September Resiliency and Responsibility Fall is here and it’s time to say goodbye to your children as they head off to college and new adventures. It is such an exciting time for students that they often don’t realize the challenges they face. As a parent, your role up until this point has been to guide, shelter and protect. Now as they leave for college, you have to take a step back and help your child reach their potential as an adult. It is now time for them to become their own self advocates and become independent. I recently attended the National Noel-Levitz conference in Denver; CO. Noel-Levitz is a higher education consulting company which assists universities with retention, marketing and recruitment initiatives. During the conference, I attended many great sessions but, they all had one commonality…the “Me Generation.” This new generation of students is completely unlike any that have come before. They have been exposed to internet and technology from birth. Low and behold to me, I am part of this generation. I must have an old soul, because I think some of the things I have read and heard about this generation are crazy. One of the keynote speakers was Dr. Jean M. Twenge author of Generation Me. She and her colleague W. Keith Campbell, also wrote another book, The Narcissism Epidemic. Below is an interesting excerpt from this book... “On a reality TV show, a girl planning her Sweet Sixteen wants a major road blocked off so a marching band can precede her grand entrance on a red carpet. Five times as many Americans undergo plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures as ten years ago, and ordinary people hire fake paparazzi to follow them around to make them look famous. High school students physically attack classmates and post YouTube videos of the beatings to get attention. And for the past several years, Americans have been buying McMansions and expensive cars on credit they can’t afford.” It goes on to explain how this generation has grown up in a world expecting and being given everything they want. I know this is not a true representation of all of us in this generation, however; it is very interesting to read. I also learned that this generation will not do something unless they find value in it. Surprisingly, this generation is the most service oriented than any other. Obviously, these students are motivated by helping others, however; they also need a lot of help. It is our role as educators to show these students the value of education. It is important during this first year that your student finds a “home” at Stout. Remind them that college is more difficult than high school. For me, it took my mom reminding me that, “in college a C is average,” to calm me down after I failed my first test. Let them know it is ok to make mistakes and to fail. Let them solve problems for themselves. Guide them to campus resources like their first-year advisor, their professors or their housing staff. This first year of college may be full of trials and tribulations. However, if they can survive the first year the next three will be a breeze! The moral of the story is that you are instrumental to your student’s independence. Remember, you are not sending them off to the world of the un-known just yet. They still need their moms and/or dads to guide them through this first year. Teach them to be resilient, responsible and their own self advocate as they go off to face the world of adulthood. Important Dates Important Numbers Fall 2011: Registration Calendar September 4th: Move in Day September 7th: First day of Class September 13th: Last Day to Drop 1st Quarter Classes W/O Mark of “WS” Last Day to Add 1st Quarter Classes September 20th: 10% of Bill due Last Day to Register for Semester Classes Last Day to Drop Semester Classes W/O Mark of “WS” Last Day to Add Semester Classes Evening Class Registration until 6:00pm October 7th: Last day to Drop 1st Quarter Classes W/O “F” Advisement Office: 715-232-1465 Housing Office: 715-232-1211 Student Business Services: 715-232-1656 Student Health Services: 715-232-1314 Counseling Center: 715-232-2468 Dean of Students: 715-232-1181 Financial Aid Office: 715-232-1363 Registration and Records: 715-232-2121 Remind your student to attend Blue Rah! This is a welcome event for new students with prizes, speakers, comedians and the first time the class of 2015 will be together as a group! Sept. 6th 8:30 PM Nelson Field Stadium October 20th: 100% of Bill due October 24th: Midterm October 25th: Advisement Day November 1st: Last Day to Add Independent Study Last Day to Add 2nd Quarter Classes Last Day to Drop 2nd Quarter Classes W/O “WS” November 3rd: Last Day to Drop Semester Classes W/O “F” November 29th: Last Day to Drop 2nd Quarter Classes W/O “F” December 16th-22nd: Evaluation Week September Calendar of Events Sunday Monday Tuesday 4 5 Move in Day! Comedian: Willi Myles 9:30pm Nelson Field Stadium 11 Wednesday 6 Back Yard Bash 5:30pm Blue Rah! 8:30pm 12 13 Thursday Friday 7 First Day of Classes 14 1 2 3 8 9 10 Band: Bod Sun 8:00pm 19 20 21 26 Homecoming week! 27 28 Comedian: Chad Daneils 8:00pm Harvey Hall Theater 16 17 The Hangover 2 6:00pm, 9:00pm 210 Applied Arts 22 Open Mic Night 800pm Price Commons 25 Pirates of the Caribean: on Stranger Tides 6:00pm, 9:00pm 210 Applied Arts 15 Band: Our Judgement 8:00pm Price Commons 18 Saturday 23 Cars 2 6:00pm, 9:00pm 210 Applie Arts 29 30 Comedian: Derek Hughes 8:00pm Harvey Hall Theater Inspiring Innovation For more information visit http://www.uwstout.edu/parents/index.cfm 24