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> First Year Initiative
First Year Initiative
Information for Parents
I. The Parent / Family Association
II. First Year Initiative (FYI) - Parents
III. A Calendar of Student Issues
IV. Frequently Asked Questions
V. Parent Family Weekend & Giving Back to Students
The PFA is an organization comprised of parents and family members of students enrolled at Montana State University in Bozeman. Since its founding in 1992, the Parent/Family Association (PFA) has been working for the benefit of all MSU students.
The PFA is represented by an advisory board comprised of families from across the country. Parents are encouraged to volunteer for board membership any time during their student’s university career. The board meets twice yearly to conduct the business of the association, once during Fall Weekend and once during spring semester. President Gamble is a strong supporter of the organization and regularly meets with the group during these sessions.
The ongoing goals of the PFA include:
- To develop and support a closer relationship between families and MSU.
- To keep families informed about university activities, policies and plans.
- To ensure families have the opportunity to share their ideas, opinions and concerns with university administration.
- To partner with other MSU offices and departments to help promote the many excellent resources available to parents and families on this campus.
- To familiarize families with the physical campus, the community and student life.
- To support the annual fund-raising efforts through which families can help ensure our excellence.
- To tap the expertise and experience of families attracting superior students, ensuring quality employment for graduates and drawing positive support for higher education.
Recently, the Board made improving MSU’s Web resource for families a top priority. The PFA, along with FYI, spearheaded efforts to create the new destination site, http://www.montana.edu/parents , now available from the MSU home page. This year the PFA completed planning for a fresh, new monthly newsletter which is sent electronically to all families who sign up during orientation or online at: xxx and can be mailed, by request, to families who contribute a minimum of $100.00 to the annual parent fund. Please share your comments on these resources, as well as your ideas for new endeavors, by calling Jodie Delay at 406.994.2502 or emailing jdelay@montana.edu.
The PFA functions as a result of parents and families like you. Please consider getting involved ~ by supporting our annual phonathon, attending the Fall Weekend, volunteering for the board, or just sending your feedback and ideas. The PFA is your voice, we want to hear from you!
Welcome Parents!
The First Year Initiative office has traditionally been seen as an excellent support center for MSU students. The FYI office provides numerous services, workshops, and programs to support students with their academic and social endeavors. From College Student Inventory (CSI) personal interpretations, which help your student identify his or her strengths or weaknesses, to our early alert system which works with students struggling in their courses, we work hard to make the college experience an amazing time of learning, exploration, and success!
During the past few years, MSU parents have asked for a one-stop resource for questions and information as they’ve tried to help their students navigate the ins and outs of college life. In fact, today’s parents are taking a more active role in their students’ college experience and the FYI office intends to meet the needs of both the students and their parents. Our program, FYI – Parents, is your resource.
Aside from assisting at Parent Orientation are presenting Catapalooza, we also offer the following components:
Parent Hotline (406-994-7359): The parent hotline offers free, direct assistance to parents and family members. The hotline is staffed during regular business hours, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and serves as a central hub for concerned parents.
Parent Email, Chat, and Instant Message: FYI Staff is also available to talk electronically. Please email retent@montana.edu with any questions or concerns you may have. Our advisors are also available to chat with you online. Please visit our websites (www.montana.edu/parents or www.montana.edu/freshmen) to get more information or add us to your contact lists!
Parent Website (www.montana.edu/parents): FYI and the Parent/Family Association have designed a new parent website to better serve the parents and families of MSU students. Our parent website is a comprehensive tool to help both students and parents address a wide variety of concerns that may arise while attending MSU. Whether you need career advice, a departmental phone number, or help figuring out some common university terms, it is all there! You can also learn how to chat of instant message one of our advisors.
CALENDAR OF STUDENT ISSUES
September
- Homesickness, especially freshman
- Initial adjustment to academic environment, new social life, campus familiarization
- Financial adjustment
- Value crises, students are confronted with questions of conscience over value conflict areas of such things as alcohol, drugs, race, differences, morality, religion and social experience and expectations.
- Feeling of inadequacy and inferiority develop because of discrepancy between high-school status and grades and initial college performance.
- Some people miss their friends, family or boyfriend/girlfriend
- International students sense confusion, vulnerability and lack of any advocate in powers positions.
- Time management and test anxiety, roommate conflicts.
- “In Loco Parentis Blues”: students feel depressed because of real or perceived restrictive policies and regulations of the college.
October
- Freshmen begin to realize that life at college is not perfect as they were led to believe by parents, teachers, and counselors. Old problems seem to continue and new ones are added. An external reality they had put their hopes in has failed.
- Grief develops due to inadequate skills for finding a group/not being selected by one.
- Sexual conflicts and confusion result when confronting for the first time different heterosexual and homosexual stands and sexuality.
- Non-dating students sense a loss of esteem because so much value is placed upon dates. Feelings of rejection & loneliness can lead to inappropriate decision- making.
- Job searching/panic begins for mid-year grads.
November
- Academic pressure is beginning to mount because of procrastination, difficulty of work and lack of ability. Time management conflicts continue.
- Pre-finals stress starts to emerge as preparation begins for taking the exam.
- Depression and anxiety increase because of feelings that one should have adjusted to the college environment by now; students start questioning about returning for the second semester.
- Economic anxieties increases as funds from summer and parents run low
- Increased alcohol consumption becomes an acceptable way to relieve stress; many students do not know how to handle alcohol responsibly.
- Students have given up attempts to make new friends
- Mounting tension within the wing and residents tend to get on each others nerves with increased academic pressure
- Restlessness for vacation; some students confident and high spirited and others not wanting to face parents due to grades.
- Changing weather causes colds, poor health
- Suicidal thoughts rise from inability to cope with pressure.
December
- Extracurricular time strain, seasonal parties and end of the semester get-together, religious activities
- Anxiety, fear and guilt increases as final exams approach and papers are due.
- Pre-Christmas depression for some especially those who have concerns for family. Some won’t be able to go home to visit and those who can’t go home because of family conflicts.
- Financial strain because of Christmas gifts and for some, travel costs.
- Realization that they have made it through the first semester (joy).
- Anxiety or internal pressure for those who want to go home to see family and friends
- Final realization that some may not return for second semester due to grades.
- Students reach graduation with celebration and anxiety about not having a job.
- Friendship tensions due to finals and just living together for an extended period.
- Continued thoughts/deliberations about suicide due to grades.
- Many may wonder if their major is really right for them.
January
- Post holiday depression about being back again and being away from home security
- If the winter is particularly cold, residents will be spending a lot of time indoors in their hall. This may cause high levels of frustration.
- People begin talking about how good it would be to be back at home with friends.
- Some students experience unwanted weight gains.
- Reincorporating social and academic aspects of school.
- Possibility of new students moving in and changing wing/floor dynamics
- New students may feel like outsiders and experience difficulty fitting in on the wing.
- Money problems may continue or be created for those unable to find jobs over break.
February
- Vocational choice causes anxiety as students select majors or change them.
- Some couples begin to establish “long term” relationships, some even talk of engagement, others weaken.
- Depression continues and increases for those students who have failed to establish social relationships or achieve a moderate amount of recognition.
- Damage and vandalism may increase at this time as people show signs of frustration of being inside so much.
- Anxiety builds for May graduates as the job search begins.
- Students worry about finding a summer job.
- Mid-winter “blahs” and general apathy may become apparent.
March
- Mid winter sickness
- Roommate conflicts may resurface due to cabin fever
- Seniors are anticipating graduation but worrying about jobs.
- Existential crisis for seniors, “Must I leave? Is my education worth anything? Was my major a mistake?”
- Trying to find money for spring break becomes a paramount issue.
- Continued and increased anxiety over searching for summer jobs.
- Students begin worrying about living arrangements for the following year.
- Apartment hunting and roommate selection becomes a concern.
- Mid-terms bring about increased academic anxiety.
- Drug and alcohol use increases.
- Depression begins due to anticipation of separation from friends and loved ones at college.
April
- Academic pressures continue as the semester is coming closer to an end; procrastination begins to catch up with them.
- Students start worrying about summer job pressures and opportunities.
- Financial strains increase due to spring break, job search and time of semester.
- Weight loss becomes a concern with spring and warm weather approaching.
- Papers and exams pile up.
- The mounting pressure forces some students to temporarily give up.
- Spring fever sets in; people express all the energy built up inside them from the winter.
- Spring fever may cause students to be rowdy due to disinterest in school work.
- People without a significant other begin to get desperate as the “love blossom in spring” attitude develops.
May
- Anxiety develops because of the realization that the year is ending and that a deficiency exists in the number or academic areas - Final exam pressures
- Seniors panic about graduation & not having a job or lack of job openings in the field.
- Stress and pressures increase because there is a lot of work to be done and students want to see their friends before they leave for the summer.
- Students are anxious to get home (good and bad).
- Students who are staying in town for the summer may be wondering what they will do when everyone is gone.
- Students are anxious to get set for the next year picking a house, choosing a roommate, etc.
- Anxiety for couples who are parting for the summer.
- Anxiety centers around whether or not their major is the correct one for them.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does the university keep student records confidential?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the confidentiality of a student’s education record, and Montana state statutes, specify that the university may not release information from a student’s record to anyone outside of the university without the express written consent of the student. This means that MSU generally must withhold such information from parents and others who believe their relationship with the student entitles them to have the information. As a result, we sometimes encounter frustrated parents, guardians, or spouses who question why they cannot have information about a student’s grades, financial obligations, or standing with the University.
Education records covered by federal and state privacy laws include grades, housing information, financial status, results of disciplinary proceedings, class schedules and courses, etc. Health information maintained by the university, including medical and psychological records, is also protected under separate Montana statutes governing the release of health information.
Please understand that because of these laws, MSU CANNOT release this information without the express written consent of the student.
Federal law allows release of certain information referred to as directory information. This includes the student’s full name, local address and phone number, dates of attendance and degrees honors, and certificates received, class level (e.g. freshman), and academic major(s). The student has the right to request the university not to release directory information by notifying the Registrar’s Office in writing of this request. The University may also release information without the student’s consent in connection with an emergency if necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.
How do I obtain a copy of my students’ bill for tuition and fees?
The Student Accounts Office sends fee statements directly to the student. MSU now uses paperless billing system. Students will receive their bill through e-mail only. It is the student’s responsibility to check their university portal e-mail or set a forward on their portal email account. This can be done through the portal website: https://myportal.montana.edu or calling ITC for assistance 994-1777. If you need a copy of this bill you should request one from your son or daughter.
Fee payment deadlines are published in the schedule of classes for each semester and are printed on the fee statement. Please note that theses deadlines are strictly enforced. Be sure to communicate with your son or daughter regarding these deadlines, especially if you’re the one paying the bill.
How do I access the semester grades of my student?
1. Your student may access semester grades and unofficial transcripts via the Internet, by going to the Montana State University home page at www.montana.edu, then choosing My Info, using their student I.D. and PIN. The grades for each semester will be listed, so the student may print a copy for you, or provide you with their I.D. and PIN so you can access the information.
2. A STUDENT can request an official transcript which shows all semesters’ courses and grades received at MSU by filling out the order form, indicating an address to which the transcript is to be mailed, and paying the $3.00 per copy fee. Through this procedure, the student can have a transcript mailed directly to you.
Will anyone contact me if there is an “emergency”?
Yes, if there is truly a *serious* emergency, (i.e., suicidal, life threatening) you will be contacted by someone at the Student Health Center or the Dean of Students Office (if the Dean of Students Office has been notified).
How can I obtain information if my son or daughter has had alcohol violations or is in some other form of “trouble?”
If your son or daughter has violated any section of the University Student Conduct Code, we will be able to notify you upon receipt of written consent from your son or daughter. If your son or daughter has committed either a misdemeanor or felony crime, you will need to contact the police department. Some information is “public” and will be able to be released without consent. If the case is currently under “investigation,” some information may not be available to anyone - including the Dean of Students Office staff.
PARENT/FAMILY FALL WEEKEND
Mark your calendars for the weekend of October 17- 19, 2008 and plan to attend the annual Parent/Family Fall Weekend at Montana State University. Hosted by the PFA, Fall Weekend features information sessions, outdoor activities, meals and live entertainment. The event offers an opportunity to familiarize yourself with campus, meet other parents, and spend some quality time with your student. The agenda includes information sessions, a “live tour” of the Museum of the Rockies, a guided shopping extravaganza in downtown Bozeman and social events your entire family can enjoy. Registration is required and will begin online on August 1, 2008. Hotel discounts have been arranged and are available now at www.montana.edu/pfa . You will receive a post card notification early in the fall.
GIVING BACK TO STUDENTS
The Parent/Family Advisory Board has made it their priority to support students. The PFA is pleased to have sponsored a group study room on the third floor of the Renne library that can be used by students working on group projects. Other groups who have benefited from the funds raised by parents include the Leadership Institute, the Spirit of the West Marching Band and the Museum of the Rockies. Student Activities receives a lump sum which they allocate to clubs and organizations ranging from Engineers Without Borders and Circle K to the University Chess Club and the MSU chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. All registered clubs are eligible to apply to Student Activities for funds.
In addition, one of the most important elements of PFA fundraising efforts has been to raise money for student scholarships. In academic year 2008-2009, the PFA will provide more than $25,000 directly for this purpose. Each college will receive $3,500 to be allocated for scholarships in the manner they deem most appropriate for their area. The general scholarship fund will also receive monies raised through the PFA Silent Auction and airfare raffle held during the Fall Weekend. Finally, a number of students will receive cash awards at the Day of Student Recognition for their efforts to be the best of the best..
The Parent/Family Association could not make these contributions possible without your support and generosity. Thank you for your continued commitment.
For more information about the PFA, please contact the Office of Communications and Public Affairs, 406-994-2502 or via email at jdelay@montana.edu. Please also visit our Web page at http://www.montana.edu/pfa.
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