Laurie's Letter

Fall semester ushers in a new season, a new group of students, and quite often, a pleasant breeze of change. UNM's Dean of Students G. Randy Boeglin is pleased to inform parents and families that the UNM Parent Relations Office and UNM Parent Association will now be units in the Dean of Students Office, the entity on campus that also oversees LOBO Orientation for incoming freshmen as well as the Family Connection orientation for parents and family members.

"All of these units are committed to enhancing student success and all share a common core value of embracing and facilitating connections and partnerships with UNM parents and family members," Boeglin said today in a memorandum to the UNM Parent Association. Read More.

Viola Florez, College of Education professor and PNM Foundation Endowed Chair, recently commented in the media that support from family is crucial to keeping students in high school, especially larger schools where "they can get lost in the system," she said. 
       

A need for family support exists during the college years, too, especially at a flagship institution serving more than 32,000 students. Parent volunteers staffed a table during the recent move-in week at the residence halls, http://housing.unm.edu/. Many parents who stopped by to visit shared that they were from out-of-town or out-of-state. With sons and daughters by their sides, they were eager to hear about UNM's 2nd annual Family Weekend Oct. 23-24, an opportune time for their families to reconnect.

In the meantime, your student's life will be filled with academic and personal exploration. Whether you are near or far, it would be helpful to share with them that creating a place for "you" at the "U" does require a willingness to reach out and make connections. In examining graduation rates across the spectrum - whether high school or college - a closer look at the success rate, or lack thereof, among introverts, is warranted. As the parent of two sons who make two sides of a coin, I am increasingly aware of the difference in services they receive based on opposing personality traits. If the early bird gets the worm, the gregarious bird seizes the nest. Some students may need an extra nudge from home to get out there and truly experience the tremendous opportunities available at the campus whether for support, success or sheer enjoyment.

Along those same lines, our Parent Talk discussion this month focuses on the Student Activities Center and how students can join existing campus organizations or create their own. Stay tuned to the Parent Talk archive page, where you will be able to enjoy a video of the talk at your leisure.

This month's edition of Parent Matters includes an article about an opportunity for parents and students to meet the Lobo Reading Experience author, a piece by Dr. Peg about the immunizations recommended for the college set, news about the city's Rapid Ride (bus) service and UNM's new "veggie bus," and an article by a national career coach about the importance of exploring employment potential from freshman through senior year.

Until next month,
Laurie