JWU Family e-Newsletter
November 2023
SAVE THE DATE: GIVINGTUESDAY IS NOVEMBER 28!

GivingTuesday is a global day of generosity that is all about showing your support for the causes that mean the most to you. As a member of the Johnson & Wales family community, you can help ensure the unique and transformative JWU experience is available to all. Gifts to JWU directly support our Wildcats’ journeys to fulfilling their academic potential, professional ambitions and personal aspirations.

In the past, family donors have supported student scholarships; clubs, organizations or athletics teams their students are passionate about; even the JWU Emergency Fund, which helped students with demonstrated need replace a stolen laptop, travel home for a family emergency, finance unexpected car repairs so a commuter could get to campus, and more.

Gifts large or small are important and, combined, have a significant impact on our students' experiences. We appreciate the incredible generosity demonstrated by Wildcat families. Thank you!
FERPA & PROXY REMINDER/SYSTEM UPDATE

FERPA, or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and helps ensure that students have control over their personal information and can make informed decisions about sharing it. Schools must have written permission from students before sharing personally identifiable information, such as grades or financial aid records, with parents, employers, or others. In accordance with FERPA, portions of Student Academic & Financial Services records can be accessed by parents, family, and others when the student completes the authorization process on the parent/family proxy site on jwuLink.

Student Academic Services recently updated our page for managing parent/family proxy access to academic and financial records. This page is designed to make it easier for students and their families to access important information. Please note that any previous permissions to view Academic & Financial Services information have expired due to this upgrade. However, your login information and passphrase, if set up, remain unchanged.

If you previously had parent/family proxy access, your student has been sent instructions on how to assign authorizations so that you can continue to view their records online. If you have any trouble accessing the information, just remind your student to assign authorizations. We've also made some improvements to the page's design, making it more user-friendly. Depending on what's been authorized, you may notice expanded access to information. If you need help resetting your password, just ask your student to do a password reset for you via the Proxy Management link.

Through jwuLink, Student Academic Services provides videos to help students navigate the proxy process. Families can view them in this playlist.

Please note that these changes do not impact the JWU Payment Portal. This remains a separate website and login.
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES PREPARING FOR FINALS

Final exam are right around the corner, and Accessibility Services is already preparing for finals week. We proctored over 200 exams during finals week last year at our two campus locations. We anticipate even more exam requests this semester due to the growing number of students utilizing our services.
 
If your student works with Accessibility Services, they should have received an announcement from their accessibility advisor. Students were asked to submit their exam request as early as possible. Our new Accessibility Services Portal makes this a smooth process for students. 
 
Students who want to take their final exams in the Accessibility Services office to utilize their testing accommodations have until the end of November to submit their final exam requests. The earlier they submit it, the better – please encourage your student to submit their request today!
HONORS PROGRAM HAPPENINGS

One rainy day in late October, a group of Honors students, joined by Resident Assistant Joe Tutela and Honors Program Assistant Director Professor Colleen Less, converted one of the common room walls in Snowden’s new Honors Living and Learning Community into a giant chalkboard. After fueling up with the best bagels ever, messy fun was had by all painting the wall. The results are in—the chalkboard is big hit with the students and the day was a tremendous community builder. Enjoy watching the conversion from wall to chalkboard in this time-lapsed video. 

Meanwhile, Senior Honors Student Emma Smith has been holding weekly study hours in the new Honors Program space located on the first floor of the John Hazen White building. And Senior Honors Student Sienna Snowden has taken the lead, along with Junior Davis Bone, in revitalizing the Honors Student Association, a student club dedicated to building connections among program participants while contributing to the JWU community as a whole.

Ongoing engagement with the Program reflects the spirit of community building that began before the Fall 2023 semester when new Honors Program students participated in a variety of early arrival experiences. In addition to other “getting to know you” activities, students traveled to Newport to tour The Breakers Mansion and explore the Cliff Walk. The next group adventure is planned for December 1, when interested Honors students will travel to Boston for a guided tour of the famous Freedom Trail.
BUSINESS STUDENTS COMPETE

A team of five JWU College of Business students and two faculty coaches, Dr. Kristen Regine and Professor Diane Santurri, participated in the annual Northeast Intercollegiate Sales Competition (NISC) hosted by Bryant University on November 10 and 11. NISC offers employers and students multiple opportunities to engage through networking, a tournament-style sales competition, individualized feedback and coaching, skill and leadership building sessions, social media and more. This year, 28 schools participated and, out of a total of 158 students, two JWU Wildcats made it to the semifinals for the role play competition.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT'S NEW LOUNGE IS OPEN

Student Engagement is excited to announce the opening of new student space on the Harborside Campus. On the first floor of the Friedman Center, across from Liberty Market, students can enjoy the new Student Engagement Lounge. The space is newly remodeled and features lots of individual and group seating options, table and board games, charging stations, conference-style rooms, and more.

Since the space opened last month, students have given it a resounding stamp of approval. They're using it to study, hang out, have a snack, meet with fellow club members, etc. It is perfect for commuters or anyone who needs a place to relax before, in between or after classes.

Hours for the new lounge are:
  • Monday - Thursday, 9:30 am - 10:30 pm
  • Friday, 9:30 am - 11 pm
  • Saturday & Sunday, 12 pm - 11 pm

There's a grand opening scheduled for Dec. 6, from 12 - 3 pm. Attendees will enjoy free samples from Liberty Market, door prizes, live music and lots more. Tell your Wildcat to check it out.
EE&CS OFFERS PHOTOS AND CLOTHING

Experiential Education & Career Services is known as a one-stop-shop on campus for all things career advising, but there are also some new and exciting things students can take advantage of when they visit us in the Yena Center. Our new LinkedIn Headshot Station allows students to get a professional headshot taken any time, Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm. The photo is emailed to students on the spot so they can update their LinkedIn profile or portfolio, or for any other professional needs they have. If students want something new and professional to wear for their headshot, or any other event that requires professional dress, they can also shop our Career Closet. The Career Closet is filled with donated professional clothing from the JWU community that students can shop for FREE. We hope to see your Wildcat soon!
IMPORTANT RESIDENTIAL LIFE INFO

With Winter Break fast approaching, it is important that families make note of dates and procedures announced by Residential Life. Please discuss with your student.
 
Residence halls close at 12 pm on Friday, December 15, and reopen at 10 am on Sunday, January 7. 
 
Students who wish to remain on campus for Winter Break must be in good standing with the Office of Community Standards and Conduct. They must also submit the Winter Break Housing Request before Dec. 4, and receive approval from Residential Life. All students approved to stay on campus will have a $400 housing charge added to their student invoice.
 
Preparation for Break 
Prior to vacating their rooms for Winter Break, students are asked to make sure: 
  • All windows and doors are locked 
  • All electrical appliances are unplugged 
  • Small refrigerators are unplugged and defrosted 
  • Rooms/apartments are clean, trash is removed, and no items have been left on the floor or windowsills 
  • All medications have been taken home by the resident 
Although it is not necessary for residents returning in Spring to remove all belongings, it is recommended that residents secure all valuables or take valuables with them during the break. As previously noted, the University is not responsible for damage to, or loss of, any resident or guest belongings. 
 
Spring Intent REMINDER 
If your student is transferring, graduating, or moving out due to an internship, they will receive information asking them to complete a Spring Intent form. The form is available on our Wildcat Housing System.
 
Students moving out at the end of the fall semester must vacate the residence halls no later than noon on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Residents are responsible for ensuring their room/apartment is in compliance with all procedures outlined by Residential Life for the academic year and breaks. Find information in the Guide to On-Campus Living.
CAMPUS DINING NEWS

If your Wildcat is staying on campus over the Thanksgiving break, note that Campus Dining will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 23. However, prepared Thanksgiving meals will be available for purchase (meal swipe, cash, credit, flex) at the markets, ClockTower and Liberty Market, on Wednesday, Nov. 22, from noon - 6 pm.
 
Campus Dining looks forward to hosting the following upcoming activities (students can find more info on jwuLink or by contacting Campus Dining):
 
JWU Dining Series, Friendsgiving – Nov. 17, from 12 - 3 pm, in the Rhode Island Room at Harbor View. We invite participants to bring a nonperishable item for the We Share Hope local food bank. Reservations recommended.

Honoring Indigenous Peoples' Menu at Snowden, Nov. 29, from 5 - 9 pm.

Taste of Winter . . . Mingle, Sip & Savor – Dec. 8, 7 - 9 pm, Harbor View/Rhode Island Room. Students can enjoy a two-hour cocktail style event as our Campus Dining team showcases their holiday favorites, small plates, beverages and desserts. We will have raffles and prizes, holiday music, a photo booth and 11 food stations featuring a carving station with Campus Dining Director Chef Ken Watt. Reservations recommended.
 
Exam week – Dec. 11 - 14
Campus Dining will offer complimentary snack and coffee stations at the Harborside Library and Downcity Academic Success Center. “Brain Bowls” will be served at Snowden all week – keep your brain sharp with brain healthy food! We'll also have a Winter Celebration Menu at Harborside Cafe and Snowden, featuring hearty meals and winter décor.
BOOKSTORE PROMO

Planning any shopping for your favorite Wildcat in the near future? Consider the "friends & family" promo with Follett, the JWU Bookstore. Here's a link, and the fine print: Online only. Offer applies to clothing, accessories, and gifts. Offer not valid on Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Lululemon, Yeti, Stanley, Hydro Flask, diploma frames, regalia, hardware, NIL college athlete merchandise, select items marked “online only”, electronics, and gift cards. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Other exclusions may apply. Discount will display in the cart after customer enters promo code FRIENDSFAM23. Valid until 11:59 PM CT 11/27/23.
NEWS FROM JWU ECO

JWU ECO has been very busy this fall semester. A few members of SASS (Student Activists Supporting Sustainability), a student organization we work closely with, invited guest speaker Tyler Akabane to campus, to discuss his career progression. Tyler turned a hobby of foraging mushrooms into a successful full-time job by selling the mushrooms he collects to local restaurants. He owns The Mushroom Shop in Somerville, MA. 

The Energy Conservation Office also launched a composting volunteer program for students at Harborside Village. It started at the beginning of the school year and will wrap up when this semester ends, on Dec. 15. The compost collected will be given to a local pig farmer who has a partnership with JWU, ultimately allowing him to feed his pigs.

We assisted with two tree plantings this semester. On campus, ECO planted a mixture of 12 Pawpaw, four Mulberry and four Elderberry trees at the JWU Gardens, along with four Elm and three Giant Arborvitae trees by the baseball fields. Off campus, ECO helped plant 14 trees for the City of Providence.

Finally, the biannual Surplus Sale was held on October 24 and 25, and was a huge success. ECO wants to thank everyone who came and put a dent in the surplus. With the participation of faculty, staff and students, many items were taken home, including Vitamixers, laptops, projectors, desks, tables, chairs, clothing, china and kitchenware. Being able to reuse these items instead of throwing them out greatly helps to reduce waste. 
HEALTHY TECH USE

To help your student with healthy technology use, ask them to establish a way to monitor their own wellness. This can be done by establishing how they typically respond to the world. Once they establish a baseline they can then monitor for changes. If they notice that technology is negatively impacting their wellness, by comparing themselves to this baseline, then they will know that it is time to pursue change.

Typical areas of change that your student may observe include changes in sleeping patterns, diet, social interactions, and ability to manage stress.

Ask your student: “Do you think about technology/social media throughout the day while engaging in other activities? Have you intended to reduce time using technology but then have been unable to? Have you observed yourself to feel more anxious, experience more worry, or experience an increase in stress around using technology?” If they notice these changes, then it is time to help them change how they use and interact with technology.

– Joe Valder, LMHC
Athletics News
WILDCATS ARE CHAMPIONS

The women’s soccer team captured their fourth-straight GNAC Championship with a 2-1 win over Emmanuel (MA) on November 4. Junior Emily DeRoehn was named GNAC Defensive Player of the Year while freshman Sophia Warburton took home GNAC Rookie of the Year honors. The Wildcats entered the NCAA Tournament with the highest scoring offense in the nation at 4.13 goals/match.

The men’s soccer team won its 10th GNAC Championship with a 2-0 shutout of Norwich on November 4. Graduate students Aidan Bagley and Jonathan Baker were named GNAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively.

The field hockey team won its third-consecutive GNAC Championship with a 4-1 win over Colby-Sawyer on November 4. Head coach Lisa Lopes was named GNAC Coach of the Year for the second-consecutive season. Three other student-athletes garnered major awards as junior Haley Budenas was tabbed GNAC Defensive Player of the Year, freshman Sophia Brea was named Goalkeeper of the Year, and classmate Ava Pontes garnered GNAC Rookie of the Year honors.

Congratulations, Wildcats!
Mark Your Calendars
JWU CALENDAR

Nov. 22 – 24 / Thanksgiving break/offices closed
Nov. 29 / Spring Semester Payment Deadline
Dec. 11 – 14 / Final Exams
Dec. 15 / Res halls close @ noon
Dec. 15 – Jan. 7 / Winter Break: offices close 12/21 and reopen 1/2
Jan. 7 / Res halls open @ 10 am
Jan. 8 / Spring Semester classes begin

Visit the official University calendar for more important dates. Students should also pay attention to class-specific announcements shared by their faculty.
JWU Parent & Family Community
PFAB PERSPECTIVES: REFLECTING ON HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND

October 6 - 8, 2023 was our third in-person Homecoming & Family Weekend. Our daughter Alicia, who is a senior, entered JWU in the fall of 2020 during a time when in-person events such as this were not possible. We had such fun at Homecoming & Family Weekends in both 2021 and 2022 that we couldn't wait to participate again in 2023. This year's Homecoming & Family Weekend was even more special for our family because Alicia's aunt and uncle were able to visit Alicia at college for the first time.
 
On Saturday morning, I attended the PFAB meeting and enjoyed meeting new parents on the board.  After the meeting I attended the Wildcat Chat with President Marie Bernardo-Sousa. The Chat was very informative and it was interesting to learn of the new initiatives and plans for JWU moving forward. There was an opportunity for parents to ask questions, not only of Dr. Bernardo-Sousa, but also from many other representatives of the University ranging from the Registrar's Office to Campus Security to Campus Dining.  
 
Saturday afternoon kept us all occupied with "eating our way through" the Cuisinart Center for Culinary Excellence. We enjoyed looking at the different student displays such as the cakes, bread sculptures, and sugar sculptures. We sampled many foods ranging from chocolate medallions to bread with honey butter. We loved it all! We also enjoyed sampling some of the items from the food trucks.
 
We would like to thank Associate Professor Marc A. DeMarchena and Professor Jennifer Parisi for their very informative and enjoyable classes in Beer Tasting and Exploring Cheese that we were able to attend on Saturday afternoon. We sincerely hope they will offer classes again at 2024's Homecoming & Family Weekend.
 
Sunday came all too soon and we capped off our weekend by enjoying a delicious Sunday Brunch at the Cuisinart Center for Culinary Excellence, hosted and prepared by the Club of Culinary Excellence.  
 
Thank you to everyone who arranged for all of the events of Homecoming & Family Weekend. It was a well-planned and well-run weekend with new classes offered this year. My family understands it took a lot of planning and work from many people to hold an event like this. We are grateful for an opportunity to experience it over the past three years and know it will be a huge success in the future!
 
– Mary Polezonis, from Cromwell, Conn., is a a second-year member of the Parent & Family Advisory Board and serves as a Liaison on the PFAB Executive Council. Her daughter, Alicia, is a senior Culinary Arts major.
We Want To Hear From You!
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.