President's Letter

Dear Student,

Welcome to the 2009-2010 academic year. You will arrive on campus to many changes, including the completion of the new Soundview Residence Hall, an expansion of Bartels Hall, the campus center, and the groundbreaking for the future home of the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science adjacent to Maxcy Hall. These are just a few of the more evident signs of progress taking place on campus. This letter will serve as an update on UNH news and initiatives that I believe will be of interest to you.

This summer proved to be a pivotal time for many of our students. Charger soccer goalie James Hilaire traveled to the White House to take part in a discussion on health care reform that included President Obama. While on a Study Abroad trip to France, Criminal Justice major Chris DiStefano saved two children from drowning, and Criminal Justice Major Jeffrey Platek saved a man from a burning house in Orange, Connecticut. UNH Public Service Fellows worked in the local community to bring services to non-profit and government organizations. Across the globe, University of New Haven students made their mark by exemplifying the University's high standards for community service and intellectual excellence.

Media interest in the University has reached an all-time high. This year UNH professors and students were featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Business Week, Forbes, and on numerous national and regional TV programs. 

Student interest in UNH has also increased significantly. This fall, we are enrolling our largest freshman class in the University's history. The new eco-friendly 400-bed residence hall, Soundview, has been completed to accommodate the increase in enrollment. To further accommodate students, we have expanded Sandella's into the space formerly occupied by the Convenience Store (C-Store). The C-Store is now two times its former size and is located on the ground floor of Sheffield Hall. In addition, Café a la Carte has opened in New Hall. These changes will enable students to find food on campus 24 hours a day. You will soon be receiving an e-mail detailing these projects and other facilities initiatives. 

This September marks the return of Charger football to the University. The team will play its first home game vs. Bentley University September 19.  Homecoming will be September 26, coinciding with the dedication of the new Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium and its distinctive blue and yellow turf field.  I encourage you to come out to support the team.

In the area of Student Life, we have:

• Added several new Living-Learning Communities, including Criminal Justice, Interior Design/Pre-Architecture, Marine Biology and the Honors Program. 
• Continued our commitment to sustainability by inviting Greg Melville, author of our Common Read selection, "Greasy Rider: Two Dudes, One Fry-Oil Powered Car and a Cross-Country Search for a Greener Future," to be our Convocation speaker.
• Created a workshop, "How to Find an Internship," in the Office of Experiential Learning.
• Developed a "U-Ride" program with Metro Taxi Service and the Governor's Prevention Partnership, in which students who are off-campus and need a safe ride may call 777-7777 and use a pre-paid debit card to return to campus. Pre-paid debit cards will be available for purchase on Move-In Day August 23. 
• Started a Safe Zone program to provide a network of faculty and staff who serve as allies for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning students. 
• Expanded Campus Recreation options with new, user-friendly innovations, including online registration for all its activities.

We also have expanded academic programs and experiential learning opportunities:

• We have expanded our Freshman Study Abroad program to include Florence, Italy. Twenty UNH freshmen will attend classes at Roehampton University in London, and 37 freshmen will spend their first semester at the Cultural Experiences Abroad campus in the heart of Florence.
• The College of Arts and Sciences is now offering a Theatre Arts major, concentrations in Museum Studies and Digital Art and Animation, and minors in Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.
• WNHU, the University's radio station, is rescheduling programming to increase student broadcasting opportunities and bolster community connections.
• The Tagliatela College of Engineering is partnering with Poulsen Labs to seek federal funding to create an accredited solar testing facility that would train and employ UNH Engineering students.
• The College of Business has established a student-managed investment fund, and will offer a winter intersession course that will enable Hospitality and Tourism students to receive training on board a cruise ship.
• The Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences has entered into a partnership with the University of Verona to offer an international Ph.D. in Forensic Science. 

Each one of these initiatives is designed to enhance your academic and campus experience and allow you to take full advantage of the robust life of the University. I encourage you to get involved on campus and explore new experiences to help you reach your full potential during the years you spend at UNH.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Steven H. Kaplan

President