Bulldog Families,
As we enter week four, students on campus have been fantastic and our results thus far through twice weekly testing have been largely NEGATIVE, which is truly a POSITIVE sign. Want to thank everyone for their efforts during move-in, the first we've experienced in the winter months. It is wonderful to see and hear the students daily and we are hopeful that all can make a return in the fall! An annual rite of passage, Puxatawney Phil, the groundhog in Pennsylvania saw his shadow again this year, which apparently takes place about 85% of the time (graphic from NOAA). Thankfully, he's only right about 40% of the time so combined with news of the COVID19 vaccine, we can hope for brighter times ahead literally and figuratively. This is also a festive month where we usher in the Chinese New Year (Year of the Ox) and celebrate Black History Month, recognizing the accomplishments and impact of people of color on our society and culture, past and present. Below are updates and information for all students and families.
I hope everyone's spring semester if off to a great start and remind all that contact numbers are listed at the end of this newsletter if you wish to reach out to respective departments at any time.
Dave Drucker, M. Ed.
Assistant Vice President, Student Life & Dean of Students
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COVID19 Campus Testing
Students have done a terrific job thus far learning the procedures of scheduling tests and following through each week. Our COVID testing dashboard is posted once each week on the Dean College website COVID Updates: Spring 21 Semester at Dean. We have been sending updates and reminders to students to both reinforce the positive decisions that everyone is making and that we cannot get complacent this spring. Below are a few notes recently posted for students:
If students miss an appointment time slot they should visit the testing center on that same day and the center will do their best to accommodate them for testing. It is critical that everyone maintain twice a week testing while controlling for the amount of people in the center each day.
If students receive an 'Inconclusive' result they should return to the testing center on the next business day or they will be restricted. Once they have retested, the 'Restricted' symbol can be removed by the testing center. Commuter students should visit the testing center on the very next day they visit campus and the same situation will apply.
Students with a prior positive COVID-19 test will reenter the testing cycle 90 days after their initial positive result. They should provide that result to Health Services to for documentation purposes.
Those that have received the COVID vaccinations will remain in the testing protocol via recommendations from the health community.
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Robbins Family Center for Advising & Career Planning
- Success and Career Advisors have been so excited to welcome students for the Spring semester. Please encourage your student to check their Dean email and connect with their advisor to start the semester strong!
- Our Essential Skills workshop series is up and running! Check out Campus Events on Today@Dean to find details about in person and virtual workshops, including LinkedIn, Interview Tips, and Networking events!
- Have a graduating senior? Now is the time to job hunt! Encourage your seniors to reach out directly to their Success and Career Advisor or to Thea Cerio, Director of Career Planning and Internships about their search process!
- Have a junior interested in graduate school? Now is the time to start looking! Dean has articulation agreements with several graduate schools, and virtual open houses for those schools are available under Campus Events on Today@Dean! As always, you can also encourage your student to connect directly with their Success and Career Advisor to start the conversation!
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Home Sweet Home- From the Office of Residence Life
Greetings from the Office of Residence Life! It was with enthusiasm that the Residential Life staff were able to welcome back students living on campus this semester. After many months connecting virtually, we are focused on the residential experience, understanding that it is both instrumental to a student’s sense of independence and their memory-making throughout their college experience. In the First-Year Residence Halls, the Residence Life staff have centered their efforts on creating a home-away-from-home while making a personal investment in the growth, success, and belonging of first-year students in our residence halls. After Opening Week and Community introductions, the first-year students were asked to participate in surveys to share what programs and activities they want to see in their residence halls. Based on the responses from first-year students, we have developed, crafted, and announced our First-Year Programming this past week. The programming aims to offer seven comprehensive themes, one theme for each day of the week, each offering a targeted approach to engagement from education outside the classroom, to video games, mindfulness, and more! By taking part in these programs and activities, students will expand their ability to meet new friends, develop independency and self-advocacy skills, build an inclusive community, learn about campus resources and involvement, and become an active part of their community! The Residential Life professional and student staff are available to assist your students in acclimating and navigating to the college lifestyle. All students are welcome and we encourage them to participate in these new events as it is our goal to offer these programs as a means to integrate first-year students into the Dean community.
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Dining Services- Order on the Go with Bite Universities!
Bulldogs can now order 'on the go' from the Bulldog Beanery and Boomer's Restaurant using Sodexo's Bite Universities App. The new service allows students to order their favorite beverage and food while using a touchless payment system and having it ready when they arrive! Directions for downloading can be found on the Dean Dining Services webpage.
View the webpage for days and hours of operation at all campus eateries, get a closer look at all that Sodexo brings to the table each semester and view a list of area restaurants that accept Boomer's Bucks! The Dining Center recently celebrated the Chinese New Year with some wonderful delicacies and will continue its pop up events throughout campus. We will have another celebratory dinner to celebrate Black History Month at the close of February. We have been thrilled to see how many students have continued to dine with us while adhering to safety protocols in place for spring. We will continue to monitor our space and provide encouragement and reminders when needed.
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Involvement is the Key! Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development
Even in this unique time the College is looking to keep activities in full swing...did you know there have already been 25 activities with over 500 in attendance. There is a reservation system in place for hosted events and a full list of virtual and in-person events listed on Today@Dean. Students should view the page daily for student organization meeting and event information. We have a Leadership Expo this week for students to explore more about the roles that exist throughout the year! Please have your student visit the Student Activities and Leadership Development Office on the Lower Level of the Campus Center for more information on all of these exciting opportunities. Ask for Brian or Brittany!
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GO GATRA UNITED
Students looking to do some grocery or retail shopping can take advantage of a new service called GO GATRA UNITED. Students simply download the App and then use it like a car sharing service. There is currently a three person maximum for vehicles. The map to the left displays the region students can go (Wrentham Outlets, Patriot Place, Bellingham). It is FREE through the month of February and then beginning in March will be $2 per person per ride. Very affordable! Runs Monday- Friday 7am- 6pm and Saturday 9am -6pm.
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Is Anxiety Contagious? From the Office of Counseling Services
It’s true, COVID isn’t the only thing we need to worry about catching. Due to the social nature of humans, anxiety is in fact contagious. It is not all bad news though, part of what makes anxiety contagious is our ability to empathize. So how do we continue to be empathetic to our family and friends, while also attending to our own mental health? See below for 3 tips to help prevent taking on someone else’s anxiety.
1. Keep your own anxiety in check- Continue to use the skills that you have to manage your own anxiety and triggers. Square breathing is a good one. For a tutorial, visit:
3. Don’t borrow worry- Empathize, but don’t own it. Be kind and supportive to your family and friends, but don’t take on their worry. If you start to notice yourself feeling stressed or overwhelmed, do something for yourself that encourages positivity and calm. To help regain your calm visit: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/instantly-calm-stressful-situations/
Counseling Services continues to provide support to students through telehealth appointments. Reach out to counselingservices@dean.edu for more information!
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Financial Planning for 2021-2022
Reminder - If you plan on applying for financial aid for the 2021-2022 academic year, we recommend that you complete the 2021-2022 FAFSA as soon as possible at www.fafsa.gov so we can provide you with a financial aid award before the end of the spring term. A deposit of $250 will be due on March 15. This deposit will allow your student to select their room and register for classes for Fall 2021. Information about the deposit will be sent via email to both parents and students in the next week or two. Please feel free to contact the Center for Student Financial Planning and Services with any questions at 508-541-1518 or email them at sfp@dean.edu.
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Calendar Planning
When seeking information about Dean College calendar dates, please use the Official Academic Calendar that is listed on www.dean.edu under the Academics tab. Please do not use Google or other internet search engines for the calendar as it is likely to produce outdated and incorrect information.
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Digital Resources only for Spring
As a safety precaution, Dean College will be eliminating the use of paper and utilizing digital classroom resources, assignments and assessments shared through MyCourses, even in face-to-face classes. Small group discussion in socially-distanced classrooms will also be enhanced through digital technologies. For this reason, students are required to bring charged laptops to all face-to-face classes on a daily basis. Students with any questions should contact their advisor.
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As always, please feel free to reach out to any of our offices if we can be of further support to you or your student.
Advising and Career Planning: 508.541.1536
Athletics: 508.541.1816
Campus Safety: 508.541.1888
Dining Services: 508.541.1564
Morton Family Learning Center: 508.541.1768
Residence Life: 508.541.1838
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