By Brian Carolan, Dean of the School for Graduate Studies 

As a sociologist, I have a deep appreciation for the importance of rituals in structuring our social worlds, and helping us understand time, relationships, and change. August is a time of the year during which rituals have historically helped me adjust to the changes that accompany the start of a new school year. Though I no longer go shopping for school clothes or supplies with my mom, other important rituals mark the beginning of a new school year.  

In my role as dean of the School for Graduate Studies at SUNY Empire State College, I have developed a deep appreciation for how the college community uses rituals to mark transitions, re-invigorate social relationships, and ease the anxiety that often accompanies the start of a new school year.  For our new students, the ritual of orientation provides an opportunity to introduce those new to the school to the responsibilities that come with the role of being a SUNY Empire student.  It also provides an opportunity to recognize that this is a transition that one does not experience alone.  Rather, hundreds of others going through this very same experience will ultimately provide an important source of social support throughout your studies.   

For our continuing students, the start of the new school year allows you to reconnect with peers and faculty mentors, re-establishing the connections that facilitate success throughout your studies. The first few weeks of classes unfold in a ritualistic manner, providing opportunities to engage in small talk, inquire about friends and family, compare summer vacations, and make acquaintances with newer faces. This isn’t all that different from the excitement and uncertainty that you likely felt on the first day of sixth grade.   

August also marks an important ritual for faculty during which they prepare their courses by reflecting on what worked well in earlier iterations and what needs to be altered. This work may be done in relative isolation or in collaboration with a small group of others. Regardless, preparing one’s courses marks the end of one school year and the beginning of another. This ritual allows faculty to reflect and re-imagine what they do and how they do it.   

As we engage in these and other rituals in the run-up to the new school year, it is important that we also appreciate another purpose of rituals: they help us celebrate ourselves and each other.  The start of the school year, for example, signals a fresh start for some of you. A chance to do something different or do something even better.  It is also an opportunity to celebrate that you are one term closer to degree completion.  Finally, the start of the school year provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate everyone who helped you get to this point: mentors, family members, peers, etc. We are in this together.   

Best wishes for a successful school year. I look forward to one day celebrating you at another important end-of-the-year ritual: graduation.