JWU Family e-Newsletter
October 2023
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HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND RECAP
JWU's Providence Campus welcomed more than 1,500 students and family members for Homecoming & Family Weekend, Oct. 6 - 8. From e-Bingo on Friday night, to the Culinary Showcase on Saturday and the one-day-rain-delayed Wildcat Wahoo on Sunday, events offered opportunity for families to connect with their students and explore campus.
If you were with us for Homecoming & Family Weekend, please provide feedback on your experience in this short survey. Share the link with other family members who attended and ask them to complete it as well. And be on the lookout for details related to next year's Homecoming & Family Weekend.
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THANK YOU!
Homecoming & Family Weekend is an annual event that takes lots of planning from so many in the JWU community. Student and professional staff in Student Engagement, clubs & orgs, faculty and staff from JWU's academic colleges, Athletics, Campus Safety & Security, Events & Catering, the Culinary Museum, JWU's Facilities and Grounds crews, the Parent & Family Advisory Board, and many more all make it happen. To the students and families who bring positivity and excitement to the weekend, helping to make it great – including this dad from Massachusetts who joined me for a photo even when I told him I'd put it in the newsletter – thank you! It was wonderful having you all with us.
– from Sandy in Parent & Family Relations
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RESIDENTIAL LIFE REMINDERS
With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, please note some important information about "breaks." Students can't always go home for Thanksgiving and Spring Break, so our halls stay open and students are welcome to stay. Note that dining options are limited, and the transportation schedule is reduced as we have minimal students staying on campus.
For Winter Break, all residence halls close and students must vacate their rooms by Friday, Dec. 15 at 12 noon. Halls reopen on Sunday, Jan. 7 at 10 am. Students do not need to empty their rooms for Winter Break but they should remember to take all essential items as re-entry isn't possible.
Students who have no option of returning home during Winter Break can apply for fee-based extended stay housing. We will send more info to all residents in November.
Two-year residency requirement
As you think about housing for the next academic year, remember that Johnson & Wales University has a two-year residency requirement for students who started this year. More information about housing selection for 2024-2025 will be shared in future communications.
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OFF-CAMPUS LIVING INFO SESSIONS
Off-Campus Student Services and Community Standards & Conduct will offer two sessions on Off-Campus LIFE for resident students considering a move off campus next year. These sessions will incorporate an activity and discussion to provide students with a realistic understanding of what to expect, and what is expected of them, when living off campus.
The sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7 pm in Snowden Hall, and Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 7 pm at Harborside Village. Please encourage your student to attend if they are considering living off campus. Remember, as noted above, JWU has a two-year live-on-campus residency requirement. Most students are not eligible to move off until their junior year. Your student should check with Residential Life to confirm their eligibility.
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EXCITING OFFERINGS IN CAMPUS DINING
Campus Dining is pleased to present pop-up events through The JWU Dining Series. Wildcats can experience an upscale menu and service presented by JWU's Catering & Events departments.
The JWU Dining Series takes place at Harbor View's Rhode Island Room. From passed beverages & hors d’oeuvres to plated prix fixe menus, the Series takes place monthly. Brunch to dinner service menus are crafted based on seasonal items and themed events. Guests are invited to dress for the occasion.
Reservations are required for The JWU Dining Series. Students can reserve a ticket at PVDDiningReservations@Jwu.edu. All guests will be charged one (1) meal swipe or one (1) Wildcat meal per person. Meal deduction is charged the day of the event. Reservations that are cancelled 48 hours prior to an event will not be charged. Any reservations that are cancelled after the 48 hour timeframe will be charged the one (1) meal swipe or one (1) Wildcat meal per person.
Reservations are confirmed on a first-come-first-served basis. Additional seating may be added to events. Events that become fully committed may place additional guests on a waiting list.
Alcohol may be sold at events to guests 21 years of age and older. Sales will be an additional cost and payment can be made on-site by credit card, debit card & Apple Pay.
The next JWU Dining Series event is a Masquerade Dinner, on Oct. 26.
Wildcat Concessions will be available at home games, with a new menu. Students and fans should also be on the lookout for the Wildcat Concessions golf cart! Place your order right from the stands and the cart will deliver.
Finally, we are pleased to announce Tasting Tuesdays at Liberty Market. Once a month,
Liberty Market will host a local vendor to showcase their products. Coming up, on October 17, is Barrett’s Garden, a dairy-free, plant-based cheese company. Free samples will be available.
To ask questions, provide a comment or share ideas, email Campus Dining.
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STUDENT ENGAGEMENT BRINGS THE FUN
Multiple weeks of rainy Fridays and Saturdays didn't stop Student Engagement, the University Involvement Board and JWU Wildcats from exploring off-campus locations. On Sept. 29 we visited the Big E (Eastern States Exposition) in western Mass., and then Block Island the very next day. Coming up is a trip to Salem, Mass., on Oct. 13. All events, including off-campus travel, are promoted on the Involvement Network and Student Engagement's jwuLink page. Ticket sales for off-campus trips typically open the Wednesday evening before the event. They sell quickly, so students should be ready to log in as soon as possible.
JWU Serves
Clubs & orgs will be out in force for JWU Serves, a day of service, on Friday, Nov. 17. Beneficiaries include the Providence Animal Rescue League, Ronald McDonald House, RI Food Bank and the ELISHA project. Even if your student is not part of an organization but is interested in participating in JWU Serves, they can get involved. Encourage them to look for the JWU Serves group on jwuLink for more information.
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CAREER FAIR THIS WEEK
Experiential Education & Career Services hosted the Culinary & Hospitality Industry Career Fair on Thursday, October 12, from 11 am - 3 pm, in the Wildcat Center. Over 80 employers were on campus to recruit students looking for full-time jobs and internships, including Compass Group USA, Boston Children’s Hospital, Ocean Properties, Penn Entertainment, US Coast Guard, Disney Culinary Program, White Lodging, Marriott, Delaware North, Inspire Brands and Wegmans Food Markets. We will also be hosting our Food Technology, Nutrition & Dietetics Forum, from 10 am - 1:30 pm.
Students are encouraged to stop by the EE&CS office to have their resumes reviewed by an Experiential Education & Career Advisor and to get all of their questions about attending a Career Fair answered. It’s never too early to attend a Career Fair and learn about the important networking opportunities they offer.
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JWU ECO PLANS SURPLUS SALE
JWU’s Energy Conservation Office (JWU ECO) has been hard at work since move-in day. We’ve had several meetings, including one with the Green Collaborative. The Green Collaborative includes JWU ECO and student orgs Bee the Change, Cooking Asia, SASS (Student Advocates Supporting Sustainability), and the Club of Culinary Excellence. Combined, we discussed our hopes for the JWU Garden, on the Harborside Campus. They include adding more signage to what is being grown, adding more beds for vegetables and herbs, planting fruit trees for the first time, and plans for composting and watering in a more efficient way.
The Green Collaborative's collective vision for the JWU Garden will be addressed throughout the year. Stay tuned for updates and stop by in person to see its progress.
JWU ECO is also incredibly excited for our biannual Surplus Sale, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 24 & 25, from 9 am - 2 pm, in the Friedman Center (2nd floor). Our Surplus Sale sells used yet useful items that are in good condition, including cookware and kitchenware, utensils, furniture, clothing, and more. There is also a table that has free items, and for the first time ever, we are including a JWU employee section. Here, faculty and staff can bring their e-waste (old wires, electronics, etc.), along with papers to shred or plastics to recycle that may be lying around their office or home. We will take care of it! We look forward to seeing JWU students, faculty, and staff at the Surplus Sale!
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THE ART OF TRANSITION
Bridges Transition Model defines three stages an individual experiences during change: Ending What Currently Is, The Neutral Zone and The New Beginning.
Transition to college begins with an ending. This first stage can be difficult since there are many external changes when moving away for the first time. This can bring up a range of difficult feelings.
As students grapple to let go of the old while adapting to the new, they enter the second stage which is the transition or neutral zone. The art of transition is an internal process that challenges us to create new ways of coping and connecting. Embracing uncertainty and building resiliency are key components to a successful college adjustment.
The final stage, or new beginning, is evident when you observe in your student increased confidence, expanded coping skills and stronger connections to their new life and relationships in college. As parents and guardians, your steady support, patience and coaching through these stages will ease their transition. Be sure to validate and accentuate the gains!
– Jean Russell, LICSW
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FAFSA FILING UPDATE
Filing the FAFSA as early as possible annually is a best practice for students receiving financial aid. Because of new FAFSA simplification rules, the FAFSA will not be available for the 24/25 academic year until sometime in December. JWU's Student Financial Services department will share more info as soon as a date is set.
Please direct any questions about payments, financial aid and the FAFSA to your student's financial planner. Remember, planners can't discuss specifics of your student's account with you unless they've granted authorization.
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SPRING SEMESTER REGISTRATION
October marks the halfway point for the fall semester and the opening of registration for the spring 2024 semester. Student Academic Services is visiting each First Year Seminar (FYS) class to review the registration process with our newest Wildcats.
Registration begins at 6 am on Oct. 12 and start dates extend through Oct. 23. Each student's registration start date is based on their earned credits. Generally, seniors register first, followed by juniors, then sophomores, and first-years. Those who utilize Accessibility Services, as well as varsity athletes, are eligible to register with the first group of students, on Oct. 12.
Registration assistance is available to all students by appointment with their assigned academic advisor, as well as through drop-ins on select days with any available advisor. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their academic advisor ahead of time, or to drop in for more time sensitive assistance.
Week 8 (October 16-20) marks the middle of the semester. Students will likely have mid-term exams or assignments during this time. Any student who needs academic support can utilize the Academic Success Center.
How can you support your student? This month, with midterms approaching and registration for spring happening, you can support your student by checking in on their general wellbeing. If they feel stuck, encourage them to be their own advocate and utilize the resources available. Encourage them to compose a list of questions they have which can be reviewed with their academic advisor. We are here to help, and sometimes the asking for help is the hardest part!
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ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FROM ASC AND PASS
PASS (Peer Assisted Success Sessions) is a supplementary instruction program for students in challenging courses. PASS leaders are students who have taken the course and are trained and supervised by Emelia Orellana, the Programs Manager at the Academic Success Center (ASC). During PASS meetings, PASS leaders review course concepts and teach study and learning strategies to help students learn the course material. PASS leaders are also available to meet with students one-on-one or in small groups.
All PASS sessions meet in the ASC on the first floor of the Yena Center and are available to students at no extra cost. The PASS courses and meetings for the fall 2023 semester are as follows:
- ACCT 1210: Monday, 5 - 6 pm, and Wednesday, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
- BIO 1011: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 5 - 6 pm
- CHM 1000: Monday, 5 - 6 pm, and Tuesday, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
- ENGN 1015: Monday, 12:30 - 1:30 pm, and Thursday, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
- ENGN 2001: Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 - 10:30 am
- ENGN 2009: Wednesday, 9:30 - 10:30 am & 11 am - 12 pm
- MATH 1020: Monday, 3:30 - 4:30 & 5 - 6 pm, and Wednesday, 5 - 6 pm
If your student is registered for one of these courses, please remind them that PASS is a valuable resource. PASS is available to help them pass the class!
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UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR FINANCE MAJORS
Again this year, Finance students are diving into the Wildcat Investment Value Fund (WIVF) as one of the College of Business’ (COB) Directed Educational Experience (DEE)* courses. The WIVF fund is 100% run by JWU COB students who are earning credit hours while they rebalance the fund’s 11-sector portfolio and prepare detailed quarterly financial reports. With a market value of just over $260,000 (as of October 2023), WIVF members are planning to buy stock in seven more companies (three this Fall and four in the Spring). The 13 students enrolled in the DEE course are also getting a head start on the planning process for G.A.M.E. Forum 2024, an annual portfolio competition taking place in New York City. (Pictured are students who participated in the G.A.M.E. Forum last year, also in NYC.)
* In DEEs, students are offered an intensive, project-based experiential learning opportunity conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. The course is recognized as an Experiential Education (EE) course, indicating that experiential learning is used as a primary method of achieving the course objectives.
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MARRIOTT WELCOMES HOSPITALITY STUDENTS TO BOSTON
On Friday, September 22, a full busload of Wildcats traveled to Boston to meet Marriott executives and tour Marriott hotels. Headquarters was the Westin Copley Place, where the kickoff meeting started the day. After introductions from the hosts, students were divided into groups based on their interests, including Food & Beverage, Events, and Rooms Operations. One group toured the Westin, and one group each traveled to the Boston Marriott Copley Place and the Boston Marriott Long Wharf. After detailed front- and back-of-house tours and Q&A sessions, the entire group gathered back at the Westin for lunch and discussions with managers and recruiters.
Experiential Education & Career Services (EE&CS) sponsored the transportation. The students were joined by representatives from EE&CS and College of Hospitality Management faculty.
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JWU CALENDAR
Nov. 10 / Veterans Day: No classes/offices closed
Nov. 22 – 24 / Thanksgiving break/offices closed
Nov. 29 / Spring Payment Deadline
Visit the official University calendar for important dates. Students should also pay attention to class-specific announcements shared by their faculty.
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JWU Parent & Family Community
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PFAB PERSPECTIVES: LETTING GO
The hardest part of parenting is letting go. From standing guard over first steps, to drop off at the first day of kindergarten, to the first day of camp, to guiding a two-wheeler from behind, to allowing them to walk home alone, the exhilarating rollercoaster of parenting and caregiving is an ongoing series of letting go.
And now, on to maybe the biggest “letting go” of all: college life! There is no doubt that this can be one of the most exciting times in your student’s life. But it can also be an exciting time in a parent’s life. It’s easy to lament the empty nest but it’s also just as easy to see this time as your accomplishment. You have a kid in college! My husband and I love hearing about what our daughter is learning and reading her papers and being in awe of all she is learning. We also celebrate every tuition payment with a special dinner and revel in knowing we are doing our best for our little scholar and this is our win, too.
So parents and caregivers, be proud! You’re learning and growing as well!
– PFAB member Karen Koza is from New York. Her daughter, Lexi, is a Data Analytics major in JWU's Class of 2025.
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We Want To Hear From You!
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JWU Parent & Family Relations serves as a liaison to parents and family members of incoming and current students through communication and programs. This monthly e-Newsletter helps you stay connected to your student as you journey with them through their JWU experience.
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Stay connected from the Parent & Family Perspective
Parent & Family Relations Office
Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4:30pm
401-598-2895
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