News from Campus
Late addition to today’s post: This afternoon, law enforcement confirmed a shooting at Mount Tabor High School, which is about three miles from the Reynolda Campus. The incident resulted in injury to one Mount Tabor student. There were no other incidents. Wake Forest Police have been in contact with local authorities throughout the incident, and there was no reason to believe that the campus area was at risk. Update messages continue to be posted at Wake Alert.
Several news items to share today: a message from President Wente, a great opportunity for students to work in Campus Rec, information on High Holy days, and a message from Dean Walton of the Divinity School.
First, President Wente sent a message to the campus community yesterday afternoon, and we shared it with parents and families as well. The message begins:
Across our shared University, we continually strive for an environment that is welcoming and safe. I take this responsibility seriously. This weekend, our community raised important questions about how we must work together to confront issues related to student conduct and sexual assault on campus. I hear your voices, and I see your courage.
I am committed to preventing sexual assault on our campus, and I feel deep empathy for those who have shared their stories of survivorship. No person should have to endure sexual assault, nor should they fear coming forward with their experience.
She then outlines action steps she is taking and asks for students engaged participation moving forward. You can read the full message here.
Today I also bring news from my friends in Campus Recreation. Right now, Campus Rec is hiring – they have a critical need for student employees (without them, we can’t staff the full offering of fitness classes, intramural sports, and more). See job openings here.
Sometimes parents and families – particularly of new students – have a knee-jerk reaction to the idea of their Deac getting a campus job, fearing that it might negatively impact their GPA, etc. My colleagues in Student Employment and the OPCD have shared great data that I hope might ease those concerns.
A study from Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations found that students who work a part-time job while in college earn higher salaries afterwards. Their findings suggest that employers pay a wage premium for three things: earning college credits, completing a degree, and a record of sustained work experience while in college.
Helping students develop competencies in soft skills like effective communication, time management, setting priorities, and other interpersonal skills can be critical to their future job success. Whether or not the job is directly related to their major or desired career path, just about any job can provide students with key professional skills.
If your student is interested in finding a job on campus, a great place to work is Campus Recreation. More than 95% of Wake students visit the facilities each day for classes or personal fitness. Faculty and staff also utilize Campus Recreation services, ensuring that students will have many opportunities to engage with a diverse group of campus community members. With a variety of student employment opportunities, they are sure to find a job they will enjoy!
In addition, for new students – or even older students who are still striving to find their niche at Wake – being part of the Campus Rec team will help them build a friend network and social outlets.
If your student wants to work while at Wake in other areas, they can find jobs on campus for 5 hours or less a week – which will ensure they still have time for studying and other activities. These skills and experiences can be highlighted on resumes and in interviews to demonstrate to future employers the breadth of experience. They can look at the Student Employment website for more information.
We note that High Holidays start next week. Families may be asking about what we are doing on campus for their students. Students can see this Google doc for information on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur events and how to RSVP for them.
Finally, some of you might have seen this terrific message from Dean Jonathan Walton of our Divinity School. If not, well worth your time. He’s an incredible asset to Wake Forest.