EDITOR'S NOTES
Tragedy at Virginia Tech -- a message from President Allen
"The University of Northern Iowa extends its sympathy and condolences to the students, faculty and staff of Virginia Tech, and their families. I want to assure our students, faculty, staff and their families that campus safety is our primary concern. We are reviewing our crisis-response procedures to ensure that they are as comprehensive as possible. Our counseling center staff is ready to meet the needs of students as necessary…" MORE http://www.uni.edu/resources/announcement/
Dealing with trauma
As members of a university community, the tragic events at Virginia Tech University affect us all. There may be personal connections between the members of the UNI community and Virginia Tech that directly affect specific individuals, while many of us simply struggle to cope with the trauma of such a horrific event. And for some individuals who have previously experienced trauma or other significant stressors, the images and discussion of the events may trigger a recurrence or aggravation of symptoms.
We encourage students who wish to speak with a counselor to call the Counseling Center at 273-2676 and arrange an appointment. For more information about coping with trauma, or about UNI's counseling services, see http://www.uni.edu/counseling
NEWS
UNI responds to national financial-aid scandal
Investigations into inappropriate relationships between some universities and colleges and so-called preferred lenders have been in the news lately. We want UNI parents to know that UNI doesn't have preferred-lender providers. Preferred-lender providers are typically used by institutions that participate in the Federal Family Educational Loan Program. UNI participates in Federal Direct Loan program where loans are provided directly through the federal government. UNI also participates in the Federal Perkin Loan Program, in which loans are administered directly by UNI. UNI also certifies students' qualifications for Iowa Teacher Shortage Forgivable Loans and private alternative loans. http://www.uni.edu/finaid/
Legislative update
The 2007 session of the Iowa General Assembly is winding down. To learn more about legislation affecting UNI and its students, see http://weblogs.uni.edu/govrel/
RAGBRAI is coming!
The 35th annual Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa will overnight in Cedar Falls on July 25. Cedar Falls and UNI are partnering to host the expected 10,000 riders and their support crews. Hundreds of volunteers are needed for the event. If you or your student would like to volunteer, see http://cedarfallsragbrai.org/index.shtml
Parents needed for summer orientation
Thanks to all the parents who volunteered to serve as hosts at the parent hospitality tent during last summer's orientation sessions. The tent was so popular we're doing it again this summer. We need parent hosts on the first evening of each two-day orientation session from approximately 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. You're invited to join us for dinner after the tent closes. See the orientation dates below. If you'd like to volunteer, send an e-mail to liz.conklin@uni.edu.
KEY DATES
April 30, Finals week begins
May 4, Semester ends
May 5, Commencement, UNI-Dome http://www.uni.edu/infosys/commencement/
Summer freshman orientation dates:
June: 4-5, 7-8, 11-12, 14-15, 18-19, 21-22, 25- 26, 28-29
July: 2-3
Physics Building grand opening
Oct. 5
Homecoming
Oct. 13
Family Weekend
Oct. 27-28
UNIPA board fall meeting
Oct. 27
TIPS
Home for the summer
For the past nine months, your student has been an independent adult -- but he or she will always be your baby! Coming home for the summer can cause all sorts of relationship stress, for everyone involved. Here are a few tips to keep in mind
:• Expect them to spend time staying in touch with college friends. It's not that they aren't happy to be home and be with you again -- they simply need to continue their new relationships as well.
• Pay attention to the new family structure. Other siblings may have been enjoying their new role as oldest or the only child at home. A returning college student changes all the roles again, and everyone will need to adjust.
• Ask them about their year. Don't just ask about their grades. Ask about what new ideas they discovered, favorite professors, books that changed their perceptions, etc.
• Refrain from doing everything for them. It's easy to fall back on old habits when your child returns home. Help them continue to grow their independence by acknowledging that they can handle their own appointments, communication with the university, finances, etc.
For more advice, check out Karen Levin Coburn's "Letting Go: A Parent's Guide to Understanding the College Years."
TELL YOUR STUDENT
New admission requirements begin fall 2009
Here's a heads-up for those of you with high school students who are contemplating enrolling at one of Iowa's three state universities. We'd like to encourage them to consider UNI! Students from Iowa high schools planning to begin their studies in fall 2009 or later must have a Regent Admission Index (RAI) score of at least 245 and take the minimum number of required high school courses. Students who achieve a score less than 245 will be considered for admission on an individual basis. Calculate your RAI at http://www.uni.edu/admissions/freshmen/
RESOURCES
Get involved -- join UNIPA
The UNI Parents Association board is an advocacy group for UNI students and their parents. Members get the opportunity to share their opinions and insight with UNI staff and faculty. It's a great opportunity to hear and be heard. To learn more, see http://www.uni.edu/resources/parents/unipa.shtml
All parents/guardians of UNI students are automatically members of the parents association, which works as an advocacy group. Benefits include e-newsletters each semester and a parents' booth at orientation. Contact James O'Connor, UNIPA Liaison at (319) 273-6728, or james.oconnor@uni.edu with questions. The parents association also supports the Parents Fund, which supports student scholarships and activities on campus.
UNI Parents Association
103 East Bartlett Hall
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614
(319) 273-6728