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Excitement is in the air as we’re getting ready to welcome students to campus. Some for the first time (we're welcoming our biggest incoming class this month!) and many returning Lakers. Settling into campus for the new school year can feel overwhelming, but there are a variety of ways to get answers to questions that may arise. The student-powered GVSU Information Desk is available year-round — a place where students can get general information from their peers about campus, upcoming events, housing, dining, and more by stopping by the Kirkhof Center, calling 616-331-2020 or by emailing infodesk@gvsu.edu. We invite you to keep reading to learn more about additional resources and ways your student can become involved on campus this fall!

Belonging

We're excited to welcome our Lakers to campus this fall! We've curated a line-up of events, programming, and opportunities to connect with fellow students as they reconnect with or find their community here. Included in the schedule is Campus Life Night on Sunday, August 27 at 6 p.m. where students can meet nearly 400 student organizations and discover ways to get involved on campus.

The Social Justice Block Party - August 25, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Students are invited to join the Social Justice Centers and other campus departments for a block party on August 25. They'll be taking over the first floor of the Kirkhof Center on the Allendale campus and providing music, snacks, information, and fun!

Rainbow Social - August 30, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

The LGBT Resource Center staff will host a summer meal and ice cream social on August 30! All students are welcome to stop by to learn more about the Center, mix, and mingle!

Mark your calendar for a fun weekend on campus with your Laker, and experience what life on campus is all about. Join us for a variety of events and activities for all ages. 

Registration is now open for the 2023 Laker Family Weekend Fun(d) Run, taking place on Saturday, September 16. Whether you want to compete for a spot in our Top 10 or take a casual stroll around campus, your participation helps support our students through the Recreation Leadership Scholarship or Dean of Students Emergency Fund. For more information, visit gvsu.edu/rec.

Intramural Sports

All Fall 2023 Intramural Sport offerings are now listed on the RecWell website with their respective registration and season dates. Your student can find RecWell staff at Holton Hooker Living Center during move-in and welcome weeks facilitating some basketball and yard games, providing information about our upcoming leagues, events, and employment opportunities and answering any questions students might have. 

Club Sports

Club Sports teams are gearing up for tryouts this fall. Students can meet the individual clubs at Campus Life Night and receive tryout and season information. Each club also has their own website with contact information, tentative season schedules, and more. Check out all 38 Club Sports when you click the button below!

Wellness

The Laker Store can help you show your student some love and support as they go off to school this fall. They offer a Back-to-School Box, featuring a treasure chest of nutritious and delicious snacks to help fuel their semester! With a menu of 2000+ snacks and sips that cater to every taste, allergy, and dietary preference, your student will be ready to take on campus.

A new academic year brings with it many transitions – new classes, new people, and, for many, a new place to live. Even exciting transitions can be stressful to navigate, both for students and those who are rooting them on. Below are three things that students can do to support their mental and emotional health this year:

Students in need of mental health support can schedule a screening appointment by calling 616-331-3266 or visiting 206 Student Services on campus. Additional information about the University Counseling Center and how parents and loved ones can support students can be found on our Parents and Loved Ones website.

On Tuesday, Aug 29, we'll be hosting a student Welcome Party! Let your Laker know to keep an eye on social media for details. They can follow us @gvsufood on TikTok, Instagram, and X to learn about other special events, limited time offers, giveaways, and the occasional change in hours due to academic breaks and surprise weather conditions. 

We also encourage students to check out the resources below throughout the year:

• GVSU restaurant, coffee shop & C-Store hours

• Meal plan questions

• Special events

• Nutrition help

Is your student looking for a job? Laker Food Co. offers convenient, on-campus jobs that work around their schedule. They can earn money (and food!) working for Laker Food Co.

August is observed as National Immunization Awareness Month. Vaccines protect against many serious diseases that still exist and are a safe way to help prevent outbreaks. Vaccine appointments are available to our students at the GVSU Campus Health Center (CHC) and can be made by calling 616-685-7600. The  Ottawa County Health Department will be administering vaccines as well.

Academics

A great way to start the semester strong is to connect with resources early in the school year. It's even better when students do so with games, prizes, snacks, and more! Our Student Academic Success Center (SASC) Success Coaches will be out at the clocktower on the Allendale campus to welcome Lakers back to GVSU! Students can stop by to learn more about Success Coaching, academic success strategies, or just to have a bit of fun meeting new people at Grand Valley. Encourage your Laker to stop by!

The beginning of the year is always a busy time on campus. Your student’s future career may not be top of mind, but the Career Center suggests taking these three steps to get on the road to post-graduate success.

Join a Career Community
Career communities provide information, opportunities for exploration, and connections related to your student’s areas of interest. By joining a career community, students will receive a monthly newsletter with internship and job opportunities, career events, resource recommendations, and much more.

Subscribe to our Podcast
The Work Like a Laker podcast offers episodes on a plethora of career topics. Encourage your student to subscribe today on their preferred podcast platform to never miss an episode. These are great to listen to while riding the GVSU Laker Line!

Follow the Career Center on Social Media
Your student won't regret following us on social - especially our Instagram account (@gvsucareers). This is our go-to place for sharing helpful career content and events.

Financial Aid

We’re looking forward to seeing our students on campus this fall!  In case you missed it, please be sure to review all of the important information in our student, parent, and supporter resource hub! All of the information on this page will help you in these final weeks leading up to the start of classes on August 28, while keeping in mind that the bill is due on August 18 by 5 p.m.

Should you have any questions after reviewing your billing statement and the information on this page, please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.  

Other Resources and Reminders

Important Dates:

 Classes Begin: August 28

Labor Day recess: September 2-4

Fall Break: October 22-24

Fall Commencement: December 9

Classes end: December 9

Examinations: December 9 -16

Academic Calendar

Events Calendar