Information for Family and Friends

Dear Family and Friends,

We welcome you to UMF as part of our community of learners.  You are an important member of our community and we value your input.

This web site is designed with you in mind.  We have tried to provide you with information that will be helpful to you without overloading you with details.  We know that students often turn to their most trusted family member or friend for guidance. By providing you with information, you can help us by helping them.

The UMF catalog is an excellent reference containing more detailed information about programs, policies, and procedures. The catalog can be viewed on-line at www.umf.maine.edu; type in the word “catalog" in the site search box.

Index of topics:

Campus Resources
First Year Program at UMF
Success at UMF (a professor’s viewpoint)
A Success Plan for Students with Physical and Mental Health Challenges
FERPA
Parenting a First-Year Student
Career Tracks: A Four Year Plan to Finding a Great Job
Students and Part-time Jobs
University Alcohol and Drug Policy
Helpful Links
--Preventing and Treating Homesickness
--High Tech Communications Can Prolong College Homesick Blues
--A Career Planning Course for Parents

Campus Resources
area code (207)       TDD Dial: 207. 778. 7000

Accommodations for students with disabilities
778-7295 or becky@maine.edu   252  Main Street: Franklin Academic Success Center
Students in need of accommodations should be referred to the Coordinator of Academic Services for Students with Disabilities.  In cases where the disability is not apparent, the student will be asked to provide current documentation.

Center for Human Development
778-7034 or lorih@maine.edu    252 Main Street: Franklin Academic Success Center    http://chd.umf.maine.edu.
The CHD houses both Career and Counseling Services and is staffed by professional counselors. Services offered include: career, mental health and substance abuse counseling; job and internship information; resume assistance; and testing services including the PRAXIS Exam for teachers.

Commuter Concerns Office
778-7333 or  jpadams@maine.edu    109 Olsen Student Center
An office full of resources for the commuting student (ride board, bulletin boards, jumper cables, lockers, referrals, etc.).

Computer Center
778-7300  or computer.center@maine.edu   http://computercenter.umf.maine.edu/index.php
The Computer Center provides dial-up services, wireless and ResNet access, mini-classes, 24-hour computer labs, printing services, equipment loans, network data storage, and a variety of services.  Stop by or call the HELP desk located in the Computer Center on South Street. 

Fitness and Recreation Center  
778-7311 or blodgett@maine.edu  152 Quebec Street   http://frc.umf.maine.edu/. 
The FRC has a fully-equipped and supervised weight room, a cardio fitness area with machines, four multipurpose courts, a 1/8 mile walking/jogging track, and a 25-yard swimming pool.  The Fitness Center offers fitness classes, professional trainers, swim instructors for all ages, programs for people with disabilities, an intramural sports program, and more. 

Health Services
778-7200 or tshaw@maine.edu  Scott Residence Hall  Main Street
The Health Center is staffed by two family physicians, two registered nurses, and a registered dietician.  The Health Center provides medical care for acute and chronic illness; psychological illness; preventative health care;  gynecological exams; and health information.

Learning Assistance Center
778-7295 or  becky@maine.edu   252  Main Street: Franklin Academic Success Center
The Learning Assistance Center oversees placement testing and developmental courses in mathematics and writing as well as other academic supports including tutoring and supplemental instruction.  Students with documented disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations are encouraged to contact the office.

Mantor Library
778-7210  or  web-mantor@umf.maine.edu  116 High Street
With nearly 100,000 volumes, thousands of full-text journals, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and access to a world of scholarship, Mantor Library is the campus hub of information.  With 87 hours of operation each week, and online access anytime, day or night, the library offers a great place to study with friends or quietly alone, view one of our hundreds of DVDs, or listen to a CD while having a cup of coffee or a soda.  You can borrow a book from our collection, or request one from any UMS library, or just about any library around the country.  The Mantor Library staff is committed to helping you be successful in your college classes by offering help one-on-one or for entire classes. 

Merrill Center
778-7100 or umfaid@maine.edu  Merrill Hall First Floor  Main Street
Student records; registration; academic transcripts: enrollment verification; financial aid services; student payroll; student accounts; and VA certification services are all housed in Merrill Center.  Information on financial assistance is available to students and parents, including grants, scholarships, loans and student employment.  The center also provides services on student accounts including processing payments, registering for meal plans and processing student credit refund checks.

Public Safety
778-7200 or edward.blais@maine.edu  248 Main Street
The Department of Public Safety provides professional law enforcement assistance as well as a number of services to the campus community.  Each officer is certified by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.  Through interagency agreements between local law enforcement agencies and the UMF Police, all reports of criminal activity associated with students and student organizations off campus are shared to provide a uniform and comprehensive commitment to safety. 

Student Life
778-7348 or jpadams@maine.edu  111 South Street Olsen Student Center  http://studentlife.umf.maine.edu.
The Student Life office, located in the Olsen Student Center, oversees residence life, commuter life, student activities, clubs and organizations, gender issues, new student orientation, and leadership development and training.

Your Academic Advisor
Advisors are the primary source of advice and support students have at UMF, so it's important to understand the scope of their assistance, how to engage them for help and your responsibilities in the advising relationship. He/she will provide accurate, reliable information while assisting you with choosing educational and career objectives, and exploring the consequences of your choices.Your Academic Advisor will inform you of the services and educational opportunities available at UMF.  Advising varies by individual faculty member and by department; however, you should expect your advisor to be available during his/her office hours, to respond to reasonable requests by e-mail or voice-mail and to schedule appointments for course selection when necessary. How and when you will be assigned your academic advisor varies by academic department. You will be notified of who your advisor is at Orientation prior to the start of fall classes.  If you have difficulty contacting your advisor, ask the administrative assistant of your academic department to assist you.

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First Year Program
Doug Rawlings
Assistant to the Provost for First Year Programs

An open letter to parents and families

As members of a public liberal arts university, UMF faculty and staff take pride in the first year programs we have designed to acclimate your daughter or son to college life. We at UMF are committed to working with each student as she or he develops the essential qualities of mind and character that define a successful college graduate.

Although we don’t know your child yet, we do know that her or his transition from high school to college will not be easy.  We also recognize that it is a journey – indeed, a profoundly transformative experience – that need not be taken alone.  Since we are aware of the unique pressures that first-year students face, we have called upon selected members of our academic community to help new students make a successful first step toward a university degree.  Our message is clear and direct – we are here to help.

To begin with, we recognize that new university students are often intimidated and confused by professors who, on day one, expect them to be independent, self-directed learners, willing to engage in vigorous intellectual exchanges.  This is oftentimes not a learning environment recent high school graduates are used to.  We help them become accustomed to these new expectations by offering a number of orientation opportunities that include

• a series of visiting days for new students when they can enter our classrooms and speak to our students and their professors;

•  the week-long Summer Experience program that uses seminar courses to emphasize the demands of an academic life;

•  an extended fall orientation weekend that encourages students to meet with peer and faculty advisors;

•  a fall convocation ceremony that sets the tone for the upcoming year;

•  a series of First Year Seminars that are designed to engage students in the joys of academic inquiry while simultaneously introducing them to the twists and turns of the university system.

                                                                                                                      
As new students settle into their first semester of classes, they will be entering an “intentional environment" with many overseers.  The president, vice-presidents, deans, faculty, and selected program directors all assume responsibility for some aspect of your child’s first year experience. 

Let us say this again: a first-year student at UMF is not alone.  Here are a few of the programs designed specifically to make the first year experience at UMF a successful one:

• Tutoring Services:  Our Writing Center and Math Clinic are open each afternoon Monday through Thursday;  both centers are staffed by directors and student tutors.  In addition to the centers, UMF offers individualized tutoring for every course taught on campus through its Learning Assistance Center.  First year students are reminded of these services periodically throughout the first semester. All services are free of charge.

• Early Warning System: Deficiency slips are sent to students in danger of failing courses throughout the semester.  Copies are sent to their academic advisors. Students are encouraged to seek tutoring assistance and to speak to their professors as well as their advisors about how to get back on track.

• Peer Mentoring: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who have been successful at UMF are chosen to be peer mentors.  They are available for brief chats or for lengthy discussions when first-year students are feeling overwhelmed or anxious.  Peer mentors are trained at UMF to provide good, solid advice and to recommend more professional counseling if the need arises.

• A College Success Series:  This 4-week study skills workshop provides students with information pertaining to Time Management, Note-taking and Reading, Test Preparation, Test-taking, and Motivation. The series is run twice per semester during common time, so that it does not interfere with student’s class schedules. 

As the Assistant to the Provost for First Year Programs, I would like to personally invite you to contact me with any questions you may have about UMF’s first year.  I like to think of myself as an unofficial “ombudsman" who can perhaps make our system here at UMF a little more understandable for you and for our students.  Best of luck to you all.

Sincerely,

Doug Rawlings
Telephone: 778-7292   
E-mail address: rawlings@maine.edu

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How To Succeed At College
Dr. Jonathan Cohen
Associate Professor-Humanities

College is a student’s job:
At a job, you have to show up every day.  Same with college.  If  students miss a class, they miss a big chunk of the course.  Showing up is important!

College is a FULL-TIME job:
High school courses consist mostly of class time, but college emphasizes outside work.  For each hour of class time, you are expected to put in 2-3 hours of homework.

Finding a place to work:
You go to a paying job.  So, students need to go to the job of studying.  The library, the computer center, the commons or an empty classroom are good environments for getting work done.

Don’t declare a major too soon:
Students end up changing their minds more than once about what they want to do with the rest of their lives.  So, students do not have to declare a major to start.  Students can try out a major if they want to or they can sample a variety of areas before settling on a major.  Many college subjects are not taught in high school or are treated differently here.

Getting students help when they need it...and when they don’t:
The Learning Assistance Center provides tutors for any course at any point in the semester.  The Math Clinic and Writing Center have staff trained to help students.  Another good source of help is other students.  While it is best not to wait, it is never too late to get help.

Students are responsible for their education:
This is not high school!  No one will go chasing after students to be sure they get things done or in on time.  Students need to keep on top of their courses.

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A Success Plan: For Students with Physical and Mental Health Challenges

The students with physical and mental health challenges who are successful at UMF are those who do some careful planning.  In that spirit we offer the following observations.

Students with physical health and mental health issues often think that coming to college will be a time to leave behind issues that were troublesome in high school or elsewhere. For these students, college represents an opportunity for a fresh start and a new beginning.  What many students fail to realize is that entering college is a stressful time; learning to adjust to new surroundings and expectations separated from their familiar system of support. All students must learn to deal with stress, but these adjustment issues may have a greater impact on individuals with physical and mental health challenges, consequently, entailing the need for a plan.

The primary contact points at UMF for your student will be the Student Health Center (physical health), the Center for Human Development (mental health) and the Learning Assistance Center (academic support and accommodations). We recommend that these offices be part of your students’ success plan. However, resources are limited and students with a history of physical or mental health problems should not rely entirely on campus resources for their treatment. These offices can be a link to current providers and help make a connection with local service providers.

Students who are successful despite physical or mental health challenges tend to take the following steps during their first few weeks at UMF:

1. Maintain supportive contact with medical and/or psychological providers with whom they have a history of successful treatment;
2. Establish relationships with health and counseling services on campus;
3. Provide documentation to the Disabilities Coordinator if accommodations are required or requested;
4. Manage their stress by maintaining healthy sleep patterns, good nutrition and exercise;
5. Maintain their medication treatments as prescribed, or seek medical advice when their medication is not properly working;
6. Provide written releases of information to all providers and family members so information can be freely exchanged;

As a concerned family member we know you want your student to be successful and we urge you to contact us with your concerns and questions.  Please let us know about physical or mental health problems as early as possible and urge your student to follow the steps outlined above.  We can help put together a plan so your student will have the best opportunity to achieve success.

Sue Cochran, Director of the Student Health Center cochran@maine.edu
Bob Pederson, Director of the Center for Human Development pederson@main.edu
Claire Nelson, Director of the Learning Assistance Center, Disabilities Coordinator claire@maine.edu

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What Parents Should Know about F.E.R.P.A

What is FERPA?
FERPA is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.  It is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records.

Who does FERPA protect? 
FERPA protects students who are or have been in attendance at post-secondary institutions regardless of age by keeping their educational records private.

What are educational records? 
Educational records, according to FERPA, are documents or materials that are maintained by the university, which are directly related to a student, allowing the student to be identified.  Almost all academic, financial, and administrative information (both print and electronic) falls under this act.

What information can be released? 
Directory information is an exception to FERPA’s privacy protection.  Directory information can be released by the university without consent unless the Registrar’s office receives written notification from the student that he/she does not want the information published.  Directory information is that which would not be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy.  Other educational records can be released if the university receives a signed and dated waiver form from the student.  This form must reference the specific records allowed to be released, the purpose for disclosure and the identity of the person/people to whom the information can be released to.  In addition, most educational records can be shared within the university as long as the individuals have legitimate educational interests, or a need to review the information in order to fulfill his/her job responsibilities.

What information does UMF designate as directory information?
At the University of Maine at Farmington, the following information is considered Directory Information:  name, addresses, enrollment status (full-time, part-time), dates of attendance, date of birth, phone number, program of study (major), class level, degrees and awards received, most recent previous educational institution attended, participation in sports and activities, appropriate athletic statistical data.

What if a student does not want certain information published?
Students may elect to suppress the release of directory information by checking the appropriate line on the Student Information Form that is mailed in August or by contacting the Registrar’s Office.

What are a parent’s rights under FERPA?
At the University level, parents do not have an automatic right to inspect their student’s educational records.  Parents who wish to access their student’s records must have their student sign a written consent form authorizing the release of specific information, like grade, financial or disciplinary information to the parents.  For more information about this waiver and what information it must include please contact the Registrar’s Office at 778-7240 or registrar@umf.maine.edu.

Where can I get more information about FERPA?
The US Department of Education enforces FERPA.  The department maintains a FERPA web site with many resources for parents, students, faculty and staff at:  http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

In addition, at UMF you may call Vice President for Student and Community Affairs, Celeste Branham, 778-7087 or cbranham@maine.edu

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Parenting a First Year Student
Center for Student Involvement
778-7346 or 778-7347

Your student, along with 500 others, is about to enter a time both exciting and frightening, a period of joy, pain, discovery, disappointment, transition and growth. You as parents and families are also entering this new period in their lives. You will experience the same ups and downs, second hand, yet still as vivid. Here is some advice: partner with UMF, watch, wait, worry, encourage, accept, and understand. Your student will be happier for your efforts; so will you. Of course, no one can ensure that you will completely survive your student’s first year at college, but here are some guidelines that might help you make it with a minimum loss of sanity and a maximum strengthening of your new relationship.

DON’T ASK THEM IF THEY’RE HOMESICK
Most of them are so busy they don’t have time to think about being homesick until you say something about it. Adjusting to a new situation takes a majority of a first year student’s time and concentration.

WRITE (Even if they don’t write back)
Even though they are excited about their new-found independence, they love to hear about home in order to sustain their security ties with the family. Don’t feel rejected if they don’t respond to every e-mail, IM message, or correspondence. Students love to get “real mail" no matter how mundane the news seems to you.

ASK QUESTIONS (But not too many)
First year students are “cool" (or so they think) and have a tendency to resent interference with their new lifestyle, but they still desire the security of knowing that someone is still interested in them. You will be better prepared as a resource agent for your students when you learn UMF’s policies and procedures.

EXPECT CHANGE (But not too much)
Your student will change either drastically within the first months, slowly over four years, or somewhere in between that pace. It’s natural, inevitable, and it can be inspiring and beautiful.
College and the experiences associated with it can effect changes in social, vocational and personal behavior and choices. Remember: your student will basically be the same person you sent away to school aside from interest changes and personality revisions. MATURITY IS NOT INSTANTANEOUS - BE PATIENT!

VISIT (But not too often)
Visits by parents (especially when accompanied by shopping sprees and/or dinners out) are things students appreciate greatly. It is a chance for you to hopefully understand and recognize their new commitments and friends. Surprise visits are usually not appreciated because of the students’ heavily planned schedules, but give them notice and you might see a clean room.

DO NOT TELL YOUR STUDENT THAT THESE ARE “THE BEST YEARS OF YOUR LIFE"
College years are full of good times, but also with indecisions, insecurities, disappointments, and most of all mistakes. College is not like the movies or a paperback book, and students should understand that beforehand. They should understand and accept that being unhappy, afraid, confused, disliking people, and making mistakes are all a part of this new reality and a part of growing up.  Parents that perpetrate and insist upon the “best years" stereotype are already working against their son/ daughter’s difficult self-development. Accept and understand the highs and low of the student’s reality and provide support and encouragement.

TRUST THEM
Finding oneself is a difficult enough process without feeling the people whose opinions you respect most are second guessing your own second guessing. Remember to understand, listen, and communicate with your college student.

WILL I RECEIVE A COPY OF MY STUDENT’S GRADES?
The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, FERPA, makes the distribution of a student’s educational records to any person illegal without the student’s permission. Educational records include documents and materials maintained by the University and almost all academic, financial and administrative information (written and electronic). Students will access their educational records via MAINESTREET, an internal system, available through e-campus. Be wary of putting too much emphasis on first semester grades. The University requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 to remain a student in good standing, but recognizes the many transitions students are undergoing. Probation should be considered an academic warning, not a condemnation.

WHAT IF MY STUDENT IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH CLASSES?
Encourage your student to ask questions in class and to meet with the professor at the first indication of trouble. If problems continue, your student should make an appointment with his or her advisor who will help direct the student to services such as the Center for Human Development and The Learning Assistance Center. Many students found it easy to succeed in high school with little or no studying; they may lack good study skills and effective methods of time management to do college-level work. Many students expect to perform as well as they did in high school, but often that is not what happens. Remember that this is not high school. Academic expectations are greater, and students may experience a great deal of self-doubt and tension. Your support, knowledge of campus resources, and reassurance are of the utmost importance.

WHAT IF MY STUDENT WANTS TO CHANGE MAJORS?
Suggest that he or she make an appointment with his or her faculty advisor and visit the Center for Human Development. It is very typical for college students to change their majors. Be open. Realize that career goals, as well as majors, may change as opportunities present themselves.
Most students do not even understand what a major or career involves. Encourage them to thoroughly explore all options before making decisions. The Center for Human Development is an excellent resource for career exploration.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE FACULTY ADVISOR?
Advisors do not make decisions for students; advisors present options. The final responsibility for academic requirements rests with the student. The UMF catalog and policies are available on line through the University homepage. It is the student’s responsibility to make decisions based on options presented by the faculty advisor and to act on those decisions.

SHOULD MY STUDENT WORK WHILE IN COLLEGE?
Many students do work while they are at UMF and earn excellent grades. It is the ability of the student to manage time wisely that will determine whether a student should hold a job while in school. As students advance in their academic careers, they should take advantage of internships, work initiatives, and courses that relate to their major or career goal.

SHOULD MY STUDENT BECOME INVOLVED IN OUT-OF-CLASS ACTIVITIES?
This depends upon the student. Students join clubs, teams, and other organizations for many reasons. The value of being involved in co-curricular activities can be tremendous. Students make new friends, gain valuable leadership skills, develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, and just enjoy the break from class work. Time management is the key to combining academic success with co-curricular activities. As a rule, students should start out slowly, gradually becoming more involved as they demonstrate a mastery of their course work. It is important to remember that most employers and graduate schools look at grades as well as co-curricular activities when making decisions.

CARE PACKAGE IDEAS
Here is a list of a few items that will definitely lift your student’s spirits. There is no better way to say “we miss you" than with a care package. Check out the USPS website for package pricing at www.usps.com.

• Anything Edible:   Cookies, granola bars, chocolate, crackers, macaroni & cheese, dried fruits & nuts, sunflower seeds...
• School Supplies:  Pens and pencils, blank CDs, whiteout sticks, erasers, index cards, rulers, highlighters...
• Toiletries:  Q-Tips, body wash, fingernail clippers, hand sanitizer, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant...
• Anything Family: Pictures, letters, cards, newspaper clippings...
• Anything Fun: Stuffed animals, stickers, coloring books, deck of cards, yo-yos, dominos,...
• Anything At All:  Trinkets, gift certificates/gift cards, stamps, phone cards

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Career Tracks
Bob Pederson, Director, Center for Human Development
pederson@maine.edu

Most students tell us that one of the main reasons they want to earn a college degree is to “get a good paying job" after graduation. UMF shares that goal and provides students with the resources and tools to compete in the market place for those good paying jobs. Here is a Four Year Plan to keep students on track with their career aspirations.

First Year
If we could map it out for a student, we’d suggest spending the First Year developing good study habits (which are the same as good work habits) and exploring career options by assessing strengths and interests. Meeting with an academic advisor or career counselor can help clarify whether a student is uncertain about which careers to consider, has broadly defined interests, or is interested in specific occupations.

Second Year
During a student’s Second Year we urge them to “get some field experiences." An academic advisor or career counselor can assist the student in identifying relevant work-related experiences. These experiences might be course-related internships, service-learning or practicum experiences, leadership opportunities in clubs and organizations, on-campus work opportunities, or summer jobs. Students gain valuable training and job specific skills, and these experiences have the added value of providing students with a taste of the work environment so
they can make better, more knowledgeable choices about their career? Whether done as part of one’s curriculum or not, field experiences are the perfect solution to the all-too-common dilemma graduates face of “you need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience." Employers consistently tell us that they are interested in students’ experiences beyond the classroom.

Third Year
The Third Year is the perfect time to begin developing a professional resume, researching graduate schools, and documenting their experiences in a career portfolio. This portfolio may be used to apply for summer jobs, internships and part-time work, as well as an entry level position following graduation. The portfolio will contain a resume, letters of reference, and a variety of other materials that will document a person’s job skills.

Fourth Year
Early in the Fourth Year the job search process begins. We urge students to create a job search strategy, develop effective interviewing skills, research potential employers, and improve their networking skills by taking advantage of the job fairs, panel presentations, and special programs offered by the Career Services Office.

The world of work is changing, and it will change even more. Jobs are available, but gone are the days of looking in the newspaper at the Help Wanted ads and sending out a few dozen generic resumes and cover letters. Technology has changed the job market and re-shaped the job search process. Uncovering the hidden job market requires developing marketable skills that set you apart from others. Students need to develop both technology skills and interpersonal skills to be successful in their search for a “good paying job."

We invite parents to partner with us in helping students to get on track early in their career development by urging you to encourage them to take advantage of the valuable resources available to them through career services at the Center for Human Development. Visit our website http://chd.umf.maine.edu/ for more detailed information.

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Students and Part Time Jobs

Nearly 80% of the first-year students report that they expect to work during college.

During the first week of classes, UMF holds a Student Employment Fair emphasizing on-campus and local jobs. Students are encouraged to bring several resumes to the job fair, and they should bring an extra resume to give to their advisor.

Information about the Student Employment Fair and resume assignment can be found on the B-4 Campus web site at http://b4campus.umf.maine.edu. Point your browser at Campus Life and then Student Employment Fair.

Information about on-campus student employment can be found on B-4 Campus. Point your browser to Campus Life and then campus jobs or go to the Financial Aid web site at
http://financialaid.umf.maine.edu/.

Information about local jobs can be found at
http://chd.umf.maine.edu/career/localjobsearch.php.

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University Alcohol and Drug Policy

Public intoxication which interferes with or disrupts the residential environment for others or necessitates staff intervention or medical attention (as determined by residence hall staff) is prohibited. Open alcohol containers are not permitted in hallways, lounges, bathrooms, stairwells, or any other common area(s), including exterior adjacent areas to the residence halls, such as porches, lawns, parking lots. Displays with content regarding alcohol or drugs may not be placed in areas of public view such as room windows facing out and room door exteriors; this includes but is not limited to neon signs, posters, empty container displays.

An “of Age" room is when all residents living in the room are 21 years of age or older. An "underage" room is when one or more residents living in the room are less than 21 years of age. Alcohol may be consumed by students and their guests who are 21 years of age or older in an “of age" residents room only if no underage students are present. The possession of alcoholic beverage containers in “underage" student rooms, either full or empty, will be taken as a presumption of use and possession, and as such are not permitted, even for decorative or display purposes. Empty alcohol containers may be present in “of age" student rooms as long as they are not used for decorative or display purposes.

While the University is committed to providing assistance, it should be understood that student behavior while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be accepted as an excuse for violations of the Conduct Code or University policies and procedures.

Students shall not possess, make, grow, furnish, sell, or trade any illegal drug or possess, use, sell, manufacture or advertise drug paraphernalia. Students shall not misuse, abuse, trade, or sell prescription medicines. The presence of smoke or other types of residue, including but not limited to seeds, stems, or odor as determined by University staff, from illegal drugs or any other substance such as incense, candles and tobacco products provides justifiable grounds for entering a student’s room and for appropriate disciplinary action.

One Strike/Warning Policy:

We are invested as an institution in promoting healthy, responsible choices concerning the use of alcohol and other drugs, with the emphasis on the elimination of illegal and harmful use, high risk behavior, and related physical impairment or injury.

In an attempt to promote student learning and development, as well as to advance community standards through education that are characterized by healthy relationships and behaviors, order, respect for self and others, good citizenship, and productivity, a one strike/warning policy will be instituted.The parameters of the one strike/warning policy are: All students will be given one strike/warning for lesser violations of university alcohol and drug policies pertaining to the illegal possession and/or use of alcohol or marijuana. A lesser offense may include but is not limited to: carrying an open container, possession or consumption of small quantities of alcohol or marijuana, being present where alcohol or marijuana is being consumed.

A second incident involving the unlawful possession, use, and/or distribution of alcohol by a student under the age of 21 will result in a conduct review. A second incident involving the unlawful possession, use, and/or distribution of other illicit drugs, such as cocaine, ecstasy, or illegally obtained prescription medication, will result in the removal of the student from the residence halls.

Additional Stipulations:

Other illicit drugs beyond marijuana are not included under the one strike/warning policy.
Serious alcohol and other drug offenses, such as operating a vehicle under the influence, furnishing a place for underage drinking to occur, procuring alcohol for minors, selling drugs, hazing, vandalism, as assaultive behavior, etc., will by-pass the one strike/warning policy and proceed directly to a conduct review.

Only one strike/warning is permitted during the course of a student’s undergraduate years.  In addition to a strike/warning, other sanctions may be imposed, including but not limited to community restitution and drug and alcohol evaluations.

Parental Notification Policy:

The inherent risks associated with the abuse of alcohol and other drugs affect the entire community. One important goal of any institutional effort to mitigate the impact of alcohol and drug abuse on the campus at large is to involve faculty, staff, students, medical, and law enforcement services, alumni, and parents in a collaborative relationship to promote a safe
and healthy learning community. Broad collaboration and the formation of partnerships between and among these groups can assure collective ownership in protecting a healthy environment where learning, performance, and the social aspects of college life are not compromised.
To that end, in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and section 952 of the Higher Education Reauthorization Act, which provides for the notification of parents/legal guardians in the case of alcohol and/or drug activity, the University may notify the parents/legal guardians of any student hospitalization directly resulting from alcohol poisoning or drug overdose. Consent of the student is not required under FERPA provisions and section 952 of the Higher Education Reauthorization Act for this notification process.

Helpful Links

Preventing and Treating Homesickness
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/119/1/192

High Tech Communications Can Prolong College Homesick Blues
http://www.collegenews.org/x3426.xml

A Career Planning Course for Parents
http://www.jobweb.com/parents.aspx?id=40

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