Parents' Page

Introduction & Welcome page

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https://explore.fredonia.edu/register/parent

The University Experience

The choice to attend Fredonia begins a journey which we hope will prove to one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences of your student’s life. A college student acquires a great deal of knowledge, much of which is gained beyond the classroom. Skills, knowledge and intellectual maturity are certainly developed. Also, your student will gain new insights, academic as well as social, acquire new relationships, and learn the importance of assuming responsibility and leadership. We want all graduates from Fredonia to be skilled, connected, creative and responsible.

Here, students learn life lessons: why they have chosen their path of study, how to communicate effectively across cultures, how to balance study with recreation, and why red shirts should not be washed with the white laundry.

Transition

The transition from high school to university is an exercise in becoming a balanced student. The college student is given a great deal of freedom in choosing an academic path. Your student will select their own classes, in accordance with their chosen major, general education requirements, and personal interest. Students also choose those clubs or organizations https://fredconnect.fredonia.edu with which they want to be involved. These elements, both academic and social are important for a successful college career.

The first challenge is adjusting to this new life will be learning to be responsible for making balanced choices . The student who gets involved too much too quickly and places a high degree of emphasis on the social environment will have difficulty academically. At the other end of the spectrum, the student who only leaves the residence hall for meals and classes may feel very isolated and alone on campus.

The key to success is a balance. Students need both academics and extracurricular activities to succeed in college, and we realize the transition to creating this balance is not easy for every student.

Parents – how can you help?

Parents’ Point of View

As a parent, all these changes may be difficult for you as well. Whereas you have previously been able to have “hands-on” involvement in your student’s education and daily activities, they now must independently meet deadlines, get to classes, find time to eat, and fit in a decent night’s sleep.

Still, you can help your student learn to assume new responsibilities by encouraging and supporting self-direction. This means encouraging the student to think and act independently and accept the results of their behaviors. Of course, we are not asking you to throw parental concerns to the wind, for guidance is always necessary, but decision-making will allow your child a great deal of growth both in self-esteem and maturity.

When your student has questions, encourage him or her to seek out an advisor or to meet with a faculty member, department chair, or counselor. Professional Staff in the residence halls, the tutoring center, the health center, the counseling center, Campus Life, and the Office of Student Affairs are all available and willing to assist your student. By not stepping in with phone calls to campus, you are assisting your student in important ways.

Parents: - issues today may be forgotten about by tomorrow

Each Fredonia student is expected to be responsible for their own actions, self-direction, and self-discipline. Furthermore, we assure that each student will be treated as an adult and will have opportunities for help and guidance when it is necessary.

One reassurance to you is that we have been doing this for many years with the great tradition of success.

Releasing of student Information:

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the University protects the privacy of students and usually does not provide information about students unless they have given consent. Under most circumstances, only the student may be given information about their records. Grades are not sent to parents but are viewed by students on a password-protected website. Students can authorize the release of this information to parents by contacting the Office of Student Affairs.

The University may disclose directory information unless directed otherwise in writing by your students. Parents can obtain some form of information about a student after presenting evidence that they claim that student as a dependent in accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines. Of course, in an emergency, we will do whatever we can to help.

Emergencies/University Police:

www.fredonia.edu/about/offices/university-police

Links:

Billing Information

www.fredonia.edu/about/offices/student-accounts

Parking Information

www.fredonia.edu/about/offices/university-police/parkingregulations

Health Reports

www.fredonia.edu/student-life/health-center/incoming-students

Financial Aid Information

www.fredonia.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid

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