First-Year Forums: Finding Your Way at K Program Series

Learning in college isn’t just inside the classroom, and that’s why Kalamazoo College offers First-Year Forums: Finding Your Way at K Program Series for all first-year students during their fall term. As a result of attending First-Year Forum programs, students will be able to identify various campus resources and connect the knowledge gained at these programs to their curricular and co-curricular experiences at Kalamazoo College.

First-Year Forum programs are offered throughout the fall term, and usually 1-2 hours in length. Programs are on topics important for first-year students (getting organized, study abroad/away, civic engagement opportunities in Kalamazoo, stress management, career planning, and more!). These engaging programs are facilitated by faculty, staff, and sometimes even upper-class students.

First-year students are required to attend one program in each of five different categories:

  • Social Justice and Civic Engagement
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • Personal Decision Making and Habits
  • Career and Professional Development
  • Academic Success and Independent Scholarship

Multiple unique programs are offered throughout the quarter in each of the five categories, so students can pick and choose what programs to attend based on their interest and schedule. Students receive the full program schedule in their Orientation folder, and are sent weekly reminders on Fridays throughout the term to highlight the programs for the following week. Students are welcome to attend more programs than required.

Forum attendance is logged as part of the First-Year Seminar grade. If students do not attend at least one program in each group, two percentage points for each Forum missed will be deducted from the final Seminar grade.

Students with questions about First-Year Forum programs and requirements are welcome to contact Dana Jansma, Dean of Students (dana.jansma@kzoo.edu).

. Hicks Banquet Room

Self-Care First-Year Forum

Wellness is a holistic experience. It incorporates attitudes and practices associated with caring for all of the aspects of the self. Aspects include physical, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, social, spiritual and professional parts of the self. Self-care is attending to one’s needs for balance and holistic wellness. This forum will explore self-care practices, and students will leave with an individualized self-care plan and some strategies for maintaining holistic wellness.

First-Year Forum Group 3.

. Dewing 103

Mobilize Your Vote! For All Students and First-Year Forum Credit

Join the Center for Civic Engagement for an interactive session to learn about your voting rights and options, and work alongside our Voter Engagement Coalition to make your personalized voting plan for November 5th! All students are welcome to this engaging program!

First-Year Forum Group 1.

. Arcus Center

Radical Democracy: Reimagining Power First-Year Forum

What if power wasn’t concentrated in the hands of a few? Many students feel disconnected from political processes. Radical democracy emphasizes direct participation, giving students a sense of agency and the ability to shape their own communities. This Arcus program will explore the concept of radical democracy, contrasting it with traditional systems.

First-Year Forum Category 1.

. Stetson Chapel

Community Reflection: Why We Vote First-Year Forum

Reflect on the many and varied reasons people vote as we approach the November 5th national election.

Join K Votes and the Campus Voter Engagement Coalition as we reflect on why we vote. Students, faculty, staff, and community members from various departments, backgrounds, and interests share their stories about what issues and experiences motivate them to vote this election cycle and every cycle. Voter registration and election information will be available throughout the refection!

First-Year Forum Group 1.

. Dewing 103

Crafting Your Why: Connecting College to Career #3 First-Year Forum

It may seem early to think about Life after K, but these next four years will pass in a flash. You’ll find if you take time to consider why you’re here and explore career options, early and often, you’ll get the most out of your time at K and be more likely to land on your feet at graduation. In this workshop, you’ll learn how the CCPD can support you in this process, and get started using tools and assessments to help you craft your why. Five dates, same program.

First-Year Forum Group 4.

. Upjohn Library

Learning Commons Hop #1 First-Year Forum

Visit all the Learning Commons Centers for this active program, and learn how to get tons of academic support! You’ll travel in small groups to the Centers in the Library, and to OU and Dow, and you’ll be led by a peer consultant. Learn more about how each Center works and how to get help for your projects, papers, and homework. Two dates, same program.

First-Year Forum Group 5.

. Dewing 103

Balancing Our Stress Response First-Year Forum

How does stress effect the body? Stress effects all areas of the body. It can cause our heart rate to increase, or muscles to tense up, our breathing may become shallow. Our bodies are well equipped to handle stress in small doses, however when stress becomes long-term, it can leave us feeling stuck in fight, flight, or freeze mode. Though this is a natural response, being stuck in this mode can lead to: difficulty sleeping, feeling uneasy, difficulty focusing, and fatigue. The main objective of this session is to have fun learning relaxation and coping techniques to reduce the impact of stress on our bodies.

First-Year Forum Group 3.

. Dewing 103

Domestic Violence & Reproductive Freedom First-Year Forum

Join the Center for Civic Engagement and learn how you can get involved with public policy and advocacy work in many topic areas. CCE programs offer students opportunities for further education and experiences beyond the K bubble by engaging with issues they care about actively in Kalamazoo. During this session, Students for Reproductive Freedom (SRF) – a student-led organization within the CCE – will discuss the unique challenges and impacts of reproductive healthcare for people experiencing domestic violence and what ways you can engage with these issues and more. First-Year Forum Group 1

First-Year Forum group 1.

. Hicks Banquet Room

Should I Stay or Should I go Abroad/Away? #1 First-Year Forum

Join us for an exploration of what off-campus learning opportunities can look and feel like from a panel of people who have lived it. Through stories, critical insights, pictures, and a Q & A session, past participants will reflect and report on their study abroad/away experiences- both meaningful and difficult aspects. Attendees will also learn about the varied program options, financial resources/scholarships, and application process from staff from the Center for International Programs and the CIP Peer Advisers. Two dates, same program.

First-Year Forum group 2.

. Dewing 103

Online Privacy & Security #1 First-Year Forum

When everything is online does privacy still exist? What do I even have that a cybercriminal would want? What should I do if my data gets breached? Can I trust AI with my personal information? Does a VPN make me safe? We will discuss these questions and more. By attending you will gain useful strategies about how to protect your privacy, identity, and property. Two dates, same program.

First-Year Forum Group 5.

. Olds Upton 103

Changing Your Mind #1 First-Year Forum

College is full of new experiences. This fun, interactive session takes a direct look at the ways your mind reacts to the new challenges and struggles of college. We’ll practice mind-changing skills to help you thrive and grow through setbacks. Two dates, same program.

First-Year Forum Group 3.

. Meet outide of Dewing Hall (Quad side)

Campus Sustainability Walk #2 First-Year Forum

Join the Environmental Stewardship Center to learn about sustainability at K by exploring the gardens and growing spaces on campus. We’ll start and end the forum outside Dewing Hall (Quad side). Please be ready to walk around campus rain or shine! After the Sustainability Tour, participants will be able to share at least one goal of Kalamazoo College’s Climate Action Plan!

First-Year Forum Group 1.

. Library 308

Blame it on the Alcoholopoly First-Year Forum

Join the Wellness and CARE Coordinator for a night of playing “Alcoholopoly!” Learn how to prevent alcohol misuse and stay safe in a fun way! Two rounds, back to back. Number of players per round is limited to 25 so preference is given to students who sign up in advance here: 7 pm link  7:45 link.

First-Year Forum Group 3.

. Dewing 103

Meet the Student Health Center! First-Year Forum

Meet the Student Health Center (SHC) staff! Learn how to take advantage of the professional healthcare services that are free! Learn what the simple #1 activity is to stay healthy and improve your academic success here at K!  Don’t be ready to graduate and realize you missed out on all the great services offered at the SHC. All students are welcome at the SHC, you do not need to have the College insurance plan.

First-Year Forum Group 3.

. Dewing 103

Getting the Hang of IT #2 First-Year Forum

What can Office 365 do for me? What is the story with printing in the Library? Where are Teams, Stream, Moodle, Webmail? Information Services wants to answer your questions and provide you with insight on navigating technology at K. During this session, you’ll identify key technology resources and plan which tools, locations, and software will be most important to your success. Two dates, same program.

First-Year Forum Group 5.

. Arcus Center

Power of Inclusion- Reproductive Justice First-Year Forum

Join Arcus as we study the Reproductive Justice movement beliefs that all people, regardless of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or disability, should have the power to make their own choices about their reproductive health.

First-Year Forum Group 1.

. Hicks Banquet Room

Should I Stay or Should I go Abroad/Away? #2 First-Year Forum

Join us for an exploration of what off-campus learning opportunities can look and feel like from a panel of people who have lived it. Through stories, critical insights, pictures, and a Q & A session, past participants will reflect and report on their study abroad/away experiences- both meaningful and difficult aspects. Attendees will also learn about the varied program options, financial resources/scholarships, and application process from staff from the Center for International Programs and the CIP Peer Advisers.

First-Year Forum group 2.

. Dewing 103

Crafting Your Why: Connecting College to Career #4 First-Year Forum

It may seem early to think about Life after K, but these next four years will pass in a flash. You’ll find if you take time to consider why you’re here and explore career options, early and often, you’ll get the most out of your time at K and be more likely to land on your feet at graduation. In this workshop, you’ll learn how the CCPD can support you in this process, and get started using tools and assessments to help you craft your why. Five dates, same program.

First-Year Forum Group 4.

. Stetson Chapel

Community Reflection: What Chicana & Chicano Studies Mean to Me First-Year Forum

Join students who attended the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies Conference to consider what it means to be a researcher who is a member of the community they study, as well as, the importance of networking in academic spaces.

First-Year Forum group 2.

. Arcus Center

Understanding Genocide and Taking Action First-Year Forum

Understanding genocide emphasizes the importance of human rights and the dangers of unchecked prejudice. This program will examine well-documented genocides throughout history and the ongoing conflicts in places like Gaza, DRC and Sudan, helping students develop a stronger sense of social justice and become more active in promoting tolerance and respect for diversity.

First-Year Forum, group 1.

. Upjohn Library

Learning Commons Hop #2 First-Year Forum

firstVisit all the Learning Commons Centers for this active program, and learn how to get tons of academic support! You’ll travel in small groups to the Centers in the Library, and to OU and Dow, and you’ll be led by a peer consultant. Learn more about how each Center works and how to get help for your projects, papers, and homework. Two dates, same program.

First-Year Forum Group 5.

. Olds Upton 103

Crossing Borders, Engaging Cultures First-Year Forum

Join us for a discussion about culture, communication, and how you can begin to develop the skills needed to be successful in cross-cultural situations.  After this Forum, students will have a better understanding of culture and the importance of developing their personal intercultural competence.

First-Year Forum Group 2.

. Arcus Center

The Uplifting Power of Change First-Year Forum

BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) college students have a unique opportunity to challenge the existing narratives around social justice. This Arcus program explores the ways in which working towards a more just and equitable society can contribute to a student’s mental health, while simultaneously strengthening campus and surrounding communities. When we raise our voices together, we validate our experiences and concerns.

First-Year Forum group 2.

. Olds Upton 103

Changing Your Mind #2 First-Year Forum

College is full of new experiences. This fun, interactive session takes a direct look at the ways your mind reacts to the new challenges and struggles of college. We’ll practice mind-changing skills to help you thrive and grow through setbacks. Two dates, same program.

First-Year Forum Group 3.

. Dewing 103

Communicating Consent First-Year Forum

Do you know what consent means, and when to use it? How to get and give consent? Join the Wellness and CARE Office to discuss the inter-workings of consent and how it plays a role into our day-to-day lives! You’ll learn how to communicate with your partner(s) about consent in sex and relationships and engage with others in discussion around the importance of it.

First-Year Forum Group 3.

. Dewing 103

Online Privacy & Security #2 First-Year Forum

When everything is online does privacy still exist? What do I even have that a cybercriminal would want? What should I do if my data gets breached? Can I trust AI with my personal information? Does a VPN make me safe? We will discuss these questions and more. By attending you will gain useful strategies about how to protect your privacy, identity, and property. Two dates, same program.

First-Year Forum Group 5.

. Olmsted Room, Mandelle Hall

Getting Involved in the Community First-Year Forum

Join the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) to talk with student Civic Engagement Scholars (CES) about opportunities for employment and volunteering in Kalamazoo. Learn more about our student-led programs, community-engaged courses, and summer Community Building Internships. The CCE partners with over a dozen community organizations including local schools, government programs, and non-profit organizations to broaden student learning and enrich our active community. Gain work experience, grow your network, and engage with the greater Kalamazoo area! Join us!

First-Year Forum Group 1

 

. Hicks Banquet Room

Crafting Your Why: Connecting College to Career #5 First-Year Forum

It may seem early to think about Life after K, but these next four years will pass in a flash. You’ll find if you take time to consider why you’re here and explore career options, early and often, you’ll get the most out of your time at K and be more likely to land on your feet at graduation. In this workshop, you’ll learn how the CCPD can support you in this process, and get started using tools and assessments to help you craft your why. Five dates, same program.

First-Year Forum Group 4.