Transitions Branka Kristic Director Parent and Family Programs Division of Student Affairs
Summer Before College
Conversations Academics Money Matters Making Choices in a Community Communication
Academics Go to class Go to class prepared Meet with professors early in semester during their office hours bulletin.hofstra.edu – all academic policies
Academics
Master time-management skills: Center for Academic Excellence Meet with advising dean regularly
REACH
Academics
Be engaged outside the classroom: academic honors societies, research, peer mentoring, become a tutor, clubs and organizations, Student Government Association
From How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims (slate.com)
“The data emerging about the mental health of our kids only confirms the harm done by asking so little of them when it comes to life skills yet so much of them when it comes to adhering to the academic plans we’ve made for them.”
Money Matters Monthly budget hofstra.edu/studentemployment The benefits and dangers of a credit card Car insurance and upkeep; alternative: zipcar.com/hofstra eBill Authorization: hofstra.edu/sfshowto About individual student’s account: Student Financial Services 206 Memorial Hall, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuition Insurance Optional Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) by A.W.G. Dewar - collegerefund.com Covers 75% of tuition for the medical/physical reasons, 60% for mental health withdrawals $128 per semester Must sign up before the first day of class (by August 28) hofstra.edu/tuitioninsurance
Making Choices in a Community Hofstra family = Hofstra P.R.I.D.E. hofstra.edu/PRIDE Your conversations about alcohol and drugs matter. They hear you. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA.gov): “Be honest and express a clear, consistent message that underage drinking is unacceptable.�
Communication How and how often you will communicate Grades: available through the portal at the end of each semester Connect to the roommates; know names of Resident Assistant and Resident Director hofstra.edu/reslife Commuters connect to the Off-Campus Living and Commuting Student Services hofstra.edu/commuting
“Child” vs. “Student”
FERPA Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974: “No one outside the institution shall have access to a student’s education records, nor will the institution disclose any information from these records without the written consent of the student.”
Discuss FERPA Authorization Form with your student (hofstra.edu/FERPA) Read the Family Notification policy at hofstra.edu/familynotification
New Student Orientation Tuesday Meet Orientation Leaders Academic requirements and expectations Workshops - academic transition, safety Game Room, Fitness Center, Honors College social, common reading discussion Common Reading: Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks
New Student Orientation Wednesday and Thursday Wednesday Model class and how to get involved Advising deans: Learn time of Thursday registration appointment True Life: I’m a Hofstra Student, Pizza, Super Secret Event Thursday Registration appointments 9 a.m.-5 p.m. HofstraCard photo, parking sticker, computer questions, dining contract, textbook orders
How the Office of Parent and Family Programs Communicates with Hofstra Families hofstra.edu/parents or /parfam Parent and Family Handbook Family Connection Blog – family.blog.hofstra.edu Family Link E-Newsletter Complete Family Information Form today or online
Family Events
Family Events Hofstra Fall Festival: Alumni, Student and Family Weekend Friday-Sunday, September 25-27 Arboretum and museum tours, student talent show, faculty lectures, parade of floats, info sessions, Cub Zone, athletic events Donate items/services for Parent Council’s Chance Auction Book hotel early hofstra.edu/hotels Register today: $25 per family (Fall Fest extra) – get a gift
Family Events Siblings Day – February 2016 Web Chats – archived at hofstra.edu/parents Tulip Tour & Tea – May 2016
Get Engaged, Parents “LIKE” facebook.com/HofstraParents: receive a gift today Follow us on Twitter @HofstraParents Volunteer for events Write “Parent Voice” blogs for the Family Connection Offer internships and jobs to Hofstra students Join the Parent Council or Parent Fund Leadership Committee Subscribe to Family Link at hofstra.edu/familylink
Parent Council, May 2015
Parent Fund Leadership Committee Donal F. Rudolph Director, Parent Fund Development and Alumni Affairs
Parent Fund Leadership Committee A new program that invites parents to become more involved with the University A very important initiative in most of the best colleges and universities around the country Provides an opportunity for parents to get the “inside scoop” Access to the 126,000-member-strong alumni network Helps propel Hofstra to the next level of success Complements the work already being done by the Parent Council
Parent Fund Leadership Committee Contact parents of newly accepted /admitted students Serve as ambassadors for the University and bring a parent perspective to University activities Host a reception in your home or place of business to welcome new families, network with alumni Serve on other Leadership Advisory Boards, i.e. School of Business, School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Communications Attend Hofstra Gala for student scholarships – May 2016 Support The Parent Fund WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Dates and Facts Discovery Program Sunday, August 23 – Thursday, August 27 hofstra.edu/discovery Welcome/Move-In Day: Friday, August 28 hofstra.edu/welcomeday Welcome Week (students): August 28 – September 1 First day of classes: Wednesday, September 2
Milestone Photos for Collage Scan and e-mail up to 3 photos of your student to parents@hofstra.edu by Friday, August 7
What You Can Do This Summer Read Parent and Family Handbook Tell your students: “I trust you will make good choices.” And mean it. Ask questions: What is your advising dean’s name?
What You Can Do in the Fall Listen; then listen some more Encourage your student to find resources on campus: faculty, advising deans Read Family Link e-newsletters hofstra.edu/familylink Volunteer and join Parent Council Ask questions: How do you plan to handle this problem?
When to Worry If students have nothing to say about their courses or academic goals after first four weeks of classes You can sense a dramatic change in your student’s mood that persists for a long period of time (is your student going to class?) Tell us about important changes at home (illness, death, divorce): we will reach out to your student
When You Worry Call Parent and Family Programs: 516-4634698 For true emergencies (medical, psychological, safety) call Public Safety 516-463-6789 Public Safety Information: 516-463-6606
Let Grow ...
... and be informed and engaged. When students own their decisions, they grow and mature.
An Engaged Student Sofia Pertuz Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students Division of Student Affairs
What does it mean to be an engaged student?
An Engaged Student Finds opportunities to connect Enhances their academic experience outside the classroom by taking on leadership roles: More than 200 student clubs and organizations Departmental organizations and honors societies; Student Government Association Residence hall programming
Utilizes campus resources Special note: Off-Campus Living and Commuting Student Services
P.R.I.D.E. PRIDE Principles guide us: Personal/Social Responsibility Respect for Self and Others Integrity, Ethics and Leadership Diversity and Community Expression and Free Exchange
hofstra.edu/PRIDE
Welcome W. Houston Dougharty Vice President Division of Student Affairs