Bevo Bulletin 2006-2007

Bevo Bulletin: A Guide for New Students and Families

Texcetera ... Info for Family Members

Many things at The University of Texas at Austin never change. The Tower has not moved. The Drag is still full of all kinds of people. Examinations are still difficult. But as a new student at the University, your son or daughter will change. As students face the challenges and changes that college brings, the support of parents is critical. Your love and encouragement will sustain your student as he or she encounters the achievements, disappointments, choices and changes that are integral to the college learning experience. You can help your son or daughter by encouraging him or her to utilize the resources available here. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 512-471-1201. We're here for you and your sons and daughters.

Coming of Age in Austin

Accept the fact that your student isn't sixteen anymore. Give him or her the freedom to make his or her own mistakes. Breathe deeply! Pray a lot! And remember that, in the eyes of the law and the Constitution of the United States, students are legally adults!
--Guy Howard Miller, Department of History

I think these years can be challenging for both parents and their student children. Parents have to remember that their child is struggling to define himself or herself as an adult. We sometimes have to back off while being interested (but not too interested!). It is a delicate new stage of relations. As a parent to a freshman student, I am trying, valiantly, to be less parental and more collegial.
--Mia Carter, Department of English

First Generation Parents?

As the parents of a first generation college student, I encourage you to empower your student to be self-sufficient. The next four years are crucial to his or her success here at the University. Encouraging your student to utilize campus resources may be the best advice you can give him or her. Although focusing on academics is a priority, moderate involvement in extracurricular activities creates avenues to release stress from college commitments. In addition, allowing your student to concentrate on studying without involving him or her with family obligations is important. Many times students feel overwhelmed by family obligations due to family problems or money issues. As a parent, your biggest role is to give support and to be there for your son or daughter if they need you.
-- Ge Chen, Assistant Director, Academic Enrichment Services

Rites of Passage

UT Professors offer words of advice for parents and family members of new students

Realize that your child will be changed by the experiences that college offers and be there as a sounding board for your student. Do not place any pressure or expectations on who he or she should be, but be supportive when he or she does discover his or her true calling. Lastly, make sure that your student does more than just study or more than just have fun.
-- Archie Holmes, Jr., Department of Electrical Computer Engineering

Be prepared to give your new UT student both space and support. They need to know that you are there for them; give them lots of warmth and encouragement. But, they also need to develop new lives for themselves at UT. Students will be more successful if they are not encouraged (required?) to call home every night or go home every weekend. Also, if there is any way for your UT student not to have to work for at least the freshman year, he or she will benefit enormously for the extra time and lessened stress.
-- Wendy Domjan, Department of Psychology

Over the past eleven years of my teaching career, I have noticed a steady increase in students' work commitments at part-time and, in some desperate cases, full-time jobs. While these employment obligations offer students lessons in discipline and even job skills and career preparation, they tend to diminish my students' performance in my courses. UT undergraduates have their entire adult lives during which to earn income and to fortify their resumes. However, these years at UT will be for many the only opportunity for concentrated, sustained, wide-ranging and reflective thinking and study, much of which will in fact make them more effective in their careers, not to mention in their lives in general. It is up to those parents who have the means to provide enough financial support to keep their children in class and in the library instead of behind a bar or a fast-food counter.
-- David Haney, Department of History

Leave them alone unless they ask. Show up for things that matter to them even if they don't seem such a big deal. I was amazed by how much my son appreciated my appearance at Parents' Weekend. He wanted to spend time with me, show me around. Ask about classes and try to be on your student's side. Be prepared for crises but let him or her learn to handle them. It's okay to run low on money; it's alright to get a bad grade; and it's normal to feel confused about one's major. The struggles students go through at UT will make them stronger for the rest of their lives. Don't be surprised if there is some tension the first time your students comes home. They are now used to being on their own. They have developed friendships with people you don't know. They've changed. But that is supposed to happen. Support them and, most importantly, tell them you love them on a regular basis. They'll say something like sure but I can promise you it really does mean something to them.
-- John Daly, Communication Studies

Some parents are concerned that their student's involvement in nonacademic activities might result in lower grades, while others worry that their son or daughter may not do anything but attend classes. Many students who become involved in campus activities find that their involvement improves their experiences at UT. Not only does such involvement provide opportunities for students to meet people with similar interests, it also helps them apply what they have learned in the classroom. They also develop skills in time management, communication and leadership that will help them throughout their lives. While it is possible to become overly involved, a healthy balance of study and campus and community activity can add a rewarding dimension to the University experience.
-Annemarie Seifert, Student Activities and Leadership Development

Texas Parents

The University believes parents are an essential part of the campus community. Texas Parents at The University of Texas at Austin exists to: keep parents informed, create positive ways for parents to be involved with the University and to be a liaison between parents and the University administration. The Parents' Association Advisory Board, which governs the Association, works closely with the Vice President for Student Affairs to achieve these objectives.

To keep parents informed, the UT Parents' Association publishes Texas Parents, the official parent newsletter at the beginning of each long semester. Every UT parent receives this publication. Parents can also get information about activities online at www.utexas.edu/parents/association.

To keep parents involved, the Parents' Association hosts Parents' Weekend where families of UT Austin students are invited to campus to learn more about their students' experiences. Families are welcomed to campus Friday evening with a welcome reception and award presentation for outstanding students and staff. Saturday morning parents attend college open houses, meet faculty and staff and come together for a Parents' Barbecue featuring UT Austin traditions and student performances. Parents' Weekend 2006 is scheduled for October 27-29.

Parents and family members are invited to join the parents' association by making a $40 contribution to the Parents' Fund. Parents who join at the $40 level are automatically subscribed to the Texas Parents E-news that is e-mailed the 15th of every month and contains important news, dates and deadlines. The Parents' Fund provides parents with an opportunity to support the University in a special way. These funds enable Texas Parents to provide small grants for student-run community service projects, awards for outstanding students and staff and support for important projects like Safety Week.

Texas Parents is the place for parents to telephone to find the answers to important questions. For more information, please e-mail utparent@uts.cc.utexas.edu, telephone 512-471-2353, write to 1 University Station, D7500, Austin, Texas, 78712, or stop by the office in Gregory Gym (GRE) Room 1.107.

Last Modified 5.14.2007 (abb)