Parents & Students in Transition

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE…CHANGE IS INEVITABLE… CHANGE CAN BE GOOD!CHANGE CAN BE GOOD!

Transition time is approaching

Anxiety is expressed in very different ways

Make the most of the time you have

Don’t press for more than your s/d can give

Let Go Let Go Let Go Let GoLet Go Let Go Let Go Let Go

BEST WAYS TO PREPAREBEST WAYS TO PREPAREDiscuss things NOW….. such as:

Academic expectations

A financial plan

Schedule expectations

Relationships

COMING TO CAMPUSCOMING TO CAMPUSMove In Day: Friday, August 29th

• Plan to be there all day….• Be prepared to be invisible and

expendable!• Be prepared for a lot of emotion/no emotion• It will be a good, but tough day!

LEAVING CAMPUSLEAVING CAMPUS

Recommendations/Reminders:

• Make Friday evening your time of separation• Be prepared for many emotions• Don’t expect immediate communication • Don’t make the first call! • Three-week policy

Just because they have a cell phone and an e-mail address doesn’t mean you will hear from your son/daughter!

When you do, you may hear about …• Homesickness • Academic Struggles • Roommate Difficulties

Your response should be…“WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT!”

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS!GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS!

Getting the information you need Getting the information you need (non-intrusively):(non-intrusively):

• What’s your favorite class?

• Who’s your favorite professor?

• Tell me about your church?

• Tell me about your new friends?

ANCHORS ANCHORS VS.VS. HELICOPTERSHELICOPTERS

Your son/daughter needs you to…

• Listen with an open mind and be supportive

• Encourage them

• Express your belief in them

• Share your wisdom and counsel

• Send mail/money

Vectors of DevelopmentVectors of DevelopmentACHIEVING COMPETENCE

BECOMING AUTONOMOUS DEVELOPING INTERPERSONALLY

CLARIFYING PURPOSE

MANAGING EMOTIONS

ESTABLISHING IDENTITY

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

DEVELOPING INTEGRITY

- Arthur Chickering

University Mission StatementUniversity Mission Statement

Mount Vernon Nazarene University exists to shape lives through educating the whole person and cultivating Christ-

likeness for lifelong learning and service.

Understanding Our Students:

To understand this generation…we must understand their parents

• We’ve seen a trend where parents are interceding for the student instead of coaching them

• “you can be anything you want to be”

- Experience: Travel extensively, eating out, seen & done

- Protected: bike helmets, car seats, cell phones, baby on board signs

- Individual: own bedroom, car vs. bus, choices (kids meals)

- Rewards: Millennials have been rewarded for everything(Dr. Howard Gardner)

Culture they have grown up in…

High school mission statements from the 70’s:“students will learn to read, write, and complete basic

math skills”

High school mission statements today:

•“CEHS will challenge students to reach their potential; to demonstrate self-confidence, respect for others, and responsibility for their community; and to embrace and welcome diversity.”

Expectations:

•Study

•They don’t do it much

•In high school maybe studied 7hrs a week …in college they’ll be expected to study 5 or 6 hours a day…

•This isn’t even comprehendible.

•What happened to personal responsibility?

• Focus on Rights…not responsibility.

•“What are my rights?” vs. “What are my responsibilities?”

•Expect a lot from others and have high expectations for themselves…but are uncomfortable with others expect something of them.

MVNU SERVICESMVNU SERVICES• 24 hour security service

• Health services office/Residential Health Advisors

• Professional staff (Resident Directors) in each residence hall

• Peer mentors: small group leaders, resident assistants

• University Crisis Response Team

• On-call emergency counseling services

Student DevelopmentStudent Development• Provide opportunities for students to achieve

competence in academic and non-academic arenas

• Challenge students while also providing support

• Help students learn to manage their emotions, from anger to love and everything in-between

• Support the development of positive relationships

Student OpportunitiesStudent Opportunities Participate in assigned small groups Freshmen experience class Seek academic assistance as needed Seek career and personal counseling Be a positive member of the community Follow lifestyle expectations

Student OpportunitiesStudent Opportunities Student Government Association Class/club officers Residence Hall Councils Peer Judicial Councils Intramural sports: participants, scorekeepers,

referees, site workers, clerical Event volunteers: SonFest, concerts, activities Upperclassmen: Resident Assistants, Residential

Health Advisors

Student ResponsibilitiesStudent ResponsibilitiesProhibited behaviors, on and off campus:

• Alcohol possession, use, consumption• Illegal Drugs

• Sexual Promiscuity• Harassment

• Damaging pranks• Excessive chapel absences• Theft/Destruction of property

MVNU’S SUPPORT RESPONSEMVNU’S SUPPORT RESPONSE• Encourage students to communicate concerns

directly to parents• Follow all F.E.R.P.A. guidelines

• Communicate with parents whenever possible in emergency situations

• Receive parent phone calls regarding your concerns about your student

Mount Vernon Nazarene UniversityMount Vernon Nazarene University

• Living within the context of community offers personal freedom, yet provides helpful boundaries.

• Our goal is to establish a positive environment that will facilitate growth in all areas of a student’s life, and will build on the foundation that’s been laid at home.