Look in the Mirror: Talking to Your Student About Alcohol Abuse

UMass Amherst Family to Family

I am in healthcare and can quote ad nauseum the long term effects that alcohol and drug abuse can cause a person.  Those pearls of wisdom sometimes seem to fall flat in my house, where there are lots of blank stares and the occasional eye roll when I speak to my college age kids about various topics, but, especially when discussing serious issues such as alcohol abuse.  The cautionary tales dredged up from (and occasionally elaborated upon) my youth have all been heard.  Even though “Jim” my college friend freshman year who quickly moved from binge drinker to alcohol rehab patient and ex-college student all in the course of 2 semesters was at the time their age, they still hear “Jim” as something that happened a long time ago and not really relatable.

Alcohol use continues to be a challenge for many UMass Amherst students and causes concern among many parents and university staff.  Yet, when you are 19, you viscerally believe you will always be 19 or 20 or 21 and look and will feel exactly like you do now — despite all the evidence to the contrary.

Specifically, below are 6 physical changes that can start after just one or two nights of even moderate drinking, let alone 12 hours of nonstop day and night drinking.  Ask your student to look in the mirror and consider:

  • Dehydration: Alcohol dehydrates your body in general (hence the hangover headache) and this includes your skin.  This happens EVERY time you drink and also deprives your skin of vital vitamins and nutrients.  Blood shot eyes and face bloat can result from a night of heavy drinking with pimples and rosacea (red skin that can be permanent) not far behind.
  • Fat deposits: Many believe that the toxins in alcohol contribute to the buildup of cellulite.  In addition, alcohol is fattening.  A pint of beer or 2 gin and tonic equals eating around one hamburger with the fixings.
  • Body odor: The liver processes most of the alcohol you drink but some of it leaves the body directly through your breath, sweat and urine causing a telltale odor that is difficult to cover up.
  • Hair: the dehydrating effect of alcohol also affects your hair making it dry, weak and brittle.  Hello split ends!  Excessive alcohol use can also trigger a zinc deficiency which has been shown to cause hair loss.
  • You may fall asleep more easily after a night of drinking, but you are much more likely to wake up multiple times during the night causing fatigue and sleep deprivation.
  • Unhealthy eating: Alcohol is a highly acid forming substance which changes your pH balances causing you to crave salty, fatty foods because your body is trying to find balance -hence the late night Domino calls or McDonald’s trips.  Also please refer back to #2 where alcohol contributes to increased cellulite deposits.

In trying to help your student fully grasp the dangers of alcohol abuse, concentrating on the immediate changes in a college student’s body after a night (or a semester) of binge drinking can often get his or her attention.  Turns out you don’t have to abuse alcohol for 10 years in dive bars to begin to exhibit some negative physical signs of alcohol abuse.    For young adults worried about their looks, letting them know how alcohol abuse will impact their appearance and health can make a challenging topic highly relevant and open up a broader conversation.

Submitted by Shannon Cullagh.  Shannon holds a Masters of Physical Therapy degree and is the mom of a UMass sophomore political science major class of 2019.

Be a Part of UMass Amherst’s First-Year Foster Care Initiative

UMass Amherst Family to Family

Do you remember all that you and your student had to do in preparation for their landmark move to campus– buying towels, toiletries, coffee makers, bedding, computers, etc.?  While your student tried to meet their new roommate and make new friends, you helped with things that needed to be collected and transported, worrying and fretting about every conceivable need they might have during their stay away from home, and making sure that you were able to provide for all of these things so that they were not inconvenienced in any way.

Unfortunately, not every student attending UMass Amherst has the invaluable support of family.  Students that come from our foster care system frequently face significant challenges and often do not have the resources needed to purchase even the smallest items.

In Fall 2016, the UMass Amherst Parents Association (UMAPA) Advisory Council, in collaboration with the Dean of Students Office and the Office of Parent Services (OPS), launched an effort aimed at trying to make the transition to college a little easier for foster youth attending the university as freshmen.  The idea was first floated by UMAPA Advisory Council member and Chair of the Community Service and Outreach Sub-committee, Mike Burk. As a working professional in the child welfare field, Mike had seen too often, the seemingly insurmountable challenges and problems faced by youth in the foster care system, many of which seemed so easily resolvable with just a helping hand, or a little bit of caring by a kind soul.  When he approached the Council with the suggestion that we should try to do something for this vulnerable student population, the members wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to make a difference.

Word about the initiative was quickly spread via the campus’s OPS website, as well as the UMass Amherst Family-to-Family Facebook group. It was heartening to see the enthusiastic and encouraging response from other UMAPA members.  Mike also reached out to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families with a connection finally made in October 2016.  Key contacts were provided by DCF as well as suggestions for improving outreach.

The very first drive (Fall 2016) was one based on gift card donations to stores such as Target, JC Penney, Big Y, Stop and Shop, and Amazon.  Fellow parents were encouraged to make contributions of any size, no matter the dollar value.  It seemed so rewarding and fulfilling to know that as a UMass parent/family member, one was making a difference in another student’s life.  With the collaboration of the Office of Parent Services and the Dean of Students Office, identified students received a welcome message inviting them to pick up their gift cards confidentially at the Dean of Students Office.  When they did, they also had an opportunity to learn about support services available to them. OPS in partnership with the MicroChill company also provided each student with a UMass welcome mat for their residence hall room.

The inaugural drive raised $1,385 from 11 families. With these funds, we were able to provide an average of $200 in gift cards for seven incoming first-year students from foster care.

We are now looking forward to our second drive.  So, come join us in this wonderful cause for the UMass Amherst family! We welcome your ideas, feedback, and full support as we work towards its launch. Please be on the lookout for additional information on this initiative in the coming weeks at the campus’s OPS website, as well as the UMass Amherst Family-to-Family Facebook group.  If you have questions or ideas that you want to share, you can do so on the Facebook group or contacting Mike Burk at burk.ms@gmail.com.

Submitted by: Neena Verma, the mom of a current UMass Amherst   Political Science and English double major, class of 2018.  Neena works full time in the UMass President’s Office and is  the current Co-Chair of the UMA Parents Advisory Council.

 

 

College Wellness: Creating a Community

UMass Amherst Family to Family

I believe that the key to wellness in college is community: ensuring students (our children) develop a healthy, personal community. If students can find that one place that they can belong, whether it be a club, a friend or group of peers where they can be themselves and feel comfortable, they will have planted the seeds for their own community. I want to share my experience.

Our daughter is graduating in just three months! Her four years at UMass Amherst have given her a strong academic education (preparing her for a great job in advertising we hope) but equally important, her four years at UMass have brought her great friends, positive experiences and a healthy sense of herself.

Our daughter easily transitioned from being a very involved student at a small out-of-state high school to one of the thousands of students at UMass. I’m not sure if it was due to the years away at summer camp or just her independent nature, but once at UMass, she began creating her own healthy community. I recognize that some students can get lost in such a large university but from her experience, I learned that there are many ways to develop that small town feel.

UMass does an excellent job of making a large school feel smaller. With residential programs like RAPS, common readings, floor and hall activities, and the whole host of first-year only experiences during that first month of school, the university promotes a sense of community. Our daughter met friends in her residence hall, through classes and even became friends with students who lived in other residential areas. All of her chosen peers spent their time in constructive ways; we didn’t hear about student drug use, binge drinking, or other at-risk behaviors. While we were/are not naïve about the range of college experiences for some students, and we know she didn’t tell us everything, our daughter clearly found like-minded friends who wanted to experience college in successful ways.

Our daughter’s school days were filled with academics, working out at the (gorgeous!) Recreational Center, great dining common’s food (definitely take advantage of that parents!), exploring Amherst (in the latter two years), and experiencing the best this wonderful university has to offer.

While I had my own feelings about our daughter’s choice to pledge a sorority, this enabled her to again create a smaller community. She made great friends, expanded her ‘only child’ status with lots of ‘sisters’, provided herself with a flexible but helpful structure, and found her voice. Since our daughter was engaged in a positive school culture, she wasn’t swayed by the risks often associated with college independence.

As mentioned, community can include a religious organization, an intramural or competitive sport, a UMass activity (the list of student groups and clubs at UMass Amherst is truly endless!), or one of the many sororities/fraternities; it can also be a professor or other adult connection that provides a sense of belonging (I remember my own UMass experience with the late Julie Berwald, advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences Information and Advising Center – CASIAC. She was my ‘mom’ away from home and I needed that.).  All of these things can help ground students, promote community, and give them opportunities and reasons to stay clear of at-risk activities/behaviors.

Encourage your students to get involved and make even small community connections. It will help them feel part of this great institution and be safe and well at UMass.

Congratulations to all the 2017 graduating seniors and their families!

Submitted by:   Seena S. Franklin of Tiverton RI,  the proud mom of a soon to be UMass graduate, a 1980 alumni, a member of the UMass Parent Advisory Council and co-chair of the Wellness Committee.

Tips and Resources for Navigating Spring Semester Transitions

UMass Amherst Family to Family

IMG_7718As students and families reconnect over winter break, grades are published and students start planning for the Spring semester ahead. Based on recent conversations on the UMass Amherst Family to Family Facebook page here is a quick overview of 4 topics that parents/families and students may want to consider discussing at this point in the academic year.

Topic #1: Roommate and Housing Changes

It is not unusual for a roommate to move out due to a move off campus, study abroad, or any number of reasons.  Similarly, your student may opt to change rooms and residence halls or might decide to move off campus.  It can be confusing as to how these changes impact second semester room and board charges.  The Residential Life web page details the specifics but, a few rules of thumb are important to consider:

  • If your student gives late notice for a move off campus, there will be a fee even if the move is due to illness, study abroad or moving home. The longer you wait to notify the school, the higher the fee so don’t delay.
  • If your student is changing between rooms of the same rate there is no fee but, housing charges can go up if they move into premium housing such as the Commonwealth Honors, North Apartments, or break housing. Costs can also change if they move from a double to a single.

If the roommate left during fall semester, your student may have had a temporary single but, don’t expect things to stay that way unless your student is offered and pays an extra fee to retain the room as a single.  UMass Amherst welcome’s hundreds of mid-year transfer and first-year students as well as study abroad and domestic exchange students.  Expect that empty bed to be filled at the beginning of the semester.

Topic #2:  Class Registration Changes

Most students completed Spring class registrations during the fall but, some may want to make changes before the new semester begins. In some cases, students want a different time slot or are hoping a closed class opens a spot.   In other cases, if a student earned a C- or lower in a class, they may opt to re-take it for a higher grade to replace the original grade in their GPA calculations, although the original grade will stay on the record.

Whether or not your student is 100% happy with their current class listing, it is vital that they be registered for a minimum of 12 credits in order to retain full time student status.  Without that, they can lose some financial aid and risk losing their right to live in the residence halls unless special arrangements are made.

Students who what to make changes can log into SPIRE and search for available slots.  Slots will open up in many classes but may quickly be grabbed so it pays to keep checking.  It is recommended to use the SWAP feature in SPIRE in order to ensure that the student retains at least 12 credits at all times.  The add/drop period extends through the first two weeks of class but, students are responsible for all work in a class — even if they start late.

If students are planning to change majors or add minors or second majors and need specific classes that have restricted availability, the student should reach out to their departmental advisor to ask if they can be approved to register. Students also need to make sure there are no holds on their account and be aware that SPIRE will not authorize a change that results in scheduling conflicts.

Finally, it is important to note that SPIRE is to be used by students – not parents/family members!  Parents/families are encouraged to discuss options and tradeoffs and help their student consider if the selected mix of classes makes sense in terms of majors and workloads but, it is up to the student to do the heavy lifting!

Topic #3 Declaring or Changing Majors

Many students entered UMass Amherst with a declared major while others started on an exploratory track.  All students must declare a major by the end of sophomore year, however, some majors – particularly science, engineering and business – often have predefined course sequences that build over time so waiting until the end of sophomore year may require the student to stay on at the school for more than 4 years to complete all requirements.

If your student is struggling to make a decision, the UMass Amherst Career Services office provides access to a number of self-assessment tools  that can help students explore career options and better understand the education requirements needed.

Each College within the University has its own specific process for meeting with advisors and declaring majors so, it is important to check in with departmental advisors and get the paperwork done.  If the student wants to move into a restricted major such as engineering, business, or computer science, they will need to work closely with the department to demonstrate that they have successfully completed the predictor courses and then follow the major’s application process.

It is not unusual for a student to have to apply more than once into very competitive majors so understanding the process and staying in communication with the department is important.

Topic #4 Joining the Commonwealth Honors College

While a number of freshmen are invited to join the Commonwealth Honors College at the time they are accepted to the University, many other students join after they arrive on campus.  Honors College students represent all majors and most departments offer dedicated Honor’s advisors and Honors colloquiums associated with upper level classes.

Current UMass Amherst students are eligible to apply to the Commonwealth Honors College if they have completed one full-time semester of 12 or more graded credits and earned an overall GPA of 3.400 or above at UMass Amherst.  Admission is competitive so meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission. Applications are rated on a) the quality and content of answers to application questions, b) writing skills, and c) the strength of GPA. The current application cycle closes January 9th but applications will also be taken in May 2017.  Upper classmen can apply to pursue Departmental Honors or Multi-disciplinary Honors. First-Year students can apply for the full Honors Curriculum.

Submitted by Mary Turner, the mom of a recently graduated UMass Amherst Economics major, Class of 2016 and a UMass Amherst sophomore geology major, Class of 2019

Looking Forward While Thinking Back: Alumni Parents

UMass Amherst Family to Family

When our son was a junior in high school and we embarked upon the Great College Search, he informed us he would like to study computational linguistics (yes- we had to look up that one, too) and go to a campus with rolling hills north of the Mason-Dixon line and east of the Mississippi. We poured over websites, hunting down schools with that elusive major (hint- there are not very many) and his geographical criteria. We did the Midwest road trip: ten colleges, four states, six days.  And just like the guidebooks tell you to do, he narrowed it down to four solid matches, none of which were UMass.

Sure, he knew about UMass.  My brother-in-law, husband and I are all proud alums.  We have maintained friendships with people from college and growing up in Hingham, certainly our son knows people who have attended UMass. He had been on campus growing up. It has an amazing computer science program as well as a very highly regarded linguistics major.  It even has rolling hills. We just hadn’t really spent much time talking about it; it wasn’t a part of his mental framework. He thought he knew what he wanted, he felt like it was a solid plan, and he was the one going to school, so we just figured he was all set.  Until he wasn’t all set.

The summer before his senior year in high school, our son did an internship with a tech company in Sweden.  It was a life-changing, incredible experience.  He lived in an apartment with a friend, cooked his own meals, did his own laundry, and lived independently for the first time in his life. And he missed us- more than any of us expected. So in September of his senior year, he began the college search again, this time focusing on schools within a few hours drive time.  This time we talked about UMass not in the abstract, but as a solid option.

UMass was no longer just the place where his parents had gone to school, but a place that could be “the one.”  Visiting campus on a balmy December day, we walked around, showed him the restaurants and parts of town we used to go to, reminisced about all the fun we had. And just like the part in the movie where the guy realizes the girl-next-door is whom he wants to be with, Jacob realized that UMass was where he wanted to go. The admissions wait was excruciating, but when he received his acceptance letter, we were all elated.

It’s a little bit different to be on campus when your child is the student and you are the parent.  Part of you still feels like that twenty year-old college student.  Some things haven’t changed at all (I’m looking at you, Northeast residence halls), while other things are totally different (award-winning dining- not when we were there!).  On the other hand, you also feel pretty old.  Sitting in New Students Orientation as a parent, I looked around the room and thought to myself, “Do I really look this old?” followed shortly by “Oh, I am this old.” The campus still has the same vibe it had twenty-more-than-I-care-to-admit years ago. There is still that sense of community and the search for social justice.

I’m certain his college experience will be different from mine and my husband’s; however, our hope is that the important lessons we learned from our professors, our friends, and the UMass community at large will be lessons he also learns.  As a student at UMass, one of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of considering multiple points of view.  The exposure to different cultures and values has affected my life in so many positive ways. Those are certainly lessons I hope he absorbs.

During my time at UMass, I established a strong sense of self and my priorities in my life fell into place. Because college is a time of growth and self-actualization wherever your child goes, it is especially exciting to have a common ground (literally and figuratively) and share a bond when your child attends your alma mater. Having our son at UMass represents an intersection of our past, present and future. In his growth, we see a reflection of our own identities. We look forward to his four years with the same optimism that we felt as freshmen.  And we hope that he will graduate as a well-rounded adult with confidence and with fond memories of great professors, terrific friends, and good times – similar to our memories!

Check out the UMass Amherst Alumni Association page to learn how to stay connected after graduation.

Submitted by Melissa Mitchell Goldman, UMass alumnae class of 1992, wife of Chuck Goldman, class of 1992, and proud parent of a rising sophomore computer science and linguistics double major!

 

 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Off Campus Living at UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst Family to Family

Although it is only November, many students around the nation are pitching the idea of moving into an apartment to their parents and family members for the fall semester. With 15,000 on campus beds at UMass Amherst, any student that wants to stay on campus can usually be accommodated. However, many students want more space and freedom with some moving off campus sophomore year and others waiting until junior or senior year.

If your student is thinking about moving off campus, spring is the ideal time to begin looking. Most listings in the surrounding area become available between February and April for the fall semester. In other words, there is no shortage of off campus housing; it’s just a matter of finding the best fit for your student/budget. Although some leases are by semester only, many leases are for 10 months with some being for 12; which means that in some cases, students are responsible for paying rent in the summer and over winter break, even if they are not using the property.  In addition, parents and family members are frequently required to co-sign leases.

For students and families that are ready to explore their off campus options, the UMass Amherst Off Campus Student Life website lists available rentals, sublets and people looking for roommates off campus. Staff can assist you and your student in finding a safe and affordable home away from home.  Student Legal Services can review leases for free! Have your student take part in a SLSO Renting 101-102 session or a brief Take Time Before You Sign session at the Off Campus Student Center, Student Union 314. You and your student should also check out the Amherst Rental Registration page to learn more about the rental unit and view code violations and complaints related to the property before signing your lease: https://www.amherstma.gov/1887/Property-and-Complaints-Search .

Our son moved off campus in his junior year. It has been an experience that has posed challenges as well as positive life lessons. His first experience living off campus was at an apartment complex — in a small 4 bedroom apartment. [Heads up parents/families – Amherst has a no more than 4 bylaw meaning only 4 unrelated people may live in one rental unit.  Make sure your student is #1) on the lease and #2) follows all the town bylaws]. Although quarters were tight, they were able to share responsibilities and make it work.  During the summer when many residents were away, there was a fire.  Fortunately there were no losses. Unfortunately most students, ours included, did not have renters insurance! Our son lost everything except his cast iron pan. Luckily, he had his laptop and some dirty clothes in his car! So heed this advice parents/families – get renters insurance for your student!

Transportation is another challenge with living off campus. The University has a wonderful, convenient, and easy to access bus system which is also available on weekends, though less frequently. The bus system is awesome if you are on or close to a bus route. The routes cover most of the immediate area, but there are some places, such as my son’s house, that don’t have a bus stop close by. So, alternative means of transportation must be found! Some students have a car which may be convenient, yet can be costly. On campus parking passes vary depending on what lot you buy for.  The prices range from $255-$750 per year. Parking meters are super convenient though, $1.50 per hour which can be a good alternative to the yearly parking pass.

UMass offers several off campus meal plans as well. The program is called YCMP (Your Campus Meal Plan). Our son has the program which includes 65 swipes plus 125 dining dollars per semester which seems to work out well for him. This generally allows him one on campus meal per weekday. He cooks the rest of his meals at home.  On average he spends $100 a month on food from the grocery store. His cooking skills are better than mine now!

This year, our son is living in a house with much more room and a great yard for his dog. Household chores are a topic roommates need to work out and agree upon. The landlord takes care of outside tasks and the roommates take care of inside. Being responsible for paying bills, shopping for shared household items, and cleaning are all good lessons to be learned. What works best for our son’s situation is that the tenants all do cleaning together once or twice a week, pay bills as a group, and manage their own food.

Although off campus living has its challenges, I believe the experience and lessons are an extremely useful stepping stone towards independence and adulthood.

Written by Pam Meoli – proud mother of a senior, class of 2017

Preparation Makes the Difference for Study Abroad Success

UMass Amherst Family to Family

Does your student want to study abroad? The range of choices and the number of details that need to be considered are almost overwhelming at first; however, the UMass Study Abroad Website  offers some very useful information.

Here are some things we wrestled with as a family when our daughter wanted to go to Spain:

  • Choosing a program: There were SO many programs all offering something different. There were even several programs in the same city. We had to explore academics (were courses appropriate and credits acceptable for her course of study); whether classes were taught at the program’s school or local university and in what language; which city interested her more; cost and what did it include (free excursions); housing choices (dorm, apartment, living with native family); accessibility/ease for additional travel; and safety.
  • Deadlines and references: Because our daughter didn’t think she could afford to travel extensively in Europe (her requirement) she waited to discuss with us. That left her needing to complete an application, talk to advisors and get all the necessary paperwork within a few weeks.

So now the application has been accepted! What’s next?

  • Ensuring an active passport and obtaining a student visa: Because we live in a small state without a Spanish consulate, we had to arrange several trips to Boston. Check the dates and times available for office hours; they were limited. After applying on site, your student will need to return when the Visa is completed (ensure enough time).
  • Arranging flights: We found it very helpful to use a student abroad travel agency for good deals. Since our student had three connecting flights, we needed to ensure she had time to change terminals.
  • Understanding housing logistics: Our student chose a ‘homestay’; she learned about her ‘Spanish mom’ a few weeks before she left.  Very helpful in many ways – no linens had to be sent, meals were included, and she had another mom to watch out for her (helped me!!!).
  • Miscellaneous needs: We had to figure out how to pack two seasons worth of clothes in two suitcases and a backpack, arrange an ATM card, credit card and phone that could be used in Spain.
  • What we had not accounted for: Extreme homesickness! Our daughter surprised us by wanting to come home. She missed her friends and even us! For most of her stay, we skyped and texted daily (sometimes multiple times per day) and eventually contacted the study abroad program for assistance. They were wonderful! An advisor reached out, suggested transitional activities and let her know how common this was.  The program had a parent chat page and I posted about her experience. I ‘met’ another mom with a daughter also in Seville who also wanted to come home; we moms exchanged Spanish phone numbers and the students met a few days later.
  • Transitions: Activities enjoyed at home/school are activities encouraged when abroad. At the suggestion of the program advisor, our daughter began running again, got involved in a few group activities, met friends, and began to travel. Once she got in a routine, she felt a little better. She ended up traveling to nine countries – not including Spain!

Our daughter is home now and happy to be back in New England.  I believe that she will look back (at some point) on her experience with positive memories – she demonstrated independence and resiliency and she clearly learned more about herself.  All in all – a very good thing.

Seena Franklin is the proud mom of a senior in the Honors College and a proud UMASS Amherst alumni (class of 1980). She and her family live in Tiverton RI.

What you need to know if /when your Student Gets Sick at UMass

UMass Amherst Family to Family

Red-Cross-First-Aid-Icon-2400pxParents/caregivers are often the first to hear “I think I’m sick” from their kids. Moms/Dads/Caregivers use the time-tested cheek-to-forehead maneuver to triage this complaint. Now that we’re more than an arms-length away from our kids we usually receive this statement via text.

What now? Luckily, University Health Services (UHS) at UMass Amherst is there for our kids.

There are caring and licensed clinical staff at UHS who will make sure your student gets the best of care. Karen Dunbar Scully, the Communication and Marketing Coordinator for UHS, recommends using the Nurse Triage Line. “If your child doesn’t know whether a visit to the clinic is warranted, they can call (413) 577-5229 and get guidance from one of our nurses over the phone.”

If they need to visit the clinic, they can call for an appointment or walk in – the clinic has hours every day of the week. If they don’t feel well enough to trek across campus, the UHS Shuttle will pick them up at the residence hall and bring them to the clinic, and then back to their hall.  No long waits in a room full of sick students either – your student can text “clinic” to (413) 944-8562. They will receive a response text with a number and a reminder text when it’s almost their turn to be seen.

As of this writing, UHS is beginning its annual flu vaccination campaign. Mobile flu clinics will pop up around campus making it easy for your UMass student to get a shot, just bring a health insurance card and there won’t be any charge.

Moms/Dads/Caregivers: If you want to speak to a provider about your student’s care, please be aware that the law prevents university medical staff from discussing it with you without your student’s written consent (if your student is over 18 years of age). UHS will provide your student with a waiver to sign so you can converse with members of the medical team.

UHS has all the info you need on their website. They are also on Twitter @UMASSUHS.

In addition to utilizing UHS, some other points your student should consider when they are sick are:

Sick Tray- Dining Services can provide sick trays with chicken soup, gelatin, ginger ale, etc. if a student is too sick to make it to the dining commons for their meals.  They should call the dining commons manager closest to their hall and inform the manager they need a sick tray. A friend will need to take the student’s UCard to the dining commons and pick up the tray. A meal will then be deducted from the student’s meal plan.

Informing instructors: If a student is sick and can’t make it to class, they should always contact their instructors to inform them of their absence.

Beth Uhl-Israel is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality and the mother of a Biology undergrad.

The Upside of Joining UMass Second Semester

UMass Amherst Family to Family

To our surprise our son was not accepted to UMass in the fall of his would be freshman year. He was waitlisted for the spring semester. This came as a shock to us all at first but ended up being the best thing that could have happened.

When he first opened the letter and read it, I panicked and said, “Well, you’re just going to have to pick another school”.  Honestly, what worried me the most was the fact that he was actually contemplating NOT going to college at all after high school graduation.  I thought, if he didn’t get into UMass with his classmates (which was his #1 pick), this would probably be the end of the possibility of him attending college altogether.  UMass Amherst has a policy that any freshman waitlisted for September admission is guaranteed second semester admission, but he wasn’t sure it was worth the wait.  We accepted the second semester admission but wondered if he would really go when the time arrived.

Once the realization settled in and we discussed it as a family, he realized he would have to work full time while not in school. He didn’t complain because he had a summer job that he really liked, working on a local farm. By November, after seven months of living at home with mom and dad, getting up for work every day, and missing all his friends who were away at schools, joining UMass in January started to look like a good idea.

As a parent, I enjoyed having him around, but, my husband and I knew college had to be in the cards. One day I said to him, “you know, this is what it would be like, you’d have to work and live at home until you can afford a place of your own.”  That was the end! – by the time January came around, he was ready to go – thank goodness! He was able to save some money for college, but most importantly he was emotionally ready to embark on this wonderful journey.

Because he started second semester, other students were already settled into their routine so as a student starting halfway through, it was tough. He was assigned to a particular hall and roommate without having a choice.  The match was not perfect but I think guys let things roll more than girls do, so we made it through. After that, he made friends, moved into a quad and now has moved off campus.  He has grown very independent through this time and as I said in the beginning – this experience ended up being the best thing that could have happened.

If your student is waitlisted for fall admission, give serious consideration to the spring admission option and jointly agree on how they will spend the time in between High School graduation and leaving for school.  Whether it is working, taking community college classes, traveling, or volunteering, having a game plan could make this unexpected delay a really positive experience.

Pam Meoli is the mother of a Sustainable Food & Farming major student, class of 2018

The Importance of Your Student Staying Connected to Their Advisor/Professors

UMass Amherst Family to Family

As all students are, our son was assigned an advisor who was related to the major he chose upon entering UMass. With such a big school environment, maneuvering his way around college life, classes and now off campus living, it can all be intimidating and overwhelming.  He sort of knew what direction he was interested in but could not figure out exactly what career direction to reach for.IMG_7781

During this past summer, through much thought and discussion with his friends and us – his parents – he realized what he is most passionate about (and I could see and hear for the first time the excitement).  However, he was concerned about having to change majors yet again if it meant he had to stay an extra year or more to complete his degree.

A friend suggested he should meet with the head of the department (Agriculture and Sustainable Farming). This can be an intimidating task for a young person, to seek out, reach out and set up an appointment with someone they don’t know. But it’s a GREAT lesson, especially in this technological world where it’s easy to hide behind a keyboard or smart phone. Well, he did it and it was the best thing he could have done for himself. This particular professor was actually on vacation at the time but was going to be in the area and so happily agreed to meet with our son and my husband to discuss his ideas (farming by the way). My husband wanted to be present in case he had questions himself – after all – he’s footing the bill!

After the meeting, our son (and we – his parents) were very encouraged. He looked at what classes he has taken and what he’ll need to take to graduate.  The professor was able to help him get into the classes he still needs.  In the end, thanks to the time and advice of this man, our son will actually graduate on time and since all of his Gen-Ed requirements are satisfied, the classes left are subjects he’s very interested in.  With the semester in full swing – this professor is our son’s new advisor and they keep in touch to keep on track.

So my advice to all parents/caregivers, in a large environment such as UMass Amherst, is to encourage your student to get to know their advisor and professors – the right person can be extremely helpful in guiding our students down the path of their choice and helping them make the right decisions.

Pam Meoli  is the mother of a Sustainable Food & Farming major student, class of 2018