Generations August 2023
Welcome from the President
Dear UArts families,
Last week, I had the privilege of assuming the presidency of University of the Arts, the nation’s most inspiring destination for artists and makers seeking to pursue their passions. I chose to join this vibrant community for many of the same reasons you chose to entrust UArts with your student’s education. The university has long been distinguished by its enduring quest to advance human creativity as a means to better our world. Simply put, our mission is to encourage experimentation and collaboration, and to ensure that students shape their own, unique UArts experience.
That mission was reinforced for me on my very first day, when rising Screenwriting senior and student leader Alex McFadden took me on a walkabout across our campus. Alex led me to the places you won’t see on your typical tour. We visited quiet, cherished spaces where Alex likes to write and connect with friends. Perhaps my favorite stop was a secluded balcony in Terra Hall, an intimate place where many of our students retreat to connect and reflect.
I was struck there not only by the stunning view of Philadelphia’s skyline—what a city!—but also by the plentiful, upbeat graffiti left behind by UArts students, from past generations to the present. The graffiti was funny, creative, and affirming, as students cheered each other on to make their best work and become their best, most authentic selves. Those messages are emblematic of the many ways in which our students make UArts their home. It was also in that moment that I knew I’d found mine, too.
It’s impossible to overstate just how honored I am to have been chosen to lead this remarkable community. I’d also like to remind you that you’re a critical part of the UArts family. My colleagues and I look forward to welcoming you to campus for events, exhibitions, and performances all year long. I hope you’ll join us for UArts Weekend, October 6–8, for a full slate of events that celebrate our university and our highest aspiration—to advance human creativity.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Kerry Walk, PhD
President
New Student Orientation
We’re looking forward to welcoming our new students to campus in just a few weeks! To help our new students become familiar with UArts’ resources and get prepared to begin their journey as UArtists, we have planned a hybrid New Student Orientation experience that will take place both virtually and in person.
Important Dates
- Aug. 16, 1p.m.: Virtual Orientation
- Aug. 22: New Student Residential Move-In
- Aug. 23–24: New Student Orientation
- Aug. 24: Returning Student Move-In
- Aug. 26: Welcome Weekend
To review a detailed Orientation schedule, visit our New Student Orientation webpage.
2023 Move-In Guidelines
We look forward to welcoming you and your student to campus when they move into their residence hall. Below, we’ve included some helpful information about preparing for move-in.
New Student Move-In: Aug. 22.
Move in is scheduled by last name for residential students.
- 9:30–10:30 a.m.: last names A–D
- 10:30–11:30 a.m.: last names E–I
- 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m : last names J–M
- 12:30–1:30 p.m.: last names N–Q
- 1:30–2:30 p.m.: last names R–Z
Check-in Instructions for New Students
When students check in, they’ll first stop at Hamilton Hall, 320 S. Broad St., to pick up their student IDs and room keys. At this time, they will also ensure that their bill is paid and that we have all their required health forms on file. This process should go quickly, as long as they’ve previously submitted their ID photo, paid their bill and submitted their health forms. From there, they can go to their residence hall and unload their belongings with the assistance of our move-in helpers. We’ll have carts available to help make the move-in process run smoothly. Please anticipate unloading your vehicle and then being ready to move it to an off-campus lot for parking, as we do not have designated parking on campus—only spaces for unloading items from your car.
Returning Student Residential Move-In: Aug. 24
Returning students can move in at an assigned time based on which residence hall floor on which they will live.
- Juniper Hall floors 7–10; Spruce Hall floors 6–8; Furness floor 4: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Juniper Hall floors 4–6, Spruce Hall floors 4 & 5; Furness floor 3: 12–2 p.m.
- Juniper Hall floors 2 & 3; Spruce Hall floors 2 & 3; Furness floor 2: 2–4 p.m.
If a student will not arrive by 4 p.m., they will need to go to the Public Safety desk at their residence hall and request the RA on duty, who will assist them in getting keys to their room and getting them checked in. Note: After 4 p.m., move-in helpers will no longer be available to assist with moving items.
Move-In Instructions for Returning Students
Returning students should arrive at their residence hall with their student ID. If they no longer have a student ID, they should stop first at Student Financial Services in Hamilton Hall to get a new ID made. Once they are checked in and receive their keys from Campus Life staff, they can begin to unload their belongings with the assistance of our move-in helpers. Please review this list of what to bring (and not bring) to campus. We have updated our policies this year and no longer allow upholstered furniture to be brought to campus.
Welcome Weekend
Welcome Weekend is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26. It’s a day dedicated to welcoming all UArts students to campus and celebrating the start of the school year! Students can expect to participate in activities across campus, like meeting all our student clubs and organizations at the Student Activities Fair, going to the Philadelphia Zoo or roller skating by the Delaware River during Dive into Philly. The day will end with our annual Glow Dance Party in Solmssen Court.
For a detailed schedule of the day, visit our Welcome Weekend webpage.
Part-Time Job Fair: Sept. 6
UArts’ Career Services office and Student Financial Services are co-hosting the Part-Time Job Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Solmssen Court in Hamilton Hall. The fair is an opportunity for any students who are looking for paid, part-time jobs during the upcoming academic year to meet in person with prospective employers.
Students who are eligible for federal work study will be able to talk directly with supervisors from departments across the university about their openings and apply on the spot. In addition, there will be numerous local employers who are seeking to hire UArts students (which doesn’t require federal work study eligibility). View a current list of participating UArts departments and local employers. Positions with additional UArts departments will be available for students to view in the UArts portal, and jobs with local employers are also posted in the UArtsCareers online platform all year long. Learn more about Student Employment at UArts, as well as the support provided by Career Services, and encourage your student to attend!
Register today: UArts Weekend
Join us Friday, Oct. 6–Sunday, Oct. 8, for a weekend of programs and events designed to celebrate our creative community, bring alumni together, and connect past and present students and their families. Meet UArts’ new president, Kerry Walk, PhD; visit with professors; enjoy a tour of campus, including our renovated Student Center and School Store; and enjoy performances by current Music students!
Campus Safety
In any setting, a crisis requires quick thinking and a coordinated, efficient response. At UArts, we may be presented with a number of such challenges, including the impact of major stressors, such as the loss of friends or family members or loss of a UArts community member; disruptive behavior in classrooms, residence halls and other parts of the university community; facilities or weather related emergencies; and other crises. The university’s Crisis Management Team leads the response to all campus crises, and our team is available to support students 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
When a student in the university community is facing a crisis, the larger UArts community might be affected. Our response protocols are critical to enhancing coordinated efforts that protect the safety and well-being of the student(s) in crisis and each member of the campus community. The primary goals of our crisis response are to provide support to students, insure their safety, address system-wide issues and work to prevent similar crises in the future.
Since students have a right to privacy and in some instances may not wish to have information shared with others. At the same time, there are situations in which it is necessary and legally permissible for our crisis responders to release information. We respond, as confidentiality regulations permit, to a student’s parents, legal guardians and/or significant others. For example, information might be disclosed to appropriate individuals in connection with an emergency when the knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of a student or other individuals.
In addition to our Crisis Management Team, we also have a team of individuals that are on-call 24/7 to respond to incidents. This team includes an administrator on call (senior level administrator), a professional on duty (staff members who live on campus and respond, physically, to campus crises), a counselor on call (a staff therapist from our Counseling Center) and the Public Safety team.
As a parent and family member of a UArts student, we encourage you to talk with your student about the campus resources highlighted in this newsletter each month, talk to them about city and campus safety, safe social and online behaviors, and healthy relationships. Parents are also encouraged to sign up for UArts alerts. The UArts Alerts system sends notifications via email, SMS text message and on the portal homepage about emergency situations at the university, including closings. Students can add additional phone numbers and emails to receive our alerts. Details on how to sign up for UArts Alerts are included below.
To sign up for UArts Alerts
- Have your student log in to the UArts portal with their UArts username and password.
- Access the link for Emergency Alerts through the Student Quick Links tile.
- Your student will automatically be signed into the UArts Alerts system and directed to the site to register phone number(s) and additional email addresses. When adding phone numbers, be sure to check “text” to receive text messaging.
- Your student needs to save their edits when they’re complete.
If your student has any issues accessing the UArts Alerts system, contact the HelpDesk at 215-717-6677 or helpdesk@uarts.edu.
Student Spotlights
Each year, the Office of Campus Life hires 25 incredible students to serve as first-year guides (FYGs), who welcome new students to campus at Orientation and serve as resources to new students throughout their first semester at UArts. FYGs are dedicated to their crafts, deeply involved and invested in the UArts community, and passionate about ensuring new students have the smoothest transition possible into life at UArts. Learn more about these incredible students and why they wanted to serve as FYGs by visiting their profiles online.