Southern Oregon University Parent Guide
Tips for Parents of Resident Students
Living on campus is an integral part of the college experience. At SOU, we believe in educating the whole student. This includes incorporating life lessons and educational opportunities into areas outside the classroom. Your student will learn a lot about themselves in the residence halls and will have the opportunity to grow and mature in a healthy learning environment. This growth will be supplemented by the educational and social activities that occur in the residence halls.
By encouraging your student to be independent in this new chapter of their life you will allow them to develop and learn to handle issues on their own. There are a few words of advice when it comes to helping your student through this transition.
First, encourage your student to address roommate issues at the outset and continue to openly communicate with their living mates. This will lead to more cooperation in their daily life and fewer obstacles down the road. If your student expresses a problem regarding a roommate ask them, “Have you talked to your roommate about this issue and tried to develop a compromise?” Encourage this open discussion before suggesting a room change. This will allow the student to develop crucial conflict communication skills. By taking the initiative to discuss guests, student study habits, music, food, and sleep times, your student will develop more understanding of their roommate and vice-versa.
Express the importance of getting to know their Resident Assistant (RA), an upper-division student that lives in your student’s community. The RA is there for each student, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No matter the problem, academic, social, or adjustment, the RA is a great resource. For more information on the RA position, as well as other leadership opportunities in the residence halls, please visit our website.
Encourage your student to take full advantage of the benefits of living on campus. There are weekly programs that serve as healthy and safe opportunities for your student to socialize and learn. There are leadership positions available that will give them decision-making power in the residence halls. Perhaps most importantly there are friends around each corner to help your student be socially successful and provide a peer support network that will lead to a rewarding student life experience.
You can also help your student’s experience in the residence halls by encouraging them to read the information distributed to them on closing and break information. We work to avoid students being caught off guard by the residence halls and dining facilities closing during breaks. By distributing information early, we allow students the opportunity to work with their parents and families to plan their travel and logistics ahead of time.
For full detailed information regarding living on campus, please visit our website.
