Academic Resources

Honors Thesis Info Webinar

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Join members of the Registrar, Class Dean, Student Academic Resources and Library teams on Wednesday 9/18 at 7pm for a zoom info session about the Honors Program. Our Senior Associate Registrar, Amanda Daddona, will walk you through a few informational slides with plenty of opportunity for Q&A!

What: Honors Thesis Info Webinar

When: Wednesday 9/18 at 7pm

Where: On Zoom: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/99847021219

Wesleyan GLS Early Credit Program Virtual Information Session

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The MALS “Early Credit” Program was created to enable students to begin earning a master’s degree while completing their undergraduate degree. Click here to register and join Dr. Glenn Knight, academic advisor to all Graduate Liberal Studies students, at 6 PM on Thursday September 19 to learn more about how you can get started.

Contact Information: Dr. Glenn Knight, gknight01@wesleyan.edu, (860) 685-3345

Using GenAI in Academic Coursework

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Dear Students,

At Wesleyan University, the rapid advancement of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) offers both promising opportunities and significant challenges within our academic community. While tools like Google Translate have already become a part of our educational landscape, the emergence of more sophisticated GenAI technologies necessitates a reexamination of our policies and practices.  

Students are encouraged to approach the use of GenAI tools with a clear understanding of the boundaries set by their faculty. It is essential to review the course syllabus, collaboration policies, and learning objectives to ensure compliance with academic standards. Before incorporating AI into any assignment, students should seek explicit permission from their instructors and understand the limitations and proper citation practices. Unauthorized use of GenAI could be considered a violation of the Honor Code, especially if the work generated is not appropriately cited.  

A team of faculty and staff recently drafted a Statement on the Use of AI in Academic Coursework, which the Office of Academic Affairs has encouraged all Wesleyan faculty to consider when teaching their courses this semester.  In light of this new statement, we are encouraging all Wesleyan students to do the following: 

  • For each of your classes/assignments, review the syllabus and/or assignment instructions for guidance around use of GenAI. Remember that each class will likely have different policies, as may different assignments in the same class.   
  • Talk with your faculty members about the limitations, approved use, and how to appropriately acknowledge GenAI use early and often. Ask questions of your faculty members about the use of GenAI for all stages of your work process (brainstorming, researching, writing, revising, etc.). Let them know when you are confused. 
  • Be aware of the presence of GenAI in various tools on which you may rely (e.g., Grammarly). Talk with your faculty about how you use these tools and help them understand how GenAI may already be a part of your workflow. 

The use of GenAI tools does not mean that you have automatically violated the Honor Code. If you are going to use AI tools to complete your assignment, please make sure you have permission and remember to cite your work. If you don’t cite your work, you may be violating the Honor Code.  

Finally, the library maintains a list of resources on Generative AI, located here and you can review the Honor Code here. We also encourage you to consult the Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence, produced by Elon University. 

Peer Academic Group Coaching

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Peer Academic Group Coaching

Peer Academic Group Coaching provides targeted academic support (study strategies & accountability) to enhance your academic readiness and help you get work done! Each group coaching series consists of one planning meeting and three group coaching sessions led by a peer coach. In a small group of 3-5 students, you will:

  • Learn and practice new skills & strategies
  • Apply new skills & strategies to your work and life
  • Receive support from a coach to set goals, boost accountability, and stay on task
  • Connect with other students in your group

Sign up to participate in one or more of the group coaching series below. Once we’ve gathered enough interested students to form a coaching group, a coach will reach out via your Wes email to schedule the sessions.

  • “College 101” & transition to Wes
  • Time management & organizational skills
  • General study skills (note-taking, effective reading, active studying…)
  • Exam prep & test-taking strategies
  • Success in STEM courses
  • Success in Social Sciences/Arts/Humanities
  • Weekly Study Hall: I just want to get my work done!

Additionally, we offer Weekly Drop-in Accountability Sessions posted on Wesnest throughout the semester. It’s a great way to get work done in a supportive environment. Simply meet with one of us to set a timer and goal for the block, do your work in a quiet space, and “check out” with us at the end.

December 2024 Completer Info

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PLEASE NOTE THIS MESSAGE IS FOR MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2025 WHO WILL COMPLETE THEIR STUDIES IN DECEMBER 2024. Though this information will be helpful to those completing studies in Spring 2025, the deadlines below do not apply to those completing in Spring 2025.

If you can believe it, you are about to embark on your final semester of undergraduate study at Wesleyan; I am so excited for you! 

I recognize this news may arrive with lots of emotions for you and the folks in your support network who have championed you along the way. You have accomplished so much! I hope you are very proud and plan to set an intention to reflect and relish in this final semester. It will go by quick, so be purposeful with how you spend it. 

Prior to the start of drop/add on 8/26, you need to confirm (or be working towards confirming) that you have everything you need to finish your final semester successfully. Some important tasks require you to:

  • Review and understand the Senior Packet. If you have questions, schedule an appt with me immediately. 
  • Confirm now both how and where you will move to as of noon on Sunday, 12/15/24 (when housing closes). Once graduated, students are not permitted to reside in university housing. 
  • Certify your Major Certification Form(s). You will submit a form for every declared major, minor and certificate. Note: you can submit your form(s) starting 7 days after Drop/Add ends (around 9/20).
  • Make note of Spring 2025 Commencement ceremony information. Share this website with the friends and family you plan to invite to the celebration. More details about graduation will be shared as the Reunion & Commencement committee plans the weekend’s events.   

Early planning now will save you a lot of stress come the end of your final semester. Though you will complete your degree requirements this December, you will not graduate and receive your diploma until May 2025 (since Wesleyan only hosts one graduation ceremony per year). If you need proof of degree completion prior to the May 25 graduation date, please be in touch directly with the Registrar’s Office.  

There are many on-campus supports that may have guided you on your path to this moment; Wesleyan supports will be here for you as well in your final semester. Do not hesitate to reach out to me or your faculty advisor if you have any questions or concerns about your ability to complete your studies this December. If you do not believe you will complete your studies this December, schedule an zoom appt with me immediately: calendly.com/deankellydunn.

You are so close – sending you so many well wishes this semester as you close out your Wesleyan undergraduate experience.

Dean Dunn

Class of 2025 Graduation – 424 days to go!

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Greetings, Class of 2025

If you can believe it, you will soon select courses for your senior fall semester! Fall 2024 course registration begins 4/2.

For some of you, the fall is your last semester at Wes; for others, you have two more semesters to go. Regardless of your graduation date, you must complete Wesleyan’s graduation requirements to earn your degree. To ensure you will complete graduation requirements, you must be familiar with your major certification form(s) and your credit analysis report – both found on WesPortal. 

The credit analysis report will outline your progress towards completion of Wesleyan’s four graduation requirements, which are as follows:

  • Completion of a major (managed through your major certification form)
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 74.00
  • Minimum number of semesters in residence (six semesters for most students, four or five if a junior or sophomore transfer)
  • 32 earned credits without oversubscription

What is oversubscription? Though Wesleyan has few graduation requirements, one requires students to earn 32 useable credits. Some credits earned are unusable if they do not fall within Wesleyan’s academic regulations, resulting in what is called oversubscription. Your credit analysis will tell you if you are oversubscribed in any category. 

I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to know and understand these regulations. You are responsible for ensuring you complete all graduation requirements prior to your graduation date. Prior to course registration next week, you should look at your major certification form(s) and credit analysis report to ensure 1) you are taking the correct courses to complete your major(s) and 2) you are enrolling in credits that will count towards your degree (and not enrolling in credits that will violate oversubscription rules). 

If you have any questions or concerns about this email or anything related to your academic career at Wesleyan, please talk directly with your faculty advisor or schedule an appointment with me as soon as possible. 

I am so excited to see you folks walk across the stage at graduation next year – you are so close. Keep up the amazing work!

Wesleyan Summer Grants

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Wesleyan Summer Grants provide up to $5,000 to fund summer opportunities such as internships, faculty-mentored research, entrepreneurial ventures, volunteer work, field study, creative projects, or an academic program related to your career interests and aspirations.

The first 2024 application window is open from Thursday, February 1st until Thursday, March 28th. This window is only open for studentson need-based financial aid.

The second 2024 application window will be open from Monday, April 1st until Friday, April 26th. This window will be open for all Wesleyan students.

To apply for the 2024 Wesleyan Summer Grant, you must have an approved resume on Handshake and a confirmed summer experience. If you don’t have a summer experience by the end of the first window, you are still eligible to apply in the second window. Applications not selected for funding in the first window will be considered in the second application window (you cannot reapply.)

For complete program information, including eligibility, application components, and timelines, visit the WSG webpage.

Wesleyan Black Alumni Council Memorial Prize Summer Stipend

Important to note that this grant is part of the Wesleyan Summer Grants Program and NOT additional funds. 
If a student would like to be considered, they will select this grant on the application and upload their essay. 

Essay: The Wesleyan Black Alumni Council (WBAC) honors the memory and spirit of alumni Bruce D. Hall ’77, James “Donnie” Rochester ’74, and Dwight L. Greene ’70 through a summer experience grant to support projects or research pertaining to the African American experience. Please share how your proposal aligns with this intention. (750 words maximum)

Internship & Career Opportunities

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Greetings, Class of 2025!

I hope you are well and enjoying the first few days of the Spring semester. I write to share a few programs and initiatives that may be of interest to you:

  • WesConnect (online): Looking to connect with Alumni? Register for Wesleyan’s updated alumni directory WesConnect today! The updated directory allows you to find Wesleyan alumni who are actively engaging with the Wesleyan community. Use this tool to contact alumni and schedule connections.  
  • Cover Letter Competition(Friday 1/2): According to Forbes, 83% of hiring managers say cover letters impact hiring decisions. Whether you’re applying for an internship or a full-time job, writing a good cover letter strengthens your application
  • Research-a-Palooza (Saturday 1/3): Research-a-Palooza is an annual student-run event sponsored by the College of Integrative Sciences. Any and all students interested in getting started with scientific research at Wesleyan, including through the CIS Research in Sciences Summer Program and affiliated research programs (COE, QAC, McNair, etc.), are encouraged to attend.

A couple academic reminders:

Have questions? Please feel free to schedule an appointment with me: calendly.com/deankellydunn.

Take care,

Dean Dunn

$$ & mentorship in the humanities + social sciences: MMUF application now open!

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Sophomores and juniors! The MMUF application is now open! Due February 4!
 

MELLON MAYS UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The MMUF is designed to increase the presence of historically underrepresented perspectives and groups in institutions of higher education. MMUF achieves this by supporting students who are working toward applying to graduate school in a range of fields in the humanities and social sciences. The program provides summer and academic year funding, mentorship, and a community of students all exploring the possibility of earning a Ph.D.

To learn more…

  • Check out the slides from our October info session (link)
  • Read more details on the MMUF national website (link)
  • Connect with MMUF Faculty Coordinator, Prof. Tushar Irani (tirani@wesleyan.edu) 
  • Connect with MMUF Administrative Coordinator, Dean April Ruiz (aruiz01@wesleyan.edu)


Applications include:

  1. An application form (link below, this is where you’ll upload the statements described in #2 and #3, and respond to item #4)
  2. Please write a statement (no more than 1000 words) describing your academic and
    research interests. In this statement, please address the following:
    How have you selected your major, and which courses or academic activities have served as a foundation for your interests?
    Which topic(s) or question(s) might you want to pursue through a research project? And what early ideas do you have about how you might develop your research plan? (You do not need to have a fully formed research proposal!)
    Please also share something about your future goals for graduate study and an academic career.
  3. A central goal of the MMUF’s mission is to uplift perspectives, voices, experiences, and histories that have been underrepresented in academia. In a statement of no more than 500 words, please describe what this goal means to you personally or as an emerging scholar.
  4. As you can see in the program expectations (see link to info session slides here), Fellows are expected to spend a significant part of each summer engaged in an activity that supports their academic growth or the progress of their project. Activities might include attending a MMUF summer institute at another university (e.g., at UCLA or UChicago), taking coursework relevant to their field of study, or pursuing independent work.
    Fellows receive $4500 to support their costs for the summer, and Fellows with project/program costs higher than this are encouraged to explore the Wesleyan Summer Grants (link, deadline for proposals typically in February).
    Applicants do not need to confirm their plans at time of application, but they will be asked to confirm their commitment to spending the summer in this way and to share their early ideas about the sort of activity they might wish to pursue.
  5. One letter of recommendation from a faculty member who can speak to your academic work and interests, and your possible pathway to graduate school. (Additional letters are not required.)
  6. An interview. (Students will be invited to interview after the application deadline.)

A note about eligibility:
The MMUF program is a national program sponsored by The Mellon Foundation, and there are eligibility considerations around citizenship. International students who are studying in the USA on a visa are not eligible.
If you have questions about whether this limitation applies to you, or if you’d like information about scholarships and opportunities without this limitation, please email Dean April Ruiz (aruiz01@wesleyan.edu).
 

APPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DUE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH

  • The student application form can be found here: link 
  • The recommender form can be found here: link

Degree Audit Tools

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Spring 2024 course registration opens on 10/31. Now is a good time to jump into your degree audit tools to ensure you are on track to complete your major and undergraduate degree.

  • Major/Minor/Certificate Certification: this form displays your progression through a declared major. Though you won’t officially certify your major until the final semester of your senior year, you should use this form as soon as you declare to ensure you are on track to complete the major. More details about this form can be found here. 
  • Credit Analysis: this report monitors your progress towards completing graduation requirements. A handy guide about how to read the Credit Analysis Report can be found here. 
  • General Education Report: this report displays the courses you’ve completed to satisfy general education expectations. General education expectations vary by academic department; you can review academic department websites to confirm if general education expectations are required as part of your major. Completion of general education expectations is a requirement for those who wish to pursue University Honors, Phi Beta Kappa, honors in general, and honors in certain departments and for those who wish to pursue more than two majors, minors and/or certificates.

You can review any of these tools on your own, with your faculty advisor, with an Academic Peer Advisor, and/or by scheduling a meeting with me.