living on campus resources for parents department of residential life
TRANSCRIPT
Living
On
Campus
Resources for Parents
Department of Residential Life
Living
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Campus
In this session . . .
Overview of student experiences– Relationship vs. Information
Parent and family concerns– Issues that we anticipate
How to help– A few thoughts
Who to contact in Residential Life– What to expect
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Overview of Student Experiences
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Move-In Day
Loading the car at home (and who comes along)
Driving to Mankato
Waiting during check-in process
Moving belongings into room
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Move-In Day
This day presents unique stresses
You may experience tension as you try to help your student and they try to show independence. You are not alone!
Don’t wait until this day to talk with your student about this transition
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Arrival
Pull up to residence community
Driver stays with vehicle
Student goes inside to show ID and get room key
The Move Crew team helps unload vehicles (more assistance in Gage) until 3:00 PM
Driver moves vehicle to another location
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Getting Settled
Follow signs for refrigerator and loft pick-up
We provide shopping carts and flatbeds
Bring a dolly/hand truck if you have one
In Gage, plan to wait for elevators
You’ll spend several hours getting settled
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Take note of
The Area Director’s office is off the main lobby of each residence community
• This master’s-level professional is in charge of the facility.
Location where activities and events are promoted
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At the end of the day
New student & family BBQ
Goodbyes
The challenge of independence and connection has been going on all day
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The first week
Welcome Week
Getting to know roommate and
floormates
Computer Supportvia the ResNetDepot
First day of class
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Your student’s CACA is an undergraduate student –
a sophomore, junior or seniorEach CA oversees a floor of 40-
50 students (works approx. 20 hours per week)
Receives 10 days of training before the halls open
Not a trained psychologist, but a well-meaning student with some basic skills in helping new students succeed
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Your student’s CAHolds floor meetings to help
students understand everything from the laundry room to policies
Talks with every resident on the floor to begin to get to know them; is available for questions, organizes attendance at Welcome Week activities, organizes floor meals together
Goes on safety and security rounds in the building
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Your student’s CADocuments policy violations
when they become aware of them
Organizes events and activities all year that give your student opportunities to interact with others on the floor and in the hall if they choose to participate
Helps connect your student to University resources when requested
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Our Partnership
Your evolving role as parent is very important
There is not a staff role that approximates a parent role
Parents and Res Life staff mutually support students as they enter and move through the first year of college
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Questions and Opportunities
Who am I?How do I function separately from my
family?What relationships do I want to form?
To support students in the search for identity, independence and intimacy, we intentionally provide many social opportunities– CA conversations – Weekly floor events – Weekly complex events (WOW)– Elections for floor leaders
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Parent and Family Concerns
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Two areas of concern
Concerns about your student
Concerns about how others are impacting your student
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Concerns about your student
– My son says he hasn’t met anyone.– My daughter isn’t talking with her
roommate.– My son is overwhelmed by class.– My daughter says it is too loud on
her floor.– I can’t reach my son.
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Concerns with other students
You may be more concerned about the choices other students are making and how those choices impact your student.
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Dealing with Conflict
Residence Hall living provides opportunities to develop this life skill
Areas where conflict arises– Roommates– Noise– Alcohol and other drugs– Sexual relationships– Mental Health
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RoommatesEncourage your student to talk
face-to-face with his or her roommate– I have a concern– This is what is bothering me– What alternative meets both of our
needs?Encourage your student to talk
with the Community AdvisorOther available staff include the
Graduate Hall Director and Area Director
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Noise
Encourage your student to ask for what he or she needs–To the person being loud–To the Community Advisor
Encourage your student to contact the Front Desk or University Security if the floor is too loud. Give as much detailed info as possible.
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Alcohol & DrugsRoommate – ask them to stopContact CA, Front Desk or
University SecurityNeighboring room or someplace
on floor – contact Front Desk or University Security
If the student is unsure about how to proceed, have them talk to their CA
If the parent wants to intervene, contact the Area Director
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Alcohol and DrugsViolations include:
– Possessing or consuming– Possessing empty containers– Hosting other people in your room– Being in a room were alcohol or containers
are present regardless of consumption
University responses include:– Housing contract termination (50% of
remaining room balance). This sanction may result from a first offense that threatens personal safety, a second hosting offense, or repeated lesser offenses
– Alcohol and drug education programs
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Sexual Relationships
The roommate of a person who is pursuing a sexual relationship in their shared room is uniquely impacted.
They may be the only person aware of the problem they are experiencing.
As a parent, encourage your student to ask the roommate to stop the behavior.
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Mental HealthSome students come to college
with a pre-existing diagnosis of a mental health concern.– Depression, anxiety, others
Plan for continuation of care.Resources on campus:
– Health Service– Counseling Center– Disability Services Office
If a behavior is concerning, report the observation to University Security or the Area Director.
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How To Help
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When concerns arise
Listen to your student – “Tell me more.”– The needs of your student vs. your
needs.
Ask meaningful questions– “What is frustrating?”– “What have you done to try to
resolve this issue?”
Ask them what they want from you
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Students may want . .
To vent their frustration with someone they trust
A suggestion for a course of action
• Communicate needs to individual (s) causing conflict
Intervention from someone else
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Educating yourself
Housing and Orientation Resources– Keep copies for referral– Visit www.mnsu.edu/fye/parents
Visit www.mnsu.edu to learn of events, policies, procedures, academic deadlines, etc.
Ask your student what they have received in the mail or via email from Residential Life and/or Minnesota State Mankato
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Who to contact in Residential Life
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If you decide to call
Call Area Director or Office of Residential Life
Area Director – has access to the most information – works in the building – supervises the graduate and
student staff– can address your concern the most
quickly
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Phone Numbers
Residential Life 507-389-1011
Maja Qamar, Gage 507-389-1023
Stephen Berg, McElroy 507-389-6893
Nicole Faust, Crawford
507-389-6090
Matt Burns, Julia A. Sears507-389-5633
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Please do not call the floor CA. This is an undergrad student who has basic training in helping students.
If you are concerned enough about your student to call us, we want to make sure you get professional follow-up.
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What we’ll do
Listen to your concern about your student or other’s behavior
Create a plan for addressing the concern
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Options
Conversation
Mediation
Room change
Student conduct charges
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Data Privacy
Outlined in the electronic FYE Orientation Family Guide
In accordance with federal & state law, and to respect your student’s growing independence & self-responsibility, we will refer you to your student for follow-up.
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Rights & Responsibilities
Rights and Responsibilities are listed in the Residence Hall Student Guide.
Students who are alleged to have violated policies have the right to “due process.”
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Conflicts can be more successfully addressed when they are addressed early.
Resolution of your concern may take longer than you prefer.
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As your student encounters and successfully resolves the challenges ahead of them, they become more competent as adults.
They have resources to draw on: parents and University staff play a supporting role in their development.
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Julia A. Sears Residence Hall
Opening Fall 2008Two- and Four- Person Semi-Suites
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Questions?