Major Declaration Opens 2/9/23

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 HonorsPhi 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.

Government Dept – Pizza with a Professor

Please join us for Pizza with a Professor on Thursdays in February at 12 noon.

Come to learn more about a faculty member’s research, teaching philosophies, and journey to become a professor at Wesleyan University. Pizza with a Professor is a wonderful way to get to know faculty outside the classroom over pizza.

February 2, Prof. Peck, Boger Hall 115

February 16, Prof. Dolan, Usdan 108

February 23, Prof Gallarotti, Usdan 108

RSVP Pizza with a Professor

Udall Scholarship

The Udall Scholarship is open to sophomores and juniors planning careers in Native American tribal policy and Native health care (Native American applicants only) as well as the environment (U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents only). The Udall Foundation was created to honor the legacies of Congressman Morris Udall and Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, whose careers significantly impacted Native American self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources. The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues in one of the three categories: (1) Native American tribal policy, (2) Native health care, or (3) the environment. The Udall scholarships provides access to the Udall Alumni network, a five-day scholar orientation, and a financial award of up to $7,000 per year for eligible undergraduate academic expenses, such as tuition, fees, books and supplies, and room and board. Sophomores who are awarded a Udall Scholarship will receive up to $7,000 in each of their junior and senior years. Juniors who are awarded a Udall Scholarship will receive up to $7,000 in their senior year.

The Udall Scholarship emphasizes not only on academics but also advocacy and leadership on the topic a student is applying under—things that may not be so obvious from your Wesleyan transcript but come from your other experiences, outside the classroom. Contact fellowships@wesleyan.edu asap if you are interested in applying to find out what’s needed for the campus deadline. The campus deadline is February 9 at 5pm, so reach out in advance of the start of the semester if you wish to be considered.

Questions? The Office of Fellowships at Wesleyan’s Fries Center for Global Studies will be holding open office hours for students to drop in with questions bout the Udall Scholarship on Wednesday January 25 at 1-1:45pm in Fisk Hall 201C and on Tuesday January 31 at 4-4:40pm on Zoom.

Eligibility details: Sophomores and juniors (who are US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents) can apply in one of three categories (1) environment, (2) tribal public policy, and (3) Native health care. The final two categories are open to Native American students only, defined as follows:

  • An enrolled member of a state or federally recognized Indian tribe or band, including any tribe or band terminated since 1940;
  • A descendant in first or second degree of an enrolled member of a state or federally recognized Indian tribe or band, who can demonstrate affiliation with the tribal community, according to criteria set by the Udall Foundation;
  • Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for any purpose;
  • An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native;
  • A permanent U.S. resident who is a member of the First Nations of Canada.

Major X Career Advising Office Hours

Having trouble deciding on a major? Feeling pressured to pick a department that will help you get a job? Looking for someone to talk with about the major selection process? Come to Major X Career Advising Office Hours this Thursday, October 20th at 12:00pm in the GCC for a 1-on-1 conversation with a GCC staff member about whatever major-related questions are on your mind! Sign-ups for a 15-minute time slot are required in addition to Handshake registration.

Link: https://wesleyan.joinhandshake.com/events/1142512/share_preview

Contact Information: careercenter@wesleyan.edu

Student Ombuds Program

We are proud to launch the second year of the Student Ombuds program at Wesleyan, which is an initiative inspired and informed by student voices.

The Student Ombuds are available to talk with students about their concerns related to experiences in the classroom, with your athletic team, or within other parts of your academic and campus life at Wesleyan.  Each Ombud serves as a resource focused on empowering students to successfully navigate the institution and advocate for themselves in moments of conflict, particularly when there are power dynamic considerations. 

Here’s just a few of the ways Student Ombuds can offer support:

  • Serve as a thought partner for students considering their options for resolving an issue, especially when the other party is in a position of power in relation to the student
  • Hold a safe and supportive conversational space, simply listening and serving as an impartial sounding board
  • Provide insight and tools on how to manage challenging conversations
  • Share information about campus resources
  • Communicate any patterns of concern to university leadership

The Student Ombuds partner with and are supported by Dr. April Ruiz, Dean for Academic Equity, Inclusion, & Success.

Learn more about the Student Ombuds by:

Our Student Ombuds stand ready to support you!

MMUF/McNair Info Session

MMUF/McNair Info Session | Monday 10/10 | 5:30 – 6:30pm in Boger 114

The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (link) and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (link) are national programs supporting underrepresented students as they work toward applying to graduate school. Both programs serve juniors and seniors, providing summer and academic year fundingmentorship and training, as well as a community of students of similar backgrounds who are all striving toward the same goals.

Students are eligible to apply to these programs during their sophomore year.

First-years and sophomores are invited to join us for this session to learn about eligibility, the application process, and additional details about program benefits!

Major Open House Schedule (10/3 – 10/14)

Happy Friday, Class of 2025 – 

As promised, I’m sending along the most up to date Open House schedule for the next two weeks. To see the full schedule, please visit the Major Open House website here.

Even if you have the slightest interest in a department, I encourage you to attend. Some Open Houses offer refreshments/lunch and it’s a great way to get to know other community members at Wes. I look forward to seeing you at some of these Open Houses.

DepartmentDateStartEndLocationNotes
Romance Studies10/5/202212:00 PM1:00 PM300 High Street MiddletownFood/refreshments
Feminist, Gender, & Sexuality Studies10/6/202212:00 PM1:00 PMAllbritton 311
College of Integrative Sciences10/7/20222:30 PM3:30 PMLabyrinth TentIce cream sundaes
College of Letters10/10/202212:15 PM1:15 PMBoger 114
Psychology10/10/202212:20 PM1:10 PMJudd Hall Rm. 116
Philosophy10/10/202212:00 PM1:00 PMLabyrinth TentPizza
Latin American Studies10/12/202212:10 PM1:00 PMRomance Languages 300 High St.Pizza
Religion10/12/20224:30 PM5:30 PMWoodhead LoungeCider/donuts/fall treats
American Studies10/12/202212:00 PM1:00 PMAmerican Studies  255 High StreetRefreshments
Physics10/13/202211:50 AM1:10 PMExley 058Lunch
History10/13/202212:00 PM1:00 PMLabyrinth TentPizza
Data Analysis10/13/202212:00 PM1:00 PMAllbritton 103Refreshments
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry10/13/202212:00 PM1:00 PMWoodhead LoungeLunch
History10/13/202212:00 PM1:00 PMLabyrinth Tent