StThomasPARENT

Division of Student Affairs of the University of St. Thomas

 

 

 

September 18, 2012

 

 

A Word from Vice President Canney

Family Weekend, October 5-7

Homecoming, October 13

Career Corner

Fall is the Season for Transitions

Financial Aid Communication

St. Thomas Committed to Being a Good Neighbor

Study Abroad Deadlines

Christmas Concert Tickets Available October 1 

Get Involved with the Parent Network

Dates to Remember

 

 

 

A Word from Vice President Canney

Dear Parents, Guardians and Friends,

We are off to beautiful start at the University St. Thomas. It is inspiring to see your students busy going to classes, studying and enjoying their experiences on campus. The campus is alive with many programs and activities offered to engage your students.

 

Plan to participate in Family Weekend, October 5-7!  Saturday morning, we invite you to join my colleagues and me for a discussion entitled : Supporting YOUR Student's Success. Wherever your student is in their academic career, we are here to assist you. We will gather Saturday, October 6th, in the James B. Woulfe Alumni Center North, Third Floor Anderson Student Center at 10:15 am, right after "A Tradition of Academic Excellence: Lectures from Faculty".  Don't forget to  register for Family Weekend;  we look forward to having you on campus!

 

Quick reminder, October 13 is Homecoming, what a joy to have so much activity in a two-weekend period of time.

 

Enjoy these wonderful fall days. I hope to see you soon!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Jane Canney, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs

 

Family Weekend, October, 5-7

Just a couple of weeks until Family Weekend, and there is still time to register! Postcard invitations have been mailed to each of you. Please note that the academic calendar is attached to your invitation for your convenience!

Please join us for a fabulous weekend of activities including:

  • attending class with your student
  • enjoying a performance and lecture by 'E Street Band' drummer, Max Weinberg, with the UST Jazz Ensemble
  • learning about the night skies through lecture and viewing with Observatory faculty
  • taking in new information through three additional academic lectures
  • cheering at varsity football and soccer games
  • celebrating at the annual brat and chili fest @ Purple on the Plaza
  • taking a trolley tour of the cities
  • participating in the Art Tour 
  • enjoying to the music a cappella music of Tonic Sol-fa
  • attending Mass and brunch
  • plus many more activities for your entire family!

If you need more information, visit our website at www.stthomas.edu/familyweekend. Click here to register online. Questions? Call our Dean of Students Office at 651- 962-6051.  

 

 

Homecoming, October 13

 

Join us for the fun and excitement of Homecoming! The parade starts at 10:00 am on Summit Avenue; St. Thomas takes on Bethel University at 1:10 pm.  Plan your schedule by checking here. 

 

Career Corner

www.stthomas.edu/careerdevelopment
651-962-6761
MHC 123- NEW location in Murray-Herrick Campus Center

 

The month of September brings a buzz to the Career Development Center with students returning to campus.  The Center offers services for students deciding on a major as well as those who are looking for part-time jobs, full-time work or internship experiences.  Tommie Careers currently offers over 1000 positions for students and alumni.   We also provide assistance for students thinking of pursuing additional education. 

 

Remind your student to check the Seminar/Events schedule on our website for monthly offerings on Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, Employer Information Sessions and other career related topics.

 

The On-Campus Interviewing program begins this month with employers coming to campus to interview for full-time and internship positions.  Students interested in learning more about this program need to attend one of the seminars, “Orientation to On-Campus Interviewing” .

 

Government and Non-Profit Fair is on Friday, October 26th at The University of Minnesota Coffman Union.  This fair is free and open to students attending any higher education institution in Minnesota.  Employers will be on site to discuss internship and full-time opportunities.  St. Thomas students should register in advance.


Fall is the Season for Transitions

Most students deal with a predictable pattern of concerns that coincide with the 'new' lifestyle changes of fall semester. The following list may help you and your student recognize what are typical issues for college students as transitions are occurring. Remember, if their concerns seem long lasting or more serious than what is typical for them, you can contact Counseling and Psychological Services for a consultation. We are always available to help you help your son or daughter.

 

 September

  • adjusting to a new environment
  • adjusting to new leadership status on campus
  • roommate conflict
  • change in friendships changes in relationships at home
  • changes in role responsibilities within the family
  • increased use of the family-owned vehicles for ‘personal’ use
  • values exploration
  • fear of inadequacy
  • homesickness for those choosing to live anywhere but home
  • importance of fitting in
  • ambivalent feelings about increased independence
  • test anxiety, performance anxiety
  • older students feel the pressure regarding jobs and internships
  • disenchantment with school
  • feeling alone with problems

 

October and November

  • anxiety or insecurity about midterm exams
  • ongoing adjustment to academic administration
  • time conflicts or stress between academic and social expectations
  • pattern of alcohol abuse may emerge
  • sleeping and eating patterns disrupted
  • health deterioration
  •  job hunting becomes a priority for seniors
  •  eagerness and anxiety about Thanksgiving break

 

December

  • final exam pressure
  • co-curricular time strains
  • 'senioritis' begins, conflicted feelings about completing degree
  • holiday blues
  • conflicted feelings about going home for any amount of time at Christmas

 

How the Financial Aid Office communicates with your student

 

As classes begin, the Financial Aid Office changes the way we communicate with new students from paper notices sent to the home address to electronic communications. Students receiving financial aid should check their UST email and campus mailbox frequently for important updates and time-sensitive information.  Communications regarding financial aid will be sent to the following addresses:

  • UST email account:  Students should check their UST email account daily. If your student prefers to check a personal email account instead, please have them visit http://www.stthomas.edu/irt/communication/email/owa/ for instructions on how to forward their UST email to a personal email account.
  • UST campus mailbox, if assigned: Students are encouraged to check their UST mailbox weekly.  Most full-time undergraduate students are assigned a campus mailbox located in the lower level of Murray-Herrick Campus Center.   Students can review their campus mailbox assignment as well as the current local and permanent addresses on file with UST through Murphy Online.
  • Local address:  Mail is sent to the current local address on file with UST for any students not assigned a campus mailbox.  If there is no local address on file, mail will be sent to the permanent mailing address on file with UST.

If parents have any questions about how the Financial Aid Office will communicate with their student, they are encouraged to contact us at 651-962-6550 or financialaid@stthomas.edu.

 

 

St. Thomas is Committed to Being a Good Neighborhood

The University of St. Thomas is honored to be a part of the residential community in St. Paul and works to ensure that students who live within  the neighborhood understand the rights and responsibilities that come with being a member of the community. To facilitate this, students associated with Off-Campus Student Services conducted the annual Neighborhood Walkthrough program the first week of classes distributing materials about living in the community.  The students also engaged in conversations with their peers about the challenges and privileges of being a community member. Over 200 student homes were visited.

 

Should you or your students have questions about living in the neighborhood contact Off-Campus Student Services at offcampus@stthomas.edu or 651-962-6138. If you have students living in the neighborhood and they did not receive the materials and would like some they can be picked up in Off-Campus Student Services, Anderson Student Center, Room 253.

 

 

Study Abroad Deadlines

October 1 is the application deadline for spring semester abroad.   Students preparing semester applications should either attend a First-Step Session in the International Education Center (IEC) or can complete one online at http://www.stthomas.edu/studyabroad.   Students should also meet with a study abroad advisor, Tim Dohmen or Sarah Huesing, as soon as possible:  651-962-6450.  

 

The final deadline for January Term Abroad 2013 is October 3rd.  Some courses are already filled, but spaces remain available in a variety of courses to a variety of destinations.   All course information and application materials can be found on the study abroad website at http://studyabroad.stthomas.edu/.

 

 

Christmas Concert Tickets Available October 1st

Tickets to the Christmas Concerts are on sale beginning online October 1 and by phone October 15.  Due to the renovation process occurring at Orchestra Hall, the concerts will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  For further details, click here. 

 

 

Get involved with the Parent Network!

The St. Thomas Parent Network provides a link to the University for all families.  Below is a listing of upcoming activities.  If you are interested in active involvement in the Parent Network, visit our website or contact Amy Fistler at 651 962-6941 or acfistler@stthomas.edu for details.

  • First-Year Parent Welcome Calling: if you see an unfamiliar telephone number on your caller ID from September 17 through October 5, it may be a volunteer from the Parent Network calling to welcome you and ask how things are going.  Please answer the call.
  • Family Weekend     October 5-7
  • Parent Network Holiday Gathering    December 5
  • Parent Network Committee - two meetings per academic year. More information upon request

Dates to Remember

Sept. 29-30 Campus Ministry first-year student retreat at Gainey Center (registration required)
Oct. 1 Deadline for applications for spring semester study abroad
Oct. 3 Deadline for applications for January term 2013 study abroad
Oct. 5-7 Family Weekend
Oct. 13 Homecoming
Oct. 26  Mid-Term Break
Nov. 22-25 Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 14 Fall semester classes end
Dec. 17 Study Day
Dec. 18-21 Final Exams
Jan. 2 January term classes begin
Jan. 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, no classes
Jan. 31 Classes end

Feb. 4 Spring Semester Classes Begin

 

                     

For further information:

Sr. Sharon M. Howell, CSJ, Assistant Dean of Students and Parent Liaison
Dean of Students Office
651-962-6050
800-326-6819, ext. 2-6050
parentmail@stthomas.edu
http://www.stthomas.edu/parents

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