Alrighty, well, I just wanted to say hello and welcome this evening. If you are here for the 黑料专区 Wellness and Counseling and the Center for Tutoring and Writing, you are in the right place. My name is Eric Kaster. I’m the Assistant Director of Admissions, and this evening I will be here acting as co-host. We also have with us Holly Tenda, who is the Co-Director for the Center for Tutoring and Writing, and we also have Emily Van Warmer, who is the Health Resource Manager for the Wellness and Counseling Services office.

We’re going to wait just a moment to see if we have a couple of other folks who will be joining us. I did want to let everyone know that we are recording this session so that we can share this information with others who were not able to attend this evening. As we move through the presentation, if you have any questions that you do not want to forget and you want to put them down in the chat box below, they鈥檒l at least be there and we can ask that question or questions after the presentation. I will also unmute you at the end of the presentation, so if you want to ask questions audibly, you may.

Alright, so let鈥檚 just give some folks a moment to catch up with us and we will begin. Beautiful! I can see it鈥檚 full screen, so you鈥檒l be ready to knock it out of the park here in just a moment. No pressure! I love that little area of campus, too; it鈥檚 such a beautiful place to get away from it all. Ah, technology! I thought I unmuted. Okay, we鈥檙e good now.

Hi everyone, my name is Emily Van Warmer. I work as the Health Resource Manager at 黑料专区鈥檚 Wellness and Counseling office. As you can see on the slide here, we have a variety of services within our very small office. We offer clinical counseling, different activities and classes, we contract with virtual support, and we also help students find resources in the community. We assist with our insurance program that is available to students to enroll in, as well as their general health insurance needs. There can be a lot of variables and unpredictable things that, when you鈥檙e on your own for the first time, you might need assistance with. If it has to do with health and wellness, we probably can help.

We are located in the Yamasaki Building, which is on the Ford campus, and we kind of operate out of two different spaces. We have the Health Hub, which is on the first floor, and that鈥檚 more like a student lounge. We also have our actual counseling offices, but you can find us online, so we offer telemedicine and have different virtual resources as well. We will also be around campus for various things like yoga, and it鈥檚 midterm or finals week for students right now, so we have massages. We did an Earth Day pop-up. We鈥檙e kind of all over the place!

In the Health Hub, it鈥檚 a student lounge, as I mentioned. We have these awesome hammock chairs that students like to hang out in and just rest and relax. Grab a cup of tea. In the corner is our therapy dog; she comes every week. She also sometimes makes pop-up appearances over at our other campus as well. We have a food pantry that is accessible for all students. You just need to sign in with your student ID, and we can also connect you with other health information. In the Health Hub, you can get various samples. If you need deodorant or a pad or different types of toiletries, students like to use this space as a place to have events. There have been self-care events and conversations and things like that.

On the second floor, that鈥檚 our main location for our clinical therapist. We do have three full-time Master鈥檚 level clinicians, and we really focus on brief solution-focused therapy. Students come in with a lot of different presenting issues, whether it鈥檚 anxiety, depression, homesickness, adjustments, or life changes. This can be in the format of appointment-based, which is usually how most students utilize our office, but we also have weekly walk-in hours. We have a total of three days with one and a half hours each, so that you don鈥檛 need an appointment. We also have an office dedicated just for telehealth, which can be if your clinician is working remotely that day and you need to have a private place, or even if you have a different type of telehealth service and you don鈥檛 want to use your dorm or the library, we have a space for you to take those appointments.

Starting in the fall, we are implementing a new program based on something that we鈥檝e already been using. Essentially, this virtual care group is going to be 24/7 using a web app or phone call. What鈥檚 really cool is that we鈥檝e had a 24/7 kind of mental health resource phone and chat online for a long time, but now we鈥檙e adding in unlimited medical visits as well. This is kind of like urgent care but without having to leave your dorm. For example, scratchy throat, pink eye鈥攖hings like that typically can be resolved with this type of service. There are also various aspects that are enhanced, like life coaching, having specific 50-minute sessions with a clinician. This is also really nice if your schedule doesn鈥檛 allow for a visit during normal working hours. We鈥檙e open 8:30 to 4:30, Monday through Friday, so this also opens up the opportunity to have appointments after hours and on weekends as well. More information will be coming for incoming students in the fall.

As I mentioned, healthcare navigation is a big thing that I handle. There are a lot of questions around enrollment, claims, coverage, and just finding the different resources and how to make an appointment and how to pay insurance bills, and things like that. We can help you out with that. We also connect with various basic needs. As I mentioned, the food pantry is one of those services. Other things we鈥檝e helped students with include figuring out summer housing and connecting with different services in the city. We can be that point person to help you understand the different aspects that you might need.

We also have a partnership with the Wayne State Rec Center, so that鈥檚 a really fun option if you鈥檙e looking for greater fitness options or more options than what we offer on campus. The health insurance plan we go through a company called Wellfleet. This is voluntary for domestic students. If you鈥檙e an incoming international student, it is a requirement of your visa to have the health insurance plan. It鈥檚 really affordable at $1,244 per year, so essentially just about $100 a month. It has a very low in-network deductible of $350. Again, this is voluntary for domestic students, but if you are coming from out of state or just looking for more comprehensive health insurance coverage, this is an option for students, and they can enroll by the semester. It uses the Signa PPO network, so it鈥檚 covered pretty much around the country.

Finally, we have our student programming. We have our Wellness Peer Educators, who are a team of students trained on various health topics. They are there to be peers who help fellow students with stress management and different awareness campaigns, just trying to bring the humanity into it because sometimes school can be really intense. They do different events and awareness campaigns and educational programs. We have a pretty robust social media presence focused on wellness topics, and we partner with other groups on campus. All our events are posted on Pride, so that page is public. If you鈥檙e ever curious about what we do, we had an Earth Day event where we handed out house plants and shared stickers around the environment. We have massages this week, and previously we went rock climbing. We focus on the full aspects of wellness鈥攜our physical, emotional, mental, etc.

This is our contact info. The easiest way to reach us is just through wellness@ccsdetroit.edu, which is our main email, along with our office number. You can check us out on social media as well; we mostly post on Instagram, but it also feeds onto the Facebook page.

That鈥檚 all I鈥檝e got, Eric. I鈥檓 going to go ahead and stop sharing here.

Eric: Fabulous job! I always learn something when I attend these. I don鈥檛 think I鈥檝e done one with you two yet, so this was very informative. Thank you.

Holly: Are you ready? It looks like you are.

Eric: I鈥檓 getting there. I think we鈥檙e here.

Holly: Hi! My name is Holly Tenda. I’m Co-Director of the Center for Tutoring and Writing. I鈥檓 just going to give you an overview of the services that we provide for all students. The Center for Tutoring and Writing helps with lots of different things, but the main things that we do are academic coaching and writing assistance.

To start with the academic coaching aspect, this is where you would come in and meet with an academic coach, either myself or my colleague Katherine. We meet one-on-one and talk about your schedule and any challenges you may be having with time management, procrastination, or balancing a job and other life events with your classes. It works best when we can meet once a week or sometimes every other week. It鈥檚 really based on what you need, so there鈥檚 not a one-size-fits-all for academic coaching. We go through whatever challenges are going on, doing a deep dive into the schedule, and identifying the things that are holding you back, especially with students who struggle with perfectionism.

I think I鈥檓 just going to stop my share here because I see I鈥檓 locked in. So, academic coaching is something a lot of students can really benefit from. Another key component of the Center for Tutoring and Writing is our peer tutors. Our tutors are upper-level students who are recommended by faculty. We also have a variety of different disciplines available. For instance, if you have a project that is very software-specific to your major, we have tutors who can help you with that. We also can help you with traditional skills like drawing, which is often taught in an environment where students are working on projects, and things can be busy. There are also logistical issues鈥斺�淚 can鈥檛 find my classroom; I鈥檓 lost鈥濃�攁nd we can help with all of those types of things.

Another thing that we offer is writing assistance. This can be anything from brainstorming ideas for a paper to editing your final draft. It鈥檚 available at any stage of the writing process, and that can include personal statements and other admissions-related things. We can even go back and edit other essays or documents you may need, and we鈥檙e there for you. Appointments can be held in person, which is great if you are on campus. We also offer Zoom appointments if you can鈥檛 make it to campus.

Do we have any questions about the services before I pass it back to Eric?

Eric: I just want to thank you again for sharing all that great information! What questions do you have about the Center for Tutoring and Writing or any of our services?

I鈥檇 like to thank everyone for joining us this evening! If you have further questions about admissions or our services, please feel free to reach out to us. We want to make sure that you have all the resources you need. Thank you, Emily and Holly, for your informative presentations. Have a wonderful evening, everyone! Take care, and goodbye!

Hello everyone, and welcome. I鈥檓 Russell Shoemaker, the Assistant Director of Admissions here at 黑料专区. I specifically work with transfer students, and today we have a wonderful group of current and alumni transfer students with us to share their experiences.

To start, I鈥檇 like to have each of you introduce yourselves. Just to give you a bit of background, I was also a transfer student, though I didn鈥檛 attend 黑料专区. I know firsthand how challenging and confusing the transferring process can be, which is why I enjoy working with transfer students.

Cody, would you like to start?

Sure! Hi, I鈥檓 Cody. I graduated from 黑料专区 in 2018 and was a transfer student myself. I currently work primarily in TV animation, focusing on background design, paint, color design, and prop design. I freelance as well, doing tabletop board game design, where I create the actual game boards. I鈥檝e worked with various studios, including Cartoon Network, Titmouse, and Bento Box, among others. I鈥檝e also collaborated with Marvel, DC, and Warner Brothers. I鈥檓 based in Atlanta, but I鈥檓 originally from Detroit, so 黑料专区 was just next door for me. I started at Henry Ford College, where I changed my major four times before I finally ended up at 黑料专区.

Thank you, Cody! Who would like to go next?

I can go. Hi, I鈥檓 Beck! It鈥檚 great to see that we鈥檙e all animation people on this panel. I鈥檓 currently a junior in the animation program and transferred from Michigan Tech, which was quite a change since it鈥檚 not an art-focused school. Before transferring, I was in chemical engineering and then switched to computer science, which wasn鈥檛 a great fit for me, especially during the pandemic when online classes made it challenging to engage with programming. I realized I was much more excited to discuss art than coding, and after talking with my professors, I decided to pursue animation instead.

Thanks, Beck! Fletcher, would you like to introduce yourself?

Sure! My name is Fletcher, and I鈥檓 also a third-year student in the animation program. I鈥檓 a first-year experience leader, helping new students, and I鈥檓 a student ambassador who gives tours of the school. I transferred from a small community college up north called Delta College, where I earned my associate’s degree in Art and Design. I always knew I wanted to pursue art, so I thought starting at community college would save some money and make my transition to the next school easier.

Great! Olivia, would you like to go next?

Of course! I鈥檓 Olivia Ezinga, and although I鈥檓 not a transfer student, I am a 黑料专区 alum and one of the Assistant Directors of Admissions here. I work with first-time freshmen from Michigan. I graduated from 黑料专区 with a degree in Photography in 2016. I鈥檒l also be helping out with the chat, so if anyone has questions, feel free to ask, and I鈥檒l do my best to answer.

Thank you, Olivia! I鈥檒l now go over a timeline of important considerations when applying to 黑料专区. Transferring can be a challenging process, so I want to provide some clarity on the steps involved. As we go through this information, please feel free to jot down any questions for the panel.

It’s important to note that transferring is a different process compared to applying to a school for the first time. Therefore, I recommend allowing yourself ample time to navigate the transfer process. I will outline some steps here, as a step-by-step approach can help keep you on track.

The first step is scheduling a one-on-one virtual appointment with myself or another counselor. I handle all transcripts, so I鈥檓 probably the best one to consult for that, but anyone from our admissions team can help you. Taking the initiative is crucial during this process; there may be times when you鈥檒l need to ask questions or seek clarification.

Next, you鈥檒l want to apply. Several of you may have already done this. Applying is generally the easiest part of the process. Aim to submit your application by November 1st for winter or March 1st for fall. You can also follow the traditional freshman deadlines of December 1st or January 1st. While you can apply after these dates, it鈥檚 to your benefit to adhere to them as transfer students.

The online application is free and straightforward, taking about 30 minutes to complete. You won鈥檛 need to submit an artist statement or letters of recommendation.

The next step involves requesting your transcripts, which is a bit more complicated. Most transcripts can be sent through Student Clearinghouse or Parchment. If you鈥檙e unsure how your school sends transcripts, a quick Google search should help. We require transcripts from every college you鈥檝e attended. If you鈥檝e taken AP courses, it鈥檚 also a good idea to submit a transcript from the College Board to ensure you receive as much credit as possible.

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, too. You can provide screenshots from your student portal as long as they include all necessary details like grades, class names, class codes, and the semesters attended. Once you鈥檙e admitted, we will require official transcripts.

Next, you鈥檒l need to submit your portfolio. Aim to include 5 to 12 examples of your best work. The website mentions 5 to 8, but you can submit up to 12 on SlideRoom. If you have taken many art classes, it鈥檚 okay to include additional pieces. Be sure to include descriptions of your work, especially if it stems from specific class assignments. This information is helpful when determining transfer credits. You can also send a Google Drive folder with your work, ensuring it鈥檚 organized by class or labeled as personal work.

The next step is submitting your FAFSA. Depending on your age, you may need to involve your parents. The FAFSA is available now for winter applications, so make sure to update it with 黑料专区’s school code, which is 006671. If you鈥檙e applying for next fall, the application will open in December, and there will be some changes to the process.

Once admitted, you will receive a transfer credit evaluation outlining which classes will transfer into our program. If we don鈥檛 have sufficient information to determine transfer credits, we may reach out for additional work. If you have questions about this process, feel free to schedule an appointment with me.

After receiving your merit scholarship, FAFSA, and any grants, if you鈥檙e still concerned about affording 黑料专区, please reach out. There are ways we can help you, and we encourage you to stay in touch.

Finally, after all that, it will be time to deposit and register for classes. At this point, you will work with an academic advisor to select your courses. It鈥檚 essential to ensure that everything is organized before making your tuition deposit, as it is nonrefundable.

Now, I鈥檇 like to open the floor to our transfer panel. I鈥檒l stop sharing my screen here. Are there any questions while I was speaking?

No questions in the chat? Okay, perfect! Let鈥檚 start with an easy one: Why did you choose to transfer from your previous institution, and what was it about 黑料专区 that led you to make this decision? Who would like to go first? I came from Delta College, which is located near Midland, Saginaw, and Bay City in Michigan. I left because their art program had a very limited focus, with only four teachers covering twelve subjects. It felt more like an engineering school with art as a side offering. However, their foundational classes covered everything I needed.

The reason I chose 黑料专区 specifically is that I didn鈥檛 look at many other schools. 黑料专区 has incredible connections; our alumni are active in their respective industries. Many of the current faculty members are still prominent in their fields. For example, one of my teachers worked on Rocky and Bullwinkle, which is an iconic animation. Additionally, my computer character animation teacher recently worked for Disney on projects like Moana, Zootopia, and Frozen II. The faculty at 黑料专区 really know what they鈥檙e doing, which is why I chose this school.

I originally started at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, and I had no idea what I wanted to do when I first began. I changed my major three times. In my final year there, I enrolled in the illustration program and graduated with an associate degree in Liberal Arts and a certificate in illustration. I was also just six credit hours away from an Associate鈥檚 in Psychology. However, during my last classes in the psychology program, I faced high-level math courses, which I struggled with. As a result, I shifted my focus back to drawing classes.

Vicky Shepard, who runs the art program at Henry Ford, was incredibly supportive. She recommended 黑料专区 when I asked about my options, and even though I was relatively new to college after being there for four years, she pointed me in the direction of 黑料专区, and everything happened quickly after that.

I initially hesitated to share my experience because I feel like it serves as a cautionary tale. I Googled art schools in Michigan one day, and 黑料专区 was the only one that didn鈥檛 feel disingenuous. Many schools I found had art programs attached to larger universities, which felt less credible. I applied to 黑料专区 without any real intention of completing the process. However, my mom started looking into it and discovered that someone from my high school had attended 黑料专区 and found success. Learning about successful alumni, including Tim Flattery, made me reconsider my choice and encouraged me to follow through with the application.

When it comes to transfer credits, I found them to be both helpful and challenging. In many ways, they made my schedule lighter, allowing me to focus on art classes. However, I did transfer a perspective credit that I later wished I had taken again, given the intensity of 黑料专区鈥檚 foundation classes. Overall, having the transfer credits was beneficial, as I could focus on the necessary courses without the burden of additional language or liberal arts classes.

I had a similar experience. I transferred credits for most of my general education requirements, which allowed me to concentrate on my major. Next year, I expect to feel the benefits even more as many of my elective credits will come into play. Instead of taking a full load of required classes like many of my peers, I鈥檒l only have my senior film studio class and a professional futures class, giving me more time to create.

Becka, how about you? Since you came from a different school, what鈥檚 your experience with transfer credits?

I didn鈥檛 receive any art credits because I hadn鈥檛 taken any art classes before coming here. However, I didn’t have to deal with liberal arts courses, which I appreciated since I’m not interested in taking English classes. Despite not having many credits transferred, I decided to pursue a game design minor to maintain full-time status for scholarship reasons. While I was grateful for the transfer credits, they sometimes led to an overwhelming class schedule. Admissions counselors may not fully understand how demanding studio classes are, which can result in students ending up with too many studio courses at once. Balancing this can be challenging, especially when you want to finish school quickly. However, it鈥檚 crucial to remember that rushing can hinder your growth as an artist.

I completely agree. I also had many transfer credits, but they primarily applied to my liberal arts requirements. My first year was manageable, but I later found myself taking on a minor as well, which felt like both a blessing and a curse. The first semester was certainly an adjustment. The work ethic here is different, and everyone is there to excel in their respective fields, unlike a community college where some students might view art classes as electives or just something fun to do.

I found that many of my classmates were much younger, and I sometimes felt like a “grandpa” trying to keep up. However, age differences didn鈥檛 matter much in the end. You get out of your education what you put into it. I was very active on campus; I served as a student ambassador and was involved in student government for the illustration department for three of my four years. I wanted to make the most of my experience at 黑料专区, and it paid off.

Getting immersed in activities is important. 黑料专区 offers various groups, including a transfer group, which is a great place to meet people. If you’re interested, I run that group!

I鈥檇 like to add that the transfer credits do open up your schedule for more opportunities. For instance, I was able to take a semester off last year to work at Disney World because I had the flexibility with my transfer credits. It鈥檚 great to have that option.

Transitioning to 黑料专区 from a community college can be challenging. I feel like I鈥檓 still adjusting. Coming from an engineering school, I鈥檓 surrounded by people with a different mindset. It took me about half a semester to acclimate, and knowing what to expect from college helped. I engaged in clubs that aligned with my interests, which made it easier to connect with others.

I agree; that first semester is definitely an adjustment. The work ethic here is intense compared to other schools. It鈥檚 a relief to be surrounded by others who share your passion for art. Although many of my classmates were younger, I made strong friendships and stayed active on campus to enhance my experience.

If you鈥檙e ever struggling to meet people, I encourage you to participate in the transfer groups and activities. They can provide valuable connections and support during your transition.

Most of what needs to be said has already been addressed. It was a bit of an adjustment for me. The biggest change was the shift from community college, where many students feel like they are just progressing from high school to college because that鈥檚 the expected path. At 黑料专区, everyone is much more deliberate about their education and goals. This shift is refreshing; at Delta, I felt like I was simply being prepared for a job later. Now, I sit next to students who could be the next Spielberg or George Lucas.

While it鈥檚 still fun, the environment is much more competitive, and deadlines hit harder in this program. It can be tough to manage. Having been out of school for a couple of years, I find it challenging to adjust from thinking, 鈥淚 can finish this essay in an hour or two,鈥� to spending hours on a single project for one studio class. However, this intense experience translates well into the working world of visual arts.

There have been moments when I thought, 鈥淚 can’t possibly get this done in a week,鈥� yet I did, and that feeling of accomplishment is invigorating. It makes me believe I might make it in the industry one day. The passion of the people around me, especially in the animation department, is markedly different from other schools. It鈥檚 fantastic and contagious. Everyone is so excited about what they are doing, and even though we are competitive, I would describe the atmosphere as a healthy kind of competition.

In my experience, the competitive edge isn鈥檛 cutthroat; rather, it inspires collaboration. Seeing what my peers are creating motivates me to elevate my own work. It鈥檚 an endless cycle of inspiration and support. Sometimes, this competitiveness manifests in admiration, where I think, 鈥淲ow, their film is amazing; I want to contribute something just as good.鈥� When I mention competition, I don’t mean it in the traditional sense of trying to defeat someone; instead, it鈥檚 about being inspired by their work and realizing that if they can do it, so can I.

I often tell prospective students that comparison can be a powerful motivator. I wasn鈥檛 a transfer student, but in my sophomore year of high school, I was the top student in my AP art class. When I entered college, I quickly realized that everyone else was far better than me, which motivated me to improve. It鈥檚 important to use comparison positively, as it can drive growth and improvement.

As creatives, we can easily lose ourselves in our ideas and dreams. Sometimes we need that reality check鈥攕eeing someone else excel can push us to refine our own visions and bring them to fruition. This mindset is essential, especially in animation, where the industry may seem big, but it鈥檚 surprisingly small. Everyone knows everyone, and witnessing the work of peers can help us align our own goals. Stressful moments are part of the process, but they also fuel our growth as creatives.

When discussing resources at 黑料专区, it鈥檚 hard to pinpoint one specific thing that stood out to me. Having previous experience, I was focused on how to make my goals a reality. I made sure to engage with my instructors, many of whom became not just mentors but friends and colleagues I still communicate with. Talking to industry professionals who are actively working provides invaluable insight.

I did find it beneficial to request disability accommodations, which made a significant difference for me. However, I initially wasn鈥檛 aware of many resources on campus, especially as a transfer student. Unfortunately, transfer students often fall through the cracks during their first semester because they aren’t required to take a first-year experience class, and orientation isn’t always tailored to them. This can lead to a lack of awareness about available resources. Although you can navigate things on your own, having a clear understanding of what鈥檚 available would have been helpful.

In my first year, I relied on external support, mainly from my family. They reminded me that it was my first year and that it takes time to adjust. It鈥檚 great that there is now a first-year experience class for transfer students. I recommend taking it if you have the opportunity; it covers important information that can help you navigate your time at 黑料专区.

Regarding housing, I lived in the Art Center building, which is the campus dorm with kitchens and an apartment-style setup. I highly recommend living on campus for at least your first year. It allows you to explore without worrying about commuting or having to change clothes. My first year was entertaining; my roommates were a mix of majors and backgrounds, creating a unique environment. Living with others is one of the fastest ways to meet people on campus.

During my first year, my building experienced several fire alarms, which helped foster friendships as we gathered outside on the lawn. I genuinely believe that living on campus is a fantastic way to build connections. Although I only lived on campus for one year, I recommend it, especially for the roommate experience.

After that year, I became a commuter, living about 15 minutes from 黑料专区. This arrangement helped me save money on housing, but I can understand the value of the campus living experience.

During my time at college, there wasn’t a day that went by when I didn鈥檛 think, 鈥淚 wish I just lived across campus.鈥� I had a major and a minor, which meant I had a pretty heavy workload throughout my time there. Especially during my junior and senior years, I would be on campus by 8 or 9 a.m. for my morning classes and would stay all day until about 10:30 p.m. when my last class ended. Many times, particularly in my senior year, I would stay as long as I could and then drive home to sleep. Thankfully, it wasn鈥檛 far, so it wasn鈥檛 dangerous, but there were definitely days, especially in winter, when I thought, 鈥淚 wish I could just walk across campus to get to my class鈥� instead of having to warm up my car and shovel snow.

There are definitely pros and cons to both living on campus and commuting. If you need to live at home to save money, you can definitely do that if it鈥檚 within a reasonable distance. However, I highly recommend getting a meal plan, as it takes a significant burden off your shoulders, especially during your first year. I wish I had gotten one; instead, I commuted and made my own food, which was not the best decision.

On campus, we have 24-hour markets, which is incredibly convenient because you don鈥檛 have to worry about how much money you have on your card. You can simply use your meal plan money with your ID, which is fantastic. As someone who has lived in campus housing for all three years and is now an RA, I can say I鈥檝e enjoyed it overall. I have been fortunate with my roommate situations, and living in the traditional dorm-style housing at TC has been great. Even though we don鈥檛 have kitchens, you would be surprised what you can accomplish with a rice cooker, air fryer, and microwave.

Living on campus is a great way to meet people, and everything is conveniently close by. Additionally, if your family is anything like mine, they might worry about you attending school in Detroit. However, Midtown is a great area鈥攙ery nice and safe. I鈥檓 not from Detroit either, and I had similar concerns. My parents insisted that I live on campus during my first year because they were worried about my safety, and I鈥檝e never looked back. It鈥檚 been convenient and, honestly, the price of housing is quite competitive with options around the area.

Currently, I鈥檓 a commuter, but I have a studio apartment right across the street from TC. It鈥檚 actually about the same price as 黑料专区 housing, and living so close means I walk everywhere. I have a dog, so I enjoy exploring the area. The neighborhood is delightful, especially since living near the school gives you access to places like Seva’s Pizza and Joe Louis. If you haven鈥檛 tried Joe Louis鈥� bacon, it鈥檚 a must! Plus, if you live on the ACB campus, you鈥檙e right next to the Detroit Institute of Arts, which is one of the best art museums in the country. On days off, you can easily walk over there and grab a delicious Italian sandwich from the caf茅.

We have a lot of great museums in the area, and I work at the Science Center, which is a fantastic place. One of my favorite activities was visiting the Red Bull House of Art, which, although not within walking distance, is still in Metro Detroit. It鈥檚 a cool spot, especially because it鈥檚 so close to 黑料专区. When attending openings, it鈥檚 nice to hang out with friends and fellow 黑料专区 students. I often miss the convenience of being able to take a half-hour break from class to explore the DIA, which is just across the street and free for students. The Detroit Public Library is also stunning; I can鈥檛 recommend it enough even just for a stroll.

I believe that being in such a diverse environment has been a huge benefit. At 黑料专区, people are open about their mental health and supportive of one another, which was refreshing for me, especially coming from a conservative area in West Michigan. The diversity in culture, religion, and identity at 黑料专区 and in Detroit is striking. It’s been a welcome change from the narrow-mindedness I experienced back home.

It’s good for some people, but I think as artists, you need to be exposed to and come into contact with other people, both for the sake of being a good person and for your growth. The mental health aspect was also great. I loved how different it was to make friends with people from different majors. For example, I think of myself as a photographer who approaches problem-solving in my fine art way. However, with design-based majors, like Sam who was talking about product design, I often wonder how they solve problems and think innovatively. I find that innovative way of thinking fascinating.

Making friends from different majors is essential not only for personal connections but also for networking. Cody, you mentioned it’s a small world; everybody knows everybody. You want to be on good terms because you never know where any of us are going to end up. I have friends who are now art directors for design firms, and I’ve seen some of the coolest things happen in fields like fashion. It’s exciting to continue seeing how people have progressed; for example, I had a class with someone who is now a big deal in their field.

Absolutely, don’t be intimidated by anyone. I think you should be your true self while you’re here because we’re all going to learn from each other. I just want to echo what everybody else said; that was my experience too. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and talk about the things you’re into because we are, for the most part, open-minded and inquisitive as artists. We love to learn.

The culture shock never really ends; the trick is learning to embrace it. Oh, good point! That’s a part of life too. After you get out of whatever school you’re in now, even after 黑料专区, I’ve found that working in different environments like Disney, everywhere you go is different, and it requires a bit of adjustment.

A significant takeaway from 黑料专区, as you mentioned, is to do what you love, and you’ll be fine. Whatever your passion is, just love it entirely, and the people who share those interests will flock to you. 黑料专区 makes it really easy to create a group if you can’t find one that interests you. For example, Beck started a swim club, and I am the president of the weightlifting club here on campus. I was given this responsibility through a simple high-five, and it was very easy to start.

I did something similar when I was there; I started a sketch club for illustration students where we would bring in our own props and costumes and set up a drawing room to take photo references of ourselves and have figure drawing sessions outside of our regular classes. It’s incredibly easy to set up clubs, and these groups can vary widely, from something as serious as the transfer student club to something as lighthearted as a Just Dance club. You can easily find your people. If you don’t see the things you want to be a part of, you can create them; 黑料专区 makes it easy. Chances are, if you’re interested in something, someone else is too, and they just haven’t taken the initiative to do it.

All of this is super great feedback. We will end it here since we are over the 7 o’clock mark. If you guys want to share anything or plug your work鈥攚hether it鈥檚 your Instagram or website鈥攆eel free to do so. I’ll drop my links in there. Personally, when I’m not working in animation or freelance design, I started a mentorship program. I’ve dropped the link for that in the chat. I teach background design and painting for TV animation through a program called Coven of the Arts. I’ve been doing it for about six seasons now, which is crazy. I鈥檝e had the absolute honor of working with around 30 different students from all over the world at this point, and some of my students have gone on to work at places like Nickelodeon and Bento Box. I love doing it, so if you鈥檙e interested in animation or background design for animation, please check it out and share it with your friends too, as I would love to keep it going.

Cody, could you drop that link in the chat again? I think I accidentally shared it directly to someone else. Awesome, there it is, just in case. Thank you, everyone! This was a great conversation, and we’ll have it recorded to share with other students who didn’t get to attend the event. Thank you so much! Have a good night! If anybody has any questions, feel free to reach out to me. I’ll put my link in the chat as well.

Welcome to our introduction slide. My name is Ryan Harrison, and we will be talking with Cameron a little bit later in the RA section. Thank you, Patty, for your introduction. Let鈥檚 dive right in.

First, we鈥檒l look at the Art Center building, located on our Ford campus. This facility features traditional apartment-style living. Incoming students can access two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. In a two-bedroom unit, there are four students sharing one private bathroom for the suite, as well as a living room and a kitchen.

The kitchen is fully equipped with a stove and a fridge. However, we do not provide microwaves, so you are welcome to bring your own. Please note that all kitchen appliances must remain in the kitchen area to comply with fire code regulations.

The pictures you see here depict four-person units. In one of the bedrooms, there are two beds for two students, and the other bedroom mirrors that layout. My apologies for the mix-up鈥攖his particular unit is actually a six-person unit. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a shared living room and kitchen.

Here, you can see another six-person unit layout. It includes Bedroom A, Bedroom B, and Bedroom C, with the bathrooms located in the hallway. This unit also offers additional living room space, making it a sizable option for residents.

The standard layout of the bedrooms in the Art Center building typically accommodates two people. Each student is provided with four drawers and hanging space, arranged in a way that allows each student to have a designated area. The hanging space is located above, with two drawers at the bottom, and there are stackable drawers that can be combined or kept separate based on your preference.

The Art Center building also includes community spaces. The gym, located on the ground floor, is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents can use it at their convenience. The front entrance features a security check-in area, and as you proceed down the hallway, you will find our public space designed for socializing and watching television. To the left is our public study space, equipped with soft seating and tables, along with a long work table for collaboration.

Next, let鈥檚 transition to the Todman Center. This facility is located about a mile north of the Ford campus and comprises both housing and academic spaces. Here you can see a standard room in the Todman Center, which is about 450 to 500 square feet and accommodates three students. Each room comes with cabinets for hanging space and stackable drawers at the bottom.

The layout includes a bathroom for the three students, but please note that this space is not fire rated, so kitchen appliances are not allowed. However, there is a full cafeteria on the second floor for student dining needs, and there is no need to leave the building for meals.

The rooms feature loftable beds, allowing students to maximize their space by placing desks or other items underneath. 黑料专区 does not provide desks, as each department has different requirements. This allows students to bring the most appropriate furniture for their educational needs.

This image shows a view from the hallway into one of the rooms, showcasing large windows that overlook the Detroit city skyline. Additionally, the Todman Center has limited corner units available, which offer more square footage and a unique layout.

An exciting aspect of the Todman Center is its design. The housing area is shaped like a “U,” with residential rooms surrounding public spaces. Each floor has three main public areas. The first-floor lounge is equipped with couches and televisions for social interaction. Additionally, we have a dedicated workspace that is quiet and designed for students who want to focus on their studies.

The sixth floor features extra tables for studying, as well as a workout space exclusive to Todman residents. There are also conferencing rooms for group meetings and a movie theater room designed specifically for watching films with a projector. Lastly, there is a game room with ping pong, pool tables, and television, providing another social space for residents.

Now that we鈥檝e explored the residence halls, let鈥檚 discuss how to apply for housing. We have recently transitioned to a new software called Mercury, which you can find in your Access Manager. Please note that Mercury will only become active after you have made your $250 enrollment deposit. This process typically takes about 72 hours, but it may take a little longer during business hours.

One of the benefits of Mercury is that it allows you to provide important demographic information, including gender, which is pulled from your driver鈥檚 license. If your gender identity does not match the information on your license and you require gender-neutral housing, please email me so we can discuss your options.

You will also answer five questions regarding your living preferences, such as bedtime and guest policies. This information helps us match you with compatible roommates based on shared living habits.

If you want to live with a friend, both of you must register for housing. You can link your accounts as a roommate group in the system. However, if one of you is already registered and the other is not, please email me so I can assist with the process.

Once you have filled out your housing information and answered the questions, you will need to make your $300 first housing payment through the Mercury website. This payment is applied to your final housing cost for the semester, so it is not an additional fee.

After your payment, your application will be complete, and we will handle any unique requests discussed earlier. We will then use a system called Intell Assign to match you with roommates based on your responses and compatibility.

For more information about living on campus, please visit our on-campus housing page. It contains important documents, including our housing information packet, which covers move-in details, what to bring, and rules and policies for living on campus.

I often receive inquiries about emotional support animals (ESAs). We are required by law to allow students to bring their ESAs, but there is a strict policy regarding the documentation needed. The letter from your doctor must include specific information, so I recommend providing our policy to your doctor for reference.

Regarding gender-neutral housing, students can opt for this arrangement if they prefer not to have their placement based on the gender listed on their driver鈥檚 license. This policy allows friends of different genders to live together or for those who do not identify with the gender on their license to find suitable roommates. If you would like to explore this option further, please email me.

We also have a video on the on-campus housing page that walks you through the housing application process, providing helpful tips along the way. If you encounter any difficulties, you can reach out to me for assistance.

黑料专区 does not offer any type of off-campus housing. However, we provide resources and search tools to help you find off-campus options. These are not recommendations but rather tools for students to explore potential housing options.

Regarding meals and meal plans, a meal plan is required for residents of the Todman Center, while it is optional for those living in the Art Center building due to the kitchens available in the units. Dining Dollars can be used at various locations on campus.

The largest cafeteria on campus is located in the Todman Center, featuring diverse food options, including a daily salad and soup station, pizza station, stir-fry station, specialty sandwich station, and a grill station. There is also a wall of refrigerators offering fresh options made offsite.

The Ford campus has a smaller cafeteria mainly for commuters and Art Center students. It features rotating sandwich options and daily hot meal specials. Both buildings also have a 24-hour vending space where students can find fresh food options at any time.

It鈥檚 important to note that our meal plan sizes have changed this year to reflect inflation and rising food costs. The meal plan agreements are for the entire academic year, not per semester. If you live in the Todman Center, a small meal plan will be added to your account by default. For those in the Art Center building, if you choose to enter a meal plan agreement, it remains in effect for the academic year.

Finally, regarding campus safety, 黑料专区 has been rated one of the safest college campuses in Michigan. We have security staff on campus 24/7, as well as a shuttle service operating around the clock between both campuses. The shuttle provides safe transportation, picking up and dropping off students at the Art Center building.

Additionally, we partner with the Wayne State University Police, who are sworn officers and have a response time of approximately 90 seconds to our campus.

If we have an emergency, our security personnel are here to assist quickly. In contrast, the Detroit Police Department may not have the same response time, so we’re fortunate to collaborate closely with Wayne State in this regard.

Now, I’d like to outline the five security steps a person must follow to access a student room, as we take campus security very seriously. First, we have cameras throughout the campus monitored by a supervisor 24/7, whose job is to observe the screens and coordinate the security staff.

Next, there are patrols walking the campus, which I believe occur twice an hour, although I don鈥檛 have that confirmed. Their role is to maintain a visible presence and be aware of the campus environment. This constitutes our first security measure.

The second measure is that you need an ID badge to scan into the building. In the Art Center building, only students enrolled in that building can scan in at the front door. The Todman Center also requires an ID to access campus. After entering the building, you will find a guard present 24/7 at both housing facilities, who checks your ID badge to ensure the color matches your building and verifies your identity against your photo.

The third security step involves needing your ID badge to operate the elevators, which allows access to different floors of the building. Lastly, the fifth step requires a room key; in the Art Center, these are traditional keys, while in the Todman Center, you swipe your student ID badge to gain access.

Additionally, each floor in the Art Center building has one Resident Assistant (RA) who is trained to support students. In the Todman Center, there are two RAs per floor to maintain a ratio of about 1 RA for every 30 students. Both buildings also have a live-in professional: Anne Hawkins in the Todman Center and Rebecca Hannah in the Art Center, both of whom have master’s degrees in higher education and prior experience as RAs.

I believe a significant part of our department鈥檚 success is due to the talent and dedication of Anne and Rebecca. I鈥檓 grateful to have them on our team. I personally lived on campus with my family and felt safe, so you can rest assured your child will be safe here as well.

Thank you for your patience while I explained this. I鈥檒l now turn it over to Cameron, who will introduce himself and answer some questions about the student experience.

Cameron:

Hello everyone, I鈥檓 Cameron Sherman, a senior in illustration and the RA for the sixth floor of the Art Center building. This is my second year on staff, and I鈥檓 excited to share some insights into the student experience.

First Question: What鈥檚 your best memory as a resident?

My favorite memory is from freshman year with my diverse group of roommates. One morning, I woke up to my roommate singing “I鈥檝e Got Friends on the Other Side” from Princess and the Frog in the kitchen. It was the best alarm clock I ever had! I still keep in touch with my freshman roommates, and I鈥檇 rate that experience five stars.

Second Question: What鈥檚 it like living in an artistic community?

Living in an artistic community is fantastic. I鈥檓 always improving my work through critiques and collaborations with fellow artists. We regularly share opportunities via text, Instagram, and Facebook, creating a strong sense of community.

Third Question: What advice do you have for finding a community on campus?

Stay observant! The school sends weekly emails about events, clubs, and get-togethers. These are excellent opportunities to meet new friends.

Fourth Question: What is your role as an RA, and what are you trained to do?

I see RAs as a bridge between 黑料专区 and residents. We listen, mediate when needed, and connect students with relevant resources. We also check on residents monthly and plan events to engage them in campus life.

Fifth Question: What are two programs you鈥檙e proud of?

During my time as an RA, I鈥檝e planned many events. One of my favorites from freshman year was 鈥淒rinks Around the World,鈥� where we offered non-alcoholic beverages from various countries. Another recent event was a ski trip in collaboration with Pine, where students learned to ski for a low cost. I received great feedback from residents about both events.

Thank you for having me here! If you have questions about being an RA or a student, please feel free to ask.

Ryan:

I鈥檇 like to address a couple of questions we received in the chat. One asked if unused meal plan funds carry over to the next year. Any unused funds from the fall will roll over to winter, but unused winter funds will be forfeited at the end of the academic year.

As for adding to your meal plan if you run out, you can use debit and credit cards in the cafeteria. You can also use Flex Dollars, which can be added to your account by students or parents. These can be used in the cafeteria, bookstore, or even applied to tuition.

If anyone has additional questions, feel free to unmute and ask.

Cameron:

Another question was about emotional support animals on the housing application. You can mention it there, but it won’t suffice for bringing an animal on campus. To initiate the process for an emotional support animal, please send me your doctor鈥檚 note and vet records.

Regarding availability for the coming semester, we still have plenty of spaces. We reserved beds specifically for incoming students, so you鈥檙e only competing with other newcomers. There are currently 9 to 12 available beds in the Art Center building and many in the Todman Center.

I recommend living in the Todman Center for your freshman year, as it fosters connections among students. Most students in the Art Center don鈥檛 venture out as much due to the amenities being so convenient.

We conduct placements every 2-3 weeks, and once completed, we email students through their 黑料专区 accounts.

Thank you all for joining us! If you have any further questions, please reach out to your admissions counselor or to me directly.

Thank you again, Ryan and Cameron, for the informative presentation on housing at 黑料专区. Have a wonderful evening, everyone!