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Bulldog Families,
Somehow, we are nearing the halfway point of the semester, which brings with it midterms, Spring Break, and longer days with hopeful rising temperatures. It's a great time to check in with your student to see how their courses are going and how they're engaging on campus.
A quick reminder that housing selection and course registration for next year are just around the corner. For our soon-to-be graduates, milestones such as 50 Days to Commencement are fast approaching. Recently, we have welcomed a nationally renowned speaker to campus, hosted the first home playoff game in five years in men's basketball, and enjoyed the incredible talents of our students at the Black Excellence Showcase.
Below you will find updates, events, and highlights from departments across campus. At the end of the newsletter, you will find contact information for key offices in Bulldog Nation. Wishing everyone a great start to spring!
Let's Go Bulldogs!
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Best,
Dave Drucker, M. Ed.
Associate Vice President, Student Life & Dean of Students
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Greetings from the Commencement Committee!
Our countdown to Commencement continues. Monday, February 24th marked 75 Days to Commencement, with our soon-to-be-graduates and their families receiving email invitations to the ceremony. We hope everyone has begun making plans to be with us on Saturday, May 10.
Here are two details you should know about Dean's Commencement:
- The ceremony will be held outside in front of Dean Hall, rain or shine, and you should plan to dress accordingly. Please note: no umbrellas are allowed in order for everyone to have the best possible view, so bring your best rain/shade hats and ponchos.
- The ceremony will be live streamed so that family members and guests who aren't able to be in Franklin in person can still watch the ceremony. We will provide the link in May.
We would kindly ask you to check in with your soon-to-be-graduate to see if they’ve done the following:
- Completed their Graduation Application.
- Ordered their cap and gown. The deadline for this order is Friday, March 21.
- Take a breath and celebrate what they’ve accomplished so far.
We encourage you to explore our commencement webpages at dean.edu/commencement for the latest information and details. We look forward to celebrating with you and your graduate in May!
If you have any questions, please visit the commencement webpages and/or contact commencement@dean.edu.
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Residence Life
Spring Break Reminder
The residence halls will close for Spring Break on this Friday, March 7, 2025, at 6:30 PM and will reopen on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 12:00 PM (noon). Have a wonderful break!
2025-2026 Housing Selection Process
We are thrilled to announce that the Returning Resident Housing Application is live! The Housing Application opened February 28 and closes March 17. The Housing Selection Guide, Housing Selection Info Sessions, Office Hours, and FAQs are available to students via their Dean email and on Today@Dean -- Residence Life page.
Returning students will be eligible for Housing Selection after completing the following steps 1) the Housing Application on the MyHousing Portal 2) making their Enrollment Deposits 3) clearing any holds that may be on their account with Student Financial Planning and Services.
The Housing Application and the Enrollment Deposit are due on March 17. After students complete the Housing Application, they are eligible to request roommates under MyHousing > Room Assignments and More > Select Roommate(s). Housing selection times will begin for Rising Seniors and Juniors the week of March 24, with the week of March 31 for Rising Sophomores / First Years.
Questions? The Office of Residence Life is here for your students! We are offering multiple opportunities to speak with our staff. Visit Today@Dean > Campus Events for the schedule of Housing Selection Information Sessions. For additional questions, students can contact their Resident Director or visit us in Chapman House.
Upcoming Event: Treats in the Streets
Are your students curious about their housing options? Encourage them to attend Treats in the Streets on March 19th, 1-4 PM! This program allows students to tour upperclassmen residence hall rooms, enjoy free food/snacks in each hall, and meet with Residence Life staff to ask any questions.
Plan Ahead: End of Semester!
As Commencement approaches, we want to ensure a smooth transition for your student as they move out of campus housing. All graduating residents must vacate the residence halls and return their keys by 3:00 PM on May 10, 2025.
We encourage students to pack up items ahead of Commencement to ensure a simple, smooth move-out process! Residence Life staff will be available to make the process simple and efficient Day of Commencement.
Thinking about your summer plans?
The residence halls close to all non-graduating residents, May 8 at 6:30 PM. We know moving out of the residence hall and considering storage solutions over the summer can be stressful – we have a solution for you! We have an exclusive partnership with Storage Squad. Storage Squad will pick up, place items in climate-controlled storage, and re-deliver items into the student's residences before they move in. Reserving your students’ space is simple: go to www.storagesquad.com/dean . Box pick-up will be available in Chapman House in April – stay tuned for details!
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Residence Life at 508.541.1838.
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Robbins Family Center for Advising and Career Planning
While registration meetings won't start until the END of March, Spring Break is a nice time to talk to your student about their upcoming classes! Some conversations to have with your student regarding fall registration:
-Have they checked their degree progress in Student Planning to view their remaining courses?
-Are they researching internship opportunities in Handshake?
-Have they thought about whether they are interested in adding anything that would impact their degree progression, for example, adding a minor, studying away, etc.?
Students can always reach out to their Success & Career Advisor if they need a refresher on the Student Planning System!
Quarter 4 Classes
Quarter 4 classes start on March 17th, right after Spring Break! Quarter classes can be a great opportunity to catch up or get ahead, depending on a student's existing spring course load. Interested students should connect with their Success & Career Advisors to determine if adding a quarter 4 class is a good fit for them!
Seeking Peer Mentors
Recruitment has begun for students who are interested in being a Peer Mentor! Peer Mentors work with first-year students in their DCA-100 Campus Connections and DCA-110 Career Connections I courses. Talk to your student (sophomores and higher) about this mentorship opportunity! It's a great way to continue to build essential skills while making a big impact on students as they start their academic journey at Dean. If interested, your student should view the application in Handshake or talk to their Success & Career Advisor for more information! Applications are due March 12.
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Opportunities Fair
Have your students mark their calendars for our Opportunities Fair on Friday, March 28, from 12- 2 PM! This is a great chance for students to connect with employers, explore internships, find volunteer opportunities, or learn about graduate programs.
Career Closet
Spring Break is the perfect opportunity to make sure your student has professional attire for upcoming events. If they need any professional clothing, the Robbins Family Center for Advising & Career Planning offers a career closet filled with donated professional wear. Students are welcome to stop by, browse, and take what they need free of charge!
Career Services is here to help! We’re excited to offer weekly drop-in hours every Friday from 10am – 1pm. Students can stop by for support with resumes, cover letters, job and internship searches, interview prep, and more—no appointment needed!
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Student Activities and Leadership Development
Power of Love
On Tuesday, February 25th the Dean community welcomed Ken Nwadike Jr., a filmmaker, motivational speaker, and peace activist. Ken shared his personal experience growing up experiencing homelessness and witnessing the Rodney King riot in 1991. After becoming a Nike athlete, he founded the Free Hugs Project after attending the 2014 Boston Marathon to bring love and positivity following the prior year's horrifying events. Students were able to chat with Ken for a few minutes afterwards and ask questions and receive a "Free Hug" from the creator himself!
Please remind your students to follow us on all our social media channels, view the posters in the Student Center, and check the portal daily for all of the great events happening in Bulldog Nation!
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Dining Services- Is Your Student Utilizing the Everyday App? | |
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Center for Student Financial Planning and Services
2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The 2025-26 FAFSA application is now open! The earlier you submit the FAFSA the better, as some types of aid are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please be sure to have your FSA ID username and password with you to complete and sign the FAFSA. If this is your first time completing the FAFSA visit studentaid.gov to learn about the application process and how to set up your FSA ID.
We have four additional FAFSA workshops available to help students and families submit the FAFSA. Click on the date to register below:
March 5th, 3:00pm-5:00pm
March 6th, 4:00pm-6:30pm
April 1st, 4:00pm-6:00pm
April 16th, 3:00pm-5:00pm
As always, if you have any questions or would like to set up a one-on-one FAFSA appointment, you can contact the Center for Student Financial Planning and Services.nt Financial Planning and Services at
Spring 2025 - Deposit Due March 17th
Returning to Dean for Fall 2025? A $250 deposit is required as part of the course registration and housing selection process which kicks off in just a few weeks. The deposit is due by March 17th.
Below is some important deposit information:
Dean College
Attn: Student Financial Planning
99 Main Street
Franklin, MA 02038
- If you decide not to return to Dean, you must notify Dean College in writing prior to May 1, 2025 to have your deposit refunded, providing all obligations to the college have been met. In order for your course and room selection to remain secured, your Fall 2025 bill must be satisfied in full by July 17, 2025.
As always, if you have any questions, families can contact the Center for Student Financial Planning and Services at sfp@dean.edu or via phone at (508)-541-1518.
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Morton Family Learning Center
The Morton Family Learning Center offers a wide variety of academic support that will help students during midterms and throughout the semester. Study labs, workshops, and tutoring through our Theodore & Cynthia Berenson Center for Writing, Mathematics and Presentation Excellence are among the many complementary services offered. We encourage students to stop by the Learning Center or email us at learning@dean.edu for more information.
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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 > Academic Resources. 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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Key Dates for 2024- 2025
Monday, March 10- Friday, March 14
Spring Break, No Classes
Monday, April 21
Patriot's Day, No Classes
Monday, May 5- Thursday, May 8
Finals Week
Saturday, May 10
159th Commencement Exercises
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Dean College 2024-2025
Performing Arts
Hey families, we are very excited for our spring performances at Dean. Don't miss out on the tremendous talents of our Bulldogs. Tickets are on sale now!
March 21-23, 2025
An Evening of Short Plays
A new experience in theatre from Dean’s Schools of Performing Arts, this series of short plays will be curated, rehearsed, and performed in the Chapel at Dean Hall.
April 2-6, 2025
Freaky Friday
A new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, this is a heartfelt, comedic, and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic.
April 24-27, 2025
Dance Company
Award-winning faculty and guest choreographers showcase the impressive talent of our dance majors through a mixed bill of new and restaged dance works, ranging in style from hip-hop to jazz dance, tap to modern, and ballet.
April 29, 2025
Theatre Senior Showcase
Featuring scenes, songs, and monologues, the “Theatre Senior Showcase” is a celebration of the Class of 2025 and the cohort’s formal introduction to the professional theatre community.
May 1-2, 2025
Dance Senior Showcase
Creating a performance from the ground up, Dean’s talented senior dance students share their choreography, performance, and production expertise in this annual collaborative showcase.
Photos above are from the performance of Mad Forest. Photos below from the Max Peters 24 Hour Festival.
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Bulldog Athletics
The close of winter athletics and the start of spring have seen playoff wins, early season wins and personal accolades. Congratulations to Natalie Peterson, Diego Alvarez-Segee and Mason Rua on their recent accomplishments! The Men's basketball won its first home playoff game in five years while men's and women's lacrosse secured regular season victories at home over this past weekend. Men's volleyball continues its 2025 campaign and baseball and softball will spend their respective spring breaks in warmer destinations. Click on the individual pictures below for full coverage.
Keep up with all your favorite teams, schedules, articles, and more at deanbulldogs.com.
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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 Police and Safety: 508-541-1888
Center for Student Financial Planning and Services: 508-541-1518
Dining Services: 508-541-1564
Health Services: 508-541-1600
Morton Family Learning Center: 508-541-1768
Residence Life: 508-541-1838
Email: deanofstudents@dean.edu
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