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Parent & Family Newsletter

February 2018

Welcome! 

With the Spring semester off and running, we are excited to bring you the February 2018 Parent & Family Newsletter. Below, you can read about one of the incredible leadership training programs that TCNJ offers along with updates from the School of Arts and Communication. Global engagement, one of TCNJ's Signature Experiences, is also featured in this edition. In addition, we have included important Spring Break closing information and a number of dates and deadlines for your reference.

Enjoy!

Susie Orecchio, MA, NCC
Director of Administration & Operations, Student Affairs
Coordinator of Parent & Family Programs

Highlights from the Vice President
for Student Affairs 

 
Dear Parents and Family Members,
 
One of the most distinctive elements of a TCNJ education, is engagement in one or more of the Signature Experiences.

Personalized, Collaborative, and Rigorous Education
 
Undergraduate Research, Mentored Internships, and Field Experiences
 
Community Engaged Learning
 
Global Engagement

 
Leadership Development

 
These experiences are closely mentored by faculty and staff and are designed to enhance students’ intellectual curiosity as well as professional, technical and artistic skills. Moreover, they are socially impactful and connect students to not only the subject matter and mentors - but to each other.
 
A number of features of this edition of the newsletter highlight student experiences or programs that illustrate TCNJ’s Signature Experiences such as the LeaderShape® program through Student Affairs. These experiences set your student’s TCNJ education apart! I highly encourage you to discuss opportunities to engage with your student in these experiences which are truly the hallmark of excellence at TCNJ.
 
A student summed up her experience in LeaderShape® as a Signature Experience this way:
 
“In just one week, LeaderShape® taught me to look beyond myself and learn that possibility is limitless. I was encouraged to use my own passions and interests to improve the world. What surprised me most was the introspective journey I also experienced throughout the week. Upon returning from the institute, I see myself as a stronger leader and I realize that just one person can make a large difference in the world.

TCNJ’s Signature Experiences are further defined as a central element of the College’s strategic plan, TCNJ 2021: Bolder, Better, Brighter! 
 
So whether it is a leadership program, participating in a community engaged learning trip, or studying abroad – be sure your student takes advantage of what makes a TCNJ education so special.
 
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 and Family Webpage
Parent and Family Webpage
TCNJ Student Affairs
TCNJ Student Affairs
TCNJ Student Affairs
TCNJ Student Affairs
TCNJ Student Affairs
TCNJ Student Affairs
SAVE THE DATE!
2018 TCNJ Parent & Family Day

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Mark your calendar! We are already looking forward to a day of fun on campus with our TCNJ families on September 29th, 2018.



 
TCNJ LeaderShape® Institute Inspires Student Leaders
By Ceili Boles, Graduate Intern
Avani Rana EdD, Director
Office of Leadership

 
LeaderShape® has been called “Life changing.” Students have said “LeaderShape® challenged me to think beyond myself and that there is no such thing as impossible,” and “This week was extremely eye opening! I’ve been able to discover my core values and my vision for the world!”
 
 
 
The LeaderShape® Institute is a signature program that TCNJ’s Office of Leadership hosts to provide students with a 6 day 5 night engaging leadership experience during winter break. The LeaderShape® Institute’s mission: “To transform the world by increasing the number of people who lead with integrity™ and a healthy disregard for the impossible.” Students spend their LeaderShape experience in Avalon, New Jersey learning to think critically about themselves, their values, and the impact they can have on the world. Each of the six days has a theme and throughout the course of the week, students participate in reflections, small group and large group activities. Students also develop a “LeaderShape Breakthrough Blueprint”, in which students craft short and long term goals for their visions. Students make connections with faculty and staff from across campus to aid them in cultivating a plan that will make a difference in their organization, community, or workplace. This leadership experience gives students a unique opportunity to build their leadership skills through the curriculum of a program hosted nationwide. TCNJ students must apply in the Fall semester to participate in the program.
 
TCNJ’s Leadershape 2018 brought 61 students together from diverse majors, interests, and backgrounds. The faculty and staff who served as cluster facilitators were deans, professors, program coordinators, and more. The positive relationships and trust built over the 6 days was immeasurable, and the students left feeling empowered with a vision in hand. We had visions related to transforming the U.S. education system, healthcare, and the prison system. We had others who were passionate about inclusion, sustainable energy, and global leadership. Our fourth group of LeaderShape graduates are ready to make a difference. If you are interested in learning more about the program, check out leadership.tcnj.edu/leadershape which also includes a video of last year’s program.
 
       
Group Counseling and Workshops
Counseling and Psychological Services

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is proud to offer at least 15 different groups and workshops each semester for TCNJ students. Group counseling and workshops are a popular opportunity for students to experience growth and change, and are an excellent long-term campus support opportunity. While many of our groups may be filled by late February, please explore our website to see what openings remain and get a sneak preview of what we likely will be offering in the Fall. 
Health & Wellness Newsletter
By TCNJ's Health & Wellness Portfolio
 
TCNJ's Health & Wellness portfolio has another newsletter to share with you! We hope that this newsletter can provide you with useful information about the departments, programs, and initiatives taking place at the College that focus on the health and wellness of your students. You can view the latest newsletter here. 
Faculty Corner
By Mindi McMann, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English and 
Matthew Bender, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History
 

TCNJ's Faculty-Led Study Tours


 

Global engagement is one of TCNJ’s Signature Experiences, and one of the most popular ways to get involved is through study abroad. The College offers a wide range of study abroad opportunities. Many students participate in semester or year-long programs in countries such as France, Chile, and China, but an increasingly popular option, particularly for students with busy schedules, is the Faculty-led Study Tour. These are individual courses that TCNJ faculty teach abroad for 2-3 weeks in the winter and summer terms. Each year, over 100 students participate in TCNJ’s study tours, traveling to countries such as Haiti, Cuba, Ecuador, England, India, Ghana, and South Africa.
 
This past January, we team-taught a study tour, The History and Literature of Apartheid South Africa. Students had an immersive learning experience for nearly three weeks, studying South Africa’s period of Apartheid racial segregation by examining literary and historical sources, while also visiting numerous historical sites and museums. Students had the option of taking the course for History credit, English credit, or Honors credit, and all fulfilled several Liberal Learning requirements. The goal of our course was to help students understand the nature of South Africa’s past and its implications for the present and future.
 
Our group of 15 arrived in Johannesburg on January 2. We spent our first week visiting numerous historical sites in and around South Africa’s largest city. We saw the early origins of South African society in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, as well as the horrors of the country’s past in the Apartheid Museum. In the Township of Soweto, we learned about the power of student protests, and we saw hope in the Kliptown Youth project. We also visited the capital city of Pretoria, where we compared two monuments with markedly different views of South Africa’s past: the Voortrekker Memorial and Freedom Park. Alongside these tours, we held class sessions that engaged Apartheid through the discussion of historical literature and novels.
 
One week later, we traveled to Cape Town, South Africa’s “Mother City.” There we toured District Six, a neighborhood bulldozed during Apartheid. We also visited the Bo-Kaap, a Cape Malay neighborhood that survived in part due to its distinctive architecture and Muslim heritage; here, students also learned how to cook an authentic Cape Malay meal. We experienced some of the region’s natural wonders, such as Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, and Stellenbosch wine country. We also visited Fairy Glen Game Reserve, where we saw some of South Africa’s wildlife up-close, and even got a chance to feed elephants! Near the end of our stay, we toured South Africa’s most famous historic site, Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for more than 19 years. Perhaps our most rewarding activity was our day of service, where we prepared food for a soup kitchen serving Cape Town’s homeless population.
 
Overall, the Study Tour provided an immersive, life-changing learning experience for our students. They not only learned about South Africa by experiencing it first-hand, but also gained a powerful comparative perspective that will reshape how they think of their own lives back home. These types of globally engaged experiences are some of the most powerful and rewarding that we offer at the College.

School Spotlight
School of the Arts and Communication
By Albert Brown, M.Ed. 
Recruitment and Outreach Specialist
School of the Arts and Communication


 
 

TCNJ’s Department of Music in the School of the Arts and Communication is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2018. Students, current and former faculty, and alumni will be collaborating together in our remarkable performance venues to commemorate this milestone during our Music Alumni Festival from April 26-29, 2018. This weekend will bring alums together to meet up with old friends, make new connections, and look back on many wonderful memories of the Department over the years.

This is an opportunity for TCNJ and greater Trenton communities to come together for a time of reflection, fun, and music. Please join us for this centennial celebration. For more information about our Music Alumni Festival, please visit the event page.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Spring Break Closing Information
By the Department of Residential Education & Housing


As your student prepares to return home for Spring Break, TCNJ Residential Education & Housing offers a few things to keep in mind while packing up to head home and relax:

  • All blinds should be left open unless you live in a ground floor room. Please close the blinds if you live on the ground floor.
  • Close and lock all windows.
  • Remove all trash from your room and dispose of it properly in the trash room or designated dumpster. Don't forget to recycle!
  • All valuables such as jewelry, money, game systems, etc. should be taken home.
  • Approved pets should be taken home as Residential Education staff will not be responsible for the care of any pets.
  • Turn off all lights and lock your room door.
  • Review, complete, and sign the check-out slip that will be placed on your door by the staff.

Residence Halls will close at 8pm on Friday, March 9th for Spring Break, and reopen at 2pm on Sunday, March 18th.

Significant Dates and Deadlines

  • Residence Halls close for Spring Break: 3/9, 8pm
  • Spring Break: 3/12 - 3/16
  • Residence Halls reopen: 3/18, 2pm
  • Fall 2018 and Winter 2019 registration window: 4/3 - 4/13
  • Last day of Spring classes: 5/4
  • Reading days: 5/5 - 5/7, 5/12 - 5/13
  • Exam period: 5/8 - 5/11, 5/14 - 5/15
  • Residence halls close for end of academic year: 5/15, 8pm
  • Spring Commencement: 5/17 - 5/18
You can find TCNJ's full academic calendar here.
Class of 2018 Commencement
 
         
 
Class of 2018 families, be sure to visit the Commencement website for detailed information on Commencement festivities. The site will continue to be updated as additional details become finalized. Also, watch your mailbox for a Commencement planning guide to get you and your student ready for the big day!
Give Your Graduate a Place in TCNJ History!
 
R:\DevAlumAdv\Annual Giving\Brick Campaign\Photos_Spring 2017\170602_Alumni Grove-7.jpg

For our Class of 2018 families, you are invited to leave a lasting
and unchanging legacy for your graduate by personalizing a brick in Alumni Grove.


Through June 30, order a 4x8 inch or 8x8 inch brick at the reduced price
of $127.50 and $297.50. Plus, each order includes a keepsake mini replica.

Visit the
 Brick Campaign webpage to place your order.

If you placed your order by noon on February 22, your brick replica
will be available for pickup during Commencement, May 17–18, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

If you haven’t already ordered your brick, there’s still time!
Bricks ordered after February 22 will be installed by Homecoming.

 

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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.
Your Spring Break - On A Budget!
Money Saving Tips for Life's Perks


Spencer Savings Bank Financial Center
 

Thousands of college students across the nation will soon be celebrating Spring Break as they travel with friends for some R&R in the sun. Some TCNJ students may have a trip planned while others are revving up their funds for next year. The truth is, saving for extra perks, like a Spring Break vacation, can be tough for students. Properly budgeting and planning for all one’s needs and wants in life can be challenging. Whether it’s saving money for an indulgence, like a vacation, or anything else desired, your college student will need to do some financial planning. This is a great opportunity to teach them how to prepare and strategize for financial success. Below are some savvy saving tips for students to follow.

Unnecessary Spending
Cut out all unnecessary spending. Don’t spend money on things you truly do not need. This includes doing things like cooking your own meals instead of eating out, limiting your coffee trips to Starbucks, packing snacks to go, avoiding impulse purchases, etc. You can also avoid buying name brand items. Purchase more generic items whenever possible. They are often exactly the same but at a highly reduced price. Exercise discipline and self-control when it comes to spending and you’ll have more money for a big-ticket item, like a vacation.
 
Budget Accordingly
Take a look at your finances to assess how much you can realistically afford to spend on an item or a trip. Plan ahead, create a budget and stick to it. Tricks like keeping your credit card out of sight (freezer) and using it only for emergencies will help. Avoid any additional fees you may get charged such as a fee for late payments. Stay on top of your bills and finances. Sit down weekly, with your budget, and assess your financial situation. How close are you to your goal?

Student ID
Keep your Student ID on you at all times. Many local businesses will offer discounts. Take advantage of these offerings and shop at these places. Entertainment, for example, doesn’t always have to be expensive. Use your Student ID for discounts to museum trips and other events.

Start A Savings Account
Open a Savings Account that earns interest. The Spencer Savings Bank Financial Center has a StudentEdge Checking and StudentEdge Savings account created specifically for college students in mind. Spencer also has a Vacation Club Savings account which is a great tool to use in saving for a trip. (There is only a $5 minimum opening deposit requirement and students get to choose how much or little they wish to save).  Funds are dispersed in April, and voilà your trip is paid!

Teaching your student to incorporate these tips into their financial planning will not only help them save for their wants like a trip, but also mold them into becoming financially responsible adults. They’ll be able to enjoy a trip or anything else they desire, if they just budget and plan accordingly! Spencer Savings Bank is committed to providing a variety of saving options to TCNJ students and customers across New Jersey. Learn more about our products and services at www.spencersavings.com.

 


TCNJ Barnes & Noble Bookstore


 
Enterprise CarShare

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