2020
FRIENDS & FAMILY GUIDE
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Congratulations! Your student’s decision to attend university marks a major accomplishment, both for them and for you. We are honoured that your student has chosen to make StFX their home away from home for these next few formative years. Attending university is a major life milestone for students and members of their support network. As students transition into adulthood, it is common to wonder how you can best show your support while still giving them room to grow and thrive. This booklet – as well as the separate First Year Information (FYI) guide that your student has received – contains helpful information on how to navigate the adjustment to university life. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with both booklets. This year, the demands of Covid-19 will require new supports and measures to ensure the health and safety of your student. We are committed to providing students and families with early and proactive information through the summer as we develop the services and supports that will enable your student to thrive with us! Please stay tuned for more information over the coming months. We look forward to welcoming your family to the StFX family!
Elizabeth Yeo Vice-President, Students St. Francis Xavier University
First Year Information Booklet
A resource for students and their families. Along with the Family and Friends’ guide, your student also received a First Year Information booklet. The booklet contains important information as students prepare for StFX, including how to register for courses, get set up with a student ID, and pack for residence. We encourage you to read through this booklet if you have questions about what your student needs to do before arriving at StFX.
X Starts Here
Transitioning to university is exciting! But, we know it can come with its share of challenges, too. Encourage your student to take advantage of X Starts Here web modules so they can thrive at StFX. X Starts Here is accessible via student Moodle accounts, and includes modules on the following: • Course Registration and Academic Advising • Live Your Best Life @ X • Build Your Academic Skills • Money Matters • Connect Your Tech and IT devices • Going Global and Studying Abroad • Adjusting to University as an International Student
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Starting the Year WELCOME! In a typical year, we are able to share plans on how and when we will welcome you and your student to our campus. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is preventing us from finalizing these details at this time. Our commitment to you is to share these plans as soon as we can, so please stay tuned in the coming weeks and months for more. In the meantime, look forward to: • The excitement of transitioning to university • Learning more about the over 30 student services and activities available to support your student
MOVING INTO RESIDENCE To stay current on residence planning for the fall, visit www.stfx.ca/new-student-information.
PARENT ORIENTATION SESSION While your student is excitedly transitioning into university at StFX, we will also provide an orientation for parents and family. These sessions are a great opportunity to hear from our faculty and staff and ask any questions you may have. Stay tuned for more details.
STAY INFORMED ON HOW StFX IS RESPONDING TO COVID-19
We know you have questions on how COVID-19 will impact your students’ experience at StFX. That’s why we’re sending email updates to students’ family, friends, and supporters. Learn more and sign up at www.StFX.ca/Parents.
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Preparing for a Successful Transition Your student is transitioning into adulthood, which means their relationship to parents, guardians and other close support systems will change. These changes can be stressful for everyone involved, as young people are learning what it means to be independent while their families learn how to transition into a supporting role. This year, COVID-19 may introduce new complexities and responsibilities for your student. We will be providing more information through the summer on how to prepare for the specific transitions of the coming year. For many families, it’s natural to want to play the same role for your student now as you did in high school. However, as your student adjusts to adulthood and university life, it will be critical for them to learn to operate without immediate supervision. At times, this might mean stepping back and allowing them to make their own decisions, and ultimately be responsible for them. They may make mistakes along the way, but in time they will find their own path - and thrive while doing so! The two best ways to support your student: • Let them know you are always there to listen when they need. • Encourage them to take advantage of the support services available to them at StFX.
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THE FIRST FEW WEEKS YOUR STUDENT MAY FIND THE FOLLOWING USEFUL: Favourite snacks for their room Bank account details Personal information: Social insurance number, insurance details Reassurance. Starting university is exciting, but it is also a time of major change PARENTS CAN ALSO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO: Attend all classes and get to know professors Make friends in each class Learn how to manage their time Get involved in at least one club or society Take advantage of support services Keep finances in check Respect their fellow residents Manage stress and anxiety Get enough sleep Ask for help
IF YOUR STUDENT IS STRUGGLING It’s normal for students to find the transition to university life challenging. If you suspect your student is not adapting as they expected, there are several ways you can support: • Listen, honestly and openly. Let your student speak freely and express themselves. Don’t rush to judgement, or immediately push solutions. Sometimes, your student may just need to vent. • Ask how you can support them. Your student may have suggestions, or they may not want active support. Whatever their decision, respect it. • Remind them of StFX support services (see pages 12-13 of the FYI booklet) and encourage them to reach out if they need. – If the issue is urgent, your student can call 911 (Emergency) or go to the Emergency Department at St. Martha’s Hospital in Antigonish. There is also a toll-free 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line in Nova Scotia (1-888-429-8167) for urgent access to a mental health professional. – For non-emergency issues, they can also call the Good2Talk Post-Secondary Helpline (1.833.292.3698), which is free and available 24/7 from any phone in Nova Scotia. – X Starts Here includes information on how to deal with academic and personal challenges. These self-directed modules are available via your student’s Moodle account. • Affirm that you are always there to listen and support them as they wish. Remind them that transitions are hard, and it’s normal to feel anxious or unsure in a new environment.
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Other Helpful Information A full breakdown of tuition, residence and meal plan fees is found on page 16 of the First Year Information guide. Tuition and fees are divided into two payments: 1. Due September 15, 2020: 65%* of all tuition, residence and meal plan fees 2. Due January 15, 2021: The balance of remaining fees You are encouraged to pay first-term fees before arriving (or while at) Welcome Day. Please note that credit card payments are not accepted. We accept payment via: – Online banking. Register StFX as a payee using your student ID as the account number. – Wire transfer – In person (cash, cheque, debit) – Directly from Canadian and American government student loan programs – Online at: www.stfx.ca/international-payment (international students only) *For domestic students only. International students pay 80% of all fees by September 15, 2020. Have questions about paying your fees? Contact our Student Accounts Office at aservice@stfx.ca or 902.867.2123. Visit their website at www.mystfx.ca/financial-services/student-accounts
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Health and Dental Plan The StFX Students’ Union Health and Dental Plan will cover select medical costs that are not included under most provincial health care plans, including dental work and pharmaceutical drug costs. If unexpected medical issues arise, you will want to have coverage! Canadian students with alternative coverage may opt-out if they do so before September 30, 2020. You may only opt-out if you can provide proof of coverage from another provider. We encourage you to investigate the benefits offered by the Students’ Union plan before deciding to opt-out. Some students with alternate coverage choose to stay enrolled in the plan because it covers student-specific needs that some other plans do not. To learn more about your benefits and how to coordinate coverage between two plans, visit www.mystudentplan.ca/stfxsu.
TENANT INSURANCE It’s a good idea to think about extending your household insurance coverage for your student’s personal belongings while they are living in residence or off-campus. Students are responsible for insuring the personal contents of their room. Insurance is not a requirement for residence living, however the university strongly recommends seeking coverage.
STUDENT MAILBOXES All students are offered a locked post office box where they can receive mail, including parcels. This is a great option should you wish to send your student cards, parcels or gifts throughout the year. Your student can set up their post office box by visiting the campus post office in Bloomfield Centre. Please contact your student for their particular mailbox number.
CARE PACKAGES A special care package is a wonderful way to let your loved one know you are thinking about them. Sodexo, StFX’s campus food provider, offers a number of ‘Gifts and More’ care packages for every occasion: www.stfx.ca/why-stfx/parents/send-just-because-package
CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY Ensuring your student’s health and wellbeing is a top priority for St. Francis Xavier University. This extends to their right to privacy. StFX will not release the following personal information without a student’s consent: • Registration status • Grades/marks • Use of StFX support services • Disciplinary information • Financial information • Health and Counselling Centre records, including confirmation of visits. Note that access to personal medical information is strictly governed by the Nova Scotia’s Personal Health Information Act. The only exceptions involve cases where there is a serious and imminent safety risk, and where a medical professional deems it necessary to contact next of kin.
Important Dates and Milestones SPRING AND SUMMER 2020 MAY
JUN
JULY
AUG
•Accept your residence offer •Apply for student loans (most jurisdictions open their programs in the spring.) •Register for courses (more information to come on this soon.) •Set up your StFX student ID and StFX Alerts (see pages 2-3.) •Get ready to begin your X-Perience!
FALL TERM 2020* SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
Please stay tuned for more information in the weeks and months ahead on when we can welcome you to campus!
09
11
Remembrance Day. Offices Closed.
02
Dec. exam schedule available. Don’t make holiday travel plans before this date!
12
13
Last day to drop first-term three-credit courses.
14
Fall classes begin.
22
Thanksgiving. No classes.
Last day of fall classes.
03
Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier; X-Ring Ceremony.
05
Exams begin.
Last day to change fall term or full year courses. First tuition/fee payment due.
15
Holiday break begins after last exam.
WINTER TERM 2021* JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
06
15
12
02
Winter classes begin.
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Winter study break begins.
Last day to drop second-term three-credit courses.
Last day to drop full-year or change second-term courses.
15
Balance of tuition/fees due
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April exam schedule available. Don’t make spring travel plans before this date! *Specific dates may be subject to change in accordance with Public Health directives
Good Friday. No classes.
07
Last day of winter classes.
09
Exams begin.
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Last day of exams.