Laurie's Letter

It's nearly mid-semester, which in Albuquerque means the hot-air balloons are aloft. Your student, however, probably has one eye on the sky and the other on upcoming mid-terms. Karen Olson, director for UNM's Center of Academic Program Support (CAPS), our campus' premiere tutoring service, says nearly 80 percent of students will seek tutoring during the course of their studies at UNM. Your student may turn to you first if the academic pressure mounts and you will be armed and ready with advice if you attend our upcoming Parent Talk Oct. 7. Olson is a featured speaker and she will discuss the many ways CAPS can serve your student throughout the year.

It's also that time of year when students, especially new freshmen, become homesick. If your student is not headed home for fall break Oct. 15-16, perhaps you can make a trip to campus for Family Weekend Oct. 23-24. Most events are free, however, pre-registration is required and ongoing through Thursday, Oct. 15. Look for a detailed story about Family Weekend in this edition of Parent Matters. Our theme is "A New Mexico Adventure," and activities are planned for all ages. All parents and guardians of UNM students are members of the Parent Association. Please plan to attend the association's general membership meeting scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23, from 1-2 p.m. in the SUB to learn more about the group and to honor the association's first undergraduate scholarship recipients: Sasha Pellerin, Joy Marquez and Mariela Leyba.

This month's e-newsletter also includes more important dates and deadlines, a story about students who are active on and off campus with the help of the Student Activities Center, an update from the Student Health and Counseling Center's Dr. Peg about H1N1, and an article about student housing renovations.

Until next month,
Laurie