If you had the chance to communicate one message to incoming students - 2 months before their arrival - what would it be?
We are in the midst of our summer orientation here at BU. It's probably not too different from what happens on most other campuses around the country that practice this same methodology of "introducing" new students to campus.
Over the course of a day (transfers), or day and a half (traditional freshmen), we bombard these incoming students (and their parents) with a lot of information, introduce them to some "key" people on campus, get them navigating their way through campus, and send them on their way with a lot of material to peruse over the 2 months they have before they return.
Additionally, as a Christian university, we are increasingly intentional about how we communicate our Christian heritage and mission to these new community members during this time - and how these students, in particular, will have the chance to shape - and be shaped by - this place.
Campus has grown quiet here. The students have left for the summer (well, most of them anyway) and it's time for a change of pace... right?!
Obviously the ministry landscape of the summer months will look different in comparison to those of the academic year; with space for assessing, planning, preparing... and of course, some much needed vacation! But I wonder how many of us are simply turning of the 'ministry spigot' because it feels like the natural thing to do... I know, for the most part, that's typically what I do. "See you in the fall!" I say as they we connect before they leave campus.
But is this the right approach?
Most of us are probably familiar with the ongoing debate about year-round education - especially for those in the K-12 systems. Proponents of the year-round educational experience often site how much students typically 'lose' during their time off. Teachers end up spending a lot of time at the beginning of each new school year 're-educating' students on things they 'learned' the year before.
