Download - Hobart and William Smith Colleges

FREQUENTLY CALLEDNUMBERSIf calling from off campus, dial(315) 781- 4-digit extensionAccounts Payable 3341, 3346Administrative Services 3668Admissions 3622Alcohol and Other DrugPrograms 3478Alumni House 3700Athletics, Hobart 3565Athletics, William Smith 3500Café 3506Career Services 3514Center for Counseling andStudent Wellness 3388Center for CommunityEngagement andService Learning 3825Center for GlobalEducation 3307Center for Teachingand Learning 3351College Store 3449, 3451Communications 3540Conferences and Events 3103Counseling Center 3388Dean’s Office, Hobart 3300Dean’s Office, William Smith 3467Field House 3528Finance Office 3337Financial Aid 3315Finger Lakes Institute 4390The Herald 3857Hillel Office 3385Hubbs Health Center 3600Human Resources 3312Information Technology 4357Telecommunications 4357Institutional Advancement 3700Intercultural Affairs 3319Library - Circulation 3550Library - Reference 3552Maintenance 3660Menu Line 3777Parent Relations 3755Payroll 3342Post Office 3504President’s Office 3309Print Services 3520Provost’s Office 3304Registrar’s Office 3651Religious Life Office 3671Residential Education(101 St. Clair) 3880Safety 3656, 3657Sport and Recreation Center 3528Sports Information Office 3538Sportsline 3557Student Accounts 3343Student Activities 3513Student Affairs 3900UPS 3519WEOS-FM (office) 3456(studio request line) 3897The First Year at HWSAt Hobart and William Smith, first-year students take four courses per semester,one First-Year Seminar and three other courses.First-Year Seminars are designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity, introduce academicexpectations and engage first-year students independent of future major or minor choices.The seminar topics vary each year, as do the professors who teach them, so the classroomdiscussions are always fresh and interesting.Seminar classes are small—usually about 15 students—allowing faculty and students toparticipate in discussions and debates in an intimate group. Discussions and assignments aredesigned to hone writing, speaking, critical thinking and other academic skills that your studentwill draw upon during the rest of his or her HWS career.Other than the First-Year Seminar, there are no other required courses for first semesterstudents, so many students use the first semester to explore their academic interests. Youshould encourage your student to challenge him- or herself and try something new.At Hobart and William Smith, learning happens outside of the classroom as well, and manystudents live in deliberately designed Learning Communities that are intended to build bridgesbetween what happens in and out of the classroom.These students take courses together with their floor-mates, and they may also attend lecturesand field trips together. These living and learning environments focus on shared, active learningand allow students to develop strong bonds with faculty and fellow students.How You Can HelpYour student is not on this academic adventure alone—there are countless resources on campusfor students. As parents, your most important contacts are the Hobart and William Smith Deans,who are responsible for the academic and co-curricular well-being of all students.First-Year Deans Lisa Kaenzig and David Mapstone ’93 not only hand-register each student intheir first semester classes, they also make an effort to meet each new student individuallyduring the first semester so that a personal relationship is established early.If you have concerns or questions about your student’s well-being or academic progress, weurge you to contact the Deans Offices. They play an important role in academic counseling andare available to assist students, make referrals and talk with concerned parents.After years of working with first-year students and their parents, Deans Kaenzig and Mapstonehave a few tips for parents as well as a list of recommended readings that will help you – andyour student – get through this period of transition smoothly.6 HOBART AND WILLIAM SMITH COLLEGES