STUDENT AFFAIRS & THE DEAN OF STUDENTS:

A Partnership with Families

Partnership• Shared goals

– Academic success– Develop skills to

find and succeed in a career

– Contribute to society

• Provide a supportive environment for learning

• Provide challenges and opportunities for growth

Student Development

• Students spend 15-20 hours a week in class• Students should spend 2 hours studying for

every hour of class: 30-40 hours a week• Students with work-study and part-time jobs:

up to 20 hours a week• Student life outside the classroom

complements classroom learning• Residence Life Living Learning Communities• Student engagement opportunities

Social• Meeting new

people• Acclimating to

roommates and floormates

• Developing life-long friendships

• Setting boundaries and limits

• Intimate relationships

Health

• Seeking health care when needed• Eating and sleeping well• Learning how alcohol and drug use

impacts their goals• Engaging in safer sex practices, if

sexually active

Cultural

• Learning about and from others who have different experiences

• Sharing one’s own history, culture and experiences

• Understanding one’s own privilege• Living in a city• Appreciating the arts

Life & Career Planning• Living

independently• Developing time

management and organization skills

• Setting priorities• Exploring career

interests• Internships and

work experiences• Developing a

sense of optimism

Political

• Better understanding the world around them

• Being active and engaged global citizens

• Formulating and sharing an opinion• Taking a stand• Helping others

Emotional• Developing emotional

intelligence• Managing “normal”

emotional challenges• Break-ups, homesickness,

roommate disagreements• Identifying when they

need help• Seeking and using

support and resources• Moving toward

adulthood and independence

Spiritual

• Practicing, exploring, questioning faith

• Being comfortable with ambiguity• Reflecting on, accepting and

embracing life’s challenges• Coping with death and change

Financial• Managing

their own money

• Understanding student debt

• Participating in financing their education

Consider purchasing tuition insurance: https://www.suffolk.edu/explore/27424.php

Challenges & Opportunities

• Taking advantage of involvement opportunities

• Developing leadership skills• Attending campus events• Talking with roommates and others

in class• Living in the gray

Student Affairs/Dean of Students

• Student advocacy• Work closely with faculty and staff• Provide referrals to Suffolk resources• Inform faculty of student absences for

a week or more• Grant leaves of absence• Respond to student academic

grievances• Manage student crises• Support students of concern• Administer the Community Standards

Talking with You About Your Student

• FERPA is a federal law that requires Suffolk University to protect students’ education records

• We may inform parents/guardians of:– Alcohol or other drug

violations– Health and safety

emergencies– Loss of on-campus

housing or interim suspension

• We do not inform parents of grades

Buzzing Around

College Helicopter Parent

Yes, mom. I told you I’m fine on my own at college….. Hey, could you log on and find my schedule, order my books and call and wake me up when it’s time for class?

Helping Your Student Fly

• Be a reference librarian – know campus resources

• Practice coaching – role play how students can advocate for themselves

• Pause before calling or texting them or us

• Empower students to advocate for themselves

Homework This Summer

Discuss expectations for:– Grades, visiting home, – budget and working, – Student-parent communication

Teach: – Laundry, healthy decisions, – coping strategies, planning ahead

Practice:– Phoning and texting less, asking for help,

independent decision-making, planning

Suffolk Family Resourceshttp://www.suffolk.edu/campuslife/25646.ph

p

• Suffolk Scoop Email Newsletter• SuffolkCHAT Events• Suffolk University Parent Guide• Suggested Reading List

HomecomingOctober 23-26, 2014

•FallFest Suffolk Student Talent Show•Night at the Boston Children’s Museum•Tours•Athletic Games

Resources

• Student Affairs– 12th floor, 73 Tremont Street, (617) 573-

8226

• Counseling Center– 5th floor, 73 Tremont Street, (617) 573-8226

• Suffolk Police– Donahue Lobby, (617) 573-8111

For More Information Contact

Student Affairs & Dean of Students

Ann Coyne, Senior Associate Dean of Students

Elizabeth Ching-Bush, Assistant Dean of Students

73 Tremont Street, 12th Floor(617) 573-8239 Office

studentaffairs@suffolk.edu