Advising

Major Declaration Opens 2/9/23

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Greetings, Class of 2025!

I write to share that major declaration will open next week on Thursday 2/9/23. You must declare your major anytime between 2/9/23 and 3/24/23. Please review below a handful of helpful resources that are important for you to utilize at this stage in your Wesleyan degree:

  • Major Declaration Website: this website is a great resource for information about major declaration timelines, strategies, and FAQs. If you have not reviewed this website yet, please do so. Though this website shares lots of information about the process, you will utilize the Major/Minor/Certificate Declaration form on WesPortal to officially declare. Once you declare a major, the academic department of your major will assign you to a faculty advisor. 
  • General Education Report: this report (found in WesPortal) will display 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.
  • Major/Minor/Certificate Certification: this form (found in WesPortal) will display 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 (found in WesPortal) allows you to monitor your progress towards meeting graduation requirements. A handy guide about how to read the Credit Analysis Report can be found here. 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to chat with your faculty advisor, meet with one of our Academic Peer Advisors, or schedule a meeting with me.

Grading Mode Deadline (9/30)

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This is a reminder that the Grade Mode Change deadline is Friday, Sept. 30. Here is an overview of the policies and key terminology to help with any questions.

The Grade Mode Change deadline is Sept. 30 at 5:00 pm EST. The deadline is firm, so please ask well before the deadline if you have questions. Not all courses are student option. You may view and select your grading mode for student option courses on your class schedule in WesPortal. 

The Grade mode change regulation refers to the “student option” grading option available in some classes. Classes may have one of three grading modes, Graded (A-F), credit/unsatisfactory (CR/U), or Student Option. Student Option-graded courses allow students to choose the A-F or CR/U grading mode, with the default being A-F. Please review your class schedule and the course description for more information.  Please refer to your intended major’s webpage for more information and meet with your liberal arts advisor or me if you have any questions. 

Lastly, once you have reviewed your class schedule and confirmed your classes and grading mode, please click the “Schedule is Correct” button.

Key terminology: 

Student Option: Allows students to choose their grading mode. Students choose either A-F or CR/U. The deadline to select your grading mode is firm, so please be mindful of the deadline each semester.

Graded:  Allows letter grade A-F only, there is not an option to take the class CR/U.

A-F: Classes using letter grades are calculated into your GPA and are evaluated as follows: A, excellent; B, good; C, fair; D, passing but unsatisfactory; E, failure; and F, bad failure. These letter grades (with the exception of the grade of F) may be modified by the use of plus and minus signs. Please click here for more information.  

CR/U:  Credit/Unsatisfactory grading mode is not calculated into your GPA and credit is earned with a passing grade. A “CR” will appear on your transcript as the grade. If a class is not passed, a “U” will be listed as the grade. There is no GPA penalty for receiving a “U”, but an unsatisfactory grade may impact your academic standing.  

Enroll Me and Drop Add (8/29 – 9/16)

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Drop/Add begins Monday, August 29 and closes on Friday, September 16. 

Please review the Drop/Add process information available on the Registrar’s website. You must first click the “Enroll Me” button in WesPortal before you can participate in Drop/Add.

Our Senior Associate Registrar, Karri Van Blarcom, has created a helpful video guide about the Drop/Add process. Check it out to prepare for Drop/Add.

 

August Reflection

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Happy First Day of August, members of the Class of 2025!

My hope is that you are enjoying summer and getting excited to return to campus this fall. I’ve conversed recently with some of your peers about major declaration and career trajectory. If you are a student who knows exactly what you want to major in and what you want to do for a career when you graduate, that’s great! If you are a student who has no idea what you want to major in or what you want to do for a career, that’s great too! Wesleyan’s open-curriculum encourages you to explore courses in many disciplines; this course exploration can often lead students to their passion.

Reflection is an important part of any journey, so I share some questions below you may want to consider now before the hustle and bustle of the fall semester. These questions are intended to evoke personal reflection as you progress through Wesleyan. There are no right or wrong answers; however, take stock of your feelings as you navigate these questions.

Sophomore year can be both exciting and overwhelming as you approach major declaration. I encourage you to share your thoughts with those in available support networks – this may include me, your pre-major liberal arts advisor, a faculty mentor, one of our Academic Peer Advisors, your friends and/or your family.

  1. In what ways have you grown intellectually over the last 12 months?
  2. What are your academic strengths?
  3. Which classes have been most challenging, and how did you handle those challenges?
  4. Are you comfortable sharing your thoughts and ideas with peers in class?
  5. Have you taken advantage of opportunities to learn outside the classroom? What are some examples of this?
  6. Is there a topic on which you might like to do research? How did you become interested in this topic?
  7. What campus resources can you use to navigate the topics addressed in these reflection questions?

If you’d like to chat about these questions with me, I welcome it! Please schedule a zoom meeting with me here to chat more.

Sending you good vibes as we close out the summer – take care! Dean Dunn

Questions borrowed from NACADA, the global community for academic advising.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

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Have you thought about applying for a Fulbright? Through the Fulbright U.S. Student program, U.S. citizens who hold a bachelors or Masters degree can travel to 140+ countries to undertake a graduate degree program, conduct independent research, pursue a creative or performing arts project, or teach English abroad.

The final Fulbright Info Session of Spring 2022 is coming up on Wednesday, April 27 at 12:15-1:15pm at the Career Center in Boger Hall. 

At this event, a general introduction to the program will be followed by advice and insight from students from Class of 2022 who have just recently been named English Teaching Assistants. They will offer tips on the application process for those who are planning an application for the September 2022 deadline.

The info session is open to all class years (it’s never too early to get inspired!) and we will serve pizza for lunch.

Any questions can be directed to Erica Kowsz at fellowships@wesleyan.edu.

Weekly Roundup – Class of 2025

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Greetings, Class of 2025 –

Below are some upcoming events and important dates to keep in mind:

Adjustment (through 4/19): Now that preregistration is over, we enter the Adjustment period for Fall 2022 course selection. For helpful hints on how to approach adjustment, utilize this guide here. Still have questions? Be sure to chat with your premajor advisor – they can offer a wealth of knowledge on many of the questions associated with course selection. You can also reach out to an Academic Peer Advisor or schedule an appointment with me.

Course Withdrawal Deadline (4/27): Wednesday, April 27 is the last day to withdraw from full semester and 4th quarter classes.

Wes Day (5/5 from 12pm – 5pm): WesDay is a great opportunity to interact with the entire campus community. In addition to free ice cream and tie dye, we’ll enjoy carnival rides, games, wellness activities and novelties such as stuff-a-bear and pot your own succulent plant. Fried dough, popcorn, and cotton candy provided at no charge to attendees. Students and faculty will perform music all afternoon at the base of Foss Hill.

Athletic Events: Many of our spring athletic teams are rounding out their seasons – be sure to catch a home game! Click here for schedules.

WesNest: As I often share, there are so many events, programs, plays, and opportunities to take advantage of posted on our WesNest engagement platform here. I challenge you to take a peek at some of the events offered in the next few weeks and attend something you’ve never participated in before – who knows, you might find a new interest with this small action!

Keep up the great work in and out of the classroom – if you need anything, don’t hesitate reach out (kmdunn@wesleyan.edu).

Weekly Roundup – Class of 2025

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Greetings, Class of 2025!

Who likes a good count down? As of yesterday (4/5), we officially hit the four-week mark until the last day of spring semester classes. Everything you’ve worked so hard on this semester is coming together. Keep up the great work!

Here are some upcoming events/dates that may be of interest:

  • Well Being Wednesday (WBW) – Everyone can benefit from learning about ways to support well-being. Well-Being Wednesday (WBW) is a weekly virtual workshop on various well-being topics. Each workshop will involve a combination of elements including presentation/lectures, videos/TedTalks, Do-It-Yourself activities, and trivia. Register here to receive the virtual link for each Well-Being Wednesday session. 
  • Wes Day (5/5 from 12pm – 5pm) – WesDay is a great opportunity to interact with the entire campus community. In addition to free ice cream and tie dye, we’ll enjoy carnival rides, games, wellness activities and novelties such as stuff-a-bear and pot your own succulent plant. Fried dough, popcorn, and cotton candy provided at no charge to attendees. Students and faculty will perform music all afternoon at the base of Foss Hill. 
  • Pre-Registration: Pre-registration for Fall 2022 course selection began on 3/29 and runs through 4/11. Be sure to visit the Registrar’s page to review resources such as the Student User Guide to Pre-Registration and more to help you maximize course selection. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with your pre-major advisor to discuss your anticipated course load.
  • Withdrawal Deadline (4/27) – Last day to withdraw from full semester and 4th quarter classes.

Be sure to end your semester strong by utilizing the many resources available to you as a Wesleyan student. Not sure where to turn? Contact me and I can point you in the right direction. 
Dean Dunn

Weekly Round Up – Class of 2025

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Greetings Class of 2025!

I hope this email finds you well. We are heading into April which is a very busy month on all college campuses. Wesleyan has a lot of programs, events and opportunities to offer – be sure to pay attention to information for programs and events sent through the All Students listserv as well as posted on WesNest.

Here are a few upcoming dates and/or events that may be of interest:

  • Pre-Registration. Pre-Registration runs through 4/11. If you have not touched base with your premajor advisor about Fall 2022 courses yet, be sure to reach out. 
  • Fellowships for Graduate Study. Are you interested in graduate school and wondering about opportunities to fund it? Attend an info session on Fellowships for Graduate Study. The first event is Friday 4/1 on Zoom from noon to 1pm (register here). A second in-person offering will follow on Thursday 4/7 from 4:30-5:30pm in Fisk Hall 201. There will be snacks!
  • Student Ombuds. The application for the Student Ombuds program is open. Student Ombuds serve as a peer resource focused on empowering students to successfully navigate the institution and advocate for themselves in moments of conflict (particularly with power dynamics). 
  • Student Leadership Employment Opportunities: The office of Student Academic Resources (SAR) recently posted open leadership positions. Some positions are academic-year, some are summer positions, and some are both. Visit Handshake to learn more. For positions that require an updated resume, be sure to stop by Gordon Career Center for assistance with resume writing, interview skills, and more.


With so much going on, it can be easy to get distracted. It is important to get yourself organized so you can finish this semester strong. If you need assistance with time management, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or to utilize the many resources offered by Student Academic Resources. 

In-Person Classes Resume; Semester Start Resources

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It has been great seeing so many of you on campus. I hope you have enjoyed your first few class sessions. Sharing with you some information that may be useful as you navigate the beginning of the semester:

  • WSA Text Exchange: The Wesleyan Student Assembly (WSA) has partnered with other colleges to help students purchase textbooks at a discounted rate. For more information, check out the website here.
  • Drop/Add Deadline is Wed 2/9. There are many resources to assist you with drop/add including but not limited to:
    • Your pre-major advisor
    • Academic Peer Advisors (APAs) – in fact our APAs are hosting appointments to assist with drop/add this next week and a half. Email or click on the QR code in the flyer here.  
    • Registrar’s Office website (features FAQs)
  • CSS Info Session 2/1: For more information, visit my blog post here.
  • Enrollment Holds: If you have not already, please be sure to officially enroll for the semester. To do this, visit WesPortal. Click on the “Enroll in the University & Clear Action Items” alert box. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the red “Enroll Me” button. You may find other holds here as well – be sure to clear those holds by following the directions listed in the description of the hold.

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Schedule an appt with me here or stop by my office in North College 202 for my daily office hours listed below:

  • Monday 2:00 – 3:00 pm
  • Tuesday 3:00 – 4:00 pm
  • Wednesday 4:00 – 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 – 11:00 am
  • Friday 9:00 – 10:00 am

Take care,

Dean Dunn