We’re enjoying the momentum of the remainder of the Spring semester — which includes so many beloved traditions, post-season athletics action and celebrations.
Happy February! As we begin the fifth week of classes of the semester, there is excitement in the air for the spring semester traditions and activities that help us get through the winter months.
Since returning from the break, we have fully opened the new Recreation and Wellness Center with a grand opening celebration — complete with opening night games, prizes, entertainment and free food — that attracted more than 800 students.
The event was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included President Judy Olian and Hartford HealthCare President Jeffrey Flaks. If your student has not enjoyed a climb up the rock wall or a protein shake from Shake Smart yet, remind them to check it out.
One of the important initiatives that we have been working on is to offer more “for students, by students” initiatives and operations.
The new Shake Smart operation is one of the newest initiatives. Forty students have been hired to operate the new dining experience, which does accept meal points. To date, we have averaged more than 550 orders a day, and had 1,100 shakes made on free shake day last week. This is an important model in offering “immersive learning” and on-campus employment. We appreciate all the 120-plus students working in the dining operations.
As always, should you have any questions or need guidance on assisting your student with an issue, please feel free to contact us at QUParents@qu.edu
In this Issue
New state-of-the-art Recreation and Wellness Center opens
Active shooter training information to be shared with students
No. 1 nationally ranked men's ice hockey team earns third consecutive Cleary Cup, presented to the ECAC's regular season champion
University featured in episode of nationally televised 'College Tour' show
Dance team finishes among nation’s best
Zen Den offers space for students to relax and unwind — every Tuesday Annual QTHON dance marathon set for Saturday, March 25
Annual Wake the Giant concert set for April 30
Depression screening/mental health check-in day set for later this month
Sophomore/junior housing selection process set for next month
Timely resources available through the Learning Commons
Students encouraged to contact a manager with dining issues
Students encouraged to join the Quinnipiac Dining Student Advisory Board
Is your student on track with their meal plan? Check out some resources available
Spring 2023 invoices available and payment due Course registration for the summer and fall to begin soon
Spring Break residence hall closing and opening information
Spring Break shuttle information to Union Station in New Haven
Upcoming community engagement events planned throughout the Spring
Benefits of joining the Quinnipiac Parents Council
Graduating student information
What’s New from Student Engagement
Annual QTHON dance marathon set for Saturday, March 25
Students are encouraged to register for QTHON — one of the biggest, most impactful philanthropic events of the year. All proceeds benefit Connecticut Children's Medical Center.
Big Event day of service set for Saturday, April 15
Thousands of students participate annually in the Big Event — completing community service in more than a dozen cities and towns throughout Connecticut.
The Student Programming Board will unveil its Wake the Giant performer later this month — for its biggest event of the year. Previous acts have included Ke$ha, Dane Cook, Khalid, Blackbear and the late Bob Saget. More information on ticket sales are coming soon. Encourage your student to follow @quspb on Instagram for the latest updates!
Taking the show on the road
The Student Improv Group Comic Sans performed at the 10th annual Steekstacks Improv Festival in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on January 28. This was the first time in the club's history where Comic Sans was invited to perform at an Improv Comedy Festival.
As we have seen in the news, and just this week at Michigan State University, active shooter events are on the rise nationally. Active shooter incidents are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Amid the chaos, anyone can play an integral role in mitigating the impacts of an active shooter incident. With this in mind, we are taking important steps to enhance preparedness by providing valuable training and resources to our Quinnipiac community.
A link to a 15-minute online active shooter training session will be sent to all students next week. The training is designed to provide strategies to apply in case we ever have an active shooter situation. Please speak with your student and encourage their completion of this important training.
Lights! Camera! Quinnipiac!
Our episode of The College Tour highlighting the best of Quinnipiac, from our beautiful location and dynamic academic programs to our vibrant student experience and successful Division I athletic teams, is live and streaming and available on Amazon Prime.
A Healthy and Welcoming Community
Of the more than 50 universities Hallye Boughner ‘25 considered, we were the school she found that felt most like home. Learn how she found her place as an advocate and future nurse through our holistic approach to education, community, student experience and wellbeing.
What’s new from Fraternity and Sorority Life
If your Bobcat is interested in joining a fraternity or sorority this semester, there are still lots of opportunities to do so. Interested students can email fslife@qu.edu to connect with our staff and ask questions.
We are excited to welcome all the new members who join our community this semester and help them get acclimated with our Foundations: New Member Experience program. This online course enables new members to learn about their organization, the greater fraternity and sorority life community and about important policies/procedures. They will also be able to participate in Foundations Fridays where they can meet 1 on 1 with Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life staff, network with other new members from various organizations, participate in icebreakers and enjoy donuts.
Questions about fraternity and sorority life
There’s so much coming up in the Fraternity & Sorority community; if your Bobcat is interested in joining us, please don’t hesitate to reach out! All questions can be directed to fslife@qu.edu or asked via Instagram @qufsl
Health, Wellness and Recreation
The Office of Health and Wellness has been busy supporting students in a variety of ways across the university. With the school year in full swing, students are increasingly utilizing our services, including participating in Wellness Wednesday tabling events, seeking help from the counseling center and engaging in a variety of fitness and recreation activities and events.
Student Health Services
Student Health Services, available on both the Mount Carmel and York Hill campuses, is available year-round for the students. Student Health Services offers management for sick visits, allergy injections, placement physicals, immunizations, sexual-health related visits and nutrition services. Students can make an appointment online or by calling 203-407-4050, Students must bring a state-issued ID, a copy of their insurance card and a form of payment to all visits (co-pays may be collected depending on the student’s insurance). Most insurance plans are accepted but we ask all students to contact their insurance company to ensure that Hartford Healthcare Medical Group, Specialty is in-network (Tax ID: 37-1911194).
Student Counseling Services are available for students on all three campuses and can help with anxiety, depression, adjustment to college life, time management and organizational skills and overall well-being. Students can make an appointment online or by calling 203-407-4020, and selecting option #1. Counseling services are provided at no additional cost to students. Psychiatry services are also available through the Counseling Center.
Fitness and Recreation
Students should follow these Instagram accounts for up-to-date hours, programs and incentives:
Free fitness classes run throughout the semester. Classes are offered year-round on all three campuses, including Spinning, body sculpting, Zumba, Bootcamp, Core Conditioning, yoga and Pilates. Sign-ups for each class open 24 hours prior to the class start time. Find info on our website: recwell.qu.edu or in our app.
If your student is under the age of 18 and will not be 18 by the time they move onto campus please reach out to Campus Recreation at recreation@qu.edu for a copy of the Fitness Center waiver.
Facility Holiday Hours
The Fitness Facilities will have special hours for the Thanksgiving Break.
Saturday, November 23-Sunday, November 24: All fitness facilities closed
Monday, November 25-Wednesday, November 27:
Mount Carmel Fitness Center: Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
York Hill Fitness Center: Closed
Thursday, November 28-Saturday, November 30: All fitness facilities closed
Wellness Wednesday – every week
Look for an email from Student Affairs with the topic of the week, programs, tips resources. Tabling in RecWell lobby from 1-3 p.m. weekly
December 7 is the last one. We will have tea time, coloring and Ryder the therapy dog.
Gratitude Jars
November 18 from 5-6 p.m. with Tami Reilly, director of fitness & well being and Emily Peck, interfaith chaplin.
Quick, No-Cook Cooking with Dietician Liz Morris from HHC
Stop by to learn how to make a healthy snack right in your dorm room!
December 2, 11 a.m. – noon: Holiday trail mix (just pop in; no sign ups)
QPR Trainings – Question, Persuade, Refer
CPR is for your physical health, QPR is for mental health. Learn how to best help yourself and your friends in time of crisis.
November 19, 3-5 p.m. RWA 218. Sign up on RecWell website.
National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) is a club on campus and an amazing resource for parents. If you suspect that your child may be struggling mentally or emotionally, remember the five Ts: Tell, Test, Teach, Talk, Take Action.
Tell your child they can come to you with any problem
Test their academic health by checking their end of semester grades
Teach them how to recognize depression and anxiety
Talk with them more often or visit if they are in distress
Take action if your student is experiencing high-risk mental health concerns
What is CARE? The Community, Assessment, Response and Evaluation (CARE) Team is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community through proactive, coordinated, and deliberate approaches by identifying, assessing, managing and reducing any student interpersonal or behavioral concerns.
The CARE Team is a partnership of various university offices that is supported by the Office of the Dean of Students. Team members include all residential life professional staff, select staff from counseling, student health services, graduate student affairs, religious life, fraternity and sorority life, veteran and military affairs, Title IX, department of cultural and global engagement and student affairs.
The CARE team meets weekly to review and discuss new referrals, ongoing cases and the best course of action to support students of concern.
CARE referrals are submitted by faculty, staff, students and community members.
Intramural Registration for 5x5 basketball, pickleball, ultimate Frisbee and softball will open in early March
Wellness Thursdays in the North Haven Dining Hall : Every Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. Each Thursday, there will be wellness-themed tabling and interactive activities
Upcoming events and opportunities
Depression Screening/Mental Health Check In Day on February 23 and February 28 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Screening and Prevention Suite in the Recreation and Wellness Center
JED Campus visit on February 23 and 24
Club men's lacrosse vs. Trinity on March 5 at 1 p.m. and the QU Lacrosse Stadium
MAAC eSports Championships from March 8 to 11 in Atlantic City, New Jersey
CHF National Hockey Championships from March 9 to 15 in Westchester, Pennsylvania
Women’s Wellness Night on March 22 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Recreation and Wellness Center
Figure Skating Exhibition on March 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the M&T Bank Arena
We encourage and welcome parents and family members to follow our office Instagram @quwellness to learn about upcoming health, recreation and wellness events.
Highlights from past month
The Recreation and Wellness Center opened on January 27 with more than 4,000 students using the space during the first week
The dance team earned two top 10 finishes in GameDay & Pom
Men's club volleyball won the Providence Invitational Tournament on February 5
Club figure skating earned 9th overall at the MIT Figure Skating Competition
Individual medal honors for Megan Crum (Silver), Lianna Feher (Silver), Anna Payrazyan (Bronze) & Emily Bartlett (Gold)
Housing and Residential Life Updates
Housing
The housing office was delighted to welcome more than 3,700 students into our residence halls during Spring Move-In on January 21 to 22. The semester has begun well, and we are enjoying our interactions with your students.
Housing Selection
The Housing Office has received a strong positive response from current first-year and sophomore students who will be participating in our upcoming Housing Selection processes. As a reminder, the dates are as follows:
Junior Housing selection (for current sophomores) takes place on March 23 to 24.
Sophomore Housing selection (for current first-years) takes place on March 28 to 29.
Sign your housing contract and pay your housing reservation fee so that you can live close to friends, close to classes and have 24-hour support from university staff. Please review the housing contract carefully before signing as it is a legally binding agreement.
Students can select their rooms for next year by following five steps on MyHousing,
Agree to the housing contract by March 10
Pay the $500 housing reservation fee
Select roommates (or participate solo)
View their selection number on or after March 20
Log in at the assigned time and choose from the available spaces
The next steps in the process are for participating students to finalize their roommate groups and log on to MyHousing on Monday, March 20th after 2 p.m. to view their selection number and corresponding time. For more information about the Housing Selection process and answers to frequently asked questions, please see the Housing website.
Looking ahead, we wish to inform everyone that the residence halls will remain open on the weekend of April 7 to April 9 when some students will be celebrating Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
We look forward to the opportunity to host your student in Quinnipiac housing for the upcoming year. If you have any questions about the process, please do not hesitate to contact us at 203-582-8666 or residentiallife@qu.edu.
Housing Selection
The Housing Office has received a strong positive response from current first-year and sophomore students who will be participating in our upcoming Housing Selection processes. As a reminder, the dates are as follows:
Junior Housing selection (for current sophomores) takes place on March 23 to 24.
Sophomore Housing selection (for current first-years) takes place on March 28 to 29.
Quinnipiac wants students to engage in the full experience of living on campus to maximize their personal and professional development. Therefore, all full-time undergraduate students enrolling in the fall or spring are required to live in Quinnipiac housing for their first 3 years (until the end of their sixth academic semester, not including summer or winter terms).*
*If your student is required to live on campus and does not participate in the housing selection process, they will be financially responsible for the housing contract (room and board charges for both fall and spring semesters).
Spring Break Closing and Opening
We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Spring Break! The residence halls will reopen on Sunday, March 19 at 10 a.m.
What’s new from Religious Life
Key events for the next month
The Office of Religious Life has an event-packed calendar for next semester. Programs will include: a speaker series in the Center for Religion; supporting QTHON; The January Polar Plunge; and pring Midnight Olympics!
In the first week of the next semester, students will host a ‘polar plunge’ to raise funds for Morgan’s Message, a group that addresses issues around mental health and collegiate athletes.
Highlights from the past month
The Center for Religion’s CompACTION – Compassion in Action program has just concluded a very successful food and toiletries drive for Master’s Mannah, a social service agency in Wallingford that works to assist people experiencing food insecurity and homelessness.
Learning Commons / Student Academic Support
As we begin our fourth week of the semester, we are excited to encourage students to be proactive in their academic work. Among competing interests, time to reflect on one’s academic progress is well supported by working with Learning Commons staff. We continue to encourage student to reach ot to us or respond to our outreach to them.
Timely resources available through the Learning Commons
Academic Development and Outreach
Academic Development and Outreach aims to help students become partners in the process of their education.
Over the past few weeks, The Learning Commons has made outreach via email as well as visited many classes to talk about the academic support available to help students thrive in their classes. Your student has likely just completed their first tests, or turned in their first big assignments of the semester. We encourage students to take some time to reflect on what went well, what can be improved and what steps can be taken to make those improvements.
The Learning Commons has a team of professional academic specialists and academic coaches (these serving first year students) who are available to meet with your student for an academic consultation, as well as subsequent meetings. Staff will work with your student one-on-one or with a group of their peers to help develop evidence-based learning strategies and study skills. This is an ideal time of the semester to engage in this type of support.
Following several weeks of pre-semester outreach, OSA continues to work with interested students. We very much encourage students to connect with OSA if they have any questions about accommodations. OSA can be reached at access@qu.edu.
We have added some new colleagues to our staff as well, providing more meeting opportunities and support to students. Learn more about OSA at Quinnipiac.
Upcoming events and opportunities
The College Reading and Learning Association Northeast Chapter is the regional chapter of the professional organization that certifies two of our peer educator programs. It will host a workshop to bring in regional academic support professionals on Friday, March 17 titled “What are the Kids Learning in High School These Days?; Demystifying High School Students’ Preparation for College.” Staff from the Quinnipiac Learning Commons, Residential Life, and Admissions will help lead the discussions.
Chartwells, our campus food service provider, strives to deliver an exceptional dining experience for our entire university community. This includes a variety of flavorful culinary options made from quality ingredients that are served daily in dining halls across all three campuses. Occasionally, the quality of a meal served does not meet the high standards we hold Chartwells accountable to. That is why we have created a number of feedback loops and initiatives to help deliver the highest quality dining experience at Quinnipiac. This includes:
Contact a manager
If your student has any immediate suggestions, questions or concerns, please encourage them to speak directly to the dining hall manager on duty. This is often the best and quickest way to solve any dining-related issues.
The Quinnipiac Dining Student Advisory Council
The Quinnipiac Dining Student Advisory Council brings together Quinnipiac students, administrators and Chartwells staff who work together to elevate the on-campus dining experience through honest discussions and the creation of new ideas. All students are welcome to join the next meeting on Tuesday, February 21 at 5 p.m. on the second floor of the student center, outside the poster making area.
On the Rocks Pub and Grill is open
The student-run pub will be open from 4:30 to 8 p.m. this Saturday, February 18 for the men's ice hockey game versus Brown. Food and drinks will be served throughout the night. Cash, credit, and debit cards, meal points and Q-Cash are accepted. Students, parents and families are invited.
MBA Student Study
We have enlisted the support of a group of our MBA students to conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of the Quinnipiac dining experience that will include student feedback and address topics like food quality, variety, meal plans and more.
Stay on track with meal points
Please encourage your student to regularly check their meal point balances on the QCard Balance page on MyQ and compare it to the Dining Meal Plan Budget Tracker which shows a suggested balance week-by-week throughout the semester.
Too many points?
Students who have more points than the budget recommends will be able to use these points in the spring term. Alternatively, they can transfer their points to another student.
All students are offered a receipt at check out in the dining halls. Students should review their receipt to stay informed about how they are spending their points.
Learn more
Learn more about our meal plans, how to check balances, transfer points and more on the Meal Plans page.
Dining Events and Food Trucks
We post the monthly schedule on our website and it can be found under the events tab.
One Stop provides seamless and integrated student administrative services throughout the entire student life cycle. One Stop includes cross-functional student solutions for:
records and enrollment services
managing student finances
parking and transportation services
One Stop works closely with and can provide preliminary information about financial aid, Q-Cards, housing and dining. Advanced registrar functions such as degree conferrals, Dean’s List and diplomas will continue to be administered through the Registrar.
Students registered for the Spring 2023 term must have paid their balance or set up a payment plan (due date was December 15). Students with unpaid balances and no payment plan will have holds placed on their accounts in January. Late fees will be placed during the term for any unpaid balances.
Please reference the following for assistance as needed:
Self-Service Student Finance Guide provides complete instructions on using Self-Service to set up a proxy, view and pay invoices and set up a payment plan.
Costs and Budgets provides detailed information on tuition and fees.
Financial Aid and the links in the navigation on the right will answer most financial aid questions.
Should you or your student have additional questions which are not addressed above, please contact One Stop at onestop@qu.edu. We look forward to assisting you.
Students should be watching the Quinnipiac emails. Registration appointment dates will be announced the week of February 27. Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 courses will also be posted in the course catalog.
Alongside this very exciting news that will energize Quinnipiac’s momentum as the University of the Future, we will have to be patient and flexible around some construction-related changes. These changes impact the south side of the Mount Carmel Campus and where we walk or drive as we circumvent the building site in that area.
Parking
The parking rules and regulations will continue to be enforced this semester. This means that first-year students may not bring their vehicle to campus for the spring term.
First-year students may not bring their vehicle to campus for the Spring term.
Sophomores must park their vehicles in the York Hill Garage.
Juniors, seniors and graduate students should consult the parking maps which show the parking permit types permitted to park in each lot.
Public Safety enforces all parking rules and regulations and will be ticketing and towing as needed.
Students with five or more unpaid parking violations will have a hold placed on their account and will be subject to towing until the violations are paid in full.
With the construction of the South Quad students who wish to park in Hilltop must enter through the service entrance (on New Road) by the Facilities building.
How would a student register a new/changed car for the spring?
Students may work with One Stop to register a new vehicle or change an existing vehicle.
What’s new from Community Engagement
On March 6, the office will celebrate AmeriCorps Week to raise student interest and awareness about National Service opportunities.
Big Event team captain and volunteer registration opens next week. Follow @qubigevent for specific information on how students can sign-up.
On Wednesday, March 1, the Community Action Project is hosting its Annual Faces of the Homeless panel speaking event in EC-101 at 8 p.m.
The office hosted two on-campus events to make soups for donation to a local food pantry and in collaboration with NAMI and Counseling Services made stuffed animals for donation to Masonicare to address feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression that can affect those in assisted living environments.
The Community Action Project hosted a red carpet dance at Wallingford Senior Center.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, with funding from the Office of Community Engagement, hosted a Valentine’s Day dinner for community members at the Hamden Keefe Center.
The Biomedical Sciences Club, with funding and support from the Office of Community Engagement, hosted an on-campus event to make blankets and toiletry bags for those experiencing homelessness and being assisted by Columbus House in New Haven.
What’s new from Student Conduct
As we prepare for the Spring 2023 semester, please review with your student the prohibited items list in the Residential Life Policies in the Student Handbook. The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards would also like to emphasize a few things for ongoing clarity:
Fire safety: Quinnipiac takes fire safety seriously and many of the prohibited items are things that could pose a fire safety hazard. During the Fall 2022 semester, candles were discovered in many student rooms. Students found with candles in a residence hall will have a scheduled conduct meeting. Of course, it goes without saying that tampering with fire safety systems or equipment is considered an egregious violation of the Code of Conduct.
Tobacco/nicotine products: The university’s Policy Statement on Smoking and Tobacco prohibits the use of any tobacco or nicotine products on any university property. Additionally, the possession of tobacco and other nicotine products is prohibited in the university’s residence halls.
Alcohol is prohibited for any person under the age of 21. Marijuana and other THC containing products are prohibited on campus for all students, including students who may have a medical marijuana prescription in Connecticut or any other state.
There was a noteworthy reduction in cases related to alcohol, drugs, and civility/disrespect in Fall 2022 compared to Fall 2021. We also saw a meaningful reduction in alcohol intoxication resulting in hospitalization. Of those, 79% were reported to the university by a peer concerned about the wellbeing of another student, compared to just 36% of similar cases in Fall 2021. This suggests a healthy community where students look out for one another, care for one another, and do the right thing when a friend needs help. The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards has been working toward a university culture of bystander intervention at Quinnipiac, and one component of that is our Promoting Responsible Action in Health and Safety Emergencies policy.
Graduating Students
Commencement
Cap and Gown Ordering: Monday, February 20 through Friday, March 4
#Adulting Workshops: Dates February through April, watch for details via email
Class of 2023 Night at On the Rocks: Thursday, March 2
Commencement Fair: Tuesday, April 18
Ticket Registration: April dates to be announced
Toast to the Class of 2023: Monday, April 25
Our Commencement site lists the ceremony schedule and will be updated with further information as we move into the spring semester. Please encourage your student to regularly check their Quinnipiac email.
Parents Council
Quinnipiac has long valued parents and families as partners in our students' education and success. As members of the Parents Council, we invite you to directly engage in and join a partnership focusing on the continued success of Quinnipiac.
As a member, you will be invited to two meetings per academic year with university leadership and fellow council members, receive exclusive parent email updates, and have the opportunity to attend many invitation-only receptions, including parent and family networking and social events. Members receive multiple opportunities to meet, advise and network with university leadership and administration, deans, faculty, staff and fellow families.
While each family customizes their experience to meet their family needs, the only requirement to join the Parents & Family Philanthropy Board is a desire to help make a difference with an annual leadership gift in support of the university’s priorities.
Benefits of joining the Quinnipiac Parents Council:
To serve as ambassadors for the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents of Quinnipiac University through engagement, career development and philanthropy
Presentations by administration, faculty, staff and others about how your student can maximize their Quinnipiac experience
Invitations to special receptions with Bobcat families, President Judy Olian and university leadership
Ambassadors for new Bobcat families, and promote parent involvement & support of university initiatives
Host or attend regional or on-campus events
Special Commencement benefits
For more information on how to get involved, please contact: Jenna L. McClain Morlong, Director of Development for Parents and Families at 203-582-7294 or email jenna.mcclain@qu.edu.
We are looking for parents/family members who would like to volunteer in this year’s parent-to-parent outreach for admitted students to QU. Please email elizabeth.cook@qu.edu to sign up.
Our newsletter is designed for parents and family members of current Quinnipiac students. Sign up for our email newsletter for helpful reminders, updates and need-to-know news.
Prospective parents and families are invited with their prospective undergraduate student to explore our stunning campuses, experience our expansive and inclusive communities, get a feel for our immersive academic programs and meet engaged and invested faculty and students.
Quinnipiac Today is your source for what's happening throughout #BobcatNation. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to be among the first to know about news, events and members of our Bobcat family who are making a positive difference in our world.
