Welcome to the inaugural e-newsletter to family members of new first year students at Minnesota State University, Mankato. We are excited about the new academic year and all of the educational and co-curricular activities that are available to Minnesota State University, Mankato students.
Student success is the cornerstone of the educational experience at Minnesota State University, Mankato. We look forward to the opportunity of partnering with you in helping to shape future leaders both within the state of Minnesota and globally. Our First Year Experience Office has a mission to assist both the students and their families in making a successful transition to the University.
In the event we can ever provide assistance to you as a family in understanding the University's commitment to student success, please feel free to let the First Year Experience Office know. As Vice President for Student Affairs, I want to officially welcome you to being part of the Minnesota State University, Mankato family and encourage you to participate in the Family Weekend activities scheduled for September 23 through September 25, 2005. More information on these activities can be found on Minnesota State University, Mankato's Family Weekend website.
Should you ever need assistance or have questions that I could provide additional information, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Patricia Swatfager-Haney, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
The house feels empty. The quiet is almost as deafening as the chaos surrounding the last couple of months. Life has changed for your student, and for you.
A casual observer can see the change taking place in the students on campus. They are getting used to dorm food, roommates, conflicting priorities and their new life. Classes are in full–swing with papers being formulated, assignments due and group projects underway. Students are starting to make important life choices that will directly impact their success as a first year college student. It is an exciting and challenging time in the life of your student.
This can also be a challenging time in your life also. Much emphasis is placed on the successful student transition to the college environment. Very little attention, however, is placed on the change in family dynamics that occurs as a result of a child leaving for college.
Parents and families also go through a transition when a student goes off to college. Dr. Karen Much, Associate Professor and Director of the Minnesota State University, Mankato Counseling Center, offers the following advice to parents and families as you begin your transition.
Sending your son or daughter off to college is a major transition, not just for your freshman, but for the entire family as well. Whether you decide to change your son or daughter's room into an office, offer it to a younger sibling, or rent it out to Uncle Ned, it is a time of major change. Take this opportunity to discuss how things will be different—like what to do about that old curfew, who pays for what on the credit card you sent to school with your student, and how often you are willing to do your student's laundry during weekend visits.
As for your freshman, he or she may be learning how to share a room for the first time, figuring out how to get to class without a parental alarm clock, and almost every student gets the privilege of discovering what cafeteria foods are agreeable. As your son or daughter is learning that not all grilled cheese sandwiches are created equal and living in the residential hall is noisier than anticipated, he or she is also making an educational transition. Most students struggle initially with the increased demands of collegiate coursework, even those who got straight A's in high school.
College courses are typically more demanding than high school, and most professors do not visit students in their residential halls to ask them why they have not completed an assignment or turned in a paper. At any time, if your son or daughter is struggling academically or feels like they do not understand a class, encourage them to speak with their professor about it (the earlier the better). They may also want to visit other appropriate university offices, such as the Academic Success Center, the Counseling Center, or their advisor.
Students also may struggle initially with adapting to the college environment. Not only are they no longer living in their familiar home, all the friends they have attended school with for sometimes several years are no longer around. Students who experience homesickness usually find that it passes within a few weeks. Any student who would like help dealing with homesickness or transitioning to college in general may want to schedule an appointment with a psychologist in the Counseling Center to discuss their concerns.
Here are some suggestions to make the transition go as easy as possible for you and your freshman:
College students are usually too cool to admit that they like to hear from you, but most of them love contact from home (especially if it is not in the format of a lovey–dovey message that their roommate can hear). Most students will be happy to talk to you about how it's going, as long as you aren't quizzing them about whether or not they got up for class and did their homework each time you talk.
College students generally love a visit from parents and family members that includes a care package from home, a shopping spree, or going out to lunch or dinner. Of course, they won't admit this; see above.
College students have to make a major transition from high school to college, and it is usually rather challenging. Don't be surprised if you get a call from your student complaining that they are bored or they don't like their classes or they want to come home (or all of the above). Most often, this phone call is a reaction to feeling overwhelmed. Open your home to your student as much as you feel comfortable, but encourage your student to get involved rather than coming home every weekend. The happiest and best–adjusted students are ones that get involved in clubs, organizations, and other university activities which help them develop post high–school identities and help them feel like they belong. Many freshmen think about dropping out their first semester—typically, if they decide to complete the semester before making a decision about quitting school, they decide they want to stay.
If at any time it seems your son or daughter is going through more than just a transition, or you have questions about whether or not what they are experiencing is typical, please call the Counseling Center (507-389-1455) and consult with one of the psychologists on staff. We can help you determine if there is need for concern, and help you develop a plan of action, if appropriate. You may also want to encourage your son or daughter to schedule an appointment to be seen for an individual counseling session to help sort things out.
So, you've gotten your first phone call, the emails have been brief, maybe you've even received a letter or two in the mail...
You're left wondering, are they telling you everything?
Are they asking questions you don't have the answers to? Are they painting such a good picture that you know it can't be true? Do you have questions they can't answer? Are there questions you're not asking?
Asking questions is a natural part of any transition. Finding the answers can often be difficult. The Office of First Year Experience at Minnesota State University, Mankato can help you find some answers to the questions they (or you) may, or may not be asking.
During Family Weekend 2005 there will be special sessions to help you get in touch with some of the pressing issues and numerous student services that are available to help your transitioning student and family.
On Saturday, September 24th in the Centennial Student Union there will be a series of Question & Answer sessions designed to help you find the answers to the questions that are (or are not) being asked. These sessions will allow you to interact with faculty, staff, and other parents that are facing some of the same dilemmas, ask questions and get answers.
For a complete listing of the topics to be covered, times and places for Family Weekend 2005 visit the events section.
Mark your calendar now for Family Weekend 2005, September 23–25, 2005. All family members are invited to participate in this new tradition at Minnesota State University, Mankato. There will be events to entertain you, involve you, and most importantly inform you. You will not want to miss this fantastic opportunity to participate as a member of the Minnesota State University, Mankato family.
Torin Akey, Associate Director, residential Life and 2005 Family Weekend Co–Chair said, "I am hopeful that you will join your student(s) in celebrating Family Weekend 2005 later this month. In between catching up with your student to hear about their Minnesota State University, Mankato experiences, shopping, strolling through campus, and maybe going out to eat in the Mankato area, the planning committee has organized an exciting weekend of activities. You are welcome to attend as much as you like–department open houses, the 5K Fun Run/Walk, Q/A sessions, and the football game Saturday night with activities for kids, music and chili with President Davenport before the game.
Please don't forget to pick–up your Family Weekend button at the information table between 8 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. outside the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the Centennial Student Union. In addition to providing you discounts to theatre and athletic events, the Family Weekend Prize Patrol will be distributing prizes to family members wearing these buttons on campus Saturday, September 24. Go Mavericks!"
According to Angie Bomier, Student Relations Coordinator for the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET), " At this year's family weekend, CSET is planning to have an informal open house at the Advising Center, located in Trafton C–125. Families are welcome to drop in at the Advising Center any time between 10:00 a.m. and Noon, enjoy some refreshments, and meet the Dean of the College, as well as some of the faculty. In addition, CSET is planning to offer short tours of some of the science, engineering and technology labs."
Many college open houses, socials and tours are scheduled from 10:00 a.m. until Noon on Saturday, September 24, 2005. The colleges hosting events include:
For a complete list of activities associates with the open houses, socials and tours please visit the events section of the Family Weekend website.
Talent abounds at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Nowhere is that more evident than in the top–quality theatrical productions offered at the University's Performing Arts Center. During Family Weekend 2005, The Typists and Haiku will be performed in the Andreas Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. These shows are student directed and designed and are sure to entertain the most discriminating theatre goers. Both shows are suitable for families. Ticket requests are available on–line by visiting Minnesota State University, Mankato's Theatre & Dance website.
Several local hotels are offering special packages to family members of Minnesota State University, Mankato students for the upcoming Family Weekend. Please visit the hotels section of the Family Weekend website for more information about these special offers.
| September 23–25, 2005 | MSU Family Weekend |
| September 25–October 2 | Homecoming |
| November 10, 2005 | First Day of Spring Term 2006 Registration |
| November 16, 2005 | Deadline for withdrawal of individual full–term classes |
| November 24–25, 2005 | No classes for Thanksgiving holiday |
Comments and questions about the Family Connection can be directed to Darin Dredge at darin.dredge@mnsu.edu.
