A Welcome Message From President Pelton
Members of the Class of 2013:
I am very pleased to welcome you to Willamette University. Your class was selected from among the most academically able and motivated students in this nation and abroad. You deserve to be proud of the determination and achievement that earned you admission into one of the nation's finest institutions of higher education.
As you will soon discover, Willamette is an extraordinary place dedicated to excellence in the liberal arts. Our academic program is dedicated to breadth of subject matter in a small-scale setting that permits you to engage with faculty members in ways that facilitate discovery and intellectual growth. Read the entire message
We believe at Willamette that education extends beyond the four walls of the classroom. Thus, while your primary purpose here, of course, is to learn and study, you will find plenty of opportunities for co-curricular engagement that complement and strengthen your classroom experiences.
As you prepare to enroll, I would like to offer you a bit of advice that might benefit and deepen your education at Willamette.
First, get to know your faculty members. The core of the College of Liberal Arts is its commitment to undergraduate teaching. Willamette professors are accessible and eager to help you achieve at the highest levels. Take advantage of their willingness to interact with you.
Second, seek out people that are different from you. You will learn more and enrich your intellectual experience through interactions with students whose cultural backgrounds, interests and skin color are different from your own.
Third, do not make the mistake of trying to recapitulate your high school experience at Willamette. On the contrary, take full advantage of the diversity of Willamette's curriculum by enrolling in courses that interest, excite and mystify you.
Fourth, in your early years at Willamette do not fret if you are uncertain of your academic direction- most of your peers are in the same boat.
Fifth, read often and broadly. By this, I mean read not only the books that are assigned in your classes, but read the world's great literature, both prose and poetry. Art has the capacity to elevate the mind, connect us to life's enduring themes and humanize the landscape of historical events.
Finally, reserve time in your busy schedule for personal reflection. William Wordsworth, the great nineteenth century Romantic poet, once wrote that
The world is too much with us; late and soon.
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.
Little we see in Nature that is ours.
The rhythms of daily life form patterns that shape the days and years of our lives. Set aside time each week for contemplation and renewal. As you think about your present, also use this time to plan for your future.
Willamette University is a commonwealth of learning and living. As a member of this community, you have both privileges and obligations. The University will extend to you an opportunity to learn the best that is known and thought in the world. However, remember that you are responsible for your own education and for balancing the many competing claims that will be made on your time and resources.
I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you during your time at Willamette.
Sincerely,
M. Lee Pelton
President
Campus Gallery
News Highlights
- Flu Preparedness Learn what Willamette University is doing to prevent the spread of influenza on campus. (Updated 11/13)
- CEO Position Goes to Willamette Alumnus Punit Renjen MBA’86, a Willamette trustee, will lead Deloitte Consulting LLP.
- Professional Musicians Mentor Students Willamette student classical musicians received hands-on training this fall through a new partnership.
- Alumnus Leads New Medical School Dr. G. Richard Olds ’72 is founding dean of the program at the University of California, Riverside.
- Grant Funds Outreach Programs Willamette Academy and the Chemawa Indian School Tutoring Program will benefit from a new grant.
Office of Campus Safety
Before you leave home, you should apply for your parking permit, learn about your campus debit card — the Compass Card, and make note of the after-dark safety escort program, some of the many services provided by the Office of Campus Safety. Click here to go to the Campus Safety QuickRef page.
WUhoo 2009-2010
WUhoo is an online social network for the incoming class of 2009-2010. This is the place where you can connect and share with other new members of the Willamette community.
Members of this fall's incoming class will be receiving an email invite to join WUhoo shortly. If you have an questions about WUhoo, please contact rflores@willamette.edu.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities are to submit their documentation as soon as they commit to attend Willamette to:
Joanne Hill, Director of Disability Services
Bishop Wellness Center
900 State Street
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-370-6471
Fax: 503-375-5420
College Colloquium
Now that your are you are registered in colloquium section you can follow the link to the College Colloquium website to to review the course description. You should also look at your colloquium website on WISE http://wise.willamette.edu, Willamette's collaborative learning environment. You will find a welcome letter that may contain a summer assignment. Your colloquium instructor may also be using WISE to post announcements, syllabi, assignments, grades and course readings and to include other tools, such as blogs, wikis, live chat, and discussion boards in course activities. For information about logging into and using WISE, please visit our WISE Colloquium course sites page.
New Student Orientation Program
Opening Days, a five-day new student orientation program for all incoming students, which not only challenges students both academically and socially but also gives parents the opportunity to learn more about the university and the transition their child will be making. [Learn more]
Jump Start — August 22-27, 2009
If you just can't wait to get to college, Willamette invites you to "begin before the beginning." These Jump Start opportunities - NSOCO, Ohana and Steppin' Out - will enable you to meet other new students, explore the scenic beauty of the Pacific Northwest and lend a helping hand in your new community in a smaller, more intimate setting before the Opening Days orientation involving all new students. [Learn more]
Student Health History Form
Please review the Immunization and Health History Information and Instructions document carefully. The Student Health History and Tuberculosis Screening forms must be completed and returned to the Bishop Wellness Center no later than August 1, 2009, The completed forms are required by the Oregon State Health Division of all entering half time or more students at Willamette University. These forms, instructions and more information are also available on the Bishop Wellness Center website.
- Immunization & Health History Information and Instructions (pdf)
- Student Health History from (pdf)
- Tuberculosis Screening Documentation form (pdf)
Student Health Insurance
Willamette University requires all students enrolled half time or more to carry health insurance. Students are enrolled in the Student Health Insurance plan automatically but have the option to complete an online waiver if they have other coverage. The waiver process will begin on July 1, 2009 and the deadline to WAIVE student insurance is September 20, 2009. Go to www.eiia.org/willamette to waive online. A summary of Willamette's Student Insurance Plan is available for download here and additional information can be found the Bishop Wellness Center Student Insurance website.
Things To Do This Week
- Read President Pelton's Welcome Message (at left)
- Apply for your parking permit
- Learn about your campus debit card — the Compass Card
- Review the Campus Safety QuickRef page and make note of the after-dark safety escort program and some of the many services provided by the Office of Campus Safety.
And if you haven't had a chance to yet...
- Register for Course 1, 2 and 3 using Jason following the Instructions for Web Pre-registration.
- Complete foreign language placement exams
- Read the letter from your Colloquium instructor on the course's WISE site [Information on accessing and navigating WISE]
- Ask your parents to complete the Parent Profile Form
- Please read this letter concerning the billing process from the Student Accounts Office
- Review the Immunization & Health History Information and Instructions document
Important Dates
- Student Health History form & Tuberculosis Screening Documentation due back to Bishop Wellness Center
Aug 1 - On-line registration for course 3
Aug 3 — 7 - Hall, room # and roommate information emailed
Aug 7 - Jump Start Program Begins
Aug 22 - Opening Days 2009
Aug 27 — 30 - Music Auditions
Aug 28 — Sept 2 - First Day of CLA Classes
Sept 1 - Student Health Insurance waiver process concludes
Sept 20
Create a Network Account.
In order to be able to communicate fully with instructors, fellow students and administrative offices, it is important for you to initiate your Willamette Network Account (email address).
Click here to create your account. To create your account, you will need to know your Student ID number which is included on the Network Access Information page included in enrolling student welcome information being mailed the week of May 25th.
Bringing a laptop to campus? Purchasing a new computer for school?
Willamette Integrated Technology Services (WITS) would like to share some recommendations and requirements for computers on campus.