Welcome back, Yellowjackets!

To the Class of 2015, we welcome you as our newest members of the Rochester community and wish you good luck in your first year of college. Although your summer has been relaxing and wonderful, it is that time again. Time to splurge on caffeinated Starbucks drinks, to spend your nights in Gleason finding a balance between learning and socializing, and to challenge yourself to engage in class discussions. When you are able to look up at the dome of Rush Rhees library, you will realize that you’re home.

However, the home you return to in August might be a little different from the one you remember leaving in May. Upon entering campus, you will most likely notice the transformation of Wilson Quad revealing construction of the brand new Warner School of Education building, which will add more classroom space for our growing student body. We’re also anticipating the construction of a new and much-needed residence hall in the Towers complex, to be completed by Fall 2012. Hillside’s famous paninis have been replaced by a new, (almost) 24/7 market which functions as a dual café and Corner Store. The newly renovated Danforth Dining Center and Douglass Dining Center have been converted into all-you-care-to-eat dining facilities to accommodate the new club-less meal plan!

Transformations have expanded to outside our campus as well. Continuing construction on the Mt. Hope corridor will allow the visible formation of a college town complete with student and community oriented businesses, restaurants and housing.

As you become reacquainted with syllabi and textbooks, don’t forget to stay connected with the campus outside the classroom. Join us for dinner at Get Involved Night on Aug. 28, and learn more about the SA Government. For info about all 250 student organizations on campus, stop by the Fall Activities Fair on Sept. 2 or visit the Campus Club Connection online at http://sa.rochester.edu/ccc. Don’t miss the carnival and celebrities of Yellowjacket Weekend, and the various events of Meliora Weekend, culminating with the keynote speaker, former president Bill Clinton.

During the upcoming academic year, we will inevitably face many successes and challenges as a campus community. The SA Government’s goal is to guide students towards success and provide assistance to overcome the challenges. If you have questions or feedback, please feel free to email me at president@sa.rochester.edu. Rohini Bhatia and I are excited for the fall, and we hope that 2011-12 will be a memorable year for everyone.

Bradley Halpern, ’12
Students’ Association president

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