STUDENT AFFAIRS &
THE DEAN OF STUDENTS:
A Partnership with Families
Partnership
• Shared goals
– Academic success
– Develop skills to find
and succeed in a
career
– Contribute to society
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Provide a supportive
environment for
learning
Provide challenges
and opportunities
for growth
Student Development
Social
Financial
Spiritual
Health
ACADEMICS
Cultural
Life &
Career
Planning
Emotional
Political
• Students spend 15-20 hours a week in class
• Students should spend 2 hours studying for every
hour of class: 30-40 hours a week
• Students with work-study and part-time jobs: up to
20 hours a week
• Student life outside the classroom complements
classroom learning
• Residence Life Living Learning Communities
• Student engagement opportunities
Social
• Meeting new
people
• Acclimating to
roommates and
floormates
• Developing lifelong friendships
• Setting boundaries
and limits
• Intimate
relationships
Health
• Seeking health care when needed
• Eating and sleeping well
• Learning how alcohol and drug use
impacts their goals
• Engaging in safer sex practices, if
sexually active
Cultural
• Learning about and from others who
have different experiences
• Sharing one’s own history, culture and
experiences
• Understanding one’s own privilege
• Living in a city
• Appreciating the arts
Life & Career Planning
• Living independently
• Developing time
management and
organization skills
• Setting priorities
• Exploring career
interests
• Internships and
work experiences
• Developing a sense
of optimism
Political
• Better understanding the world around
them
• Being active and engaged global citizens
• Formulating and sharing an opinion
• Taking a stand
• Helping others
Emotional
• Developing emotional
intelligence
• Managing “normal”
emotional challenges
• Break-ups, homesickness,
roommate disagreements
• Identifying when they need
help
• Seeking and using support
and resources
• Moving toward adulthood
and independence
Spiritual
• Practicing, exploring, questioning faith
• Being comfortable with ambiguity
• Reflecting on, accepting and embracing
life’s challenges
• Coping with death and change
Financial
• Managing
their own
money
• Understanding
student debt
• Participating in
financing their
education
Consider purchasing
tuition insurance:
https://www.suffolk.edu/explore/27424.php
Challenges & Opportunities
• Taking advantage of involvement
opportunities
• Developing leadership skills
• Attending campus events
• Talking with roommates and others in
class
• Living in the gray
Student Affairs/Dean of Students
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Student advocacy
Work closely with faculty and staff
Provide referrals to Suffolk resources
Inform faculty of student absences for a
week or more
Grant leaves of absence
Respond to student academic grievances
Manage student crises
Support students of concern
Administer the Community Standards
Talking with You
About Your Student
• FERPA is a federal law that
requires Suffolk University to
protect students’ education
records
• We may inform
parents/guardians of:
– Alcohol or other drug
violations
– Health and safety
emergencies
– Loss of on-campus housing
or interim suspension
• We do not inform parents of
grades
Buzzing Around
College Helicopter Parent
Yes, mom. I told you I’m fine on my own at college….. Hey, could
you log on and find my schedule, order my books and call and wake
me up when it’s time for class?
Helping Your Student Fly
• Be a reference librarian – know campus
resources
• Practice coaching – role play how
students can advocate for themselves
• Pause before calling or texting them or
us
• Empower students to advocate for
themselves
Homework This Summer
Discuss expectations for:
– Grades, visiting home,
– budget and working,
– Student-parent communication
Teach:
– Laundry, healthy decisions,
– coping strategies, planning ahead
Practice:
– Phoning and texting less, asking for help,
independent decision-making, planning
Suffolk Family Resources
http://www.suffolk.edu/campuslife/25646.php
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Suffolk Scoop Email Newsletter
SuffolkCHAT Events
Suffolk University Parent Guide
Suggested Reading List
Homecoming
October 23-26, 2014
• FallFest Suffolk Student Talent Show
• Night at the Boston
Children’s Museum
• Tours
• Athletic Games
Resources
• Student Affairs
– 12th floor, 73 Tremont Street, (617) 573-8226
• Counseling Center
– 5th floor, 73 Tremont Street, (617) 573-8226
• Suffolk Police
– Donahue Lobby, (617) 573-8111
For More Information Contact
Student Affairs & Dean of Students
Ann Coyne, Senior Associate Dean of Students
Elizabeth Ching-Bush, Assistant Dean of Students
73 Tremont Street, 12th Floor
(617) 573-8239 Office
studentaffairs@suffolk.edu