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News for Parents of AU Students

Commencement
Alfred University’s annual Commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2010, in McLane Center. Please visit the Commencement web page for further details.

Spring Family Weekend
Spring Family Weekend will take place April 23-25, 2010. All family members are welcome to attend.

Highlights include Honors Convocation, the Hot Dog Day Carnival and Parade, special performances and presentations, MFA thesis exhibitions, the Parents Advisory Board meeting, the Pine Hill Derby, campus tours, movies in Nevins Theater, an Ice Cream Bash, Chicken Barbecue, Observatory open house, Career Development Center open house, live music at the Village Bandstand and more. View the Spring Family Weekend schedule >>>

H1N1 Vaccine Now Available for Students
The NYS Department of Health has supplied the AU Health Service with a limited amount of H1N1 vaccine for our students. Students should call the AU Health Service at 607.871.2400 to arrange an inoculation appointment. Students at risk for flu complications due to pre-existing medical conditions are especially encouraged to receive the vaccine. For more information visit the webpage>>>

Seasonal Flu Vaccination
Students at high risk for complications from seasonal flu and those wishing to avoid being ill from seasonal flu, should plan to get vaccinated, if possible. Unfortunately, Health Departments and non-profit agencies such as colleges and universities have had difficulty obtaining seasonal flu vaccine to meet demands at this time. Students can use the American Lung Association Flu Clinic Locater to find a vaccination source. Students can also try contacting their private physicians, as they may have seasonal flu vaccine.

View flu information for Students and Families >>>

Parent E-mail Addresses Needed for AU Crisis Communication System
If you have not already done so, please provide us with your email address by sending a message to the Office of Communications. The University will use parent email addresses, in addition to other forms of contact, to communicate vital information to parents in case of emergency. Also, in an effort to improve communication, ITS (Information Technology Services) uses NYAlert as our system for text messaging, voice mails and emails during emergency situations. In the Fall, when students log into Banner, they will are prompted to provide contact information. It is important for your son or daughter to provide a cell phone number so we can send them a text message in case of a campus-wide emergency or crisis. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the ITS helpdesk via email or by calling 607.871.2222.

Fall Family Weekend
Fall Family Weekend '09 took place September 25-27. The weekend included special performances, presentations and events, AU history presentation, art exhibits, open classes, parent information sessions, Observatory open house, Career Development Center open house, a carillon concert, movies, the Parents Association annual meeting, Parents Advisory Board Meeting, and more. View the '09 Fall Family Weekend schedule >>>

Next year's Fall Family Weekend will take place September 24-26, 2010. The weekend schedule and other information will be available on this website by mid-August.

Parents Orientation
Parents Orientation took place Wednesday, August 19, 2009, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in Holmes Auditorium, Harder Hall. The program began with a welcome from President Charles Edmondson, and included presentations on the topics of "Parents Association," "Parents as Partners," "Long Distance Parenting" and "Services Available for Students on Campus." Parents Orientation concluded with a Student Services Fair giving parents the opportunity to speak with Student Affairs directors, members of the Parents Advisory Board and Melody McLay, Director of Parents Programs. View the '09 Parents Orientation agenda >>> Printed copies of the new "AU Handbook for Parents" were be available at the Parents Association Table during Parents Orientation. Next year's Parents Orientation is scheduled to take place Thursday, August 19, 2010.

Transportation Information
If you have concerns about your son or daughter's transportation to and from campus we encourage you to view transportation information >>> for answers to frequently asked questions.

The Alfred Travel Center (800.263.3167, or 607.587.8842 locally, or email) at 11 West University is a full service agency, and can assist with domestic and international travel. View the AU Airport Shuttle schedule >>>

Electronic Billing
In the fall of 2008, the AU Student Accounts Office implemented a new electronic billing and payment process with ALL students getting their bills electronically (to their AU email accounts). Students and authorized users have access to view account statements and daily account activity online. Alfred University’s “e-commerce” system offers students and families a safe means of receiving electronic billing statements and a secure method of making Web-based payments.

Students are responsible for the set-up of Authorized Users (i.e. mom, dad or another third-party) who then have access to billing information on the CASHNet system. Authorized Users receive their login information from the student.

For additional information, please visit the Student Accounts webpage. Questions may be directed to the Student Service Center at 607.871.2123. View and/or pay your student's account balance >>>

Reminder from the Dean of Students re: Social Environment Policy
The AU Board of Trustees voted unanimously in May of 2002 to eliminate fraternities and sororities at Alfred University. As mandated by the trustees, rushing, pledging, perpetuating and initiating activities by fraternities and sororities are strictly prohibited and a serious violation of University policy. Anyone engaging in these activities on or off campus, either as a member, recruiter, or potential member, may be suspended or expelled. Consequently, please encourage your student not to engage in activities which might be a violation of our social environment policy.

Campus Happenings
For up-to-date campus news please check out AU Today and recent press releases. And, to see what's happening right now check out the campus via AU's web cam.

Dates to Remember

Mar. 5 Spring Break begins after last class
Mar. 15 Classes resume
Mar. 15 Summer School Registration begins
Apr. 5 Registration for Fall Semester begins
Apr. 23-25 Spring Family Weekend
Apr. 24 Hot Dog Day
May 3 Classes end after last class meeting
May 5 Final examinations begin
May 15 Commencement
May 17 Summer School begins

View the complete AU academic calendar >>>
View the AU on-line Calendar of Events >>>

Future Dates to Keep in Mind
Spring Family Weekend '10 - April 23-25, 2010
Commencement - May 15, 2010 View Commencement information >>>
Fall Family Weekend '10 - September 24-26, 2010

Tips and Suggestions from Current and Past AU Parents
  • Making Hotel Reservations - Always Plan Ahead!
    • It is wise to book your hotel as far in advance as possible for Fall and Spring Family Weekends - hotels fill up fast. In fact, one parent suggests that as soon as parents send in the deposit for their child's freshman year they should make reservations for Fall Family Weekend.
    • Plan for Commencement at least a year in advance. The Saxon Inn is used for trustees and Commencement speakers that weekend, so you will need to contact other area hotels to make reservations. (It is also a good idea to make reservations at local restaurants as early as possible if you wish to take your graduate and family out to eat during Commencement weekend.
  • Handling Housing Issues
    • If your son or daughter has questions about their campus housing encourage them to contact the Office of Residence Life. Parents are welcome to contact them, as well. It is also a good idea to stop by the Residence Life Office during one of their open houses, during Fall and Spring Family Weekends.
    • Students who wish to move off campus should contact the Office of Student Affairs. Off-campus housing information >>>
  • Using the Counseling and Wellness Center
    • If you are concerned about your son or daughter's well being encourage them to contact the Counseling and Wellness Center. They really care and they can help. Find out more about the Counseling and Wellness Center >>>
    • If you are concerned about your son or daughter because they are behaving abnormally and it appears to be an emergency situation please contact the Counseling and Wellness Center immediately at 607.871.2300 or the Student Affairs Office at 607.871.2132. If it is after regular business hours, and it is an emergency, please call Public Safety at 607.871.2108, and they will activate the University's on-call system. (There is an on-site coordinator on call 24/7 during the fall and spring semesters. There are also RDs, RAs and a 24-hour counselor on call.) If no one answers at 607.871.2108, you will be directed to call 911 to be connected with Emergency Services in Belmont. Emergency Services has the University's contact information and can initiate our on-call process. If you call the Crandall Health Center (607.871.2400) after hours you will be given an emergency number to call.
  • Concerns about Academic Performance
    • If your son or daughter is struggling academically please encourage them to speak with their faculty advisor about options for academic assistance such as tutoring, the writing center and Special Academic Services.
    • Parents often ask about accessing their students' grades. If your son or daughter signed a waiver allowing parent/guardian access to their educational record you can review your student's grades by having them login to BannerWeb to display the grades to you on the monitor or print the final grades for the semester, or you can obtain the UserID and self-selected 6-digit login PIN directly from your student and log in to Banner yourself. Should your student choose to have you log in to BannerWeb directly, you should find it easy to use and helpful in providing grades, class schedules, and other information and services.
  • Are you wondering what information AU can disclose to parents?
  • Do you have a questions about campus policies or judicial procedures?
  • Consult the Parents Handbook for lots of helpful information.
    • Copies of the Parents Handbook are distributed at Parents Orientation in August. A PDF version of the Handbook is available on-line. To receive a printed copy please contact Melody McLay.
  • Study Abroad Opportunities
    • Members of the Parents Advisory Board whose sons and daughters have studied abroad have told us that the experience truly enriched their children's lives and they encourage other parents and students to consider this wonderful opportunity.
  • Parents Association Involvement
    • As an Alfred parent, you are automatically a member of the Parents Association. We're parents who like to help other parents, and ultimately benefit all students and the University community. There are no dues, and all parents are welcome to participate in our meetings.
  • Dining Services
  • Career Development Center
    • Are you wondering if your son or daughter will be successful in finding a good job or getting accepted into graduate school after they leave AU? Do you have questions about what they can do now to prepare? Please visit the Career Development Center for information about programs, services and resources available at the Robert R. McComsey Career Development Center at the Steinheim.
  • Transportation Issues
  • Contacting Faculty
  • Summer Opportunities

Consult the "Experts"
Our Parents Advisory Board members are available to talk with you about their experiences here at AU and answer questions. Their contact information is listed on the Parents Association page.

The following list contains the names of members who have volunteered to be contacted about topics they feel well-versed in:

Katie Rommel-Esham - President email
Geneseo, NY
Ph: 585.245.5325 (work)
Student: Benjamin Esham '10
Major: Mathematics
Topics: General academic advisement issues, Parents Association, Parents Advisory Board

Soyini Brown email
Rockville Center, NY
Ph: 516.764.3647
Student: Khary '09
Major: Accounting
Topic: Football team

Office of Parents' Programs
The AU Office of Parents' Programs was established more than 25 years ago to provide opportunities for parents of Alfred University students to communicate, participate, and establish a sense of community with one another and with the faculty, staff, and administration of Alfred University. The current director is Melody McLay, who also serves as Director of Summer School and Summer Programs.

We offer a variety of events, programs and services including Parents Orientation, Fall & Spring Family Weekends, the Handbook for Parents, the Parents website, the Parents Association and the Parents Advisory Board. Another helpful resource for parents of new students is the Parent-to-Parent Guide, which is published each year by the Admissions Office.

About This Page
This page will be updated on a regular basis throughout the academic year and will be used to share information when issues or circumstances arise that may be of particular interest or concern to parents. Suggestions for tips and news that would be beneficial to current AU parents are most welcome. Please contact Melody McLay, Director of Summer and Parents Programs, to share your ideas.

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