AU Family Fall 2014

AU Family A publication for families of Aurora University undergraduate students

Dear Families, Aurora University is buzzing with the sounds of a fresh academic year. The new John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School opened in August to widespread enthusiasm. In addition to providing an innovative learning environment for elementary and middle school students and teachers from three local school districts, the facility houses six science laboratories that will be shared by undergraduate and graduate students and faculty. These state-of-the-art resources will serve the extended university community for years to come.

Educational facilities require constant reinvestment, and so too does the curriculum.

In recent years, members of the AU faculty reviewed carefully the general education program that all students must complete to graduate. Their evaluation hinged on one crucial question: Will this combination of courses provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to succeed in our ever-changing world? The analysis resulted in a decision to retain some components of the existing general education curriculum and to develop a number of new interdisciplinary courses.

The courses will span the first three years of study. Students will take these required classes along with electives and those in their majors. The sequence will blend the best of a traditional liberal arts emphasis with contemporary scholarship in a wide range of fields. The result? Our students will be challenged to learn at the intersection of knowledge and values as they examine complicated questions, such as what is the right relationship between science and

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society? What does it mean to be human? And how is justice realized in a global environment where some have plenty and others nothing?

Last year, the university piloted the new courses with selected members of the 2013 freshman class. Learning outcomes were impressive and students reported a high level of engagement with the subject matter. Mastery of crucial reading, thinking and communication skills also improved. These are exactly the kinds of benefits the faculty hoped to achieve as they developed the new general education curriculum. It is exciting to know that the value of an Aurora University education continues to grow—just like our campus.

Rebecca L. Sherrick, PhD President

The John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School at Aurora University includes a wind turbine, which provides clean and affordable energy to the facility.

Helping students succeed

by David Reetz, PhD, Director of the Counseling Center

Making the transition to college is the start of a major journey for students—and families, too. Everyone wants the experience to be a positive and successful one. Working together, students and family members can make the transition more successful by communicating expectations and utilizing campus resources.

Three strategies can help guide your student during their time at Aurora University: » Emphasize the value of hard work and

ongoing change.

From time to time, students might need to be reminded that college isn’t meant to be easy. For example, it’s okay if students don’t know everything on the first day of class. Actually, it’s not expected. Learning is a process and challenges are part of the college experience. In order to master content, students might have to reevaluate how much work is involved and not be afraid to seek help when needed.

» Help your student expect and

accept challenges.

More independence leads to new situations to manage. Roommate disagreements, studying challenges, time management issues and trying to fit in are some typical situations that college students experience. Let your student know that they aren’t the only ones dealing

with such challenges. Encourage them to be patient. There will be moments when things seem overwhelming. That’s normal. » Encourage students to seek out help

as needed.

At AU, there is a community of staff and faculty committed to supporting students through all stages of their education. Every student faces challenges and needs support whether it’s with a difficult class or a tough social situation. Students shouldn’t see themselves as different for utilizing such services. In fact, the expectation is that students will need help—not because something is wrong with them, but because it’s part of the learning journey. Encourage your student to take advantage of assistance through the following offices: • Academic Support Center aurora.edu/academicsupport • Counseling Services aurora.edu/counseling • Crouse Center for Student Success aurora.edu/crousecenter • University Chaplain aurora.edu/chaplain • Wellness Center aurora.edu/wellness

Guide your student with helpful responses Be prepared to support your student “I don’t get along with to you. If the situation is beyond repair with useful advice for common concerns. my roommate.” and you need someone to guide you, Below are some sample student Initiate a positive conversation when talk to your RA. comments and parent responses. you both have time, expressing that you want to make sure everything is going “My professor isn’t clear on what “I’m so bored.” well for each of you. It’s better to make he/she expects.”

Information on more than 50 campus an effort to amend a situation rather Have you visited him/her during the organizations is available online than ignore it. Ask your roommate how office hours posted on his/her syllabus? via SpartanNet. Grab an Activities he/she is feeling about the year and Office hours are a time when students Programming Board calendar from the living together. If there are concerns, can stop in and get help or clarification.

Office of Student Life. At least one event make sure to listen. Your roommate If that doesn’t help, check in with your is listed on nearly every single day of may also be feeling the same way about academic advisor; he/she can talk about each month. something he/she has not brought up other strategies that might be useful.

New faculty members enhance transformative power of learning Aurora University welcomed several new faculty members to campus this fall, adding to its diverse community of educators. A few recently offered their first impressions of AU and thoughts on helping students to discover what matters.

Kyle McElhoney, Assistant Professor of Chemistry I want to help students build a strong criticalthinking and problem-solving foundation that they can apply to any course, career or future opportunity. Sometimes the most difficult aspect of any obstacle is deciding where to begin, and hopefully after my courses students will have a strong, confident starting point to tackle any problem that they may encounter.

André Meeks, Visiting Instructor of Sociology As an alummus, I see teaching at AU as an opportunity to give back to an institution that has provided me with so much. I am most excited about working with a great faculty.

And I have the chance to help guide the next generation of Spartans! Part of that help lies in my work as a writing specialist in the Academic Support Center. This role allows me to function partly as an instructor and a resource, but mostly as a counselor, coach and confidant.

Leila Samii, Assistant Professor of Digital Marketing and Analytics All the faculty at AU value students and their success. I hope to contribute to this culture by teaching the objectives presented in my classes as well as emphasizing life lessons. I want students to learn that they may not succeed the first time something is tried and that’s okay. And they should stay positive because it’s much harder to get work done with a negative attitude. From what I have observed so far, AU students are well prepared and bring a wealth of knowledge with them into the classroom.

Kathleen Turner, Assistant Professor of Communication AU is a small enough school that faculty have the opportunity to get to know students and mentor them on an individual level, while also being large enough to offer a wide variety of opportunities for students to get involved. For instance, the Communication Department offers experiences in working on a student newspaper, radio station and television station, which provide students with career-relevant experiences. These opportunities help them gain the skills and experiences that are necessary to get a job or move on to graduate school.

Student safety remains top priority Aurora University maintains a safe and secure campus for all students. Several measures are in place to ensure a positive environment for learning.

Safety Escort The Campus Public Safety Department provides an escort service to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call ext. 6140.

Campus Public Safety Aurora University employs its own uniformed Campus Public Safety officers and dispatchers to meet the safety and security needs of the university. The department is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Residence Life Staff Every residence hall has a director residing in the building. They are responsible for community development and assisting and acting as resources for residents.

Code Blue Emergency Phone System Ten Code Blue emergency call boxes are located on campus. Calls go directly to Campus Public Safety Dispatch.

Each floor of a residence hall has a resident assistant, a carefully selected and trained student staff member who works under the direct supervision of the residence hall director. Resident assistants return to campus prior to the rest of the students and receive three weeks of intensive training.

From top: Kyle McElhoney, André Meeks, Leila Samii and Kathleen Turner

Campus Connections CONTACTS

SPECIAL DATES

Campus Public Safety 630-844-6140 | cpsafety@aurora.edu

October 17–19 Fall Weekend (no classes)

Office of Financial Aid 630-844-6190 | finaid@aurora.edu

November 7–8 and 12–15 Fall Play: “Almost Maine”*

Office of Student Accounts 630-844-5470 | student.accts@aurora.edu Office of Student Life 630-844-5467 | studentlife@aurora.edu

November 10 Special Presentation: Robert Wittman, former FBI Art Sleuth “Art Crime: Pursuing the Priceless”* November 26–30 Thanksgiving Holiday *Reservations are required for Arts and Ideas events. Visit auartsandideas.com. For a complete listing of all campus events, visit aurora.edu/calendar.

Join the AU Family Facebook group conversation at facebook.com/groups/AUParent. This group provides opportunities for posting questions, sharing news and making connections with other AU families.

Follow: Lora de Lacey, Vice President for Student Life @LoradeLacey

Sammy Spartan (AU mascot) @AUSammySpartan

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AU Family

A publication for families of Aurora University undergraduate students

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