Parent Newsletter
October 2018
FALL ADVISING
Now is the time for your student to
schedule an appointment with their
academic advisor to be advised for the
Spring 2019 semester. The academic
advising period is October 15 - 26, 2018.
Finding Academic Advisor:
For students to nd 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 Prole” (in the middle of the page).
By selecting “Spring 2019” their advisor(s)
name for that semester will be listed. They
will need to email their advisor to schedule
an appointment with them; the advisor’s
email can be accessed by clicking the envelope
graphic. Here is a step-by-step PDF on how
to nd your student’s academic advisor.
What is ULink?
Students can log into their ULink
account to view the following:
• “Meet with your advisor” - Tips on
what your student should 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. Click here to see
the dierent types of hold a student can have.
• “Look up classes” - Students can
see all classes oered this spring. If
your student would like to speak to an
Academic Counselor, encourage
them to visit Lee Hall 115.
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Registration 2
Grade Check 2
Tutoring 3
Student Health 3
Binge Drinking 4-5
Student Life 6
UL Housing 7
Study Abroad 8
Student Spotlight 9
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
October 15-26
Advising Sessions for Spring 2019
Begin
Nov 1
Last day to drop a class with a “W”
November 22-23
Thanksgiving Break
November 28-December 2
Dead Days
November 30
Last Day of Fall Classes
December 3-7
Final Exams
December 7
Semester Ends
December 14
Fall Commencement
REGISTRATION
Check out these
resources BEFORE
registering
for Spring 2019 courses:
• View the Spring 2019 Course Schedule
• View Registration Holds
• View Student’s Advisor
• Register for Linked courses*
• Register for Co-Requisite Courses*
• Register for Variable Credit Courses
• General Info on Registering for Classes
*Tip: 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.
Click here to read the common issues/errors students
experience prior to registration. Also, click here to read
the common issues students face during registration.
FALL CALENDAR
GRADE CHECK
Many parents and students alike are concerned with academic
progress, especially in the rst 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 oce hours.
Oce 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 10-17th. Students will receive an email from their instructor if they are at risk
of failing a course. The Academic Success Center is continuing to oer workshops on academic goal
setting and time management. Freshmen are 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.
UL Events Calendar
Left: The Lifetime Recreation
Living Learning Community
enjoyed a day at Vermilionville
and learned how to make
beignets and bread pudding!
Right: September was House
Call time! UL faculty/staff
went into the residence halls
to meet the students, handout
Halloween treats, and inform
students on how to register to
vote!
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TUTORING
FREE TUTORING — Students traditionally underestimate
the amount of time they will need to study to do well in classes.
Around midterms, many rst-year students begin facing the
realities that college is more dicult than they expected.
October is Tutoring Month! Four types of FREE tutoring are oered to t the
varying needs of UL Lafayette students: Individual tutoring sessions which last 30 minutes-1 hour;
1-2 hour-long Study Groups; 1-2 hour-long 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 specic 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 oor 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 oered 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 oce hours, and increase the
amount of time they are studying.
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STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES — Did you know
there is a medical clinic for students on campus? 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. Please see the SHS website for a comprehensive list of services and clinic
hours. Also, please see this Dorm Room Health Kit with a list of items every residential student
should have!
• Students with membership will receive
consultation for any illness, minor
injuries, and general physicals.
• 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.
STUDENT HEALTH
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HEALTHY HABITS — 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:
Plan Ahead. Sit down and make a weekly schedule, which
provides a feeling of control, order, and structure.
Exercise. Sometimes we just need endorphones. Encourage your student to just
say “no” when their schedule is full, but make workout time a priority.
Eat Healthily. Encourage your student 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 burnout
Encourage your student to nd 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.
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BINGE DRINKING — As a parent, when your student is away from home for possibly the rst
time for this length, this might be a probing question: Is a college house party really lled with kegs
and drinking games as our pop culture tells us? Is this the exception rather than the rule?
Penn State professor Je 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 rst taste
of freedom. “I think that there is part of a normative
developmental experience of going away to college and
experimenting,” says Hayes. He continues, “They are pushing the boundaries for themselves.”
Additionally, Hayes says that those who do participate in binge drinking report not remembering
what happened the night before and feeling guilt or remorse after binge drinking. Many students who
binge drink do not see it as a problem. “I see a number of students in my private practice,” explains
Hayes, “and 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 parents, faculty
members, resident assistants, roommates, fraternity or sorority members,” says Hayes. “If you are
concerned about someone, expressing that concern, dicult though it may be, can put them on a path
STUDENT LIFE
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WARNING SIGNS OF AN ALCOHOL OR DRUG PROBLEM
• Developing a tolerance: needing increased amounts of the drug or alcohol to
reach desired eects
• Emotional changes: becoming more irritable, moody, fatigued
• Sleep disturbances: either a decreased need for sleep or diculty with
insomnia
• Changes in eating behaviors
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities in favor of spending more time
consuming alcohol and/or drugs
• Missing classes and not turning assignments in
• Neglecting personal hygiene
• Hanging out with a new and dierent group of friends
• Using any excuse to consume alcohol and/or drugs
• Conversations centering on being high and/or drunk
• Inability to stop using once started
• Inability to cut back or quit using
• Becoming secretive about their usage or using in secret
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?
Click here to view more information provided by School Leaders Involved in Drinking & Drug
Education (SLIDDE).
What is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking is dened as consuming 5 or more drinks for men and 3 or more drinks for women per
occasion. Moderate alcohol use is dened 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.
Read more about what constitutes binge drinking here. Read more about the eects of binge drinking
here.
If your student is struggling with problems due to alcohol, encourage them to visit the UL Lafayette Counseling
& Testing Center for information, counseling, and free alcohol and drug screenings. Click here for more
information on UL Lafayette’s drug and alcohol policy.
STUDENT LIFE
Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week: October 15 - October 18
Sponsored by UL SLIDDE
Tuesday, October 16 @ 10am-2pm: Go Cars & Sim. Bus! at Boucher Street
Wednesday, October 17 @ Noon-2pm: Free Glow Bracelets at Rex Street
Thursday, October 18 @ Noon-2pm: Free & Legal Jello-O Shots at Union Porch
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Academic Success Center
Lee Hall 115
337-482-6818
asc@louisiana.edu
The Writing Center
H.L. Griffin Hall 107-108
337-482-6447
Counsesling & Testing Center
Saucier Wellness Center
O.K. Allen Hall
337-482-6480
counseling@louisiana.edu
Office of Disability Services (ODS)
Agnes Edwards 126
337-482-5252
ods@louisiana.edu
Student Support Services
DeClouet Hall 106
337-482-6828
specialservices@louisiana.edu
Student Affairs Division
Martin Hall 211
337-482-6266
studentsaffairs@louisiana.edu
CAMPUS MAP
STUDENT LIFE
ROOMATE ISSUES — Many students have diculties
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 dierent 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:
A piece of advice to give to your student is simply to give it time. Remind your student that it is only
October and 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 a lot can change even in just a week or two
after discussing their problems with their roommates. Roommates don’t have to be a problem—often
they can be the opposite: a supporter, friend, condant, and study buddy, as long as communication is
open!
• 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 Stu
• Things to Consider Sharing with Your Roommate
• 10 Types of College Roomates & How to Cope
CAMPUS RESOURCES
IT’S CARE PACKAGE TIME! — Homesickness is a common feeling among college students.
After the initial excitement of living without parents and newfound freedom wears away, students
may 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, school
supplies, or anything that will bring a smile to their face and encourage them to push through hard
times! Students love getting mail! Click here to view more ideas for care packages!
PARENT ADVICE
NEW HOUSING APPLICATION
“Help your student register for classes! Teach them not to panic! Everything will be
okay. Two heads are better than one during registration. After that, your student will
be a pro at it.”
“Encourage your student to get involved in extra-curricular activities in order to
meet new people.”
“Have lunch or dinner one day with your student and see for yourself what a great
experience your student is having in this process of becoming an adult.”
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HOUSING APPLICATION OPEN —
The Housing Online Application is now
available for the Academic 2019-2020 school
year.
• The 2019-2020 Housing Application can be
found on your student’s ULINK account. Specic
instructions will be available through a portal
guide available on the housing website.
• Housing oers Roommate Groups which gives
the student the exibility to pick their roommates
and select a room preference.
• The sooner a student signs up for housing, the
better chances they will have of selecting their
desired room type.
• Please note that housing on campus requires
entering a 10-month legally binding contract with UL Housing that runs continuously from
August through May. It is not required for students to move out over the Winter break.
FROM PARENT TO PARENT —
Here is some advice from parents to parents
to help you and your student get through the
month of October.
“Continue to be involved in your student’s life without helicopter-ing. They still like
to know that you are there for them. Also, send them a care package! My daughter
was THRILLED when she got hers!”
“Encourage your student to focus on their studies and to attend their classes.”
FAFSA 2019-2020 — The application for the 2019-20 academic year is now open. Current
college freshmen and upperclassmen receiving nancial aid must re-apply each year by submitting
the FAFSA and any other forms required by their school. Parents, read this article from Collegiate
Parent regarding important 2019-2020 FAFSA and nancial aid updates: FAFSA/Financial Aid
Update.
STUDY ABROAD
THE OCTOBER STUDENT
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YOUR STUDENT IN OCTOBER —
During the month of October, students living
on campus will need to begin thinking about
where they want to live next year. The UL
Housing Application is open for next school year; visit the housing website for more information.
Academically, students may be going through mid-term exams or have just nished 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:
RAGIN’ CAJUNS GO GLOBAL —
The UL Study Abroad Program provide
students an opportunity to earn three to nine
course credit hours 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. If your student participates in
these programs, you will nd they will come
back with life changing experiences, certainly
having a much wider view of the world. We
have a sizable number of students who learned
and enjoyed their time abroad so much that
they participated a second time in a dierent
country. 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 specic destination’s program, please click the
corresponding ag on the right!
Contact Pat Mouillé, Study Abroad Coordinator,
at (337) 482-5438 or studyabroad@louisiana.
edu for more information or visit Student Union
Room 136.
Discuss their current living situation, highlighting the good and bad. If your student wants
to live o-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.
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.
Encourage your student to establish a budget— they may be having diculties with nances
as they are still trying to gure out the freedom of college living.
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FRESHMAN SPOTLIGHT
T
he Oce of First-Year Experience 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.
The October Student Spotlight is awarded to freshman Alyssa Trahan. Alyssa was the winner of our
September social media contest! She received a basket full of UL Lafayette goodies.
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Lee Hall 106
230 Hebrard Blvd.
M-TH 7:30-5; F 7:30-12:30
rstyear.louisiana.edu
ofye@louisiana.edu
337-482-6599
Alyssa Trahan
High School: Lafayette High
College Major: Nursing
Favorite Place on UL Campus: The library because it
is quiet and an easy place to study
Hobbies: Alyssa plays the violin in the UL Symphony
Orchestra
Favorite Thing About UL: Everyone is so friendly and
they want you to succeed
UNIV 100 Class: Design Activism