The Convocation: An E-Newsletter for Parents and Families
Archived: February 2007
Archived: October 2006
Archived: August 2006
The Convocation
August 2006
In this issue:
Academic Services Announces The Parent Book Club!
Advice for Parents, From Parents
A Brief Overview of UMW’s Curriculum
A Welcome from the Parents Council
Policy of the Quarter: Course Changes
Spotlight On: Dr. Leanna Giancarlo, professor and advisor
How to Survive Freshman Year…As a Parent!
The Parents’ Academic Brochure: How it can help you find out what’s going on in your student’s life
Welcome to the COnvocation
The Office of Academic Services is happy to announce the creation of a newsletter expressly for parents of University of Mary Washington students! According to the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center’s web site (http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/info/faqs/animals/names.htm#birds) and Merriam-Webster Online (http://www.m-w.com/), the word “convocation” means two things of great significance to a member of the UMW family. Firstly, a convocation is how one refers to a group of eagles (similar to a herd of cattle), which is what we here at Mary Washington refer to ourselves as. Secondly, “convocation” is the act of convoking, which is to call together. Therefore the purpose of this newsletter is to call together the UMW parent Eagles and share information.
It is our hope that this quarterly newsletter will provide a way for parents to learn more about our office and the academic side of college, and help you keep in touch with what’s going on on the Fredericksburg campus. We’ll discuss important dates, talk about policies that affect your Eagle, and highlight some of the offices your student should be interacting with. We’ll also discuss the pitfalls and perils (and joys!) of the transitional process, for both parents and students, of being in college. We hope that you enjoy this newsletter and get good use out of it! If you have any ideas for articles or issues that you think the UMW parent community could benefit from, please let us know!
Academic Services would like to thank the Office of Annual Giving for their support in this endeavor and recognize especially the contributions of Naomi Crown, Lee Ann Reaser, Sara Solomon, and Jane Cariker. If you are interested in learning more about how to make a gift to the University of Mary Washington, please go to http://www.umw.edu/gift/.
Academic Services Announces The Parent Book Club!
Life-long learning is important to all of us, and can provide knowledge that will lend confidence and security to an unknown situation. In order to aid you in your effort to be informed about your student’s educational process and development, we have created a parent book club. Each quarter we will introduce a book that will help you be in the know about what’s going on in higher education, the types of experiences your student may be having, and what types of reactions parents have and ways in which to better deal with them. Not only is your student growing and changing, but your life and your family’s life is changing as well!
We will be reading four books during the calendar year, each of which will be related to topics in the newsletter and will also be relevant to what’s happening at UMW at that time of the school year. The books will be announced individually in each issue of The Convocation. We certainly don’t require parents to read all four books or one in particular, but we hope that you will participate to the best of your ability! We will kick off our book club by reading ‘Letting Go: A Parents’ Guide to Understanding the College Years (4th ed.)’ by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger. The book is available in the UMW book store as well as Simpson Library. (Should the citation be necessary it’s: Coburn, K. L., & Treeger, M. L. (2003). Letting go: A parents' guide to understanding the college years (4th ed.). New York: Harper Collins.)
Feedback from members of the Parents Council who have read this book has been great! This is what Amazon.com has to say about ‘Letting Go’:
Letting Go is about what it feels like for parents when their kids go off to college. Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger provide a compassionate approach, practical information, and advice about the physical and emotional processes of letting go. They discuss the college-age child's search for identity, independence, and intimacy; give a succinct and accurate description of how college life has changed over the decades; and provide a year-by-year breakdown of what to expect. Plus, you can read about typical and not-so-typical problems including date rape, crime, eating disorders, drug and alcohol use, and sexual issues. Of special note is the focus on orientation and the freshman year, including the disorientation parents feel once the drop-off has been made.
-John Brooks Slaughter, President, Occidental College
So that you may share your thoughts, insights, and questions about the book being read, we have a website that includes a blog, where announcements and information will be posted, and an on-line discussion forum which you may log onto whenever you’d like to talk about what you’ve read. Once a quarter we will have a scheduled moderator on-line who is an expert in his or her field and can answer questions and engage in discussion on the book’s topic. You can find a link to this website from Academic Services’ Parents page, or you may go to www.umwparentsbookclub.net to take a look! If you’re not quite sure how to interact with this technology, don’t worry! There are instructions on both the blog page and the discussion forum.
To celebrate the inaugural book of the Parents Book Club, we will meet during Family Weekend to discuss the book and chat with Dr. Christina Yoshimura. Dr. Yoshimura has been studying family communication for the past eight years, and has been published in academic journals and books relating to topics such as how couples can maintain positive relationships together, how to negotiate relationships with in-laws, and how to manage the tension between work-life and family-life. She has also done research specifically on the relationship between parents and children, with a focus on how these relationships are managed when children begin attending college. She currently teaches at the University of Montana, where she continues to research and learn from hundreds of college students a year.
Dr. Yoshimura will be speaking at Family Weekend in Combs 139 at 2 pm on Saturday, September 30. Please check http://www.umw.edu/cas/familyweekend/default.php for a Family Weekend schedule! Dr. Yoshimura will also be on-line facilitating discussion and answering questions on our discussion forum October 3 and 4, 2006 from 8:00 to 9:00 pm EST.
The Freshman Advising Program
The University of Mary Washington prides itself on providing personal attention to its students. One of the many examples of these efforts is the Freshman Advising Program, operated by the Office of Academic Services.
This program was created in 2005 to provide an in depth framework for freshman advising through meetings with the advisor in a group setting to both disseminate important information and establish the Freshman Advisor as a personal connection to the “institution”. Students should take advantage of the opportunity and make appointments with the advisors on a one-on-one basis. Some of last year’s freshmen wrote letters to this year’s incoming class. In one of the letters a student wrote, “I enjoyed the one-on-one time with my advisor.” Other students asked to make more mandatory one-on-one meetings. Many freshmen don’t realize that all UMW faculty have office hours when students can drop in for course related conversations as well as for advising. Faculty often report that they spend time alone during office hours and they would prefer seeing students during that time.
Here’s what some of last year’s students wanted to tell this year’s incoming freshman class:
“It was exciting to discover that classes I was required to take and those that I never thought I would be interested in actually turned out to be some of my favorites.”
“I have become more independent and secure in who I am.”
“Biggest mistake: not establishing a more personal relationship with my professors during the fall semester. Biggest success: figuring out that I needed to fix that.”
“For me the biggest issue was time management. You think you have all this free time on your schedule and things tend to sneak up on you.”
Freshmen receive a Freshman Advising Portfolio during their first group meeting. It includes a notebook, a CD, and a publication about wellness. The CD contains many letters from last year’s freshmen to this year’s incoming class. The CD also contains a spreadsheet that students will use to develop an individual degree plan. It can be modified as necessary and is useful in planning the entire bachelor’s degree. Student’s can send a copy to the advisor for review…and can even send a copy home to you so that you can see your child’s academic map to graduation. The Freshman Advising Portfolio contains sections for each group advising meeting throughout the year. It is also a place for each student to store important advising materials, class schedules, time planners, referral sheets and notes. The Portfolio also includes the publication, U.MaxWell: A survival guide for first year…and beyond that is provided by UMW’s Psychological Services department.
The Parents’ Academic Brochure http://www.umw.edu/cas/acservices/parents/documents/ParentBrochure06.pdf discusses the Freshman Advising Program and details topics that will be covered in each of the six sessions. If you would like more information about the program you may contact the Assistant Dean of Academic Services, Dr. Jessamy Hoffmann.
Advice for Parents, From Parents
"While we were tempted to call our son every day to see how he was doing, we felt it was important to give him some time and space to adjust. We talked a good amount, just not every day. We also felt it was important to come to Family Weekend, especially that first year. There were a lot of fun activities and by mid September he was into the swing of his college life. That was also our first visit back since moving him into his dorm."
-Harrison and Margy Pittman, former co-chairs of the Parents Council
A Brief Overview of UMW’s Curriculum
A student’s course of study at UMW involves meeting eight goals and fulfilling certain other requirements. This curriculum is in place to ensure an education that provides the breadth and depth necessary to maintain the spirit of the liberal arts. The University’s publications announce that “The University of Mary Washington endeavors to ensure that its graduates are well-rounded individuals with a breadth of knowledge and skills that they can apply to both their professional and personal lives. It is not simply the content that is valuable in exploring different disciplines (though that is certainly very important), but the way in which students learn to approach new and different kinds of information, analyze and interpret it, and proceed to apply that process to other circumstances. The purpose of a liberal arts education is to engage students and to make them independent thinkers.” (Freshman Academic Planning Guide, http://www.umw.edu/publications/apg_fburg_freshman/liberal_arts/default.php)
Information about the different requirements can be found in several places, including the Academic Planning Guide and the Dictionary of Academic Regulations. The requirements are four-fold and are outlined below in an attempt to make the curriculum understandable at a glance, with a minimum of words.
- Goals – there are eight goals for which a student must meet the published requirements.
- Writing ability
- Mathematical reasoning
- Appreciation of scientific contributions
- Understanding of human culture
- Understanding of Western civilization
- Understanding of the forces shaping human behavior
- Intermediate level competency in a foreign language
- Physical fitness
- Across the Curriculum requirements – this requirement is designed to enhance a student’s course choice. While not speaking to the fulfillment of an overarching goal, these courses enhance the curriculum because they highlight areas in which a citizen needs to be knowledgeable and proficient.
- Writing intensive
- Global awareness
- Speaking intensive
- Race/gender intensive
- Environmental awareness
- Major requirements – these will vary with each major. Requirements are published in the course catalog.
- Information and technology proficiency – this is accomplished in a student’s first year by studying for and taking proficiency quizzes. More information can be found in the Dictionary of Academic Regulations.
For more information please see the Dictionary of Academic Regulations at http://www.umw.edu/publications/dictionary_ar_fburg/default.php, the Academic Planning Guide at http://www.umw.edu/publications/apg_fburg_freshman/default.php, and the catalog at http://www.umw.edu/publications/catalog_cas_mwc/default.php.
A Welcome from the Parents Council
Dear UMW parents,
When our son, Mark, graduated from the University of Mary Washington in May 2005, and enrolled in law school we could not have been more proud. Those events were enhanced by our daughter, Margaret, beginning her freshman year at Mary Washington. We are now going to have eight consecutive years as Mary Washington parents! We are thrilled that our children’s experiences on campus have exceeded all expectations.
We have found that being actively involved at Mary Washington is a fulfilling way to remain a part of our children's university education. We have enjoyed meeting many other parents, faculty, and staff on this wonderful campus, many through events sponsored by the Parents Council.
The Parents Council is a diverse group of active Mary Washington parents who assist in significant ways as the University strives to meet the educational and developmental needs of its students and parents' needs for involvement, information, and support. Council events are held on campus as well as across the United States, and include participating in fall and spring parent phonathons, attending on-campus or out-of-state college recruitment fairs held at regional high schools, and providing internship and job vacancy information to the University's Office of Career Services.
It was an easy decision for us to agree to be the co-chairs of the Parents Council and remain actively involved with the University as Margaret continues her time here as a student. That is why we want you, parents of a student at UMW, to experience for yourself, as we have, more of the things Mary Washington can offer. It is easy to do-- simply become involved at the University!
Joining the Parents Council is just one of the many ways you can be involved at Mary Washington, and we encourage all parents to consider some of the following ways to actively participate in your student's experience at Mary Washington.
- Join the Parent Book Club sponsored by Academic Services.
- Sponsor an internship for a student.
- Come back to campus during Family Weekend.
- Attend some of the University's wonderful cultural programs like the Fredericksburg Forum and the Multicultural Fair.
- Send your student a "survival kit" or special occasion cake during exam time, birthdays and holidays. Cakes are available for delivery during the school year through the Fredericksburg Chapter of the Alumni Association and proceeds support scholarships.
We can assure you that participating at Mary Washington is a wonderful and fulfilling experience, and a meaningful way to share your student's educational experience at Mary Washington. We wish you and your student a successful and fulfilling academic year!
We hope to meet you soon at the next University event!
Charles and Karen Graybeal, 2006-07 Parents Council Chairs
Important Dates
Drop/Add begins – August 21, 2006
Residence halls open for new students – August 23, 2006
Residence halls open for returning students – August 26, 2006
Classes begin – August 28, 2006
Last day to add a course – September 1, 2006
Last day to drop a course – September 15, 2006
Family Weekend – September 29-October 1, 2006
Last day to change grading option – October 6, 2006
Homecoming – October 6-October 7, 2006
Fall break – October 14-October 17, 2006
Advising Period – October 18-27, 2006
Last day to withdraw from a course – October 27, 2006
Spring registration begins – October 30, 2006
For more dates, see the Academic Calendar at http://www.umw.edu/calendar/cas_mwc/default.php.
Who is Academic Services?
The Office of Academic Services is composed of two different offices. While each one handles specific issues and programs, both are in place to help students enhance their educational experience here at UMW and to graduate successfully.
The main office is composed of six people. This office works with students to keep them on the right track and helps them address any academic difficulties. Requests for special permissions come through this office, such as taking a course out of sequence or waiving a prerequisite. The Freshman Advising Program is housed in Academic Services. Students facing probation or suspension come here for advice and to learn how to improve their situation. The office also administers the tutoring and study skills programs. The main phone number is 540-654-1010. They are located in George Washington Hall 203. Staff include:
Mrs. Charlotte Corbett-Parker – Program Support - Mrs. Parker is the wonderfully knowledgeable person who keeps the office running smoothly. She is the friendly voice you hear when you call the main number. She also works with the tutors and registers people for study skills.
Ms. Leah Cox – Assistant Dean of Academic Services and Director of the James Farmer Scholars Program - Ms. Cox works with student requests but also spends part of her time working with students of color, the Summer Transition Program, and the James Farmer Scholars, a group of middle and high school aged minority students.
Mrs. Elizabeth Foster – Freshman Advising Coordinator – Mrs. Foster helps to plan Preview, keeps the Freshman Advising Program running, and keeps our office on the cutting edge of technology.
Mrs. Patsy Hockaday – Office Manager - Mrs. Hockaday is a Banner guru, handles major declarations, and works with budgets and accounts.
Dr. Jessamy Hoffmann – Assistant Dean of Academic Services - Dr. Hoffmann works with the daily business of Academic Services, runs the tutoring and study skills programs, and is the office’s designated liaison with parents.
Dr. JoAnn Schrass – Associate Dean of Academic Services - Dr. Schrass is the Academic Services supervisor, works with students placing requests, and heads up the Freshman Advising Program.
The Office of International Academic Services is the second office under the general Academic Services umbrella. This office not only works with international students and faculty entering the country to come to UMW, they also work with UMW students who are interested in studying abroad. The main phone number is 540-654-1870. They are located in George Washington Hall 203. Staff include:
Mr. Chris Musick – Director of International Academic Services - Mr. Musick does much of the visa work involved in travel abroad. He also develops new programs and partnerships with foreign institutions so that students have a variety of options to choose from.
Mrs. Helen Rattigan – Office Services Assistant - Mrs. Rattigan meets with students interested in learning more about study abroad. She also processes application paperwork and runs workshops for students who are in the process of applying to travel.
Policy of the Quarter: Course Changes
Students are responsible for their own schedules! That’s the first thing to keep in mind should a change be necessary. Students should never rely on the instructor to drop them from a course! If students want to add a course, drop a course, change a grading option, or withdraw from a course, they must keep the Academic Calendar in mind. It can be found at http://www.umw.edu/calendar/cas_mwc/default.php. It’s a good idea to print a copy of the calendar and keep it somewhere visible, such as a planner or a bulletin board. All course changes must be made before the deadlines on the Academic Calendar!
Once a student has made a change, it’s imperative that he print a copy of his schedule from Banner! (Double check to make sure that all pages of the schedule are in hand.) If this schedule reflects the change he thinks he made, then the schedule acts as verification that all is well. If the change is not showing up on the schedule, something didn’t work right and the student should contact Academic Services and/or the Registrar’s Office immediately.
Students should also take full advantage of the advice and experience of their advisors. The advisors have access to some of the records on Banner that can help in the decision-making process. Students can also access Banner to do a degree audit. This is a function that applies a student’s credit to the graduation requirements and shows him what he has fulfilled and what he has left to fulfill. Students can also use this feature to do a “what if analysis”. This lets a student choose any major he might be interested in and shows him which courses he’s already taken that will fulfill major requirements and which requirements he has yet to meet.
Deadline for course changes – These dates are printed in the academic calendar which is available on-line at: http://www.umw.edu/calendar/cas_mwc/default.php. Roughly they are:
Add courses: first week of class
Change courses to or from pass/fail: first six weeks of class
Change sections of a course: first week of class (to change from one section of a course to another section, a student must drop the section for which he or she is registered and add the new section)
Drop courses without consultation with the instructor (no grade recorded): first three weeks of class
Withdraw from individual courses while continuing enrollment in other courses: after the first three weeks of class but within 11 class days after mid-semester progress reports are due. No course may be withdrawn from after above deadline during the last several weeks of class.
Withdraw from ALL courses: This constitutes voluntary withdrawal from the University. The deadline is the last day of classes during the fall and spring semesters. Students wishing to withdraw from the University must contact the Office of the Registrar.
Approval for course changes - During the Drop and Add periods, students may make changes in their course schedules without written permission from their advisors. After the first three weeks of the semester, withdrawal from a course requires written approval from the advisor. Students living in campus housing are expected to maintain a course load of at least 12 credits. The Office of Academic Services and the Office of the Dean of Students must approve exceptions to this policy in writing.
From the Dictionary of Academic Regulations, http://www.umw.edu/publications/dictionary_ar_fburg/az/c/course_changes.php
Spotlight On: Dr. Leanna Giancarlo, professor and advisor
The Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary defines college as “an independent institution of higher learning offering a course of general studies leading to a bachelor's degree.”1 This definition says a lot but, at the same time, says nothing at all regarding what your son or daughter is about to undertake.
College is a place for “learning,” but much of the learning will not come from lectures and textbooks. Learning to grow, as a person, a citizen, a leader—becoming an adult—is as much a part of college as preparation for a future career. While there are many opportunities for this learning, academically the first time your son or daughter will start on that road to adulthood and independence is with the return of the first graded assignment.
Presently, your son or daughter is entering Mary Washington with four years of outstanding grades and achievements behind him or her. College is very different from high school; here, there is more freedom, more time, more choices, and here many will see their first C or D or worse. This is very difficult to deal with. If all of the entering freshmen are A students, the A now becomes the average (a C). Support your son or daughter if or when this happens. Don’t defend him or her and don’t criticize either. Use the poor grade as a learning experience: How did you study? How well did you sleep and/or eat? How did you manage your time before and during the test? Do you really enjoy the subject? Help your child to make good choices.
My younger sister ended her first semester biology course (needed for the nursing major) with a D+. She had been a B student in high school, and this was quite a shock. The D+ would not permit her to pursue her degree. Were my parents pleased? Of course not. Did they involve themselves in rectifying the situation? Yes, to the extent that she was pointed toward other options besides nursing and told, if nursing really was her dream, keep it up. My sister made the decision to continue with her second semester coursework and repeat the course over the summer. Four years later, she was selected by her nursing peers to give the speech at their pinning ceremony during the graduation festivities. The C or D or F isn’t a mark of failure; it’s a chance to grow and learn.
1. http://www.m-w.com/ [accessed 7/17/06]
Leanna C. Giancarlo is an Associate Professor of Chemistry. Dr. Giancarlo has a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Scranton and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in Physical Chemistry. Since 1999, she has been teaching subjects like General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, History of Science, Instrumental Analysis and Chemistry Seminar at the University of Mary Washington. She has been a pre-major and major advisor since 2000 and a first year advisor since 2005.
How to Survive Freshman Year…As a Parent!
Well, the time is finally here. After SATs, applications, campus tours, sleepless nights figuring out expenses, and those unforgettable “mailbox jitters,” your son or daughter is starting college. Once upon a time, perhaps it seemed like it would never come together…and now, all of a sudden, s/he’s packing!
Letting go is never easy, and offering support to your student during this transition can be complex and challenging. Parents and students alike are excited, but also a bit apprehensive.
“Will she get along with her roommate?”
“How will he handle his studies…not to mention his money and laundry?”
“She’s a bit shy…I want her to find friends and get involved!”
“It will seem so strange not to have him and all his friends around the house!”
“She’s fine…I’m the one who’s a wreck!”
College catapults your student into young adulthood…a time of intense exploration and growth, intellectually, personally, and emotionally. It will forever change your relationship and your family. It’s natural to feel confused, nervous, and a little sad, as well as proud and excited. You and your student have been working toward this goal for some time, and while college represents an ending of sorts, it is also a new beginning. Here are some tips to help everyone survive and thrive:
Acknowledge the challenges involved.
College is a great opportunity, but it can also be lonely, scary, and overwhelming, especially at first. Your student will face tough new academic, social, and personal demands. Whether it shows on the outside or not, ALL first year students feel out of place…and many will protest that everybody else fits in and already has loads of friends (not true). Listen, accept, and normalize their feelings. Support involvement in activities, clubs, athletics, and community service.
Don’t say “these are the best years of your life”!
There is a name for folks who say this…they’re called graduates! Oh, the pressure…am I having fun yet? It’s easy to forget the uncertainty and stress of college when you reminisce about your own (past) experience or while you juggle the multiple demands of your own busy life. Your student may one day share your nostalgic memories of college life but it’s unlikely to happen during the first semester!
Keep your expectations realistic.
Your honor roll student may earn Cs. Your “extrovert” may complain of homesickness. Bank accounts will be overdrawn and phone bills will mount up. Discuss expectations BEFORE leaving home…and expect some glitches.
Life 101
Help your student come to college with basic life skills: how to budget and use credit, how to clean his/her room and bath, and how to do laundry without turning underwear pink! He/she should also be familiar with simple food preparation and good health, wellness, and safety habits.
Life 102
Talk with your student about alcohol, drugs, sexual values and behavior, and healthy relationships with roommates, friends, and romantic partners. Even if you and your student hold different views, your support and understanding of the issues that today’s college students face are valuable and will be appreciated.
Stay in touch!
Write, even if they don’t write back. Care packages (toiletries, healthy snacks, etc.) are always welcome! Be available, listen, be open and interested, but hold advice until it’s asked for and don’t be too inquisitive. What you intend as interest may be perceived as “control” and “lack of trust” by insecure first-year students!
Know when to visit (call first!)…and when to leave!
On move-in day, help your student get settled in, say goodbye…and GO. Lingering makes separation harder for everyone. Visit on Family Weekend if you can. Your student will be more at home by then and will likely be eager to introduce you to new friends, activities and hang-outs.
Expect the unexpected.
Students returning home from college can confound the most tolerant parent. They may insist on testing limits and exercising new found independence, while still expecting the privileges of childhood. Talk about expectations and schedules. Remember, your student will be eager to see friends as well as spend time with family. Don’t schedule activities for him or her without prior discussion.
Take care of yourself and your relationships.
College represents a myriad of stresses for parents, too. Letting go is as difficult as leaving the nest. Attend to health, rest, nutrition, exercise, and relationships. Just as your student is exploring new experiences, consider new roles and activities for yourself.
Recommended Reading:
Letting Go: A Parents’ Guide to Understanding the College Years (4th.ed). Coburn and Treeger. New York: HarperCollins, 2003.
(From the Psychological Service Center’s website, http://www.umw.edu/cas/psychservices/resources/how_to_survive_freshman_ye4.php)
The Parents’ Academic Brochure: How it can help you find out what’s going on in your student’s life
At the Parents Sessions at Preview this summer, several panel members discussed the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, which limits the amount of information the University can share about its students who are age 18 or older. (For more information see pages 11-12 of the Parents’ Academic Brochure or the policy listed on the Office of the Registrar's web site.) Some parents expressed concern about this limited amount of information and wanted to know more about the Release of Information (ROI) forms the panel members mentioned. These forms are what FERPA requires a student to sign in order for UMW offices to be able to discuss the student specifically with a parent.
While UMW and its representatives are bound by FERPA and must stress that the signing of an ROI form is the student’s decision, we urge parents to maintain an open and honest line of communication with their students. No law prevents your student from sharing his or her experiences with you! In an attempt to make some of these discussions easier, we have provided a check list of conversation starters in the 2006-2007 Parents’ Academic Brochure. The Brochure is full of good information about academic policy and procedure, special services available to students, and the Freshman Advising Program. We recommend that you read either the hard copy or the on-line version (http://www.umw.edu/cas/acservices/parents/documents/ParentBrochure06.pdf).
Throughout the Brochure there are text boxes that contain tips about things to discuss with your student. Once you’ve talked about the item, you can check it off the list. Relevant to the beginning of school are the following conversation starters. (For a complete list, please see pages 35-38 of the Brochure.)
We have shared our college/life experiences with our student and allowed him/her to ask questions.________
We have checked to make sure that our student has contacted his/her advisor, and s/he understands that his/her advisor is the first point of contact in making sure s/he is on the right track to graduation.________
We have spoken with our student and confirmed that s/he attended his/her first meeting with the Freshman Advisor. We have asked him/her if s/he would like to discuss what they covered.________
We have reviewed the University Calendar with our student and have encouraged him/her to keep track of important dates in his/her own calendar or personal organizer.________
We have reviewed the University Catalog and Dictionary of Academic Regulations with our student and have reinforced the importance of knowing and following the policies and codes of conduct.________