Office of
First-Year
Experience
October 2017
Inside this Issue:
Fall Advising
Success at Your Fingertips
Grades First Checkup
Making Healthier Students
College Binge Drinking
Ragin’ Cajuns Going Global
Roommate Issues
Homesickness
Parent Advice
Phonathon
Memory Vault
Emerging Leaders Summit
Freshman Spotlight
Your Student-October
Fall 2017 Calendar
Oct 16 Academic Advising for
Spring 2018 Begins
Oct 27 Academic Advising for
Spring 2018 ENDS
Nov 23-24 Th anksgiving
Break
Dec 1 Last Day of Classes
Dec 4-5 Final Exam s
Dec 6 Mid Exam Study day
Dec 7-8 Final Exam s
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Parent Newsletter
Now is the time for your student to schedule an appointment with their
academic advisor to be advised for the Spring 2018 semester. The academic
advising period is October 16 - 27, 2017.
Finding academic advisor:
For students to find their academic advisor’s name and email address to
schedule an appointment, they will need to login into their ULink account.
Under the Academics tab is “Academic Profile” (in the middle of the page). By
selecting “Spring 2018” their advisor(s) name for that semester will be
listed. They will need to email their advisor to schedule an appointment with
them—the advisors email can be accessed by clicking the envelope graphic.
What is in ULink?
Students can log into their ULink account to view the following:
“Meet with your advisor” - gives your student tips on what to do before
their advising appointment
“View the Catalog” - Make sure your student knows what classes they
should be taking for their major.
“Check holds” - All students have an academic advising hold which will
be removed by their academic advisor. Take care of any other holds
NOW on your account which may prevent course registration.
“Check registration status” - here students can see their time for
registration (hint if it is at 2 am, they should wake up to schedule then).
“Look up classes” - Here, students can see all classes offered this spring.
If your student would like to speak to an Academic Counselor, encourage
them to visit Lee Hall 115.
Registration For Your Student
Helpful Hints: Linked courses are sections of the same course that must be
added at the same time, such as CMCN 100-001 and CMCN 100-010.
Co-requisite courses are typically two separate courses, such as MATH 103
and 104, that must be added at the same time.
FALL ADVISING FOR YOUR STUDENT
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6
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View Spring 2018 Course
Schedule
View Registration Holds
View Advisor
Register for Linked Courses
Register for Co-Requisite
Courses
Register for Variable Credit
Courses
General Info on Registering
for Classes
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Students traditionally underestimate the amount of time they will need to schedule to
do well in classes. Around midterms, many first-year students begin facing the
realities that college is more difficult than they expected and they may experience a
variety of academic difficulties.
October is Tutoring Month! Four types of FREE tutoring are offered to fit the
varying needs of UL Lafayette students: Individual tutoring sessions which last 30
minutes; 1 hour-long Study Groups; 2-hour Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions led
by specialized tutors who also attend lecture with the students; and an
Online Tutoring chat available by visiting The Learning Center website.
Being proactive about coming in for tutoring certainly helps students take learning
into their own hands. Tutors also share study tips and habits and test-taking strategies
specific to particular courses.
The results of tutoring have been impressive: students who come to SI sessions can
earn an average of up to one letter-grade higher than students taking the same course
who did not attend SI. Please encourage your student to take advantage of this
valuable resource!
The Learning Center is located in Lee Hall on the 2nd floor and is open for tutoring
from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Mon-Thurs, and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Fridays.
Students can call 337-482-6583 or walk in to schedule an appointment. Tutoring is
offered in Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Accounting, Psychology, Engineering,
Spanish, and many more subjects. See their website for the full list of courses. Other
tutoring options on campus include The Writing Center, The Math Lab, and more!
An important message to send to your student if they are struggling academically is
that it is not too late to do well this semester. Aside from The Learning Center,
encourage your student to form study groups, to read ahead of class, meet with their
instructors during office hours, and increase the amount of time they are studying.
Many parents and students alike are concerned with academic progress, especially in
the first semester. Most students have completed several graded assignments and one
or two tests in each course. Some instructors post grades on Moodle and others hand
back graded work and expect students to keep track of their grades. If your student is
not sure about the standing grade in a course, encourage her or him to visit the
instructor during office hours. Office hours are stated on each instructor’s course
syllabus.
As part of the GradesFirst initiative, instructors are about to complete the second
freshman grade check between October 18th and 25th. Students will receive an
email from their instructor if they are at risk of failing a course. Please remember that
we have tutoring available in many courses and that both individual and group
tutoring is available. Also the Academic Success Center is continuing to offer
workshops on academic goal setting and time management. First-year students
will be encouraged to attend these skill-building workshops.
Your student also has the opportunity to ask for guidance from his or her UNIV 100
instructor or Peer Mentor for any type of issue that he or she may currently be
dealing with.
SUCCESS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
GRADES FIRST CHECKUP
IMPORTANT
INFO ON THE HOUSING
APPLICATION
PROCESS:
The Housing online appli-
cation will be available
sometime in November
2017 for the Academic
18-19 school year.
This will be found on stu-
dent ULINK account us-
ing their username and
password provided by the
University; specific in-
structions will be availa-
ble through a portal guide
available on the housing
website.
Housing offers room self-
selection which gives the
student the flexibility to
pick their bed space
Housing requires a pre-
payment amount in order
to secure their room.
Please have a credit card
ready to proceed.
The sooner students sign
up for Housing, the better
chances they will have of
selecting their desired
room type.
Please note that this
requires entering a 10
month legally binding
contract with Housing
that runs continuously
from August through
May. It is not required
for students to move out
over the Winter break.
For additional information
please visit the Housing
website:
housing.louisiana.edu or call
at 337-482-6471.
MAKING HEALTHIER STUDENTS
Encourage your student to take a moment to breathe amid the stress of college
life! When life gets crazy, we don’t have to let it make us sick. Here are some
things your student can do to keep healthy in today’s hectic world:
Simplify, simplify, simplify. Sit down with their weekly schedule. Are there
some things that just aren’t as important as that trip to the gym? Encourage
them to just say no when their schedule is full. And make their workout time a
priority appointment.
Encourage them to plan healthy meals in advance. Packing a healthy lunch the
night before and sticking it in the fridge to grab on their way out can let them
rest and relax during their lunch hour instead of standing in line for food.
Get a hobby. All work and no play can cause physical and mental burn out.
Encourage them to find something they enjoy doing and set aside a couple of
hours each week to do it. Stress relief strengthens the immune system. They’ll
feel better, get sick less often, and have more energy to do what has to get
done.
PLEASE SHARE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ABOUT
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES WITH YOUR STUDENT
Student Health Services (SHS) strives to provide quality, accessible, cost
sensitive, primary medical care and active health promotion to the students within
the campus community. They are funded by a student membership fee which is
collected each semester.
Students with membership will receive consultation for any illness, minor
injuries, and general physicals.
Please see their website for a Comprehensive List of Services and Clinic
Hours.
SHS follows the “University Hours of Operations” throughout the year. SHS
operates utilizing Appointment Only services. Patients are triaged by a nurse
prior to being seen by a clinician.
Allow time for completing and/or updating personal data each semester.
If you have any insurance coverage, please bring your insurance card each
visit.
RESOURCES ON
CAMPUS
Academic Success
Center
Lee Hall
Rm. 115
(337) 482-6818
asc@louisiana.edu
Writing Center
H.L. Griffin Hall,
Rm. 107-108
(337) 482-6447
Counseling & Testing
Center
Saucier Wellness Center
O.K. Allen Hall
(337) 482-6480
counseling@louisiana.edu
Office of Disability
Services (ODS)
Conference Center,
Rm. 126
(337) 482-5252
ods@louisiana.edu
Student Support
Services
DeClouet Hall
Rm. 106
(337) 482-6828
specialservices@louisiana.edu
STEP Computer Labs
on Campus
Student Affairs
Division
Martin Hall
Rm. 211
(337) 482-6266
studentaffairs@louisiana.edu
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WARNING SIGNS OF
AN ALCOHOL OR
DRUG PROBLEM
Warning signs of a
substance dependence
disorder include the
following:
Developing a
tolerance
Emotional changes
Loss of interest in
previously enjoyed
activities in favor of
spending more time
consuming alcohol
and/or drugs
Missing classes and
not turning in
assignments
Neglecting personal
hygiene
Conversations
centering on being
high and/or drunk
Becoming secretive
about their usage or
using in secret
The above is just a partial
list of substance
dependence warning
signs. If you notice these
warning signs in your
student or their friends,
please know that help is
available. For further
information click here.
COLLEGE BINGE DRINKING
As a parent, when your student is away from home for maybe the first time
for this length, this might be a probing question: Is a college house party real-
ly filled with kegs and drinking games as our pop culture tells us? Is this the
exception rather than the rule?
Penn State professor Jeff Hayes says the answer is complex. Data from over
100 colleges, collected by Hayes and colleagues, says that 56% of students do
not binge drink regularly. But this means that 44% do report regular binge
drinking.
Hayes believes that the key to helping students resist this college drinking
culture is to have alternative activities and programs that are attractive. Hayes
suggests that many students participate in binge drinking, because it may be a
reaction to what might be their first taste of freedom. "I think that there is part
of a normative developmental experience of going away to college and exper-
imenting," says Hayes. "They are pushing the boundaries for themselves."
Additionally he says that those who do participate in binge drinking report not
remembering what happened the night before, being unable to understand
what is expected or feeling guilt or remorse after binge drinking. Many stu-
dents who binge drink do not see it as a problem. "I see a number of students
in my private practice," explains Hayes. "A lot of them are not seeking help
for drinking problems. They are seeking help for depression or relationship
problems. The alcohol problems are present, but they don't think they have a
problem because they don't drink any more than their friends do."
But the silver lining in Hayes' research is that when someone who cares about
a student—whether it is a friend or family member—expresses concern about
that student's excessive drinking, the message tends to raise the student's own
concern. "We don't have to assume a passive role as faculty members, resi-
dent assistants, roommates, fraternity or sorority members," says Hayes. "If
you are concerned about someone, expressing that concern, difficult though it
may be, can put them on a path toward changing their drinking."
This article was adapted from Kevin Sliman’s article Probing question: How
serious is the binge drinking problem on college campuses? For more infor-
mation on UL Lafayette’s drug and alcohol policy as well as the School Lead-
ers Involved in Drinking & Drug Education (SLIDDE) click here.
For Your Information
Binge drinking is defined as consuming 5 or more drinks for men and 3 or
more drinks for women per occasion. Moderate alcohol use is defined as up to
2 drinks per day for men; one for women. Engaging in drinking games and
participating in funneling are examples of typical binge drinking situations.
If your student is struggling with problems due to alcohol, information, coun-
seling, and free alcohol and drug screenings can be obtained from the UL
Lafayette Counseling & Testing Center.
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RAGIN’ CAJUNS GOING GLOBAL
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Study Abroad Programs provide students an opportunity to earn course credit
while studying in a foreign country. Various programs are coordinated during the
summer semester, including long-standing programs in Paris, France; Florence,
Italy; London, England; San Jose, Costa Rica and others.
In an age of increased globalization, members of university communities like
ours need the experience of living in
a different culture. If your student
participates in these programs, you
will find they will come back with
life changing experiences, certainly
having a much wider view of the
world than when they first boarded
the plane headed to Costa Rica,
England, France, or Italy. We have a
sizable number of students who
learned so much and enjoyed their
time abroad so much that they
participated a second time in a
different country. Students can earn
from three to nine credits over the
summer and will find their classes
both interesting and challenging.
Our courses are rigorous having been
approved both by the appropriate
department heads and by the UL
Lafayette Study Abroad Program Committee. For more information on a specific
destination’s program, please click the corresponding flag below.
Contact: Dr. Gwen Fontenot Contact: Pat Mouillé
Study Abroad Director Study Abroad Coordinator
(337) 482-6491 (337) 482-5438
Moody Hall 226 Student Union Rm 136
fontenotg@louisiana.edu studyabroad@louisiana.edu
Click the above icons of country flags for additional information for each
specific destination.
SAN JOSE,
COSTA RICA
FLORENCE,
ITALY
PARIS,
FRANCE
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Many students have difficulties living with roommates, whether they were friends prior to move-in day or complete
strangers, it happens often. Sharing a room with someone who has a completely different lifestyle or schedule as
your student might feel like the end of the world, but fear no more...here are some tips to share with your student.
5 Tips to Getting Along With Your Roommate
Living with a Roommate: 10 Tips for a Good Roommate Relationship
How to Set Up a Roommate Agreement
What to Do If You Hate Your Roommate
What to Do If Your Roommate Uses Your Stuff
Things to Consider Sharing with Your Roommate
A piece of advice to give to your student is simply to give it time. Remind your student that it is only October, only
two and a half months have passed so far during this school semester. While this might seem like forever for your
student, remind them that even a week or two after discussing their problems with their roommates can change a
lot. Roommates don’t have to be a problem—often they can be the opposite: a supporter, friend, confidant, and
study buddy as long as communication is open!
HOMESICKNESS, AND CARE PACKAGES
Homesickness is another common feeling among students’ first year. After the initial excitement of living without
parents and newfound freedom wears away, students might feel homesick, lonely, or worried. While this is
completely normal and not cause for worry, here are Three Ways for Parents to Support a Homesick College
Student. Some helpful things to avoid when supporting a homesick child are allowing too many trips home and not
keeping your distance. Your student’s life is ahead of them, give them the time and freedom to embrace that.
Another idea is to send them care packages so your student knows that they are loved, cared for, and supported in
hard times. Some things to include are their favorite magazines, snacks, pictures, Band-aids, school supplies, or
anything that will bring a smile to their face and encourage them to push through hard times! Students enjoy getting
mail!
PARENT ADVICE
Here is some advice from parents to parents to help you and your student get through the month of October.
- “Don’t panic. Everything will be okay. Two heads are better than one during registration. After that, your
student will be the professional.”
- “Encourage your student to get involved in extra curricular activities in order to meet new people.”
- “Keep up with your emails and have lunch one day with your student and see for yourself what a great
experience your student is having on this process of becoming an adult.”
- “Continue to be involved in your student’s life without helicopter-ing. They still like to know that you are there
for them.”
- “Encourage your student to focus on their studies and to attend their classes.”
ROOMMMATE ISSUES
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The Ragin' Cajuns phonathon is an integral
part of the annual giving program at the
University. Students call alumni and friends
to update contact information; give updates
about campus enhancements and activities;
and solicit crucial financial support.
While nearly 40% of the UL Lafayette
experience is covered by tuition and fees,
approximately 10% is funded by private
financial contributions from alumni, parents
and friends. Phonathon callers learn
valuable professional skills and connect
with potential future employers. Being a
phonathon caller is a great way for students
to earn money in a convenient on-campus
location while developing desirable work
place skills and learning more about the
University.
To learn more, visit http://
development.louisiana.edu/phonathon.
MEMORY VAULT
Whether you aced a final exam after studying all night, reached the top floor of Griffin Hall, skated on Cypress
Lake, or met your true love on campus, UL Lafayette Alumni Association wants to know about your time at the
University. By sharing your memories, you celebrate the University, encourage other alumni to reconnect, and
inspire current students to make the most of their experiences on campus. If you would like to submit a photo along
with your memory, please email alumni@louisiana.edu. You can also tag your photos and memories on social
media with #RaginCajunsMemories.
Please note: Sharing your memories and photos means you are giving the University permission to use in print and
digital communications. We reserve the right to edit for space and content. Click here for more information.
EMERGING LEADERS SUMMIT
The Emerging Leaders Summit will be held on October 29, 2017. This is an excellent opportunity for freshmen and
sophomore leaders. Participants will build a foundation of leadership development from the very beginning of their
career at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In addition, participants are challenged to think beyond positional
leadership and are given the opportunity to explore what leadership means to them, to assess their personal
behavioral style, and to tackle such topics as personal values, happiness, branding, body language, and
communication. Click here for more information!
PHONATHON
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SEPTEMBER FRESHMAN SPOTLIGHT
OFYE has a special recognition, Freshman Spotlight, which is awarded to one student each month who
has exemplied Ragin’ Cajun spirit and pride, been active in their UNIV 100 class, and who strives for
academic and personal success. This student must be an outstanding student to their UNIV 100 professor
and Peer Mentor and be nominated by either. The September Freshman Spotlight has been awarded to
Kayleigh Hebert who was nominated by her Peer Mentor, Brianna Doucet. According to her Peer
Mentor, “She is a very dedicated student who is constantly studying or working on homework. When
there are a few minutes before class starts, she will nd something to study instead of playing on her
phone. She is also very attentive in class and is never afraid to ask a question or give her own input.
Outside of class, Kayleigh is involved on campus and in the community. She is a member of the
Kinesiology Professional Chapter (KPA) on campus and the Girl’s Group at Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic
Church. Kayleigh also nds time to help her family and babysit when needed. Once her rst semester of
college settles down, she would like to start volunteering in the community. Kayleigh is never afraid to
ask for help and is always willing to help someone else in need. She is always kind and usually has a smile
on her face!”
KAYLEIGH HEBERT
Major: Kinesiology
Favorite place on campus: the
library—Kayleigh loves to spend time in
the library doing homework in
between classes.
Kayleigh’s hobbies: hiking, reading, and
hanging out with her dog.
Favorite things about UL: She loves that
everyone around Lafayette has such
great UL pride! She also loves
attending events like Rec Fest where
she was able to rock climb! While her
true passion is Kinesiology, she also
loves her Sociology class!
Kayleigh’s UNIV 100 Class: She is in Mrs.
Ericka Haynes ‘Mastering the First Year’
class where she loves how relatable her Peer Mentor is. Kayleigh enjoys her UNIV 100 class, “Mrs.
Haynes truly helps us by preparing us for interviews and by setting and achieving our personal goals. She
helps us everyday by showing us how to follow our path to success!”
Contact Information
Visit us at our office:
230 Hebrard Blvd.
Lee Hall, Room 106
Monday-Thursday
7:30am-5:00pm
Friday
7:30am-12:30pm
firstyear.louisiana.edu
(337) 482-6599
ofye@louisiana.edu
Follow OFYE on
Social Media
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During the month of October, students living on campus will need to begin thinking about where they
want to live next year. The UL Lafayette housing application will be available in November and
students will need to apply when they decide if they want to remain in on-campus living.
Academically, students may be going through mid-term exams or have just finished mid-term exam
week. This can be a relief for many but can bring added stress when receiving mid-term grades.
As parents, here are a few things that you can do to help them:
1. Discuss their current living situation highlighting the good and bad. If your student wants to live
off-campus next year, it’s important that they understand added stresses that they may encounter
like landlord or new roommate issues. Additionally, if they do not wish to continue on the
University’s meal plan, they will have added expenses with groceries and cooking.
2. Encourage your student to be proactive in planning and studying for their classes. Just because
mid-term week is over doesn’t mean that classes are over! Due dates for projects, papers, and more
exams are just around the corner.
3. Encourage your student to establish a budget—they may be having difficulties with finances as they
are still trying to figure out the freedom of college living.
YOUR STUDENT THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER: OCTOBER
Click here to see what freshman go through
during each month!