Dr. Karen L. Pennington Vice President, Student Development & Campus Life Dr. Michele Campagna Executive Director, Center for Advising & Student Transitions Accepted Student Day April 14, 2013
To develop a shared understanding of what will be expected of students when they begin college To learn ways that students and family members can support each other through the transition to college
Made their dentist appointments? Completed their college applications? Woke them up in the morning instead of having them use an alarm clock? Completed their Financial Aid form? Cleaned their bedrooms? Accessed their college student account using their net id and password to stay on top of their applications? Contacted their high school to advocate for them?
Make your dentist appointments? Complete your college applications? Wake you up in the morning instead of using an alarm clock? Complete your Financial Aid form? Clean your bedrooms? Access your college student account using your net id and password to stay on top of your applications? Contact your high school to advocate for you? See the pattern???
Look after their safety & well-being Ensure that they are on the right path Encourage them to have friends and relationships with individuals who will have a positive influence Have access to opportunities that will open doors to a successful future Make sure that they will be able to effectively take on the challenges that they will encounter as adults
Learn about the college-going process Keep a running list of things to do and prioritize Manage deadlines and finances Investigate how steps are completed Ask questions when you re not sure Speak up, self-advocate, and seek help when needed Maintain healthy relationships and respect others OWN the experience
We view all our students as adults and treat them as such We understand they are transitioning from high school and that they might be about 18 years-old However, we still expect that students will fulfill their responsibilities as adults And, we work with students developmentally and educationally
Coach their students to take on life s challenges while giving them more responsibility Allow students to exercise more autonomy Hold students accountable for the responsibilities that come with the autonomy Maintain involvement in their students academic experiences, but do so through their students not for them Engage in dialog and share perspectives Support, encourage, listen
Leave the nest a little bit Learn to use the resources available Learn how to navigate bureaucracy (life) Learn how to make mistakes and learn from them Learn to make and take responsibility for choices
Setting priorities and guidelines Determining the terms of the contract Talk about possible pitfalls: o Drugs o Alcohol o Romance o Time Management o Managing Conflict Love and Support Each Other
Parents & family members have, and still need to be involved in their students educational experiences But how that happens changes - AND SHOULD! Students are viewed as adults in college are expected to assume the responsibilities that come with adulthood By working together, students and family members can transition together through first year to promote adulthood and success
Engaged students do better: Academically Socially And know more than non-engaged students
Join a club or organization Attend events music, theater, athletic Eat on campus Get out of their room, car, comfort zone Do one thing every day that scares you. (Eleanor Roosevelt) Get a job on campus!! Students actively involved in one or more campus groups are as much as 40% more likely to stay in school
PARENTS/FAMILY MEMBERS Calling faculty about their students grades Digging into students email accounts to find out stuff Emailing advisors to find out whether their students are going to class STUDENTS Asking parents/family members to schedule their appointments at the University Health Center Forgoing their net ids and passwords so that they don t have to worry about things like tuition bills and deposit deadlines
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1972 Also known as the Buckley Amendment Provides for access and privacy of personal information and educational records
FERPA Rights belong to the parents/guardian of the minor student When a student enters college those rights revert to the student) Even if they are 16-18 years old)
New terms that family and students may not normally use & need to be familiar with Learn them together For example: o Bursar Department Head of the office that collects payments o Credit Unit of measurement for a class contact hour o Audit A report that students access to see which requirements they have completed and which are still outstanding
Become familiar with the Montclair State University website and its departments pages, including the Parents & Family webpage Parents/family members can attend Family Orientation this summer Compare what you both learn at New Student Orientation and Family Orientation Keep the lines of communication open