Dragon Community Newsletter Fall 2018 WELCOME WEEK The exciting events from the weekend continued into the first week of classes. We kicked off Welcome Week with the “Courtyard Kick Back” sponsored by CRU, our campus ministry. The “This Is Us” Multicultural Block Party held Tuesday featured a DJ, grilling, as well as games and inflatables sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement and our multicultural student organizations.
WELCOME WEEKEND 2018 All new students were officially welcomed to campus on Friday, August 24. There were numerous events and activities planned to help students adjust and get to know one another and their new home away from home. Check out the highlights of the weekend:
Friday - Welcome to Campus! Moving belongings into a residence hall room is an exciting, but stressful time. Our faculty, staff and upper-class students had such a great time welcoming and helping you!
Convocation is the official start to Tiffin University’s academic year. It’s a great way for our entire campus and community to welcome our new students and their families to the Dragon Nation.
The amazing weather continued into the evening as students were encouraged to come and hang out at the Hayes Courtyard for the Tif-FUN Fest. Inflatables, lawn games and activities sponsored by student organizations are a perfect way for our new students to get to know their new home better. Saturday We started the morning off by walking our new students to our annual “Around the Town” event located in downtown Tiffin. This event allowed our students to learn about and meet with local businesses, organizations and groups.
On Wednesday evening. students were invited to Meet the Greeks to learn more about Greek life at TU. This fun filled event featured corn hole, Twister and the beginning of many new friendships. Thursday students were invited to bring their blankets and pillows to enjoy the movie “White Chicks” on the courtyard lawn. On Friday night, nearly 200 students attended Annual Foam Party hosted by Campus Activities Board.
We finished the week with the Dragon Football season opener. Students packed Frost-Kalnow Stadium for a white-out under the lights. The Dragons fought hard and won against Northwood University, 4027. Be sure to check out Dragon Football on Homecoming and Family Weekend as they take on Malone University. (Details below)
FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR CLASS The First-Year Seminar Class is a required course for all new first-year students. It provides an in-depth introduction to college expectations and the realities of campus life both in and out of the classroom. After lunch, students had a chance to settle into their new home and relax. Saturday evening, all new students participated in TU’s Playfair, a series of exciting activities to help students interact and bond in a safe and engaging environment. We ended the evening with a Late Night movie under the twinkle lights in Osceola Theatre.
All first-year students have been meeting with their instructors and peer mentors once a week in a classroom setting. Both instructors and peer mentors are ensuring an easy transition for first-year students into college. Throughout the first few weeks of the semester, we have focused on college basics including navigating the course syllabus, accessing online class technology, learning about all of the ways to get involved on campus and honing in on our time management skills in order to make the most of our time as a successful student. On September 5, all First-Year Seminar classes attended the Campus Involvement Fair where nearly 60 student organizations and campus departments were available to answer students questions.
Sunday On Sunday, the first-year students had the opportunity to meet with their first-year family. Through a variety of interactive activities, students were able to meet their new classmates, peer mentor and instructor while preparing for their first semester as a college student!
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Every Wednesday, Tiffin University offers a free TU Taxi shuttle service around Tiffin and is a chance for students to run errands or meet up with some friends for lunch off-campus. Your student can schedule a ride with the TU Taxi at the Student Affairs Office in the Gillmor Student Center.
LOOKING AHEAD • October 5 Alumni Student Symposium
Tiffin University also provides transportation to and from Detroit (DTW) airport. Shuttle request forms, including flight and contact information, must be submitted by the following deadlines and can be picked up in the Student Affairs Office. Flights must be arranged with the shuttle availability kept in mind. Students will be responsible for their own transportation if their flights cannot be accommodated by the shuttle. Description Thanksgiving Break
Airports DTW
Shuttle Request Deadline Nov. 14
Fall Semester End
DTW
Dec. 5
Spring Semester End
DTW
Jan. 2
• November 21-23 Thanksgiving Break
Spring Break
DTW
Feb. 20
• December 10-13 Final Exam Period
Spring Semester End
DTW
April 24
• October 15-16 Midterm Break (No Classes) • October 17 Academic Advising for Spring 2019 Begins • November 7 Spring Registration for Freshmen
• December 14 - January 13 Winter Break
HOMECOMING AND FAMILY WEEKEND OCTOBER 5-7, 2018 Parents & families of current TU students are invited to join all Homecoming fun on-campus and in downtown Tiffin! Check-in time is from 3-5 p.m. on Friday, October 5 in the lobby of the Gillmor Student Center. Siblings are invited to stay in the Residence Halls with their TU student on Friday night. Registration and a signed waiver for overnight guests are required. • Please visit tiffin.edu/homecoming to see the full agenda and to register for these events.
Shuttle Date(s) Nov. 21 Nov. 25 Dec. 13 Dec. 14 Jan. 12 Jan. 13 March 1 March 20 May 2 May 3 May 4
Shuttle Times Leave TU @ 8 a.m. Leave Airport @ 6 p.m. Leave TU @ 8 a.m. Leave TU @ 8 a.m. Leave Airport @ 6 p.m. Leave Airport @ 6 p.m. Leave TU @ 8 a.m. Leave Airport @ 6 p.m. Leave TU @ 8 a.m. Leave TU @ 8 a.m. Leave TU @ 8 a.m.
Friday, October 5 • Parents and children are invited to the Alumni Student Symposium with their students. • Enjoy a family-friendly movie • Family GIF Maker - Oh snap! Take an animated photo to capture the family fun. • Silent Disco! A silent dance party?! Dance the night away to the music of your choice with the headphones provided. Saturday, October 6 • Discover Tiffin! Get to know your student’s town with a walking tour of the shops and restaurants in downtown Tiffin. Tours will run every half hour. • Show your DRAGON PRIDE! Join us for refreshments and pre-game fun at the Frost-Kalnow stadium featuring food trucks, tailgating, games for kids of all ages, face painting, inflatables and a kid’s craft tent. • Cheer on Dragon Football vs. Malone University.
@TIFFINU
BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Office of Student Success & First-Year Experience Gillmor Student Center / marinisjl@tiffin.edu / tiffin.edu Non-Discrimination Policy and reporting information is available at tiffin.edu/institutionaldiversity/