One last notice about orientation programs this week

International PASSPORT began Friday, August 29 and concluded Monday, September 1, and brought 70 new international students with 35 family members to campus.  International PASSPORT has now joined the last of the four summer orientation programs, PASSPORT.  

PASSPORT IV began Monday, September 1 and continues through Wednesday, September 3.  Hosted by the Student Development Office, this will be the final of four summer orientation sessions.  There will be 307 students (which includes the 70 international students!) and 365 parents/siblings on campus.  During this time, both students and parents will participate in various workshops introducing them to the Calvin community and helping them to prepare for a successful transition to Calvin. 

QUEST, the final leg of the orientation program, will begin on Wednesday, September 3 and go through Saturday, September 6, with classes starting on the 8th.  During QUEST, new students (about 1005!) will be organized into 47 groups of approximately 22 students/group as they proceed through three modules patterned after the college's vision statement:  Module #1:  "Reformed Liberal Arts College, Module #2:  "Agents of Renewal", and Module #3:  "Doing God's Work in God's World" (Streetfest day). 

Resources for Calvin parents, new and old

As your student prepares to start his or her year at Calvin, be sure to bookmark Parent & Family resources.  There you can find tips for new Calvin parents, links to calendars for events and important dates, definitions of important Calvin "lingo" and much more!  Remember you can always email questions (parents@calvin.edu) or call us (616-526-6142).

Message for new college parents: Homesickness

Don't ask your first-year student if she or he is homesick. The power of suggestion is, well...powerful. The first few days/weeks of school are filled with new people and activities, and this busyness takes the majority of a new student's time and concentration. So, unless they are reminded of it (by a well-meaning parent), students will likely be able to avoid the loneliness and frustration of homesickness. Even if your student doesn't say it out loud during those first few weeks, they do miss you. So, rather than sending your student messages such as, "Are you homesick?" or "We sure miss you," try to send empowering and encouraging messages such as "We are so proud of you" or "We are praying for you."

Prelude week #1: First-year students are welcomed

Prelude is a seven-week course that each first-year Calvin student takes during the fall semester. Prelude's purpose is to provide a hospitable welcome for incoming students into the community and mission of Calvin College. Prelude provides students with a rudimentary introduction to several important aspects of Calvin's reformed identity of Responsible Freedom, Cultural Discernment, Cross-Cultural Engagement, and Vocation by offering a common intellectual experience and introducing a common vocabulary. In many ways, the personal connections established amongst the 25 students in each Prelude section helps these small groups become something of a "home base" for new students during their first seven weeks at Calvin. Students are participating in Prelude discussions and exercises with the same core group of students who were assigned to their QUEST orientation group. To learn more about Prelude and the activities for week #1, visit the parent's resource page on Prelude.

It's never too early---or too late---to use Career Development services

The professional counselors in Career Development invite students to use our services at any time--as prospective students considering attending Calvin, as freshmen trying to decide what major to select, as seniors seeking assistance with a job search, as alumni considering a career change. We recommend that students form a relationship with a career counselor as early as possible. Career counselors can help walk a student through the significant steps that are taken during college, helping the student make good choices to prepare for graduate school or a career after college.  Read the Summer 2008 Career Link newsletter.

Sign up for Overture, a music department newsletter

The Overture E-Newsletter is your connection to the Calvin Music Department! This semi-monthly newsletter has in-depth coverage of upcoming performances, student, faculty, and alumni news, and music announcements.

Student Treats available

The Student Treats program sends treats and goodies to students for a birthday, special event or as an "anytime" surprise to remind your student of your love and support.  Anyone can order individual treats or "A Year of Treats" which saves time and money. The deadline to order either the "Year of Treats" or the first seasonal treat (the Preferred Vendors Key Card) is September 17.  The Preferred Vendors KeyCard is a valuable discount card that unlocks savings at hundreds of businesses throughout western Michigan. Students can save at local and chain restaurants, theaters, video stores, dry cleaners, car washes, oil changes and more! The KeyCard is only $20 and it comes with a merchant guidebook (with valuable coupons!) and is good for an entire year. 

Health Services forms due October 1

Calvin Health Services is to eager to serve new and returning students! We know that health form completion is important to new students and their families. Students who have not yet met the college's immunization requirements may complete these at Health Services upon arrival on campus. Please note that there is a $50 fine for not completing the requirements by October 1. Students who are currently enrolled in the KnightCare insurance plan and wish to opt out must submit a waiver form by October 1. Please note that after October 1 deadline the college cannot remove or refund this insurance charge. The KnightCare waiver form is available on the Health Services Web site. Please direct any questions or concerns to Health Services (health@calvin.edu, 616-526-6568).

Check the Parent Calendar for important dates

Bookmark the Parent Calendar page (which also links to other campus event calendars)to keep track of important dates throughout the year, including:

• Sept. 1-3: Passport IV (orientation for students and families who must travel long distances)
• Sept. 2: Tuition, room and board payment due
• Sept. 3: Parents Convocation Chapel at 4:00 p.m.
• Sept. 3-6: Quest fall orientation for new and transfer students begins and residence halls open for them
• Sept. 5: Residence halls and KE apartments open for returning students
• Sept. 8: Fall semester classes begin at 8:00 a.m.; Opening Convocation at 9:50 a.m.
• Sept. 11: Mandatory meeting for all prospective and returning athletes.  Information available from the coaches.

You can quickly catch up on a summer's worth of activity at Calvin via the new News & Stories briefs section. There, you will read that Convocation will include an historic touch this year. A mobile carillon will be stationed near the Fine Arts Center and the Hekman Library, and will call the campus to Convocation.  Also, there are interesting profiles on some of the professors and staff that your student will encounter while at Calvin, this week, education professor Tom Hoeksema.  You can also read about student Rachel Hesselink and her summer of study in the woods.

• Center Art Gallery exhibition: Some Semblance of Order - September 2-27, 2008
  This exhibition will feature new work by Nichole Maury.
• Parents Convocation Chapel - September 3, 2008
  Please join us for this special service as you leave your child(ren) to start their years at Calvin.  There will be prayers for the students, parents and the Calvin community.  Henry DeVries, Vice-President for Administration and Information Services will offer a meditaion.
• Opening Convocation - September 8, 2008
  President Gaylen Byker will open our school year with the message, "The Psalms: Near to God to Trust and Obey."
• Noontime Series - September 11, 2008
  Barbara Carvill, German professor emerita, will talk about "My Childhood under Hitler and Stalin."
• Calvin Theatre: 75 Years of Inspiration kick-off weekend - October 3-5, 2008
  The year-long celebration begins with "An Evening with Deborah Lew" and "New Works by Old Friends."
• Fall Homecoming - September 26 & 27, 2008
  Come back to campus to visit and participate in any of the variety of fun events planned.
• Dedication of van Reken Hall - October 22, 2008
  Celebrate with us as we dedicate the new wing of Kalsbeek-Huizenga dormitory.
• Family Weekend - October 24 & 25,  2008
  Come back to visit your son or daughter!

Last updated Wednesday, June 23, 2010