JWU Family e-Newsletter (2023)

JWU Family e-Newsletter

March 2023

JOIN US TODAY FOR oneJWU: 24 HOURS OF GIVING

oneJWU, Johnson & Wales University’s fourth annual day of giving, is HERE!

Visit giving.jwu.edu today to support the most meaningful aspects of your student’s JWU experience, including their academic college, experiential education, student clubs and organizations or athletics, and more.

Your gift before midnight, of ANY amount, helps us reach our goal of 1,500 total gifts to unlock an additional $10,000 in challenge funds for our students courtesy of the Chancellor’s Challenge. And we’re also celebrating the College of Food Innovation & Technology’s 50^th Anniversary, with an additional $50,000 in challenge funds courtesy of Houston Striggow ’79, Susan Sarich and SusieCakes, when we reach 50 gifts of any amount to CFIT during oneJWU.



Every donor makes a difference and together, we can make a huge impact on our Wildcats. Together, we are #oneJWU. Thank you for your support!

JWU FEATURED ON THE RHODE SHOW

This spring, Johnson & Wales is partnering with WPRI Channel 12's The Rhode Show on six exciting segments that showcase university programming, facilities, and distinctive opportunities. The first segment highlights the university's dynamic lab spaces and facilities that are designed to fuel students’ intellectual curiosity and professional development.

The Rhode Show airs on weekdays at 9 am ET. Check out JWU’s first segment here and keep watching for upcoming episodes. Recaps of each of the segments can be found on The Rhode Show’s website once they have aired.

STUDENTS AND FACULTY PARTICIPATE IN TD GARDEN SEMINAR

On March 1, students from the SEEM program and the College of Engineering & Design attended a seminar called, "Press Play:The Emerging Digital Culture of Sports and Entertainment." The event was hosted at Boston's TD Garden, home to the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.

Coordinated by SEEM Department Chair Lee Esckilsen, the seminar began with a keynote address from Daniel J. W. King, Chief of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security, US Department of Homeland Security. His keynote address focused on the power of people, process and technology, the information revolution and predicting technology in the future. He pointed out that cell phones today have more power and technology than Apollo 11 did upon its moon landing.

The day continued with two more panel discussions.The first focused onCyber Threats and Security for Sports, Entertainment, Venues and Events,presented by Josh Carley, VP of Technology for TD Garden and Boston Bruins, and two JWU Engineering & Design professors, Anthony Chavis and Douglas Tondreau.

The last panel was onDigital Trends in Sports and Entertainment.Aaron Lampkin '13, Senior Director of Strategy, Ticketing & Premium Seating for the National Hockey League, and Samia Mahjub, VP of Business Strategy, TD Garden and the Bruins, led the discussion.

The day concluded with students receiving a tour of TD Garden, including the Boston Celtics locker room and the floor of the arena.

SFS AWARDING FOR NEXT YEAR

The financial aid awarding process for the 2023-24 academic year has begun, with Student Financial Services sending out the first batch of award letters – to rising sophomores – this week. They will continue this process, and ultimately address all returning students who applied for aid, every 10 days. Financial planners are also contacting students who receive awards so they can review their charges, financial aid and balance for the upcoming year.

If your student hasn't completed their FAFSA for next year, it's not too late. They're receiving reminders through email and jwuLink announcements. Students should contact their JWU financial planner if they need help.

Fall Payment Deadline

July 26 is the fall semester payment due date for returning students. Any who don't have a payment arrangement in place by then risk losing their housing assignment.

SENIOR WEEK TICKET SALES OPEN

If your Wildcat will be crossing the Commencement stage on May 6, make sure they take advantage of Senior Week activities in the days before. Starting on May 2 and nightly through May 4, Senior Week ticket holders will enjoy outings to Foxwoods Casino (high stakes bingo), Boston (a Boston Harbor cruise, complete with a taco bar) and Natick, Mass. (dinner & games at the popular Level 99).

Senior Week tickets can be purchased here. The cost is $205 and includes transportation to & from each activity, entry fees and food, as well as a $5 donation per participant to the JWU Fund. Family members who opt to purchase tickets for their student should be sure to include the student's name and contact info (phone and JWU email) in the registration.

On Friday, May 5, all graduates and their families are welcome to join us for Senior Toast. Back for its second year, the Senior Toast is a wonderful opportunity for the Class of 2023 to gather and enjoy a celebratory toast led by President Marie Bernardo-Sousa, LP.D., '92. The event is scheduled for 3 – 5 pm, on the Harborside Campus. There is no charge but pre-registration is requested. Watch for details in next month's newsletter.

FROM RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Residence Halls Closing:

The spring semester will be over before you know it. Our residence halls close on May 3 at 12 noon and all students will need to vacate by then.

Here are three tips for a successful move-out:

1. Find storage now – if you think you’ll need storage, start shopping now as spaces will run out and no one wants the last-minute stress. Starting early gives you time to explore storage options, compare pricing, and arrange for pick up as needed.
2. Is your student planning a visit home over an upcoming weekend? Encourage them to declutter their room and bring unnecessary items home – heavy jackets that are helpful in January won't be needed far into April. Decluttering helps with the moving out process, come May, as there will be much less stuff to worry about.
3. Think about transportation needs for you and your student. Will you need a truck or will a car do? If you needed some help to move in, will you need any to move out? (Note that volunteers are not available for move-out.) All of those are important questions to consider and plan for in advance.

Housing Selection:

Timeslots have gone out to the first round of housing selection! Wildcats should plan to log on at their assigned time, with plans A, B and C at the ready, in case their first choice isn't available.

Just a reminder that rising sophomores (those who are currently first-year students) are required to live on campus. If your student hasn't already filled out the housing application, they can still do that. Students can find the application for 2023-24 academic year housing in the Wildcat Housing System, found in jwuLink under Tools.

Moving off campus?

If your student meets eligibility requirements and has decided to move off campus next year, make sure they view this helpful video from Off-Campus Student Services before they start their housing search.

(Pictured are some Wildcat off-campus residents, who contributed to a neighborhood cleanup.)

CAMPUS DINING UPDATES

It's already a busy spring in Campus Dining. On March 2, Snowden Dining hosted another Alumni Takeover with Guest Chef Scott Nicchia, Owner of Ocean State Provisions. The event featured Boar's Head Pastrami sandwiches and a specialty pizza.

The addition of Grab & Go Meals at Liberty Market and ClockTower Deli & Market is very popular with Wildcats!Encourage your student to check it out.

We're also getting rave reviews on our newer menu items: Wake-up Breakfast, Chicken Parm, Stuffed Shells, Eggplant Parm, Pasta Salad, Buffalo Chicken Dip, and Gluten-free Gnocchi, among them.

St. Patrick’s Day

We'll feature specialty St. Paddy's Day menus at both all you care to eat locations, Snowden and Harborside Café, on March 17.

Ramadan (evening of Wed., March 22 – evening of Fri., April 21)

We will have a rotation of grab & go meals for the month including breakfast boxes. The all you care to eat locations will also have dinner options including halal meats, fruits and whole grains. Students can preorder meals (details to come on jwuLink) to have in their rooms for Suhoor.

Baseball Opening Day

On March 30, we'll celebrate Major League Baseball's opening day with free hot dogs, courtesy of Boar's Head. This will happen along the walkway between the Downcity Parking Garage and Wales Hall, from noon – 2 pm.

Easter Brunch

Easter Sunday brunch menus will be offered at Snowden and Harborside Café, on April 9.

JWU WRESTLING WINS BIG

Johnson & Wales University Wrestling capped a historic season with a sixth-place finish at the 2023 NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championship this past weekend at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia.

Freshman Joziah Fry became the first student-athlete in program history to record an undefeated season as he placed first in the 125 lb. weight class. He finished his first season at JWU 43-0. He, along with junior Hayden Brown (149 lbs.), each earned All-America status with their performance at the event. Brown finished in third place while sophomore Dylan Harr finished fourth at the event at 197 lbs.

Leading JWU's Wrestling team since its inception 17 years ago is Coach Lonnie Morris. For the third time in his career, Coach Morris was named D-III Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. The award is a fitting honor to Morris, who is passionate about the sport and an unwavering advocate for Wildcat wrestlers.

As we await the arrival of warmer weather, JWU's spring sports teams are preparing for their seasons. Softball, Baseball, and Men’s & Women’s Lacrosse are underway. Be sure to check the Athletics website for updates.

STUDY ABROAD DEADLINES APPROACHING

Is your student planning to participate in a Summer 2023 Study Abroad program?If so, have they committed to their program of choice?All summer Study Abroad participants must attend our mandatory Orientation on March 24, from 1 – 3 pm, in D'Amico Auditorium (Downcity, Yena Center, first floor).

Is your student thinking of studying abroad in the future of their time at JWU? Applications for Fall 2023 Study Abroad programs close on April 10. Students can open an application today for any of the programs listed on our website. We are pleased to announce the addition of FIVE new program locations to our robust portfolio: API Kingston University in London, API Richmond University in London, API Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, API Charles University in Prague, or CIEE at Yonsei University in Seoul.

Questions? Contact us by email.

EE&CS OFFERS JOB AND INTERNSHIP FAIR

The Food & Hospitality Industry Job and Internship Fair is happening on March 16, at the Wildcat Center. Experiential Education & Career Services is welcoming 90 employers to campus who are hiring for a variety of jobs and internships (summer and full-time). They are looking for students with different skills and backgrounds.

Employers like Aramark, Firecracker Sports, and Union Square Hospitality Group are eager to recruit for a variety of roles in areas like Accounting, Finance, Digital Analytics, HR, PR, Marketing, and Operations. Additionally, there will be opportunities for students in JWU's Culinary and Hospitality programs with employers like Loews Hotels, Prova Gourmet, PepsiCo, Saphire Event Group, The Kittansett Club, The Breakers - Palm Beach, St Joe Hospitality, SusieCakes and more.

For more information on employers who will be present, and their job/internship needs, students should visit Handshake (accessible via jwuLink). Career Fairs are university-sanctioned events. If students will miss class to attend, they should inform their faculty in advance.

SPRINGTIME REMINDERS

The following message will be communicated to all students in the coming days. We appreciate steps families take to reinforce this message.

Wildcats, we hope you were able to resume classes this week invigorated and ready to close out the semester strong!

As we approach St. Patrick’s Day, warming weather, and end of the academic year festivities, there will be an increase in celebrations. It’s a great time to get together and make lasting memories. Throughout spring, remember to be a proud Wildcat, represent JWU well, and lead by example. Based on students who have come before you, here are some top tips:

1. DOtravel in groups and look out for one another; and say something if you see something
2. DOrespect neighbors, landlords, university officials, local ordinances, and police (there will be increased patrols)
3. DOlimit the number of guests, curb excessive drinking, keep music to a reasonable volume, clean up trash inside and outside, etc.
4. DO NOTconsume alcoholic beverages if you are under 21; or provide/allow consumption of alcohol by anyone under 21
5. DO NOTparticipate or contribute to activities that violate JWU’sStudent Code of ConductorGood Neighbor policy

We're committed to creating and maintaining a community that fosters the health and safety of every student, as well as personal responsibility and decision-making.If you do find yourself in a situation where you need assistance, contact Campus Safety & Security anytime at401-598-1103.

Are you aware of JWU's Call for Help Policy?

If a student is experiencing an alcohol or drug-related emergency, the health and wellness of that student is the most important concern. JWU wants to encourage students to call for help for themselves or on behalf of others, when they witness, are made aware of, or are experiencing such an emergency. As such, there will be no formal hearing through JWU’s Conduct Review Process.Learn more.

NORMALIZING MENTAL HEALTH AS HEALTH

As parents, we can tend to prioritize physical health versus mental health in conversations with our students. Are you eating, getting enough sleep and going to class? The reality is that good physical health and good mental health are interconnected and improve each other. The difference is that we may be more comfortable addressing physical health versus mental health.

College is a time when mental health concerns can exacerbate or arise for the first time. Anxiety and depression are like the common cold, widespread and very treatable. As parents, we can play a role in de-stigmatizing mental health by placing value on its importance to overall wellbeing. College students can feel more freedom in seeking out services autonomously. Encourage your student to address mental health concerns and pursue professional support on campus when needed.

– Jean Russell, LICSW

MarkYour Calendars

OBSERVANCES & AWARENESS DAYS

There are many other notable observances this month, including several that happen after students return from Spring Break.

• March 12 – 18: National Sleep Awareness Week
• March 13 – 19: Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week
• March 14: Equal Pay Day
• March 17: St Patrick’s Day
• March 20: Ostara/Spring Equinox (Wiccan/Pagan holiday)
• March 20: International Day of Happiness
• March 21 – 22: Naw-Rúz (Iranian and Persian New Year, Bahá'í holiday)
• March 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
• March 22 – April 21: Ramadan (Muslim holiday)
• March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility

For related campus events, programs and announcements, students should monitor jwuLink or the Involvement Network.

JWU CALENDAR

April 7 – No classes & offices closed

May 6 – Commencement

Visit the official University calendar for more important dates. Students should also pay attention to class-specific announcements shared by their faculty.

JWU Parent & Family Community

PFAB PERSPECTIVES

JWU's Parent & Family Advisory Board supports oneJWU: 24 Hours of Giving. Read one member's recent message to all JWU families.

On behalf of the JWU Providence Campus Parent & Family Advisory Board (PFAB), I'm writing to you as the university approaches its annual day of giving – oneJWU – which will be held this year on Tuesday, March 14.

Being a member of PFAB has allowed me to witness JWU’s mission in action. The faculty and staff I have interacted with are passionate about what they do and committed to helping our students succeed. And most importantly, our students work tirelessly each day to learn and grow within their chosen fields and as individuals – preparing to become the leaders of tomorrow that will shape our future for the better.

I understand the challenges we all face associated with financing a college education. Despite families’ best efforts and JWU’s commitment to making education affordable, not all students can enjoy opportunities such as study abroad, traveling with a student organization, or competing with a club team. This is where JWU Parent & Family Giving can make an impact.

I hope you will join me for this year’s oneJWU to show your support for today’s students. If we as families combine our efforts, we can make a difference for so many deserving Wildcats. Donations help build scholarship funds, enhance academic programs, support clubs and organizations, and so much more. PFAB proudly supports the oneJWU effort and I hope you will too. A gift of any amount is important to our collective effort – oneJWU is all about participation and demonstrating the power of the JWU community when we all work together.

Thank you for your consideration and your support of our JWU Wildcats. Let’s join forces on March 14 and the days leading up to it and show what we are capable of when we come together as oneJWU!

– Ann Tomassini, from Hudson, Mass., is a first-year PFAB member. She is pictured with her son, Tyler, a first-year Criminal Justice major, and husband, Richard Tomassini '94; P'26.

WeWantTo Hear From You!

JWU Parent & Family Relations serves as aliaison to parents and family members of incoming and current students through communication and programs.This monthly e-Newsletter helps you stay connected to your student as you journey with them through their JWU experience.