News 2013: UMass Dartmouth to Open New Academic Year

News 2013: UMass Dartmouth to Open New Academic Year
UMass Dartmouth to Open New Academic Year

Media Advisory: UMass Dartmouth to Open New Academic Year New Students move in September 1

Nearly 9,400 students will begin a new academic year at UMass Dartmouth next week, including more than 1,400 new first-year students and 500 transfers from other schools. 

"The beginning of a new year always brings a sense of renewal," said Chancellor Divina Grossman, who will be on campus Sunday to welcome the first-year students and their parents. "Each new class of students adds to our community, and I look forward to the impact that the Class of 2017 will have on our campus and the surrounding community. 

Opening week highlights include: 
Move-in -- First-year students move into Chestnut, Maple Ridge, Elmwood, and Roberts halls on Sunday, September 1, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Returning students will move into all other residence halls on Tuesday, September 3, beginning at 8 a.m. Students have been assigned move-in times based on which building they will be living in. 

Convocation -- The first--year student Convocation will take place Tuesday, September 3, at 11 a.m., at the Vietnam Veterans Peace Memorial Amphitheater. The event will feature a keynote address by Dr. Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided By Politics And Religion. 

Chancellor Breakfast - Chancellor Grossman will host a faculty and staff breakfast on Tuesday, September 3, at 8:30 a.m. at Woodland Commons to kick off the new academic year. 

First-year student book -- This summer all incoming first-year students were assigned to read The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided By Politics And Religion by Jonathan Haidt.  This book will be used in September Orientation, and in all first-year English classes. 

Facility improvements -- Among the major facility improvements scheduled for completion for the fall semester: doubling of the size of the Fitness Center, opening of the Massachusetts Biomanufacturing Accelerator in Fall River, renovation of library and main auditorium lecture halls, continued modernization of teaching and research laboratories.