Parent Connection Newsletter - Winter 2014

NEWSLETTERPARENTS CONNECTION WINTER 2014

Parents Connection Newsletter WINTER 2014 2

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”Edith Sitwell

CONTENTSTransitions - Fall to Winter Break..........................................................................................Winter Break Closing/Opening Information.........................................................................Meal Service Schedule for Thanksgiving Break..................................................................Final Exam Schedule Fall 2014............................................................................................Parents’ Guide From Student Activities Office....................................................................RA Programs..........................................................................................................................Airport Transportation Information......................................................................................Cookie Package......................................................................................................................Meal Plans for Spring Semester...........................................................................................Crisis Assessment, Response, and Educaiton (C.A.R.E)....................................................Smash Hunger........................................................................................................................Housing Sign-Up 2015-2016.................................................................................................Calendar of Events and Important Dates.............................................................................Campus Living Office.............................................................................................................Contacts..................................................................................................................................

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What have you missed the most about your student being gone this semester? Maybe it’s their great sense of humor or their nice smile or the friends they brought over?

And what have you not missed? Maybe you don’t miss the messy room, arguments with younger siblings, or the smelly shoes by the front door? Whether you have missed your student a little or a lot, the news is that the end of the fall semester is coming up, and your student may be coming home for Winter Break.

Which leads me to ask, what are your plans? Since residents are required to “move out” during Winter Break, most prefer (if at all possible) to spend their Break back home with their families. They may have a seasonal job in their hometown community or they just want to take a break from anything school- or work-related. Needless to say, their room, which is now so empty, quiet, and neat, will be in loud, working order again.

Your Student Has MaturedBut before you make a whole lot of family plans, realize that this will not be like times off from high school. This time at home will be unique because your student has changed since starting Mines in the fall semester. Your “child” has now lived several months of his/her adult life away from home, in a higher ed environment, and has developed in many ways. You may experience “clashes” because you expect them to follow house rules set when they were in high school. But they are now used to college life, living on their own, and being responsible. Your anticipation is normal, and you are not alone.

Would you like to avoid arguments and misunderstandings? Wouldn’t it be nice to make your student’s first long break at being back home full of positive memories? Read on for some simple strategies:

Communication and CompromiseWhen your student comes home and begins to unpack is a great time to sit down with them and talk about expectations during Winter Break.

Find out what your student wants to get out of this time at home. Tell them what you want to get out of the experience. Share plans, projects, and ideas. You will be surprised at how similar (and how different) some of the answers will be.

Discuss ExpectationsNext, discuss the things that you don’t want to have happen over the break. Perhaps this is where you can say that you don’t want them coming home at 3 a.m. and waking everyone up and causing an argument. ------------------------------------------------------------------------Cont. P4

TRANSITIONS – FALL TO WINTER BREAK

Adventure Leadership Community students


WINTER BREAK CLOSING/OPENING INFORMATIONResidence Halls officially close on Friday, December 12th, at 12 NOON. Residents living in the Residence Halls are required to check out with their respective RAs 24 hours after their final exam and no later than noon on December 12th. Residence Halls re-open on MONDAY, JANUARY 5th, 2015, at 8:00am. Please remind your students to take valuables, personal items, Blastercard, room/suite keys, etc., with them, as residents will not have building/room access during Winter Break. Residents’ Blastercard access will be reactivated on January 5th at 8:00am. (Please refer to the “Important Dates” in this Newsletter.)

And perhaps this is where your student will express that they don’t want to be treated like a child or given a curfew.

Get these concerns out into the open and discuss them in detail. Listen to your student and ask them to listen to you with the same respect. From there, you can effectively compromise and develop expectations so that a middle ground is established that respects and takes into consideration every member of the family.

By taking the time to communicate and compromise at the beginning, you will save your family community from many needless arguments, allowing everyone to have a fabulous “Winter Break” together.

Good Luck! And enjoy – we all know how quickly time goes by, especially during good times, which is what we wish for you during the fast-approaching Winter Break.

[Personal Note: As a parent of two college-age students, some of the ideas in this article, which was taken from the Transitions Newsletter (Ball State University, Muncie, IN) has been my “Go To” article for both Breaks and into the summers! I hope you enjoy it and find it as useful as my family and I have.

~ Debi Pretz ~


MEAL SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK11/25 11/26 11/27 11/28 11/29 11/30

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday SundaySlate Cafe

7:00 AM - 10:30 AM Hot Breakfast

CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED 9:00AM - 10:30 AM Continental/Omelets

10:30 AM - 11:30 AMSalad Bar/ Soup

10:30AM - 2:00 PM Brunch/Omelets

11:30 AM - 1:30 PMHot Lunch

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Salad Bar/ Deli

1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Salad Bar/ Deli

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Classics/ Salad Bar

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Classics/ Salad Bar/

SoupDigger’s Den

7:15AM - 12:00 AM 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM

CLOSED 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM

10:30 AM - 6:30 PM

11:30 AM- 11:30 PM

Pizza Hut11:00 AM - 12:00 AM 11:00 AM -

6:30 PMCLOSED 11:00 AM -

6:30 PM11:00 AM -

6:30 PM11:30 AM - 11:30 PM

Einstein’s7:15 AM - 5:00 PM CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED

StarBucks7:15 AM - 5:00 PM CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED

Subway10:00 AM - 6:00 PM CLOSED CLOSED 6:00 PM -

9:00 PM6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

CLOSED

*Only Munch Money accepted on these days. Meal swipes to be accepted starting Sunday, November 30, 2014.*Subway is open for concessions on Friday and Saturday, November 28 and 29, 2014.*Cash and credit cards are always accepted.


FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE FALL 2014In making plans for Winter Break, please visit the following link regarding your student’s final exam schedule:http://inside.mines.edu/UserFiles/File/academicAffairs/registrar/Final%20Exam%20Grid.pdf

CARE PACKAGESThe end of the semester and the stress of finals often proves challenging for Mines students. Sometimes you just need to know that someone is thinking of you and cheering you on from home. If you’d like to take advantage of sending a Care Package to your student we will make sure it gets delivered to them in their residence hall room! Details and ordering information can be found at the link below.

Care Package Ordering Site: https://www.swaku.com/mines-catalog

10/14/2014 Page 1 of 2

Dec 6, 2014 Saturday

Dec 8, 2014 Monday

Dec 9, 2014 Tuesday

Dec 10, 2014 Wednesday

Dec 11, 2014 Thursday

8:00 am - 10:00 amMATH 111MATH 112MATH 122

CHGN122CSCI 261CSCI 262

MWF 8:00 am

EBGN 201 CHGN 121 TR 9:00 amTR 10:00 am

10:15 am - 12:15 pm TR 11:00 am TR 2:00 pm CEEN 241CEEN 311

CBEN 210CBEN 307

MWF 2:00 pm

MEGN 315PEGN 310

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm LAIS 100TR 8:00 am

PHGN 100PHGN 200TR 1:00 pm

BIOL 110GEGN 101

EENG 281MWF 3:00 pm

MEGN 471CBEN 418PEGN 413MEGN 361

3:15 pm - 5:15 pm MWF 11:00 am CSCI 101MWF 1:00 pm MWF 9:00 am TR 12:00 pm

MWF 12:00 pmMEGN 351PEGN 311

7:00 pm - 9:00 pmMATH 213MATH 224MATH 323

MWF 10:00 amCHGN 209TR 3:00 pm

and after

MWF 4:00 pmand after

MATH 307MATH 225

Make-up Exams

Final Exam Schedule FALL 2014

ROOM INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED BY YOUR PROFESSOR ONCE AVAILABLE

http://inside.mines.edu/UserFiles/File/academicAffairs/registrar/Final%2520Exam%2520Grid.pdf

https://www.swaku.com/mines-catalog


RA PROGRAMSAmber Brusak ,a PA for the Athleticism and Wellness TLC, said “...my residents in the athleticism and wellness hall participating in 10 o’clock abs! It’s quite the event that happens every night!”

PARENTS’ GUIDE FROM STUDENT ACTIVITIES OFFICEFamilies check out this great online resource. Its our campus Parent Guide, right at your finger tips, with great resources, coupons and links to the campus website. We hope that it will be a great addition and easy to use resource while navigating you and your students needs about campus. Colorado School of Mines on UniversityParent.com

http://www.universityparent.com/colorado-school-of-mines/


East and West Garage: $24 per dayEast and West Economy: $13 per dayShuttle Lots: $8 per daywww.flydenver.com/parking

- $11 for Union Station (can ride light rail from Jefferson County Government Center in Golden to Union Station)- Show your RTD Bus Pass and receive a $5.00 discount as a Mines Studenthttp://www.rtd-denver.com/skyride.shtml

Transportation to DIA

RTD Skyride : $9 $11 or $13 one-way (depending on pickup location)

Taxi: $88.15 to Airporthttp://www.flydenver.com/taxi

Super Shuttle: $52 to Airport $105 roundtriphttp://www.supershuttle.com/Locations/DENAirportShuttleDenver.aspx

Parking Options

The costs are estimated.Photo Credit : Scorpions and Centaurs @Flickr


A special treat for your student, our Otis Spunkmeyer cookie jar. Just $12.99+tax for two dozen freshly baked cookies, a

signature cookie jar and a special message from you.

DIRECTIONS: Contact Andra Persson at 303-273-3358, or email us at [email protected] for additional information. To place an order, visit minesdining.sodexomyway.com/shop and navigate to “Gifts & More.”

In the comments section please include the student’s residence hall and your special message. Cookies will be an assorted variety.


MARBLE

QUARTZ

GRANITE

TOPAZ

MEAL

PLA

NSStudents will have an opportunity to keep their current meal plan or select a different meal plan for the spring semester. Please review the various meal plans (below). This is a great conversation to have with your student over the winter break!


Living, learning, and working at Colorado School of Mines can cause stress and may be the reason that someone is displaying distressed or disruptive behavior. The CARE Team at Mines provides assistance to the campus community to help access and find solutions for managing these difficult situations.

Colorado School of Mines is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for the members of the campus community. If you find yourself in a state of distress, we encourage you to seek out relevant services for assistance. The CARE at Mines website provides information on campus and community resources that are available.

Distressed and disruptive behavior usually includes a change in a person’s performance, appearance, or emotional state and may be symptomatic of a person’s inability to manage personal or emotional difficulties. Behaviors may include:

· Sleep disturbances (too much or too little)· Class attendance or participation issues· Change in personal hygiene· Altered performance in academic/organization pursuits· Difficulty making decisions· Heightened emotional response· Over dependence on others· Self-harm behaviors (cutting, burning)· Expressed suicidal thoughts· Engaging in risky behaviors that are out of character/context· Alcohol and Drug Abuse

If you have noticed any of these behaviors in yourself or others, or other behaviors for which you are concerned, please click on the “Report” link above to start the support process and seek assistance.

http://inside.mines.edu/Student-Life-Care

http://inside.mines.edu/Student-Life-Care


Smash Hunger was an event hosted by Res Life, RHA, and WAM. About 70 people participated in a Super Smash Brothers gaming tournament where the buy-in to the tournament was canned food. People had blast playing and watching the tournament until there was a champion. There were prizes given out to the top 4 players, the person that brought the most cans, and raffle prizes for people bringing cans and participating. The important part, is that we were able to raise about 450 cans to be donated to the Arvada Community Food Bank.

SMASH HUNGER


Registration for Spring Classes: Week of November 10-14

Thanksgiving Break: November 26-28 (No classes. Campus offices closed November 27 & 28.). Residence Halls

remain open with limited staff.

Final Exams: December 6-11


Commencement: December 12

Winter Break: December 12 through January 6. Residents are required to “check out” with their RA 24 hours after

their last final exam. Residence Halls re-open and students may move in starting at 8:00am Monday, January 5.

Meal plans resume starting with dinner on January 6.

Spring Semester: Classes resume Wednesday, January 7.

Census Day: January 22. Last day to freely add or drop classes without receiving any penalty.

Spring Break: March 7-15 (Residence Halls stay open).

Last Withdrawal – Continuing students: April 2. Last day to drop classes in order to receive a “W” on transcript

instead of a letter grade. Fees may apply.

Registration for Summer and Fall Classes: April 6-10

E-Days: April 9-11

Last Withdrawal – New freshmen and transfer students: April 24

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES

2015-2016 HOUSING SIGN-UPResidence Life would like to remind you that we will begin the process for 2015-2016 housing accommodations. Returning students wanting to live in Maple Hall or the Apartments at Mines Park upperclass communities may start the process of signing up for housing starting February 2nd, 2015. Students will login to the Housing Portal through Trailhead to apply. Housing is on a first come first serve basis for upperclass students. Have your student watch for housing sign up marketing starting January 2015. Contact Jackie Garramone at [email protected] or 303-273-3351. Please go to the following websites for initial information about each option:Maple Hall: http://inside.mines.edu/RSL-Residence-HallsApartments at Mines Park: http://inside.mines.edu/Apartments-at-Mines-Park


http://inside.mines.edu/RSL-Residence-Halls

http://inside.mines.edu/Apartments-at-Mines-Park


YOUR RESIDENCE LIFE PROFESSIONAL STAFF

We are excited to announce the official opening of the Campus Living Office. It is now located at 1795 Elm Street (West side). This office serves as the hub for Residence Life, Mines Dining, and BlasterCard services. Our business hours are as follows: Campus Living Office HoursMonday – Friday: 8 am – 8 pmSaturday and Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm Campus Living Office Phone Number: 303.869.LIFE (x5433)

JACKIE GARRAMONE

DEBI PRETZ

MARY ELLIOTT

BRICELAND BLEEM

MARYANN KOZAR

KATIE SCHMALZEL

LISA LATRONICA

BRENT WALLERKEVIN

KAPUTOERIK BUOL


CONTACTS

RESIDENCE LIFE STAFF

ELM HALL & WEAVER TOWERS 1811 ELM ST. GOLDEN, CO 80401Erik [email protected](303) 273-3994

MAPLE HALL & ASPEN HALL 1733 MAPLE ST. GOLDEN, CO 80401Briceland [email protected](303) 273-3995

BRADFORD HALL, MORGAN HALL, THOMAS HALL, & RANDALL HALL1222 W CAMPUS RD GOLDEN, CO 80401Lisa [email protected](303) 273-3276

MINES PARK APARTMENTSKevin [email protected](303) 273-3922

MINES PARK HOUSING [email protected](303) 869 5444

DIRECTOR OF RESIDENCE LIFEBrent Waller,

[email protected]

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF RESIDENCE LIFEMary Elliott

[email protected]

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOUSING OPERATIONSKatie Schmalzel

[email protected]

DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AND CAMPUS LIVING OFFICE

[email protected](303) 273-3351

HOUSING ASSIGNMENTS SPECIALISTJackie Garramone


ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR/ PARENT RELATIONSDebi Pretz


ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATORMaryann Kozar

[email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Parent Connection Newsletter - Winter 2014

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