October Newsletter
From Peg Cornwell, Associate to the President for College and Community Relations
I hope you and your loved ones who were impacted by Hurricane Milton are safe. While our campus fared well, the damage to Florida is devastating, and our hearts are with our students and families in the areas of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This week the dean of students emailed students sharing resources of support. Please encourage your student to reach out if they need anything.
On campus, we are seven weeks into the fall semester, with fall break just behind us. First-year and transfer students are finding their way around campus, attending class and availing themselves of the resources here for their success. Below are a few highlights of the opportunities available to all students shortly after the break. More information on each of these is listed below.
The R-Compass Fair on October 17 in the McKean Gym allows students to explore majors, minors and general education offerings at Rollins. On Tuesday, October 22, in the Alfond Sports Center, the Career & Internship Expo is open to all students ready to engage in career exploration and who are seeking employment opportunities.
Please remind your students the Tutoring & Writing Center offers appointments for writing and course-specific tutoring. The Wellness Center is open to all enrolled students seeking confidential health or counseling services.
Rollins College has some great news to share. In U.S. News and World Report's annual rankings of the nation’s best colleges, Rollins is the top-ranked private institution among regional universities in the South.
Rollins has also been recognized as one of the nation’s best 390 colleges by The Princeton Review. The Princeton Review also ranked Rollins No. 9 for Best Health Services, No. 11 for Best Campus Food, No. 22 for Best Classroom Experience, No. 16 for Best Student Support and Counseling Services, No. 4 for Best College City, No. 23 for involvement in intramural sports, and No. 11 for Most Beautiful Campus.
Top of Mind & October Checklist
- Save the Date: Spring Registration – make sure your student has set their meeting with their academic advisor.
- Student Involvement: GetInvolved is a great way for ALL students to find ways to engage on campus.
- Calling All Commuters! The Commuter Club lounge is located in McKean Hall and is available to all off-campus students
- Family Weekend 2024: Make plans for this year's events November 1 – 3, 2024 | Registration closes Oct 29
- Join Us For a Show! The Annie Russell Theatre's 92nd season has begun. View this year's shows here.
- The Student Outreach & Resource Center is helping students needing hurricane support services. Students can email care@rollins.edu to get connected.
Campus Spotlight: Meet Dean Dorrell Briscoe
On June 1, Rev. Dr. Harold “Dorrell” Briscoe became the eighth dean of religious and spiritual life at Rollins. He is a writer, speaker, minister, and public theologian focusing on the intersectionality of race, religion, law, and power. He comes to Rollins from William Peace University where he served as University Chaplain and affiliated faculty. Dorrell has experience teaching at the undergraduate level, serving as an adjunct professor in public administration, American history, leadership, and theology. The Religious & Spiritual Life strategic priorities are spiritual and religious development and engagement, interfaith cooperation and understanding, sacred music and the arts, and community engagement.
Read more about Religious & Spiritual Life here which fosters an inclusive community while supporting all faith and spiritual journey of students, including seven student religious organizations and a Student Interfaith Council. The Center hosts "Soul Sessions," a weekly prayer and meditation time each Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally this fall, there are several significant religious holidays, visit the Religious & Spiritual Life website here for a list of holy days and holidays.
Religious & Spiritual Life website Religious & Spiritual Life websiteAcademic Affairs & Student Aid: Looking Ahead
Academic Planning and Spring Advising
Academic and career planning advising begins Monday, October 28. Registration for winter intersession and spring courses opens Monday, November 4. Before registration, students meet one-on-one with their faculty advisors. Academic advising is collaborative and focused on supporting students' goals in and out of the classroom.
Visit the Registrar's website for course schedules, academic calendars, or registration information.
Office of the Registrar website Office of the Registrar websiteFinancial Aid: Changes in FAFSA for 2025-26
In most years, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens on October 1. This year, the U.S. Department of Education has again delayed the FAFSA until December 1. If anything changes in this timeline, Financial Aid will communicate with students. If you experience a reduction in your family's income after filing the FAFSA or have other financial challenges, please reach out to Rollins' Financial Aid office. Financial aid notices are expected in mid to late February with your specific eligibility. For any questions, please contact the Financial Aid office.
Financial Aid website Financial Aid websiteIntegrating Academics into Career & Life Planning at the R-Compass Fair
The R-Compass Fair, held each fall, allows students to explore majors, minors, and general education offerings designed to integrate academics into career and life planning opportunities. Encourage your students to attend the fair on Thursday, October 17 from noon – 2 p.m. in the McKean Gym.
Academic Advising & Student Support website Academic Advising & Student Support websiteInternational Programs
The Office of International Programs (OIP) team is ready to help your students chart their path to global citizenship. Read more about the experiences of Rollins students during their summer 2024 study abroad experiences here, "On the World Stage."
Upcoming deadlines for international experiences are:
- November 4: Select Spring Break and summer field studies
- February 17: Select summer field studies and summer approved programs
- February 28: Fall 2025 semester programs
Tutoring & Writing Center
During this time of the semester, students are amid papers, tests, and assignment deadlines. The Tutoring & Writing Center offers study groups and individual appointments for writing consultations, academic skills tutoring, and course-specific tutoring. Students can also visit the STEM Hub in Bush Science Center for drop-in tutoring in biology, chemistry, and physics. All sessions are held by tutors and writing consultants who are Rollins students, and services are completely free to students.
Tutoring & Writing Center website Tutoring & Writing Center websiteStudent Life
Athletics, Intramurals, and Rec. Sports
Rollins Athletics offers 21 varsity programs and 10 club sports, 9 group fitness classes, and 9 intramural sports. Fall athletic teams are in season. Visit RollinsSports.com to see the latest news, schedules, and intramurals information.
Rollins Sports website Rollins Sports websiteCenter for Campus Involvement
All students have access to the Get Involved platform, where they can browse and contact all registered student organizations and see all events happening on campus. Families can view limited campus events on the public-facing site. At Rollins, there are more than 122 registered student organizations, ranging from social and cultural to service, special interest, and honorary, as well as four fraternities and eight sororities. The Center for Campus Involvement works with student groups to create and plan events, workshops, and activities that provide engaging campus and leadership opportunities.
Get Involved platform website Get Involved platform websiteCenter for Career & Life Planning
The Center for Career & Life Planning (CCLP) connects students, employers, and mentors through experiential learning, employment, and career shadowing opportunities. Students can use Handshake to stay up-to-date on new programs and events.
Upcoming events include:
- Career & Internship Expo: Tuesday, October 22, 4:30 – 7 p.m. in the Alfond Sports Center
- Spring and Summer 2025 Internship Fair: Tuesday, November 19, 4:30 – 6 p.m. in Rice Family Pavilion
All students are welcome to stop by the Career Studio drop in from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday to Friday, in Kathleen W. Rollins Hall, first floor, for assistance with marketing tools and beyond.
More information and career exploration resources are available on CCLP's website.
Career & Life Planning website Career & Life Planning websiteStudent Outreach & Resource Center, formerly Student & Family Care
As your student navigates the semester, they may encounter challenges in various areas of their college experience. This is a natural part of their development and a valuable growth opportunity! When receiving calls from your student or discussing challenges while at home, encourage them to access the resources available to help them manage these setbacks. If your student was impacted by Hurricane Helene or Milton, the Center is here to offer support. Whether personal, social, or academic, the Student Outreach & Resource Center supports students in problem-solving and self-advocacy across all dimensions of wellness.
Student Outreach & Resource Center website Student Outreach & Resource Center websiteThe Rollins Democracy Project
The Rollins Democracy Project is a nonpartisan, student-led initiative whose mission is to promote democracy and civic engagement by creating opportunities for students to learn about and discuss political processes, issues, and candidates. Through the work of the Center for Leadership & Community Engagement and the Democracy Project, Rollins was recognized with the Gold Seal for Excellence in Student Voter Engagement. Rollins achieved a voting rate of 70 percent to 79 percent in the 2020 presidential election.
Students can check their voter registration status or register to vote by visiting this link. Students who live on campus and are eligible can register to vote with their Rollins address. Read more about the Rollins Democracy project here.
Wellness Center
The Wellness Center is home to our campus' Health Services, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), and Health Promotions. All currently enrolled students are eligible to receive free and confidential health or counseling services at the Wellness Center. Students can schedule an appointment with a counselor or nurse practitioner online through MyRollins or by contacting the Wellness Center.
Free flu vaccinations are available to all students as a walk-in on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., or students can schedule an appointment in MyRollins.
Follow the Wellness Center on Instagram @RollinsWellness and YouTube.
Wellness Center website Wellness Center websiteRollins Campus Essentials
Rollins Dining
Dining on Campus
Rollins Dining offers students five on-campus eateries with diverse menu options and varying hours of operation. Click here for regular hours.
Commuter Meal Plans
Off-campus students can purchase any meal plan, but three are designed specifically for commuters. Find the best plan for your student here.
Campus Dining website Campus Dining websiteCampus Safety – Emergency Planning
During weather emergencies such as hurricanes and tropical storms, major decisions and communications are shared on the College's emergency website, via email from publicinformationofficer@rollins.edu, and on official @rollinscollege (Facebook and Instagram) social media channels
Campus Safety – Emergency website Campus Safety – Emergency website
