Heads up!

Midterms are almost here and stress may be ramping up. Remind your student to take advantage of professor office hours, tutoring, study groups, and the counseling center.

Mid-terms can be a reality check for some students. It's a good time to check in with your student to see if they need extra help with their courses. Here is a great article on what to talk about and what to avoid.

Scholarships
This may seem early but a lot of private scholarships have end-of-year deadlines, so if your student needs scholarships for next year, now is the time to start looking. Here are a few links to have your student check out.

We have a policy that we do not post any specific private scholarship opportunities on our Financial Aid Webpage so your student will have to do some research. If your student would like to talk to a financial advisor, encourage them to make an appointment now to talk about next year.

Building a Relationship with Advisors and Mentors
For many students, their one required meeting with their academic advisor may be the only interaction they have with their advisor. This is a waste of a very valuable resource that students have available to them. Encourage your student to talk to their advisor at least once a semester to make sure they are on track. Your student's advisor will know the ins and outs of their major, help them create educational goals and plans as well as help with career advising, networking, and internships.

FAFSA
The 2022-2023 FAFSA is OPEN!
We highly recommend having your student fill out the FAFSA early so that they don't have to stress over it later. If your student has any questions about FAFSA or needs help getting it filled out, please have them set up an appointment with Financial Wellness.
Questions you could ask your student to make sure they have access to the tools and information they need:
  1. Have you met with your academic advisor yet? If so, what have you discussed with your advisor?
  2. Do you know what classes you are taking next semester? (Spring Registration is in November)
  3. Have you met with any of your professors outside of class?
  4. Do you know where to get help with tutoring, writing, math, etc. if you need it?
Have you referred your student to an on campus resource? If yes, which one?
Tutoring Center
Career Center
The Nest
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Academic Advising
Financial Wellness
Other
There are so many great resources, if your student is struggling, please help them find
some help through one of our free resources.
  • Tutoring Center- drop-in tutoring, study groups, and one-on-one tutoring. Students can also work with a tutor to improve study skills, test-taking strategies, and time management.  
  • Tutoring Center Online Resources- includes videos, worksheets, and links to help students improve study skills, test-taking strategies, and study strategies.
  • Writing Center- resources and opportunities to encourage successful writers across all disciplines. Their webpage includes tips for writing and online appointment scheduling.
  • Speech and Presentation Center- assists students in the writing and presentation of speeches.
  • Student Support Services- developmental classes, skills courses, and academic and tutoring support for students who are first-generation, first-time, low income, ESL, non-traditional, or have physical or learning disabilities.
  • Disability Support Center- support and services for students with disabilities who are overcoming different educational difficulties because of their individual challenges. Coordinate campus accommodations and access to services.
  • Gerald R. Sherratt Library- quiet study areas, print papers, get research help, reserve a study room, use a computer, make copies, check out calculators, Ipads, and books.
  • Visit Professor- office hours are posted days and times a professor will be available in his/her office to meet with students and answer questions. Office hours are listed on the class syllabus, which students can view in Canvas. Students should come prepared with specific questions or concerns related to the class. Professors want their students to take advantage of this time. They are the ones that create the content of the course so please encourage your student to go if they aren't understanding the material.
  • Schedule a meeting with their ACE (peer mentor). Stop by the Nest, Student Center room 178, visit the Nest website, or call 435-865-8752 with any questions, or to find out who their ACE is.  
  • Form a study group with peers from the class.
  • Reach out to their Academic Advisor for support, guidance in creating schedules, preparing for graduation.
  • Schedule a Career Assessment with the Career Center to explore strengths and career pathways.  
  • If your student is struggling with mental health issues, they can reach out to CAPS for counseling, group therapy, and additional support.
  • To see the full list, click here.
Upcoming Events

October is Substance Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. Does your student struggle with substance abuse? Do you think they would benefit from learning more about this topic?


At CAPS we are striving to meet the mental health needs of our students so that they can achieve their educational, career and personal goals. Group is a very powerful and effective way to bring about meaningful change and to get support.

If you are interested in any of the groups listed below, please contact CAPS at 435-865-8621 for more details. If you are new to CAPS, you may be invited to fill out a request for services. If you are a current client at CAPS please talk to your individual therapist about joining. Participation in any of the groups may require meeting with group leaders to discuss expectations.

Therapy Groups
Understanding Self and Others (USO)
Single Session Poetry Therapy
Trauma Support Poetry Therapy
General Poetry Therapy
Open Women's Support
Connections
DRC Support Workshops
LGBTQIA+ Community
Grief and Loss Support Group

In an effort to protect the health of our students, faculty, staff, and Cedar City neighbors, we are temporarily suspending face-to-face visits. All groups will be conducted via a Zoom meeting or other remote service.

For both legal and ethical reasons, SUU CAPS is only able to offer Zoom-based groups for SUU students physically in the state of Utah.

Click here for more information on groups
Important Dates to Know for Fall
If your student is coming home over any of the breaks, schedule travel, doctor, and dentist
appointments around these dates.

  • Monday, November 8: Last Day to Withdraw with a "W" From individual course(s)
  • Monday, November 8: Graduate Registration
  • Tuesday, November 9: Senior Registration
  • Thursday, November 11: Junior Registration
  • Monday, November 15: Sophomore Registration
  • Wednesday, November 17: Freshman Registration
  • Wednesday, November 24: Thanksgiving Break No classes; campus is OPEN
  • November 25-26: Thanksgiving Break No classes; campus is CLOSED
  • Friday, December 10: Last Day to Withdraw with "W" from all courses
  • Send your student a note of encouragement for finals!
  • Monday, December 13: Instruction Ends Last day of regular class meetings 
  • Tuesday, December 14 thru Friday, December 17th: Final Exams

For details about other important dates throughout the academic year, review the Academic Calendar.
The health, safety, and well-being of every member of the SUU family is a priority for us. SUU operates under the direction and guidance of a number of entities including the Utah State Legislature, the Utah System of Higher Education, the U.S. Department of Education, the Utah Department of Health, the Southwest Department of Health, and various accrediting bodies.

For more information on our COVID-19 updates, please visit our campus COVID-19 information website.
If your student is struggling emotionally, physically, mentally, etc. and you aren't sure where to send them, please contact us and we will help you find the resources they need. parents@suu.edu or 435-865-8752

We have created a way for you to report a student concern to SUU so we can help your student find success: https://www.suu.edu/safety/report.html

SUU.EDU/PARENTS | Southern Utah University | (435) 865-8752