Parents & Family Resources
November 2005 Monthly Email
Dear Colorado State University Parents and Families:
Can you believe it is already November? This email contains a great deal of information, so bear with me.
First and foremost, some of your students may have shared that we have experienced tragedies this past week. Early last week, an upper-class, non-traditional student fell from the roof of the Morgan Library. He is in critical condition, but appears to be progressing well and has hopes of returning to CSU in the spring. Through our investigation, it appears that climbing on the buildings and roofs of CSU buildings has become a bit of an underground legend. Please speak with your students regarding the dangers of this behavior. Students climbing on buildings or walking on roofs will be ticketed and face significant judicial sanctions. We need to work together to discourage this risk-taking behavior.
The other recent tragedy involves a first year student who killed herself in her room in Corbett Hall. This student had experienced a history of difficulties and had chosen to stop taking her medication (Her family agreed to share this information to help educate other students). Many students have been affected by her death and we encourage everyone to reach out to one another and to seek assistance through the University Counseling Center. In addition to mandatory floor meetings in Corbett Hall with hall staff and university counselors, every residence hall student received a letter sharing information about the death as well as referral sources for assistance. I've attached this letter for your information. We appreciate the support you give your students and value our partnership in helping them achieve their potential at CSU.
On a happier note, many families have attended Preview over the years and experienced the Transitions session for parents and families. The author of the Transitions theory and numerous books, William Bridges, will be on campus! This Tuesday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Ballroom, William Bridges will discuss how transitions impact our daily lives. This event is open to the public, but tickets are required. Please call the Campus Box Office at (970) 491-4TIX (970-491-4849) to reserve your tickets. I have attached the press release with additional information.
I am happy to announce that you now have access to a module focused on how parents and families can help their students deal with roommate difficulties. This module is part of a comprehensive residence life educational package called Reslife.net. Colorado State University has purchased a license that allows our staff and students (and now parents & families!) to access the great information on the website. If your student is experiencing roommate difficulties, take some time to walk through this module. Even if your student is in roommate "heaven," you may want to breeze through the module as a pro-active, preventative measure! To get to the website, click on the following shortcut: http://www.reslife.net/ To access the Parent Module on Reslife.net you can scroll down to the icon that is titled "Parent Education Module" and click on the title (or icon), when asked for a username and password, type in: "csuram" for the username, and "reslife" for the password. This should take you immediately to the powerpoint.
Finally, I wish to alert you to the other attachments. I summarized my notes from the Family Weekend session with Dr. Linda Kuk, Vice President for Student Affairs as well as the Housing Options after the First Year session. You may have missed these great sessions, but hopefully my notes will provide you with helpful information. Also attached is a flyer to sign up for specific committees or projects within the Parent and Family Advisory Council. Fill it out and email it back to me at jody.donovan@colostate.edu. Finally, the November email with information specific to what students are dealing with in the month of November as well as timely deadlines and details is attached.
My apologies for this bulky email, but there are just so many things happening at Colorado State University. I like to share them with you to keep you informed and to assist you in your important role as primary advocate and support for your Colorado State University student.
Take care and have a terrific November. There is much to be thankful for and I hope you and your students agree.
Sincerely,
Jody Donovan, Director
Student Transitions and Parent & Family Programs
Colorado State University
201 Administration Building
Fort Collins, CO 80526
(970) 491-5312
Letter to residence hall students 11.03.05
William Bridges Press Release
Campus Update with the Vice President for Student Affairs
November Attachment
Parent Family Advisory Council Flier 2005