To support you as you support your student and to keep you informed as much as possible, please consider the below points in case of inclement weather at USC Aiken.
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Welcome to the extended Pacer family! Stay updated when you receive and read monthly parent/family e-newsletters! Each communication will share important dates, what's happening on campus, and ways that you can support your student. Each month USC Aiken Parent and Family Relations distributes an e-newsletter to our extended Pacer family.
If you or a loved one are interested in receiving the next issue, please click on the sign up button on the right for Pacer Parent email updates.
Archived Newsletters
We welcome students to USC Aiken and invite them to share in our successes. We want each of our students to exhibit and promote civility, respect for others, integrity, honesty, and generally lead by example.
In line with this, USC Aiken has instituted both an Academic Code of Conduct and a Non-Academic Code of Conduct to handle situations that might arise.
The summer before a student’s first fall semester is usually busy with graduation (and grad parties!), shopping, vacation, family obligations, and completing the final paperwork for enrollment. It’s also a period of transition as your student prepares to launch a chapter in his/her life.
If you are the parent or guardian of a traditional-aged student, you are probably accustomed to knowing a lot about their school activities, who they hang out with, and their grades. For a variety of reasons, one being the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the flow of information from the institution is vastly limited.
The best thing that you can do is to have advanced and honest conversations with your student during the summer transition so that they understand your expectations, and you understand their perspective. Some families even make up a type of informal, personalized contract that both parties sign.
Initially, some students experience homesickness as they adjust to new surroundings. Although you may be missing your student as well, be positive when communicating with them and try not to dwell on the negative side of separation. Let them talk, and certainly be compassionate but remain positive. Offer to come to campus for a scheduled visit, if possible, so that you can reassure them in person. Encourage them to attend Welcome Week activities, join clubs, accept offers to each a meal with a new friend. Remind yourself that part of their maturing is learning how to make their own way.
You gave them roots and wings. Now it is time to let them launch their first solo flight.
Your role in their life is transitioning from a "director" to a "support specialist." When you receive a distraught call (and you probably will), be prepared to ask clarifying questions and encourage your young adult to look at all options and pursue a solution. Unless you feel that the situation is a safety concern, resist the urge to solve their problems for them. Students who can advocate for themselves in college will be better equipped to advocate for themselves in the workforce and in life.
Parents and Family of a Commuter Student
Although your student will still live at home, you should still expect a transition. Afford your student the freedom to remain on campus to study, go to the gym, or participate in student organizations or lectures. As much as is possible, resist asking them to provide childcare and to come home immediately after class each day. And, just like a residential student, have advanced, summer conversations regarding your expectations regarding potential curfews and other expectations; let them provide you with their perspective.
Like most colleges and universities, USC Aiken faculty and staff must abide by the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA) regarding the release of student records and activities. View more details about our policies and procedures.
We know that you want your student to reach their full academic potential and excel in the classroom. We want that as well and know that even the most scholarly learner can use some extra help. USC Aiken has several free tutoring opportunities in math, writing, and several other subjects. Please encourage your student to check out these resources.
Also remind students that professors list their office hours on the course syllabus and students should not hesitate to go meet with their professor(s).
There is no doubt that finals are some of the most stressful times in students’ college journey. Students are balancing class time with study time, social time, and work schedules. In addition, students don't want to disappoint loved ones by getting poor grades.
Sometimes it's hard for parents to support students leading up to and through finals week without verging on micromanagement. Below are suggestions on how to support students from one student's perspective:
Students should check their syllabi for specific dates and times of their finals. Final exam times can also be found on the university's academic calendar.