Parent and Family Questions

? When are professors available to meet with my student?

Professors at Pacific are very accessible to students. Students can drop in without an appointment during their professors’ official weekly office hours — listed on the course syllabus — or make an appointment with them.

? What are general education courses and how will they benefit my student?

The General Education Program exposes students to areas of study outside of their major in support of the three-part mission of general education at Pacific: fostering selfunderstanding, citizenship, and career development. Courses help each Pacific student develop core competencies (critical thinking, information literacy, oral communication, quantitative reasoning, written communication) and additional GE learning outcomes

(cross-cultural awareness, ethical reasoning, civic responsibility and engagement, and aesthetic judgment) while also promoting diversity and inclusive excellence. These outcomes are addressed through the breadth program requirements for each major. Pacific’s General Education Program is the foundation for the intellectual and practical skills crucial for life-long learning and the rapidly changing nature of employment in today’s workforce. GE courses are required for graduation.

? How can a student receive academic advice?

Each new student is assigned to a Faculty Advisor and is required to meet with their Faculty Advisor before course registration each semester. The Faculty Advisor can be consulted for course selection decisions, major information, and academic questions.

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Where can my student find tutoring and what will it cost?

The General Academic Tutoring Center is located on the second floor of the library, next to the Student Writing Center. There is no cost for this service. To sign up for a tutor, students can simply visit our scheduling site at pacific.mywconline.com. Students can schedule an appointment to meet with a tutor in a variety of subjects. Tutors are available on a first-come, firstserved basis depending on availability. General Academic Tutoring Center tutors are trained in different tutoring techniques and learning styles and work with all university undergraduate students on the Stockton campus. For more information, visit the Tutoring webpage: go.Pacific.edu/Tutoring arrow-right

? Is there a monthly payment plan available if we cannot pay tuition or housing in full at the beginning of each semester?

Pacific offers a monthly payment plan, which allows you to make four monthly payments, the first of which is due by the semester or term payment deadline. The monthly plan requires a 25 percent down payment in addition to a onetime $75 deferred fee, calculated upon enrollment in the plan. Payment plans are not applicable for summer sessions. Enrollment for the payment plan MUST be completed online each semester or term. Students should use insidePacific to enroll in the payment plan. Parents and other authorized users should use ePay.

? When can my student get a parking permit and how much do they cost?

Beginning the first Monday in August, students may purchase parking permits online through insidePacific. Students may purchase permits for the “B” or “C” lots only. For campus residents, the type of permit purchased is based on where they are housed. Once a permit is purchased, all sales are final for the school year. Parking permits are valid during the school year as indicated and not the calendar year. There is no free parking on campus.

? How does Career Services help my student determine a major or career direction?

Career Services has qualified, experienced Career Advising and Success Specialists who are available to meet with students. Your student may schedule an appointment to discuss career options and get help assessing interests, skills, values, and personality — all factors to be considered when making major and career decisions. Assessment tools such as the Strong Interest Inventory and iStart Strong are available for free to students, and results are interpreted with a Career Advising and Success Specialist. Students are strongly encouraged to remain engaged with the Career Services Team throughout their time at Pacific.

? How does Career Services help my student find a job when they graduate?

Your student can meet with a career advisor to review a resume, get help applying to graduate school, discuss job search strategies, practice interviewing, learn to conduct employer research, or receive assistance with any number of other career-related issues. Drop-in appointments are available for quick questions.

Career Services also offers two oneunit classes: Career Exploration and Planning, and Career Search Essentials. The first course helps students explore careers and develop goals; the second teaches them to prepare resumes, gain interview skills, and develop other abilities necessary for a successful internship or job search.

In addition, Career Services annually provides more than 100 programs and events to help students prepare for their careers including major career fairs in both the fall and spring semesters. On-campus recruiting opportunities with various employers also take place during the academic year. Students are strongly encouraged to gain practical experience through an internship with an employer during their time at Pacific. Career Services can help students locate and apply for internship opportunities.

Finally, Handshake is an electronic database of full-time positions, parttime internships, and on-campus positions posted by employers interested in hiring Pacific students. Employer Engagement Specialists actively work to develop and strengthen ties between students and regional, national, and international employers.

Students seeking to work on campus must apply to jobs through the Handshake portal. New students will have access to Handshake by midsummer, if they have confirmed their enrollment with the Office of Admission. Students may visit the Career Services website (Pacific.edu/Careers) for tips on applying to on-campus jobs or call 209.946.2361 for more information or to schedule an appointment with a Career Advising and Success Specialist. Students will log on to Handshake

Please note that being awarded federal work-study funds does not guarantee your student an on-campus job, and applying to a position will not guarantee an interview. Individual departments determine their own needs and required skill sets for each position. Sometimes departments will not contact students to let them know that a position has already been filled. If your student has questions about whether they are being considered for a job, they should follow up by directly contacting the department to which they have applied.

There are many opportunities to volunteer with other students throughout the Stockton community. Pacific’s Volunteer Center can get students started by understanding their interests. Volunteering is a great way to get to know the community better. For detailed information, please consult pacific.edu/ student-life/activities-and-programs/ volunteer-center or give us a call at 209.946.2444. (continued on p. 20) arrow-right

? How can I help my student find out about clubs and organizations on campus?

Student organizations are a great way to get involved at Pacific. Student clubs and organizations are categorized by type of organization (Academic & Honors, Religious & Service, Social Diversity & Inclusion, and Special Interest). Students will receive more information during Orientation about how to get involved at the start of the fall semester.

Pacific also has a Student Activities Center with staff dedicated to helping students get involved on campus. The center offers individual advising to help students join organizations, apply for leadership positions, and find out what’s happening on campus. This center also offers an Involvement Fair in the fall semester on the DeRosa Center Lawn where students can meet the leadership of Pacific’s student organizations. The Student Activities Center is located on the 2nd Floor of the DeRosa University Center next to the Lair.

? What social events happen on the weekend in Stockton?

Visit Stockton maintains a comprehensive interactive calendar with an abundance of events and activities throughout the greater Stockton area. There is always something happening around town. Check out VisitStockton.org for more information. Also, the Thursday edition of the Stockton Record has current event information.

? Where can my student find out about events scheduled at Pacific?

Upcoming events and opportunities for involvement are featured in the MyPacific portal. Students may also use the campus Events Calendar which can be found on the Pacific website homepage, calendar.pacific.edu.

Many places are within walking distance. For those who want to go further, we have a great public transit system that runs through the main areas of town. San Joaquin RTD has a stop at Pacific and runs throughout Stockton and the surrounding areas.

? Are there religious services or spiritual organizations on campus?

There are a variety of religious and spiritual services, programs, and organizations on campus. Students can find information on pacific.edu/ student-life/religious-spiritual-life. There they will find details about recurring programs such as Student Group Meetings, Morning Prayer, Meditation, Catholic Mass, and more. They will also find specific information about student religious and spiritual organizations as well as the Chaplain’s Office.

What are the fraternities and sororities on campus?

The 11 social fraternities and sororities at Pacific exist amongst three governing bodies, the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), and the Pacific Panhellenic Association (Panhellenic Council). In addition to the 11 social fraternities and sororities, there are also 15 professional fraternities. Professional fraternities are associated with an academic discipline or a special interest.

? How can my student join a fraternity or sorority if they become interested?

Students may join a fraternity or sorority during their first semester on campus. The formal recruitment process will take place at the end of September. Events will be held prior to formal recruitment to allow students to become familiar with the process and get to know the various chapters. Informal recruitment events will also be held in the spring semester. arrow-right

? What is Intramural Sports?

Intramural Sports is a program that offers a wide range of sport and recreation activities for the Pacific community. A variety of events create an exciting environment for students to compete in both competitive and recreational sports outside of the classroom. Many fraternities and sororities, student groups, clubs, and residence halls are active participants in the program.

? What types of leagues and tournaments are offered in Intramural Sports?

Each Intramural Sports season consists of multiple five-week leagues and one-day tournaments for either team or individual play. The events range from traditional sports such as basketball, volleyball, and soccer to non-traditional events such as innertube water polo, table tennis, and dodgeball. Regardless of a student’s athletic ability or interest, there is an Intramural Sport event for them at Pacific.

? How does my student sign up for Intramural Sports?

Students can register online by visiting Pacificrec.pacific.edu. All registrations can be completed online or at the front desk of the Baun Fitness Center by the posted registration deadline.

? How can my student learn more about Sport Clubs at Pacific?

Go to the Pacific Recreation website (Pacificrec.pacific.edu) for detailed sport clubs information including a current list of sport clubs on campus, how to start a club if an activity is not currently offered, and how to get in contact with a current sport club. Students can also contact Pacific Recreation Sport Club Program at 209.946.2811

? Is there a fitness facility on campus where my student can work out?

Yes. The Baun Student Fitness Center offers students a wide variety of activities with recently updated cardio and strength equipment. Additionally, Pacific Recreation has personal training and group exercise programs for students who are looking for an extra boost to their workout. Finally, Pacific Recreation operates two multipurpose gymnasiums for evening and weekend open-rec basketball, volleyball, tennis, and badminton.

? Are there any outdoor excursions available to students?

Pacific Recreation operates a “Tiger Escapes” program that takes students on various one-day adventures throughout Northern California. Escapes include hiking, rafting, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and much more. Students can register for a trip by visiting pacificrec.pacific.edu and clicking on the “Tiger Escapes” icon.