Hearty Welcome Back Events for Students and Faculty

Submitted on Sep 20, 2010

The Office of Student, Academic & Multicultural Affairs (OSAMS) understands the importance of getting the academic year started right. That’s why this year’s Welcome Week activities and events focused on aligning with the priorities and needs of the School of Nursing community in particular. From arranging pertinent vendors who provided healthy snacks such as granola bars and fruit to offering students the convenience of buying their scrubs in the halls of the School of Nursing building, this year’s Welcome Week aimed to make students and faculty excited and energized about the year ahead. “One of the goals of Welcome Week,” says Michele Thompson, Director of OSAMS, “is to foster a sense of community. We want to create opportunities for new and continuing students to get to know each other and also to host these types of informal events where students can interact with faculty and staff.”

To continue strengthening the School of Nursing community, OSAMS already has other events in the works. Students can look forward to warming up on “Hot Cocoa Days” when the weather turns cooler, fueling up with “Study Snacks” during mid-terms, and taking a few minutes with “Pizza Break” around final exam time. When asked why OSAMS places an emphasis on such events, Thompson explains that balance is important: “First and foremost, OSAMS exists to foster our students’ academic growth and to provide them with the support and resources they need to be successful at the School of Nursing. However, students also benefit from events where they can just relax for a few minutes between class, grab a bite to eat, and chat with classmates to help reduce their stress about their academics and life as a student in general.”