First-Year Students

At this point in the summer I want to give you some idea of how to prepare for the academic challenges ahead as well as make a request for some personal information so we can be better prepared to work with you in this important transition.

You can look forward to working with two members of the Haverford community who are specifically concerned with providing you with the guidance necessary for the development of your academic program.  You will be paired with a Faculty Adviser, who is a full-time member of the Haverford faculty, and an Upper Class Adviser, or UCA, a junior or senior student who has been extensively trained to help acquaint you with your academic options.  The UCA will be a part of your customs group so there is easy access to good academic advice.  She/he can also help you make sense of the Tri-College Course Guide ( www.trico.haverford.edu/cgi-bin/courseguide/cgi-bin/search.cgi ) and Catalog www.haverford.edu/catalog/ both of which you can access on line during the summer

Time will be provided during Customs Week for you to meet with your Faculty Adviser and UCA to discuss your academic program and put you in a position to begin classes on September 4th .  You will continue to meet with your faculty adviser and UCA during the first week of classes to finalize your program for the first semester.  You should always feel free to consult with your faculty adviser and UCA regarding academic and other matters throughout your first year at Haverford.

In order to start the process of communication, please take a moment to answer a short survey that will help your faculty adviser have a better idea about your plans while at Haverford.  You will need to take a look through the course guide and pick some courses you might want to pursue.   I hope you have fun completing the survey.  I know the faculty members look forward to getting to know their students through the summer communications.

We need to receive the survey by June 29, 2012  Your Faculty Adviser will have access to it as soon as the assignment of advisers is completed. You can access the survey at: www.admin.haverford.edu/servlet/reality/hcadmin/introletter

Welcome, first year students!  The Writing Program placement on our website (www.haverford.edu/writingprogram/)  is now active at the link “Placement in Seminars”.  You’ll find there the list of seminars from which you will be choosing, as well as instructions for the essay that you’re being asked to write.  Preferences and your own essay are due July 15, 2012.Following the links in turn should take you through the placement process with relatively little difficulty.  Any questions?  Let me know– All best, Debora Sherman, Director of College Writing (dsherman@haverford.edu)

The Office of Residential Life, led by Marianne (Smitty) Smith, Director of Residential Life, is responsible for assigning all first-year housing. In conjunction with two summer interns (whom you will soon be introduced to), Smitty assigns first-years to one of twenty-three customs groups in four locations using a thoughtful process that that emphasizes the make-up of Customs groups (groups of students matched with upperclassmen who will live together freshman year). To allow this to occur, please submit your Student Entry Record and Housing Questionnaire by June 11 if you have not already! While we understand there are numerous reasons students might want to request a specific residence hall, a greater value is placed on the people who will shape your community rather than the building in which you will be living.

All four housing options offer exciting features to its residents:

Barclay Hall offers a prime location in the center of campus activity. Students are placed mostly in doubles or singles arranged in two-person suites, but there are also a few singles that open right onto the corridor. Students love the wide halls, high ceilings, and large lounge located on the first floor, which includes a cable TV. There will be six customs groups in Barclay for the 2012-2013 school year.

Gummere Hall is also located centrally on campus. All rooms in Gummere are singles with most arranged in four-person suites, but there are also a few singles that open right onto the corridor. Gummere’s basement offers a social space with cable TV. There will be nine customs groups in Gummere for the 2012-2013 school year.

The Haverford College Apartments (HCA) are a five minute walk from the center of campus and offer freshmen exciting features. Each apartment includes its own kitchen, equipped with a stove and refrigerator, although all first-year students are required to be on the meal plan to experience the Dining Center. Each four-person apartment contains two doubles, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a common space, the most spacious setup available to freshmen. For the first time this year, the first floor apartments in each freshman building will be joined, allowing for easier interaction among residents. There will be four freshmen apartment buildings, each representing a customs group, for the 2012-2013 school year. These four first-year buildings are nestled amongst 13 upper-class apartment buildings which include three Community Houses:  ehaus, Quaker House and International House.

Tritton Hall is one of our two new residence halls.  This newest freshman dorm will open its doors in August. All rooms in Tritton are singles and each floor is configured into two customs groups.  Each customs group will feature a kitchenette, common area, and laundry room. There is also a study room on each floor.  The outdoor courtyard provides a fantastic place for all students to relax. There will be four customs groups in Tritton for the 2012-2013 school year. Photos of Tritton, as well as live video of the construction, are available here.

No matter which dorm you are placed in, the Customs program at Haverford will make sure you have a fantastic adjustment into college and enjoy your first year here!

For more information about life at Haverford, visit www.haverford.edu/reslife/first-year_students.php.