The end of the year is almost here (how did that happen?), and this last edition of the New Student News gives you the information you need to make the most of the last few weeks of the semester. Throughout the summer, most Hampshire offices will be open. If you have questions pertaining to the fall semester or moving back to campus in September, please feel free to contact us at any point. If you don't know who to call, you can always start with the dean of students office at 413.559.5412 and we will direct you to the right place. All returning students should plan on coming back on Monday, September 3 (Labor Day). More information about that will be sent to you via email in August.

Finally, congratulations to most of you on finishing your first year at Hampshire! And now that you're not a new student anymore, why not consider helping us to welcome the new incoming first-year students? We'll be creating a photo album of welcoming wishes on our Facebook page, and hope that many of you will share in this project. To participate, stop by Cake Friday or the Portfolio Making Party (more details below) to have your photo taken for our Facebook album.

We hope you have a great summer, and we'll see you in the fall!

 -- Jessica Ortiz, new student services coordinator; and Josiah Litant, associate dean of students

Packing Up, Moving Out
Where did all that stuff in your room come from? Funny how stuff accumulates over the course of the year, isn't it? Here are some tips for packing and moving your belongings.

Boxes
Don't pay for boxes--you can find free boxes at all sorts of places. The easiest place to check is Atkins Farms; they leave free boxes by the cash registers daily, so you can help yourself. The dining commons also will often leave free boxes by Roberta's desk at the end of year as well. Grocery and liquor stores are also good places to inquire about boxes; they're often glad to have someone take them away. Try checking at Duplications (library ground floor) as well!

Store it!
Students may store up to three boxes on campus. Storage policies can be found on the residence life website, as well as information about where you will store your items (based on where you are living next year). Contact the housing operations office at x5453 for storage hours. For students who will be living off-campus, there is no summer storage space available.

Want more tips? Watch the New Student Programs blog for more information in the coming weeks.

Monday, April 30: Hampshire course pre-registration ends
Have you registered for the Hampshire courses you want to take this fall? This is the last day to do so before fall semester. The deadline to submit five college requests has now passed.

Friday, May 4: Last day of Hampshire classes
Many of you have made it through your first year. Congratulations! Some students will stay after the last day of classes to finish up course work, others will leave. It's up to you how long you want to stay after classes have ended.

Friday, May 4: Cake Friday
Celebrate the last day of classes with the office of new student programs! We'll be serving free cake and snacks in the Dakin Living Room on Friday, May 4 at 4 p.m. Stop by for a snack break, pose for a welcome photo for the incoming students, and celebrate your accomplishments. You've earned it!

Monday, May 7: Portfolio Making Party
Are you ready to pass Division I? Want some company while you put together your portfolio? Join us on Monday, May 7 at 7 p.m. in the Dakin Living Room for free snacks, portfolio-making supplies, and advice. We hope to see you there!

Saturday, May 19: Commencement
All students are invited to attend commencement: no tickets are necessary. To learn more about the ceremony and surrounding festivities, review the Commencement section below.

Sunday, May 20: Houses close at 10 a.m.
All students must move out of campus housing by this time. There are no exceptions. If you are going to stay until May 20, please plan accordingly so that you will be moved out by 10 a.m. More information about the process for moving out of campus housing will be provided in a future post on the New Student Programs blog. You will also receive more information from the housing operations office over the coming weeks.

Inauguration of Jonathan Lash
The inauguration of Hampshire College's sixth president, Jonathan Lash, will take place on Friday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m. on the Library Lawn. The event is ticketed, and those who have reserved seats can pick up their tickets the day of the event at the ticket table outside of Cole Science Center (inside the lobby if it is raining) any time between 1 and 3:15 p.m. The inauguration will be livestreamed on the internet, and there will be limited overflow space for people to watch the ceremony from Franklin Patterson Hall (Main, East, and West Lecture Halls). For more information on Inauguration and special events surrounding the ceremony, please visit the Inauguration website.

Commencement 2012
Commencement takes place on Saturday, May 19 at 11 a.m. on the library lawn, and all students are welcome to attend. No tickets are required, but be sure to arrive early to get a seat. There will also be overflow seating in the FPH Main Lecture Hall, where a video simulcast of the ceremony will take place. Seating on the library lawn is intended for immediate family members, so you are encouraged to watch from the outskirts or in the Main Lecture Hall. To learn more about the ceremony and surrounding festivities, review the commencement website.

"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.

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