Dear Bengal Parents, Partners, and Family Members, |
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The start of a semester is always exciting and nerve wracking, enjoyable and stressful. We’ve been thinking about your students--thinking hard about the challenges they may face this year, the dreams they are carrying into our classrooms, and all of the things we can do to help them be successful...and now they’re here!
So I want to take a moment at this pivotal time to tell you that we are here for them.
Your students are not numbers to us. They are not “seats” in a classroom. They are not percentage points on a report. They are not strangers. They are our first priority, our family members, our community. They are Bengals!
When I meet with my staff, they can, without fail, tell me why they are here. Without prompting, they talk about putting students first. Whether they work behind an information desk in the union, replace lightbulbs and keep our spaces sanitized, or address imminent mental health, financial, or advising needs, staff in the division of Student Affairs know they play a key role in helping your students reach their academic goals. They know that a service they provide can make a difference in how a student experiences their education.
We have a very full newsletter for you this month because we want to keep you informed about some of the many ways we can help your students succeed. If you have any questions about student support at Idaho State, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at bengalfamilynetwork@isu.edu. We’re here for your students, and we are here for you!
Sincerely,
Lyn Redington
Vice President for Student Affairs
and Enrollment Management
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Have questions? Join us at our September 8 Bengal Family Network Town Hall! |
Our next Bengal Family Network Town Hall will be held online on Wednesday September 8 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
At our online town halls, we feature important and exciting new resources and opportunities for your students. At the September 8 town hall, we will have a University representative available to talk about Idaho State's Covid-19 response and continuing efforts to provide a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment for our entire campus community. We also leave plenty of time for Q&A, so bring any questions you have about Idaho State, our services, or your student’s success needs, and we’ll help you find the answers.
Topics we’ll address at the September 8 town hall include READ MORE
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Payment Plans for Fall 2021 |
Payment plans for the Fall 2021 semester are now available. If your student has an outstanding balance that cannot be paid in full by September 13, 2021, we encourage your student to sign up for a payment plan. There are a number of plans available to best suit the needs of your family. Payment plans have a one-time $30 enrollment fee, but do not charge any interest. If your student has questions about a payment plan, please have them contact the cashier’s office at 208-282-2900. You can also visit our Payment Plans web page for more information.
Students and families that have experienced a loss of income due unemployment, divorce, the death of a family member, or other circumstances should contact the financial aid office. They may be eligible for a recalculation of their award eligibility due to those special circumstances. Students and parents can get more information about this by contacting the financial aid office at 208-282-2756 or finaidem@isu.edu.
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Celebrating Americans of Hispanic or Latino Ancestry |
The Diversity Resource Center is pleased to support National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed September 15 to October 15, 2021. Please join us in celebrating the cultures, histories, and accomplishments of Americans of Hispanic or Latino/a/x ancestry. Watch for more information about our speakers, presentations, and discussion opportunities. |
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Bengal Family Weekend - October 8-9 on the Pocatello Campus |
Parents and partners, don't miss the opportunity to join your students on campus October 8-9 for Bengal Family Weekend. Enjoy the Friday evening dinner, hike with your student to the pillars on Red Hill, take advantage of our campus Games or Craft Centers, go wild at the Saturday Tailgate and cheer on the Bengals at the football game. Come, enjoy our hospitality!
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A Welcoming Place for Parents of Infants and Young Children |
Did you know that each Idaho State campus offers parent rooms designated to provide a safe, welcoming place for parents to take infants and small children to feed them, change them, or for nursing mothers to pump milk? Having a resource like this can make our campuses more welcoming places for our parents of young children. ISU students, faculty, and staff can gain access to parent rooms by having their Bengal Card activated to work in card sliders on parent room doors. Once activated, the card can be used to access the rooms on campus for one academic year. To activate a Bengal card for this purpose, send an email, with the name and Bengal ID# to Shirley Taysom at taysshir@isu.edu or Stephanie Richardson at richstep@isu.edu. The card will be activated electronically.
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We first sent out information about this vaccination incentive in our August 18 Roaring through the Month, but we’d like to keep this on your radar.
On August 17, 2021, an email was sent to students informing them about a Covid vaccination incentive program. We want our students to feel confident that Idaho State University is a safe and healthy place to get their in-person education this fall, so ISU is launching a Vax Cash incentive program to encourage students to get their COVID-19 vaccination.
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Why Your Students Should Get to Know Their Profs
Lance Erickson, Idaho State Career Center Director
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Professors and faculty members have a significant impact on the lives of college students in a variety of ways, so it is important for students to cultivate a good relationship with their instructors early in the semester. Sometimes professors can seem intimidating because of their knowledge and advanced degrees, however, more often than not, they are very approachable, friendly, and kind. READ MORE
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If Your Student is Planning to Graduate this Fall |
It is important that students apply for graduation early so that the Registrar’s Office can process the paperwork in a timely manner. The graduation application date for a Fall (December 17, 2021) graduation is September 13, 2021. This date is the same for all undergraduate and graduate applications, and it applies to all degrees and certificates. The deadline is for applying to have a degree or certificate awarded; it does not apply to commencement or any other ceremonies or celebrations, but students must apply in order to graduate. Missing the graduation application deadline or not applying can impact a student and their ability to find employment. If you or your student has questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office at reginfo@isu.edu or (208) 282-2661. They are looking forward to working with you to ensure that your student applies on time and has a successful graduation.
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Creating Opportunities for First-generation & Limited Income Students |
Our Idaho State University Access and Opportunity Programs successfully applied for continuation of two important TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) grants totaling $4.265 million dollars. These grants will enable our TRIO ETS team to continue to serve 1,600 8th-12th grade students in South Central and Eastern Idaho over the next five years.
Educational Talent Search is two of eight TRIO grants funded at Idaho State University which provide a pipeline of services starting in eighth grade through graduate school enrollment. READ MORE
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Partnering to Support Your Student’s Mental Health |
Parents and Bengal family members, we want to partner with you to support your students’ wellbeing at Idaho State. Our Idaho State Counseling & Testing Services (CATS) are available to students year-round, and students who are struggling or just need someone to talk to can complete the voluntary and anonymous Bengals RUOK? questionnaire on the Idaho State Counseling Center webpage. Knowing the challenges our students have faced during the pandemic, CATS is currently featuring Coping with COVID - free Virtual Wellness Resources and telehealth services.
In September, CATS will host a series of Suicide Prevention Month activities to empower our students to talk about mental health issues and participate in events designed to support their emotional and mental wellness during college. READ MORE
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Why We Do What We Do - Scheduling & Event Services |
When asked why we do what we do, the first answer that always comes to mind is, “the students.” Everything that we do is because of our position in higher education and in Student Affairs. At Scheduling and Event Services, we have the unique opportunity to provide the university community with open, inviting, and engaging spaces. We are fortunate in that we get to interact with and support students, faculty, staff, and community members on an individual and group basis. During the last academic year, when we had to find room to accommodate the required distance between participants, we especially had the privilege of providing faculty and students the space and the tools to conduct and participate in their classes.
We strive to provide students with rooms in which to study, and we work with student clubs, offering support in the form of spaces, set-up, and audio visual support for their activities. Our windows and boards are brightly colored with student organization and university sponsored activities, upcoming classes, and community hosted events. We get to support university departments with events such as career fairs, employee development and training, research and graduate symposiums, and lobby tables. Additionally, faculty reach out to us for help facilitating the availability of exciting and academically challenging workshops, meet-and-greets, and a myriad of student success activities.
Our goal is to be the behind-the-scenes support that allows for front-of-house success.
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Annual JCPenney Suit-Up Event - September 9 |
Refresh your wardrobe at the JCPenney Suit-Up Event. Join us at the Pine Ridge Mall with your Bengal ID on September 9 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. to receive 30% off your career apparel purchases. Share the word with students!
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Enterprise Info Session - September 16 |
Meet with representatives from Enterprise Rent-A-Car on Thursday, September 16, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the Pond Student Union North Fork Room to learn about career opportunities with Enterprise. Representatives will discuss Enterprise's management trainee program at this in-person career event. The management trainee program helps participants develop the skills to build a business or manage a branch.
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