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2020 FSU Student Survival Guide
Dear Bulldogs, Welcome to Ferris State University and to Big Rapids. Whether you are a returning student or an incoming freshman, this upcoming academic year will be unlike any other we have experienced in our 136-year history. Over these past months we have all experienced the challenges accompanying this current pandemic. There are important lessons we have learned from this experience. Each of us needs to understand the importance of making smart, responsible decisions, as our behaviors impact on the health and safety of others. In this rapidly evolving environment we must be ready to adapt to changes necessitated by COVID-19. All of us at Ferris are dedicated to you, to your health and safety, and to providing you an education that prepares you for success both now and in your future. We are planning to bring you the best possible learning environment while protecting the health and safety of our University and Big Rapids community. We are following the guidance of our local health department and public health experts, in addition to the practices recommended from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Maintaining a healthy environment is a shared responsibility for our entire Bulldog community and will require all of us to take these important steps to help reduce the spread of COVID-19: Wear a mask
David L. Eisler
Practice social distancing
Way Cleanup and the new Traditions Walk on Founders’ Day, when we celebrate our founders, Woodbridge and Helen Ferris.
Wash your hands Avoid large gatherings and crowds When we do our part by practicing these four simple measures, we reduce the risk to ourselves and to each other. To help with this, all students will receive Ferris branded cloth face masks. Classrooms will be configured so there is 6 feet of distance between you and your peers. And there will be hand sanitizer stations located throughout campus, along with signs and messages to remind you to practice these and other safe behaviors. Our dining facilities, like The Rock and the Quad Café, have been reconfigured to allow for social distancing, including less capacity and reduced seating. However, you will still be able to enjoy the great food we are known for and eat on campus. We have also increased our capabilities for takeout, so you can get your food to go if preferred. The Office of Student Life and other campus groups are actively preparing a robust lineup of activities for you to enjoy. You will be able to connect with others virtually through the Office of Multicultural Student Services, Bulldog Bonanza and more. Outdoor activities are also planned such as the LatinX Welcome, TikTok Dance Competition, the Big Alley
While this semester will have its challenges, we will learn and grow from this experience. I encourage you to virtually connect with new friends and learn from each other. Be open to new and different possibilities. Take personal responsibility for your educational success. Please feel comfortable in asking for help when we can assist. Know that each of us at Ferris is here to help you feel at home and to help you succeed. We are very pleased you are here with us at Ferris State University. Please keep yourself safe, stay healthy and be kind to one another as we strive to move Ferris forward together.
David L. Eisler President, Ferris State University AlwAys CleAn, lOw MIle, lAte MOdel VehICles
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2020 FSU Student Survival Guide
Welcome to the City of Big Rapids Permit me to welcome you to the City of Big Rapids and to encourage you to take full advantage of the amenities and experiences our beautiful area provides. Whether your interests lie in outdoor recreation, Michigan history, community affairs, local internships or just socializing with friends and colleagues, I hope that our community provides support, encouragement and beneficial quality of life as you pursue your educational goals. Whether you are returning to continue your program or becoming a member of our community for the first time, please know the quality of your Big Rapids experience is important to us and we want you to feel that you’re a welcome and valued member of the community and you understand Big Rapids and Ferris State University each has a vested interest in your well-being, quality of life and academic success. Participation in student and city government is strongly encouraged, and
input from student residents is important to our ability to anticipate needs and concerns. Please feel free to contact City Hall with informational needs, questions or concerns. To understand our community, please explore our website at cityofbr.org and consider adding the See-Click-Fix app to participate in reporting issues to be addressed, such as street repairs, hazard reporting and suggestions for service improvement. Access the Mecosta County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce websites to see what the area has to offer. Take advantage of our library, community recreational activities, civic amenities and our beautiful parks to fully enjoy what we hope you will find to be a safe, comfortable and pleasant living and learning environment. The opportunities and objectives embodied in the partnership between Ferris State University and the City of Big Rapids are many
Serving
Thomas J. Hogenson and considerable. Foremost is our support for your success and I hope your time here will be enjoyable, productive, valuable and memorable. Respectfully, Thomas J. Hogenson Mayor, City of Big Rapids
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2020 FSU Student Survival Guide
Big Rapids may be small compared to many college cities, but there is still a lot to do here. Ferris offers a variety of activities, there are multiple local businesses frequented by students and the wilderness throughout the city offers great opportunities to explore the outdoors.
What to do in
Big Rapids
N TO W N W O D G IN P SHOP s
LI B RA RY
nt store riety of differe va a as h s id historic Big Rap ops located in sh e yl st e u q stop in and bouti owntown and d k al w a ke d downtown. Ta e. You can fin av h ey th at h w e , the stores to se f locally made goods, food o y et ri va clothes, a art and more.
426 S. M
ichigan
Av e .
get a , you can nity s id p a R mu Big living in pids Com If you are ard at the Big Ra s, movies ry c ook free libra can check out b rary. Having a u o Y e lib Library. uters at th e opportunity to p m o c e th ns. ents th and use ows stud tbook cram sessio ll a d r a c library een tex n in betw fu r fo d a re
IN G H IKIN G A N D B IK rested
BA RS A N D CLU BS Star Shooters: 120 S Michigan Ave. Gypsy Nickel Lounge: 228 Baldwin St.
abundance of fo Big Rapids has an ng, for hiking and biki s ea ar le tip ul m s areas and ha students me places where co be so al ve ha which the most hammocks. One of like to hang their ocking can be r hiking and hamm fo es ac pl r la pu po Campus ing lot at St. Paul rk pa e th m fro ed st access s Road, next to Ea cu as am D 1 at d te Parish, loca a set of stairs e trail goes down Th s. ite Su s pu ver. Cam g the Muskegon Ri on al ed w llo fo be Park and can found at Hemlock be n ca ils tra ng Popular biki ch have ide Park, which ea rs ve Ri d en th or N and paved trails.
Schuberg’s Bar and Gr ill: 109 N Michigan Ave. Crankers Brewery 213 S. State St.
Shooters, Gypsy Nick el Lounge and Schuberg’s are favorite locations for students looking to drink, dance or dine . With each bar offerin ga different atmosphere, from karaoke to clubb ing, Big Rapids’ night life has something for every stu dent.
M O V IE A E E S GO
inema: Bulldog C St. ple 1100 Ma g to Bulldo ip tr a e k ses, ta wntown After clas ovie. Located do uit ovies to s r ee a m m s f o o g ty to ie ood fo s a var Cinema ema offer er you're in the m n in C g o d Bull in tow Wheth e theater 's needs. ever yone rama or thriller, th ,d a comedy oint. app won't dis
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2020 FSU Student Survival Guide
Where To Find Food Big Rapids is full of different restaurants and bars for students to explore. You can find sushi, Mexican, burgers and a variety of fast food all within just a few miles of each other. This list is some of the must-try foods in Big Rapids.
CRAN KERS BREW ERY
GY PSY NIC KE L LO UN GE THE ROC K CAF É 1420 Knollview Drive Must try: Mongolian Grill
213 S. State St. Must try: A burger and a craft beer
228 Baldwin St. Must try: Sweet potato fries Side note: Visit Gypsy Nickel on Wednesdays for karaoke night.
SUS H I T TO W A
ry Ave. 105 Per i Regular : Sush Must try
TH E PIE wH OL E
THE QUA D CAF É 805 Campus Drive (Inside the University Center) Must try: Wing night (Thursdays)
S C H U B E RG’S
204 S. Michigan Ave. Must try: Cupcakes
BAR
A N D G RIL L
109 N. Michig an Ave. Must try: The or iginal “Schu-bu rger”
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121 N. Michig an Ave. Must try: Beef br isket and a craft beer
Burgers and chili SU GA R CR EE K 10431 Northland Drive Must try: French toast
Szot’s
Nickel Bell Bar
732 N. State St. • Big Rapids • 231-796-2353
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2020 FSU Student Survival Guide
Getting Involved In The Community
Organizations throughout Big Rapids offer a multitude of services that students can use, as well as volunteer their time to. This guide offers students looking to give back to the community a chance to do so, whether it’s done for fun, or because of honors program or Greek organization requirements.
W IS E
MY R A N IO T A V L SA
Women’s Information Services, Inc. offers a variety of services to women wh o have been victims of domestic violence, including sh elter and helpful inform ation. WISE looks for volunt eers to fill many roles, including helping with food driv es and providing trans portation. Information about volu nteering can be found at wiseagainstviolence.or g.
the community, in d e lv o v in y is heavil ed. Salvation Army s to those in ne e ic rv e s f o son. ty e nd vary by sea offering a vari a t n a d n u b a re ions a Volunteer posit the Christmas g n ri u d g in g in bell-r Some include at various youth n re d il h c h it w ting to play season, interac children learn g in lp e h d n about a s program s. Information m ra g ro p ic s u m . instruments at abigrapids.org s t a d n u fo e b n volunteering ca
U N TY O C A T S O EC A RC O F M ty serves ecosta Coun
Students!
of M to ue Coalition c s e R l a ks volunteers e im e n s A C R A r. e animal shelt nimals, as the local cting with a ra te in s n io g of posit dogs, helpin g fill a variety in lk a w d n ing ing with a ns and clean te it such as play k g in d e d at f animals, fe can be foun g n ri e with intake o te n lu o v ation about cages. Inform . tacounty.com arcofmecos
A N G E LS O F A CTIO N
Angels of Action work s to provide food and winter clothing to local child ren in need. The organi zation uses volunteers in mul tiple areas including de livering food, unloading food orders and recording in ventory. Information about volu nteering can be found at angelsofaction.org.
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2020 FSU Student Survival Guide
Bringing back
The Big Event Every year, students at Ferris State University get excited to help out their community during the annual Big Event. The Big Event isn’t only FSU’s biggest volunteer event; it’s also the largest one-day, student-run service project in Michigan. With the exception of the event being canceled for the 2017-18 school year, the Big Event has been helping Big Rapids residents clean up trash, leaves and other debris from their yards and alleys every year since 2008. Students are encouraged to form teams and work together to collect debris, although individuals are also welcome to participate.
Starting at 8 a.m. on the day of the event, volunteers will gather at FSU’s Top Taggart Field before being assigned to one of the homes that has previously signed up to take part. There, organizers have previously said, the students will take care of a wide variety of spring cleaning jobs. Pretty much the only limit is anything involving power tools or roof repairs, due to the possible liability issues. Past incarnations of the event have seen well over 1,000 volunteers clean up hundreds of houses.
The Big Event originated at Texas A&M University more than 30 years ago, and came to Big Rapids after FSU students attended a conference in Texas, where they learned about the event. According to organizers, there are about 15 other colleges from across the country who organize a Big Event; none are in Michigan. Even beyond the idea of cleaning up and giving back, organizers say, The Big Event acts as a symbolic bridge between a local community and a college community that does not often relate to one another.
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2020 FSU Student Survival Guide
Learning outside of the Classroom Ferris offers students a variety of ways to stay engaged in their learning outside of the classroom. With multiple museums and frequent educational programs, students always have an opportunity to keep learning.
NTER CARD WI LDLIFE EDUCATION CE
JIM CRO W MU SEU M OF RACIST MEMO RAB ILIA The Jim Crow Museum uses the slogan, “Using objects of intolerance to teach tolerance and promote social justice.” The museum is full of racist memorabilia, from actual shackles and chains used during slavery in America, all the way up to modern day cartoons and racist memorabilia depicting former president Barack Obama.
MUSEUM OF SEXIST OBJECTS
The Museum of Sexist Ob jects takes the same approach as the Jim Cr ow Museum in that it features a variety of sexis t memorabilia in order to teach tolerance and pr omote social justice. The museum features ev erything from board games to shirts, as well as signs and bumper stickers with sexist imag ery and language.
nter The Card Wildlife Education Ce e specimens features more than 200 wildlif ibits give from all over the world. The exh ls up ma visitors a chance to see the ani erience close in a way they cannot exp pelts ny ma in photos. There are also . available for visitors to handle
M LK W EE K
A L L E RY F IN E A RT G
variety resents a wide p ry le al g t ar the Ferris’ is throughout as b g n ti ta ro a of art on m original . Art varies fro ar ye ic em ad ract art ac ic design, abst h p ra g to s, g n lery is painti goal of the gal e h T . re o m and much stimulate an ents as well as d u st e ag g en ledge of to increase know d an r fo n io at appreci works of art..
W IL LIAM S
AU D ITO RIU M
Williams Audit orium houses many of Ferris’ events, includ ing those put on by the thea program. Even tre ts ran to concerts, hyp ge from musicals and plays , notists, comed ians and more .
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Martin Luther King Jr. week at Ferris has many events and spea kers touching on issue s of racism and social jus tice. Events include the Freedom March to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr., and the Tunnel of Oppression, which is designed to sh ow oppression and privilege to visitors. Th e week also features multiple speakers throu ghout the week who touch on a variety of top ics related to Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy.
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2020 FSU Student Survival Guide
What Is An RSO And How To Get Involved Coming to college can be both exciting and nerve-racking, but finding a group of friends early in the year can help ease those nerves. Registered student organizations, more commonly referred to as RSOs, are groups for students who have the same interests and hobbies to come together and enjoy those interests with other people. Ferris has more than 220 RSOs, and that number is constantly growing. In order to form a new RSO, the group needs at least five members and one Ferris employee adviser. Students interested in starting a new RSO can contact the Center for Leadership, Activities and Career Services (CLACS) for more information.
WHAT KINDS OF RSOS ARE AVAILABLE? RSO topics range greatly; some are religious or political groups, such as the His House Christian Fellowship and the College Democrats and College Republican RSOs. Other RSOs focus more on hobbies, such as the eSports Club, the Snow Shredders, which is a skiing and snowboarding club, and Entertainment Unlimited, which works to plan on-campus events. Multicultural RSOs offer an opportunity for minority students to interact with and meet one another and are another popular option at Ferris. Some of these organizations include the Black Student Union, Asian Student Organization, Hispanic Student
Organization, and International Student Organization amongst others. Ferris also has multiple RSOs for the LGBTQ+ community, such as Advocacy and Education of Gender Identity and Sexuality (AEGIS) and Diverse Sexuality & Gender Alliance (D-SAGA). Many RSOs focus on bringing students from the same programs together, as well as bringing Greek organizations together. For example, the College of Business has 19 separate RSOs associated with it, including American Marketing Association (ASA) and Graphic Arts Association (GAA). Greek organizations make up a large number of RSOs. Lambda Alpha Epsilon (LAE) is FSU's Greek criminal justice organization and the Interfraternity Council
is designed to bring members from fraternities together to create leadership in the Greek community.
WHY JOIN AN RSO? RSOs are an easy way to find a group of people with similar interests and to develop friendships with people on campus. From a professional standpoint, RSOs, especially professionally focused RSOs, are a great way to network with people in your field, build your résumé and gain leadership skills. The combination of friendship, fun and professional benefits are all extremely valuable during and after college.
TEXT BIGGBYBR TO 51660 TO GET A
Music takes
Action
Ferris State University’s annual endof-the-year concert is one of the most anticipated events of the year for many Ferris students. Last year’s event was held inside Wink Arena and featured a performance by Jesse McCartney, who is remembered by many for his time on Disney.
FREE TALL HOT OR ICED BEVERAGE UPON YOUR NEXT VISIT!
Other musicians have performed at the benefit concert over the years, such as country musician Frankie Ballard and alternative hip-hop artist blackbear. With a variety of different performers, Music Takes Action benefits charitable organizations while also providing a fun night for students.
You may receive up to 4 messages per week. Message and data rates may apply when sending & receiving text messages. Messages sent from automated systems. Consent not required to purchase goods and services. Text STOP to 51660 to opt-out. Text HELP to 51660 for assistance or call 800-211-2001. To view our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy, please visit www.sentextsolutions.com/privacypolicy.
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2020 FSU Student Survival Guide
We’re Hiring WHERE TO FIND ON-CAMPUS JOBS Ferris employs more than 2,000 students on any given academic year. The job opportunities vary greatly, from jobs like yard maintenance and mail delivery to working for the dining halls, Starbucks or even FSU’s newspaper, The Torch. This guide is for students looking to find a job on-campus this year.
JOB FAIR
WORK STUDY
Ferris holds a job fair for students. If you are attending the job fair, you should bring multiple copies of your class schedule and your résumé to give to potential employers. You should also bring your student ID and dress professionally. A variety of employers from all over campus will be at the job fair to recruit new employees. All information regarding the career fair can be found on Handshake.
Due to department budgets, some on-campus jobs require that you have work study to apply. Work study is a federally funded student work program, which means that work study students are not paid by the department they work for, but instead by the government.
ONLINE Ferris posts all of their available jobs for students online and updates the list frequently. That list can be found on ferris.edu by following these links in order – Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Employment. You will then have to sign into your student account to view the available jobs. You will also be available to fill out a résumé online, or attach your own.
APPLY QUICKLY The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to get a job that you would like to have. Most on-campus employers are looking to fill their openings early in the semester and those positions will fill up quickly. For those looking for a job later in the semester, consider applying at The Rock Café or The Quad Café, which are the largest employers of students on campus.
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2020 FSU Student Survival Guide
Opportunities to get involved at Ferris
Campus
Resources T H E TO R C H
ts at Ferris ice of the studen vo t en nd pe de in mpus As the h provides on ca rc To e th , ity rs d State Unive sports both on an d an ts en ev rs it’s staffed news, and cove ent publication, ud st a s A s. pu off cam The Torch is ely by students. and edited entir by Wednesday days, delivered es Tu on d he is ew the Torch publ to pick up. To vi ee fr is d an n afternoo orch.com. online, visit fsut
A C A D EM
IC S U P P O RT
CEN TER Students lo oking for h elp with the and writing ir h papers nee d only look omework Academic towa Sup and Scienc port Center, located in rd the es Commo ns. Service the Arts include tuto s offered rin and teachin g, writing assistance and critiqu g strategies e fo The center is open on r academic success. wee information , call (231) kdays. For more 591-3543.
CE NT ER FO R LEAD ER SH IP, ACTI VI TI ES AN D CA RE ER SE RV IC ES
The Center for Leadership, Activities and Career Services is located next to the bookstore in the University Center. CLACS is FSU’s resource for students who want to get inv olved with a registered student organization, or sta rt their own, university activity planning, Greek life , student government, volunteering through FSU, and the career center. CLACS offices also house some 5-star RSOs, including the Student Veter ans Association office.
LT H C E N T E R B IR K AM H EA
d on Campus Center is locate lth ea H m ka ir rive and next B er of Stadium D rn co e th ar ne alth , Drive staff provides he m ka ir B l. al H n to Johnso , including ents and faculty ud st r fo es ic rv izations and se exams, immun al ic ys ph g, lin ofessional counse with a health pr lk ta To g. in st er can disease te t, the health cent en tm in po ap or to set up an 31) 591-2614. be reached at (2
L U LT ICU LTU RA O F F IC E O F M RV IC ES S TU D E N T S E
jacent to the floor of FLITE, ad ultural Student st fir e th on d te ultic Loca , the Office of M main library areaes diversity of all kinds at Ferris r Services promot The office offers opportunities fo ts State University. s plenty of resources for studenlps leadership and hahip and development. OMSS he seeking mentors come engaged in campus life . helps students be in events throughout the year em ps th hi g rs in la lv ho vo sc by in lps students find d The office also he mfortable space for studying an co a and provides ople. meeting new pe
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