CSU, Chico Parent News for November 2007
The Chico State e-Newsletter for Parents Volume 6, Issue 3: November 2007
- Residence Hall Closure Today!
- Parent Advisory Council Meeting Recap
- What Your Student Can Do to Improve Communication With Their Professors
- Family Weekend Recap
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- Travel with CSU, Chico to Spain and Portugal!
Visit the CSU, Chico Parents' home page at www.csuchico.edu/alumni/parents/
Residence Hall Closure - Friday, November 16
The Residence Halls will close today, November 16, at 6:00 p.m. for Thanksgiving Break. The halls will reopen on Sunday, November 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Other important dates:
Friday, December 21
Halls close for Winter Break at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 24
Halls re-open at 11:00 a.m.
Friday, March 14
Halls close for Spring Break at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 23
Halls re-open at 2:00 p.m.
Friday, May 23
All on-campus halls close at 6:00 p.m. This ends the academic year and housing license.
University Village:
Please note - University Village remains open throughout all academic year break periods (Thanksgiving break, Winter break and Spring break).
For important housing information, please refer to the 2007-2008 Living In Guide on the University Housing and Food Service Website.
Parent Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
The first meeting of the CSU, Chico Parent Advisory Council was held on Saturday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m. A complete copy of the meeting minutes are available at www.csuchico.edu/alumni/parents/newsletters/PAC_meeting_minutes_101307.pdf. Some highlights from the meeting:
- Welcome from Vice President for University Advancement Richard E. Ellison and welcome from Vice President for Student Affairs Drew Calandrella
- Presentation on student involvement and an update on Greek life from Greek Life Coordinator Larry Bassow
- Presentation and demonstration on Chico Unabridged and Chico Destinations - online communities for first-year students and parents of first-year students by Kaitlyn Baumgartner, Public Contact Coordinator and Academic Advisor
- Recap from faculty, including faculty advisors Dr. Diana Coyl and Dr. Jesse Dizard, on what students can do to improve communication with their professors. The overwhelming response - visit office hours - but see below for more details.
We are continuing to look for more parent volunteers to serve on our Parent Advisory Council. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please contact Polly Crabtree in the alumni office at pcrabtree-at-csuchico-dot-edu. Our next Parent Advisory Council Meeting is scheduled for March 1, 2008, and we would love to have a full council in place in time for this meeting.
What Your Student Can Do to Improve Communication With Their Professors
We asked faculty to complete a three-question survey, and we received more than 90 responses (some faculty replied with more than one answer to each question). The complete results are available at http://www.csuchico.edu/alumni/parents/newsletters/faculty_survey.pdf, but the overwhelming consensus is to have your student ask their professors how the professors would most like to be contacted. Most professors will let students know their preferred method of communication at the start of each semester and/or in the course syllabus.
The other overwhelming response is students do not take enough advantage of faculty office hours. Faculty encourage and enjoy student contact during office hours. Our recommendation to you as parents is to strongly urge your sons and daughters to take full advantage of faculty office hours to both get to know faculty and to resolve any budding issues early in the semester.
The top answers to the three questions:
Question 1: What is your preferred means of communication outside of class?
- Office hours visit -- 68 responses
- E-mail -- 45 responses
Question 2: What should students do to improve communication with you?
- Office hours visit -- 33 responses
- Attend class, ask questions, participate, be prepared -- 15 responses
Question 3: If you could change one thing regarding how students communicate with teachers, what would it be?
- Visit professor in person either before a problem is too big, or even when there isn't a problem just to get to know the professor -- 30 responses
- Use full name when sending e-mail to professors. Do not use e-mail addresses with drug or other inappropriate references. Do not use text language. Do not assume too much informality with professor in message until a relationship has been established. Err on the side of formality. Use e-mail selectively -- for questions with short answers -- 26 responses
- Assume a climate of mutual respect -- student approach should not be hostile or angry when approaching professor, calm down first and never approach a teacher to argue a grade immediately upon receiving it -- 15 responses
Other suggestions:
If parents really want to keep up with what is happening in classes, ask your son or daughter for a copy of the syllabus. Strong students do not typically visit office hours which cheats them out of really getting to know their professors. This will affect the student most when they need letters of recommendation or references. Most important, though, Chico State professors have a reputation for really caring about the success of their students. If your student is struggling in a class, have them contact their professor; your student might just be amazed at how hard a professor will work with a student when the student is committed to being successful.
Family Weekend Recap
Family Weekend 2007 was a great success. The parent workshops were so well attended that not everyone who wanted to could get into the Study Abroad workshop. We have been asked for copies of the information made available at this workshop and have been instructed to forward parents and students to the Study Abroad Website at http://www.csuchico.edu/giis/sa/abroad.html. If this site does not answer your questions, please contact Tasha Dev, Study Abroad Coordinator, at studabr-at-csuchico-dot-edu.
There were approximately 1,000 people at our Family Barbecue on the Kendall lawn who were welcomed by University President Paul J. Zingg. Campus events included the Red Tent Celebration, men's and women's soccer games, volleyball games, and a performance by George Winston of Windham Hill. Community events included the annual Downtown Chico Harvest Festival and Sidewalk Sale and the Parade of Lights. Next year, Family Weekend will be held October 10-12, 2008, so put it on your calendars now!
Financial Aid and Scholarship Office: Helpful Information for Parents and Students
Financial Aid and Scholarship Office
Meriam Library 161
Phone: 530-898-6451
Fax: 530-898-6883
Email: finaid-at-csuchico-dot-edu
Web site: www.csuchico.edu/fa
Mid-Semester Greetings from the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office!
Many students and their families ask about scholarships, and scholarships are an excellent way to augment financial aid. Obtaining a scholarship requires preparation and work. Now is the time to get started on applying for scholarships for the next academic year – 2008-2009!
CSU, Chico Scholarships
California State University, Chico provides scholarship awards to eligible students, and students are encouraged to apply. Scholarships are based on any or all of the following criteria:
- Scholastic excellence
- Financial need
- Outstanding achievement in school or community service
- Active affiliation with honors organizations
- Educational objectives
Encourage your student to plan ahead. The online application period for 2008-2009 is October 1, 2007 through January 1, 2008. Information on eligibility, instructions on how to apply, and a link to the secure online application may be accessed from the Financial Aid and Scholarship Web site at http://fa.csuchico.edu/fa/basics/typesofaid/scholarships/index.aspx.
Private Scholarships
It is also a good idea for enterprising students to look beyond the university for scholarships. Many students and their families are not aware of the breadth of scholarships funded from a variety of non-university sources, including community organizations, local and national foundations, state and federal government agencies and private donors.
Now is also the best time to begin researching the private and community sectors for potential scholarship aid. Scholarship announcements are posted in the lobby of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, Meriam Library 161. Books on scholarships are also available in the reference sections of the Meriam Library and local libraries. A good source of scholarship information for upper division students may be their major department office and the Web sites of professional associations in their academic disciplines. Private scholarship databases are also a good source of information, and our Web site gives hints on how to best use them, as well as tips on avoiding scholarship scams. See http://fa.csuchico.edu/fa/basics/typesofaid/scholarships/privatescholarships/index.aspx.
Common-sense Information about Loans
As the academic year progresses, your student may feel strapped for cash. Help them to avoid unnecessary debt. Banks are aggressively marketing loans and credit cards to college students. Prepare them to make sensible decisions about borrowing.
Three tips to share for avoiding debt:
1. Avoid use of credit cards.
2. Learn to live within a budget.
3. Talk to a financial aid advisor before you take out a private loan.
FYI about Chico State and Loans
CSU, Chico participates in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, also known as the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program. This loan program provides long-term, low-interest loans, called Stafford loans, borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education, with the loan proceeds delivered through CSU, Chico. Therefore, the lender is the U. S. government, not a bank or loan company, and there is no preferred lender list. For careers in education and nursing, and some other social service areas, there are loan forgiveness programs that students with these majors can take advantage of after they graduate and are pursuing careers in these fields. We have several pages on our Web site with information about loans. Begin with http://fa.csuchico.edu/fa/basics/typesofaid/loans/index.aspx. Our advisors are available to assist with your questions.
Contact Information:
Personal Contact: Customer service representatives are available by phone and at our walk-up windows to answer financial aid questions, accept forms and documents, and schedule appointments. Financial Aid advisors are available by appointment (phone or in person) to help with general financial aid inquiries, special problems, technical questions, appeals, and budgeting. Regular appointments can be scheduled in advance, beginning Friday of the preceding week. Walk-in appointments are same-day only, by inquiring at the window.
When parent contact is necessary, we have a downloadable form, Authorization to Release Information , which allows our personnel to speak directly to a parent about their student's financial aid file. This procedure assures compliance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
E-mail Contact: finaid@csuchico.edu We respond to all incoming e-mail inquiries within a 24-hour period, with the exception of e-mails received after closing hours on Fridays, weekends, or holidays.
Phone Contact: (530) 898-6451 We staff our phone lines so that most phone calls during work hours may be answered immediately. We return all messages left on voice mail within 24 hours, with the exception of voice mails received after closing hours on Fridays, weekends, or holidays.
Web Information: www.csuchico.edu/fa Our Web site is the main source of information about the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, required policies and procedures, and timely announcements. We encourage you and your students to consult it frequently. Two features may be especially helpful. Check out Quick Links and the Search button, both available in the upper right corner of every page.
View these timely topics:
Hot Topics & the Latest Questions http://fa.csuchico.edu/fa/index.aspx
Loan information http://fa.csuchico.edu/fa/basics/typesofaid/loans/index.aspx
Money Management http://fa.csuchico.edu/fa/basics/typesofaid/loans/index.aspx
Scholarships http://fa.csuchico.edu/fa/basics/typesofaid/scholarships/index.aspx
Work-Study http://fa.csuchico.edu/fa/basics/typesofaid//workstudy/index.aspx
Travel with CSU, Chico to Spain and Portugal!
June 1 through 12, 2008 
The tour will include three nights in Lisbon, one in Cordoba, two in Granada, one in Toledo, and three in Madrid. The faculty-in-residence is history professor Dr. Stephen E. Lewis, who earned his PhD from UC San Diego. His specialty is Latin American history and he has done extensive research on Mexico. His association with Spain spans twenty years, first as a student and most recently as a visiting professor.
Chico students to earn 1-3 units through History. The $3750 package includes round-trip airfare from San Francisco, airport fees, transfers, 3-4 diamond hotels, buffet breakfast daily, five dinners; comprehensive sightseeing tours led by an expert local guide of Lisbon, Toledo, Merida, Madrid, Cordoba and the Reina Sofia; entrance included to Ajuda Palace, Alhambra, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, El Greco’s Home, Belem, Toledo Cathedral, Anfiteatro & Teatro Romano, Prado, National Museum of Roman Art, Royal Palace, Mezquita, and the Reina Sofia; and the full-time services of a professional tour director. (Note: The land-only option costs $2566 and the single supplement costs $400.) A tax-deductible portion of the cost goes to college scholarships and programs. Limited space remains. Last day to sign up unless the tour fills earlier: Mar. 1, 2008 (PLEASE NOTE WE WILL NEED 15 RESERVATIONS BY FEB. 1, 2008, IN ORDER TO KEEP THE ITINERARY AND PRICING AS STATED.)
Contact Ms. Thomasin Saxe, group coordinator, tsaxe-at-csuchico-dot-edu or 530-898-4642. You may also check the Web: www.csuchico.edu/hfa/travel
DO YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL? GET ON THE HFA E-MAIL LIST ( tsaxe-at-csuchico-dot-edu) TO FIND OUT ABOUT WONDERFUL TOURS YET TO COME: Spain and Portugal with Steve Lewis, History (June 1-13, 2008), Anastasia's Russia with Kate Transchel, History (Early June 2009).
Privacy Message
Please note that your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, school or college, and year of graduation may be used by CSU, Chico for the development of university-affiliated marketing programs. If you do not wish to have this information used, please notify the CSU, Chico Office of Advancement Services by writing to the campus at Office of Advancement Services, CSU, Chico, Chico, CA 95929-0155. The CSU, Chico Alumni Association respects your privacy and is in full compliance with the Federal CAN-SPAM act. To remove yourself from future mailings please reply to this message and put "REMOVE" in the subject line. Contact alumni-at-csuchico-dot-edu with comments. plc 11/16/07
