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Clarkson University

A Parent’s Guide

Brought to you by Student Life & Engagement

studentengagement@clarkson.edu facebook.com/clarksonstudentlife twitter.com/clarksonstulife

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Table of Contents Important Numbers & Information ........................................................................................... 3

Important Phone Numbers .................................................................................................. 5

Social Media ...................................................................................................................... 6

Speaking the Lingo ............................................................................................................. 7

Campus Life .......................................................................................................................... 8

Top Ten Tips from Students for Parents .................................................................................. 9

Greek Life ........................................................................................................................ 10

Student Center ................................................................................................................. 11

Residence Life & Housing ................................................................................................. 12

Roommates .................................................................................................................. 13

How Will My Student Eat? ................................................................................................. 15

Athletics & Recreation ...................................................................................................... 17

Career Center .................................................................................................................. 19

Study Abroad & Exchange ............................................................................................. 21

Student Health & Counseling Center..................................................................................... 22

Student Health Services ................................................................................................... 22

Counseling Center ............................................................................................................ 23

Alcohol ............................................................................................................................. 25

Student Success Center ....................................................................................................... 27

First-Year Advising ........................................................................................................... 28

Accommodative Services .................................................................................................. 29

Tutoring Services ............................................................................................................. 30

Technology .......................................................................................................................... 31

Transportation ..................................................................................................................... 32

The University Bookstore ..................................................................................................... 33

Parents Association ............................................................................................................. 34

Family/Homecoming Weekend ............................................................................................. 35

Calendar.............................................................................................................................. 36

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Dear Parents,

Welcome to the family at Clarkson University! We know

that you have been an integral part of your student’s

journey so far and we want you to feel that as they travel

through the many phases of their Clarkson experience,

that you will also be part of the Clarkson continuum.

The team has put together this wonderful compilation of

information to assist you along the way, but recognize

that we can’t answer every question you may have

within this document. Please do not hesitate to reach

out when you feel the need, but always encourage your

student to reach out as well!

On behalf of the team in Student Affairs and Alumni

Relations, thank you for being part of our family!

Kathryn Johnson

Vice President for University Outreach and Student Affairs

Steve Newkofsky

Dean of Students/Associate VP for Alumni Relations

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Important Numbers & Information

Contacting Students and University Officials Clarkson’s telephone Switchboard can be reached at (315) 268-6400. This line is staffed 24 hours a day 365 days a year. We encourage you to program this direct number into your phone.

Emergency Telephone Calls If there is an emergency and you are having difficulty reaching your student please call the Office of Campus Safety and Security at 315-268-6666. Campus Safety and Security will do their best to locate your student.

Emergency Alert Notification System Clarkson uses a text alert notification system for which all students have the option of signing up. In the case of an emergency on campus or affecting the Potsdam area, students will receive text messages and emails. A notification will also be posted to the Clarkson.edu homepage.

Safety on Campus Clarkson is a walking campus, and 13 “blue light” phone systems are located throughout campus and provide rapid push button contact with emergency response 24 hours a day. The campus is also patrolled by nine full time Safety and Security officers.

Knight Watch (University Tip Line) Knight Watch is an anonymous tip reporting tool for all students and staff. Designed to work with mobile technologies, all students are encouraged to report anything suspicious they may see on campus. The tip line is monitored 24/7 and a trained security officer will respond to the student.

Release of Educational Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords student

certain rights with respect to their educational records. The University is generally prohibited

from providing certain information such as grades, invoices, financial aid, and other student

record information. Your student, at their discretion, may grant the University permission to

release information to you by submitting a completed Student Information Release Authorization

form to Student Administrative Services. This form is available to your students on their

PeopleSoft To Do List.

Sending Mail

While email may be a great way to stay connected with your student, your student will also

receive a mailbox on campus. Sending letters and care packages from home always provides a

welcome lift to anyone's spirits.

The address to mail a letter or package to your student is: Student Name Clarkson University CU Box four digit number specific to them (ex: 8764) 10 Clarkson Ave Potsdam, New York 13699 U.S.A.

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Important Phone Numbers

Accommodative Services……………………. .315-268-7643

Admissions Office…………………………….. .315-268-6480

Campus Dining (Aramark)……………………315-268-3816

Campus Safety & Security…………….......... 315-268-6666

Career Center ………………………………… 315-268-6477

Counseling Center……………………………. 315-268-2327

Dean of Students……………………………... 315-268-6620

First-Year Advising…………………………… 315-268-3948

Institute for Sustainable Environment………. 315-268-3856

Residence Life………………………………… 315-268-6451

School of Arts & Sciences…………………… 315-268-6544

School of Business…………………………… 315-268-2300

Service Center………………………………...315-238-6700

Student Administrative Services…………….315-268-6451

Student Health Center……………………….. 315-268-6633

Student Mailroom…………………………….. 315-268-6416

Student Life & Engagement…………………. 315-268-6680

Student Organizations……………………….. 315-268-2345

Student Success Center…………………….. 315-268-2209

University Bookstore…………………………. 315-268-3862

Vice President of Student Affairs…………... 315-268-3943

Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering… 315-268-6446

To find additional resources for parents, please go to

www.clarkson.edu/parents. For further information or help, call

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University Outreach and Student Affairs at (315) 315-268-3943.

Social Media

Social media is a fun, exciting and creative way to stay in touch and connect with Clarkson.

When you visit Clarkson, make sure to mention us (@ClarksonUniv) in your Tweets and

Instagram photos and we may repost them onto our accounts! We will be staging a series of

university-wide photo, video and hashtag contests throughout 2013-2014, so be sure to follow

us on Twitter and Instagram @ClarksonUniv and on Facebook at Clarkson University!

At Clarkson, your student has the freedom to represent themselves as they see fit. Encourage

your student to be mindful of what they post. Clarkson is the beginning step as they prepare for

a career and your student needs to know that what they post online now shapes how others

perceive them; employers often check social media when screening job candidates.

At Clarkson, we strive to create a community where all students, faculty and staff feel welcome

and respected. That community extends to social media, so we expect your student will not post

anything that could potentially hurt, insult or harass others on campus. With all the opportunities

to remain anonymous online, some believe they can post and face no consequences, but all

social media activity can leave trails that will eventually lead their way back to the author of the

post. Encourage your student to speak up if they see something: contact the Dean of Students

Office if you see social media posts materialize that harass or insult members of the Clarkson

community.

One of Clarkson’s mottos is “Technology Serving Humanity”: let’s utilize these amazing social

media outlets to have fun and put the best versions of ourselves out there for the rest of the

world to see! Below is a list of some Clarkson social media sites.

Clarkson University Facebook: Clarkson University Instagram: @clarksonuniversity

Twitter: @ClarksonUniv Clarkson Athletics Twitter: @ClarksonUSports

Clarkson Career Center Facebook: Clarkson University CareerCenter Twitter: @cucareer

Clarkson Dining:

Facebook: Clarkson University Dining Clarkson Library

Facebook: Clarkson University Libraries

Clarkson Student Life Facebook: Clarkson Student Life Twitter @clarksonStuLife

Clarkson Class of 2017 Facebook

Many academic departments also maintain their own Facebook and Twitter accounts.

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Speaking the Lingo Clarkson is a whole new world that for the next four years you will have a chance to learn all about. To help you

“speak Clarkson” a little bit better, here is a quick snapshot of commonly used acronyms. AC Area Coordinator (full-time live-in staff who oversee RDs &

RAs)

Aero Aeronautical engineer

ARAMARK Campus dining service CAMP Center for Advanced Materials Processing (Engineering

building)

ChemE Chemical engineer

CivE Civil engineer Concrete Café Food service area in 3rd floor Science Center CU Clarkson University

CU and Me Website for accepted students: www.clarkson.edu/cuandme

CUB Clarkson Union Board (campus programming board) CUPO Community of Underrepresented Professional Opportunities

CUSA Clarkson University Student Association

CUSB Clarkson University School of Business

DB Declining Balance: money on ID card used to purchase food Dead Week Week of studying before final exams

E&M Engineering and Management

ERC Educational Resource Center (library and Student Affairs offices)

FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam Forum Videowall and stairs/seating in Student Center

FYS First Year Seminar (mandatory class for freshmen)

Healthy Pantry Food service area in Hamlin Powers

Hill Campus Portion of Clarkson University on the "hill" (Clarkson Avenue) IRC Indoor Recreational Center- includes Fieldhouse & Alumni Gym

ISE Institute for a Sustainable Environment

ISO International Student Organization

ISSO International Students and Scholars Office Java Java City

Late Knight Series of fun/social events on Friday/Saturday nights

MechE Mechanical engineer

Moodle Online classroom- used in FYS MPRs Multi-Purpose Rooms- located on top floor of Student Center

New Dorms Graham and Price Hall

New Snell B.H. Snell (academic building)

O Chem Organic Chemistry OIT Office of Information Technology

Old Snell Downtown campus- includes theater

P Chem Physical Chemistry

PeopleSoft Database to enroll in classes, view grades, etc. Pod POD- campus convenience store on lower level of Student Center Quad Reynolds, Brooks, Ross, and Cubley residence halls

RA Resident Advisor

RD Resident Director (student staff who oversee RAs) Ro Bro Ross Brooks Dining Hall

SAS Student Administrative Services

Servery Food service area in Student Center

SPEED Student Projects for Engineering Experience and Design SSC Student Success Center

State SUNY Potsdam

TAC Technology Advancement Center

Walker Walker Arena (next to Kinney) WCKN Clarkson Television Station

WiSE Women in Science and Engineering (theme floor)

WTSC Clarkson radio station "91.1 The Source"

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Campus Life

Clarkson is a residential campus, so during the first couple of weeks, students are encouraged to join a club or organization, take part in campus programs, and work out at the fitness center. We want your student to make the most of their college experience while keeping a healthy balance between school and activities. Clarkson staff and students work hard to develop programming for and with students. The CUSA Office, located in the Student Center, is the number one place to find out about one of the 90+ organizations to join; a complete list is available at http://www.clarkson.edu/campus_life/clubs/index.html. Additionally, a Student Activities fair is held each fall during the first week of classes. All student organizations are governed by the Clarkson University Student Association (CUSA). Joining an organization is a great way for your student to meet new people, gain leadership skills, build your resume, and become an active member of the Clarkson community. If nothing on the list interests your student, they can create their own organization. ERC Suite 1100 is home to the Vice President for University Outreach and Student Affairs, Dean of Students, Residence Life, and Student Life and Engagement. This can be your student’s first stop for finding information about campus housing, Family/Homecoming Weekend activities, Late Knight events, and volunteering.

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Top Ten Tips from Students

for Parents

Tip 1: Trust us! You have spent the last 18 years raising us; trust that while we might make mistakes,

we will learn from them, and we are growing up. Tip 2: Don’t ask if we want to come home or are

homesick. We might not even be thinking about it until you suggest it, and then it will be all we think about. We might not say it, but we do miss you and

are trying our best to focus on adjusting to college life.

Tip 3: Let us solve our own problems. We don’t need you calling our professors/ Clarkson staff unless we ask you to.

Tip 4: Don’t worry (too much) about frantic phone calls. Be patient, support us and reassure us as we adjust to the challenges of college academics. By the time we hang up, we have probably moved on already.

Tip: Encourage us to utilize all the FREE services that Clarkson offers: tutoring, writing center, counseling, over 90 clubs, and much more are offered at CU.

Tip: Ask us questions (but not too many) and listen to what we say. Tip 7: Work with us to find friends in our town or neighboring towns that are going to

Clarkson as well, or are already attending. The carpooling for breaks and holidays will come in handy!

Tip 8: Help us handle the stress of college by sending a pick-me-up care package or card to our campus mailbox.

Tip 9: Plan on visiting us on major event weekends like Family/Homecoming weekend, and make your hotel reservations early! Potsdam is only so big, and you definitely don’t want to stay in our residence hall room.

Tip 10: Accept and understand that visits home will be different from now on. We get used to completely different habits and lifestyle while at college. It just means we are

adjusting well!

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Greek Life

Clarkson is home to a rich and dynamic history of fraternity and sorority life. Thirteen different national and local fraternities and sororities have recognized chapters on campus. Fraternities and Sororities organize activities that embrace the academic mission of the University and create an environment of responsible leadership and service. Joining: Female students are eligible to join second semester of their first year and male students are eligible to join as sophomores OR to join organizations who have received special permission to recruit second semester first-year students. All students wishing to join must have at least a 2.5 minimum GPA. Students who choose to participate in recruitment activities are under no obligation to join the fraternity and sorority system. At the end of the recruitment period, the chapters extend formal written invitations (bids). If a student chooses to accept the bid, then he/she is affiliated with that chapter. Once a student decides to accept a bid from a chapter, he or she is oriented through meetings, philanthropic service, social events, and study sessions. This new member period may not last more than five weeks, as stipulated by Clarkson regulations, and programs are structured so as to not interfere with academic responsibilities. New member education is designed to be informative and fun, because physical and mental hazing is not tolerated at Clarkson or under New York State law. Housing: Each chapter has different housing options, and different requirements. Some groups live in Clarkson residence halls, others in houses owned and operated by the chapters themselves and still other groups live in fraternity houses owned by the University. Chapters with their own houses commonly run their own meal plans, either with a paid cook or members themselves preparing meals. Clarkson provides off-campus Greek housing approvals to academically eligible students.

RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATIONS Fraternities Sororities

Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity Delta Zeta Sorority Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. Omicron Pi Omicron* Phi Sigma Sigma Fraternity Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity Sigma Chi Fraternity Sigma Delta* Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity Zeta Nu* *Local Organizations

Fraternity and sorority life, however, is not for everyone. We encourage you to discuss this with your student to help to decide what is right for them and also to support their decision. If you have additional questions about Greek Life please contact the Student Organizations Office 315-268-2345.

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Student Center

The 56,000 square foot Student Center in the middle of campus is a place where students can come to spend time between classes, eat meals, study, hold meetings and late night events. There are a variety of lounges and spaces with comfortable chairs and tables for studying and relaxing. In addition, meeting rooms are available for group meetings and other activities. Unique to Clarkson is the Forum, an innovative auditorium in the form of a stairwell equipped with a massive video wall (you have to see it to believe it). The space is often used for large events such as lectures, showcases, comedians, and pre-released movie showings.

Besides being a great place to connect with classmates, the Student Center is the home of many services and organizations on campus. On the lower level, your student can access the Mail Room and their student mailbox. Or, they can head over to the POD Store to pick up convenience items, listen to and watch the campus radio and TV station or write an article for the school newspaper. On the ground level of the Student Center you will be able to visit the Student Center Information Desk, the Clarkson University Student Association (CUSA) and Student Organizations office, Java City, Bar 9 in the Brilbeck Tavern, and even make withdrawals through our North Country Savings Bank ATM. On this level you will find the traditional game room with Pool, Darts, Foosball, Bubble Hockey and Ping Pong. Games are all free for student usage. The upper floor of the Student Center houses our largest dining facility on campus as well as our Multipurpose Rooms (MPRs).

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Residence Life & Housing

ERC Suite 1107 Phone: 315-268-6642 Fax: 315-268-7710 http://www.clarkson.edu/residencelife/ Clarkson is a residential University. Implicit is the belief that the

residential experience plays a vital role in the overall education and

development of all students. Residence Life at Clarkson seeks to

establish an enriching living-learning community that supports the

main mission of the University, especially in the areas of creating

academic excellence, promoting diversity, and alumni engagement.

The residential program for first-year students is designed to facilitate

a healthy and positive transition to Clarkson. Each student is expected

to exhibit behavior reflecting responsible citizenship, integrity and

acceptance. To provide each and every student with the best housing

experience, the Residence Life Office strives to provide information on

all topics and meet the needs of the students. Most first-year students

will be housed in the Quad (Reynolds, Brooks, Ross and Cubley), or in

Hamlin-Powers. First-year students are assigned a roommate, and

their room. After the first year, students can choose their roommate

and will go through Housing Lottery to select their room. Students are

required to live on campus all four years unless they meet an

exemption requirment.

All rooms on campus are wired for internet and cable. All come with extra long twin mattress

and laundry facilities are located in a central location for each complex. The machines are high

efficiency and laundry is free. Please make sure when packing you check our list of what items

to bring and what items are prohibited in campus housing:

http://www.clarkson.edu/residencelife/halls/checklist.html

For many students, moving to college is the first time they will be living away from home and

sharing space with people who may be different than them. Each student is expected to follow

all housing regulations. The policies are available online at:

http://www.clarkson.edu/studentaffairs/regulations/ix.html

Additionally, roommate conflicts may arise; the Residence Life staff is trained in how to facilitate

roommate conflict mediations. As a parent who may be hearing your student complain about

their roommate, encourage your student to talk directly to their roommate. Encourage your

student to discuss issues of borrowing items, sleep and study schedules, and alcohol use early

in the living-together experience.

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Roommates

Your student will most likely be living in a double room, with someone they have never met before, and who may be different than they are. Some roommates will be the best of friends, some will simply peaceably coexist, some will be night and day, and a few will actively try to switch rooms. This is all OK; roommates don’t need to be best friends. Here are some suggested DOs and DON’Ts for parents to help with roommates: DOs

Be friendly to your student’s roommate and their family.

Suspend any preconceived notions you may have (based on the student’s appearance, information on Facebook, etc.)

Encourage your student to be a good neighbor and to communicate directly with the roommate if there are any issues.

Be mindful of roommates whose parents may not be able to attend Family Weekend and include the roommate in activities or dinner with you if you will be there for Family Weekend.

DON’Ts Get involved in roommate disagreements. Let

the students work things out for themselves. Tell your student what you would do to fix a

roommate (or any other) problem. Instead, ask your student questions like “What do you think you will do?” or “What options do you have?” This will help the student learn to think for him/herself – and will build confidence in their own problem-solving skills.

Contact the roommate’s parents to report on the roommate’s activities. This never ends well, and only causes animosity between the roommates.

Forget to send frequent care packages to your student – and add enough to share with their roommate!

However, if after you have dropped off your student, meet your students’ roommate, and your student has settled into life at Clarkson you get an email, text, or phone call saying, “I hate my roommate!” Here is how we recommend you help: How families can respond We suggest the following steps for parents and guardians:

Listen to your student. Let him or her explain the problems and vent frustrations.

Ask your student, “Does your roommate know what is bothering you? Have you talked with them about it?”

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If the answer is “no,” talk with your student about how to have that difficult conversation. Remind them to attack the conflict and how they feel instead of the roommate.

•RIGHT: “I feel we have different ideas about how clean this room should be. Can we try to compromise?" •WRONG: "You are one disgusting slob and I can't stand living with you in this pigpen!”

If the answer is “yes,” ask your student, “Have you talked with your RA, RD or AC?” Residence Life has full-time, professional area coordinators (ACs) along with student staff – resident advisors (RAs) or resident directors (RDs) who live in the student residential building. All are trained and experienced in mediating roommate conflicts.

Suggest your student work with their roommate to fill out a roommate agreement. The

agreement helps roommates talk through subjects that may cause conflicts, such as noise level,

bed time, cleanliness and guests, and agree on boundaries and expectations early on.

Remember the roommate conflict is theirs to solve, not yours.

The Role of Residence Life in a Roommate Conflict Students who need help with a roommate conflict can talk with a Residence Life staff member to vent frustrations, get ideas on how to approach the other roommate, or ask for direct help in resolving the problems. When a professional staff member gets directly involved, we use the following approach:

We will not take sides. Our job is to work toward a mediated resolution.

If the roommates cannot resolve their differences, we may facilitate a room change.

Sometimes the roommate who has tried to compromise and resolve disagreements will need to make the decision to move.

If a room change is the next step, we will provide all possible options. However, it is the responsibility of the student who is moving to meet prospective new roommates and inform the office of his or her decision.

Residence Life staff members are put in an unsolvable dilemma when a parent contacts us for help, but asks that their student not be told they called. Options for us to talk with your student without letting them know you called are very, very limited.

We hope no families experience the “I hate my roommate!” conversation. But if you do, Clarkson has resources to assist your student. We are here to help every student thrive, succeed, and enjoy college life to the fullest.

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How Will My Student Eat? ClarksonDining@ARAMARK.com Phone: 315-268-3816 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ClarksonDining Dining Website: www.Clarkson.CampusDish.com Many parents are worried about how and where their student will eat. At Clarkson, campus dining is an integral part of the college experience and strives to make your student’s dining experience memorable and enjoyable. Our goal is to provide Clarkson students with a variety of healthy food in a fun atmosphere while accommodating fast-paced schedules, fluctuating life-styles and different preferences and nutritional needs at one of six on-campus locations. Five different flexible meal-plan options are available to help your student adjust to changing eating habits and daily schedules throughout your students’ years on campus. All first year students are highly recommended to have The Golden Knight meal plan to ensure they have breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week throughout the semester. Prior to spring semester, the Dining Office can pull a usage report to show how many meals were used and determine if another plan is more suitable. Students have the first 2 weeks of every semester to change their meal plan. Terms: Declining Balance (DB) – Dining dollars that you can spend at any campus dining location. You can add

on DB at any time. It rolls over from fall to spring semester and can be used through May graduation. Board Meals - Meals that reset each week on Saturday mornings. Can be used to enter the dining hall

for an all-you-care-to-eat meal or as a “meal equivalency” swipe at designated retail dining venues. Block Meals – A number of meals that decline as they are used during the semester. Can be used to

enter the dining hall for an all-you-care-to-eat meal or as a “meal equivalency” swipe at designated retail dining venues.

Students can check the amount of meals and declining balance they have left at any cash register or in the Dining Office, located on the main floor of Cheel Campus Center. Knight Card is also accepted at all of our dining locations.

Meal Plan Options The Golden Knight

21 board meals per week & $25 in DB The All Northern

200 block meals & $75 in DB Platinum Dining

150 block meals & $225 in DB The Sandstoner

7 board meals per week ,50 block meals & $275 in DB Emerald Dining

5 board meals per week, 20 block meals & $425 in DB

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Locations

Student Center Servery (Upper level of the Student Center)

A made-to-order retail location including stations with grill favorites, pasta, Panini sandwiches, soup, salad, pizza and International grill entrées. Choose something new every day!

Monday – Sunday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm Java City Café (First floor of the Student Center)

Java City is a café offering a wide variety of hot, cold, and blended specialty beverages, pastries, grab and go salads, sandwiches and snacks.

Monday - Sunday 7:30 am – 8:00 pm P.O.D. Market (Lower level of the Student Center)

A campus grocery store where you can purchase snacks, beverages, frozen meals, F’real milkshakes, rotisserie chicken, toiletries and more.

Monday thru Sunday 10:00 am - Midnight Ross-Brooks (Residential Dining Hall)

Ross-Brooks is an all-you-care-to-eat dining hall which offers a variety of cutting-edge American entrées, ethnically inspired foods, and vegetarian selections. Enjoy home-cooked favorites, grilled sandwiches, fresh burgers, specialty fries, pizza, Panini’s, soup, salad, desserts and more.

Open Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 8:00 pm & Saturday and Sunday 9:00am - 8:00 pm Ross-Brooks Late Night

The grill offers a variety of grilled sandwiches, fresh burgers, and specialty fries. Enjoy pizza, rolletos, appetizers, wings, milkshakes and smoothies.

Don’t want to leave your room? No problem, Late Night delivers! Ross-Brooks Late Night accepts Cash, Declining Balance, KnightCard, MasterCard & Visa.

Monday - Sunday (Late Night) 9:00 pm – 1:00 am Main Street Café (Main floor of Cheel Arena)

The Main Street Café food court offers several different options. Subway® will make you a world famous sub and the Main Street Grill will be cooking up a variety of specialty burgers, free range chicken and more. "The Smokehouse" has home-style foods such as carved meats, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables. For those looking for a lighter meal, Main Street offers homemade soups, specialty salads, sandwiches and snacks, all available to-go for those on the run. Entrepreneur Coffee is proudly brewed here.

Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 8:00 pm Concrete Café (Third floor Science Center)

Choose from homemade soup, gourmet sandwiches and salads, fruit and cheese or a great cup of Entrepreneur Coffee!

Monday - Thursday 7:30 am - 3:00 pm, Friday 7:30 am – 2:00 pm The Healthy Pantry (Located in Hamlin-Powers)

A convenient café living in Hamlin-Powers or walking to and from downtown Potsdam. Enjoy a variety of grab-n-go breakfast and lunch items, including specialty sandwiches, salads, fruit, cheese, yogurt and homemade desserts. Entrepreneur Coffee is proudly brewed here.

Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 2:00 pm *Meal Plan is accepted at all locations except Java City, P.O.D. Market and Ross-Brooks Late Night.

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Athletics & Recreation

http://www.clarkson.edu/campus_life/athletics/index.html Clarkson owns a rich, competitive athletic tradition with nationally recognized NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey teams, and 18 Division III sports. All athletic events are free to students with a Clarkson student ID and parents always look forward to the Family Weekend hockey game (look for details on how to get tickets in early September). Clarkson’s greatest rival is neighboring St. Lawrence University. We encourage you to join your student at any athletic competition and cheer on the Golden Knights!

Club Sports Many students who were involved in athletics in high school or would like to try a new sport will join a club sport. Club sports are for those students who want more than intramurals. Club Sports teams are student run and student organized, and are overseen by CUSA. Club Sports are a great way to gain leadership skills, meet new people and have fun! Please visit the CUSA website (http://www.clarkson.edu/cusa/clubs.html) to see what current teams are active and to find contact information regarding tryouts.

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Intramurals Our fiercely fun, not-so-competitive intramural teams attract more than 80 percent of Clarkson students. Show off your stick work in roller hockey, shoot hoops in the pool with water basketball or score a touchdown in touch football. Clarkson intramural teams compete in soccer, football, broomball, 3-on-3 basketball, 5-on-5 basketball, ice hockey, volleyball and indoor soccer. Indoor Recreation Center (IRC) Whether you're a tennis player, a jogger or enjoy taking fitness classes, Clarkson offers a variety of facilities to ensure that there is something for everyone. The Indoor Recreation Center houses

A Gym

25 meter swimming pool

Indoor track

Field house for tennis, volleyball, or basketball

Racquetball courts

Weight room

Fitness Center, with full assortment of cardiovascular machines

Fitness classes including yoga, Zumba, and aikido

Outdoor Recreation The campus offers miles of trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing through woodlands and wetlands. It also provides easy access to the mountains, rivers and lakes of the nearly six-million acre Adirondack Park wilderness. Year-round recreation opportunities range from backpacking, biking and skiing to mountain hiking, camping, fishing, boating and swimming. Kayaking, canoeing and river rafting are also popular, and our students regularly go on expeditions for rock climbing and caving. Whether it’s the Ski Club, Bike Club or the Outing Club, Clarkson students are always planning an adventure. Excursions near and far will enable your student to take advantage of all the outdoor recreational possiblities available in their spectacular environment. Clarkson maintains a commitment to good health and fitness, and supports social and recreational interactions while offering students the opportunity to develop athletic skills in an equitable manner.

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Career Center

ERC Suite 2300 Phone: 315-268-6477 career@clarkson.edu Fax: 315-268-7616 www.clarkson.edu/career Facebook: Clarkson University Career Center Twitter: @cucareer Linked in: Clarkson University-Career Center Website: www.clarkson.edu/career

First-Year Parents

Students in their first semester are adjusting to college; many first year students will spend the

whole first year just adjusting to college. It is okay if they don’t come into the Career Center

during their first semester. Any student is welcome to come by any time, but often second

semester of their first year is an excellent time for students to begin working with Career Center

representatives.

As the parent of a first-year student:

Affirm to them what you know to be the talents and strengths your student has

consistently demonstrated.

Support them as they discover new interest and new ideas.

Talk with your student on a regular basis about the classes they are excelling in and the

activities they are enjoying.

Suggest becoming involved in on campus activities.

Encourage the taking of an MBTI Assessment to help identify skills and strengths.

Remind your student about creating their KnightLink profile.

96% of Clarkson graduates are working in their field of study one year after graduation

Career Services provides assistance in discovering self-awareness of interests, values and talents through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Hosts two on-campus and two virtual career fairs each year, bringing over a hundred employers to campus.

Encourage exploration of future career paths through job shadow, mentoring, company visits

Assists with finding internship, co-op, projects, regional career experiences

Facilitates mock interviews and resume development

Maintains KnightLink, an online career resource for all Clarkson students

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Sophomore Parents

During the second year of college is the opportunity to explore different career options for their

major. This is the time to plan if your student is going to study abroad, and begin to look for co-

ops/internships. Sophomore year is a great year to explore different career paths by job

shadowing, informational interviewing and networking.

As the parent of a second-year student:

Suggest the updating of your student’s KnightLink profile.

Recommend your student meet with the Career Center to discuss goals.

Advise your student to explore studying abroad or an exchange program.

Advise your student to explore applying for a co-op or internship.

Support networking and career shadowing to help your student focus their options.

If your student is struggling with deciding a major or career, encourage them to “Break

for Careers” spending Spring Break career exploring.

Encourage the taking of leadership positions in clubs and organizations.

Junior Parents

In the third year of college it is important for students to begin seriously thinking about their

career, and what they will want to do after college. Work experience is essential and during

junior year many students will need to be applying for internships and/or co-ops, deciding which

type of experience is right for them and their field. Students may also choose to study abroad or

complete an exchange program.

As the parent of a third-year student:

Recommend your student meet with The Career Center to discuss individual goals.

If your student decided to study abroad, support them as they may return with new ideas

on what they would like to do.

Encourage them to attend the Career Fairs.

If your student is interested in graduate school, now is the time to begin researching

options and studying for placement exams between summer of Junior and Senior Year.

Parents of Graduating Seniors

In your student’s final year, job searching and interviewing become a top priority. It is also when

many students have taken on leadership roles on campus, are conducting research with faculty

or are participating in a co-op that may be far from campus. Your student may begin to feel very

overwhelmed with the pressures of academics, and the job/grad school search.

As the parent of a graduating senior:

If your student asks you to “step back” or says “enough,” take the advice and step back.

Your student is capable to do the work on their own, and they need to.

Advise them to visit the Career Center for resume review and mock interview practice.

Offer to share information or job postings you may have found.

Resist the urge to intervene on your student’s behalf at any point of the job or graduate

school search.

Be prepared to support your student through the ups and downs of the job and graduate

school search. Encourage them to persevere!

Encourage them to be ethical in accepting a job offer.

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Study Abroad & Exchange

http://www.clarkson.edu/career/students/study_exchange/ Studying Abroad or completing an Exchange program can be an excellent opportunity to embrace another culture and have a life-changing global experience. The International Study Abroad/Exchange Program provides all undergraduate students with the opportunity to study and live in another country and culture for a semester or a full year. Clarkson partners with over 30 study abroad programs in 16 countries to closely match the academic and cultural needs of students. There are also short-term program options, usually three weeks in length, which students can select if going abroad for a semester or a full year is not feasible. Typically, students begin to apply during their sophomore year to study abroad during junior year. We recommend if your student is interested to start researching and planning early. Students must have a 3.0 GPA to study abroad. Students who plan ahead and work with the Career Center and their academic advisor are able to graduate in four years. Because each academic program is different and each student’s financial situation is different , we encourage your student to plan ahead and to check with their SAS representative, their academic program and the Career Center as early as possible in order to meet your student’s goals. If your student is ready to study abroad, encourage them to visit the Career Center to get started.

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Student Health & Counseling Center

Student Health Services

Educational Resource Center Suite 1300 Phone: 315-268-6633 Fax: 315-268-6448 http://www.clarkson.edu/healthcenter/forms.html The University has a partnership with Canton-Potsdam Hospital (CPH) in which CPH provides professional staffing and services at the University’s Student Health & Counseling Center. Through this partnership, students enjoy a comprehensive health care program and the broad professional capacities provided by the hospital and its highly trained staff. All full-time undergraduate and graduate students who have paid a facility fee are eligible to visit the Health Center. CPH provides clinical services including:

Basic medical care

Preventative care

General physicals for student related activities (additional charge)

Limited urgent care

Students also have access to CPH’s state of the art lab services Most routine visits to the Health Center are free of charge, with the exception of physicals, STD testing, immunizations, and flu vaccines. Blood work and x-rays are performed at Canton-Potsdam Hospital. If a prescription is necessary, the student can have it filled at any local pharmacy. The closest to campus is Kinney Drugs. Other local pharmacies are Wal-Mart and Walgreens which are within two miles of Clarkson University. After-hours non-emergency medical attention is directed to Canton-Potsdam Hospital Afterhours Clinic located in Canton, NY (approximately 10 miles from campus) located in the EJ Noble building. If emergency treatment is necessary, Canton-Potsdam Hospital is located on 50 Leroy Street Potsdam.

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Counseling Center

Educational Resource Center Suite 1300 Phone: 315-268-2327 http://www.clarkson.edu/counseling/ Clarkson University Counseling Services assists students in reaching their full potential for social and emotional development. Counseling is a proactive way to manage challenges and difficulties, gain perspective, and take responsibility for one's emotional welfare. Our services are confidential and offered at no additional cost. Students seek counseling for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to:

Relationship issues Loss and bereavement Body image and eating disorders Anxiety Abuse, dependency and addiction Academic struggles Adjustment to change Sexual assault or harassment Depression Self-esteem

Sexuality

*All counseling services are available to all enrolled full and part-time students. During the academic year, counseling is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Suggestions on how to help your child on the college adjustment process Most students experience some difficulty in adjustment when entering the college environment. Don't panic. Listen carefully to concerns and complaints, recognizing three things:

1. There may be other ways of looking at things, so keep an open mind.

2. After kids have a chance to "vent" their frustrations and fears, they often leave things behind. A few minutes after they're off the phone with you, and while you're getting more and more worried, they may be feeling much better.

3. Take your time; involve Clarkson University staff early on and don't act hastily or

without being fully informed on all aspects of a situation. Encourage your student to seek assistance from the resources available on campus. Let them set up appointments with Clarkson University staff members, their faculty members, the Counseling Center, Student Success Center, Health Center, etc. If you are concerned that they may not be following through sufficiently, and want to make a call to campus personnel yourself, it is a good idea to talk that over with your daughter or son before doing so. S/he may prefer that you not do so, and even if you decide you are going to make a call anyway, it is important for your student to be informed of that. During their first year at Clarkson University, or any university setting for that matter, students sometimes allow fears of parental disapproval -- real or imagined -- to inhibit their academic explorations. It is important to make it clear that you have confidence in your son’s or daughter's abilities to explore new opportunities while improving knowledge in existing areas of interest. This can be a time of exploring new educational horizons. There will be times when you are not happy about something going on in your student's social or academic life. Telephone disagreements can leave everyone feeling upset and demoralized.

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It can sometimes be helpful to gather information first, and then take some time to think and sort through it all. Decide what your reactions are, how fair they are, and how strong a stand you really want to take. Then re-establish contact and talk the issues through in as calm and reasonable way as you can. Enlist help from our staff if you feel that it might be useful, but don't necessarily expect us to be able to persuade your son or daughter to see things only your way. Having usually been accustomed to parental care, students often have a tendency to "tough it out" when they are ill or exhausted. Encourage your student to take advantage of health and counseling services early, rather than risking their own or others' health. Expect that there will be low times for everyone, and particularly stressful periods of time. Try to be as supportive, loving, and patient as possible at such times, reassuring your son or daughter -- and yourself -- that there can be plenty to be learned from such times. Life takes unexpected twists and turns; people do not always behave as we might have hoped or expected. Letters and care packages from home always provide a welcome lift to anyone's spirits.

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Alcohol

We take every part of the Clarkson experience very seriously, and we have implemented a comprehensive prevention program to help our students make the safest, healthiest decisions possible. AlcoholEdu® for College, is a 1.5-2.5 hour, Web-based alcohol prevention program being used at more than 500 colleges and universities around the country. The program uses the latest prevention techniques and science-based research to educate students about the impact of alcohol on the mind and body. Whether or not your child drinks alcohol, AlcoholEdu for College will empower your student to make well-informed decisions about alcohol and help him or her better cope with the drinking behavior of peers. Every incoming first-year student will be required to take AlcoholEdu for College and pass the course exam. We will be communicating directly with your student regarding the information and instructions he/she needs to complete this course. To help ensure that your student meets this requirement, please remind your son or daughter that all students must complete it prior to arriving on campus. The release date is July 15 and they will be notified by email. While we are committed to making a difference with our students, we also understand that parents are the first line of defense against alcohol misuse and abuse. That’s why we are making the students’ course available for parents to review to help you open a dialogue about alcohol with your son or daughter. If you choose to review the course, instructions are attached. If you have taken AlcoholEdu for High School, we still encourage you to participate in this program, as it does address this stage of your student’s life. As part of AlcoholEdu for College, there are survey questions as well as knowledge exams. We hope you find it helpful to see the types of questions they are faced with during the program; however, please note that it is not essential for you to respond to the questions while taking AlcoholEdu for College. We are confident that AlcoholEdu for College will help ensure your students success at Clarkson and in the future. If you have any questions on the programming that we at Clarkson University offer, please feel free to contact me. AlcoholEdu for College Parent Directions: Parents Only To take AlcoholEdu for College, you will need a computer with internet access and audio capabilities.

1. Go to: http://college.alcoholedu.com 2. Please review the minimum technical requirements available at the bottom of the 1. AlcoholEdu for College login page. 2. Under New User enter the following Login ID that applies to you:

Parents ONLY P190044PARENT We will be providing the student login beginning July 15.

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3. Click “Sign Up” and follow the on-screen prompts. 4. You may log in and out of the course at the end of each section. Section ends are

marked with a “Next” button. DO NOT log out until you click the “Next” button or you will have to repeat the section you have just gone through.

5. When you return, log in as a Returning User and enter the same email address and password you created when you first logged into the course.

6. As a reminder, AlcoholEdu for College includes several survey questions as well as knowledge exams. We hope you find it helpful to see the types of questions your child is faced with during the program; however, please note that it is not essential for you to respond to the questions while taking AlcoholEdu for College.

Need Help? Should you experience any difficulties or require support, the AlcoholEdu Online Technical Support Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Simply click on the “Technical Help” button located in the upper right-hand corner of every AlcoholEdu for College screen. You do not need to be logged into the course to access the Technical Support Center. For a review of Clarkson’s policy on campus use of alcohol, please visit online at http://www.clarkson.edu/studentaffairs/regulations/ix.html#A

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Student Success Center Educational Resource Center Suite 1400 315-268-2209 http://www.clarkson.edu/ssc/ The mission of the Student Success Center is to provide structured and effective services, opportunities and experiences in a proactive and supportive environment. Using a collaborative approach within and across the campus community, the SSC offers all students access to academic counseling and advisement, as well as tutoring and accommodative services. We believe in the ability of all well-equipped students to persist and achieve at Clarkson University. The SSC is the centralized location for students to access support and services to ensure a successful academic career.

Through workshops, individual meetings including but not limited to time management, study skills, test taking skill, small group touring and cultural enrichment events all at no additional cost, the SSC provides one-stop-shopping for the tools you need to be successful at Clarkson. The SSC provides first year advising, accommodative services, tutoring services and new student and family outreach programs.

The First-Year Seminar

All first-year students at Clarkson take this seminar which: introduces the mission and expectations of the learning process at Clarkson, builds communication and teamwork skills, and provides some fundamental content related to wellness and relationships during the college experience. Discussion, team activities, leadership opportunities, and fall semester interaction with upper-class peer educators form the foundation of the course.

CU Connect: Mentoring of All First-Year Students

Through CU Connect, every freshman student has the opportunity to connect in a meaningful way with a Clarkson University administrative and/or staff member. Students and staff met several times throughout the first semester and some continued contact into the second semester. Our semi-structured and flexible outline of contacts helped students feel comfortable seeking necessary information about academic and non-academic aspects of college.

Calling All Knights: Family Calling Initiative

Staff and trained student callers contact all first-year student families at the six-week point of the semester. Our goal is to hear from parents how their student is transitioning to Clarkson. Any students in distress or in need of outreach by Student Affairs are quickly connected; callers are also able answer any questions about upcoming family weekend activities.

Academic Recovery Courses for Freshmen & Sophomores

Each spring semester the Student Success Center offers “UNIV 100: Project Success Strategies for Academic Success,” an academic recovery course that helps freshmen and sophomores get back on track academically after a weak fall semester. This course focuses on the development and application of study skills required for college-level work, as well as the identification and minimization of barriers that impede individual student achievement.

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First-Year Advising

Student Success Center, Educational Resource Center 315-268-3948 www.clarkson.edu/firstyear/

Advising is an important function to Clarkson University’s faculty and staff. Although all students

have access to a faculty and/or administrative advisor, First-Year Advising is for students who

want extra guidance. Many students want to tailor their education to pursue multiple interests, or

they are still deciding on their career direction. A professional advisor will be available to meet

with first-year students throughout the academic year. Most often, the initial meeting deals with

the student’s overall adjustment to life on campus and provides information about resources

available to assist students with academic or other concerns as appropriate.

First-Year Advising helps students identify campus resources so they can take advantage of the

opportunities available at the University. For example, they can help students connect with

people to answer questions about: academic and career options, tutoring, academic

programs/majors, residence life, counseling, accommodative services, study abroad

opportunities, cooperative education, financial and registration information.

It is not unusual for students to experience many changes in their first year on campus, and we

provide resources to help them get “connected” to the University. While geared towards first

years, any student may use the services of First-Year Advising at any point during their college

career.

Examples of services include:

Create an academic plan so they

can discover and pursue new

interests.

Plan their major or course

selection.

Answer questions about degree or

program requirements.

Connect with on-and-off campus

resources.

Cope with academic difficulties.

Make informed decisions about

educational goals.

Identify independent research

opportunities and team-based

projects available to students.

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Accommodative Services

Educational Resource Center Suite 1400 Phone: 315-268-7643 Fax: 315-268-2400 Email: oas@clarkson.edu www.clarkson.edu/oas

In order to ensure equal access for students with disabilities, Clarkson University’s Office of Accommodative Services (OAS) provides reasonable accommodations to qualified students in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended in 2008.

In accordance with our mission, OAS determines, coordinates and provides reasonable accommodations, educates and advocates for an accessible and hospitable learning environment, and promotes responsibility and self-advocacy on the part of the individuals we serve.

Students are encouraged to self-disclose their disability prior to their arrival on campus. The sooner the Office is aware of accommodative needs, the better prepared we are for the student.

Appropriate reasonable accommodations are determined on an individual basis using an

interactive process.

How do I know if my student qualifies for services?

The ADA defines a person with a disability as any person who:

Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life

activities

Has a record of such an impairment

Is regarded as having such an impairment

In order for OAS to determine if a student’s condition meets the standard defined by the law, an

evaluative intake process will be conducted with the student, and any additional documentation

provided will be reviewed. All decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, and any additional

information requested during the intake process will be used to determine current functional

limitations caused by the disability and reasonable accommodations.

For more information about the Office of Accommodative Services, including information for

prospective students, please visit www.clarkson.edu/oas. To discuss your student’s individual

needs, please have your student contact the Office of Accommodative Services via phone or

email. We look forward to working with you!

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Tutoring Services

315-268-4396

The Tutoring Center is open from 7:00 pm until 11:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday, in Empire Diner in the center quad of Cub/Rey/Ross/Brooks. The center is staffed by 3 tutors per shift, providing help for Calculus, Math, Physics and Chemistry. The tutors who work in the center will be able to tutor multiple courses (primarily first- and second- year).

There is also a Calc/Physics/Engineering Tutoring Lab located in CAMP 178, which is open 7:00 pm until 11:00pm, Sunday through Wednesday. The tutors will be able to help with several sophomore/junior level Engineering courses as well as Math and Physics.

The Tutoring Center is in addition to our assigned small group tutoring format. Signing up for small group tutoring is now available through your PeopleSoft account. Please follow the instructions on the link provided to make your requests. https://www.clarkson.edu/forms/tutorial.php?tutorial=Tutor_Request .

Writing Center Bertrand H. Snell Room 129 315-268-4439 AIM: clarksonwc www.clarkson.edu/writingcenter The Writing Center helps students strengthen their skills by developing, organizing, and editing their work. The tutors in the Writing Center help with personal, academic and professional communication tasks including essays, labs, reports and letters.

The Writing Center has at least two tutors available the following hours when classes are in

session. Students can make an appointment or drop by when the center is open.

Monday-Thursday 12:00-5:00pm & 6:30pm-8:00pm Friday 12:00-2:30pm Sunday 6:00-8:00pm

The Writing Center tutors will help your student:

Analyze the project’s goals and

readers expectations.

Research and develop ideas.

Organize material according to their

discipline’s standards.

Learn to edit and eliminate grammar

and punctuation errors.

Polish tables, figures and graphs.

Check citations formats.

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Technology www.clarkson.edu/oit

The mission of OIT is to provide the highest quality IT services to the University Community.

Students are able to access their Clarkson University email on the web at: mymail.clarkson.edu,

and are able to access PeopleSoft, Moodle, and their MyFiles account online as well.

Clarkson does have a laptop purchase program with Hewlett-Packard, and is able to offer

laptops at competitive prices through our partner, Riverside Technologies.

Clarkson requires you to have antivirus software installed on any computer your student bring(s)

on campus. For Windows operating systems, Microsoft Security Essentials is available for free

on Microsoft’s website.

Each residence hall contains wired network ports for students. Full wireless is available in

Moore House, with partial wireless coverage available on the 4th floors of the Quad dorms. For

other locations, students may bring wireless routers.

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Transportation

If you student is looking for a way to get home for a long weekend or holiday break, check out the Trailways bus service online at www.trailwaysny.com for ticket prices. This is especially helpful for students who live in New York City or Buffalo. For fare and schedule information, or to order

tickets, you can contact a representative directly

by calling (800) 776-7548.

Yet another way to get a ride home is to post on

the Ride Board. Clarkson students looking for a

ride home can post on the website. Students

who want to offer a ride home to other students

can also post here. The website connects

students who live nearby so they can carpool.

Check out more information at

www.clarkson.edu/clarkson_community/carpool.

Recently introduced to Clarkson, Zipcar is a cost-

effective and convenient transportation option

available to all students 18 and older. Zipcars are

self-service and can be reserved 24 hours a day.

For $35 a year, you get access to the cars

anytime, plus gas, insurance, and maintenance are

all included!

For more information on Zipcars visit

www.clarkson.edu/zipcar.

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The University Bookstore 39 Market Street - Downtown Potsdam 315-265-9260 Facebook: The University Bookstore at Clarkson Website: http://www.clarkson.bkstr.com Email: bookstore@clarkson.edu YOUR STUDENTS’ EDUCATION. YOUR STUDENTS’ BOOKSTORE.

The University Bookstore: a place your student can trust to have the

right stuff at the right time and the right place. Our team of experts

ensures that we have the course materials and supplies your student

needs to succeed and can assist you with any questions they may

have.

VALUE AND CONVENIENCE.

The University Bookstore offers a number of textbook formats – your

student can buy new, used, or digital books, and can even RENT their

books. Renting their books through our Rent-A-Text program offers

them the lowest upfront cost while still allowing them to use their books

like they would if they bought them (highlighting and notes are

allowed!). Renting still allows your student the option to convert to purchase up until the last day of finals

(with no penalty fee), if they decide they want to keep a textbook.

Our Rent-A-Text and digital textbook programs, offer serious savings – making learning more affordable

for your student.

We work directly with their instructors, which means we know exactly which materials they need each

term and they can be confident they’ll have the right materials at the right time.

EFOLLETT.COM = YOUR BOOKSTORE.

When your student orders books from efollett.com, they’re ordering from their bookstore. They can shop

our store online at efollett.com or directly at www.clarkson.bkstr.com from their computer, tablet or

smartphone. No matter how your student shops, they will get our top-notch customer support and access

to the largest textbook inventory. And for their convenience, they can choose to pick up their order in-

store.

APPAREL, GIFTS, & MUCH MORE.

The University Bookstore isn’t just the place to shop for your students’ textbooks – we offer so much

more! Apparel & accessories, supplies, general books, everyday essentials, and many other services.

We also offer a full service café!

The University Bookstore is not located on campus but it is within walking distance from campus.

Knight Armor Store

Cheel Campus Center

315-265-0525

For on-campus shopping, your student can visit the Knight Armor Store - our “Spirit Shop” - located in the

Cheel Campus Center. The Knight Armor Store is convenient to walk to when your student needs their

Clarkson gear, for any sports game! The place to shop for Clarkson apparel and gifts, on campus – open

all year round!

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Parents Association

Kathryn Johnson Vice President for University Outreach & Student Affairs 315-268-5515 kjohnson@clarkson.edu The Parents Association represents all

Clarkson parents, promoting their active

involvement in the University. Parents

become lifetime members of the

Association upon the enrollment of their

son or daughter. The Association

develops interaction and support

between the University and parents and

provides insight into the life of your

Clarkson student.

Parents Committee

The Parents Committee is the executive committee of the Parents Association. The 20-30

committee members act as a sounding board for parents' opinions and represent parents with

sons and daughters in all class years. Parents Committee meetings are held on campus twice a

year, usually in conjunction with Family Weekend (fall) and an Admission Open House (spring).

Admissions Mentor

Current Clarkson parents mingle with accepted students and their parents during the Spring

Open House, providing insight, answering questions and fostering a community environment.

You can assist our Admission staff by sharing your Clarkson experience with students and

parents in your community. Please refer

qualified scholars to the Admission Office at

315-268-6480 or admission@clarkson.edu.

Career Assistance Program

If your company employs college graduates for

entry-level positions, you could help develop a

relationship between your organization and

Clarkson's Career Center. For more

information, please contact our Career Center

at 315-268-6477 or career@clarkson.edu.

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Family/Homecoming Weekend Student Life & Engagement 315-268-6680 studentengagement@clarkson.edu clarkson.edu/parents_family/family_weekend.html Held in October, the annual Family/Homecoming Weekend is one weekend that everyone looks

forward to. This tradition is an opportunity for families to discover more about the lives of their

students while enjoying student performances, faculty presentations, soccer, hockey and

football games, and special entertainment!

Mark your calendars for October 18 & 19, 2013

Golden Knight Hockey

Clarkson is proud to host an annual “Parent’s Hockey Game” each year during Family

Weekend, as well as a standard hockey game. Your family is invited to attend them both. Come

support your Golden Knights this fall! Check online for the hockey ticket request form in early

September.

Lodging

Potsdam is a small town, thus accommodations are limited. We urge you to make reservations

as soon as possible. For lodging information please visit www.northcountryguide.com.

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Calendar

August 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

23 New students move in!

24 Orientation!

25 Convocation

Returning Student Check In

26 First Day of

Classes 7p: Volunteer

Fair

27 7p: Student

Activities Fair

28 29 30 10p: Late Knight

Event

31 12p: First

Saturday! 8p: CUB event

HP Luau

Before coming to campus, talk with your student

about both of your expectations. Talk about a

budget, how often they will come home to visit,

and grades.

The beginnings of your student’s first days at

Clarkson include a lot of change: moving away

from home, navigating a new territory and

adjusting to a different social and academic

environment. It is an exciting and challenging

time.

Encourage your student to create a time

management schedule and stick to it. Utilizing a

planner is a great way to stay on top of big

assignments and involvement opportunities.

For many, being a roommate is a new experience

and may require some adjustment. The key to

good roommate relationships is communication.

Encourage your student to address possible

conflict caused by personality and lifestyle

differences through direct communication with

their roommates.

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September 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3 4 5 6 8p: CUB event

10p: Late Knight Event

7 8p: CUB event

8

9 10 11 9/11 Memorial

11a: Graduate

and Professional School Fair

12 13 8p: CUB event 10p: Late Knight

Event

14 8p: CUB event

15

16 17 18 19 Career Fair

20 8p: CUB event 10p: Late Knight

Event

21 International Day of Peace Rally

8p: CUB event

22

23 24 25 26 27

28

29 30

In the first few weeks, students are worried most

about who to dine with and learning where things are

located.

Students may experience some homesickness.

Some students may call home frequently, possibly

every day. If your student experiences extreme

homesickness, encourage them to get involved with a

campus organization, volunteer, or seek a part time

or on-campus job.

Students are acclimating to many aspects of college

life: college course, residence halls, roommates, and

unprecedented freedom are a few.

Encourage your student to participate actively in

class and meet with their instructors during office

hours to get to know them and discuss class

expectations. Remind your student that regular class

attendance is important whether it is required or not.

Fall Recess

Fall Recess

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October 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 W. Hockey v.

SLU 8p: CUB event

10p: Late Knight Event

5 M. Hockey v.

Acadia

6 7 8 9 10 11 8p: CUB event 10p: Late Knight Event

12 W. Hockey v.

Syracuse 8p: CUB event

13 14

Spirit Week 15 Spirit Week

16 Spirit Week

17 Spirit Week

18 Spirit Week M Hockey v. RIT

W. Hockey v Mercyhurst

19 M. Hockey v. RIT

W. Hockey v Mercyhurst

20 21 22 23 24 25 M. Hockey v.

Colorado College 10p: Late Knight

Event

26 M. Hockey v.

Colorado College

27 28 29 30 31

Family/Homecoming Weekend

Roommates who at first became friends for life

become human at this point in the semester. The

desire to “come across well” lessens things that at

first did not irritate one another, but now do.

First Year students begin to realize that life at

college is not as perfect as they thought. Encourage

them to talk with a professional staff member, RA, or

Academic Advisor.

Loneliness and isolation can develop if first year

students have difficulty finding a peer group. Be

open to listening to the frustrations of trying to “find

their place” at the University. Students can be having

a hard time adjusting, especially if they are used to a

larger or smaller environment.

Workload pressures increase with midterms. “A”

students in high school may be getting their first B’s,

C’s and D’s, possibly resulting in negative self-

evaluation. Encourage your student to talk with their

professors; if concerns persist, direct them to the

Student Success Center.

Fall Recess

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November 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 W.Hockey v.

Brown

8p: CUB event 10p: Late Knight

Event

2 W. Hockey v.

Yale

8p: CUB event

3 4 5 6 Enrollment for Spring Semester

Begins

7

8 W. Hockey v Dartmouth

8p: CUB event 10p: Late Knight

Event

9 W. Hockey v. Harvard

8p: CUB event

10 11 12 13 14 15 M. Hockey v.

Cornell 10p: Late Knight

Event

16 M. Hockey v.

Colgate

17 18 19 20 21 22 M. Hockey v. Merrimack

10p: Late Knight Event

23 M. Hockey v. Merrimack

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Even though this may be a time of increased

academic pressure, encourage your student to try

to achieve a balance of healthy diet, adequate

sleep, exercise and some relaxation. This will

keep them on the right track and help them stay

focused.

Remind your student about tutoring services

offered on campus. Encourage them to visit

professors during office hours to get help or

discuss academic performance and areas of

improvement.

Encourage your student to make an appointment

to meet with their Academic Advisor before they

enroll in spring classes.

First year students may expect that they should

have “adjusted” to the college environment by

now, when the progress may reasonably take

longer. If you student seems depressed or

anxious encourage them to make an appointment

at the Counseling Center.

Thanksgiving Recess

40

December 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5

6 W. Hockey v

North Dakota

8p: CUB event

10p: Late Knight

Event

7 W. Hockey v

North Dakota

8p: CUB event

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 December

Graduation

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

Pre-Holiday depression can occur,

especially for those who have

concerns for family, those who have

experienced the loss of loved ones,

and those who prefer not to go home

because of family conflicts.

Pressure increases as final

examinations approach and papers are

due- often with little or no time to pull it

off. Students may fear asking for help,

especially if they are far behind.

Reassure your student that although

the next few weeks will be stressful

and challenging. You will be there to

help when needed, whether it is just a

listening ear or a pep talk.

Talk to your student about their holiday

plans. When will they be coming

home? Are they driving or flying? Will

they be bringing company? Will they

have a curfew?

Final Exams

Thanksgiving

41

January 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2

3 W. Hockey v.

McGill

4

5 6 7 New Student

Check-in

8 Returning

Student Check-in

9 First Day of

Classes

10 9p: CUB event 10p: Late Knight Event

11 M. Hockey v

SLU W. Hockey v.

SLU 12 13

14

15 16 17 M. Hockey v. Yale

10p: Late Knight

Event

18 M. Hockey v. Brown

19 20 MLK Day Celebration

21

22 23 24 W. Hockey v. Colgate

8p: CUB event 10p: Late Knight

Event

25 W. Hockey v. Cornell

8p: CUB event

26 27 28

29 30 31 M. Hockey v RPI 10p: Late Knight

Event

Many students experience optimism

because the second semester is

perceived as going “downhill.”

You child may think, “Break was

great, but now I dread going back to

school.” Don’t be surprised or hurt,

though, if the sentiment is more like,

“I can’t wait to get back to school. I’m

getting bored.”

Some students may experience

homesickness again upon their return

to school. Other students may for the

first time think of school as their

“home.”

Students may experience “cabin

fever” from being inside during cold

and snowy winter months.

42

February 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 M. Hockey v.

Union

2 3 4 5 6 7 W. Hockey v.

Quinnipiac

8p: CUB event

10p: Late Knight

Event

8 W. Hockey v.

Princeton

8p: CUB event

10p: Late Knight

Event

9 10 11 12

13 14 M. Hockey v.

Harvard

15 M. Hockey v.

Dartmouth

16 17 18 19 20 21 W. Hockey v RPI

8p: CUB event

10p: Late Knight

Event

22 W. Hockey v.

Union

8p: CUB event

23 24 25 26 27 28 M. Hockey v.

Princeton

10p: Late Knight

Event

Academic pressure begins to increase due to

upcoming exams.

Valentine’s Day can be difficult for those who

wish they had a significant others. Letting your

student know that they are special to you may

ease the disappointment. Send them a

Valentine’s Day Card.

If your student is joining a Fraternity, Sorority or

other professional organization, the process of

new membership can be very time consuming

and result in increased stress.

At this point in the semester, some common

thoughts may be, “I thought this semester would

be better, but so far it’s not.” Or, “I need to

decide where I’ll be next year and pick a major

soon,” or, “I need a life!”

February Break

February

Break

43

March 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 M. Hockey v. Quinnipiac

2 3 4 5 6 7 8p: CUB event 10p: Late Knight

Event

8 8p: CUB event

9 10 11 12 13 14

15

16

17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 8p: CUB event 10p: Late Knight Event

29 8p: CUB event

30 31

Alcohol use might increase with

spring fever or the need to

“socialize” more may increase.

Academic pressures continue to

increase because of approaching

finals. Frustration and worry can

develop because of decisions

necessary for pre-registration or

selections of major.

Social pressures build-everyone

is bidding for student’s

participation in trips, clubs, Greek

Organizations, and/or elected

positions.

Spring Break

Spring Break

Spring Break

44

April 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 Enrollment for

Fall begins

3 4 8p: CUB event

10p: Late Knight Event

5 8p: CUB event

6 7 8 9

10 11 8p: CUB event

10p: Late Knight Event

12 8p: CUB event

13 14 15 16

17 18 8p: CUB event 10p: Late Knight

Event

19 8p: CUB event

20 21 22 23

24 25 8p: CUB event 10p: Late Knight

Event

26 8p: CUB event

27 28 29 30

Many students are saying a

temporary goodbye to new friends

as they begin to return home.

Expect a period of readjustment

when your student returns home.

Your student has been living in a

very different world from home,

often with greater freedom for nine

months.

For students who need summer

jobs, there may be a job

recruitment panic. A mad dash to

the Career Center to fix one’s

resume may ensue.

Final Exams

45

May 2014

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3 Residence Halls

Close at Noon

4 5 6 7 8

9 10 Commencement

11 12 13 14 15

16 17

18 19 Summer School

Begins

20 21 22

23 24

25 26 27 28 29

30 31

Congratulations to you and your student!

You have made it through the full year!

This is a great accomplishment that you

both should be proud of!

When discussing your students past year,

look to the future and talk to your student

about their future plans/goals. Now is a

great time to have a discussion about what

they want out of their college experience.

Talk about areas that they hope to

continue working on. Help them make

goals for next year and come up with ways

of obtaining their goals. Do they want to

take on a leadership role in a student

organization? Get involved in an

intramural sport? Make a 4.0 GPA?

Final Exams

46