Centenary College Orientation - First Year Student FAQs.
Kristen McKitish, Director of Co-Curricular Transitions |
Stacy Rinaldi, Coordinator of First Year Leaders |
Academic Advisors
Your First Year academic advisor will be the professor of your Academic Foundations at Centenary class (AFC1001). After your first year, your advisor will be a faculty member from your declared major.
AFC1001
AFC1001, or Academic Foundations at Centenary, adheres with the College's educational philosophy. These freshman-level courses for first time/full-time students allow the student to study in their area of interest while focusing on the Centenary Greater Expectations Learning Outcomes.
AFC1001 improves your college learning skills by studying special topics chosen by the professor who teaches the course. First Year Leaders are on hand to help you through any problems you might experience.
Your class meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 10-11:40. The course is offered ONCE ONLY, so it is very important that you do well.
Books
You can find the Centenary Bookstore in the lower level of the Seay Building. The Centenary Bookstore is part of the Follet chain and can be accessed on-line at www.centenary.bkstr.com.
Career Services
Visit Career Services your first day. They offer work study jobs as well as career-related work. Get to know Trish and Jen. They are full of great information such as goal setting, time management, and networking.
It is never too early to start. During Orientation you should attend the Work Study Career Fair. During this event you will meet potential supervisors of work study positions on campus. Hurry because the jobs will go fast!
Cars & Parking
Freshman are allowed to bring their car to campus. You must register your car at the business office.
There is a $100 parking fee per semester. Parking for residential students is restricted to the Founders parking lot located at the back of the campus behind Founders Hall.
The parking regulations surrounding campus are regulated by the Hackettstown Police Department. They are very strict on compliance and the fines are large. Be sure to pay attention to the signs!
Get more parking information here.
Classes
Your professors will challenge you and ask you to apply yourself. They will ask you to think about things in new ways, to argue when you disagree, and stretch your mind.
A class is not hard because of a professor or a subject, but because of how much work you put into the course and how much you challenge yourself. You should plan to put in a minimum of two hours of preparation outside of class for every hour you are in class.
Each class is different but you can expect one the following:
- The professor will introduce themselves and give some personal info.
- Verify the students on the roster.
- Distribute a syllabus for the class. DO NOT LOSE THIS! It will tell you what the professor expects of you for the course as well as how you will be graded.
- Outline the goals of the course and the objectives for student learning.
Class schedules
The first semester of college is a challenge for everyone. To make this process a little easier your classes for your first semester are already picked, all we will do is "fine-tune" the schedule. This based wholly on your major so please make sure you have told us what you want to major in so your schedule is accurate.
If you have yet to decide please let us know you are "undecided." This is not a bad thing and in fact gives you the most academic freedom in terms of exploring different disciplines.
How do you figure out your email address? Its easy. Take your last name and add your first initial @centenarycollege.edu.
For example, if your name was "Robert Smith," your email would be smithr@centenarycollege.edu.
The Centenary WebMail is much like your Yahoo or HotMail in that you can access it from any computer that is connect to the World Wide Web.
Food and snacks
Meals in Centenary Cafeteria is provided by Chartwell's Food Service, and it's very good. There is always a great selection and lots to eat. The room and board plan includes 19 meals per week (3 per day during the week, brunch and dinner on weekends).
If you should miss a meal you can transfer your meal to Tillie's Grill located at the rear entrance of the Seay Building. You will receive a cash equivalent at Tillie's which you may use on anything from chips to fries and chicken fingers.
At Tillie's you can find Starbuck's coffee served daily. Tillie's is also a great place to meet up with people and relax over a cup of steaming joe!
First Year Leaders
First Year Leaders are an integral part of the First-Year program. They help bridge the gap between first-year students and administration/faculty by providing useful and necessary information within realistic contexts.
Essentially, First Year Leaders are student resources. They fill the roles of mentor, friend or informative source for incoming students. Because First Year Leaders are also Centenary College students, they have personally had many of same questions, concerns, and problems in their process adjusting to life at Centenary. They work full-time during orientation and on a part-time basis during the academic year.
HUB
The HUB is Centenary’s Writing Center. Located across from Tillie’s in the Seay Building, the HUB is typically filled with peer tutors trained to help you to become a better writer.
Jobs on campus
Centenary has an extensive Campus Work Study Program. It was designed to offer you fundamental career building lessons, skills, and experience. Chances are, they can find a program that is right for you.
Lap top computers
All new in-coming full-time students will receive an IBM R400 with with a 2.26Ghz processor, 1 GB SDRAM installed, and a 160GB Hard Drive. Built in Webcam, Wireless and Bluetooth technologies as well as MicroSoft XP Professional and the Microsoft Office Standard Suite of software are included with the laptop.
Click here to view the complete list of Lap top computer specifications.
When you pick up your laptop at the college you will need to bring a form of identification with you.
Remember that our IT Help Desk (located on the second floor of the Seay Building) is ready to troubleshoot any difficulties and answer any of your questions.
Paying bills
Once your enrollment is complete the Bursar will mail home your bill. You can pay by mail or in person. The Bursar's office is in the Student Services hallway of the Seay building. Their telephone number is 908-852-1400 ext. 2245.
Phones
Although all of the cell phone's are improving their service in the Hackettstown area, our students find that Verizon, Nextel and AT&T work the best.
Each resident student has a personal phone line in their dorm room (2 per room). This phone can only dial locally unless you use a calling card. This line can be dialed directly by calling 908-979(or 684) and then the room extension. Additionally, you can always dial 908-852-1400 to get the Centenary switchboard where you can enter the room extension. Each phone is also equipped with voice mail. You will receive instructions on how to set this up when you move in.
Each Centenary student receives his or her own phone number and voice mail. Your RA will help you program your number and personalize your message. You will need to buy a prepaid calling card or use your cell phone for long distance service.
Professors
Your professors will want to get to know you, share their passion for their subject with you, and help you succeed academically. All you have to do is ask.
Get to know them right away! Phrases like, "I am really interested in...", or, "Could you tell me a little more about..." will spark a conversation that may lead in a number of directions. Centenary professors are here to teach, and teaching happens every where and any time here at Centenary.
Every professor will expect you to:
- Challenge yourself.
- Come to class prepared. This can mean with pen, paper, and laptop. It can also mean not wearing pajamas.
- Participate in class discussions and group projects.
- Adhere to the guidelines in their syllabus.
- Attend class. Skipping class is the easiest way to get into academic problems.
- Communicate with them. If you have a problem speak with them earlier rather than later, and they will know how to help.
Resident Directors (RDs) and Resident Assistants (RAs)
The RA is an upper class student who lives on your hall. Their primary responsibility is to insure your safety and well being. They also assist you in creating community and programming opportunities.
If you have an idea for an activity to take place in your dorm, share it with an RA. The RA's also enforce college policy. If you commit a policy infraction they will be the first people you meet.
The RD is a professional residential staff member who lives in the residence halls and supervises the RA's. There is one RD per dorm.
Roomates
Living with another person requires maturity and patience. It is part of the Centenary experience for first year students.
Roommate assignments are completed in the beginning of August; you will receive your roommate assignment shortly after they are completed. If you have any questions, please contact the Residence Life office at (908) 852-1400 ext 2291.
Be sure to get to know each other before you get here, and discuss the all the important stuff like what color the carpet should be and who will bring the popcorn.
For the first two weeks of the semester there is a roommate freeze in effect. During this period no student may change rooms unless special permission is granted --- and it is rarely granted.
If you have issues with your roommate there are many people trained to help. Your RA is ready to mediate any problems. The First Year Leaders are also an impartial party who you can approach for help. Resident Assistants and Resident Directors are unbiased and a great source for help.
If you have worked with those three groups and still have problems speak with the Director of Residence Life. Remember, you will spend little time in your room, so learn to get along and work things out. It is an important life skill you learn in college.
Student Handbook
The "handbook" is really the entire Student Code of Conduct. It provides information not found anywhere else. It is your responsibility to read this document and abide its rules.
Get your own copy of the Student Handbook. 
Tutoring
There are many places you can go. Your first stop is with your First Year Leader (FYL). The next stop should be the HUB (located across from Tillie’s). Your final stop should be professional tutoring through the Academic Support Center.
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