FAMILY & FRIENDS’ GUIDE
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER UNIVERSITY 2019 ANTIGONISH • NOVA SCOTIA FAMILY & FRIENDS’ GUIDE
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Welcome to StFX! Your student’s decision to attend university marks a major life transition, both for them as individuals and for you as their family and friends. Transitions can be both exciting and frightening, especially if your student is living away from home for the first time. We know this, and we’re here to offer support in any way we can. This booklet provides helpful information on how you can best support your student as they adjust to university life. It also outlines what they – and you – can expect during their first few weeks at StFX. Please take time to read through the information and familiarize yourself with the details. As family and friends, you are your student’s primary source of support. Together, with the support services provided by StFX, we can work together to ensure your student thrives both personally and academically at university. Like you, we are committed to helping them achieve their goals. The StFX family looks forward to welcoming your family to our campus this September.
Andrew Beckett Head of Student Services VP of Finance and Administration
FIRST YEAR INFORMATION BOOKLET A resource for students and their families Along with the Family and Friends’ guide, your student also received a First Year Information booklet. The booklet contains important information as students prepare for StFX, including how to register for courses, get set up with a student ID, and pack for residence. We encourage you to read through this booklet if you have questions about what your student needs to do before arriving at StFX.
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COMING TO CAMPUS WELCOME DAY • SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019 MOVING INTO RESIDENCE Students and their families/friends can arrive on campus on Saturday, August 31, any time after 7 am. Your jam-packed day will begin at the Charles V. Keating Centre, where your student will: • Pick up their student ID card • Pick up their residence key if living on campus • Visit the Orientation Showcase, with information on over 30 student services and activities
MOVING INTO RESIDENCE After picking up their key at the Charles V. Keating Centre, your student can start moving into residence. Upper-year students will be on hand to direct you to the correct residence building and help transport your belongings.
PARENT ORIENTATION SESSION If your student is living on campus, most of their time on Welcome Day will be spent getting to know their residence-mates through a variety of special events and activities. While your student is busy making new friends, you should plan to attend one of four parent orientation sessions scheduled throughout the day. These sessions take place in the Keating Centre, and are a great opportunity to hear from StFX faculty and staff and ask any questions you may have. Following each session, we offer a campus tour for family and friends of our new students.
FAMILY BBQ – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Family and friends of new students are invited to join us for a welcome barbecue on September 1 at noon, in Coady Gardens (outside building #36 on the campus map.) We hope to see you there!
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PREPARING A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FOR
Your student is transitioning into adulthood, which means their relationship to parents, guardians and other close support systems will change. These changes can be stressful for everyone involved, as young people are learning what it means to be independent while their families learn how to transition into a supporting role.
For many families, it’s natural to want to play the same role for your student now as you did in high school. However, as your student adjusts to adulthood and university life, it will be critical for them to learn to operate without immediate supervision. At times, this might mean stepping back and allowing them to make their own decisions, and ultimately be responsible for them. They may make mistakes along the way, but in time they will find their own path - and thrive while doing so! The two best ways to support your student: • Let them know you are always there to listen when they need. • Encourage them to take advantage of the support services available to them at StFX.
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THE FIRST FEW WEEKS YOUR STUDENT MAY FIND THE FOLLOWING USEFUL: Favourite snacks for their room Bank account details Personal information: Social insurance number, insurance details Reassurance. Starting university is exciting, but it is also a time of major change PARENTS CAN ALSO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO: Attend all classes and get to know professors Make friends in each class Learn how to manage their time Get involved in at least one club or society Take advantage of support services Keep finances in check Respect their roommate Manage stress and anxiety Get enough sleep Ask for help
IF YOUR STUDENT IS STRUGGLING It’s normal for students to find the transition to university life challenging. If you suspect your student is not adapting as they expected, there are several ways you can support: • Listen, honestly and openly. Let your student speak freely and express themselves. Don’t rush to judgement, or immediately push solutions. Sometimes, your student may just need to vent. • Ask how you can support them. Your student may have suggestions, or they may not want active support. Whatever their decision, respect it. • Remind them of StFX support services (see pages 10-11 of the FYI booklet) and encourage them to reach out if they need. – If the issue is urgent, your student can call 911 (Emergency) or go to the Emergency Department at St. Martha’s Hospital in Antigonish. There is also a toll-free 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line in Nova Scotia (1-888-429-8167) for urgent access to a mental health professional. – For non-emergency issues, they can also call the Good2Talk Post-Secondary Helpline (1.833.292.3698), which is free and available 24/7 from any phone in Nova Scotia. • Affirm that you are always there to listen and support them as they wish. Remind them that transitions are hard, and it’s normal to feel anxious or unsure in a new environment.
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OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION STUDENT ACCOUNTS – PAYMENT
Tuition and residence fees can be paid in two installments. First term payment is 65% of all fees and is due by September 15, 2019, with the remainder due by January 15, 2020. You are encouraged to pay first-term fees before arriving (or while at) Welcome Day on August 31, 2019. Please note that credit card payments are not accepted. We accept payment via: • Online banking. Register StFX as a payee using your student ID as the account number. • Wire transfer • In person (cash, cheque, debit) • Directly from Canadian and American government student loan programs • Online at: www.stfx.ca/international-payment (international students only) Have questions about paying student fees? Contact our Student Accounts Office at aservice@stfx.ca or 902.867.2123.
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HEALTH AND DENTAL PLAN The StFX Students’ Union Health and Dental Plan ensures all students are covered by a health and/or dental plan while attending StFX. Canadian students with alternative coverage may opt-out if they do so before September 30, 2019. Students may only opt-out if they can provide proof of coverage from another provider. For information on how to opt-out, see page 15 of the FYI booklet. We encourage you to investigate the benefits offered by the Students’ Union plan before deciding to opt-out. Some students with alternate coverage choose to stay enrolled in the plan because it covers student-specific needs that some other plans do not. Learn more at mystudentplan.ca
TENANT INSURANCE It’s a good idea to think about extending your household insurance coverage for your student’s personal belongings while they are living in residence or off-campus. Students are responsible for insuring the personal contents of their room. Insurance is not a requirement for residence living, however the university strongly recommends seeking coverage.
STUDENT MAILBOXES All students are offered a locked post office box where they can receive mail, including parcels. This is a great option should you wish to send your student cards, parcels or gifts throughout the year. Your student can set up their post office box by visiting the campus post office in Bloomfield Centre. Please contact your student for their particular mailbox number.
CARE PACKAGES A special care package is a wonderful way to let your loved one know you are thinking about them. Sodexo, StFX’s campus food provider, offers a number of ‘Gifts and More’ care packages for every occasion: www.stfx.ca/why-stfx/parents/send-just-because-package
CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY Ensuring your student’s health and wellbeing is a top priority for St. Francis Xavier University. This extends to their right to privacy. StFX will not release the following personal information without a student’s consent: • Registration status • Grades/marks • Use of StFX support services • Disciplinary information • Financial information • Health and Counselling Centre records, including confirmation of visits. Note that access to personal medical information is strictly governed by the Nova Scotia’s Personal Health Information Act. The only exceptions involve cases where there is a serious and imminent safety risk, and where a medical professional deems it necessary to contact next of kin.
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IMPORTANT DATES
JUNE 2019 Thu. 13
DECEMBER 2019
2019-2020 Course timetable posted
JULY Mon. 1 Tue. 9 Wed. 10
Canada Day, offices closed Course registration for the 2019-2020 academic year begins for first-year students Course registration for first-year students continues
AUGUST Wed. 28 - 29 Fri. 30 Sat. 31
Academic Day Classes begin Last day to change first-term or full-year courses Last day to receive full tuition refund for full-year or first-term courses, where applicable First term payment due December exam schedule available Last day to opt out of the Students’ Union Health and Dental Plan. Go to www.mystudentplan.ca to complete the online opt out form
OCTOBER 2019 Fri. 4 Mon. 14 Tues. 15 Sat. 19 Wed. 23
Fall Convocation Last day of classes for first-term Feast of St Francis Day, X-Ring Ceremony Term exams begin Christmas recess begins after last exams Residences close at noon Campus offices closed for holidays
JANUARY 2020 International Students arrive on campus International Student Welcome begins at 9am Welcome Day. New students arrive. Orientation program begins. Students will receive first week schedule of events, times and locations and may check into residence after 9am
SEPTEMBER 2019 Mon. 2 Tues. 3 Tues. 10 Tues. 10 Sun. 15 Fri. 27 Mon. 30
Sun. 1 Mon. 2 Tues. 3 Thu. 5 Mon. 16 Tues. 17 Mon. 23
Final Day for meal plan reduction Thanksgiving Day, no classes Fall Study Break begins StFX Open House Final day for partial tuition refunds for first-term courses, when applicable
Thu. 2 Sun. 5 Mon. 6 Mon. 13 Mon. 13 Wed. 15 Fri. 31
Campus offices reopen Residences reopen Second term classes begin Last day to drop full-year courses or change second-term courses Last day to receive full-tuition refund for second-term courses, where applicable Student account due in full April exam schedule available
FEBRUARY 2020 Mon. 17 Winter Study break begins Mon. 17 Nova Scotia Heritage Day, campus offices closed Mon. 24 Classes resume after break Tue. 25 Last day for partial tuition refunds for second-term courses, when applicable
MARCH 2020 Fri. 6 Mon. 9
Last day to drop second-term three credit courses Formal academic advising period begins
APRIL 2020 Fri. 3 Tue. 7 Fri. 10 Tue. 21 Wed. 22
Last day of classes Final exams begin Good Friday, no classes, campus offices closed Last day of exams Residences close at noon
NOVEMBER 2019 Fri. 1 Mon. 11 Wed. 20
Last day to drop first-term three-credit courses Remembrance Day, no classes Final day for partial tuition refunds for full year courses, when applicable
MAY 2020 Sun. 3
Spring Convocation