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Tuesday Newsday

by Betsy Chapman

In this Issue:

  • Community Safety Advisory: scooter thefts
  • Leadership and Character Discussion Groups
  • CLASS Tools: Study Strategies
  • Psychology professor featured in podcast
  • Richter Scholarships for globally-oriented independent research

Happy Second Day of Classes (or first day, if students did not have any Monday classes)! It may take a few days – or a week or two – to get into the rhythm of the new semester, but it will come.

For many classes, the first meeting of the class is all about the syllabus, the document that outlines all class expectations, policies, etc. (hence the name Sylly Week, if you have heard your students say that). I am teaching this semester myself and it is great to be in regular community with students. I swear I learn as much from them as they do from me – just on different subjects.

On to today’s news…

Community Safety Advisory: scooter thefts

A Community Safety Advisory went out this morning regarding thefts of electronic scooters. You can read the full message at Wake Alert, but here is a taste:

“University Police received seven reports over the last three days of stolen electric scooters. All seven scooters were stored on campus near residence halls during the winter break. No suspects have been identified. 

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to report suspicious activity promptly at 336-758-5911 (emergency) or 336-758-5591 (non-emergency), through the Wake Safe App or by filing a report online.”

Leadership and Character Discussion Groups

The Program for Leadership and Character invites interested students to sign up for their spring discussion group, “What’s the Point Anyway?“

The discussion groups will explore the nature of the good life, how we can achieve such lives in college and beyond, and topics such as friendship, gratitude, and justice. Discussion groups will start on Monday, Jan. 26, and will meet once a week for one hour for four weeks.

I am a big, big, big fan of these groups, particularly for students who (like me) are introverts. For some of us, deep meaningful conversation in a smaller setting can be just the thing to help us feel connected to others, and to build new friendships. So encourage your Deacs to give this a try.

CLASS Tools: Study Strategies

At the start of the semester, I always like to remind of some of the resources available to help our students academically. And I am an unapologetic fangirl of CLASS (Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success). They have a wide variety of offerings for our students, but today I want to direct attention to their Study Strategies website.

They have a handful of general study strategies:

And I want to put in a personal plug for the Comprehensive Syllabus. This is a tool that can help students stay on top of all of their readings, assignments, tests, papers, etc. in one handy format, which will allow them to see things like ‘wow, I have a test and two papers due the third week of class, so I better plan my study and writing time wisely.’

My own ’27 uses the Comprehensive Syllabus at their own school and swears by it. If your Deac is not using it, encourage them to give it a try!

Psychology professor featured in podcast

You may recall in December that I shared an Instagram video with Dr. Masicampo of our psychology department. His expertise is on goal-setting and self-regulation, which always comes up at the New Year as people make resolutions.

Dr. Masicampo was featured in the Curious by Nature podcast; thought you might enjoy it.

Richter Scholarships for globally-oriented independent research

The semester just started so I know it seems weird to be talking about the summer, but I did want to highlight a terrific program your Deacs should consider: the Richter Scholarship. These scholarships help fund students’ globally-oriented independent research).

Interested undergraduates should complete this form to be enrolled on the Canvas Richter Scholarship Guide for completing their 2026 Richter Scholarship Program Application. The guide will provide students with the link to the application and has modules to help them complete their application. Each module outlines the expectations for completing a Richter Scholarship Application, providing key resources and activities to help students develop a fully fleshed out proposal.

Not applying for a Richter Scholarship is one of my great regrets from my undergraduate days at Wake – so I hope some of your Deacs (or you, for students reading this!) apply.

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