Parents Blog

Stetson News for current and incoming Hatters!

abagga — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:33:20 +0000

Students now have access to Stetson Computer Lab resources on their personal laptop. This means they have full access to programs such as Microsoft Word at no cost to them. This is particularly great for students with tight schedules or those that have their own study zones. All that is needed to access this is a quick login and a few easy steps outlined on the following site.

http://www.stetson.edu/administration/information-technology/vlab.php

A new housing option available in the fall, University Hall (UHall) will be a renovated living facility complete with a mini kitchen and even a microwave! In order to accommodate the growing community at Stetson and give students the best options for living space, Residential Life has been working hard to accommodate those needs. UHall is just one step in the project.

Over the summer Stetson has planned to invest in renovating the air conditioning units in all of the sorority houses on campus. There has been plenty of feedback that there needs to be some work done in the houses, and Stetson has listened. Over the summer the houses will have new air conditioning facilities in the houses. There also has been a lot of work done on Flagler as far as air conditioning is concerned to provide students, faculty, and staff with the most comfortable areas possible.

Stetson’s Student Government Association (SGA) is working hard on some hot topics. Making the Lynn Business Center more available hour wise, discussing cultural credit revisions, and even working to make the Zipcar program even more accessible and wide spread across campus. It is encouraged for students to talk to their representatives or just drop by the SGA office located in the CUB to discuss anything relative to Stetson. This organization is dedicated to students and strives to give students what they want and need.

Hatters make a difference on Doug Lee Day of Service

abagga — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:02:59 +0000

On Saturday, April 20^th 2013 several Stetson students, staff and alumni gathered together to commemorate our late former President, Dr. H. Douglas Lee, by serving at seven different sites in the community as part of the “Doug Lee Day of Service”. These sites included Woodward Avenue Elementary School, the Wounded Warriors Golf Tournament, Border Collie Rescue, Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels Walk, the Gillespie Museum’s Earth Day Fair, Hatter Harvest Garden’s workday, and the Chisholm Community Center. Over 60 students volunteered to help with the different service sites that were offered, amounting to over 250 hours of volunteer impact in our community!

At several of the sites, our volunteers had the opportunity to work directly with community members. A great example was the Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels Walk, which took place at Bill Dreggors Park here in DeLand. The Mayor attended the event, gave the opening speech and led the walk. Volunteers were able to meet many of the Council on Aging employees as well as the individuals who receive assistance from the organization. Another example was Gillespie Museum’s Earth Day Fair, where 150 students and community members worked together on environmentally-focused projects. The students came from organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Students Advocating Sustainability at Stetson (SASS), Stetson Cycles and Hatter Harvest, and projects included natural tie-dying, making lady bug houses, making smoothies with Stetson Cycles’ Smoothie Bike, natural stone beading, a recycled art competition, a birdhouse building competition, and prescription drug collection. These were only a few of the many engaging and exciting events going on during Doug Lee Day of Service!

It was heartening to see so many Hatters coming out to honor Dr. Lee and our shared commitment to community engagement by working with our community partners – especially on a weekend with a multitude of events to choose from, including Senior Week and Hatterpalooza. It is safe to say that Dr. Lee would have been proud of how our Hatters commemorated the day of service designated in his honor.

If you would like to see any pictures from the day here is the link to our Facebook page and Doug Lee Day of Service photo album:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.4930081896270.1073741826.1425154640&type=1

Help your Hatter make informed career decisions!

abagga — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:21:22 +0000

Many students experience stress when making career-related decisions. The best way to alleviate this stress is for students to develop a career plan early on. Here are some tips for creating a strategic plan that will help students make well-informed decisions about their careers:

First Year Students

Self-Awareness and Assessment: Students should think about possibilities for their careers and seek information about their skills, values, interests and abilities by completing a self-assessment.

Sophomore Year

Exploration: Actively explore career options that match findings from self-assessment activities. Explore options by attending career expos, networking events, and conducting information interviews.

Junior Year

Experience: Actively interact with career options through internships, job shadowing, on-campus jobs, and volunteering.

Senior Year

Transition: Conduct a thorough search for the right post-graduation opportunity by networking, attending career expos, and participating in on-campus interviews.

In addition, the office of Career Development and Academic Advising has developed impactful spring programming to assist students with making career-related decisions. Some of the programs students must take advantage of include:

February 26, 27, 28: Mock Interviews

Students can practice their interviewing skills with a professional recruiter so they are fully prepared to interview for an internship, full-time job, volunteer opportunity, or graduate school admittance.

March 12-13: Career Expo Preparation Sessions

Students will learn how to prepare for the Annual Career Expo, including how to research organizations/employers, develop an “elevator speech”, and proper etiquette at a career expo event.

March 20: Annual Career Expo (ACE)

A career expo event that features businesses, organizations, and graduates schools with representatives on site to answer questions, discuss internship and job openings, and graduate school admission.

March 21-26: On-Campus Interviews

Students will have an opportunity to interview with employers who are seeking to fill full-time openings and internship positions.

For more information please visit http://www.stetson.edu/administration/career-development/ .

Students can also contact the office of Career Development and Academic Advising at 386-822-7315 to schedule an appointment with an expert career advisor.

What to do about the FLU.

abagga — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:17:37 +0000

Flu is an acute contagious viral respiratory illness. The flu virus lives in the nose and throat. Sneezing, nose blowing, kissing, coughing, sharing drinks and hand-to-hand contact spread the virus.

SYMPTOMS: Usually sudden onset, and may include fever (102-103 degrees), chills, headache, generalized weakness, muscle aches, non-productive cough. Sometimes vomiting and diarrhea can occur. Fever may last 2-5 days even with use of fever reducing medications.

TREATMENT: 1. Tylenol 2 tablets every 4 hours for temperature and muscle ache.

2. Cough syrup as instructed on bottle.

3. Increased fluid intake and consume a light diet.

4. Rest and avoid strenuous physical activity. Your body needs its strength to

fight the virus. Do not tire yourself unnecessarily.

5. Dress warmly when going outdoors. If chilled from fever, avoid bundling up

as this may only increase your temperature.

6. Practice good infection control by covering your cough “Cough Into Your

Sleeve.” Proper disposal of tissues in trash, wash hands frequently or use

alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

7. Please self-isolate in your room until temperature is below 100° for 24 hours.

Viruses do not respond to antibiotics. You must be prepared to let the flu run its course. However, in the case of a secondary bacterial infection, it may be necessary to take an antibiotic.

If antibiotics are prescribed, take according to the instructions on the bottle and for the FULL TIME PERIOD SPECIFIED. Do not stop antibiotics after 3-4 days when temporary relief may occur – infection may not be eradicated in that length of time.
Antibiotics may reduce efficacy of birth control pills. Use back up method of birth control for the period of antibiotic use and one full cycle thereafter.
Avoid alcohol while on medications.

CALL HEALTH SERVICE IF:

Symptoms are not responsive to medication within 5 days or symptoms worsen.
Cough becomes productive – dark colored, thick mucous.
Any suspected antibiotic (or other drug) adverse reaction. Signs of adverse reaction can include rash, nausea, and abdominal pain. An ecological imbalance of normal bacteria (caused by antibiotics may result in yeast infection or diarrhea.)
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES PH: (386) 822-8150

Stetson Airport Shuttles

abagga — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:19:20 +0000

The Student Government Association and the Division of Campus Life and Student Success are happy to announce that they will be offering limited transportation service to and from the Orlando International Airport (MCO) for Stetson University students. This service is available at designated heavy travel times throughout this academic school year including Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break, as well as FOCUS Orientation. Our goal is to provide safe and reliable transportation for our students, as well as eliminate the added stress of finding transportation. The transportation service is offered to Stetson students FREE of charge, excluding gratuity. Space is limited and reservations are on first come, first served basis.

Below is the transportation schedule for the Winter Break. The last day to sign up for a departure is a space is December 9^th. Students may sign up for the return trip through December 19^th if there is space available. ***Please note that Stetson University will be closed Saturday, December 22^nd through Tuesday, January 1^st.***

Departures (Stetson University to Orlando International Airport)

December 12^th: 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (3 p.m. is full)
December 14^th: 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
December 15^th: 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Arrivals (Orlando International Airport to Stetson University)

January 13^th: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

If you would like to make a reservation or you have any questions, please email Jennifer Carbon at jcarbon@stetson.edu. Parents can also visit http://www.stetson.edu/other/parents/shuttles.php for more information.

Finals are almost here! How to help your Hatter.

abagga — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:44:30 +0000

As final exams quickly approach, the stress for students also builds. For some students this may be their first foray into college exam time, and with that can come much anxiety about how to appropriately prepare. We have some good tips to help students approach finals with confidence and poise:

Create a study schedule NOW! Look at which exams are the largest percentage of your grade, the tests that will cover the most material, and the class in which you have the lowest grade to help prioritize.
In addition to utilizing your notes and reading material for studying, review your previous exams. Even if your test isn’t cumulative you can get a sense for your professor’s examination style and make mock tests according to that structure.
Eat healthy and sleep! In order for our brain to work at its most optimum level, our body needs to be in its best condition. All night study sessions downing red bull after red bull does not a healthy brain make.
Think positive thoughts. This seems simple, but can have a big impact. Saying, “I am so going to fail this exam,” can act as a self-fulfilling prophecy. On the other hand, confidence and positivity will enable your brain to think clearly and find those answers more easily!

Ultimately, students must be purposeful about the end of the semester. It is not time to check out just yet!!

Once finals are over, the joy of winter break can be intoxicating! We definitely encourage students to reap the sweat reward of a well-earned break; however, we also encourage students to do a little preparation for their spring term.

Our biggest recommendation would be making plans about their spring schedule. Their class schedule has changed and thereby their study schedule has changed. Students should use a weekly schedule breakdown to see where the open times are in their week and plan the times they will study. Entering the semester with this already figured out will cut down on the inevitable adjustment time period students go through when returning to school with different courses and a different weekly schedule.

Maintaining a health sleep cycle during the break is also recommended, so that students don’t enter their spring term with an inability to wake up for their 9 am course.

Lastly, we encourage students to make goals about their spring term. What do they want to accomplish? What grades are they aiming for in their classes? What leadership position do they want to have by the end of the term? Knowing this ahead of time can help with approaching the semester in an intentional way.

Find more tips and info about resources at www.stetson.edu/asc.

Students can also email asc@stetson.edu to schedule a Success Coaching appointment today!

Stetson Shares

abagga — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:37:06 +0000

As part of Greenfeather/Homecoming Week, student organizations were asked to assemble Thanksgiving Day bags that would be distributed to local families in the DeLand community so that they would be given the privilege of having a Thanksgiving dinner. Each organization was given a list of items that they were required to include in each of their bags and they were supplied paper bags to fill. While this started out to be yet another competition for students to receive points, it eventually exceeded way beyond that. Staff, faculty, parents and other students were all ready to just donate. Not for the sake of getting points, but for the simple fact that they wanted to help someone in need. Our office received countless phone calls and emails from departments wanting to make sure it wasn’t too late to bring their donations. One student’s mother even donated 7 of the gift cards that go in the bags to buy the Turkeys. However, the icing on the cake was definitely walking in to the office on a Monday morning and finding a mountain of canned goods and other food items that was donated by a couple of our student organizations. It was accompanied by a note from them that basically said they wanted to help feed families for Thanksgiving so they went around the DeLand community on Friday and knocked on doors asking for donations. That goes to show that something as simple as walking around for a couple of hours asking for a few donations can really make a big difference in someone else’s life. Who knows, if it weren’t for the contributions of the people here at Stetson University, some families may not have had a Thanksgiving dinner this year. It’s great to know that so many people are on board with helping the less fortunate.

Family Weekend Pictures!

abagga — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:54:19 +0000

Did you attend Friends & Family Weekend back in September? See event highlights and re-live the memories!

Check out pictures from this year’s event at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/89690199@N07/

Thank you for your continued support, enjoy!

Stay prepared with Blackboard Connect

gbauer — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:35:19 +0000

Make sure your student stays connected through Hatter Alerts! Last summer, Stetson’s DeLand campus switched to Blackboard Connect for its emergency communications system, through which students can receive Hatter Alert emails and mobile phone and text messages during an emergency. Currently the system does not allow for parents and/or family members to receive updates as well.

Important information regarding emergency procedures can be found on Hatter Alert, Stetson’s official emergency preparedness and notification site. You will be notified through this site in the event of an actual emergency on campus. The site provides important guidelines for many types of emergencies. It also provides an opportunity to download a PDF version of the full, 17-page Emergency Response Guide. We recommend that all students bookmark the Hatter Alert site on their computers.

Complimentary shuttle service

gbauer — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:47:15 +0000

Wondering how your student is going to get to and from the airport and campus? Stetson University now offers complimentary shuttles to and from the Orlando International Airport (MCO/OIA) during heavy travel periods of the year. The service is sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA) and Campus Life & Student Success (CLaSS).

These shuttles will run to and from the airport before and after Thanksgiving and for winter break. More detailed information will be available to your student through SGA.

Hub in the Cub

gbauer — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 20:00:51 +0000

Do you ever have a question about the university and aren’t sure who to ask? The Hub in the Cub is staffed with students from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays to help assist you and your student with all sorts of questions.

The Hub in the Cub is staffed by seven eager students ready to assist in a variety of capacities. Located on the second floor of the Carlton Union Building (CUB), the Hub is available for students to ask questions in person. The Hub can also be reached by phone (386.822.7776) or email (hubinthecub@stetson.edu). If you have a question or need to speak with a department, the students at Hub in the Cub are trained to answer a variety of questions or work with departments across campus to figure out the best solutions.

If you would like to know more about the students in the Hub, take a look around their website. Remember to “Like” the Hub in the Cub Facebook page and follow them on Twitter for continuing updates and reminders.

Move In & FOCUS Orientation

gbauer — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:14:22 +0000

FOCUS was a huge success! On Aug. 18, FOCUS Orientation began for all incoming first-year, transfer, and non-traditional students. FOCUS stands for “Friends On Campus Uniting Students.” It’s a mandatory, 5-day comprehensive orientation program designed to help new and transfer students have a successful transition to the university. With students and families arriving as early 6:30am, the Hollis Center Fieldhouse has filled with excitement as everyone found their keys to their residence halls and met their FOCUS leaders.

To see photos of this exciting day, visit our Stetson University Flickr site and view the collection of FOCUS and Move-In Day photos.