August is here, which means orientation begins in less than a month! We hope that you’ve had time to look at some of the online resources that are available to answer any of your community life or move-in day questions and concerns. The New Student Programs website is full of information about what you can do to prepare for your arrival in Amherst, and you can always email us with any questions you may have.

This year we have the pleasure of hosting Edward Humes, an alumnus of Hampshire College and the author of our common reading, Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash, for an evening talk during orientation. This will be a unique opportunity to meet the author, and to ask him questions about the common reading. Visit our common reading page to learn more about Edward Humes in advance of his talk. It should be a fun evening!

  -- Jessica Ortiz, director of new student programs; and Laura Melbin, assistant dean of advising

Work Study Eligible?
If you received a work study award as part of your financial aid package, you may be wondering how to get started with the process of securing a work study position. Want to learn more? Visit our blog for detailed information on how to search for job opportunities, connect with campus offices, and line up interviews for the start of the semester.

The Creativity Center asks individuals and groups on campus to think about the way they do their work and why. Then together, they ask what would make it better. Sometimes the answer is a new approach to a project, a different class structure, or a collaborator. Sometimes it's access to funding or space. Maybe it's having the courage to take a huge risk.

The Creativity Center highlights play as a legitimate way to come to unexpected conclusions, fuel existing passion, and collaborate. The Creativity Center is a connector, catalyst, and incubator for new ideas, resources and collaborative practices. They do this in multiple ways:

• through events and programming designed to bring people together, across disciplines and practices, in interactive and engaging ways (e.g. Creative Connections and TEDxHampshireCollege).

• by providing partnerships and financial support for exploration of the issues ideas, and approaches driving Hampshire's future as an educational innovator (e.g. student grants and faculty seminars).

Want to learn more? Visit their blog for details on grant opportunities, updates on events, and other thought-provoking initiatives. Once you arrive, be on the look out for announcements about upcoming Creativity Center programming. You won't want to miss it!

Looking for a Campus Engaged Learning activity? Contact them at creativity@hampshire.edu for more information about how you can work with the Creativity Center team. They hope to hear from you!

Student Groups and Activities at Hampshire
The office of campus leadership and activities (CLA) is Hampshire’s hub for student activities and events on campus. They support initiatives related to programming, student groups, activism, and community involvement. Their staff members are ready to answer your questions, provide consultations, and help you to make successful contributions to student life at Hampshire.

You'll want to bookmark CLA's student events calendar to stay informed of all weekly student group initiated programs and large campus events. Kick off the year with HAMPFEST, Hampshire's student activities fair. Fall Hampfest will take place Friday, September 13 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. under the solar canopy in the Longsworth Arts Village. This is your opportunity to meet leaders representing our 150+ student groups as they promote and recruit new members. There are so many fantastic groups...your challenge will be deciding which groups to join!

"New Student News" is produced by the office of new student programs.
  Have questions, ideas, or announcements to submit? Email us at newtohamp@hampshire.edu.

For more information, view the new student website, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, or check out our blog.