“Help! My Kid is Going to

College!”

Dr. Charles W. Mattis

Dean of the First-Year Program

(325) 674-2212

mattis@acu.edu

Our Purpose Today…

• Discuss thoughts on assisting you and your student with their transition to college life

• Highlight student support services

• Discuss ACU’s philosophy of partnering with parents

First-Year Program

• Passport & Welcome Week

• University Seminar

• Peer Leaders

• Learning Communities

• Academic Advising

• Academic Support Services

• Parent Resource

http://www.acu.edu/fyp

Student Life http://www.acu.edu/studentlife

• Health Services

• ACU Police

• Residence Life

• Career Center

• Spiritual Life and Chapel

• Student Productions

• Volunteer and Service Learning Center

• Student Organizations

Wildcat Parents http://www.acu.edu/parents

• Parent resources

• Monthly guide to the first-year

• Important dates to remember

• Upcoming events

• Considerations of support and encouragement

Already…but not yet!• Are college students “adults”?

• FERPA – Family Education Rights Practice Act

• ACU takes a developmental approach (i.e. ACU expectations and environment for freshmen is different than that of seniors)

ACU…

• Takes a holistic approach to Christian higher education (heart, soul, mind, strength).

• Is a fairly safe place to practice independent behavior

• Wants to help students become independent problem solvers

ACU…

• May have some policies and approaches with which you disagree

• Simply hopes to earn your confidence and trust

Transition…

• Virtually any significant life transition involves multiple challenges and creates stress

• The college transition is a process not an event…for both of you!

Academic adjustments…

•

Academic adjustments…

Academic adjustments…• Time

• Pace

• Workload

• Grades

• Study Habits/Skills

• Independent Environment

Social adjustments…

• Well established high school friendships made over time

• Students have moved away from well defined social circles and affinity groups

• Students are sometimes overwhelmed when balancing the myriad of new social choices and opportunities

Spiritual Adjustments…

• Students may be initially challenged by the diversity of Christian thought

• Students are challenged to make their own choices about spiritual matters

• Faith moves from being borrowed or inherited to being owned

Adjustments at home…• Your schedule has likely revolved around your

student’s activities

• You have observed what is going on in your student’s daily life

• With more independence, your student may question or challenge what you think is important

Parental concerns…

• Health

• Safety

ACU Medical Clinic and Counseling Center

Dr. Steve Rowlands

Counseling Center www.acu.edu/counseling

• Appointments are made within 48 hours.

• Emergency care is available in crisis situations.

• Private and confidential.

Counseling Center Fees

• The cost is $10.00 per visit for all clients. 

• Payment is due at time of service. 

• Students have the option of paying by cash, check, or charging their account. 

ACU Medical Clinic www.acu.edu/medical

• Ellen Little, M.D.

• Michelle Drew, Nurse Practitioner

• Julie Danley, Registered Nurse

• Marsh Smith, Registered Nurse

ACU Medical Clinic

• Health Record Form

• HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act)

Services

◦ colds & sore throats

◦ allergy shots

◦ immunizations

◦ travel medicine

◦ asthma care

◦ wound care

◦ stitches and removal

◦ sprains & strains

◦ simple fractures

◦ lab services

◦ dermatology/acne

◦ IV fluids

◦ mental health

◦ women’s health

Fees and Insurance

• The cost associated with office visits is based on the level of care, usually between $15 and $35.

•There is additional cost associated with medications, injections, medical supplies and rental equipment.

Fees and Insurance

The Medical Clinic does not bill insurance but we can provide the patient with a super billing

for filing purposes.

On-Campus Health Concerns

• Meningitis• Staph• Flu• Strep Throat• Mono

For more information visit: www.acu.edu/medical

ACU Police Department

Jimmy EllisonChief of Police

Director of Public Safety

ACU Police Department

ACU Police Dept. Staffing

• 1 Chief of Police

• 1 Administrative Lieutenant

• 2 Patrol Sergeant Shift Supervisors

• 10 Full Time Patrol Officers

• 2 Part-time Patrol Officers

• 1 Administrative Coordinator/Dispatcher

• 6 Part-time Support Staff

• 23 Total Employees

Experienced Police Officers

• 14 Full-Time Certified Texas Peace Officers on staff

• 7 Master Peace Officers (Highest level of Peace Officer Licensing by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards & Education)

• 274 Years of Police Experience working 24 hrs a Day For Your Student !

ACUPD Jurisdiction Area

Parking Issues

• Students must have a valid parking permit if they park on campus

• Student Permits are $25

• Replacement/Duplicate permits are $5

• Parking citations are usually posted directly to student accounts

• SAT score -vs.- “No Parking” & “Fire Lanes”

Crime Issues on Campus• Abilene is a safe city and ACU is a safe campus

• Crime can and does happen in Abilene & ACU

• Theft, Motor Vehicle Burglary, Bike Theft are the most common

• ACUPD Crime Prevention Presentations for all incoming freshmen

• Advise your student to take the same general crime and safety precautions that they do at home

ACU Police Department

Student support…

• What about beyond health and safety?

• What about making friends?

• What about their spiritual life?

• What about academic assistance?

Student support…

• All students will face a variety of challenges in their college career

• ACU provides a multitude of student support services which are designed to assist them in meeting those challenges

Student support…

Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their needs as well as their actions (or

inaction)

Parental concerns…

• At what level should I be involved in the challenges faced by my child?

• How much confidence do I have in my child’s ability to resolve issues independently?

Parental concerns…

Am I getting complete information from my student? Am I getting the full

picture?

ACU encourages …

• Students to view their parents not as someone who solves their problems for them, but as a sounding board and as advisor.

ACU encourages…

• Parents to consider themselves not as controller or manager of their students’ affairs, but as coach and partner with ACU to help their student succeed.

ACU encourages…

• A campus wide view among faculty and staff to consider parents as collaborators and allies in helping ACU students mature and succeed.

Remember the transition to 1st grade…

• As a parent you learned it is important not to “hover”

• Hovering says “I don’t think you can handle this on your own.”

• Hovering says “no one else can take care of you like I can.”

Helpful things to consider…

• Communicate clearly with your student about your expectations.

• Be realistic about academic performance, particularly in the first semester

Helpful things to consider…

• Let your student know that you respect their right to make independent decisions

• Realize with this independence and autonomy may come exploration, experimentation, and a few missteps

Helpful things to consider…

• Realize that it is normal for your student to seek your advice one day and reject it the next

• Deal positively with homesickness… it may present itself in a variety of ways.

Good questions to ask your student…

• Have you gone to see ______?

• Have you tried _______?

• What is your plan of action?

• When may I check up on your progress?

Helpful things to consider…

What if my student does not seem to be getting the help they need or they seem to be struggling in some way? What do I do?

Sara Taylor, M.S., LPC

SOS CoordinatorOffice of Academic Development

Common SOS Referrals:- Personal or family crisis- Academic struggles

- Connecting socially at ACU - Relationship problems

“Help, I have a struggling student!”

How SOS Supports Your Student

ParentsProfessors

Peers

YourStudent

How SOS Supports Your Student

Counseling Center

Residence Life

Academic

Counseling/

Tutoring

Career Counseling

Medical Clinic

• Secure, online referralwww.acu.edu/sos

• Call Us325.674.6400

• Emailsos@acu.edu

“Letting Go: A Parents Guide to Understanding the the College Years”

by Karen Coburn (Washington Univ. St. Louis)

“You’re on Your Own, But I’m Here if You Need Me” by Marjorie Savage (Univ. of Minn.)

“Don’t Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money” by Helen Johnson and Christine Shelhaus-Miller

(Cornell)

Helpful Resources…

• Encourage your student to personally connect with a faculty or staff member

• Encourage on-campus involvement

• Encourage your student to find a church home in Abilene

Closing Thoughts…

Closing thoughts…

• Be informed about what is happening on campus

• Learn the campus language, the acronyms

• Become an expert on the resources available at ACU

Closing thoughts…

• A goodie or gift package from home goes a long way

• Encourage and communicate confidence in your student

• Pray for your student every day…we are!

Closing thoughts…

Feel free to call or email just to get advice on how you might approach your student

regarding a particular situation.

Remember…

The transition to college is a process…for both of you!