Newsletter May 2016

Inside May 2016 Edition

Congrats Graduates
Host a Pirate Sendoff
Counselor’s Corner
Two Students in the Russian Heartland
Student Health Summer Policies
The Importance of the First Year
Parents of First Generation College Students
Sophomore Soundings
Graduation Sale at Dowdy Student Stores
Summer Textbooks
Campus Recreation Summer Programs
Helping Your Grad Find Their First Job
The Women’s Round Table
ITCS Information for Grads
Model UN Club
Save the Date: Family Weekend
Collegiate Recovery Community
Summer School Information

Upcoming Events

April 28- May 5

Final Exams

May 6

Commencement

Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 Academic Dates may be found online here.

Save the Dates! 

Fall Family Weekend Sept 30-Oct 2
Homecoming October 29

ARCHIVED EDITIONS 2016-2017

 

Join the Parents Association Today!

Your annual membership pledge of $35 or four year pledge of $100 supports Parent and Family Programming, Student Scholarships and campus improvements to increase student success. Be sure to designate your gift for the ‘Parents Fund’ when submitting your form.

Read more about the benefits of being a Pirate Member at the $35 or $100 level HERE.

Congrats Graduates!

Parent & Family Programs would like to congratulate all of our parents and families with a student graduating this semester!

The Spring 2016 Commencement Ceremonies will be held May 6. More information can be found here. 
 Attention Class of 2016 Family Newsletter subscribers:  Parent and Family Programs would like to congratulate members who have a son/daughter graduating this semester! We are proud of your student’s accomplishments and wish them the very best in their future endeavors. Class of 2016 members will be removed from our membership database and Email Update list.  If you have a student who is continuing their undergraduate degree or another student that enrolled after 2012 and is continuing an undergraduate degree in the fall, you do have the opportunity to continue to receive the newsletter. Please email parents@ecu.edu with your student’s full name and classification if you wish to remain on the email listserv.

Host a Pirate Sendoff!

Who: The Office of Parent and Family Programs is looking for hosts for the 2016 Pirate Sendoffs!  We welcome any families, alumni, and friends of the university to host an event in their hometown.
What: Pirate Sendoffs are intended to be casual social gatherings, usually one and a half to two hours in length, where families, future students, alumni and friends can mix, mingle, and connect.
Where: Pirate Sendoffs are often hosted at hosts homes, restaurants, local business, or community clubhouses
When: All sendoff events will occur between July 15th and August 15th 2016.  Weekday and weekend events are welcomed, with weekday events encouraged to be in the evening hours so families may attend after work.
Why: Pirate Send Off Events are a way for new students and families to celebrate how wonderful it is to be a member of the Pirate nation!  Events also serve as an opportunity to  connect with students and families from your        local area, while sharing your ECU story.   Staff from Student Affairs will also attend each event to answer pertinent questions after orientation and before move-in.
How: Through partnership with the Office of Parent and Family Programs and local hosts.

If you are interested in getting more information on hosting please contact the Office of Parent and Family Programs at parents@ecu.edu or 252-328-6847.

From the Counselor’s Corner

Lauren Thorn, MSW, LCSW
Staff Counselor/Outreach Coordinator
ECU Center for Counseling and Student Development

Summertime—a great opportunity for our students to rest and relax, but also to get ahead on the next school year. Many parents are uncertain of how to support their students during the summer break. Their families have grown accustomed to having the student away at school, and their return creates a disruption in the household dynamics! Here are a few “do’s and don’t”s that we often suggest as a way to cope with and prepare for these changes:

  • DO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT EXPECTATIONS. Let your student know if they need to start applying for jobs, paying for things at home, or helping out with chores around the house. They may think that they can continue to treat being at home like a “vacation” when you actually want them to pitch in during the summer. Also address any opinions about drinking or smoking in the home, curfews, and patterns of communication. Will they always text you before going out, or will they come and go like they’re used to doing at college?
  • DON’T EXPECT THEM TO PICK RIGHT BACK UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF. Many students return home changed from their first year of college. They may realize that their friends from home don’t quite fit anymore and feel lost about how to socialize. They may also miss being at school and want to visit frequently. Don’t take this too personally—it’s a normal transition that the majority of our students experience. You WANT them to want to come back. Talk about what’s reasonable for trips back and forth, and try to help them stay connected with friends from campus.
  • DO ENCOURAGE INTERNSHIPS AND VOLUNTEER WORK WITH A CAREER FOCUS. This is an awesome time to build the resume and find opportunities to explore careers or potential jobs. Many students will be excited to practice skills or learn more about areas that relate to classes they took last year or are signed up to take in the fall.
  • DON’T BE SURPRISED IF THEY WANT TO CHANGE MAJORS. The average college student will change their major three times in their college career. Ask open-ended questions about their reasons or thoughts behind the change and do research with our Career Center, Academic Advising or other offices on campus as they make this decision.
  • DO PREPARE SIBLINGS FOR THE ADJUSTMENTS. We know that some siblings have become accustomed to being the only child, or at least the oldest child, in the family. For them, they may be frustrated by having to share a bathroom again or that their older sibling is already done with school while they have another month to go. Have conversations within the family about concerns or problems that might pop up, and try to create mutually beneficial compromises with all involved.
  • DON’T LET EMOTIONAL ISSUES GO UNCHECKED. This may be a time where anxiety or depressive symptoms become more evident to you as a parent. Rather than just getting snapshots of your child’s activities from afar, you now see them day in and day out again. Pay attention to any behavioral changes, increased stress levels or poor coping strategies. The summer is often a time where students have a more flexible schedule and can pursue therapy, psychiatry services or healthy hobbies/activities without it impacting their academic course load.
  • DO ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE. Allow your student to follow up on holds for their account, make their own medical appointments and increase responsibility for bills or other personal matters. We love to see students who are actually informed about options and confident in their own skills, and it gives them practice making important phone calls.
  • DO LET US KNOW IF WE CAN HELP! Many university offices are open all summer, and we are always happy to offer consultations or referrals. Please contact any of the departments on campus if you’d like more information about how we can support your student at ECU.

Enjoy the summer with your student, and we look forward to seeing them again in the fall!

Eligibility for use of SHS in the summer

Hard to believe spring semester is almost over!
Student Health Services (SHS) is open Monday-Friday during the summer sessions.  Students who pay a health fee with tuition will have access just as they do in the Fall/Spring semesters.  Many students are not taking classes in the summer, but they would still like to utilize SHS; if this is the case for your student, read below to find out more about summer eligibility.
Did your student just graduate?  Congratulations!  Due to anti-trust laws, SHS cannot continue to provide healthcare after graduation, but we can 1) help transfer records to another medical office, 2) provide a list of local offices to help establish care, or 3) we do have a 2 week grace period following graduation to follow up for an existing problem (i.e. to get a medication refilled, or to finish up treatment for a particular problem or concern).
If your student did not graduate, and is not taking classes in summer school, they may still be eligible for care at SHS.  In order to qualify for services at SHS in the summer when not taking classes,
  • Your student must have been enrolled this past spring AND 
  • Must be registered for fall classes 

If your student does meet those 2 criteria, they can be seen at SHS for a special summer fee.  The summer fee is necessary because not taking classes for the summer means no tuition or student fees are being paid to support campus services.

Questions about the fee or eligibility for summer?  Call SHS at (252) 328-6841 or visit us at https://studenthealth.ecu.edu/
Have a healthy summer!

SHS Staff

The Importance of the First Year

From the Office of Student Transitions

https://studenttransitions.ecu.edu/

The End of the First Year

Your student is wrapping up final exams, packing up his or her room, looking forward to a break, and feeling relieved that the first year of college is finished.  Whether your student is headed home to spend the summer with you or staying in Greenville, you are probably also relieved that the first year of college is complete.  We hope that your student has built a solid foundation for his or her career at ECU by developing a sense of belonging, establishing academic competence, and creating a clear sense of direction. The Office of Student Transitions sincerely hopes you have found these newsletter articles helpful as your student transitioned to ECU.  Thank you for allowing us to partner with you to support your student.

This is the last newsletter of the year. Remember that our office assists students as they make many transitions during their time at ECU, including the move to the sophomore year. The sophomore year has its own challenges and triumphs, and we are here to help. Next year, be sure to read our article in this newsletter for parents of students in their second year.

Best of luck!  We look forward to seeing your student graduate in 2019!

Transitions: Surviving the Spring Semester

 

The end of the spring semester is here and students are in the middle of final exams. Students are busy with exams, papers, and projects, but there are other issues on their mind as well. This month we continue with our focus on adjustment issues facing first-year students.

May Adjustments

Academic Pressure — There is a lot of pressure to end the first year with a strong grade point average. Students may still be struggling with the large number of year-end assignments and exams that college brings.

Leaving ECU — Hopefully your student made a lot of friends during his or her first year here, but with many students returning home for the summer, there is some sadness over leaving the friendships and activities behind. Also, year-end academic requirements may limit time for goodbyes resulting in a lack of closure for students.

Relationships — If a student becomes romantically involved with someone while at ECU, he or she may face some anxiety about leaving for the summer. The students may feel stressed over making plans to visit each other over the summer break, or they may have concerns about the relationship ending while they are apart.

Social/Extracurricular Activities — Your student may have gotten involved in social activities or student organizations, and many of these groups will have year-end celebrations. This can be overwhelming for a student that is already very busy with exams and studying. There may be an increased use of alcohol by peers during this time.

Returning Home — There is a lot of stress involved in returning home to a student’s family. It does not mean that they are not excited to spend time with you, just that they are anxious about returning to a different schedule, structure, and responsibilities.

Parents of our First Generation College Students

Firsts complete their First Year in College 

Well, family!  They made it – the 2015 freshman class is now finished with their first year of college and have only their final exams to complete before making their way home.  Whew!  All of them will be transformed in some way.  College and independent living does that to a person.  What might you notice?  They are used to making more decisions – please continue to encourage that over the Summer.  They may speak differently, eat differently, have adopted a different style of clothing.  They may think more critically about things –politics, laws, their major, their life and what they want to make of it.

And as they make their transition from college to being back home – please keep in mind, they have been making their own decisions, living by their rules and decisions and doing their own laundry for months now.  It will be a transition back into your homes and a possible adjustment period for settling back into your rules.  Be patient with yourselves and with them.

Oh, and let them continue to do their own laundry!  We thank you for sharing them with us.  So much growth and development has occurred this academic year.  We are very impressed with them and all that they have learned and accomplished!

We will see you all in August!
Dr. Linda L. Mellish

Sophomore Soundings

From the Office of Student Transitions

https://studenttransitions.ecu.edu/

The Rising Junior

The junior student is now beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  They have worked through the many transitions of the sophomore year and are now focused on finishing the degree and beginning a career, doing graduate work, or participating in an experience such as the Peace Corps.  It is an exciting time!
Junior students should follow up with typical processes like obtaining an updated parking permit, applying for financial aid, viewing the Cashier’s Office website for important information, and verifying authorizations related to education, financial, and judicial records through the Buckley Option on PiratePort.
Beyond the typical “to do checklist,” juniors should schedule an appointment with their Career coach for career assessment, resume writing, interview skills, and job/internship search assistance.  ECU’s Career Services has established a university-wide Cooperative Education (CO-OP) program as well. CO-OP is an academic program that enhances classroom studies with learning through productive work experiences in fields related to a student’s academic or career goals.
CO-OP positions are paid and require students to alternate semesters of course work with semesters of supervised work experience multiple times. Some of the benefits associated with CO-OP participation include; explore and clarify career goals, apply what has been learned in the classroom, acquire new skills, access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology, develop professional work habits, improve human relations skills, defray educational costs, and increase future employability prospects. CO-OP is open to all majors and students are encouraged to explore this program prior to their senior year. For more information on internships and/or CO-OP, visit https://career.ecu.edu/.
It is never too late to study abroad in order to develop an international perspective. The goal of the ECU Study Abroad program is to promote an understanding of how differences among nations, cultures, races and languages influence our perceptions of world issues and events. Living and studying in another country provides students with opportunities that are unique to the college experience, as the cultural and social interactions produced through living abroad effect an individual’s academic and personal growth in ways impossible to duplicate at home.
In addition to personal and academic growth, the study abroad experience also has a positive impact on future employment opportunities. Students with a study abroad background are often perceived by prospective employers as being more flexible and open to challenges than other students. For more information on study abroad, visit piratesabroad.ecu.edu.
The junior student is still an integral part of Pirate Nation so they must stay engaged with campus activities and organizations, take opportunities to meet faculty outside of the classroom, as well as seek opportunities for undergraduate research with faculty.  All of these activities assist in the development of the “whole student.”

Congratulations on successfully completing the sophomore year and moving ahead in your academic journey.

May Events at  Dowdy Student Stores!

This is a special week as we get ready for Graduation and Mother’s Day!
Dowdy is celebrating by giving you 20% off all regular price Alumni Apparel & Gifts…
20% off all reg. price Family Apparel & Gifts, including MOM, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Sister, and Brother!
PLUS, all in-stock diploma frames are 20% off!
There are other specials throughout the store, so come in and see the variety!
Congratulations Grads!  And thanks to all the Moms & Grandmas (and other family members) out there who work so hard and support us every day!
Discounts are in-store only, Wright Building & Medical Bookstore only, with the exception of diploma frames. For diploma frame discount online, use code ECU20.  Apparel sale runs through May 7th.
Is you student attending Summer session?  Books are available online & in-store at Dowdy’s Wright Building for summer terms. To shop  online, visit www.studentstores.ecu.edu.
Some of the lower-cost options for textbooks include rentals, used, and digital books that are available in many cases and can be found both on our shelves and online.
Mark your calendar to check the Dowdy web site in mid-July for Fall book details, including the popular early-order special for move-in weekend pickup! Follow ECU Dowdy Student Stores on social media to stay updated on all of our news!

Dowdy Student Stores, Wright Building, Brody Building, Athletic Venues, www.studentstores.ecu.edu, 252-328-6731, 1-877-499-TEXT

Campus Recreation and Wellness News

Is your student staying here over the summer and not taking on-campus classes? Enjoy the Summer Membership Special for Campus Recreation & Wellness! Purchase your student’s summer membership before May 14th and save $14!

The Summer Super Pass:  FREE 

It simply doesn’t get any better than this!  Students can enjoy our most popular group fitness classes FREE this summer! Complete class descriptions are available in the SRC Main Office and on our website at https://crw.ecu.edu/ . Classes start May 16 and end July 29.  Registration begins May 4th  in the SRC Main Office.

FREE for Students and SRC Members:  Off Season Group Fitness Classes! 

Students can enjoy FREE fitness classes before classes return from August 10th -21st . See our group fitness class weekly schedule for meeting times and instructor information on our website: https://crw.ecu.edu/

Does your student want to try something new and adventurous?  Our Adventure Center is hosting a few different events this summer.

Adventure Leadership Friday Floats – Paddle the shorter water trails around the Greenville/Little Washington/Pitt County, NC area. Sea kayak the historic waterfront of Little Washington, paddle up the shady Cherry Run or ramble down the remarkably beautiful Tar. Each Friday Float showcases a different paddling option for 2-3 hours of on water paddling.  The cost is $10 for students; if you’d like to join your student, non-members can paddle, too, for $20. Trip cost includes equipment, transportation, and instruction. No experience is needed to participate. Students meet at 2pm at the Adventure Center in the Student Recreation Center. Dates: 5/27, 6/11, 6/24, 7/9, 7/22

Belay Clinics – Belaying is the process of using a rope, a special rope device, and other equipment to keep the climber safe. The belayer uses this equipment to catch, hold or lower a climber if they fall.  Students can learn to belay so they can climb without needing to wait on our staff or so friends can climb together. No experience needed and equipment is provided. Students can participate every Wednesday and Thursday at 7pm.

Pool Kayak Sessions – Students can learn to paddle or roll a whitewater or sea kayak with our friendly Adventure staff. All equipment and instruction is provided. Come for 20 minutes or stay for 2 hours! No experience required. Every Tuesday from 7-9pm at the Student Recreation Center Indoor Pool.

Bike Repair Clinics –  Need a bike fix? Students can get their bike repaired every Friday outside the Student Recreation Center, in the Mendenhall Brickyard from 10-12pm.

The Intramural Sports program offers a fun and unique recreational opportunity to East Carolina University students, faculty and staff. The intramural sports program provides leagues, tournaments and events in a wide variety of sports and activities. Below are the Intramural Sports being offered during Summer 2016.

Registration for first summer session: 5/9

  • 5on5 Men’s, Women’s, Basketball
  • Softball Men’s, Women’s, Co-Recreation
  • 9on9 Outdoor Soccer Men’s, Women’s, Co-Recreation
  • Sand Volleyball Open

*Registration Ends 5/18 Registration for second summer session: 5/9 

  • 5on5 Basketball Men’s, Women’s
  • 5on5 Outdoor Soccer Men’s, Women’s, Co-Recreation
  • 4on4 Flag Football Men’s, Women’s, Co-Recreation
  • Dodgeball Men’s, Women’s, Co-Recreation

Registration Ends 6/22 

SRC Summer Hours

Monday-Thursday  – 5:30 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Friday                        – 5:30 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Saturday                    -8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Sunday                      -8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.

*Pools will close 30 minutes prior to closing the Student Recreation Center.

During the spring and summer, an outdoor pool is available for a refreshing dip or sunbathing on a large deck area. CRW provides students and member’s four pool areas for aquatic opportunities. An 8-lane, 25-yard pool is ideal for lap swimming. The 4-lane, 19-yard pool is designed for aqua aerobics, water basketball, water volleyball, and other free play opportunities. A spa/leisure area with multiple water jets and bench seating can be found in the natatorium.

Career Center News

How Can You Help Your New Grad Find Their First Job 

Today more than ever, it is important that new college graduates utilize all the resources available to them when approaching graduation. At ECU Career Services we connect students to employment opportunities both while in school and well beyond. Here are four tips on how you can help your son or daughter secure their first job:
  1. Encourage your graduate to learn and utilize the exclusive resources available to them as an ECU student. Typically students that visit our office are on their way out from the university, unless they have been required by a faculty member to come to Career Services for a class assignment. One of the most common statements we hear from these students is; “Wow, I did not know there was so many resources available to me, I wish I would have come in sooner.” As parents, you can visit our website at ecu.edu/career and send your child helpful links, upcoming events and services to encourage them to seek our assistance early on or even after they have already walked across that stage.
  2. Tell your graduate to put down the cell phone, close out of the apps, and tap into the hidden job market by networking. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, 70% of jobs are secured through networking and only 30% from online job applications. Because most graduates do not have extended relevant work experience, connections to professionals can be an effective way to get their resume noticed by hiring employers. Think of all the people you know, what do they do, who do they know, how might they be willing to help you? We also encourage students to create a professional online presence through the networking site LinkedIn, which will help your student begin to build that professional network.
  3. Have your graduate create a list of dream companies. ECU Career Services offers several free resources to help students identify employers that include; ECU CareerNET, CareerShift, and Buzzfile. These online tools create employer lists by industry, region, and even by major or industry. Your student can use these lists to research these employers hiring trends, understand realistic career opportunities and save job sites specific to each organization.
  4. Support internships, trainee programs, and even volunteering. Some new college graduates do not have enough related work experience to be competitive after graduation. If your child is running into this problem, encourage them to seek out internships, entry level trainee programs or even volunteering opportunities to build their resume up. These experiences often open doors for new career options and help build a professional network in the process.

For more information on how ECU Career Services can help students achieve their career goals, visit https://career.ecu.edu/

ECU Internship Photo Contest

Competition Ends 07/28/16

SAVE THE DATES

10/05/2016
1:00 PM- 4:00 PM
Greenville Convention Center
 
11/03/2016
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
East Carolina Heart Institute
For more information on upcoming events and programs visit: www.ecu.edu/career

The Women’s Roundtable believes in the power of women to impact other women’s lives as well as our students, our university, and the broader community in  dynamic and sustainable ways.  If you share this belief, come join us.  Affiliation is not limited to ECU Alumnae.  Visit https://womensroundtable.ecu.edu/ to learn more.

Make plans to attend the 2016 Incredible ECU Women Series event with over 400 of your fellow alumae, parents and friends!  Tables and business sponsorships are now available http://bit.ly/incrediblewomen. Individual tickets available in June.   For more information, contact Stephanie Bunn, Director of Women’s Philanthropy at bunns@ecu.edu or 252-328-9597. Visit The Women’s Roundtable online at https://womensroundtable.ecu.edu/.

 

Important Information for Graduating Students

Congratulations Graduating Students!  Before you leave ECU, DON’T FORGET to save any files you have stored on ECU systems:

  • Files from your Piratedrive
  • Your iWebfolio portfolio
  • Web pages from MyWeb and ECU Blogs/WordPress
  • Research survey data from Qualtrics

Be sure to remove all university-licensed software you installed while enrolled at ECU.  Thank you for helping us comply with software licensing agreements!

College of Arts and Sciences News

The Department of Political Science brought Model United Nations back to ECU this year with a Model United Nations Club, and the offering of an International Organizations course in the spring term focused on preparing students for and engaging in a simulated Model United Nations. Dr. Marie Olson Lounsbery serves as the MUN Club faculty advisor and instructor for the course. Eight students traveled to Charlotte from March 31-April 2 in order to serve as delegations from the countries of Egypt and Norway at the Southeast Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN). Political science majors Braxton Smallwood (Club President, also majoring in Security Studies), Dalton Clark, Sadie Crockett, Andrew McLeer (double major with History), and Larkin Raynor (double major with History) were joined by Madison Beecher (Communication), Caroline Debnam (International Studies and Security Studies) and Georgette Townsley (International Studies) to compete against more than 300 students from 35 other colleges and universities. Both delegations performed well earning awards for Best Delegation – conference-wide (Egypt: Dalton Clark, Caroline Debnam, Andrew McLeer, and Georgette Townsley), Best Delegation within committee (Dalton Clark and Georgette Townsley), and Most Improved within committee (Sadie Crockette).

 

ECU Offers Collegiate Recovery Community

Hello family members and friends of Pirate Nation,

East Carolina University Collegiate Recovery Community (ECU CRC) is growing weekly! Our mission in short: To enhance recovery and the college experience through programming and peer supports; this applies to all students of ECU!  While ECU CRC is recovery oriented, our programs and activities enrich students’ personal, social and academic wellbeing in a variety of ways.  Recently, we were featured on Greenville’s WNCT News Channel 9. You can hear the story of one of our allies here: http://wnct.com/2016/03/03/ecu-program-helping-students-recover-from-substance-abuse/ For more information about ECU CRC please visit our website at: https://collegiaterecovery.ecu.edu/

Respectfully,

Jarmichael R. Harris
Collegiate Recovery Community Coordinator
Alcohol and Other Drug Staff Counselor
East Carolina University
Center for Counseling and Student Development

Important Summer School Registration Information

As summer and fall registration week comes to a close, many ECU students choose to enroll in courses at other institutions during the summer break. If your student is interested in this option, there are several very important things to know!  Students must:
  1. Discuss their plans with their assigned academic advisor to determine appropriate summer coursework.
  2. Use ECU’s Course Equivalencies list to determine transferrable courses via https://selfservice-banner.ecu.edu/DAD_PROD/szpaceq.P_Display_States 
  3. Apply, be admitted, and register for courses at the other institution. Transcripts can be sent via https://www.credentials-inc.com/tplus/?ALUMTRO002923
  4. Download and complete the Permission to Take Courses at Other U.S. Institutions Form available at >https://registrar.ecu.edu/ and submit electronically to the Registrar’s Office at CAS@ecu.edu.
  5. Complete the summer course(s) and request the school send an official transcript to ECU.  Credit cannot be added without an official transcript received in the Registrar’s Office.

As a reminder, students must earn a minimum grade of “C” to be awarded transfer credit for their summer courses taken at other institutions. If your student has questions or needs assistance relating to summer courses away from ECU, please have him/her contact their assigned academic advisor!

The ECU Academic Advising Collaborative