Duck Transitions: Information for Ducks & Partners

Presentation by:Gretchen Jewett, Director of Nontraditional and Veteran Education and SupportTerra Wilcoxson, Graduate Student Family Issues GTF, Work-Life Resources

Session Purpose

Welcome the whole family to this endeavor and to the UO community

Practice strategies for spousal communication and managing stress

Introduce resources that are available to you

Introductions

Your name Student or partner? 2 adjectives

The Transition

The student family member may be taking on a new role and new responsibilities that can affect the whole family

Your family will have new expenses and financial considerations

The student may be returning to the classroom after a long time away He/she may find that they have different

perspectives and life experiences than more traditionally-aged students

Communicate Proactively

Why is your partner choosing to go back to school? Was this change a joint decision?

What are your hopes and concerns about present lifestyle changes?

How will this decision impact the way things work in your home right now? How does this change impact parenting roles? How do you see your household renegotiating

responsibilities and roles? What do you each need from each other?

Household Responsibilities and Time Management Challenge: managing irregular schedules Potential Strategies

Plan a quarterly and a monthly calendar (Include assignments and exams AND family events/time)

Help your partner maintain a study routine As a partnership, establish time you spend

together Work together to make a plan for managing

household responsibilities Does the non-student partner feel that their

personal activities are supported?

Role Calendaring Exercise Identify 5-6 important roles in your life

Examples: partner, parent, student, employee, friend and family member, self

Identify at least 1-2 things that you will do this week to maintain each role

Calendar activities for each role Discuss your calendar with your partner:

Are there busy days? Identify 1-2 things in your week for which you would like your

partner’s assistance and support. Ask for that assistance. As a pair, identify what you will do this week to maintain

your roles as partners/spouses and put it on the calendar together.

Roles and Goals Example

Individual/Personal

Manager-Research

Man. Staff Dev.

Man.-Admin.

Manager-New Prod.

Spouse/Parent

United Way Chair

Rough Draft Mission StatementRegister seminarVisit Frank in Hospital

Confirm Symphony TicketsTim’s science projectSarah’s bike

Test market parametersInterview assistant candidatesStudy consumer survey

Study last test resultWork on bonding prob.Network with Ken and Peter

Review responsibilities with JanieVisit with Samuel

End of the month reportsSalary review report

Prepare agendaP.R. visit with ConklinStart next year’s plan

Calendar Example

Student Example: Roles and Goals

Student Example: Planner

UO Family Connections ASUO spousal equivalent card needed:

Athletic tickets Discounted membership to the Student Recreation

Center One-time fee of $10 $45 per term, $180 annual 

Reduced rate for Craft Center Classes

Outdoor Program Kid trips: email Susan Hanlon at

shanlon@uoregon.edu

UO Family Connections

Student Rec Center Family Rec: Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 12-5 Swimming, rock climbing, gym play, etc http://uorec.uoregon.edu/rec_programs/family_rec.html

Social Networks UO Families Listserv Graduate Student Family Facebook group

Family Friendly Museums Museum of Natural and Cultural History Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art

Campus Resources for Grad Student Partnerships ASUO Child Care Subsidy Child Care Centers Family Housing

http://housing.uoregon.edu/apartments/ Nontraditional Student Programs Nontraditional Student Union and Lounge

EMU Suite 2, nsu@uoregon.edu Veterans and Family Student Association

EMU Suite 2, vfsa@uoregon.edu

Campus Resources for Grad Student Partnerships Work-Life Resources

Child care, school referrals, lactation support, Child Care Share Women’s Center Graduate School

http://gradschool.uoregon.edu

Nontraditional Student Programs gjewett@uoregon.edu (541) 346-1123 http://uodos.uoregon.edu/nontrad.aspx Individual consultations and resource

referrals Monthly electronic newsletters Family and nontraditional student events Tillman Military Scholars Program Faculty Mentorship Program Veteran Friendly Listeners Program

Work-Life Resources Karen Logvin klogvin@uoregon.edu Terra Wilcoxson terraw@uoregon.edu (541) 346-2962 http://hr.uoregon.edu/worklife/ 463 Oregon Hall Lactation Support Child Care and School Referral Elder Care Information Child Care Share UOFamilies Listserv and Facebook Group Workshops and Events

Questions, Concerns, Discussion

What else is on your mind?