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Parent & Family Newsletter

August 2016

Welcome! 

We hope that all of our TCNJ families have had a happy and healthy summer! We are excited to share our first quarterly Parent & Family Newsletter of the 2016-2017 academic year! Within this edition, you will find articles on our Health & Wellness resources available on campus for our students, instructions on billing and becoming an authorized user in PAWS, and tips for a stress free move in! We also have upcoming deadlines and significant events listed within this newsletter. Be sure to register for the 2016 TCNJ Parent & Family Day on Saturday, September 24, 2016 and check out the tentative schedule below!

Enjoy!

Susie Orecchio, MA, NCC
Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs
Coordinator of Parent & Family Programs
REGISTRATION & SCHEDULE!
2016 TCNJ Parent & Family Day



Saturday, September 24th, 2016


Mark your calendar! We are looking forward to a day of fun on campus with our TCNJ families!

Register here!

Tentative schedule here 

Highlights from the Vice President
for Student Affairs
 


Dear Parents and Family Members,

It’s that time of year again! Summer is quickly coming to a close and back-to-school preparations are in full swing. I am eagerly anticipating your student’s arrival to campus - It’s been quiet here without the energy of our students. My staff and I spent the summer reflecting on the past year, developing new and tweaking old programs, and planning for the upcoming year.


I'd like to take some time to talk about the concept of resilience, which focuses on one's ability to recover from setbacks and thrive in ever-changing environments. As my daughter has entered into the “Toddler Years”, I hope that I can remain a supportive force in her life. Right now, it’s relatively easy as she’s learning to walk. So cheering her on and encouraging her to get up when she falls seems far easier now than I imagine it will be as she grows older.
 
This summer, I read a number of books, but one that I’ve shared with the Student Affairs staff is Grit: The power of passion and perseverance by Angela Duckworth. To me, grit is another word for resilience. The author describes the environment that fosters grit as demanding and supportive. That description is very similar to TCNJ. We expect a lot from our students, and we know that they can meet our expectations. TCNJ provides support and guidance to help them get there.

Duckworth shares a Japanese proverb that loosely translates into “fall 7, get up 8”. This reflects the idea that it doesn’t matter how many times you fall, but getting up and continuing to try is what matters. The author goes on to talk about the power of passion in establishing grit. It is so important that our students find a topic that they are passionate about – this makes the hard work more bearable and allows any bumps along the way to be viewed as learning opportunities - not failures or a reason to quit. 
 
Of course, not all students come to college knowing what they are passionate about and for others, they may change their minds. That’s OK and we should view those changes and exploration as a part of the learning process and the development that the college experience provides. 
 
I know as parents and family members, you want the very best for your student. We hope you’ll continue to use the resources we offer to help support, encourage, and challenge your student. The hard part for all of us is to allow them to “fall 7, get up 8”. 
 
I look forward to our upcoming College opening and all that Fall brings us.
 
Amy Hecht, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Table of Contents
Connect with us across the web for more information and resources!
TCNJ Parent & Family Resources
TCNJ Parent & Family Resources
Parent and Family Webpage
Parent and Family Webpage
TCNJ Student Affairs
TCNJ Student Affairs
TCNJ Student Affairs
TCNJ Student Affairs
Health & Wellness At Their Fingertips
 By Kelly S. Hennessy, Ed.D.
Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/
Associate Dean of Students


In the office of Health & Wellness, we believe health and wellness to be foundational to the pursuit of knowledge. In order for our TCNJ students to fully focus on their academics, they need to focus on their personal wellness. Our mission is to promote and nurture a community of care supportive of healthy lifelong personal and relational behaviors. We provide TCNJ students with opportunities for development in all areas of wellness: intellectual, spiritual, occupational, emotional, physical, social, and environmental through advocacy, education, services, and programs.

Throughout the year, TCNJ offers a variety of events that address Health & Wellness, through prevention, intervention, and education. It’s not unusual — especially for college students — to get a bit stressed while balancing academic and personal demands on time and energy. Here at TCNJ, we want our students to THRIVE. Whether your student is looking for ways to continue or start their fitness routine, to eat healthy, speak with a counselor, or understand the impacts that sleep has on their academics, we are here to help. Check out all of our services at
http://healthwellness.tcnj.edu/. Highlighted below are a few of our offices and services:

Dean of Students Office:  At The College of New Jersey, we are all part of a caring community of students, faculty, and staff that takes its responsibility to look out for one another very seriously. Within the TCNJ caring community, the struggle of one of us is a concern for all of us. Conversely, the success and growth of each of us enhances our community. As a community of care, we reach out to each other in times of need and work together to build a healthy and well campus. The Dean of Students Office and the CARE Team is there to provide help and support to student’s experiencing a variety of personal challenges to being a successful student at TCNJ. Whether your concerns are academic, financial, interpersonal, physical or mental health related – we are here to help. Please contact us at 609.771.CARE (2273).

The Office of Recreation & Wellness:  The Office of Recreation at The College of New Jersey supports the college's mission by enhancing lifelong learning through outstanding recreational services, programs, and facilities that promote the well-being of the body, mind, and spirit of the campus community. Programs include: Intramural sports, Sports clubs, RECreate Your Night, and Group Fitness. More information about all that Recreation offers can be found at:
https://recreation.tcnj.edu/

Student Health Services (SHS):  Student Health Services provides, promotes, supports, and integrates individual healthcare, clinical preventive services, clinical treatment for illness, patient education, and public health responsibilities. SHS offers services focused on injuries & illnesses, vaccinations, tuberculosis, flu shots, and sexual & reproductive health. For more information, please check out:  http://health.tcnj.edu/.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS):  The mission of Counseling and Psychological Services is to support the academic goals of the College through assisting students with personal challenges that interfere with their academic progress. We encourage students to attend to all of their developmental needs, whether they are academic, personal, physical, interpersonal, social, or spiritual. Toward this end, we provide an environment that is safe, confidential, and supportive. Our work is guided by the ethical and practice standards of our professions, with the goal of providing the best services possible. CAPS offers group counseling, short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention, referral services, prevention/outreach to students, faculty and staff, and graduate student training opportunities.  For more information, visit:
http://www.caps.tcnj.edu 

If you have any questions about the advocacy, education, services, and programs Health and Wellness provides, please feel free to contact our office at 609-771-2545.
 
Tips for a Stress-Free Move In
By the Department of Residential Education and Housing
 
Welcome to one of the greatest experiences your student will have at The College of New Jersey: on­ campus living. Whether this is their first time moving in or their second, third, or fourth, there are a few steps they can take to make this process easy for them and for those helping them move in. Below are a few tips on how to make move in as stress free as possible.
  • Make a checklist before your student leaves home to come to TCNJ so they don't forget any important items (laptop and cell phone chargers, laptop, ethernet cables, school books, etc). Take a look at the housing website for essential items before they pack their entire life into the car. The Res Ed & Housing's checklist can be found here.
  • Speaking of essential items, less is more! When they’re creating their "forget me not" checklist, prioritize items that they need right away versus those that they could bring back to campus on their next trip home.
  • Have them get in touch with their roommates prior to arriving so they can make practical packing decisions before they arrive. They don’t want to end up with two mini fridges in a room or each roommate bring a rug when there is only space for one.
  • Make sure they know their room assignment and have their student ID somewhere handy. They’ll need to present this at check in and losing it on the first day will be a huge inconvenience to them.
  • Stay hydrated! You may be making several trips to and from your vehicle, so remember to keep water handy and take your time when moving things.
  • Finally, it’s okay for them to bring their movie collection or some video games to share with their roommates, but don’t have them bring things that can become a distraction to their roommates or themselves. There are student run organizations on campus for a reason. The more things they bring to play with in their room, the less of campus life they’ll get to experience.
During move in day, don't hesitate to ask questions! ResEd staff will be present throughout the day to assist you and your student. Also, be sure to have them save important numbers in their mobile phone and get connected to their residence hall on social media for important updates and upcoming events!

 
 
Getting a Head Start with Student Accounts
By the Office of Student Accounts
 
One of the most stressful aspects of transitioning into higher education can be working out all the financial responsibilities. The Office of Student Accounts is here to assist students with any questions or concerns they may have about student billing, payment plans, ID cards, or parking services. We will effectively make the transition easier for you.

Our billing operation entails sending electronic notifications via e-mail to students’ TCNJ e-mail accounts and their respective Authorized Users. A student who grants Authorized User access will allow that designated person the ability to discuss with our office the student’s financial account. Instructions on how to create an Authorized User can be found at:
http://authorizeduser.tcnj.edu/students/managing-access/create-an-authorized-user/. This feature allows the student to create a secure PIN for whomever they grant access. This PIN will be requested by our staff from those calling on behalf of their student to insure we are speaking to the Authorized User.

The college accepts tuition and fee payments in a variety of ways. Electronically, we accept credit card or e-check payments via PAWS. Payments may also be submitted in person in the form of cash, check or money order. If you decide to mail payments, please address them to:

The College of New Jersey
Office of Student Accounts
PO Box 781791
Philadelphia, PA 19178-1791
 
We offer the option to make payments for the semester bill monthly installments. To accommodate this request, we have partnered with a third party provider that gives the option of making equal payments for 5 months (one academic semester) or 10 months (one academic year). More information on the payment plans can be found on our website:
http://studentaccounts.tcnj.edu/billing/bill-payment-options/installment-payment-plan/. The deadline to sign up for a payment plan is September 7th, 2016.

Our office also offers Parking and Get-It Card Services. Commuting and residential students (except residential freshman) will need to purchase a parking decal to park on campus. Please visit our parking website at
http://parking.tcnj.edu/ for more details. The Get-It Card is part of the student ID card system that functions as a debit based purchasing system. For more details, please visit http://cardservices.tcnj.edu/.

To help new users navigate through these services, our website offers tutorials ranging on topics from “How To Set-Up Your Direct Deposit” to “How To Register Your Car.” These presentations can be found at:
http://studentaccounts.tcnj.edu/paws-tutorials/.

We are staffed by employees ready and willing to assist you with any and all needs as they pertain to our office.

If you have any questions or concerns, or wish to speak with a member of our staff, please feel free to call our office at 609-771-2172, email us at
stuaccts@tcnj.edu, or just stop by Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. We are located in Green Hall Room 119 and we look forward to helping you this upcoming 2016-2017 academic year!
                   
ADEP/AVI Welcome Letter
To Parents/Family Members of New Students

New Students' Parents/Family Members:
 
Congratulations on your student’s acceptance into The College of New Jersey’s (TCNJ) class of 2020!  We join you in celebrating this accomplishment and look forward to welcoming our newest students to TCNJ’s community.
 
While this is an exciting time, we recognize that the transition into college can also be challenging for students and their families. At the collegiate level, first-year students will be faced with many choices and their decision-making skills will be tested in both academic and social settings. As you know, the choices they make can have significant physical, emotional, legal, and academic consequences.
 
To assist your student in making the most of his or her college experience, we provide educational programs on pertinent issues during Welcome Week and throughout the year. We also inform students about the College’s behavioral expectations through the Student Conduct Code, A Guide to Residence Living, and discussions on pertinent New Jersey laws.
 
We recognize that our programming will be most effective when we can build on conversations you have already had with your son or daughter. As partners in this process, we ask that you consider sharing the information at the link below during your pre-college discussions.

Please click
here to view the full letter with additional information and instructions for your student. 


                    
 
Significant Deadlines
  • Tuition Payment Plan (Sign Up) Deadline: Wednesday, 9/7
  • Course Add/Drop Deadline Date: Wednesday, 9/7
  • Health Insurance Waiver Deadline Date: Wednesday, 9/14
  • Disability Support Services Deadline for Requesting Academic Accommodations: Saturday, 10/1
Significant Dates 
  • Move In Day: Thursday, 8/25
  • Student Activities Fair: Wednesday, 9/14
  • Parent & Family Day: Saturday, 9/24
  • Homecoming: Saturday, 10/29
  • Midsemester Break (residence halls open): Monday 10/10 - Tuesday, 10/11
  • Thanksgiving Break (residence halls closed): Wednesday, 11/23 - Sunday, 11/27
  • Last Day of Fall Classes (Undergraduate): Friday, 12/9
  • Reading Days: Saturday, 12/10 - Tuesday, 12/13
  • Exam Period: Tuesday, 12/13 - Tuesday, 12/20
  • Find more significant dates here
Are You a TCNJ Legacy Family? Let us Know!


A Legacy at The College of New Jersey is an alumna/alumnus or current student who is the grandchild, child, or sibling of another TCNJ alumna/alumnus or current student. The Office of Alumni Affairs hosts special events for Legacy families throughout the year. Please let us know if you are a TCNJ Legacy family by clicking here to fill out our survey.
TCNJ Barnes & Noble Bookstore

5 Financial Topics to Discuss with Your College-Bound Student
By Janel Bazih
Vice President and Marketing Manager, Spencer Savings Bank

Sending your child off to college brings a mix of emotions. You’re proud of their next step in life, but also hold their childhood close to your heart. Meanwhile, you’re worried for their well-being.
 
Without a doubt, financial responsibility is one of the most notable “growing pains” for college freshmen. But, with a brief conversation, you can help your student manage their money like the savvy young adult they are. Here are five concepts to cover during your pre-college money discussion:
 
Who’s Paying for What?
Before your student can be expected to demonstrate sharp money management skills, they need to know which expenses they are and aren’t receiving your help with. Be sure to address:
 
  • Tuition and fees
  • Housing
  • Books
  • Meals
  • Transportation
  • Necessities
  • Clothing
  • Entertainment
 
Budgeting
Sitting down with a pen and notepad and writing out a budget will never become too “old-school.” This is a great exercise to do with your student not just for the outcome of creating their budget, but also for them to adopt a budgeting process for their own ongoing use.
 
Credit Cards
Credit cards are only dangerous when they are not understood. And for students, a credit card can be extremely helpful as an emergency fund. Explain to your student the basics of credit card management including appropriate use, minimum payments and interest.
 
ATM and Debit Card Safety
It’s no longer enough to simply look out for your physical safety and your cash after making a withdrawal. Make your student aware of skimming devices in ATM machines, phishing scams online, and other threats to their personal information. This is not meant to cause fear or paranoia, but rather general awareness and vigilance.
 
Savings
Even when caught up in simply making ends meet, students can develop successful saving habits and plan for the future. To encourage savings, you might consider “matching” any contributions your student makes to their savings account.
 
Spencer Savings Bank’s StudentEdge Savings account also provides a competitive interest rate, along with free mobile and online banking. To learn more about Spencer’s banking tools for TCNJ students, visit spencersavings.com. Located right in Campus Town, Spencer is equipped to handle all of the financial needs your student may have.

 
Copyright © 2016 The College of New Jersey, All rights reserved.


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