FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENTS A Message from the Dean of Students
Welcome to the Bobcat family! It is my pleasure and privilege to serve as your Dean of Students. Ohio University is a special place where students explore and develop their passions, faculty challenge students to be critical thinkers and where students participate in activities outside of the classroom to engage their full potential. I encourage you to take full advantage of our unique community of scholars during your time here and fulfill your promise. Please feel free to contact me or any member of my staff if we can be of service. Our number one priority is to serve students, and to make the student experience at Ohio University an enriching one. Sincerely, Jenny Hall-‐Jones, Ph.D.
Division of Student Affairs • Office of the Dean of Students Jenny Hall-Jones • Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Baker University Center, 345 • T: 740.593.1800 • F: 740.597.3301 • hallj1@ohio.edu
The First College Year
Your student’s first year of college may be emotional for you and your student. Families who understand the cycle and rhythm of the academic year can help their student negotiate critical transition points. The following are some of the typical opportunities and adjustment issues that may be part of your student’s first year experience. The First Weeks – Navigating a New World Students are experiencing college life for the first time. They are excited to explore both academic and co-‐curricular opportunities and are trying to make connections with other students, staff and faculty. Almost everything is a new experience. Students may be: 2014 – 15 • Excited and apprehensive Parent and Family Weekends • Exploring new freedoms • Learning to manage new responsibilities Parents W eekend • Feeling homesick and lonely • Trying to find their place socially September 26-‐28, 2014 • Anxious about new academic challenges Dads Weekend Mid-‐Semester – Reality Check November 7-‐9, 2014 Classes are in full swing. Early assignments and exams have been returned, and Sibs Weekend students may be surprised (either pleasantly or unpleasantly) by their grades. February 6-‐8, 2015 Students start to realize that friends from the first few weeks may or may not turn out to be lifelong soul mates. The roommate honeymoon ends. Students may be: Moms W eekend April 10-‐12, 2015 • Feeling more or less confident about their academic abilities and choices • Making adjustments to their study habits and time management skills • Asking themselves whether they fit in socially MARK YOUR CALENDARS • Seeking out additional opportunities to become involved on campus • Dealing with consequences of poor decision making • Meeting with their academic adviser to select courses for next semester • Excited or apprehensive about heading home during break
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