2016 2016: UMass Dartmouth prepares for new academic year

Class of 2020 arrives Sept. 4, new Charlton College building opens, university-wide “This We Believe” dialogue launched

UMass Dartmouth will start its new academic year by welcoming the Class of 2020 for move-in day on September 4. Other highlights of the new academic year will be a September-long, university-wide “This We Believe” dialogue focused on violence and peace around the nation and world.

Classes begin September 7 with some being held in the new $15 million, 20,000 square foot Charlton College of Business Learning Pavilion. The official ribbon cutting for the new facility will take place in October.

Selected events and activities for the start of the academic year:

THIS WE BELIEVE -- The new Corsairs spent the summer engaging with each other as part of the “This We Believe” blog writing project. Based on the international “This I Believe” phenomenon, the initiative gives new students an opportunity to get to know one another and to join the conversation about student life and community life that we so highly value here at UMass Dartmouth. Among the topics discussed on the blog: anxiety, faith, family, generosity, grief, justice, love, and perseverance.

MOVE-IN DAY – September 4, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Chestnut, Elmwood, Maple Ridge, Roberts Halls. More than 1,300 first-year students from across Massachusetts, the U.S. and world, will begin arriving on campus Sunday, Sept. 4. They will be assisted in their move-in by dozens of the volunteer faculty, staff and students. They will be joined later by more than 500 new undergraduate transfer students, and nearly 400 new graduate students.

DRAMATIC DIALOGUES – September 5, multiple times. Main Auditorium. Dramatic Dialogues will address issues of racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, sexual assault, and substance abuse head on with frank and open dialogue.

CONVOCATION – September 6, 10:30 a.m. Vietnam Veterans Peace Memorial Amphitheater. First-year students will be formally welcomed as members of the academic community. Chancellor Peyton “Randy” Helm will discuss the theme “This We Believe UMass Dartmouth” and will address the campus community’s responsibility to take action against violence.

NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBERANCE – September 11, 1 p.m. YMCA Share the Harvest Farm, Dartmouth, MA. Students will assist with the harvest at the YMCA farm where all the harvest is donated to local food pantries.

CAMPUS PEACE POLE RE-DEDICATION – September 21, 1 p.m. Peace Pole Garden at the top of Centennial Way. The International Day of Peace is observed around the world each year on the 21st of September. Students will have an opportunity to share their thoughts about achieving peace.

UMASSD “LIGHT THE WAY” – September 21, 6 p.m. Vietnam Veterans Peace Memorial Amphitheater. Candlelight Vigil to reflect on the wave of violence that has swept the country.

INTERFAITH DINNER & CONVERSATION – September 26, 7 p.m. Woodlands Commons. A conversation focused on interfaith understanding.

PERSPECTIVES ON GUN VIOLENCE PANEL DISCUSSION – September 28, 4 p.m. Library Grand Reading Room. Panelists to be announced.