Parents, Get to Know Pitt!

Sandy Talbott Parent and Family Liaison

Office of Parent and Family Resources

Welcome Week Schedule• Today

– Move in and student/family sessions– E-newsletter signups– Panel Q&A– Parent t-shirts and Bye-Bye!

• Wednesday– Classes begin and FYE Open House

• Thursday– Outside the Classroom Curriculum session– Activities Fair

• Friday– Career Development Events

Office of Parent and Family Resources

• Created in 2011• To Support parents and families as they

support their students!• In the William Pitt Union• Visible at Admissions events, Orientations,

Family Weekend, Commencement

Parent and Family Resources• Within Student Life• Division of Student Affairs

Parent and Family Resources

• Web site is parents.pitt.edu• Monthly e-newsletters• Parent Handbook• Webinars

– What to Expect in the First 6 Weeks– Living Well– Safety

Calendars

• Academic Calendar • Martin Luther King Day – January 18• Spring Break – March 6 - 13, 2016• April 25 – 30 – Finals Week • Residence Halls close May 1(except for

seniors)

Financial Information

• Financial Aid vs. Student Payment Center• No mailed bills• Authorized Payer/FERPA• Dining Services • Panther Funds• Banking• Student workshops

Visiting Campus

• Parking– Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall garage– Port Authority garage, Forbes Avenue

• Hotels – 15213 zip • Restaurants – Parents survey • Comfortable waiting areas

– Tansky Lounge in the WPU– Schenley Café– Cathedral Commons Room– Cup and Chaucer Hillman Library

On-Campus Housing

• Safety– Swipe in / IDs– Emergency Notification System– Safe Rider– Emergency lights

• Resident Assistants / Resident Directors• Maintenance forms

Off-Campus Housing• Off Campus Living Web site• Students should

– Be mature enough to handle maintenance and roommate situations

– Read the lease– Take advantage of Pitt shuttles– Buddy system– Take advantage of Port Authority

• Shopping• Investigate renters’ insurance

From Director to Support Specialist

• Communications– Important to talk with your student – Know your student’s class schedule– Set up scheduled times to talk

From Director to Support Specialist

– Resist the urge to solve the problem– Refer students to Pitt resources

• Become familiar with the resources in advance

– Assure them that a poor grade does not mean failure

– You are still their parent but your relationship is evolving

From Director to Support Specialist

– Patience• Make appointments when possible• When walk-in service is offered, be prepared to wait

– Read the syllabus carefully– Go see the professor– Academic Resource Center

Alcohol Edu and Haven Sexual Harassment Education

• Mandatory (transfer students can transfer their results)

• Alcohol Edu for Parents– Student portal is separate– http://www.everfi.com/alcoholeduforparents

• Haven - Sexual Assault – http://www.everfi.com/haven

Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Buses!

• Pitt Buses http://www.pc.pitt.edu/transportation/buses_thanksgiving.php#kop

– Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break• Other forms of transportation

– Megabus or Greyhound– Flights– Train**Port Authority Buses

Parent Resources

• Panther Connections e-newsletter– Comes from University of Pittsburgh Student Affairs

• Webinar – January 11, 7 – 7:45 p.m. Eastern time– Internships and Career Development Placement

Assistance• Parent Web site - www.parents.pitt.edu• Director contact

– parents@pitt.edu– 412-624-8548

• Assist with on-and-off-campus programming• Tours and special programs• Occasionally write newsletter articles or

testimonials• Register at Panther Parent Ambassadors

Panther Parent Ambassadors

• Pitt Police• Residence Life• Student Health Service• Panther Central (housing and dining)

Panel Discussion and Q&A

Sandy Talbott Parent and Family Liaisonwww.parents.pitt.edu

parents@pitt.edu412-624-8548

A copy of this power point is available at www.parents.pitt.edu