year Seminars (FYI). Wesleyan offers students in the Class of 2028 the opportunity to take a course remotely over the summer before matriculating to the University. The summer course curriculum includes writing-intensive First-Year Seminars (FYS). Course registration for FYI classes will be open around the second week of June. Stay alert for emails about specifics. Every student who submits course preferences during that time period will have an equal chance of getting scheduled into a class. FYS courses take place Monday, July 8 through Tuesday, August 13. More information regarding the summer FYS courses is available here. FYS courses are not required, but I highly encourage students to take one either during the summer or the first year, as these are small seminar courses that allow students to engage in college-level academic writing within a cohort of fellow first-year students. It is also a great way to earn a credit before you have even started classes on campus.
First Year Common Reading.
Each year we select a common reading for all incoming students. This year’s common reading is Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching… by Robin Wall Kimmere. You will receive details about how to access your free digital copy of the book early this summer. You should finish this reading and upload your written response via your WesPortal before you arrive on campus, so you are prepared to discuss it with your new classmates and faculty.
Orientation.
You are expected to be an active participant in all of the activities, throughout the summer and during the start of the fall semester. New student orientation occurs Wednesday, August 28, 2024 through Sunday, September 1, 2024. Meetings include liberal arts faculty advisor sessions, academic and campus life workshops, and an array of residential life programs and social activities. Many orientation activities will provide you with genuine opportunities to establish relationships with people that may last a lifetime! While there will be virtual Orientation activities in the summer, there will also be a formal New Student Orientation upon your arrival. This orientation is designed to familiarize you with the Wesleyan community—what you can expect from us and what we expect from you—and to prepare you for the academic and personal experiences of your undergraduate career. Information will be available and continually updated here.
Arrival Day.
We can’t wait to see you on Wednesday, August 28. Arrival Day is quite special and a favorite event of the year. There is tremendous energy around campus and excitement is in the air welcoming you (our new students) and your families to Wes. Think about it…all of your academic achievements, co-curricular accomplishments, talents, and hard work have brought you to Wesleyan! Continue your positive trajectory and engage yourself here; you will have a myriad of learning opportunities both inside and of the classroom. Get ready for an amazing four years! Roll, Cards!
All my best,
Dean Bisese
William M. Bisese, Ed.D.
Dean for the Class of 2028