PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE
A N IND IA NA DA ILY ST UD ENT SP ECIA L P UB LICAT IO N FO R PA RENTS, BY STU DE NTS
IDS
PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
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Table of contents
Stay connected
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What your student should pack
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Parental advice
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What to do in Bloomington
10 Sending the perfect care package
to your student by knowing what’s going on around campus. Get the IDS Headlines email sent weekly straight to your inbox. Sign up online at idsnews.com/subscribe.
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Financial aid and scholarships
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Your guide to move-in day
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IU pop culture
16 Help your homesick student
IDS FILE PHOTO
IDS AN INDIANA DAILY STUDENT SPECIAL PUBLICATION
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Hughes Suzanne Grossman MANAGING EDITOR OF PRESENTATION Michael Williams DESIGN CHIEF Harley Wiltsey DESIGNERS Anicka Slachta Yulin Yu COPY CHIEF Lexia Banks ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Roger Hartwell
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How to not be a helicopter parent
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Campus resources for parents
EDITOR’S NOTE I’ll be the first to admit I wasn’t the greatest child to send away to college. What I mean to say is, my parents were in the dark for most of my four years in Bloomington. But my parents were the exact opposite — they were great to me. I watched as some of my friends were smothered by their parents, some receiving weekly visits. I watched as some never truly escaped their parents grasps, still being dependent until graduation. Not my parents. Part of that was because there were 2,000 miles between us. But another part of it was also my parents understood it was time for me to grow up, so they let me decide how I wanted to live.
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This is not to say they let me roam entirely free — I probably would not have graduated if that had been the case. They still knew they had to check up on me occasionally, and those occasions always seemed to come at the right times. I still don’t know how they always knew. In this guide we have tips on how to combat your child’s potential homesickness while also not being what is commonly known as a helicopter parent. We have tips on how to help your child move in to his or her dorm and what your child actually needs in that dorm. We also have advice from parents of a couple graduating seniors, my
120 Ernie Pyle Hall 940 E. Seventh St. Bloomington, IN 47405
MICHAEL HUGHES is a recent journalism graduate.
mother included, on how to handle watching your child move away. We understand this is hard, but we hope this guide can help ease the transition.
Michael Hughes Summer 2016 IDS co-editor-in-chief Business office: 812-855-0763 Fax: 812-855-8009
PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
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Resources for never letting go
Staying on campus a second year means more choices and less hassle.
By Kathrine Schulze schulzek@indiana.edu | @kas_schulze
You’ve packed up the car, made three extra trips to Target to pick up things you forgot and fruitlessly organized a dorm room that will be messy again within the week. Now you’re standing outside your kid’s new home hugging them tight one last time before you make your way back home. They promised they would call every weekend, and sometimes they do, but the conversations usually consist of “Can I have a few bucks for groceries?” or “I forgot my tennis racket at home, could you send it?” It’s not always easy keeping up with your college student, but here are a few ways you can keep track of life in Bloomington without relying on your child to tell you.
CHOOSE Private & Semi-Private Suites Apartments Residence Hall Rooms
ENJOY Living with or near friends Shorter distances to class and campus events Convenient university billing 24/7 assistance
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Social Media The easiest way to keep up with both people and places these days is through social media. Even if your kid won’t accept your friend request, you can still like IU on Facebook to see what the big University news is. Major crime and weather alerts will most likely be posted to Facebook as well.
IU Family Weekend What better way to keep up with your kid than by actually visiting him or her? IU has a Family Weekend every year, and for 2016 it’s Sept. 23-25. Plan your visit now by reserving a hotel room (they go quick) and buying extra tickets to that weekend’s football game. IU Notify Sometimes bad things happen. Whether it’s a tornado warning or assault near campus, be in the know with IU Notify. Just go to one.iu.edu and search for IU Notify to sign up.
2017-18 Sign-Up begins October 2016. rps.indiana.edu IDS FILE PHOTO
Parents of incoming freshmen shake the hand of the famous Herman B Wells statue.
Parents Association The Division of Student Affairs has a Parents Association to act as a bridge between you and life at IU. At the end of orientation your student should have enrolled you (or his or her other parent or guardian) as a member. Even if you’re not a member, you can still sign up for their IU Family Connection e-newsletter at familyconnection.indiana.edu
The Indiana Daily Student We’ll bring you the news right to your email. Sign up for our newsletter at idsnews.com and always know what’s going on at IU and in Bloomington. You can also follow us on Twitter @idsnews or on Facebook and download our app from the app store.
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PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
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HOME AWAY FROM HOME: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
By Emily Jones | emkjones@indiana.edu
It’s back-to-school season once more, though this time feels different — more sentimental, perhaps more urgent. By the end of the summer, your son or daughter will be well on their way to adjusting to life in a college dormitory. But before you let the classic “Dorm Room Essentials” list and a smorgasbord of packing do’s-and-don’ts complicate your shopping experience, here’s what 12 students think.
Here’s what they had to say: “Never underestimate the power of a good robe. If you live on a co-ed floor like I did, no one wants to see you sprinting in a towel back to your room.” – Sabrina, 19
“Make sure you bring assertiveness skills with you. Everything was fine over text when I was arranging fridge and microwave stuff with my roommate, but it was different in person. I had a hard time speaking up about my needs and kind of suffered as a result.” – Lucie, 24
“Most dorms have a mirror inside each closet, but definitely skip the command hook trouble and get an over-the-door mirror. Over-the-door coat racks are nice too.” – Shanice, 22
“Disinfecting wipes and a dustpan, because dust collects faster than you’d think. Also more milk crates, because those things are really great for carrying books.” – Ethan, 22
“Actually I keep thinking of things I wish I didn’t bring. I overpacked to the point of bringing my entire room with me.” – Fatima, 20
“More of those skinny felted hangers. And over-the-counter medicines too, so I didn’t have to do midnight CVS runs.” – Heidi, 19
“Bloomington weather can be unpredictable, so I’d go with a heavy duty umbrella and waterproof shoes. I learned that the hard way.” – Kevin, 19
“Definitely a foam mattress pad. And it’s such a mother thing to say, but not too many clothes. I had to bring a few suitcases stuffed with clothes home with me over Thanksgiving. “ – Jordan, 25
“You can never go wrong with extra 3x5 index cards for studying. Also, I’d say bring a backup pair of headphones — I was always borrowing my roommate’s.” – Reuben, 20
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“Noise-canceling headphones. I lived next to the lounge and a bunch of guys decided to play ‘Super Smash Bros’ all night, every night.” – Nate, 21
“I wish I’d brought a handheld vacuum. The vacuums you can check out downstairs were really heavy and cumbersome to take in the elevator.” – Molly, 23
“One thing I wish I would have brought more of would have been surge protectors, because the outlets in the room were not at all where I wanted them to be!” – Nicholas, 24
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WHAT THE IDS RECOMMENDS: Trash bags (2 boxes) Extra trash can Tissues (3 boxes) Command hooks and strips Address book, stamps Stacking drawers/ milk crates Laundry detergent, fabric softener Laundry basket (2) Clothes: casual, exercise, nightwear, 1 set business casual Hangers Tabletop ironing board Iron, spray bottle Mini sewing kit, safety pins Twin XL bedding (2 sets) Pillows (2), pillowcases (4)
Foam mattress pad Comforter/bedspread Towels (bath, hand, face) Shower shoes Shower caddy Shampoo and conditioner Hairstyling products Bath and facial soap Toothpaste and toothbrush Dental floss Comb/brush Tweezers Nail clippers Hair dryer/straightener Razor and shaving cream Lotion and/or facial moisturizer Cotton swabs Calendar (1 wall, 1 desk)
Homework planner Sticky notes Paper clips, binder clips Rubber bands Tape (Scotch, Duct) Scissors Highlighter pens Stapler, staples Laptop Surge protector Extension cords Extra light bulbs (2) Mini toolkit Antacid, vitamins, cough drops Band-Aids Heating pad/ hot water bottle Ceramic dishes for microwave Refillable water bottle Water filter pitcher
Silverware (1 set) Bluetooth speaker Check with roommate ďŹ rst:
Coffeemaker/hot pot/ Microwave Small refrigerator Area rug Posters, room dĂŠcor TV
IDS
The Division of Student Affairs offers over 150 programs to prepare students for life at IU and beyond. We are here to help you thrive. s /+8 90 #>?./8> I-/ s I-/ 90 #>?./8> >23-= s 3=+,363>C #/<@3-/= s #>?./8> .@9-+>/= I-/ 09< #>?./8>= s #>?./8> /1+6 #/<@3-/= s % /+6>2 /8>/< s #>?./8> 30/ +8. /+<8381 s 8.3+8+ /79<3+6 %8398 s &/>/<+8= #?::9<> #/<@3-/= s +=3=
www.studentaffairs.indiana.edu
PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
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Parental advice Region editor Anicka Slachta speaks to her mom about being continents away during college What parts of my early college experiences were you able to be there for, and what did you miss you wish you hadn’t had to? I was able to visit schools with you and support in making decisions about the type of place that might be best and why it might or might not be a good fit. Unfortunately, due to living and working overseas, we missed parent’s weekend, it still hurts, holiday weekends and breaks that other families were able to enjoy. Was the transition of being apart from each other what you expected? What was the easiest part? Hardest? Having been separated
from your older sister when she left home four years before, I was familiar with the ache of the distance. Even though I had felt it before, it was a definite hole in my heart and there was a tangible emptiness in the house. It was horrible to have your sister and not your parents settle you into university, as wonderful as it was for you to have each other. I regret not being there in hindsight, I really do. How did our relationship change when I started college? What kept us close or pushed us away? Our family is very close, and that is at least in part due to the fact that we lived overseas from the time both of our children were small. We have
always been close, and that didn’t change. What did you worry about most while I was away at college? Parents enjoy a wide variety of imaginary, terrifying possibilities as they think about their babies beyond their physical reach. Personal safety, friendships, love relationships, healthy living, being happy — all of that came into place in my mind regularly instead of academic life. I think that’s because if you’re not grounded in yourself, the academics are that much harder. How did you balance being supportive and there for me without bearing over-
bearing? Being emotionally there for you was always something I have tried my very best to be. I have always tried to teach you and your sister to be in happy in yourselves, because that’s the most important thing. I’m always here to talk to, but I try not to “preach.” Were my grades or GPA important to you? Your grades and GPA have never been a concern to us as your parents, because from the time you started school, we always talked with you about school, classes, teachers and how you felt about what was going on at any given time. We determined the best approach was to focus
on you as a person. You push yourself, and don’t need that extra pressure on you. What was the best way to keep in touch with me? Thank goodness for FaceTime, email and being able to connect whenever one of us felt the need. Seeing you at least took the edge off of all the longing to hug you and be with you, but just barely at times. Being able to see one another was reassuring. What advice would you give the parents of next year’s freshmen about leaving their kids at college? Well, as a good friend once told me, when I exclaimed over how I could not believe
she could be in Singapore when her child was in Michigan, “We have raised our children for this moment. This is a natural thing to do, to be able to set them in an environment where they can learn even more, to grow, to suffer, to live without us.” Do not expect it to be easy, because if, God willing, you have a great relationship with your child, it is going to be hard, and it will hurt. I have told my girls that at times I feel a physical ache from missing them so much. I have determined that I will feel that tug from now on, since once our kids leave the house after high school, we never truly have them back in the same way we once did as a nuclear family. It is still great, but it is different, and is a part of the evolution of us.
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Editor-in-chief Michael Hughes speaks to his mom What parts of my early college experience were you able to be there for and what parts did you wish you were there for? I was able to go to your orientation which was good. I thought that they had a really well-thought-out orientation for both parents and kids. I wish I could have been able to bring you out there especially based on the adventure that you had when you came to IU for the first time. With missing the shuttle and all of that, that was hard to be 2,000 miles away at a soccer tournament knowing that you were struggling to get this to work. Was the transition to being apart what you expected and then what were the easiest and the hardest parts of doing that? The easiest part about us being away was that I had confidence in your ability and the fact that you did marching band so you immediately had a group that was aware of you and looking out for you. The hardest part was probably having a child that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t call that much, because I think I went to Christmas without hearing your voice this year. What did you worry about most while I was away at college? Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the worry about you making a typical young adultâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poor choice and having consequences that might be life long. That never happened, you know, that we know of. I knew you would eventually eat even if it was just croutons. I knew that if things got bad you would call like every time you destroyed your phone I would get a call on your friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s phone. I knew if it was something important that you would reach out. I had a feeling from the parent orientation that IU and the whole city of Bloomington protects
The Best Home Away From Home
their students. But then there was that trip to Florida. How did you balance being supportive and being there for me without being overbearing and letting me do my own thing? Well the fact that we weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re 2,000 miles away allowed me to let you do your own thing. You never had to worry about a pop in. I think sending you care packages was something I did to feel close to you because there was the whole week ahead before sending it of planning out what was going to go in it. Then the taking it to the post office and waiting for you to receive it. That helped because it felt like I was still a part of you. You mentioned being 2,000 miles away, do you have any advice for a parent in the state of Indiana? This is your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opportunity to test out being an adult and being responsible on their own and they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do that if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re constantly there. They need to have the space to try their wings out. How important were my grades and my GPA to you? That was important, especially because it did things like keep the cost of insurance down and it meant that you were putting priorities where you needed to be, because your first job was as a student. What was the best way to keep in touch with you? The best way to keep in touch with you I guess was text. You were not the easiest to keep in touch with. I mean youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re better now, dear, but the first couple years we could send a text and it would just go into dead space. Do you have any advice for parents for when that does happen and when that text does go into dead space?
COURTESY PHOTO
IU graduate Michael Hughes stands with his mother Terri Hughes at IUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2016 Spring Commencement Ceremony.
Realize that if there was something bad going on you would have heard about it and that the fact you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t getting a response means your child is probably pretty busy and has hopefully made some friends and is having a good time. Like every phase of parenting and being a child, that phase ends and you move into the next transition and you do what you can to support, but you have to let them be their own person. Looking back on the last four years, do you have any specific advice you would give to parents of next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freshmen? Trust that IU is going to take care of their baby. I would say something that we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not our style but what friends have done is they set up a specific day that you call home to communicate. Your dad also wants to make sure I work in that you did marching band before school started that gave you a whole group of people that you knew so you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel alone and having your kid find something that interests them that they can be involved with from the beginning. That will keep them from being isolated. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when kids get isolated is when they run into trouble in college. If you can force them to be social with something they enjoy theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to be much more successful.
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PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
A parent’s guide to Bloomington By Bridget Murray | bridmurr@indiana.edu | @Bridget_Murray
Move-in day and visits aren’t just a big deal for students — they’re the perfect time for parents to get to know their student’s new home away from home. Here are a few staff recommendations:
YOUR BEST TIMES TO VISIT BLOOMINGTON: IU Family Weekend Sept. 23-25 IU Homecoming game Oct. 15 Old Oaken Bucket game Nov. 26 Little 500 April 21 and 22 For more information, check out visitbloomington.com.
RESTAURANTS
ATTRACTIONS
FarmBloomington Kirkwood Avenue is lined with many interesting eateries. FARMBloomington, an independent local restaurant full of charm and incomparable cuisine, is just one. Chef Daniel Orr and his FARMteam use fresh local ingredients to create specialized breakfast, lunch and dinner menus for each season. A constant menu item is the Farmhouse Fries, seasoned and served with homemade catsup, or Farmhouse Garlic Fries. FARM is also located directly above speakeasy bar the Root Cellar, providing a vintage bar experience since 2007.
Nashville, Indiana The quaint town of Nashville, Indiana, is a good location for a day away from campus. Located 30 minutes east in Brown County, it is full of local shops and entertainment. Nashville is also home to Nashville Fudge Kitchen, a stop for homemade fudge and popcorn. To get a taste of all the arts and entertainment, visit during the Village Art Walk the second Saturday of every month from May to November.
Grazie! Italiano The Courthouse Square is home to a diverse range of shops and restaurants including the award-winning Grazie! Italiano. It has a lunch and dinner menu full of Italian cuisine and an extensive wine list. It is recommended to make a reservation if you plan to visit on a busy Bloomington weekend, such as the weekend of IU graduation.
The Comedy Attic The Comedy Attic has become a hub for comedy, located right in the heart of Bloomington. It brings a mix of big names and rising stars in comedy to perform Thursday through Saturday. Anyone 17 years of age or older can attend shows, and there is a selection of food and full bar menu for those 21 and up. The Cascades Cascades Park is home to waterfalls, a stream and the city of Bloomington’s largest and most accessible playground. Located on Old State Road 37, Cascades Park was renovated in 2006. The park is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, giving individuals and families a chance to experience a taste of the wilderness of Bloomington.
Give the gift of memories ARBUTUS INDIANA UNIVERSITY
2015
Your years at IU will fly by. And a few years from now, you’ll want your Arbutus. The Arbutus yearbook captures the issues, people and events that define a student’s college experience. Publishing since 1894, the yearbook is a long-standing tradition and a vital part of IU culture. Call 812-855-9737 or go online to iuyearbook.com to order a copy today.
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PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
SEND THE PERFECT CARE PACKAGE Starbucks gift cards If your student has called to talk about the woes of latenights at Herman B Wells Library or 8 a.m. classes, this is a good option. Various locations around campus accept Starbucks gift cards, such as the Starbucks inside Indiana Memorial Union and the location on Indiana Ave.
Nothing banishes the homesick blues like a surprise in the mail. Make your students feel at home by sending a care package or two to their residence hall. Try including these items to build the perfect care package.
Add a handwritten note It’s a nice connection to home for a student, even if they won’t admit it.
Things they forgot No matter how long that college packing list was, you probably forgot something. Add things like stamps, school supplies and band aids.
Snacks If you can bake something homemade, like cookies or brownies, you’re pretty much guaranteeing a thank-you call home. But favorite candy and other snacks should do the trick, too.
A taste of home From out of state? Sometimes just sending Texas’ best salsa, a Southern MoonPie or a bottle of Vermont maple syrup will help ease homesickness.
Seasonal gear When the weather turns cold, send items to keep your student warm. Try a knitted hat and gloves, a scarf or an extra sweater. In the spring, send sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses.
Toiletry/hygienic needs Putting some essential hygienic items in a care package will save your student a trip to the store, which could help a great deal on a busy week. Gather up a few items they might be running low on, such as laundry detergent, deodorant or shaving accessories.
IDS FILE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
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PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
More care package tips Too busy? Try these
Think twice before including these items Decorations/knick-knacks Although additional accessories or holiday décor might seem like a cute idea, it becomes a bit of a hassle when its use is worn out and can end up taking up more storage or space in an already small dorm room. Coffee All academic building cafes and campus C-stores have fresh brewed coffee for purchase with meal points. Febreze You might be afraid your
student’s not doing laundry, but Febreze is sold in the C-stores, too. They also sell detergent, dryer sheets, bleach and other cleaning supplies. Try instead Tide-to-Go pens for stains, or a bottle of your student’s favorite cologne or perfume. Deck of cards You guessed it — sold in the C-stores.
Instant Food Items While you may have visions of your student surviving off Ramen noodles and Easy Mac, there’s no need to send these. They’re available for purchase with meal points from the campus C-stores. Try instead Baked goods or Goldfish crackers. Remember perishable foods may take some time to arrive, so choose the fastest shipping possible.
Try instead Uno, Catch Phrase or Cards Against Humanity.
MAIL 101 Keep your postal service happy
HOW TO ADDRESS THE MAIL Student’s Name Residence hall name, Building name, Room number Residence hall address Bloomington, IN 47406 EXAMPLE Joe Smith McNutt Bocobo 123 1101 N. Fee Lane Bloomington, IN 47406 RESIDENCE HALL ADDRESSES Northwest Neighborhood Briscoe 1225 N. Fee Lane
BAKED! OF BLOOMINGTON (COOKIE DELIVERY) (812) 336-BAKE bakedofbloomington.com JUDY’S FLOWERS AND GIFTS (812) 339-7673 judysflowers.biz Congratulate your student for an accomplishment with a bouquet or vase of flowers.
MAGNOLIA BAKERY Celebrate a birthday with a sweet treat from magnoliabakery.com. This New York classic will mail fresh-frozen cupcakes to any dorm address. SHARI’S BERRIES Send a half dozen giant chocolate-dipped strawberries to share from berries.com.
NUTSONLINE Give your student extra energy to earn those A’s with nuts, dried fruit, trail mix and more from nuts.com.
McNutt 1101 N. Fee Lane
Union Street 445 N. Union St.
Foster 1000 N. Fee Lane
Eigenmann 1900 E. 10th St.
Collins 541 N. Woodlawn Ave.
Southeast Neighborhood
Central Neighborhood
Forest 1725 E. Third St.
Wright 501 N. Jordan Ave.
Read 125 S. Jordan Ave.
Teter 501 N. Sunrise Dr.
Spruce 1801 E. Jones Dr.
Ashton 1800 E. 10th St.
Willkie 150 N. Rose St.
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PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
Helping your student with financial aid By Suzanne Grossman spgrossm@indiana.edu @suzannepaige6
Making the money work for school can sometimes be hard. Even after finding ways to pay you still might miss an important step in the set-up process. We spoke to Jackie KennedyFletcher, the director of student financial assistance to help your student successfully find and keep financial aid. Papers, papers everywhere. Applying to college comes with such a long paper trail, but some are more important than others. Kennedy-Flether stressed the financial reward letter and packet is of utmost importance. You should have received this letter sometime in March. She recommends students and parents carefully read the letter and
make sure they have enough funding to cover IU. The letter includes how much financial aid their student qualifies for, how much it costs to attend IU and the leftover amount parents and students will have to pay. The letter also comes in a packet with information on basic financial aid definitions and a guide on how to receive more financial aid. Finally, any emails or letters from the Office of the Bursar or Student Central are important for parents to read over carefully because they often require some sort of action, Kennedy-Fletcher said. Need more money? If your student didn’t receive enough financial aid to cover school and you don’t have enough to cover the bill there are a few op-
tions. Students and parents can apply for additional student loans or private loans. However, KennedyFletcher warns parents to highly consider how much loan debt they and/or their child is willing to take on. She encourages parents and students to look into other sources of money such as employment or additional scholarships. Student Central on Union can also help advise parents and students about their best financial options. It also provides information about student and private loan options on its website under the financial aid tab at studentcentral.indiana. edu Impending deadlines Another key aspect of financial aid is making sure you pay by the right date. Not paying on time can re-
sult in late fees. Eventually, if the payments aren’t made the university can put a hold on your student’s records and prevent them from enrolling in the next semester. First, it is highly recommended students apply for financial aid before March 10. This ensures you will get the most possible funding. If your student hasn’t applied yet, he or she still can, but funds are limited. The financial aid application must be filled out each year and for the 2017-18 academic year the application will be open sometime in October, whereas in years past it hasn’t opened until Jan. 1. The next big deadline for payments will be for the first tuition and room and board payment. This will be billed to your student’s bursar account around Aug. 22 and will be due Sept. 10.
All bursar bills are due the 10th of the month. For example, if your student visits the health center in October, the bill will likely be due Nov. 10. If the payment can’t be made, students and parents can also set up a payment plan, which would change dates payments are due. To set up a payment plan, call Student Central for help at (812) 855-6500. Deadlines are another important reason to stay on top of emails and letters because many of the actions required will have deadlines that could have bad consequences if not met on time. Keeping tabs Finally, and possibly most importantly, parents should have their student set them up as a third party user on their bursar account. This allows parents to monitor activity and track
financial aid progress. It will also send the parents email alerts of bill payments and grades to parents upon request. To sign up as a third party user, follow the instructions below. Log in to One.IU. Read FERPA disclosure agreement (only presented first time you access page). Click I accept. Provide a username, password, and first and last names for your user. Note: password must be at least eight characters, contain one number and is case sensitive. Click Bursar Balances and Bills box. Enter Third party user’s email address; confirm address by entering again. Click Save user.
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Gotta get that money If you’re a bit wary of taking out more loans, check out these scholarships By Suzanne Grossman spgrossm@indiana.edu @suzannepaige6
So maybe the financial aid gods aren’t favoring you and your child slacked on getting scholarships while in high school. What now? It might seem like the time to apply has past but, don’t worry, you’re not totally out of luck. There are several scholarships your student can and should apply for while at IU. The Hudson and Holland Scholars Program This program is mainly for incoming freshmen, but does offer limited amount of spots for first- and second-year students as well as transfer students. Due date: TBA, but likely sometime in February 2017 Eligibility: This program is open to all students, but strong consideration is given to students with underrepresented minority backgrounds. According to its website, students typically need a 3.5 GPA to be competitive. Hutton Honors College The Hutton Honors College only awards scholarships to incoming freshmen who are accepted into the college, but its grant program is open to anyone. The college offers grants for research, thesis work, capstone projects, internships, travel abroad and more. Due date: Varies because grants are given on a semester basis. Check out its website under the HHC Grant Program tab on the right hand side.
Hutton Honors College
Eligibility: Maintain a 3.4 overall GPA and a 3.7 GPA within your major. Cox Scholars Program Many of the Cox Scholars scholarships are only for incoming freshmen as well, but your student can still apply to be a Cox Legacy Scholar throughout their time at IU. Due Date: March 10 Eligibility: This scholarship is mainly based on having a job. Students must earn at least 25 percent of the official cost of attendance at IU. They must also have a 3.0 GPA and be classified as an Indiana resident. You must also file for FAFSA by March 10 of the upcoming year. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Alumni Association The GLBTAA gives both academic and emergency scholarships to students at IU. Any student can get up to two academic scholarships and two emergency scholarships. The academic scholarship rewards up to $1,000 per scholarship and
IDS FILE PHOTO
the emergency up to $1,500 per scholarship. Due date: Academic for fall is due by April 15 and for spring by November 15. Emergency scholarships can be applied for at any time. Eligibility: The academic scholarship is awarded to those who can demonstrate involvement in activities promoting diversity and raising awareness of LGBT and related issues. The emergency scholarship is awarded to those who have lost financial support for being open and honest about their sexual orientation. In addition to these scholarships, most majors offer scholarships within their field for work students do while in school. There are also several essay contests and things like case competitions that award money as well. If your student looks hard enough, there is hardly any reason they should be without at least one scholarship. For more scholarship info visit scholarships.indiana.edu or search scholarships at one.iu.edu
Don’t get swallowed up by debt. Even the best students can use guidance when it comes to being smart about finances. Here at MoneySmarts, IU’s award-winning financial literacy program, we offer free services to help your student make good financial decisions in college and beyond.
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PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
MOVE-IN
QA &
By Kendall Fleder kfleder@indiana.edu
Before you arrive for move-in day, you should be prepared for what might await you. Large crowds and warm temperatures are almost always a given, as well as some teary goodbyes. Here are some answers to some common questions directly from an RPS staffer.
1
Is parking readily available around residence halls during move-in day?
The parking situation will vary with each building on campus. Most residence halls have a circle driveway for unloading your vehicle. The parking is always timed and sometimes metered so you’ll need all hands on deck. After you have finished unloading the vehicle you will want to find parking elsewhere. Grab a campus map at the front desk to help locate the nearest parking garage.
2
When can we begin moving things inside the room?
Once students are granted room access you will be able to move things in. Students are fully responsible for their guests. RPS don’t recommend students lend their key to others for any reason.
3
What is the protocol for checking in?
While you unload the vehicle curbside, students are directed inside to the front desk. Here students are granted access to their building and room. Students will also receive an assortment of materials pertaining to their assigned building. Now that check-in is complete, the sweat scene will commence.
4
Will there be people to help students move in?
5
How to part ways with your students?
Move-in day is stressful for everyone. Now that the sweaty chaos of moving is over, parents realize it is time to leave their baby and the emotions tend to kick in. Maybe stay the night in the Biddle Hotel, which is centrally located on campus and delay your goodbyes until the next day. The staff is there to help make move-in as painless a process as possible. Staff
members will do their best to meet everyone’s move-in needs. They are trained to contact a manger when dealing with temperamental parents. So keep your cool. Making a scene at your student’s new home will not make saying goodbye any easier. After all, you contribute in large to the fate of your student’s first day as an IU resident.
There will be plenty of people eager to help. Whether resident assistants or members of the Welcome Week team, they are all there to make the process run smoothly. Although RPS cannot physically move your student’s belongings, carts are available at the front desk for your convenience. If you have your own cart bring it with you if there is enough room.
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PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
IU Pop Culture 101
Your students have years of classes and studying ahead of them. After you drop them off, here’s a little fun homework you can do in your own living room to brush up on some IU pop culture.
in a number of classic films, including the 1946 Academy Award-winning “The Best Years of Our Lives.”
What? “Stardust Melody: Hoagy Carmichael and Friends” Who/when? There is no shortage of CDs featuring the IU songwriter’s work. This 2009 mix showcases some of his signature songs, done by such luminaries as Benny Goodman and Ethel Waters. Why listen? Carmichael, a Bloomington native and IU law student, wrote some of the great standards of the 20th century, including “Georgia on My Mind,”“Lazy River,”“Heart and Soul” and “Stardust.” Extra credit: Carmichael was also a scene-stealing actor
understand the hoops mania on campus. Extra credit: This book has sold more than 2 million copies and was made into an ESPN TV movie in 2002. MOVIES
MUSIC What? “Basically Baker” Who/when? This jazz CD was released in 2007 — the same year the late David Baker was awarded the “Living Jazz Legend Award” for lifetime achievement from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Why listen? Baker is a worldrenowned composer and arranger who has more than 65 recordings to his credit. He was a distinguished professor of music and chair emeritus of the jazz department at the Jacobs School of Music, as well as conductor and artistic director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Baker passed away in March at the age of 84. Extra credit: In 2006, Baker debuted his, “Concertino for Cellular Phones and Symphony Orchestra,” where audience members turned on their cell phones and participated in the piece with their ringtones.
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BOOKS What? “Being Lucky: Reminiscences and Reflections” Who/when? Published in 1980, this is the autobiography of IU’s legendary former president, Herman B Wells. Why read? Wells is a beloved figure at IU. His book is a mix of advice, humor and history that will tell you a lot about the man who, more than anyone, shaped and set the tone for the University. Extra credit: It’s a tradition for students and parents to shake hands with the statue of him for good luck when they come to campus. Extra, extra credit: Want more Wells? You’re lucky. In 2012, IU’s James Capshew wrote a thick biography, “Herman B Wells: The Promise of the American University.” What? “A Season on the Brink” Who/when? The Washington Post’s John Feinstein documented Bob Knight and the 1985-86 men’s basketball team for this influential book. Why read? Feinstein spent six months following the team, and his account will help you
What? “Kinsey” Who/when? Liam Neeson stars as the controversial sex researcher Alfred Kinsey in this 2004 biopic. Why watch? In 1948, Alfred Kinsey published the groundbreaking book, “Sexual Behavior in the Human Male.” A report on the human female followed in 1953. This film covers some of the IU researcher’s formative years. Extra credit: How accurate is the film? The Kinsey Institute has a page on its site to answer questions that came up after the release. What? “Breaking Away” Who/when? IU alumnus Steve Tesich wrote this 1979 film and won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay. Why watch? “Breaking Away” is the definitive IU film about its most iconic event — the Little 500 — and was filmed in Bloomington. Extra credit: Inspired by the movie, riders formed a team called the Cutters. That team has gone on to win 12 titles, more than any other team in the race’s history.
Apply to the Turkish Flagship Program Today Open to all IU majors • Small, personalized classes Study and intern abroad • Scholarships available Graduate with professional Turkish proficiency turkish.indiana.edu
PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
16
Ways to combat your child’s potential homesickness By Grace Palmieri gpalmier@indiana.edu @grace_palmieri
Moving away from home to a new, unfamiliar place can be difficult at first. Homesickness isn’t uncommon among college freshmen, and when they need someone to talk to, they often turn to you — their parents. Here are some ways to help your student adjust to life away from home. Being there Be willing to listen to your child’s feelings and needs. Sometimes it’s nice for students to have someone familiar to talk to. They don’t always need advice, just someone who will listen. It’s important for students to talk to someone
at home a few times each week or even once a day at the beginning of their freshman year.
can give them a purpose and something to spend time on so their thoughts aren’t consumed by home.
Keeping busy Encourage your child to stay on campus as often as possible. This is the best way to adjust to college life in a new place. This gives students the chance to hang out with friends and classmates and not think so much about home. Keeping busy is always a great way to take your mind off of things that make you sad, worried or stressed.
Enjoying alone time While making friends is an important part of adjusting to college life, it’s important for your student to enjoy their alone time. It might help to make a list of activities they like to do outside of class, and make time for those a priority.
Goal-setting Help your child set goals for himself/herself. This can be for the week, semester or year. It
A care package Send your student a care package – this is always a nice reminder that you’re thinking of them. Visiting campus Plan a visit to campus – you can stay in the Indiana Memorial Union hotel and
spend a weekend exploring campus and Bloomington with your son or daughter. Check out different shops and restaurants and see what your child has been up to at IU. Additional guidance More than anything, it’s important to remember homesickness is something many new college students deal with. It’s rare this leads to something more serious like anxiety or depression, but if you notice your student’s homesickness starting to trigger symptoms of mental illness, encourage them to seek guidance from a mental health professional at IU’s Counseling and Psychological Services.
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Helping Hoosier Families Stay Connected The IU Parents Association helps parents of Hoosiers overcome the challenges of sending their student to college. We will keep you up to date with University policies, procedures, and important calendar dates, as well as lending a hand when needed.
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PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
17
RECREATIONAL SPORTS A Division of the School of Public Health
Don’t be a helicopter parent Hello parents. We need to talk. First, I’d like to congratulate you. Your child was accepted to IU, which is a great accomplishment you and your child should be proud of. Your son or daughter is about to make a huge and sometimes brutal life change and, by extension, so are you. For 18 years you have raised and cared for this person you’re going to send to college. You cooked for them, did their laundry, force-fed them cough syrup when they were sick and drilled them on finishing their homework and studying for tests. You were probably with them every step of the way through their college admittance process to keep a careful eye on those application deadlines and remind them what their social security number is when they inevitably forgot. And that’s what we need to talk about. While these acts of caring made you an involved and helpful parent in grade school, we only have one name for it on college campuses: helicopter parent. Dr. Carolyn Daitch defines helicopter parenting as “a style of parents who are over focused on their children. They typically take too much responsibility for their children’s experiences and, specifically, their successes or failures.” There is no room for this kind of over involvement in college and I’ll give you two main reasons. One, your kid needs to learn that failure is a part of life. I get it. No parent wants to sit idly by and watch their child fail. You don’t want to see their dreams shattered or
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IDS FILE ILLUSTRATION
breakdown when they learn they’re not good enough for something. You never want them to be unhappy and there’s nothing wrong with feeling that way. But your child will fail at some point. They aren’t going to get the grade they want on every test they take and paper they write. They’re going to get overwhelmed and not study enough. They’re going to miss the bus and burn their breakfast. They aren’t going to get every job they apply for. They aren’t going to like every job they get. That’s life. Your job isn’t to protect them from these failures but
to teach them how to handle it. Second, college isn’t just about getting a degree to hang on a wall. It’s about learning who you are and becoming your own person, independent of your parents. You learn a lot about yourself when you’re suddenly responsible for every aspect of your life, whether it’s passing a class, doing your laundry or finding a way to feed yourself everyday. Your child needs to learn who they are independently of you. That can’t happen if you’re calling their professors to check on grades, booking their dentist appointments and bringing them home every weekend
so you can wait on their every need. You have to remember your student isn’t just your “baby” anymore. They’re an adult. Taking a step back from your child’s life doesn’t make you a bad or neglectful parent. It doesn’t mean you love them any less or you’re setting them up for failure in life. You’re just helping them learn to navigate this world on their own. You’ve done a great job getting them to this point where you have to let them go. Let your child do the rest. lnbanks@indiana.edu @LexiaBanks
STUDENT RECREATIONAL SPORTS CENTER (SRSC) • Cardio/circuit and strength gyms • More-private strength & cardio studios • Seven racquetball/wallyball courts, two squash courts, & table tennis • Five basketball/volleyball courts • Two multipurpose gyms • The Counsilman/Billingsley Aquatic Center (Olympic-sized pool/diving well) • Indoor walking/jogging/running track • Free equipment check-out
812.855.7772 recsports.indiana.edu
PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
18
Weighing the best transportation options while at IU By Brian Seymour briseymo@indiana.edu
With the expansive IU campus, students might feel overwhelmed when it comes to getting from one place to another. We’re providing you with some options on how you can help them get going safely, even from far away. BUSES IU offers four campus bus routes that will take students to anywhere they need to go. There is even the Night Owl bus so your student doesn’t have to travel on foot during late hours. For more information on the campus bus service, check out iubus.indiana.edu. Additionally, there is a public transit that will allow your student to go off campus for food or
entertainment. There are at least 14 different routes that stop at apartment complexes, the College Mall and the downtown area. With a student ID, your student rides free. Check out more information at bloomingtontransit.com. CARS Cars can be useful if your student wants to leave campus for food or entertainment. For example, the movie theater on College Mall Road is a further distance, but the bus can do the job. There are also a number of cab companies located in Bloomington which offer rides anywhere students need to go. Students who bring cars have the option of purchasing campus parking permits or residential parking permits.
Campus permits only allow your student to park in designated spots on campus that are marked with the same letters that appear on the pass. Generally, this includes parking in the football stadium parking lot, but the cars will need to be moved for game days in advance. Residential parking permits only allow parking at residence halls and students usually have to wait on a waiting list to obtain these. Residential permits are purchased through Residential Programs and Services, not parking operations. Parking spaces are limited, and spaces near academic buildings are almost never offered to students. Other parking permits can be purchased online through campus parking operations. Parking in a designated area
without a parking permit can result in a $50 ticket. For information about parking permits, spaces and other rules about having a car on campus, check out parking.indiana.edu. BIKES Bikes are the fastest method when traveling to and from classes. They can be locked in many campus locations, including outside most academic buildings, residence halls, the Indiana Memorial Union and the Student Recreational Sports Center. Keep in mind, though, bikes must be properly registered through IU Parking Operations. Those parked in campus racks also need a properlydisplayed bike permit, which can be purchased for a onetime fee of $10. Bloomington is bike-
IDS FILE PHOTO
Bikes line a rack outside the Indiana Memorial Union. Bloomington Bikes Month takes place in May.
friendly. Several roads have bike lanes to increase biker safety so as to avoid pedestrians on the sidewalk. AIRPORT TRAVEL Shuttle services run through Bloomington for students on their way to the
airport. Both Go Express Shuttle and Star of America Shuttle offer trips from Bloomington to the Indianapolis International Airport. For more information, visit goexpresstravel.com and soashuttle.com.
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PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
Questions? Quench your curiosity with these resources Here are some helpful contacts to help you navigate the transition to IU. By Lauren Sedam lesedam@indiana.edu
There are many resources for students on campus, but plenty of organizations are there for parents, too. Here are some of the important resources. IU Parents Association Indiana Memorial Union M088 900 E. Seventh St. 812-856-8187 parents.indiana.edu This office provides a link between parents and the IU campus. The Parents Association supports Hoosier families by keeping them updated with University policies, procedures and important calendar dates and by lending a helping hand,
when needed. Parents can sign up to receive the IU Family Connection e-newsletter via a link on the association’s site, familyconnection.indiana.edu. First Year Experiences Office of FYE 326 N. Jordan Ave. 812-855-4357 fye.indiana.edu This office is geared completely toward orienting and supporting students in their first year, but it can be a helpful resource for new college parents as well. Bursar Poplars Building 400 E. Seventh St. 812-855-2636 bursar.indiana.edu If you’re paying the bills, the Bursar is certainly an
important contact. The office handles all University billing and payments. Office of Admissions 300 N. Jordan Ave. 812-855-0661 admit.indiana.edu/parents This office’s website has information about adjusting to college, campus safety, overseas study and more. There is also a link to its parent Facebook page. Disability Services for Students Herman B Wells Library W302 1320 E. 10th St. 812-855-7578 studentaffairs.indiana.edu/ disability-services-students Parents can find information on how their student can receive disability support services as well as
academic and other support on campus. Financial Aid 408 N. Union St. 812-855-0321 studentcentral.indiana.edu/ financial-aid The Office of Student Financial Aid provides information and links about earning aid, getting federal loans and managing money. GLBT Student Support Services 705 E. Seventh St. 812-855-4252 glbt.indiana.edu The GLBTSSS is a resource for both the campus and community on news, events and organizations advocating for the LGBT community.
Health Center 600 N. Jordan Ave. 812-855-4011 healthcenter.indiana.edu If your student has a cold, needs to fill a prescription or even wants nutrition or smoking counseling, direct him or her to IU’s on-campus health center. IU Visitors Information Center 530 E. Kirkwood Ave., Suite 104 812-856-4648 visitorcenter.indiana.edu This office provides valuable assistance to new and returning visitors to IU. Bloomington Visitors Center 2855 N. Walnut St. 812-334-8900 visitbloomington.com
This is a great place to find information on visiting Bloomington including hotels, entertainment, transportation and weather. A smaller center is located downtown at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Residential Programs and Services 801 N. Jordan Ave. 812-855-1764 rps.indiana.edu RPS covers all housing information, including residence hall living and meal plans. Student Legal Services 703 E. Seventh St. 812-855-7867 indiana.edu/~sls Student Legal Services provides professional, confidential advice for students’ legal issues.
Mark your Calendars Remind your student to get an early start on their housing search for 2017 at the Fall Housing Fair. With houses, apartments, townhomes, campus locations and more, the Housing Fair is a one stop shop for finding their next home.
Wednesday, Oct. 26 Alumni Hall in the IMU INDIANA DAILY STUDENT
idsnews.com/housingfair
HOUSING FAIR