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New Student FAQ

Welcome to Calvin Theological Seminary! As you embark on your seminary journey, we would like to help you to make a smooth transition into your first quarter. Here you will find information about orientation week, things to do when you arrive and who to contact if you need help.

• I will be living in Seminary Housing. Where and when can I pick up the keys when I arrive in Grand Rapids? (show | hide)
  

  If you arrive between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, you may pick up your keys at the seminary housing office (student center 107E). If you plan to arrive at any other time, arrangements can be made. However, regardless of when you plan to arrive, please contact Housing Director Tim Bruinsma about one week prior to moving in so that he can discuss your arrival time with you.

• What do I need to know about fall orientation? (show | hide)
  

  Fall orientation for new students in all degree programs begins on Thursday, August 28 at 8:00 a.m. with worship in the seminary chapel. Visit the orientation page to begin orientation.

  The all seminary picnic will take place on Wednesday, September 3rd (spouses and children warmly welcomed). This is a time for the whole seminary community to get together to have fun and get to know each other. Online signup will be available closer to the picnic date. An e-mail with more information will be sent to you.

• When and where do I pick up my seminary ID card? (show | hide)
  

  All students need to get a seminary photo ID card, which also serves as a library card and building access card.

  International students may visit the Seminary IT (Information Technology) office to pick up their cards during international orientation.

  For all other students, there is no set time during orientation for you to pick up your cards. We suggest the following:

  • MDiv/MA/EPMC students: you will have time during breaks, lunch and the student life fair to visit the IT office to pick up your card.
  • MTS, ThM, PhD students: there is space in your orientation schedule on Friday, August 29, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. We encourage you to use that time to visit the IT office for your ID card.

  The Seminary IT office is located in room SM 183 E
  Call: (616) 957 6111

• What do I need to know about the 901 Formation For Ministry course? (show | hide)
  

  You will only be taking the 901 course if you are an MDiv or MA student. The course begins on August 28 and is combined with fall orientation (see schedule link below). The class continues on Mondays or Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. in room 242W, depending on which section you are registered for.

  You are required to attend these three full days of class as part of the 901 course:

  1. Thursday, August 28 - 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  2. Friday, August 29 - 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  3. Thursday, September 25 - Service Learning Day. Approx 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  On-campus Orientation Schedule

  Print Version (pdf)

  Read the schedule (pdf) for International Student Orientation

  Thursday, August 28: (show | hide)
  

  Time	MDiv	MA	EPMC	PhD	ThM	MTS
  8:00–8:45a.m.	Welcome & Worship Chapel	Welcome & Worship Chapel	–	Welcome & Worship Chapel	Welcome & Worship Chapel	Welcome & Worship Chapel
  8:45–9:15a.m.	Refreshments & Announcements Student Center	Refreshments & Announcements Student Center	–	Refreshments & Announcements Student Center	Refreshments & Announcements Student Center	Refreshments & Announcements Student Center
  9:15–10:15a.m.	IDIS 901 Theological Education as Formation for Ministry Chapel	IDIS 901 Theological Education as Formation for Ministry Chapel	–	Program Orientation Classroom 146	Program Orientation Classroom 140	Program Orientation Classroom 145
  10:15–10:45a.m.	Intro to Libronix Chapel	Intro to Libronix Chapel	–	Intro to Libronix Chapel	Intro to Libronix Chapel	Intro to Libronix Chapel
  10:45–11:00a.m.	Break	Break	–	Break	Break	Break
  11:00–11:15a.m.	Intro to Registration Chapel	Intro to Registration Chapel	–	Intro to Registration Chapel	Intro to Registration Chapel	Intro to Registration Chapel
  11:15–12:15p.m.	IDIS 901 Intro to Formation for Ministry Groups Chapel	IDIS 901 Intro to Formation for Ministry Groups Classroom 240	–	Program Orientation Classroom 146	Program Orientation Classroom 140	Program Orientation Classroom 145
  12:15–1:45p.m.	Lunch (provided) FFM groups and leaders eat together Student Center	Lunch (provided) FFM groups and leaders eat together Student Center	–	Lunch (provided) FFM groups and leaders eat together Student Center	Lunch (provided) FFM groups and leaders eat together Student Center	Lunch (provided) FFM groups and leaders eat together Student Center
  1:45–3:45p.m.	* Student Life Fair All students & spouses invited Student Center	* Student Life Fair All students & spouses invited Student Center	–	* Student Life Fair All students & spouses invited Student Center	* Student Life Fair All students & spouses invited Student Center	* Student Life Fair All students & spouses invited Student Center

  * Student Life Fair

  • Center for Excellence in Preaching (Hoezee)
  • Dean of Students (Sytsma and DeMoor)
  • Discernment Office (De Jonge and Student Ambassadors)
  • Financial Aid (Settergren)
  • Financial Services (Vanden Berge, Mulka and Van Hook)
  • Housing (Bruinsma)
  • Information Technology (Danks)
  • Soulcare (Carol Muller)
  • Special Lectures, Conferences, Continuing Education (Smith)
  • Student Government (TBD)

  Friday, August 29: (show | hide)
  

  (Spouses invited to all sessions on Friday)

  Time	MDiv	MA	EPMC	PhD	ThM	MTS
  7:45–7:55a.m.	Matins (morning prayers) Chapel	Matins (morning prayers) Chapel	–	Matins (morning prayers) Chapel	Matins (morning prayers) Chapel	Matins (morning prayers) Chapel
  8:00–9:00a.m.	IDIS 901 Formation through Mentoring & Internships Chapel	IDIS 901 Formation through Mentoring & Internships Classroom 140	8:30 to 10:00 EMPC Orientation (led by Rev. Duane Kelderman, Program Director) Classroom 240	–	–	–
  9:00–9:15a.m.	Refreshments Student Center	Refreshments Student Center
  9:15–10:15a.m.	Life Together at CTS Chapel	Life Together at CTS Chapel		Life Together at CTS Chapel	Life Together at CTS Chapel	Life Together at CTS Chapel
  10:15–10:30p.m.	Using worship/music/artistic gifts @ CTS Chapel	Using worship/music/artistic gifts @ CTS Chapel	10:00 to 10:30 Break	Using worship/music/artistic gifts @ CTS Chapel	Using worship/music/artistic gifts @ CTS Chapel	Using worship/music/artistic gifts @ CTS Chapel
  10:30–11:30p.m.	Library and Worship Institute Tour Library	Library and Worship Institute Tour Library	10:30 to 12:00p.m. EPMC Orientation continued	Library and Worship Institute Tour Library	Library and Worship Institute Tour Library	Library and Worship Institute Tour Library
  11:30–12:15p.m.	Praise and Worship Chapel	Praise and Worship Chapel		Praise and Worship Chapel	Praise and Worship Chapel	Praise and Worship Chapel
  12:15–1:15p.m.	Lunch (provided) Student Ambassadors eat with students/spouses Student Center	Lunch (provided) Student Ambassadors eat with students/spouses Student Center		Lunch (provided) Student Ambassadors eat with students/spouses Student Center	Lunch (provided) Student Ambassadors eat with students/spouses Student Center	Lunch (provided) Student Ambassadors eat with students/spouses Student Center
  1:15–2:45p.m.	IDIS 901 Ministries of the Church & Tour of ministry headquarters of the CRCNA	IDIS 901 Ministries of the Church & Tour of ministry headquarters of the CRCNA	1:00-5:00 p.m. Psychological Evaluations Classroom 241	IDIS 901 Ministries of the Church & Tour of ministry headquarters of the CRCNA	IDIS 901 Ministries of the Church & Tour of ministry headquarters of the CRCNA	IDIS 901 Ministries of the Church & Tour of ministry headquarters of the CRCNA

• When do fall classes begin? (show | hide)
  

  The 901 Formation for Ministry course begins on Thursday, August 28 during fall orientation.

  The regular course schedule begins on Tuesday, September 2 at 8:00 a.m. The opening convocation service is held in our chapel from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. All students are encouraged to attend.

  Calendar

• Does the seminary offer health insurance? (show | hide)
  

  Yes. You are required to declare proof of insurance before you register for classes. This is a part of the online orientation process. You are automatically enrolled in sem-care unless you state otherwise on the online form. The SemCare Health Plan is administered at the seminary by Sue Vander Laan (Dean of Students Office). Her office number is 108E, phone number 616-957-7064, email address svlaan@calvinseminary.edu. Please contact Sue if you have any questions.

• More sem-care information (show | hide)
  

  SemCare is underwritten by Combined Insurance Company of America, the plan manager is Specialty Risk Group International, Inc., the Claims Administrator is Administrative Concepts Inc., and the insurance plan is part of the Beech Street Network. The plan covers sickness and accident subject to the conditions listed in the brochure. Some features of the plan are as follows:

  1. The maximum annual benefit is $50,000. per year, 80% co-insurance benefits within the Beech Street Network and 60% outside of the Network.
  2. The deductible is $100.00 per year per person listed on the policy.
  3. Prescription drugs are covered up to a maximum of $200. per injury or sickness with a $10.00 co-pay. There is no deductible charged on prescriptions.
  4. Pregnancy is covered as any other illness except if it is a pre-existing condition.
  5. The plan also covers Medical Evacuation ($10,000) and Repatriation (7,500).

• Where can I park my car at the seminary? (show | hide)
  

  Students who live off campus may park their cars in the seminary student parking lot on the corner of the East Beltline and Burton St., adjacent to the seminary building. (Students are not permitted to park in the staff lot closest to and circling the seminary.) Please note: if you live on campus, you are not permitted to park your car here during the day.

  A sticker is required in order to park at the seminary. There is a fee of $20.00 for the sticker. This fee will be charged to your student account. You can submit a request for a sticker during online orientation. Once you have submitted this form, Ina De Moor will put your sticker in your mailbox. However, you will not have a mailbox here until you arrive in the fall, so even if you complete orientation earlier, you can expect to receive your sticker then.

• Where can I find a listing of whom I should talk to if I need something? (show | hide)
  

  Visit the departmental directory.

• Will there be someone I can go to with questions about my transition to seminary life? (show | hide)
  

  All incoming students in the MDiv, MA, and MTS programs have a Student Ambassador. This service is optional for students in the EPMC, ThM, and PhD programs. Your Student Ambassador is a current CTS student. He or she will be contacting you this summer to welcome you to the CTS community and to answer any questions you might have about adjusting to life as a student here. If you have questions about the Student Ambassador Program, email Heidi De Jonge at dyc@calvinseminary.edu.

• How can my spouse/family engage in the life of the CTS community? (show | hide)
  

  We take community life seriously and to that end, encourage seminary spouses and families to participate in seminary life as much as they would like. There are several ways this can happen.

  Seminary spouses are welcome to.

  • Attend orientation sessions open to spouses (see schedule)
  • Attend chapel (Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:00 a.m.)
  • Attend classes as a visitor at a very reduced rate--$15.00 per class
  • Participate in Service Learning Day
  • Take advantage of the seminary subsidized counseling program: seeing Karl Wierenga at the Broene Center. There is a co-pay of $10.00 per visit
  • Participate in the seminary choir
  • Serve as proofreaders in the volunteer proofreading program for international students
  • Serve as mentors or mentees for other spouses in the International Friends for international students
  • International student spouses can participate in the Conservation Partners program directed by Prof. Linda Bosch of Calvin College

  Other areas of seminary life:

  • Social events
  • All Seminary Picnic
  • Idema Food Pantry and Clothing Bank

  We encourage you to invite your family into the life of the seminary. As a student you are subscribed to e-mail lists sem-stu, sem-news, and sem-deals, as well as the email list pertaining to your specific degree program. If you would like to subscribe to any additional email lists the instructions are: Go to: Current Students -> Tools & Resources -> Manage Email Lists. In this menu you will be able to add or delete email lists. Please check these e-mails frequently for information about seminary life.

  ---

  All Seminary Picnic

  Wednesday September 3, 2008, 5:30 pm
  
  At the Christian Reformed Recreation Center
  3450 36th Street, Grand Rapids MI

  Bring the whole family and come early for fellowship!

  **An e-mail with sign up instructions will be sent to you closer to the date**

  Directions

  1. Start out going EAST on BURTON ST SE toward RAYBROOK ST SE
  2. Turn RIGHT onto MI-37 S / E BELTLINE AVE SE. Continue to follow MI-37 S.
  3. Turn RIGHT onto 36TH ST SE.

• I already have a personal e-mail account. Can I use that instead of my CTS e-mail? (show | hide)
  

  Through your seminary account you will receive important seminary information and e-mails regarding academic and student life. Staff and faculty will always use your seminary e-mail to communicate with you. If you do not check your seminary account you will miss important communications. We strongly advise you to acquire the daily habit of checking your seminary e-mail account. You may also choose to have your seminary email forwarded to another email address by setting up a rule in Google Apps Email, or have your Seminary Google Apps Email account fetch mail from your other address. For help in setting up and managing your e-mail account(s), please visit the IT Office.

  Official Communication Policy

• How do I check my seminary e-mail from off campus? (show | hide)
  

  Visit Google Apps - Email or GroupWise WebAccess. Login with your seminary username and password and you will have access to your email account.

• How do I set up wireless internet access on my laptop while I'm at CTS? (show | hide)
  

  For more information on setting up your wireless internet access on your personal laptop please follow these instructions.

  If you are having trouble setting up the wireless, please bring your laptop to the IT Office.

• Where is wireless internet available for seminary students? (show | hide)
  

  Wireless internet is available in the seminary student center, the seminary apartments, the Hekman Library, and several other buildings on campus.

• What are the tuition rates for the academic year? (show | hide)
  

  Visit the Tuition Rates & Fees page to view the rates approved by The Calvin Theological Seminary Board of Trustees for the current fiscal year.

• More Questions? (show | hide)
  

  Contact Seminary departments via the departmental directory.