New student task force update!

Dear Butler Community,

The work of the New Student Success Task Force is coming to a close so I want to provide a brief update since my last communication in June.

As stated in that piece, we offered off-campus housing options to our upper-class students at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) and Homestead (Suites) Indianapolis, but have decided to only use CTS as they were able to free up additional suites for us to use. Fifty-nine students, mostly sophomores, and one resident assistant will live in this facility. To accommodate the number of incoming students living in the residence halls, 15 rooms in Schwitzer and 10 (male) rooms in Ross were converted into triples and priced at a reduced rate.

As with years past, new and returning students will find support throughout campus to help them succeed both academically and socially. Two critical areas — Learning Resource Center and Counseling Center — have added additional support (services and/or staff) to accommodate for our large incoming student population.

The construction in Atherton Marketplace (which many of you hear on a daily basis) is progressing nicely. It will open in time for classes, but won’t be fully complete until mid-September. To accommodate for the delay — and the influx of people who want to eat around the noon hour — Dining Services will be offering grab-n-go options on the Starbucks patio and Reilly Room alcove area. More information about these services will be communicated in Butler Connection.

Finally, many of you know that move-in day is Saturday, Aug. 18. For most of us, this officially kicks off the start of a new year. It’s an electrifying day filled with excitement and great anticipation from our new and returning students and their parents. In previous years, we were fortunate to have had many faculty and staff members volunteer their time, and their muscle, to help our students move-in. With this year’s record-setting class, our need for volunteers is great. You will receive more information on the available shifts and how to register next week. I hope you’ll strongly consider making this effort a part of your day on Aug. 18.

I would like to end this communication by expressing my sincere thanks to the members of the New Student Task Force: Beth Alexander, Michele Atterson, Laura Behling, Don Borden, Emily Burke, Jerry Carlson, Sally Click, Karla Cunningham, Tim Downs, Janine Frainier, Jennifer Griggs, Kathy Hankins, Scott Ham, Dick Hamm, Craig Hardee, Cindi Holloway, Caroline Huck-Watson, Tyler Johnston, Mary Macmanus Ramsbottom, Michele Neary, Barry Rector, Andy Ryan, Melinda Sowers, Irene Stevens, Courtney Tuell and Bill Weber.

Now is the time to support their efforts and unite as a community by working together to provide every Butler student the best undergraduate experience possible.

 

Sincerely,
Dr. Levester Johnson
Vice President for Student Affairs