Calvin-Parents E-Newsletter: August 25, 2009

Important campus move-in day reminders

Due to large construction projects underway on campus, there are many changes to the move-in process.  Please visit the page Move In Maps and Car Window Signs to find out what you need to do to have a smooth return to campus!  We look forward to seeing you soon.

What is QUEST?

If your son or daughter is starting Calvin this fall as a new first-year or transfer student, they will be participating in QUEST from September 2-5, 2009.  QUEST is a three-and-a-half day program that takes place just before school begins.  Family members are welcome during move-in day (September 2) and for an evening cookout on the Commons lawn.  Following dinner, QUEST starts and is designed just for your student.  But before you and your student arrive, there are a few steps you should follow. See the Before You Arrive QUEST site for more information.

Incidentally, QUEST director John Britton is one of the best in the country as recognized by his peers.

Textbook reservations

The Calvin campus store textbook reservations system is still open!  Visit our site for full details and instructions on the easiest way for your student to get their textbooks for fall. If you are one of the first 1500 to reserve (orders over $75) you will get a free 2GB Flash Drive. Haven't registered yet? No problem! Passport IV students will still be able to reserve their textbooks after advising and registration next week!

Encouraging your student in career planning and decision-making

In the midst of today’s difficult economic times, it is more important than ever that students are making good choices to prepare for a career or graduate school after college.  To encourage your son or daughter in effective career decision-making, here are some things you can recommend at each level of his or her college experience:

• Freshman year:  visit the Career Development office to learn about the resources provided and establish a relationship with a career counselor.     
• Sophomore year:  conduct job shadowing experiences and/or informational interviews with professionals who are working in careers you are considering; take career tests and review the results with a career counselor if you are unsure how your strengths, abilities and interests will translate into the world of work.
• Junior year:  develop your resume and cover letter; secure an internship or part-time job in your career field of interest using the online posting system CalvinLink (www.calvin.edu/career).
• Senior year:  meet with a career counselor in early fall to develop a plan for your job search or graduate school applications; refine your resume and cover letter.

Professionals in the career development office are available to assist students and alumni with every aspect of the vocational planning process.  Visit our Web site (www.calvin.edu/career) for additional resources and information. 

Student Treats program

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 first seasonal treat, "Pizza and a Movie" is Tuesday, September 15.  The "Pizza and a Movie" treat features a certificate for a large, two-topping pizza (from a favorite locally-owned pizzeria), a Blockbuster gift card for a free movie rental and a bag of microwavable popcorn.  Find out more on the Student Treats site.

Fine Arts Center renovation/parking

As you may already know, the Fine Arts Center (FAC) is undergoing a major renovation and this effects a large area on campus for the 2009-2010 school year.  You can watch the progress via online photos and progress reports or view a map of current parking restrictions in the FAC area.  And, if you want to go "Inside the Fences," read the recent News & Stories feature with a video about the FAC project.

Also of interest, three Web cameras faithfully recorded a photo-per-day from the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex construction site over a two-year period. 1,868 photos, showing at 15 'days' per second, make-up the three time-lapse movies.

Financial services information

Here is some information from financial services as you prepare for the school year:

Student Billing Information Brochure 2009-2010 . On this form (.pdf), you can find information about due dates, calculating the minimum amount due on tuition, account delinquency and returned check/ e-check policies. There are links to sites with other helpful information about student financial issues, as well. Try it out!

All student financial service resources are linked on their site here.

To contact any financial services staff, see this directory.

Sports: New track and field coach; fall sports preview

Calvin College has named Bret Otte as its head men’s and women’s track and field coach.  Otte has spent the last 11 years serving as head men’s and women’s cross country coach and head men’s and women’s track and field coach at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. Otte replaces Dr. Jong-il Kim who has decided to step down as Calvin’s head men’s and women’s track and field coach to devote more time to his teaching as an associate professor in Calvin’s Health, Physical Education, Recreation Dance and Sport department and coaching of specific events as a coach with Calvin’s track and field program.

[You can listen to an interview with Coach Otte online.]

Read the fall sports previews for women's cross country, women's golf, women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's cross country, men's golf, and men's soccer online now.

Golfers?

Parents and family members---male and female---are invited to join us for the 40th Annual Calvin Alumni Golf Tournament at beautiful Pilgrim's Run Golf Club in Pierson, Michigan. Every year great golf is combined with a great purpose: raising funds for the Grand Rapids area alumni chapter scholarships. Your participation every year helps Calvin students every day.

Find out more information and register online today.

Events for alumni, friends and families

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:

September 12: 40th Annual Calvin Alumni Golf Tournament at Pilgrim's Run
September 19: Twins game in Minnesota
September 29: Calvin Around Town/MBA@Calvin ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids, Michigan
October 9 & 10: Homecoming 2009 on campus; Reunions
October 23 & 24: Family Weekend and Reunions on campus

Check the Parent Calendar for important dates

Bookmark the Parent Calendar page to keep track of important dates throughout the year, including:
 
Sept. 2: Tuition, room and board payment due; Residence halls open 9 a.m. ;QUEST (fall orientation for new students) begins
Sept. 8: Fall semester classes begin (modified class schedule); Opening Convocation 9:50-10:50 a.m.
Sept. 14: Last day to add full and first-half semester courses
Oct. 1: Miscellaneous charges payment due (1st of each month)
Oct. 9: Last day to drop first-half semester courses; Last day to change first-semester courses from credit to audit
Oct. 9-10: Homecoming at Calvin
Oct. 20: Tuition, room and board payment due
Oct. 23: First session half-semester courses end
Oct 23-24: Family Weekend
Oct. 26: Second session half-semester courses begin
Oct. 27-28: Academic Advising for interim and spring semester (no classes 8 a.m. Tues. - 5 p.m. Wed.; Wednesday night classes do meet)
Oct. 30: Last day to add second-half semester courses

News & Stories from campus

Check out a wealth of great stories on the News & Stories site, including information about the Honduras semester relocating to Mexico, Calvin being considered a "Top Up-and-Coming School" by U.S. News & World Report, and Calvin's "No Greater Task: Hearts and Minds Renewing God's World" campaign exceeded the $150 million goal.
 
Speaking of college guide books, Calvin is lauded for its "sweet" off-campus programs and attention given to students by faculty members in this year's The Best 371 Colleges. Calvin was also named one of the best and most interesting colleges by the Fiske Guide in 2009.