Hello, Lafayette Leopards,
I hope your summer experiences have been what you expected and that you are ready to ease into the academic year at Lafayette. I hope you have success as you begin the academic year.
For those I have not yet met, I am Dr. Walter Snipes, and I serve as dean of students at Lafayette College. On behalf of the Division of Student Life, we look forward to co-creating a community of learning and thriving with you.
This email represents one of several correspondences I will send throughout the academic year. Please review it in its entirety.
For the exciting part:
Welcome, Class of 2030 and incoming transfer students!
Make sure you are up to date on the requirements as provided in First Things First.
Review all Orientation-related information.
Complete your required modules.
Welcome back, Classes of 2029, 2028, and 2027!
If you have not already done so, review the important arrival information from Residence Life. The Residence Life web page will provide you with the necessary information you need for moving into your residential spaces.
Email reslife@lafayette.edu with any housing-related questions.
As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, here are the necessary action steps and important information for all students to be aware of as you prepare to arrive on campus.
Update your emergency contact and cellphone numbers before Aug. 24
Please update your contact information, including your cellphone number, in your Banner accounts.
Please update your emergency contact information by following these steps:
Log in to https://selfservice.lafayette.edu/, click “Personal Information,” log in with your Lafayette credentials, scroll to “Emergency Contact,” and select “Add New.”
In the case of emergencies, your emergency contact is the person the College will typically contact first. For most students, the emergency contact will be your parent or guardian. The emergency contact should be someone outside of the College community.
The following resources are available to assist you throughout the academic year for various needs. Please review these options (the names link directly to the resource):
Make sure you check out the Lafayette Dining information. This is a great resource to know what meal options are available.
We are currently updating the Student Handbook to incorporate these changes, outline key university policies, and clarify expectations to support your academic and personal success. Once the updates are complete, we’ll follow up in a separate email with a direct link and everything you need to review the document.
Lafayette College looks to empower you to make informed financial decisions. As such, we share this financial education resource as you start the academic year.
There are increasing incidents where scammers will impersonate people, groups, or organizations you know in an effort to deceive you. They want you to reveal personal information or send them resources.
Please be vigilant about emails or texts you receive that request information or money. Here is a resource from ITS about phishing and other fraudulent email practices.
You must have a parking permit to park your vehicle on campus. Contact Public Safety for your parking-related questions.
We are excited about the following events that will take place when you return to campus.
Welcome Week. We know you will see a lot this week. Visit your OurCampus page for more information.
Women’s and men’s soccer games: Let’s cheer on our fellow Leopards as they compete in the upcoming games.
Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) recruitment activities. We are excited for the new members who will join our phenomenal organizations.
Finally
We look forward to welcoming you home as we enter the 2026-27 academic year. We all wish you much success as you have an amazing year.
Respectfully,
Dean Snipes