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Parent & Family Newsletter


August 2017

Welcome! 

We hope that all of our TCNJ families have had a happy and healthy summer with your students! We are excited to share our first quarterly Parent & Family Newsletter of the 2017-2018 academic year! This edition is filled with information for you and your student, including tips for a stress-free move in, Health & Wellness resources, recommendations for medication management and much more. We also have upcoming deadlines and significant events listed within this newsletter. Be sure to register for the 2017 TCNJ Parent & Family Day taking place on Saturday, September 23, 2017 and check out the tentative schedule below!

 
Enjoy!

Susie Orecchio, MA, NCC
Director of Administration and Operations, Student Affairs
Coordinator of Parent & Family Programs
2017 TCNJ Parent & Family Day 
REGISTER NOW!
Saturday, September 23rd, 2017

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

For more details and the tentative schedule, click here!
REGISTER HERE

Submit Your Family Photo
Want a photo of your family showcased during Parent & Family Day? Email a photo of your family or student with a one­ sentence note to sa@tcnj.edu. We will be creating a slideshow with these images to play during the day! If interested, please send to us your photo and note by Wednesday, September 13th.

Call for Participants:
Family Dessert Recipe Competition
Do you have a favorite family dessert recipe you'd like to share? Email your recipe to sa@tcnj.edu to enter into our Family Dessert Recipe Competition! The winner's recipe will be made by our Dining Services team and featured in the Atrium at Eickhoff on Parent & Family Day! If you would like to participate in the competition, please send us your recipe by Friday, September 8th.
Highlights from the Vice President
for Student Affairs 

Dear Parents and Family Members,

TCNJ is a special place.
 
From the talented faculty and staff that facilitate your student’s education experience, to the students themselves – I find a commitment to excellence, compassion, and engagement that I have not experienced at the same level in my 17 years of experience in higher education. This is why I am honored to serve as the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and excited for the academic year to come.
 
This year will serve as a milestone for TCNJ in many ways: construction on the beautifully re-imagined Brower Student Center is complete, the Office for Diversity and Inclusion will open this fall, and a renovated Packer Gym – home of the TCNJ Lions Men and Women’s Basketball and Wrestling teams - will serve as a vibrant arena showcasing storied athletic programs and TCNJ spirit! We will also spend this year celebrating the near 20-year tenure of TCNJ President R. Barbara Gitenstein, who has provided extraordinary leadership to this institution, as she is retiring in summer of 2018.
 
The Division of Student Affairs will be focused on living our mission of enriching an inclusive, intercultural environment that fosters student learning, healthy behaviors, and personal growth. Our strategic goals focus on leadership, diversity & inclusion, resilience, health & wellness, and because resources and infrastructure are critical - operational excellence. 
 
We have an impressive incoming student class, and an existing student community that continues to seek meaningful challenge and inquiry both in and outside the classroom. As parents and family, you are a valued part of the extended TCNJ family and we are excited and ready to welcome you and your students back to campus. I hope to see you at Parent & Family Day!
 
Take care and Go Lions!
 
Angela Lauer Chong
Interim 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 & Family Webpage
Parent & Family Webpage
TCNJ Student Affairs
TCNJ Student Affairs
TCNJ Student Affairs
TCNJ Student Affairs
First Time College Parent/Family Member?

If so, we have articles on our website focused on transitioning to college for parents and families. Check them out here! 
Tips for a Stress-Free Move In
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 (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 Residential Education and 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, or for each roommate to 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! Residential Education and Housing 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!
Health & Wellness at Their Fingertips
 Health and Wellness Portfolio &
Dean of Students Office
 
In the Health & Wellness portfolio and the Dean of Students Office, 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. This year, our programming will emphasize four elemental components of student resilience in order to improve Health & Wellness: SLEEP, MOVE, BREATHE and NUTRITION. Check out all of our services at http://healthwellness.tcnj.edu/ 

Highlighted below are a few of our offices and services:

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/ 

The Office of Recreation & Wellness: The Office of Recreation 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/
 
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: https://caps.tcnj.edu/ 
 
Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL):  Religious & Spiritual Life functions to provide an open and collaborative environment in which members of the campus community can nourish their spirits as well as pursue religious inquiry and practice. For more information, visit: https://religiousandspirituallife.tcnj.edu/

Alcohol and Other Drug Education Program (ADEP):  The Alcohol and Drug Education Program is committed to providing educational support services to the campus community and creating an atmosphere in which alcohol use is not the central focus of all social events. The program stresses choice, personal responsibility and understanding of consequences in deciding to use alcohol and/or other drugs. ADEP welcomes students in recovery, or those looking to explore their alcohol and other drug use, to utilize the programs and services offered, such as attending individual or group counseling. Programs and services provided by ADEP incorporate current, empirically supported approaches in order to effectively promote student health and wellness. For more information, visit: https://adep.tcnj.edu/

Anti-Violence Initiatives (AVI): Anti-Violence Initiatives leads the campus effort to address issues of sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, and stalking. We work with our community partners to create a campus environment that is intolerant of abuse and responsive to needs of victims/survivors. Our objective is to establish a campus culture for safety, free from power-based personal violence, resulting in a safer living and learning environment. For more information, visit: https://oavi.tcnj.edu/
If you have any questions about the advocacy, education, services, and programs that the Health and Wellness portfolio provides, please feel free to contact our office at 609-771-2545.
 
Dean of Students Office:  The Dean of Students Office comprises several different areas under its umbrella: the CARE Office, Student Conduct, and Title IX. 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 CARE Team is there to provide help and support to students 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. Additionally, the Title IX Office provides interim measures, accommodations, and opportunities for investigations for all cases involving sexual or dating violence on-campus. Lastly, the Office of Student Conduct helps students who have violated College policy navigate how to be successful members of the TCNJ community. For questions on any of these areas, please feel free to contact 609-771-2780. 
Lions' Pride 
TCNJ Athletics Supports Local Community
Read more about how TCNJ Athletics participated in this year's National Night Out.
Tuition Insurance
By Scott Sferra
Director of Student Accounts
The College of New Jersey has contracted with GradGuard to offer the Tuition Protection Plan. This plan provides valuable protection if your student is unable to complete the semester due to a covered medical reason. This insurance program complements and enhances the college's refund policy.

After the fifth week of classes, the college will not refund out-of-pocket payments to students should they need to take a leave of absence for the semester. The Tuition Protection Plan, if purchased, will cover the out-of-pocket payment (as long as the reason for the leave of absence is covered) after the fifth week until the end of the semester.

The College of New Jersey is not compensated for this program and provides this plan as a valuable student benefit.

If you have any questions or are interested in enrolling, please visit the Student Accounts webpage or call the Tuition Protection Plan specialist at 877-232-0765.
Medication Management: How Can You Help
By Jordan Draper, Ed.D.
Interim Dean of Students/
Title IX Coordinator

Kasey March
Case Management Specialist
The transition to college and living away from home is full of new responsibilities for many students. Whether it is their first time doing laundry or applying for an on-campus job, students become more autonomous during their college years. At TCNJ, we believe some components to a successful transition start before ever stepping foot on campus, like medication management.

Unlike high school settings, there are no facilities on-campus that dispense daily medications for students or send reminders when it is time for them to schedule an appointment with their doctor in order to refill a prescription. Therefore, it is important that students understand the importance of managing their medications prior to their arrival at TCNJ. We encourage family members to talk with their students about the importance of taking medications as prescribed, scheduling psychiatrist or doctor appointments to ensure prescriptions are available, coordinating transportation to doctors’ appointments, and avoiding mixing their medications with alcohol and other drugs.

Although the responsibility for medication management lies with the student, TCNJ has many resources to help with this successful transition. Students with physical or mental health concerns are encouraged to register with Disability Support Services by October 1, 2017. Disability Support Services can provide accommodations for your student to aid in a successful academic year. The College also has a referral database to help students locate providers throughout the North East who have been vetted by our Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Department: https://caps.tcnj.edu/caps-referral-database/. Lastly, we have a Psychiatrist on-campus who can help with immediate issues your student may face.

If you have any questions about how to help in the successful transition of your student, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 609-771-2273 or CARE@tcnj.edu.
Significant Deadlines
  • Full Year & Fall Only Tuition Payment Plan (Sign Up) Deadline: Wednesday, 9/6
  • Course Add/Drop Deadline Date: Wednesday, 9/7
  • Health Insurance Waiver Deadline Date: Wednesday, 9/13
  • Disability Support Services Deadline for Requesting Academic Accommodations: Sunday, 10/1
Significant Dates
  • Move In Day for First Years & Transfer Students: Thursday, 8/24
  • Move In Day for Sophomores & Upperclassmen (living in residence halls): Sunday, 8/27
  • Convocation: Monday, 8/28
  • First Day of Class: Tuesday, 8/29
  • Labor Day, No Class: Monday, 9/4
  • Student Involvement Fair: Wednesday, 9/6
  • Parent & Family Day: Saturday, 9/23
  • Midsemester Break (residence halls open): Monday, 10/9 - Tuesday, 10/10
  • Homecoming: Saturday, 10/21
  • Thanksgiving Break (residence halls closed): Wednesday, 11/22 - Sunday, 11/26
  • Last Day of Fall Classes (Undergraduate): Friday, 12/8
  • Reading Days: Saturday, 12/9 - Tuesday, 12/12
  • Exam Period: Tuesday, 12/12 - Tuesday, 12/19
  • Find more significant dates here. 
Freshman Finance Survival Kit
Spencer Savings Bank 
Going away to college is an exciting but nerve-racking time for students and their parents alike. Before your student embarks on their first chapter of adulthood, be sure they have the tools and resources they need to manage their money effectively, including:
 
A Student-Friendly Checking and Savings Account
Setting up a checking and savings account is one of the first things students do when they arrive on campus. But, not all accounts are created equal. Your student should opt for a no-frills checking account with a low minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance requirement. Their savings account should also have a low minimum opening deposit, along with a competitive interest rate.
 
Online & Mobile Banking
College students are usually either on the computer or on the go, which makes online and mobile banking not just conveniences, but necessities. 
 
Bill Pay
Even adults struggle to keep track of their monthly bills. A checking account with free bill pay allows students to set up recurring automatic payments so that they don’t risk late payment penalties.
 
A Budget
Sitting down with a pen and notepad and writing out a budget 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. Budgeting apps such as Mint and Wally can be helpful, too.
 
A Bank Nearby
With a Financial Center in TCNJ’s Campus Town, Spencer Savings Bank gives TCNJ students easy access to the financial services they need. Spencer’s StudentEdge Checking and Savings accounts offer everything we’ve listed in the freshman finance survival kit and more. There is even a 24/7 ATM machine.  To see why so many TCNJ students choose Spencer, visit www.spencersavings.com.
Enterprise CarShare
 
TCNJ Barnes & Noble Bookstore
 






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