First-year Student Mailing
International Student Orientation
ORIENTATION
Members of the Class of 2012 should plan to arrive on campus at any point throughout the day on Tuesday, August 26, 2008. A Program for Parents will be held at 5 pm on that day. Orientation planning for the Class of 2012 is well underway and a preliminary schedule for 2008 will be posted in June or July. A copy of the orientation schedule from 2007 is posted here to give you an idea of what to expect in 2008.
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First Days- Class of 2011 Orientation
- Class of 2011 Photograph - click on this link for information on ordering the group photo taken during first-year orientation.
- Saavy Spenders Guide - this publication was distributed to the first-year students upon arrival at Williams. It is a useful tool for money management statagies for college students. Click on this link for a .pdf version of this publication.
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EphVentures Programs
EphVentures Registration process will require you to log on to the Williams PeopleSoft system. Instructions for e-mail set-up and log on will be presented in the first mailing you receive from the Dean's Office. - International Student Orientation - this is an orientation program for non-U.S. citizens addressing issues uniquely intercultural. The program will be run during First Days. International students will receive information about travel planning, along with the documents required for the visa application process.
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
The following information and forms are required by all entering students:
For additional information about Williams College Health Services:
DISABILITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS
- First-year students interested in requesting accommodations for a physical or learning disability, should complete the on-line request form through the PeopleSoft system, per instructions included in the first mailing.
- Questions regarding disability services should be directed to the Office of Academic Resourse. You may contact Joyce Foster, Director (Joyce.P.Foster@williams.edu) or Jean St. Jacques, Assistant to the Director (Jean.M.Stjacques@williams.edu).
ANSWERS TO OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What are my transportation options?
Transportation - This link will give you information about available transportation to Williamstown from major metropolitan areas.
- What type of computer should I purchase?
Office for Information Technology- hardware recommendations
- What will my mailing address be?
All mail should be addressed your student union box number (SU Box), which you will receive with your housing assignment. The full mailing address for US Postal Service mail is:
Student's Name
(SU Box Number) Paresky Center
Williamstown, MA 01267
When shipping by FedEx, UPS, or DHL please add 39 Chapin Hall Drive after the Paresky address line. It is recommended that you register or certify letters or packages containing anything of value (including medications), insure them if you wish to be protected against loss or damage, and never send cash in the mail. Time sensitive material should be sent well in advance by land or air carriers using guarateed overnight or next day services. Students will receive an e-mail from the mailroom when a package arrives addressed to their SU Box. Students will be required to present their Student ID card when picking up packages at the mailroom window.
- May I bring my belongings early to store them until school starts?
Unfortunately, there is no storage space available in your entry. However, you may ship belongings to the Campus Post Office, addressed to yourself at your Student Union Box number. Such packages should be shipped to arrive after August 18th and it is wise to mark packages "Hold for Arrival" and limit package to 25 pounds maximum. The College assumes no liability for items stored. Students will be required to show student ID to pick up packages.
- Are there outside storage companies that students can use?
- Connors Brothers,
370 Cole Ave., Williamstown, MA (413) 458-8141
- Mullen Brothers/Allied Van Lines
50 Downing Two, Pittsfield MA 01201, (800) 548-4338
- May I have a car on campus?
No. Limited parking space makes it impossible to allow first-year students to have cars. First-year students will be required to acknowledge this policy as directed in the first mailing to the incoming class.
- What banks do students use?
There are several banks in Williamstown and most will be sending information about their services directly to you. In the meantime, here are a few suggestions:
Williamstown Savings Bank - 795 Main St., Williamstown (413) 458-8191
TD Bank North - 57 Spring St., Williamstown (413) 452-8321
South Adams Savings Bank - 273 Main St., Williamstown (413) 458-2141
Hoosac Bank - 296 Main St., Williamstown (413) 458-9503
Greylock Federal Credit Union - 31 North Street, Williamstown (413) 458-4441
- When do Thanksgiving break, December vacation, and Winter Study begin?
Please view the Academic Calendar for dates and times.
- Should my parents make it a point to attend the Parents Program?
Many parents do not accompany their sons/daughters to campus for one reason or another and may feel that they are missing something beneficial if they are not present for this program; however, the program will be brief and parents are not obligated to attend. Parents are encouraged to attend the more extensive Class of 2012 Family Days in October. It is important to make accommodation reservations for this event now!
- When are Class of 2012 Family Days?
Class of 2012 Family Days will be held Friday through Sunday, October 24-26.
ACADEMICS
First-year Academic Advising
Advising Questionnaire - the advising questionnaire, included
in a summer mailing, has several uses; it is used in the process of
matching up advisors to advisees by academic and other interests; and,
once the match is made, the questionnaire is passed on to your advisor
to assist him or her in developing a sense of your goals and background
prior to your first meeting
Choosing First-year Courses
A guide designed to provide you with an overview of the curriculum,
the divisional distribution requirement, and other matters of importance
related to your course of study
Notes for First-Year Students/Frequently Asked Questions
FIRST-YEAR ENTRY LIFE
First-year students will get their housing assignments and mailing address information by early August. It will be sent to their Williams E-mail account.
- The Junior Advisors - a group of third-year students who help first-year students in their entries adjust to life at Williams
- Housing Information on First-Year Entries - a brief over-view of the first-year entry system
- Issues of Security at Williams
- College Council
- The Williams College Bookstore
- Dining Services