Hello! The start of the school year is almost here, and we’re looking forward to seeing you back at Calvin soon!
Whether you’re living on- or off-campus, this letter will fill you in on some important information about returning to campus, and highlight some of the events coming up in the fall semester.
Making It Easy
Our community operates well when information is accurate, especially for the unexpected events of life. All the forms you need are in one place, including...
- Living Off Campus? If you're living off campus this year, please fill out the Update Local Address form.
- Bike registration - If you have a bike on campus for your benefit we're requiring you to register your bicycle (in the last year and a half we've had 33 bikes stolen). Registration is free, doesn't expire, and will help get your bike back in the event it is lost or stolen. From November, bicycles not registered will be held at campus safety till claimed by the owner.
- Vehicle registration is only $100 before September 6! (After September 6 it'll be $125). Motorcycles and motorized scooters can be registered for $37.50. Any additional vehicles will cost only $1. Your vehicle is not considered registered until you pick up your permit and properly affix it to your vehicle's windshield.
On-Campus Move-In is Friday September 2
If you're living on campus this year, please remember move-in day for returning students is Friday, September 2, after 9:00a.m. Meal plans will be active at lunch on this day. Arrivals prior to this time are for student leadership and employment positions and must be approved in advance by the housing office (email us or call 616-526-7421). Early meals will be restricted to these students.
Psalms Campus Bible Study is coming!
Following the huge success of the Philippians Bible study last fall, campus ministries is hosting a 10-week all-campus Bible study on the Psalms starting in September. Each floor will have a Bible study led by your Barnabas student leader. Worship in Chapel will focus on the Psalms, and on Sunday evenings Pastor Mary and others will preach through the life of David. This is a don't-miss-it chance to get into the Word and to get to know people on your floor! The Bible study has no homework. A perfect fit for your life!
More Food! (Community Dining Plan)
For the 2011-12 academic year, Calvin will pilot a new Community Dining Plan for off-campus students and residents of Knollcrest East. The affordable and flexible options for meals will encourage upperclassmen to return to campus dining halls regularly, as way to enrich and extend the sense of campus community here at Calvin. You can sign up for 30, 60, 100 or 150 meals a semester – any meal period, any day, in Commons, Knollcrest, or Uppercrust. Most plans are shareable with a friend.
Convocation - Don't Miss It!
Come celebrate the start of the new school year at Convocation on Tuesday, September 6 at 9:50 a.m. in the Van Noord arena. President Byker will be speaking on Psalms, and it will be his last Convocation as president. There'll be snacks afterwards, plus a cookout lunch for the whole college on the commons lawn. Don't forget that class schedules are different on Convocation Day! Make sure you plan accordingly.
President Search
Following President Byker's retirement announcement, the Presidential Search Committee has been working hard crafting the 'opportunity profile' for the president's position. You can see the profile, and other details of the search process here. Join me in praying that the Lord will guide those who apply, and guide the committee as they discern his will for this important appointment.
Goodbye and Hello in MSDO
As you may have heard, our beloved Jacque Rhodes, Assistant Dean for Multicultural Student Development, is moving to Memphis, Tennessee to be with her new husband and extended family. No doubt she will be adding to that Memphis flavor – do they know how lucky they are? Jacque left this summer with a good Calvin send-off. We wish her all the best for this new season! (you can send your wishes to Jacque here).
While we will miss Jacque, I'm pleased to announce that Ebonie Atkins will be serving as a part-time Program Coordinator in Multicultural Student Development for 2011-12, alongside Nicole Parker. Bob Crow will pick up some additional responsibilities, too.
We'll take time this fall to review the position of Assistant Dean for Multicultural Student Development, and conduct a national search for a replacement.
Cool Remodels
- Knollcrest Dining Hall is undergoing some exciting changes over the summer. The dining hall is being updated with new lighting, carpet, seating, and two brand new display cooking stations. The staff are looking forward to seeing you all in the fall!
- The Delta apartment building in Knollcrest East has undergone a transformation! All 11 apartments have been renovated.
Great Campus Events
Sexuality Series
- 9/21 - Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising's Image of Women
- 9/29 - "Our Little Secret" - Nicole Braddock Bromley
SAO Concerts and Weekend Events
- 9/5 - Vieux Farka Toure
- 9/9 - Fireworks on the Grand
- 9/10 - SAO movie: "Super 8"
- 9/13 - Talain Rayne
- 9/12 - Sleeping At Last
- 9/16 - Thinkfast game show
- 9/23 - Post ArtPrize Tailgate
- 9/29 - Switchfoot and Anberlin
- 9/30 - Carnival
Well, wow! What a campus community is in store for you! I hope your summer’s going well. Looking forward to having you back at Calvin!
Warmly,
Shirley V. Hoogstra
Vice President for Student Life
