October/November 2025

Bulldog Families,

Truth be told, this is not my favorite time of year. While I greatly enjoy the holidays ahead, the early darkness can leave many of us feeling low on energy at day's end. Drawing from my days as a clinician, I often remind people to focus on what they can control. So while we may not control the hours of daylight, we can make choices that keep us motivated and squarely focused on our goals. This can connect to the foods we consume, daily exercise, and the social activities we take part in. There are so many great events coming up on campus, including Halloween events, athletic contests and recreation, shows and, of course, one of our most beloved traditions: the annual Thanksgiving Dinner. These opportunities can help your student feel rejuvenated and ready to power through the final six weeks of the semester. Keep encouraging your student to explore all campus offerings, especially student clubs and organizations.

It was wonderful to see many of you at Homecoming for Alumni and Families and we hope you enjoyed catching up with your student. A few photos from the weekend are included below.

As always, contact information for key campus offices can be found at the end of the newsletter. Continue to speak with your student about taking advantage of all the great resources on campus. Wishing all of our Bulldog families a great start to the holiday season. I look forward to connecting with you again prior to the end of the semester.

Best,

Dave Drucker, M. Ed.

Associate Vice President, Student Life & Dean of Students

The Office of Residence Life

The Office of Residence Life is dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming community for our residents, with programs thoughtfully crafted by students, for students. This Fall, our Resident Assistants (RA) have hosted a variety of events designed to help students connect with one another, explore campus resources, and support their transition to life on campus! As we move into November, we are especially excited to continue in this spirit of community at our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, served by staff and faculty on Thursday, November 20 at 5pm in the Smith Dining Center. For all upcoming Residence Life programs, events, or celebrations happening across campus, please encourage your students to visit the event calendar on eRezLife and follow us @dean.reslife!

Upcoming Break Information

Thanksgiving Break

The residence halls will close on Tuesday, November 25 at 6:30pm for Thanksgiving Break. Students who need to request a late departure or stay on campus over break must submit a Break Request Form via eRezLife by Thursday, November 20. Hall meetings to review important break information are scheduled for the week of November 17. After the break, we look forward to welcoming students back on Sunday, November 30, when the residence halls reopen at 12noon.

Winter Break

Residents are required to depart two hours after the completion of their last exam. All residence halls will close on Thursday, December 11 at 6:30pm for Winter Break. Before leaving, students are asked to clean out their fridges, unplug appliances, remove all trash, and exercise caution when leaving any valuables in their room. Students needing to stay beyond the closing date must submit a Break Request Form via eRezLife by Wednesday, December 3.

Plan Ahead: Residence halls re-open for the Spring semester on Sunday, January 18, and classes will begin on Tuesday, January 20.

Robbins Family Center for Advising and Career Planning

Winter and Spring 2026 Course Registration

Registration for Winter and Spring 2026 courses starts soon--All students have received emails from their Success & Career Advisor with detailed information. In order to register for courses, students need to meet with their Success & Career Advisor. They must also be financially cleared, so please help your student navigate with Student Financial Planning if necessary. Students can access any holds in Self-Service, Student Planning.

Registration starts on November 4 and continues in a staggered format for the following week based on earned credits. Students can view their specific registration date and time in Student Planning. They are responsible for logging in on their assigned registration date and time and registering themselves for classes. Encourage your student to outreach to their Success & Career Advisor to make sure they're ready to go!

Students interested in winter courses can also talk through the options during meetings with their advisor, as that process varies slightly. Winter courses can be a great way to catch up or get ahead!

Opportunities Fair – Thursday, November 13!

Mark your calendars! The Opportunities Fair is happening Thursday, November 13th from 2–5 p.m. in the Student Center. Students can connect with a variety of employers, graduate schools, study-away partners, and on-campus partners, exploring full-time, part-time, volunteer, and other experiential opportunities.

It’s a perfect chance to discover new experiences, practice networking, and have meaningful conversations. Open to all class years—not just seniors! Encourage your student to RSVP on Handshake, check out the Career Closet for professional attire if needed, and get ready to jumpstart their future!

Academic Support at the Morton Family Learning Center

The Morton Family Learning Center supports students every step of the way. Whether preparing for exams, writing papers, planning presentations, or tackling challenging coursework, we offer a variety of free academic support services designed to help them succeed. Located on the first floor of the Green Family Library Learning Commons, the Theodore and Cynthia Berenson Center for Writing, Mathematics, and Presentation Excellence provides:

• Tutoring in writing, math, and subject-specific areas
• Presentation coaching and practice opportunities
• Individual and group study spaces

Students can schedule free tutoring appointments anytime through the Schedule Free Tutoring link on the Learning Center’s page via myDean, or they can stop by for a drop-in session. For questions, the Morton Family Learning Center can be reached at 508-541-1768 or learning@dean.edu.

Calendar Planning

When seeking information about Dean College calendar dates, please use the Official Academic Calendar that is listed on the Dean College website under the heading Academics. Please do not use Google or other internet search engines for the calendar as it is likely to produce outdated and incorrect information.

Key Dates for the Fall Semester 2025

Wednesday, November 26- Friday, November 28

Thanksgiving Break, No Classes

Monday, December 8 - Thursday, December 11

Finals Week

Health Services

We partnered with Walgreen's Pharmacy to host a flu and Covid vaccine clinic for the community on Wednesday, October 22. We saw terrific response and greatly appreciate everyone's efforts. for those that couldn't make it, we do have multiple pharmacies within walking distance of the college and most will take walk-ins. You can refer to the Health Services webpage for more information regarding these locations. Remind your student to keep washing those hands!

What should students do if they test positive for COVID-19?

• Isolate in their rooms until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (Tylenol or Ibuprofen or other medication) AND they are starting to feel better. 
• Health Services requests that students obtain “to go” meals from dining services while isolating. 
• For at least 5 days after resuming normal activities, students should: wear a mask anytime they are in indoors around other people, wash hands frequently and avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease.

What resources are available on campus?

• Dean College Health Services – COVID-19/flu/RSV PCR swabs will be sent out (billed to health insurance)

Students should visit Health Services with additional questions or concerns. We are here to assist!

Health Services is located in Chapman House. Hours of operation during the academic year are Monday through Friday from 9am-4pm. There is an urgent care facility within just a few miles of campus that is open seven days a week. Please check their website for hours of operation Milford Regional Urgent Care.

Counseling Services

The Counseling Center hosted its 8th Annual Fresh Check Day on October 9. Over 100 students attended and had the opportunity to learn about the importance of mental health and engage in a dialogue of wellness with faculty, staff, and peers. Fresh Check Day is a nationally recognized engaging and uplifting mental health promotion event for colleges that features peer-centered interactive booths, a festive social atmosphere, and exciting prizes and giveaways. Fresh Check Day brings the entire campus community together. Interactive booths are run by a variety of student organizations, campus departments, and community partners, with an emphasis on peer-to-peer messaging'*. Photos below.

*freshcheckday.com

The Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm. The Counseling Center staff can be made available for evening hours by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To schedule an appointment with the Counseling Center, students should complete the Counseling Request Appointment Form found HERE, and staff will reach out to them via phone or email. Wait times may vary at certain times during the semester. Community resources are posted for students on myDean, under Counseling Services, the Counseling Center's Instagram page, and the links below. 

Student Resources 

Parent Resources 

Student Financial Planning and Services

FAFSA Raffle - 2026-27 FAFSA is Open!

Filing your FAFSA just got more exciting! To encourage early filing, we’re launching a Monthly FAFSA Raffle — and the earlier you file, the more chances you have to win!

How it works: · File your 2026-2027 FAFSA before Dean’s priority deadline of March 15.

· Get entered into our monthly raffle — with extra entries the earlier you file!

o Filing in October = 6 entries

o Filing in November = 5 entries

o Filing in December = 4 entries

o Filing in January = 3 entries

o Filing in February = 2 entries

o Filing up to March 15th – 1 entry

Prizes include: Gift cards, Dean swag, and other student favorites — drawn every month!

Don’t wait — more entries = more chances to win.

Some aid is available on a first come first serve basis. Earlier filing=better chance of receiving certain aid. Start your FAFSA today: www.studentaid.gov Questions or help needed filing the FAFSA? Email us at sfp@dean.edu or call 508-541-1518 and we can set up an in-person or Teams meeting to help you through the process!

Let’s make FAFSA season rewarding in more ways than one!

 As always, if you have any questions, you can contact the Center for Student Financial Planning and Services at sfp@dean.edu or via phone at (508)-541-1518. 

Spring 2026 Interest-Free Payment Plan

We have partnered with Nelnet Campus Commerce to offer affordable payment plans, so you can stress less about paying for your student’s college tuition. Here are even more perks you can take advantage of when you choose a payment plan:

Easy Enrollment

Securely enroll in the right plan for your family and make tuition payments in stress-free monthly installments.

Flexible Payment Options

Make affordable monthly payments that better fit your financial needs rather than making one big payment at the start of every semester. The 6-month interest free payment plan option opens December 1st.

Stay Informed

Sign up for alerts, text messages, emails, and more, so you never miss out on important information about your student’s tuition payments.

Interest-Free Payments

Split tuition up into monthly payments without worrying about added interest.

Spring 2026 Bills



Bills for the Spring 2026 semester will be available the first week of December on the Student Account Portal and will be due by January 3rd.

If you do not have access already, your student can provide you access by logging into their Student Account Portal and clicking “Add an Authorized Party” on their home screen. You will then receive an electronic invitation to set up your very own credentials.

Dean College Announces 2025-2026 Performing Arts Season

Dean College proudly announces its new 2025-2026 season of theatre and dance performances featuring current Dean students, award-winning faculty, and renowned guest artists and directors. Running from October through May, the lineup includes 12 different productions.

“The performing arts have the power to inspire, challenge, and unite us,” said Stephen Ursprung, Dean of the Schools of Performing Arts. “This upcoming season reflects the passion and dedication of our students and faculty, and we’re honored to share their creative voices with audiences throughout the year.”

Regularly priced tickets range from $12 to $22 per show. Full-season ticket packages offer a 25 percent discount off the regular single-ticket prices. The Full Season Package (eight performances) is $132 for the general public and $72 for senior citizens and non-Dean students. All shows for Dean students are $5.

The Theatre Series Package (four performances – “The Wolves,” “Cabaret,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” and “THE PROM”) is $66 for the general public and $36 for senior citizens and non-Dean students.

The Dance Series Package (four performances – “Fall Dance Concert,” “Faculty Dance Works,” “Choreographers’ Concert” and “Dance Company”) is $66 for the general public and $36 for senior citizens and non-Dean students. Ticket packages and individual show tickets are now available online at www.dean.edu/performance.

2025-2026 Performing Arts Season at Dean

“Fall Dance Concert”

· October 31-November 1, 2025

· Guidrey Center

· Enjoy student works and collaborations that integrate dance, theatre, music, and much more.

“Cabaret”

· November 12-16, 2025

· Main Stage

· Daring, provocative, and exuberantly entertaining, this musical explores the dark and heady life of Bohemian Berlin as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich.

“New Dancer Showcase”

· November 21-22, 2025

· Main Stage

· An informal showing of dance works created by Dean’s upperclassmen dance majors and performed by first-year dance majors.

“New Thespian Showcase”

· November 23-24, 2025

· Main Stage

· An informal showing of monologues, scenes, songs and theatre works brought to the stage by Dean’s first-year theatre majors.

“Faculty Dance Works”

· December 5-6, 2025

· Main Stage

· Two energetic and exciting evenings of dance, featuring outstanding works conceived by the Joan Phelps Palladino Dance Program faculty and renowned guest artists.

Dean has moved to a ticketless validation system for all events. There are two ways to receive your online tickets: digitally, via your mobile device (highly preferred), or by printing your receipt at home and picking up your tickets at the Will Call line at the Main Stage kiosk starting 60 minutes prior to performances with a valid ID. All events and performances are subject to change. Please visit www.dean.edu/performance for all up-to-date times and applicable venue policies. Ticket holders who do not comply with venue policies will not be admitted.

Please note: Dean College welcomes children and families to our performances. However, infants and children under 2 years of age are not allowed in the theatre, and an adult must accompany children under 16. All patrons must have their own ticketed seats; lap sitting is not permitted. Only ADA-certified service animals are allowed in the theatre.

Article by Dean College Marketing Department

IADMS Annual Conference Showcases Collaboration in Dance and Medicine

The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) hosted its annual conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 25–28, welcoming presenters and attendees from around the globe. The conference brought together medical professionals, educators, dancers, and researchers to share new ideas and best practices that support dancer health and performance.

This year, our own Amanda Donahue, Performing Arts Athletic Trainer, and Todd Shanks, Assistant Professor of Dance, shared their expertise through a well-attended movement workshop. Their session connected jazz-specific technique exercises with those used in the Dean AT clinic, offering a fresh perspective on how classroom and clinical methods can work hand-in-hand to improve technique. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to explore ways of bridging the gap between faculty and clinicians. Amanda and Todd have also brought this work back to campus, sharing it with students and continuing to apply the methods in both class and the clinic.

Amanda also represented the collegiate perspective in a panel discussion on how return-on-investment (ROI) data can be used to support performing arts medicine programs. This conversation encouraged audience members—ranging from those in outpatient clinics to private practice—to think about innovative strategies for establishing and sustaining programs in their own settings.

IADMS is a global network dedicated to promoting dancer health through research, education, and medical care. By building connections between faculty, clinicians, and researchers, the organization continues to strengthen the field of dance medicine and create new opportunities for collaboration worldwide.

Congratulations to the women's field hockey team for clinching the College's first ever GNAC regular season championship. The Bulldogs will now begin the postseason as the top seed playing host to Rivier University on Saturday, November 1 at 11am on Grant Field in the first round of the GNAC playoffs. The men's soccer team has also clinched a playoff berth in the GNAC playoffs and will have a road contest as they vie for the conference title. Time and location are still to be determined. Congratulations to our fall sports seniors and all that they have done for their respective programs.

Winter sports will tip-off (pun intended) in just a few short weeks. Continue to follow the Bulldogs on our social media accounts and the athletics website!

Let's Go Bulldogs!

Getting Around Town -Free Shuttle for Students- GATRA GO

Reminder that students can download the Gatra Go United app for a free rideshare service available to them Monday through Friday 6:30am-8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm and Sunday 9am- 6pm. We will provide directions on the student portal (myDean) as there is a special Dean College code for our community.

Students can use the service for Franklin and the neighboring towns of Foxboro, Wrentham, Norfolk, and Bellingham. Students have the opportunity to visit grocery stores, retail shopping centers, restaurants, and movie theatres. This includes Wrentham Outlets (Wrentham) and Patriot Place (Foxboro).

Students who choose to leave and return to campus before and after the hours provided by Gatra Go must obtain their own transportation (friend, rideshare, etc.). Campus Police and Safety cannot leave campus for non-emergency transportation needs.