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Parent and Family ProgramsColumbia Family Connection NewsletterSeptember 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTSWelcomeFamily Reading List Sending MailFamily WeekendSpotlight on Multicultural AffairsVolunteer OpportunitiesFrequently Asked QuestionsAcademic CalendarPhoto Gallery

Family Check-In

Welcome from Parent and FamilyPrograms

Dear Families,

Greetings and best wishes on this, the second week of the 2010 -2011 academic year at Columbia. This is truly a special time notonly for your students, but for you as proud parents and familymembers. On behalf of Parent and Family Programs and all of mycolleagues in Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School ofEngineering and Applied Science, we again welcome you to ourexceptional community of scholars.

The word family is very special. Each of us creates a living definition of the word that is unique. When I think of myfamily, one memory in particular stands out - story time! My favorite book from childhood was "The Wizard of Oz",by L. Frank Baum, and I think the story is relevant for you today, as parents and families of a Columbia student. Themain character, Dorothy, leaves home and discovers the mystical Land of Oz. In her adventures, she meets threefriends along the way, each of whom is searching for a piece of themselves; the Scarecrow for a brain, the Tinman fora heart, and the Lion for courage. Dorothy's journey takes her along a magical yellow-brick road and she experiencesa variety of challenging but ultimately rewarding situations.

The journey on which you've embarked is similar to that of Dorothy. At Columbia, we may not have yellow bricks,but we have lots and lots of red bricks! More telling, however, is the fact that you, as a Columbia family, have alreadydemonstrated your knowledge, your love, and your thoughfulness by committing to your student and to Columbia. Asyour student continues on this adventure, please know that you are not alone. I work with a team of great

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professionals dedicated to improving the academic, residential, and co-curricular experience for all students.

If I can be of any assistance, do not hesitate to contact me. Additionally, if you plan to visit campus, please let meknow. I value greatly the opportunity to meet with you in person over a cup of coffee or tea. I wish you well and lookforward to being a partner with you on this journey.

With regards,

Matthew Patashnick, DirectorParent and Family [email protected]

Convocation

Family Reading List

T his is an exciting time for your student as it marks another step on their journey towardsinterdependence, academic inquiry, and learning, both inside and outside of the classroom. In keeping with the spirit of a new semester, I would like to invite all Columbia families andparents to join me in our own journey of intellectual discovery and reflection. For yourconsideration, I am compiling the inaugural Columbia Parent and Family Reading List!

Throughout the academic year, I will select books or articles tied to a topical area of interestfor parents and families of college students. Feel free to read the selection on your owntime and at your own pace. I will include questions for discussion and reflection. Afterreading, I welcome you to share via email your thoughts, experiences, and advice! I will thendistribute your contributions as collective wisdom and ideas for positive engagement withyour student, fellow Columbia families, and the University.

For the month of September, the book I'm recommending is a new release titled, "TheiConnected Parent: Staying Close to Your Kids in College (and Beyond) While Letting Them Grow Up", byBarbara K. Hofer and Abigail Sullivan Moore. Published in August of 2010, this timely release explores the literal andfigurative technological tether that binds students and their families. Barbara Hofer is a Professor of Psychology atMiddlebury College and Abigail Moore is a journalist with the New York Times. The book is available for purchase ordownload at most major retailers.

As you read the book, please consider the following questions:

Have you discussed a communication plan with your student? Under what context and through which methodswill you communicate?Does all communication with your student need to be instantaneous? How can you lead by example andintroduce alternate methods of communication? How will you develop and set boundaries for yourself and how will you encourage your student to do thesame? How will you hold both your student and yourself accountable to these boundaries? Healthy communication is good! What do you enjoy about staying connected? Until recently, online and virtual communities were home to mostly college students. As these communitiesexpand and as parents and families join the same virtual social spaces as their students, is there a code ofconduct expected? To whom can you turn when you have a question or about use or over-use of technology? Are there activities, events, or happenings of which you can take advantage and consider (temporarily) turning


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off your electronic connection? NYC is full of wonderful things to do - what might you recommend takingadvantage of to your student?

If you have ideas or thoughts to share, please email me and I will post your responses on the Parent and FamilyPrograms website.

P.S.P.S.P.S.P.S. Want to send a letter or package to your student? Want to send a letter or package to your student? Want to send a letter or package to your student? Want to send a letter or package to your student? College students love receiving mail and packages! Consider sending some correspondence to their student mailbox - they will definitely appreciate it. Ask yourstudent for her/his mailbox number. The proper mailing address for students is:

Student's Full Name#### Lerner Hall2920 BroadwayNew York, NY 10027 (Bookcover courtesy of Barnes and Noble)

Family WeekendOctober 22 - 24, 2010

Save the Date! Family Weekend is almost upon us! Family Weekend is an opportunityfor parents and families of first year Columbia College and SEAS students to visitcampus and experience some of the aspects of life at Columbia. This excitingweekend includes lectures and presentations by Columbia faculty, campus andneighborhood tours, opportunities to meet with student advisors, introductions tostudent service offices, and social activities. Advanced registration and a nominal feeare required. For more information about Family Weekend and to register, please visitFamily Weekend online. We hope to see many first year families on campus inOctober.

Spotlight on Multicultural Affairs

Columbia is proud to be a diverse living and learning community. To promote an inclusive and celebratory campusexperience, the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) serves as a resource for all students. Through volunteeropportunities, mentoring, programmatic initiatives, community connections, and student leadership opportunities,OMA raises awareness of and appreciation for multicultural similarities and differences. OMA advises over 40cultural and identity-based student organizations and is a great way for you to encourage your student to engage withthe Columbia community. OMA will be hosting a brunch over Family Weekend, which is an opportunity for you tolearn more about the office and its work on campus! For more information, visit OMA Online.

Volunteer Opportunities

Many of you may remember meeting with parents and family members of Columbia students when you attendedevents like Days on Campus or Summer Advising. These events would not be as successful as they are without thesupport of our parent and family volunteers. Not only are they great ways to participate in the Columbia communitybut also provide valuable networking opportunities. If you are interested in volunteering with Parent and FamilyPrograms, please email me. In addition to serving as a panelist, we are always looking for event hosts, bloggers,greeters, and friendly faces to help welcome new members to our Columbia community. With events in the NYCMetro area and in locations around the country and the world, we welcome your on-going commitment to Columbiaand hope you consider getting involved. Our first major event is our Family Weekend (October 22-24) which is agreat opportunity for new volunteers to get involved. Please contact us to learn more about volunteeringopportunities for Family Weekend.


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Frequently Asked Questions

As part of our efforts to enhance online resources, we are in the process of creating a "Frequently Asked Questionsfor Columbia Parents and Families", but we need your help! What pieces of information would have been helpful toyou as you began your experience as the parent or family member of a Columbia student? Are there ideas you havethat you'd like to share with other families?

Email Parent and Family Programs and let us know your questions and ideas! We will post the frequently askedquestions on our website to aid current and future Columbia parents and families!

Photo Gallery

There were many helping hands during Move-In.

.

Returning to campus with great deals from Bed Bath &

Beyond

Parent and Family Reception


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Baker Athletics Complex - site of Homecoming 2010

Parent and Family Reception! (Taken behind the Columbia

Boat House)

Low Library

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2920 Broadway601 Lerner Hall, MC 2607

New York, NY 10027


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