JWU Family e-Newsletter
January 2018
The Parent & Family Relations Office serves as a liaison to the parents and families of incoming and current students through on-going communication and programs. This monthly e-Newsletter helps you stay connected to your student as you journey with them through their JWU experience.
Greetings, Wildcat parents & families!

I am pleased to introduce myself as JWU’s new associate director of parent & family relations. While this position in the New Student Orientation & Support Programs area is new for me, I am very familiar with JWU, our academic programs, opportunities for students and more. For more than 20 years, I have been employed by the university as a member of the Publications, Admissions and National Student Organizations teams.

Serving as a resource for our Wildcat parents and families is one of my main responsibilities. If I can be of assistance to you at any point throughout your student’s enrollment, please don’t hesitate to reach out (my contact info is at the bottom of this message). I look forward to contributing to the parent & family experience with New Student Orientation, Family Weekend, our Parent & Family Advisory Board and much more.
Finally, I would like to share that in addition to representing JWU professionally, I am a proud Wildcat parent. My student is a third-year Criminal Justice major here at the Providence Campus. Here we are pictured at a concert at Fenway Park.
This new year is sure to bring exciting challenges my way professionally, and I personally look forward to celebrating the achievements of my two college students. To all of you and your students, I wish you the very best. Again, if you have any questions or concerns I can help with, or if you’d like to simply connect “one college student family member to another,” feel free to contact me. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2018!
Sincerely,
Sandy Cardoza

Phone: 401-598-2895
Supporting Your Wildcat
UNIVERSITY EVENTS

The University Involvement Board (UIB) is made up of dozens of students who are dedicated to putting on the best entertainment events for JWU students. UIB is responsible for organizing over 75 programs annually. Events are open to all students and most events are free to attend! For more information about UIB activities, follow UIB: Campus Events on Facebook.
The week of January 22 – 27 is Winter Week , a favorite UIB tradition. Here is a list of this year’s Winter Week events. Make sure your student attends these great activities!

January 23 – Magician Todd Migliacci
January 24 – Blizzard Blitz Bingo
January 25 – JWU Hockey at the Dunk
January 26 – Paint Night
ATHLETICS
Thursday, January 25, is JWU’s annual hockey game at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center! The women’s hockey team will face off against Nichols College at 5:00pm followed by the men’s hockey team vs. Nichols College at 8:00pm. Admission for students is free with a valid JWU ID. Friends and families are also welcome to attend and can purchase tickets here . Go Wildcats!   
RESIDENTIAL LIFE
Will your student be living on campus next year? If so, there are important residential life deadlines coming up for the 2018-2019 academic year. A $75 housing deposit is due by Thursday, February 8. Once a deposit has been submitted, your student will receive more information about the housing application and selection process. For more information, please contact the Residential Life Office .
JWU FILM SERIES
Departments across campus are collaborating to screen two films per month for the remainder of the academic year. Films will recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, International Day of Happiness, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Sustainability Month, the JWU World Fest and indigenous perspectives. Please encourage your Wildcat to attend these screenings and participate in discussions facilitated by JWU departments and student organizations. For more information about the upcoming films, please visit www.facebook.com/jwuBRIDGE or www.facebook.com/jwuGenderEquity . 
ATTAINABLE INTENTIONS
If your student is currently pondering new year resolutions, encourage them to consider setting attainable intentions for 2018.  Mindful.org is a great resource that provides guided meditation practices. If your student would like to learn more about meditation, they can also attend one of the guided meditation sessions offered on campus. These events are co-sponsored and facilitated by staff from Counseling Services, Health Education, JWU Global and the JWU Providence Library. 
INCLEMENT WEATHER INFORMATION
It is officially winter in New England. The university’s first consideration when determining the cancellation of classes and/or campus activities is safety. More information and up-to-date alerts can be found here . The university notifies the campus of cancellations, delays or early release using one or more of the following official university resources:
JWU Parent & Family Community
      CONVERSATION CALENDAR
Each month we will provide suggested talking points to help you navigate timely conversations with your Wildcat. You know your student best, so use this guide as you see fit. Good luck!

"What new goals do you have for the current and upcoming term?"
The beginning of the new year provides your student the opportunity to make resolutions in order to reach academic and personal success. If first term grades did not meet your student's expectations, let them identify possible challenge areas and remind them about available support resources. Visiting a professor during office hours and attending peer tutor sessions on a weekly basis are good habits to develop. Perhaps your student's grades are satisfactory but they are eager to be more involved on campus. Help them determine which clubs and activities match their interests, who they need to contact to get involved, and then map out deadlines and time commitments associated with those activities. 

"Have you thought about where you want to live next year?"
It is that time again when students begin planning their housing options for the upcoming academic year. Students are deciding whether living on-campus or off-campus is best for them. Remind them about their options, approaching deadlines, and payment dates. Another important discussion is about who they plan to live with. Perhaps your student did not have the best roommate this year; if so, help them identify what makes a good roommate. Whether they decide to room with a friend or someone they just met in class, there are many factors to keep in mind regarding what makes an optimal living situation. Some factors to consider are cleanliness, sleep, social and study habits. 

PARENT & FAMILY ADVISORY BOARD PERSPECTIVES

Summer Expectations

Now that the winter holidays are behind us and we are firmly ensconced in the dreary days of winter, it is a good time to look ahead to the longer, warmer days of summer and speak with your student about expectations for summer break. Do you have a financial goal, family obligations or other time demands you expect of your student? I recently had this conversation with my first-year hospitality student and here is the outcome.

One of her professors suggested trying to work as waitstaff, or another service industry position, explaining that experience interfacing with the public will boost her résumé as she starts looking for internships. She is also choosing to take a summer online course to help ease her schedule next term. Finally, we discussed coordinating time in August for a family vacation.

Whatever priorities you and your student come up with, it is a good idea to remember that you want them to be independent and start making their own decisions. This means that parents need to manage their expectations as well. Keep in mind that summer break is also a chance for your Wildcat to relax, recharge and be ready to go in the fall!

-Contributed by Ken, parent of a first-year hospitality management student
JANUARY FAMILY QUESTION OF THE MONTH:
From which office would you like more information?
Health & Wellness
FAMILY HEALTH 101
Be sure to read this month's Student Health 101 for families. Since your student receives their own version of this, we encourage you to have open discussions about these monthly topics.
Mark Your Calendars
IMPORTANT DATES

Be sure to encourage your Wildcat to engage in some of these academic and social opportunities. To see more information on any of the dates listed below, please visit our events page .
1/19- Class withdrawal deadline
2/2- Spring payment deadline
2/8- Housing deposit deadline
2/19- Final exams begin
2/24- Term break begins

Visit the official University calendar for additional dates.
    PROVIDENCE HAPPENINGS

Providence offers a variety of exciting events that your student can enjoy during their downtime. Encourage them to take advantage of living in this great city.
PROVIDENCE BRUINS
It's hockey season in Providence! The Providence Bruins play home games at the nearby Dunkin' Donuts Center. Schedule and ticket information can be found here . Go Bruins!
RESTAURANT WEEK
Now through January 27 is Restaurant Week in Providence! Over 100 Providence restaurants offer delicious meals at a great price during this time. A complete list of participating venues and more information can be found here .  
We Want To Hear From You!
  QUESTIONS, COMMENTS or CONCERNS? Have topics you would like to see in future issues? Please contact the Office of Parent & Family Relations at 401-598-2895 or by email at family.pvd@jwu.edu