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
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