Welcome, both new and returning TCNJ parents and family members, to our latest newsletter! We are excited to share our first quarterly Parent & Family Newsletter of the 2018-2019 academic year! This edition includes helpful information such as the benefits of Student Health Services, tuition insurance options, and recommended articles for first time college family members. It also includes a feature from TCNJ Athletics along with important dates and deadlines for your reference. Furthermore, 2018 TCNJ Parent & Family Day is coming up on Saturday, September 29th! You can find the registration link and tentative schedule below!
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 Parent and Family Members,
It is my sincerest hope that you share the great pride I have in The College of New Jersey. I have been a member of this community for nearly 20 years and each year I continue to be fascinated with the level of commitment, hard work, and genuine care everyone takes in ensuring our students have an unmatched experience.
TCNJ was recently cited in Money Magazine ranking number 35 in the country as a best buy for your money. Of particular note, "the college's outcomes are top notch". A dedicated faculty and staff who are committed to ensuring our students are equipped with the skills to compete among the most elite schools in the country remains a point of pride for me. As we look toward the future, it is without doubt that we turn back to recognize what has gotten us here; the pillars of our educational foundation being Excellence, Engagement, Integrity, Inclusiveness, and Self-reflection fortified by a student affairs focus on leadership, diversity and inclusion, resilience, health and wellness, and operational excellence that also cuts across all aspects of the institution.
It is also my belief that you are an important part of this experience which is why as parents and family members, you are our extended family; you and your students are welcomed back to campus and I cannot wait to see you around during Parent & Family Day on September 29th!
Be well...and do well.
Go Lions!
Sean O. Stallings
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
Mark your calendar! We are looking forward to a day of fun on campus with our TCNJ families!
For more details about the event, a tentative schedule, and the registration link, click 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 us your photo and note by September 10th.
Call for Participants:
First Time College Parent/Family Member?
If so, we have articles on our website focused on transitioning to college for parents and families. You can find articles and resources on our website here.
TCNJ Athletics Claims First NJAC Cup By Norm Yacko, Sports Information Specialist and
Barry Beal, Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications and Game Operations
The College of New Jersey Department of Athletics enjoyed a spectacular 2017-18 season. TCNJ saw several successful postseason runs as the field hockey, women’s soccer, and lacrosse teams all made their respective Final Four. In addition, eight other teams competed in the NCAA Championships. The Lions won six NJAC Championships and regular season titles in two other sports. The women’s tennis team continued the longest active conference winning streak in the country amongst all sports, securing their 35th consecutive title in the fall.
All of that success led to TCNJ capturing its first NJAC Cup. TCNJ finished with an .834 winning percentage, the highest in the three-year history of the NJAC Cup. NJAC-member institutions earn points based off their finishes in the NJAC standings and championship meets for the sports that they sponsor. That number is divided by the total number of possible points that an institution could earn based on their sports lineups.
TCNJ won the award with 116 points out of a possible 139 points, netting the Lions a winning percentage of .834. TCNJ topped second-place Rowan's .816 winning percentage.
TCNJ athletes earned 12 All-American Honors, led by the lacrosse team with four. Elizabeth Morrison would go a step further being named IWLCA Defensive Player of the Year leading the country in caused turnovers. The Lions earned 61 First-Team All-Conference honors and 29 conference superlatives. Freshman softball pitcher Alanna Namit set an NCAA freshman record by tossing four no-hitters during her impressive rookie campaign. She led the country in fewest hits allowed per seven innings. The defense behind the Lions pitchers was just as dominant, as the softball team led the country in fielding percentage. On the baseball diamond, third baseman Austin Lindsey was named a ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner. Women’s soccer goalie Nicole DiPasquale was the last goalie in Division III to concede a goal and led the nation in shutout percentage. Lacrosse goalie Miranda Chrone led the country in goals against average for the third straight season, allowing just 4.44 goals per game.
Inside the classroom, the Lions were just as competitive, leading the conference with 163 NJAC All-Academic honors. Softball pitcher Sam Platt, the Dr. Harold W. Eickhoff Outstanding Senior Female Scholar Athlete, was named a Google Cloud CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA and producing a 2.17 ERA in the circle. Men’s swimmer Logan Barnes was selected as the Dr. Harold W. Eickhoff Outstanding Senior Male Scholar Athlete. Nine teams earned academic recognition from their respective coaches associations.
In other off-the-field news, the Lions successfully completed their first year with new apparel sponsor Under Armour. Several teams sported new looks a season ago with the complete roll out coming in the upcoming year.
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.
The Benefits of Student Health Services
Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Located on campus in Eickhoff Hall Room 107
Staffed by physicians and nurse practitioners who can assess, diagnose and prescribe for your student
All TCNJ students are welcome and office visits for illness and injury are FREE
Well care services available include pap smears and gyn exams, physicals, TB testing, screening for sexually transmitted infections, vaccinations and more
Fall Flu Vaccinations Clinics are September 26th and October 10th, 2018
Please remind your student to carry copies of your insurance and prescription cards
For more information on our services, please visit health.tcnj.edu
Follow us on Instagram @TCNJ_Student_Health
Health & Wellness At Their Fingertips By TCNJ's Health & Wellness Portfolio
At TCNJ, Health and Wellness matter. We have a variety of offices that support and promote the health and well-being of our students in order to more effectively manage stress, reduce the risk of illness, and positively impact both academics and relationships. Follow this link for a useful summary of programs, services, education and advocacy offered by the Health & Wellness portfolio and Dean of Students Office.
Significant Dates and Deadlines
Move In Day for First Years & Transfer Students: Thursday, 8/23
Move In Day for Sophomores & Upper-class students (living in residence halls): Sunday, 8/26
Convocation: Monday, 8/27
First Day of Class: Tuesday, 8/28
Labor Day, No Class: Monday, 9/3
Follow Monday Schedule: Tuesday, 9/4
Student Involvement Fair: Wednesday, 9/5
Parent & Family Day: Saturday, 9/29
Fall Break (residence halls open): Monday, 10/15 - Tuesday, 10/16
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 Dining
Parents and families, we are excited to welcome your students back to campus! Make sure they (and you) do not have to worry about food this year; they have enough on their plate! Choose their meal plan now and let us handle what’s cooking!
Have a great rest of your summer and see you soon!
TCNJ Dining
The Money Savvy Student Spencer Savings Bank
It’s important to raise money savvy adults. As your student prepares for a new year at college, they’ll have a lot on their mind. Don’t forget that teaching them about finances and money management can be one of the best things you do to prepare them for the real world. It’s never too late, or too early, to have the “money talk” with your child and provide them with some financial guidance for the future. Establishing financial goals during and after college will be important. Below are some helpful tips to get you started.
Teach them to budget – Have them create a spreadsheet with the money they have coming in and going out. Instead of just guessing how much money they’ll need in the future or if they can afford that special item, teach them to plan for the future and project how much money they will need moving forward. It will help cut back on impulsive decision making.
Teach them to save - Things happen and it is important to have some money saved for emergencies (a computer or car breakdown). Even if it’s a small amount, it is crucial to start getting students in the habit of saving monthly. Helping them understand saving a little now can really pay off for them big time in the future.
Teach them about credit – Help them understand the responsibilities that come along with owning and using a credit card. Using one wisely will help build their credit score. Conversely, overspending and making late payments can really damage it. There are tools that can be used, such as setting balance limits and receiving notifications when limits are almost reached, to help. Fostering good habits when it comes to their credit card usage will be key to helping them live within their means and become a financially responsible adult.
Teach them about banks – Banks offer valuable services that students can benefit from like check cashing, debit cards, online banking, balance alerts, bill pay, personal loans, direct deposit, financial education and more. Checking accounts are an easy way to keep track of your funds, your budget, and your spending.
A series of conversations should be had between parents and students throughout their college years to help raise financially literate adults. Spencer Savings Bank, located within TCNJ’s Campus Town, is available to help you and your student with all of your banking needs. Spencer has StudentEdge Checking and Savings accounts designed specifically for students, with special offers. There is also a 24/7 ATM machine available. Visit us in Campus Town or online at spencersavings.com for more information!
