BSU Family Hub Newsletter - Fall Continues at BSU

We hope you enjoyed Homecoming, [FIRST_NAME]! Don't worry - there is still plenty going on at BSU this fall! 

This newsletter contains reminders of important dates and deadlines, as well as information on resources and events that will help you support your student. Read on to learn more! 

You can use the interactive Table of Contents as a guide - click on a title and will bring you right to that article! 

Throughout the year, the BSU Family Hub will be sending monthly newsletters in addition to all of the great content you have on your EngageBSU portal. Be sure to log into your account regularly to check out the rotating content designed specifically for family members and supporters of current BSU students. 

Table Of Contents

1. Highlights from the Career Services & Internships Office
2. BSU News
3. Discussion Question Corner
4. BSU Votes 
5. Upcoming Events
6. Mentor Spotlight - The BSU Community
7. Spring 2025 Course Registration
8. Business Expo 2024
9. MRISJ - Upcoming Blood Drive
10. MRISJ Civic Speaker Series Upcoming Event
11. Resource Spotlight - Athletics and Recreation Opportunities
12. Leadership Summit 2024
13. Resource Spotlight - Academic Calendar and Academic Catalog

Resource Spotlight
Academic Catalog and Academic Calendar 

Written By: Lexi Brassil, CSE Digital Engagement Assistant 

Did you know? BSU’s Academic Calendar lists all the scheduled holidays where there are no classes, scheduled changes of class schedule (example: Wednesday turns into a Monday class schedule), semester start and end dates, and final exam schedules. The purpose of the Academic Calendar is to keep students and the entire BSU community informed on important academic dates of the upcoming year.  

Did you know? BSU’s Academic Catalog provides information on academic policies and procedures, an overview of other important University policies and departments, outlines BSU’s academic programs, and most importantly is where to find the course descriptions and requirements of those programs.  It is important to know that the catalog is updated each year, and typically your student will follow the one that is in effect when they are admitted throughout their time here but there might be some instances when that is not the case. Your student should contact their assigned academic advisor if they have any questions about the Academic Catalog and/or their specific degree requirements.    

Discussion Questions Corner

Each BSU Family Hub newsletter will feature several discussion questions we would suggest talking with your student about. They will be relevant to what is going on during that time of the semester. 

For this issue, the discussion question is:

• Have you checked out the academic support services in the Academic Achievement Center recently?
  •  Click here to learn more about what they offer. 
• Have you checked out the services offered by the Wellness Center?
  • There are many virtual and in-person ways they can support your student's mental health. Click here for more information. 

Mentor Spotlight
The BSU Community

Bear Mentors are trained student leaders who offer support to our new to BSU students through the First Semester Roadmap program. Each newsletter we will be including an update from one of these students so you can hear and learn more about life at BSU! 

Written by Mia Howell, Bear Mentor

Hello families and supporters of BSU students! After touring the campus with your students or helping move them into their dorm or maybe you were here for Homecoming, you may have realized that Bridgewater State University is a smaller campus compared to many others and may have questions about the advantages and disadvantages this has for your student.

Well, BSU is a mighty but small community, full of many beneficial opportunities. While many may view the smaller campus size as a disadvantage, it has many benefits for your student’s education! A small-scale campus allows for a smaller yet close community population, and along with that comes smaller class sizes. Having a more close-knit community within the classroom greatly benefits every student as it grants better access to help from professors and other faculty members.  

Coming into college many feel that they will no longer be able to receive extra help from professors, or they may worry that they no longer have the ability to ask questions they may have to their professors. However, the smaller class sizes allow students to easily reach out to their professors and develop relationships with each other. The professors at BSU are here to educate and to help any student who may need it. This is a great help to any student's education as it will enable the class's subject matter to become more hands-on. The more intimate class sizes also allow for inclusive learning as professors encourage more active participation and involvement from students, providing a better learning experience!

While better connections with professors are a great advantage in any student's educational journey, being a part of BSU’s inclusive environment also creates a stronger sense of community. With so many organizations on campus, it is easy to get involved and become an even bigger part of our community. Especially for first years, getting involved on campus is a great way to meet new people and try new things! It is also a great way for your students to acclimate better to campus life as it keeps them busy and provides new experiences and opportunities. Students will quickly become familiar with everyone, bringing more comfort to their first year on campus. For many students, it does not take long to recognize many of the faces you see around campus, hopefully bringing more comfort to many students in their first year here, who may be anxious when surrounded by so many new people.

Being a part of BSU’s small campus and tightly-knit community, is such an awesome and beneficial experience, as students have access to so many resources and opportunities around campus! There are resources for students to become acclimated and feel connected to BSU. With so many clubs and groups on campus, such as the Comment, the BSU school newspaper, or even the Environmental Club, there is a place for everyone. The majority of the clubs on campus will hold events or be a part of bigger events, so there is always an opportunity to reach out if interested.

The community here is what makes Bridgewater State University so special, as it seeks to make students feel included and comfortable away from home, and your students' first year here is only the beginning! 

Events