new family guide 1
table of contents 2
adjusting to campus life
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support
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hatʼs different: w high school vs. college
10 other important information and contacts
welcome to the firebird family! When a student leaves home for college, parents and families experience a mix of pride and anxiety about what lies ahead. Will their student’s college journey meet the family’s hopes and expectations?
To help ease this transition, this guide highlights key differences between high school and college, and provides valuable information about clubs, organizations, and campus resources that can enhance your student's college experience.
At Carthage, your student is the heart of our mission. We warmly welcome your family into the Firebird community. All of us — staff, faculty, administration, alumni, and parents — have a role to play in helping students become the people they’re meant to be. We’re honored that you have entrusted your child to us during this important part of their life, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
We look forward to celebrating their achievements and contributions to the Carthage community. Sincerely, Adam Koenig Executive Director of the Student Experience
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adjusting to campus life getting acclimated As your student transitions to campus life, participating in New Student Orientation activities is crucial for their success. These programs help new students acclimate to their new environment, build connections, and become familiar with available resources, significantly boosting their confidence and ability to navigate the early days on campus. Orientation provides: • An introduction to campus: Guided tours and information sessions help students learn to navigate their new environment. • An introduction to campus resources: Students learn about essential services such as the Health and Counseling Center, tutoring, and academic advising. • Social connections: Students meet peers, upperclassmen, faculty, and staff helping to build a supportive network from the start. • Academic preparation: Workshops and sessions provide insights into college-level expectations and study habits.
• Plan visits in advance. Are you planning to come for Homecoming and Family Weekend? Great! Let your student know which activities you would like to sign up for, and let them pick a restaurant for dinner on Saturday night. Be mindful of major tests or papers around this time, as classes are still in session. Itʼs nice to schedule a visit when your student has no deadlines or commitments. Always ask your student for the best time to visit. • Discuss home visits. Your student will become accustomed to late hours and less frequent check-ins. Be upfront about your expectations and collaborate with your student on new house rules that balance parental authority with your student's growing independence. • Give students space to talk. Avoid overwhelming your student with too many questions at once. Pointed or overly specific questions can make students feel undue pressure.
questions students don’t mind answering How has your experience been so far?
We strongly encourage full participation in orientation activities to set a solid foundation for college.
Is it what you expected?
staying in touch
What kinds of activities have you participated in?
During students' first days and weeks on campus, parents often struggle to balance giving their students space and staying involved. Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy balance: • Feeling the urge to talk? Text instead. By using text messaging, email, or IM apps to check in, your student will have more freedom to communicate with you between classes and during the social rhythm of campus life. • Set clear communication expectations. Establish a communication routine that works for both you and your student. Plan to talk on the phone once or twice weekly, or ask your child to notify you before leaving for a trip or a weekend visit with friends. Parents of commuter students should recognize that their student’s comings and goings will look very different from high school — many campus events don’t start until after 9 p.m. • Send a care package. Students love getting mail. It is a reminder that there is a world outside of classes, studying, and club meetings. Packages do not need to be huge boxes that are difficult to carry across campus. Simple items like a letter from home, some pictures, or favorite snacks are perfect reminders of your love and support.
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How are you spending time outside of class? What interesting people have you met? Keep questions open.
staying engaged Your studentʼs first days on campus are filled with orientation events designed to provide important campus information and foster connections with other new students. Once classes begin, it will be up to your student to take advantage of campus activities. Families play a key role in supporting students’ emotional well-being. Encourage your student to step out of their comfort zone and engage with various campus organizations and activities during the first semester. Students who actively engage tend to perform better academically and report lower rates of homesickness and anxiety.
carthage kickoff days Carthage Kickoff Days start the first week of classes and continue through Homecoming and Family Weekend. Designed for both new and returning students, these special events offer opportunities to build relationships with upperclassmen, faculty, and staff, helping new students quickly acclimate to campus life and establish a network of support for overcoming challenges. Events include: • Bristol Renaissance Faire • Campus Carnival • Interfaith and chapel activities • Intramural tournaments • Milwaukee Brewers game • Pizza-Palooza • And many more!
clubs and organizations Carthage has more than 130 student clubs and organizations through which students can get involved, explore possible careers, meet other students, and work closely with faculty advisors. Your student can learn more about these groups at the Involvement Fair held during the first weeks of the academic year. Carthage offers: • Social fraternities and sororities • Campus media, including a literary magazine and film club • Department clubs for students who share a major • Professional organizations to give students a head start • Performance groups • Religious and service organizations • General interest clubs, from curling to ultimate frisbee
has your student been awarded a federal work-study grant? All campus jobs can qualify for Federal Work-Study, and some campus employers only hire Federal Work-Study-eligible students. (This will be noted in the job description.) Students can find and apply for all employment opportunities through Handshake via their OneLogin dashboard.
volunteering Carthage’s mission statement is Seeking Truth, Building Strength, Inspiring Service — Together. As part of that mission, Carthage strongly supports and encourages students to volunteer. Many campus departments regularly support opportunities for students to serve our communities in southeastern Wisconsin. Students can find service opportunities through student organizations, fraternities and sororities, internships, and service-learning in the classroom. They may choose to volunteer at any Carthage service projects or on their own through partnerships with local service agencies.
voting and civic engagement Carthage encourages students to engage in the electoral process. Often, the campus serves as a polling station, making voting convenient for students. When polling stations are located off campus, shuttle service to polling stations is available during voting hours. Your student can learn how to register in Wisconsin at myvote.wi.gov. If your student needs a voter ID, a valid ID card can be obtained for free from the Office of Student Life. If your student chooses to cast their ballot in their home state, they can visit vote.gov to learn how to register to vote in that state.
on-campus jobs Student employees are a vital part of Carthage, with positions ranging from customer service and event planning to marketing and administrative support. These roles help students develop transferable skills for their future careers and life experiences. While parents may worry that working during the first semester might impact academics and other commitments, campus employers are highly flexible with student schedules. Students can work as few as five hours per week or as many as 20 hours per week, allowing them to find a campus job that fits their schedule.
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high school vs. college: whatʼs different? how is college different from high school? The transition from high school to college can be a significant adjustment for both students and families. College brings different resources, new information, and a greater level of student independence. Below, we have listed typical contrasts between high school and college that can affect parents and families.
family involvement
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high school
college
Parents and families often know their studentʼs daily schedule and activities.
Students have more autonomy and varied schedules. It is up to the student how much or little they share with their parents and families.
The school frequently holds parent-teacher conferences and provides regular updates.
Limited direct communication between the school and parents and families. Students control the level of access parents and families have to grades, finances, and conduct files through their FERPA and privacy preferences.
Parents and families can easily monitor grades and progress.
Students are responsible for tracking their own progress, and may grant access to others.
Parents and families are notified of absences.
Students manage their own attendance without notifications.
Parents and families often attend and support extracurriculars.
Students participate independently in college activities. Students can share information about events that are open to the public, such as sports competitions, performances, and lectures.
Parents and families offer hands-on involvement and guidance.
Parents and families take on an advisory role, with less day-to-day involvement.
Parents and families usually cover most expenses.
Students often handle finances, sometimes with parental support.
Parents and families arrange and manage health appointments.
Students use campus health services and manage their own care.
Parents and families play a major role in decisions.
Students make most decisions independently.
Family is the primary support system.
Students develop new support systems, including friends, faculty, and campus resources.
Students follow household rules and school policies.
Students follow college policies but have more personal freedom.
personal freedom high school
college
High school is mandatory and free (unless you choose other options).
College is voluntary and comes with a cost, even after financial aid is applied.
Others usually structure student time.
Students manage their own time.
Students need permission to participate in extracurricular activities.
Students decide whether to participate in extracurricular activities.
Students need money for special purchases or events.
Students need money to meet their basic necessities.
Students often rely on parents and teachers to remind them of their responsibilities and to guide them in setting priorities.
Students will be faced with many moral and ethical decisions they have not had to face previously. Students must balance their responsibilities and set priorities.
Students are usually told what their responsibilities are and corrected if their behavior is out of line.
Students are treated as independent adults and are expected to take responsibility for what they do and donʼt do — accepting the consequences of their decisions.
classes high school
college
Each day, students move from one class directly to another.
Students often have hours between classes; class times vary throughout the day and evening.
Students spend six hours each day — 30 hours a week — in class.
Students spend 12 to 16 hours each week in class.
The school year is 36 weeks long; some classes extend over both semesters, and some do not.
The academic year is divided into two separate 15-week semesters, plus a J-Term that students will participate in a minimum of two times.
Most class schedules are made on behalf of students.
Students arrange their own schedules in consultation with their academic advisors. Schedules tend to look lighter than they really are.
Teachers carefully monitor class attendance.
Professors may not formally take attendance, but they will likely know if your student attended.
Students are provided with textbooks at little or no expense.
Students need to budget funds for textbooks. At Carthage, all full-time students pay a flat fee per semester for their required textbooks and course materials.
Students are not responsible for knowing what it takes to graduate.
Graduation requirements are complex and differ for various majors and catalog years. Students are expected to know how the requirements apply to them.
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teachers/professors high school
college
Teachers check that students complete homework.
Professors may not always check completed homework, but they will assume students can perform the same tasks on tests.
Teachers remind students of their incomplete work.
Professors may not always remind students of incomplete work.
Teachers approach students if they believe students need assistance.
Professors are usually open and helpful, but most expect students to initiate contact if they need assistance.
Teachers are often available for conversations before, during, or after class.
Professors expect and want students to attend their scheduled office hours.
Teachers have been trained in teaching methods to assist in imparting knowledge to students.
Professors have been trained as experts in their particular areas of research and study.
Teachers provide students with information missed when students are absent.
Professors expect students to get any notes from classmates from a missed class.
Teachers present material to help students understand the material in the textbook.
Professors may not follow the textbook. Instead, to amplify the text, they may give illustrations, provide background information, or discuss research about the topic students are studying. Or they may expect the student to relate the classes to the textbook readings.
Teachers often write information on the board to be copied into student notes.
Professors may lecture nonstop, expecting students to identify the critical points in their notes. When professors write on the board, it may be to amplify the lecture, not to summarize it. Taking good notes is a must.
Teachers take time to remind students of assignments and due dates.
Professors expect students to read, save, and consult the course syllabus (outline); the syllabus spells out exactly what is expected of students, when it is due, and how students will be graded.
studying
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high school
college
Students may study outside class for up to 2 hours a week, primarily for last-minute test preparation.
Students may need to study at least 2 to 3 hours outside of class for each hour in class.
Students often need to read or hear presentations only once to learn all they need to learn about the material.
Students need to review class notes and text material regularly.
Students are expected to read short assignments that are then discussed and often retaught in class.
Students are assigned substantial reading and writing, which may or may not be directly addressed in class.
Students are usually told in class what they need to learn from assigned readings.
It is up to the student to read and understand the assigned material; lectures and assignments proceed from the assumption that students have comprehended the material.
tests high school
college
Testing is frequent and covers small amounts of material.
Testing is usually infrequent and may be cumulative, covering large amounts of material. Students, not the professor, must organize the material to prepare for the test. A particular course may only have 2 or 3 tests in a semester.
Makeup tests are often available.
Makeup tests are seldom an option; if they are, students need to request them.
Teachers frequently rearrange test dates to avoid conflict with school events.
Professors in different courses usually schedule tests without regard to the demands of other classes or outside activities.
Teachers frequently conduct review sessions, pointing out the most important concepts.
Professors rarely offer review sessions, and when they do, they expect students to be active participants, who come prepared with questions.
Mastery is usually seen as the ability to reproduce what you were taught in the form in which it was presented to students or to solve the kinds of problems students were shown to solve.
Mastery is often seen as the ability to apply what the student has learned to new situations or solve new problems.
grades high school
college
Grades are given for most assigned work.
Grades may not be provided for all assigned work.
Consistently good homework grades help raise a studentʼs overall grades when test grades are low.
Grades on tests and major papers usually provide most of the course grade.
Extra credit projects are often available to help students raise their grades.
Extra credit projects cannot generally be used to raise a grade in a college course.
Initial test grades, especially when they are low, may not hurt a student's final grade.
Students should watch out for their first test. These are usually “wake-up calls” to let them know what is expected, but they also may account for a substantial part of course grade. Students may be shocked when they get their grades. If they receive notice of low grades, they need to see their academic advisor or student success advisor for support.
Students may graduate as long as they have passed all required courses with a grade of D or higher.
Students may graduate only if their class average meets the departmental standard, typically a 2.0 or C.
Courses are usually structured to reward a "good-faith effort."
Though “good-faith effort” is vital regarding the professorʼs willingness to help students achieve good results, it will not affect results in the grading process.
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support supporting student success
Office of Student Financial Services
Parents and families play a crucial role in supporting their student’s success during their first days and weeks on campus. Whether facing challenges is in the classroom, laundry room, or with a new friend, students often turn to their parents or family members for advice. In these moments, it is important to ask open-ended questions, remain neutral, and understand the campus resources to which you can direct your student for additional support. These difficult moments lay the foundation for your child’s journey into adulthood and independence. Your student’s ability to navigate these situations independently will benefit them throughout their college experience and beyond.
Lentz Hall studentfinances@carthage.edu 262-551-6002
Please direct your student to these campus resources:
Office of the Registrar
Center for Student Success
Lentz Hall registrar@carthage.edu 262-551-6100
Todd Wehr Center studentsuccess@carthage.edu 262-551-5800 Carthage is committed to ensuring that all students graduate on time and thrive along the way. The Center for Student Success can help when things get difficult for students. All students have an assigned Student Success Advisor who serves as a central point of contact for any information and can assist with any challenge your student may be facing. In addition to one-on-one appointments, the Student Success Advisors teach a required seminar for all new students to help them manage the first-year experience at Carthage.
Health and Counseling Center Todd Wehr Center health@carthage.edu 262-551-5710 The Carthage Health and Counseling Center assists students in addressing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. All services are free and confidential and are provided by experienced professionals trained to attend to the concerns of young adults in college. The Health and Counseling Center also offers educational assistance for campus organizations and classes and consultation with faculty, staff, students, and concerned others.
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This Office of Student Financial Services is composed of our financial aid and student accounts teams, and is committed to helping families identify the right mix of resources to make Carthage affordable. Your student can find more information about scholarships, grants, loan processing, and making payments on their account by contacting the SFS team or stopping by the office.
The Office of the Registrar is responsible for maintaining the official academic records for current and former students of Carthage, and assists students in class registration, degree audits, and more. Additional services include enrollment and degree verifications, monitoring academic standing, grade collection, official and unofficial student transcripts, transfer evaluations, and veterans affairs benefits.
Office of Residential Life The Tower Residence Hall housing@carthage.edu 262-551-6169 The Office or Residential Life is responsible for developing a positive, responsible, and responsive community so that each resident has the opportunity to develop academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Residential Life staff includes full-time and live-in staff members, including a director of Residential Life, an assistant director of Residential Life, area coordinators, and hall directors. Student staff members include senior resident assistants and resident assistants.
Campus Recreation
Engagement and Inclusion Center
Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center 262-551-6607
Todd Wehr Center erobbins2@carthage.edu 262-551-5715
The Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center (the TARC) is a first-class fitness facility for students. The TARC facility includes a 16-lane swimming pool, fitness center, rock climbing wall, running track, and basketball/multipurpose courts. The TARC operates the Campus Recreation Program, which includes intramurals, group fitness classes, and other services to promote a healthier quality of life. Student staff can provide personal tours or answer any questions about the facility your student may have.
Campus Dining Todd Wehr Center dining@carthage.edu Carthage Dining, powered by Parkhurst, emphasizes fresh, healthy, and creative meals hand-crafted by expertly trained chefs. Students can enjoy a wide variety of delicious and nutritious meals featuring local and sustainable food sources, build-your-own meal concepts, and special options for every diet, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. If your student is under a physician’s care with a diagnosed dietary restriction or disordered eating, Parkhurst’s executive chef and dietitian can set up a one-on-one appointment with your student.
Center for Faith and Spirituality A. F. Siebert Chapel amillerstubbendick@carthage.edu 262-551-5810 Carthage welcomes people from all faith and non-faith traditions to engage in meaningful learning and dialogue with one another. The Center for Faith and Spirituality at Carthage offers many ways for members of the Carthage community to engage with their faith and each other. Events include weekly interfaith lunches, chapel services (Lutheran, Catholic), nights of praise, and lectures. The center also supports student ministry programs and clubs.
Carthage’s Engagement and Inclusion Center, open to all, serves as a campus hub for equity and inclusion programming by forming strong coalitions and support networks for students, faculty, and staff. This space enables all students, as well as faculty and staff, to gather and facilitate a welcoming, inclusive campus for all.
Office of Student Involvement Todd Wehr Center studentinvolvement@carthage.edu 262-551-5800 The Office of Student Involvement supports student-focused organizations, programs and events including Student Government, Carthage Activities Board, Greek organizations, Carthage Kickoff Days, and many more. The Student Involvement team also helps students connect with community partners, volunteer organizations, and local municipal and voting resources.
Office of Public Safety Johnson Residence Hall publicsafety@carthage.edu 262-551-5911 The Office of Public Safety aims to maintain a safe and secure environment while providing excellent customer service to students. Following the community policing model, they build relationships with community partners and encourage public awareness, prevention, and reporting of suspicious activity. The Public Safety team partners with the Kenosha Police Department, Kenosha County Sheriffʼs Department, and Kenosha and Somers fire departments for emergency response and training. The Office of Public Safety operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
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other important information and contacts Parent and Family Newsletter
Important Dates
The Parent and Family Connection e-newsletter is sent monthly to keep you updated on Carthage news and provide you with the information you need to give your student a great start. Sign up at www.carthage.edu/parent-newsletter
FALL 2025 Aug. 27 Sept. 1 Sept. 26-28 Oct. 6 Oct. 16-17 Nov. 21 Nov. 24-28 Nov. 30 Dec. 1 Dec. 10-12 Dec. 12
Parent Facebook Group The Official Carthage College Parents Group is a Carthagemoderated Facebook group where you can ask other parents general questions about things like dorm hacks, the best airport to use, area hotels and restaurants to frequent when you visit your student, and more.
Carthage Offices and Resources Admissions............................................................. 262-551-6000 Advancement and Alumni Relations..................... 262-551-5700 Center for Student Success.................................... 262-551-5800 Office of Student Life.............................................. 262-551-5800 Health and Counseling Center............................... 262-551-5710 Hedberg Library...................................................... 262-551-5950 Office of Public Safety............................................ 262-551-5911 Office of the Registrar............................................ 262-551-6100 Office of Residential Life........................................ 262-551-6169 Office of Student Financial Services...................... 262-551-6002 Office of Student Involvement............................... 262-551-5800
Classes begin Labor Day — No classes in session Homecoming and Family Weekend Advising for Spring and J-Term begins Fall break Residence halls close at 5 p.m. Thanksgiving recess Residence halls reopen at noon Classes resume Final exams Residence halls close at 5 p.m. Winter break begins
J-TERM 2026 Jan. 6 Jan. 7 Jan. 29
Residence halls open at noon Classes begin J-Term ends
SPRING 2026 Feb. 3 Feb. 4 March 2 March 6 March 9-13 March 15 March 16 April 3-6 April 7 May 18-20 May 20 May 22-24
Residence halls open at noon Classes begin Advising for Fall begins Residence halls close at 5 p.m. Spring recess Residence halls reopen at noon Classes resume Easter break Classes resume Final exams Residence halls close at 5 p.m. Commencement
For additional dates please visit: www.carthage.edu/academic-calendar
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