Parent Newsletter September 2017

September 2017 Volume 1, Issue 1

Eye of the Tiger Parent & Family Newsletter

It’s Tradition!

Georgetown College has a rich history of student-led traditions that are celebrated every year. Both the fall and spring semesters bring a variety of different GC traditions. These have become staples on campus and something students look forward to year after year.

Every September we host Grubfest! Grubfest is a campus tradition that takes place on the Robert L. Mills South Campus Quad. Students form teams competing in various battle to see which team can complete the most challenges and, of course, get the filthiest! Challenges include things such as the Human Sundae where students use both dairy products and teammates to create the largest and messiest ice-cream sundae possible. They also participate in other messy challenges involving a slime-covered hill, flour, Jell-O, syrup, and, of course, mud!

Next up, is Songfest, part of our October Homecoming tradition. Songfest is an evening of talent-filled skits written, starring, and produced by campus groups.

Skits are centered on the Homecoming theme and incorporate singing, dancing, and acting. This event is open to all families and we hope you will join us in John L. Hill Chapel on Friday, October 20th at 7pm. Please contact me for more details and tickets.

These traditions are only the beginning of life here at Georgetown College! We will be hosting many more events throughout the fall semester so be on the lookout for even more of our incredible college traditions in future issues!

Ross Buskey Director of Student Activities

Inside this issue Live! Life in the Res Halls .... 2 Learn! Academic Success ... 2 Believe! Faith & Service...... 3 Upcoming Events ............... 3 Be Well! Student Health ..... 4

Fun GC Facts 

Our undergraduate student/faculty ratio is 10:1!



We currently offer 32 regular majors and 28 minors, plus student created & interdisciplinary majors and minors

Live! Life in the Residence Halls A dorm is defined simply as a place where one goes to sleep. A residence hall, on the other hand, is a place where students live, learn and grow in a safe and inclusive community. Here at Georgetown College, we have an amazing community where more than 90% of the student population resides on campus.

A student’s time spent in our Residence Halls is an extension of their education outside of the classroom.

Students are more likely to form deep genuine relationships and succeed inside the classroom when they are engaged in their community.

There are several things that we do to provide a fun and developmental

environment within the halls, the most impactful being our committed staff.

We have 5 professional live-on staff members and 42 student staff members who make up our team. These staff members facilitate programs, head up intramural teams and engage in daily activities with their residents getting to know them on a personal level.

The most beneficial service that our staff provides is care for the residents.

From roommate conflicts to navigating major life events, our staff are here to provide support and guidance.

LeRon Collier Director of Campus Life

“A residence hall...is a place where students live, learn and grow in a safe and inclusive community.”

Important Dates Sept. 18

Academic Progress Check Round One

Oct. 9-10

Fall Break (No Classes)

Oct. 16

Last Day to Change Advisors

Oct. 18

Academic Progress Check Round Two

Oct. 23

Late Start Classes Begin

Oct. 23

Final Date to Drop a Course without a Grade

Oct. 23

Advanced Registration for

Spring 2018 Begins Nov. 10

Final Date to Drop a Course with a W

Nov. 22-24 Thanksgiving Holiday (No Classes) Dec. 5

Last Day of Classes

Dec. 6

Reading Day

Learn! Academic Success & Your Student The Office of Academic Success helps to create a quality learning environment for students by providing academic support and personal care. Through proactive initiatives, comprehensive services, and personal attention, we provide support in a meaningful manner to enhance the student experience, and help students achieve and realize their academic goals.

To the left, you will find a list of some important academic dates for the fall semester. One of the most important dates you will notice are our academic progress checks. These occur during the 5th and 8th week of every semester.

Progress checks are a way for professors to communicate about student’s progress in regards to grades, attendance, and other key areas.

Academic Progress Checks are intended to help improve performance in and out of class in order to obtain the most success in the course before the final exams.

Students will receive their progress checks via their Georgetown College email.

Should your student have questions or concerns regarding his/her progress check, we always recommend the student follow up with the professor who sent the check. Students can speak with them before or after class, or even schedule a meeting during office hours. Students can discuss the details of the check and ask for suggestions on how to improve. Our faculty and staff are always willing to help support your student and help them be successful at Georgetown College!

Dec. 7-12 Final Examinations (No Saturday Exams)

2

Alex Lopez Director of Academic Interventions

You’re Invited We love welcoming our parents and families to join us on campus, and there are a variety of different events that would be great for everyone!

We hope to see you at one of these upcoming events: Sat, Sept. 16:

Men’s Football Game @ 1:30pm Toyota Field Fri, Sept. 22: Women’s Volleyball @ 7:00pm Location TBD Sat, Sept. 23 & Sun, Sept. 24: Last Night Karaoke play @ 7:30pm Come support your GC Tiger Athletics this Fall!

Wilson Lab Theatre Sat, Sept. 30: Men’s Football Game @ 1:30pm

Believe! Faith & Service at Georgetown College

Toyota Field

Dear Parents:

Fri, Oct. 20 (Homecoming): Songfest, Time TBD

I’ve really enjoyed getting to know your sons and daughters over this first month of school. I am excited to let you know about an opportunity that Faith and Service will be sponsoring in the coming weeks.

The weekend of Friday, Sept. 29 – Sunday, Oct. 1 we will be taking a Mountain-Climbing and Whitewater Rafting Trip to Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. We will leave after classes end on that Friday and we will return that Sunday night.

This trip provides a great opportunity for students who love the outdoors and adventure activities to get to travel and build relationships with students they might not otherwise know.

John L Hill Chapel Sat, Oct. 21 (Homecoming): Men’s Football Game @ 1:30pm Toyota Field Sat, Nov. 11: Men’s Football Game @ 1:30pm Toyota Field

Mon, Nov. 20: Fall Anniversary Concert @ 8pm

The cost of the trip is heavily subsidized by Faith and Service and so the cost for students is only $40 (which includes lodging, activities, transportation and some of the meals).

John L Hill Chapel Thurs, Nov. 30: Hanging of the Green

If you think your student would be interested in going on this trip, please encourage them to email me at blangla0@georgetowncollege.edu

John L Hill Chapel *Due to space restrictions, we have only listed a small sampling

Thank you!

of the many wonderful sports at GC. Be sure to visit www.georgetowncollegeathletics.com/ to see the full schedule for all home games for all sports!

Bryan Langlands Campus Minister

3

The mission of Student Wellness is to

Be Well! Student Health & Wellness

care for our students’ physical and mental health. Webster’s Dictionary defines wellness as “the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal.” We agree, and it is our goal to provide the students of Georgetown College with the tools and services necessary to achieve wellness.

Student Health Services: 502-863-8201 Counseling Services: 502-863-7074 Hours of Operation:

Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm Location: 407 Holly hock Lane Mailing Address: Student Wellness Center 400 East College Street Georgetown, KY 40324

Megan Redditt Director of Student Wellness

September is here and your new student has survived an entire month of college! The fall brings a host of fun activities including Homecoming and Songfest, but it also brings an increase in academic pressure as the first round of tests begin. The newness is wearing off and roommates may begin to feel tension building in the room. The arrival of these new stressors is a normal part of adjusting to college and are challenges all students face. So, how can a parent support a student with the new adjustments?

Here are a few tips to help your student after the “honeymoon phase” of the first month has ended: 1. Encourage your student to solve their own problems. Students may be encountering new challenges now so, instead of making phone calls for them, help them identify appropriate individuals to contact on campus. Encourage them to email professors if they don’t understand an assignment, set up a tutor online, or contact Student Wellness if they are feeling sick.

2. Be encouraging if the first round of tests results in lower grades than your student earned in high school. The first round of exams and papers are challenging for new students and learning how to prepare for these exams takes time. After the first test, students will have a much better idea of what their strengths and weaknesses are when it comes to studying.

3. Challenge your student to talk face-to-face with their roommate if tension is building in the room. It’s hard to live with someone new in a small room and issues are guaranteed to come up about sharing space. If your student is complaining to you, be empathetic and then help them think of ways to talk through the issue with their roommate.

4. Keep your student informed of what’s going on at home. Your student isn’t the only one experiencing changes. Change is happening for the rest of the family at home as well. Update your student on things going on at home especially if major changes are on the horizon such as a job change, move, etc.

5. Finally, tell your student you are proud of them. Making it through the first month of college is an accomplishment for all students.

PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE

400 East College Street Georgetown, Kentucky 40324 Office of Student Life Phone: 502-863-8028