October 2008 Edition
We survived the first month of our students being away at college this year. I still walk by my daughter’s room ready to say, “You need to clean this up before you go out!” only to find, due to her absence, that her bedroom is staying perfectly clean.
I have been enjoying the many phone calls from PLNU parents who are asking questions and seeking information. This is exactly how PLNU would like the Parent Connection to work. The items in this edition of Parent Connection E-Newsletter are in response to some great questions from parents. All of us may be wondering about one or more of these issues.
Please feel free to contact me at anytime with suggestions, concerns, and/or questions. When you ask, we all benefit in Parent Land.
Blessings,
Jeanne Cochran
Development Officer and Parent Connection Coordinator
- Greetings From Parent Council President
- What Your Student Has Been Doing
- What Students Want Their Parents to Know
- Dorm Room Closing Process for Breaks and Holidays
- Common Questions About Parent Weekend
Greetings from Parent Council!
Hi, Loma Parent!
It’s October and to me that means time is zooming by! Our students have already completed six weeks of classes and should be well settled into their routine by now. How about you – are you settled into a new routine as well? No doubt the dynamics in your home have changed just a little with the departure of your student, whether they are a returning student or new to PLNU.
Soon, your student will be coming home for what may be the first time since school started. What do you think that will look like in your home? It will be so much fun to have them home! You’ll cook their favorite meal, maybe have the grandparents and extended family over to visit and you will certainly want time to just stare at them! Be sure to consider what the first time home for them will be like as well. Things have changed for them; they’re becoming independent young adults. It will be an adjustment for everyone. I want to commit to you to be praying for this transition.
Your chance to see your student in their environment is coming up soon! November 7 and 8 is Parent Weekend. Have you already registered? Time is running out! We have spent months preparing to welcome you to campus. We have some fun activities planned for you and your family, with plenty of free time sprinkled in with your student. No doubt they’ll want to take you to some of their new favorite places to hang out and give you the opportunity to put a face to the names you’ve heard them talk about. What an opportunity you have! If you haven’t registered, please visit http://www.pointloma.edu/Parents/ParentConnection
As I mentioned at NSO and in previous newsletters, I want to serve you, and be praying for you, in any way I can. The Parent Council is here for you to help out with questions that may come up or guide you in any way we can where Point Loma is concerned. Everyone’s e-mail addresses are on the “Meet the Council” page along with our photos. Please contact us. We really want to connect with you and make sure you enjoy your time at Point Loma just as much as your student is enjoying theirs!
Taking this journey along side you,
Shelly Tutt
Parent Council President
Upcoming Events
‘70s Skate Night
October, 14, 2008
Fall Festival
October 18, 2008
Samdi Gras (Halloween theme party, games, food,
performances, and haunted house)
Parent Weekend (Register Now!)
November 7 - 8, 2008
Homecoming Weekend
November 21 -22, 2008
Grandparent Weekend
March 27- 28, 2008
What Your Student Has Been Doing
Superhero Bowling
September 4
Night at Magic Mountain
September 12
Surf and Skate Saturday
September 27
Evening of Poetry –Carolyne Wright
October 2
The Spanish Band in Concert
October 4
The Future of PLNU
Dr. Joe Watkins, Vice President of External Relations
I am a firm believer that the future begins with an appreciation of the past. For 106 years, thousands of people have made it possible to sustain the future of Point Loma Nazarene University in a manner that has made PLNU what it is today. The university’s history has significant stories of surviving difficult seasons. Each of these stories is a demonstration of God’s provision made possible through the faithful support of his people. The university’s history of faithful support has been evidenced by staff, faculty and administrators who have been called of God to serve the mission of the university. The university’s history of faithful supporters has been evidenced by the hundreds of Nazarene congregations that have supported the work of the university with much prayer, sending thousands of students and giving millions of dollars in annual support. Their faithfulness also means that they have subsidized the education of any student, regardless of church membership or affiliation. Finally, the university’s history of faithful support is evidenced by the families who have entrusted their students to PLNU for more than 106 years. The past and the future of the university have been and are founded in the belief that God has been and will be faithful. The 106 year history of the university is simply an expression of what is reinforced in the biblical record: God is faithful. It is HE who has sustained us. We have found this to be true in good times and tough times. As a result of God’s faithfulness, the support of many and disciplined financial stewardship, we are confident that the future of the university is secure even in the face of uncertain economic times. Thank you for letting us be your educational partner, we ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Please know we have been doing the same for your family in these days as well.
What Students Want Their Parents to Know
Andrew Henck, ASB President
Playing the role of parent of a college student is a pretty big experience. As you watch us move away from home, learn to live on our own and move closer to independence—there is a pretty drastic change that occurs throughout the four to five years that you are parenting us. In an effort to give some perspective from a student on how parenting can help impact your child’s college experience—here are a few tips for each year that your child is at Point Loma.
Freshman Year
With the great deal of change and frustration that comes with this first year of college life, there are a variety of responses from students on their first few weeks away from home at Point Loma. A good tip is to keep in touch with your student and to ask about any kind of job that may be available on or off campus. Start talking about budgeting even for simple things such as movies on weekends and paying for burritos when there is a craving some “non-Caf” food. Forming good habits early on like securing some kind of job with income and budgeting will be a huge benefit to your student’s life later on in the Point Loma experience.
Sophomore Year
With the first year under their belt as a college student, the second year creates a whole new dimension. I would encourage you to talk with your student about participating in an international experience of some kind—whether it is traveling outside of the country on a short-term missions trip with LoveWorks or spending a semester abroad studying in another country. This is the best year to take advantage of traveling abroad. Having spent three weeks in South Africa after my freshman year at Point Loma, I can say without reservation that experiencing life, society, and the Church outside of the U.S. is tremendously impactful. Encourage your student to think about this early on.
Junior Year
As your student crosses the “halfway there” threshold in the Point Loma experience, encourage to start research of internship opportunities in specific areas of his/her academic discipline or vocational track. Having some meaningful work experience in the field that your student is considering going into not only provides preparation, but also an opportunity to get a taste of a field before making long-term commitment. A quality internship is extremely helpful for a resume, and enriches your student’s life as he/she prepares for a full-time career and vocation.
Senior Year
Without question, this last year is another time of great transition and change. Encourage your student in the process of looking ahead towards graduation and considers employment and graduate school opportunities. Reviewing resumes or providing assistance for job interviews will be tremendous support and helpful tool as your child considers a whole host of options as graduation approaches. With each of these “seasons” there is a wide range of needs based on students’ experiences and opportunities that they have had so far at Point Loma. Through your encouragement, guidance, support, and prayers, you will be a huge contributor to the success of your student’s time here at Point Loma. On behalf of the children of Point Loma Parents—thanks for your patience and your love. You play a significant role in our lives!
When Do We See Their Grades
All grades are posted to the PLNU Student Portal and are due 2 weeks after the end of a term. Please ask your student to share their grades with you.
Mid-Semester Grades Distributed – October 28, 29
(Mid-semester grades are at the professor’s discretion or the student is in academic jeopardy)
Final Examinations- December 15-19
Residence Halls Close – December 20 (Noon)
Final Grades Deadline- December 31
(Grades will be submitted anytime between December 19-31.)
Dorm Room Closing Process for Holiday and Breaks
(A special thank you to Dawn Sima (parent) for her great question on dorms closing during Thanksgiving Break!)
The residence halls close for Thanksgiving weekend, Christmas, and Spring break, but remain open during Interterm Break and Easter weekend. When the halls close for breaks, all Resident Assistants are expected to remain on duty until the official closing time and all residents have vacated the buildings. Residents are instructed to clean their rooms prior to breaks, including their refrigerators and bathrooms, where applicable. They are also instructed to unplug all appliances and electronic devices over Christmas and Spring Break. During Thanksgiving break, residents may keep their refrigerator, telephone and answering machine plugged in. To aid the Student Development office in locating missing students or contacting students should any emergency arrive, we ask that all students sign out with their Resident Assistant before leaving campus. On a sheet provided by the coordinator, each resident writes his or her name, address and telephone number where they can be reached over break, date/time leaving, and date/time returning.
Common Questions Asked about Parent Weekend
Registration is available online now!
Do I have to pay a registration fee for my student to join me at Parent Weekend?
You do not need to pay registration fees for your student if they are joining you for Parent Weekend. Students whose parents are attending the event will receive a meal ticket for the BBQ Lunch and Prayer Breakfast in your registration packet. They will use their PLNU meal pass for dinner in the cafeteria.
What meals are included in the Parent Weekend registration?
Parent Weekend registration includes Friday’s BBQ Lunch and dinner in the cafeteria as well as Saturday’s Prayer Breakfast. Appetizers will be served during the Friday Family Break Time in the Rec Room and dessert will be served at the Faculty/Parent Dessert session.
Do I need to purchase tickets for the fall play?
Tickets will be sold at a discounted rate of $8.00 to parents with a Parent Weekend name tag. The tickets will be on sale Friday, November 7, from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Solomon Theater. The play will be The Glass Menagerie .
If I only attend part of the event, is the whole registration fee required?
The registration fee is $55.00 per person whether one or all events are attended. Students attending PLNU are not required to pay a registration fee.
What time is the Ladies’ Tea?
We apologize for the misprint. The Ladies’ Tea is postponed since to Mrs. Brower will be out of the country and unavailable to host the tea. The whole family is invited to the Rec Room for a little fun, food, rest, and relaxation.
Where should I stay during Parent Weekend?
PLNU has partnered with Bartell Hotels! Every time you stay at one of the Bartell Hotels' seven distingusihed properties, they will donate a percentage of the total room cost to the University Fund. Bartell Hotels will be enabling even more students to earn scholarhsips at PLNU. The listing of hotels can be found under "Visiting Campus".
Webcam! Check it out!
Webcam
Did you know we have a webcam set up in Nicholson Commons? Simply click on this link and you might see your student walking in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
http://www.pointloma.edu/Dining/Campus_Dining_WebCam.htm