Children’s Center
The Children’s Center provides high-quality child care and preschool learning experiences to children 2.9 - 5 years of age. Our calendar year begins with the fall semester in September and continues until the middle of August. We offer several enrollment plans to meet the needs of the students and employees of BSU as well as the greater community. The program is licensed through the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The Center serves as a model program for observation, fieldwork and data collection to enhance the educational studies of BSU students. The Children’s Center is located in Burnell Hall, room 135. For additional information contact the Children’s Center at 508.531.1244.
Cultural, Social, Athletic and Recreational Activities
In addition to classroom instruction, Bridgewater State University offers students a full social, cultural, athletic, recreational and spiritual life. Art exhibits, lectures, concerts, movies, plays, workshops and sports events are part of the daily activities at the university. (Please refer to the Involvement Network website for a complete listing of clubs, organizations and a calendar of campus events.)
Through programs sponsored by the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, the Student Government Association, the Program Committee and other organizations, members of the university community have opportunities to attend events featuring significant public figures and internationally acclaimed performing artists.
The Art Building and Maxwell Library feature galleries where exhibits are displayed and the Rondileau Campus Center offers special programs such as performances by the University Chorale Society and the Bridgewater State University Dance Company. For students who enjoy the theater, Bridgewater State University has much to offer. Major productions are presented by students in the Department of Theater and Dance throughout the year.
Bridgewater State University has a strong athletic tradition which has grown to include 21 intercollegiate varsity sports teams, a full range of intramural athletic programs and a number of club sports programs. The Adrian Tinsley Center features a state-of-the-art fitness center, a walking track and multi-sport surfaces. The university is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III, the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) and the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC).
Community members keep abreast of events and programs through a variety of campus media. The student newspaper, The Comment, and the university’s home page focus on news and feature stories highlighting campus life and individual achievements.
The campus radio station, WBIM-FM 91.5, provides coverage of events plus a full range of musical and special interest programming. Resident students have access to a cable television local access channel offering university news and information.
Getting Started: Orientation for New Students
Bridgewater State University’s orientation program has been designed to introduce new students and their families to the campus community. Through collaborative efforts between the divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, orientation provides programs that are conducive to the academic and developmental success of new students. The goals of orientation are to develop and coordinate programs that promote academic success, to enhance personal and social development, and to provide families and their students with information about services, support systems and issues facing university students.
Orientation is divided into two different programs. The initial program is provided to different audiences of new students. The program for first-time students takes place in June and is a comprehensive two-day overnight introduction to the university with an emphasis on placement testing, academic advising and registration for fall classes. Students also have an opportunity to meet with faculty and staff and learn about the resources available at the university. A one-day concurrent family program provides parents with information about services, support systems and resources for their students.
The program for transfer students is a comprehensive one-day introduction to the university with an emphasis on academic success including an introduction to their academic college and department. Students have an opportunity to meet with faculty and staff and learn about the resources available at the university. Students also have an opportunity to learn about services and support systems.
The second program is prior to the opening of classes in the fall when students are given the opportunity to meet new friends, learn the traditions of Bridgewater State University and receive assistance with transition to university life.
Services to Students
Students face many decisions involving housing, finances, health, work, academic programs, post-undergraduate study and career goals. The Division of Student Affairs, and the University as a whole, includes a number of departmental offices that provide services and assistance in making these decisions including: Career Services, Health and Counseling, the Children’s Center, Student Involvement and Leadership, Financial Aid, Student Employment, Residence Life and Housing and and the New Student and Family Programs Office. To learn more about these areas and to find out where they are located, consult the Bridgewater State University website.
Spiritual Life
The university supports student pursuit of spirituality both individually and in groups. The university provides groups of students the opportunity to form student organizations so they may utilize university facilities for meetings and events as well as request funding from the Student Government Association. The Catholic Center (122 Park Avenue) and the Christian Fellowship Center (29 Shaw Road) are independent entities that offer students both group and individual opportunities for worship and service.
University Events and Special Programs
Literally hundreds of interesting programs, projects and events are available at Bridgewater State University throughout each year. Academic, cultural and social activities and programs are sponsored each year by students, faculty, staff and alumni of the university and include, but are certainly not limited to Welcome Back Week, Homecoming/Family Day, Convocation, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, Honors Week, and the annual Holiday Concert. The Bridgewater State University website and Community Announcements will provide more details on campus events throughout the year.
|