What parents should know about Norovirus

Parents of Calvin students may have heard about the recent Norovirus outbreak at Hope College, in Holland, Mich., and the concern that this virus may spread to other colleges in west Michigan, including Calvin. In fact, yesterday an e-mail was sent to students living in the Kalsbeek-Huizenga-van Reken residence hall, incorrectly telling those students that the Calvin campus had a confirmed case of Norovirus when in fact that was not true. As of Tuesday, November 11, we have no confirmed cases of Norovirus on campus.

However, because of the close connections between Calvin and Hope students -- and because of the significance of the outbreak at Hope, which impacted approximately 400 people -- we are being vigilant and are actively watching for signs of concern. Should Calvin be impacted by the Norovirus, and the Kent County Health Department requires the college to cancel classes, we will be asking students in the strongest of terms to stay on campus and not to go home. We would greatly appreciate it if parents would affirm for their students the need to stay on campus and not spread the virus further. Be assured that if the college were to cancel classes we will do our best to stress community responsibility and care for those in unaffected areas of campus.  For more on this, visit the Health Services site.

Message submitted by Shirley Hoogstra, Vice President, Student Life.
 

The Summer Academy

The office of pre-college programs is pleased to offer The Summer Academy, a month-long residential immersion program for rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders, and first-year college students.  Students will earn college credit taking one course and will be guided by tutors who are current Calvin students.  They will live on campus using Calvin’s excellent facilities, experience academic encouragement from peers, and benefit from counseling from Calvin’s career development and admissions offices.  Contact Julie Veeneman (616-526-6749) for more information.

Relaunching Calvin.edu

Over the past year or so a number of people on campus have been working with a Miami-based consultant to improve the use, function and appearance of Calvin's Web site. Periodic reports of their progress are available on The Calvin.edu Project site. Check out their work and give them your feedback.

Women's and men's soccer tournaments this weekend

Both soccer teams will be playing important games this weekend. The women’s soccer team will host a four-team NCAA III regional this Friday and Saturday. Joining Calvin (17-2-1) in the regional field will be the College of Mount St. Joseph (14-4-2), the University of Chicago (12-5-1) and Wittenberg (11-3-6).  The men’s soccer team will travel to Delaware, Ohio, this weekend to compete in a four-team regional hosted by Ohio Wesleyan University. Calvin will face Carnegie-Mellon University (14-2-1).

Women's and men's cross country rankings for this weekend

The women’s cross country team will head into the November 15 NCAA III Great Lakes Regional meet as the nation’s number-one ranked team. The Knights are once again ranked number-one in the latest Division III Top-25 poll released by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The men's cross country team has moved up to fourth in this week’s poll, up one spot from last week’s poll. Both Calvin teams will compete this weekend in Westerville, Ohio, with Otterbein College serving as host.

The Rhetoric Center provides free assistance with writing assignments

The Rhetoric Center, located in the Hekman Library across from the reference desk, is a free service for all Calvin students. Peer tutors from various majors are available to help with writing or speech assignments, from deciding on a topic to organizing material to revising drafts. Students can drop in or call 616-526-7088 (rhetoric@calvin.edu)for 30- or 60-minute appointments. The center is open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and Monday through Thursday 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Rhetoric Center site.

Christmas at the Campus Store

Make plans to visit campus on December 6 and come to the Christmas at the Campus Store 2008 sale.  Hosted by the Grand Rapids Chapter of the Calvin Alumni Association, this sale features discounts, festive shopping and refreshments, book-signings and free gift-wrapping!  Proceeds from each purchase fund scholarships for local Calvin-bound high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding Christian character and service. Since 1991, the chapter has funded over 145 scholarships with nearly $225,000 from local alumni.  If you are unable to attend the sale, you can always shop for Calvin goods online. Check out the campus store's enhanced site featuring many new items and great gift ideas---a John Calvin bobblehead doll, anyone? On-line ordering is quick, easy and always open! Enjoy free shipping until Nov. 15th on orders over $60.

Calvin Around Town event

The Grand Rapids Chapter of the Calvin Alumni Association is pleased to present "Around Town" events, providing Calvin alumni and friends with an inside look at famous city settings.  The next installment features an evening at the newly renovated Burton Elementary-Middle School on Tuesday, November 18, 2008.  This 188,000 sq. ft. facility—which blends the architectural style of the original 1926 structure with contemporary, hi-tech classrooms, clinics and other features—has been re-envisioned to meet the needs of the surrounding community, which includes housing medical and dental clinics, counseling offices, a media center and an up-to-date gymnasium and cafeteria. Calvin alumni and their friends will have full access to the facility on this evening and will hear from special speakers while enjoying an hors d'oeuvre reception.

Entrada Scholars Program

The office of pre-college programs is now accepting nominations for the Entrada Scholars Program. The Entrada Scholars Program offers ethnic minority high school students a "gateway" to the future: the opportunity to experience college learning and living while earning college credit!  You may nominate students who are current juniors and seniors in high school with an approximate 3.0 grade point average.  If you have any questions, contact Tasha Paul (800-688-0122 , 616-526-6749; entrada@calvin.edu).

Alumni events for everyone, all around the country

Bookmark the alumni events calendar to keep track of important dates throughout the year, to which you are warmly invited, as a parent, alumni and/or friend of the college.  More information is found there for each of the following events:

• Nov. 12&13: Prof. Hoksbergen in Ancaster, Ont.
• Nov. 15: Alumni Orchestra in Traverse City, Mich.
• Nov. 16: Alumni Orchestra concert on campus
• Nov. 18: Calvin Around Town - Burton Elementary-Middle School
• Nov. 22: Real. Life. Exhibit in Portland, Ore.
• Dec. 6: Christmas at the Campus Store 2008 on campus

Check the Parent Calendar for important dates

Bookmark the parent calendar to keep track of important dates throughout the year, including:

• Nov. 20: Tuition, room and board payment due
• Nov. 26: Last day to drop second-half semester courses and/or change second-half semester courses from credit to audit; Thanksgiving break begins 5 p.m.
• Dec. 1: Thanksgiving break ends 8:00 a.m.; miscellaneous charges payment due (1st of each month)
• Dec. 3: Deadline for ordering the winter exam student treat
• Dec. 11: Classes end 10:00 p.m.
• Dec. 12: Reading Recess (no classes)
• Dec. 13:Exams begin
• Dec. 18: Exams end and Christmas break begins
• Dec. 19: Residence halls close at 10:00 a.m.

News & Stories from campus

Check out a wealth of great stories on the News & Stories web site, including...

...an alumni couple hiking their way through a Guatemalan tropical cloud forest.

...Calvin students breaking bread for poverty.

Last updated Tuesday, November 11, 2008