Communication with Students

Some departments practice different modes of communicating with their students. The following is a list of ideas for communication tips and methods.

1. Some departments communicate with their undergraduate students by creating monthly or weekly newsletters with programs such as Canva.
2. Other departments email out weekly updates to their students. 
3. Another mode of communication for undergraduate administrators would be using social media platforms such as a Facebook Page or Instagram, or Twitter, to update their students. 
4. Another tip for building community includes creating a “Student Spotlight,” where they highlight individual students and their achievements each month.

 

Student Groups

1. Mentorship programs within specific departments are a helpful way to build a happy and supportive community. For example, the Physics Department has a PeeRs for Incoming Student Mentorship (PRISM) model.
2. Transfer Peer Mentoring Group – Transition to BU (TTBU): this is an University-Wide Student Peer Mentor Program for transfer students can attend community events and support transfer students. To learn more about TTBU, you can visit their Facebook page or the Undergraduate Advising website.
3. Departmental student groups are academic societies that help promote the field of study. For example, BU Physics has a group called Photon, Society of Physics Students BU chapter.

 

 

First-Year Experience

The First-Year Experience (FYE) by the College of Arts and Sciences’ Office of Student Academic Life is a great way for new undergraduates (first-years and transfer students) to intellectually and socially adjust to the community of BU. It is a great idea to refer students to their website, and also to check it frequently with updates on programming, as well as the FYE101 – First Year Seminar Course.