Fall semester starts Aug. 27; community invited to enjoy facilities
As students move into campus housing this week in preparation of classes beginning Aug. 27, Utah State University Eastern administration, faculty and staff welcome the community and hope all its members will take advantage of both the educational opportunities and services the institution provides.
Students may register for classes until and including the first week, and Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and Student Affairs Greg Dart said there is still time for students of any age or education level to explore options at USUE.
“We now offer 23 bachelor degrees including Criminal Justice, in addition to certificates and applied training programs all designed to meet the needs of community members needing improved job skills, and businesses requiring a better-trained work-force,” Dart said. “We added three new medical programs with both short-term and applied associate degree options in response to the needs of businesses, as part of our mission to work in concert with the needs of our community.”
Dart said overall enrollment is continuing to trend upward in both new freshman and returning students, but the largest increase in enrollment is occurring in students completing upper division courses toward a bachelor’s degree – up 27 percent in the last year.
“More and more students are utilizing our university classes and staying at USUE rather than transferring to another school to complete their bachelor’s degree,” Dart said. “Also, many community members are finishing degrees begun in years prior – taking advantage of living near a university.”
Students can look forward to a newly remodeled and renovated Geary Theatre, an interim chancellor, greater convenience in a one-stop Student Services building, and big changes in the spaces and services offered by the Jennifer Leavitt Student Center. Housed in the former location for Workplace Development, the Student Services building will now host one location for admissions, advising, scholarships, registration, cashier’s office, and financial aid. There will also be a revamped orientation and student adviser program aimed to increase student success and retention, Dart said.
Inside the Jennifer Leavitt Student Center, community members and students will find a Welcome Center–the hub for everything on campus, the new Student Veteran Center, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, and completely remodeled student lounge for fun and activities. The lounge will offer pool tables, gaming areas, and space to relax and socialize.
“This is something that the students have been asking for, and we are really striving to be responsive to student’s needs,” Dart said. “The new lounge and activity center will launch as classes begin and create a great space where students can feel at home, and escape from the pressures of demanding college schedules.”
The large welcome center will replace one thing that students will not find on campus this year, and that is a full-service bookstore. There will still be a campus store offering USUE apparel, swag, and many school-related supplies, but all text books will have to be purchased on-line or through the USU campus at Logan.
A Welcome to the Community
Dart said USUE offers a wide welcome inviting all from the surrounding communities to come and enjoy a quality play or a concert at the New Geary theatre, or go get to know the teams and cheer them on at sporting events, stroll through the exhibits at Gallery East, and enjoy a great lunch at the new culinary choices offered by Campus Dining Services.
“We are doing everything we can to make this a beautiful and inviting place. We have made so many improvements and changes, but the potential success of our institution will always rely heavily on our ties to the community,” he said. “There has never been a time of greater collaboration or cooperation between the surrounding community and the school, and we want people to feel at home here, spend time here, get involved, and enjoy all that living in a college town has to offer.”
The USUE culinary offerings saw a giant increase in quality and offerings mid-way through the last academic year according to food services, and the numbers of choices increased over the summer. Patrons may enjoy Asian, Italian, and Fresh-Mex as well as a full deli. More and more community members are finding this is great place to come and have lunch, Dart said, having seen an increase of 400 percent in the last year.
“The secret is out, and people are finding this is great place to enjoy a meal,” he said. “There are so many reasons it makes sense to come to campus, and take advantage of the arts, entertainment, and sports– we really want people feel this is their community campus.”
A calendar and list of campus happenings including plays, concerts, and sporting events can be found on the USUE website, https://usueastern.edu/price/