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News for Parents of AU Students

Parent Handbook
The AU Parent Handbook, updated each summer, contains lots of helpful information for parents of AU students. view the 2012-2013 AU Parent Handbook Printed copies of the Handbook are provided to parents at New Student Check-in and Parents Orientation and are also available at the Campus Center Info Desk during Fall and Spring Family Weekends.

AU E-Newsletter
Subscribing to the AU e-newsletter is a great way to keep in touch with what's going on at the University! It is free and easy to subscribe - just send an email message to enews@alfred.edu.

Parent-to-Parent Yahoo Group
The Parent-to-Parent Yahoo group is designed to give you an opportunity to communicate with other AU parents. We share concerns, ask questions, get answers and advice, and receive timely information from the AU Parents Office. If you are not already a member, and would like to join, please email Jodi Bailey.

E-2 Campus Emergency Alerts
In the event of a campus emergency, AU communicates with students through several methods: text messaging, mass email, broadcast voice mail, through residence life staff, and via an automated alert system - E-2 Campus. At the beginning of the fall semester, when students logged into Banner, they were prompted to provide contact information for the E-2 Campus alert system. When they sign up, students may enter more than one phone number, and some choose to include a parent's cell phone number so their parents receive the same text message, at approximately the same time, as students, faculty and staff. Students may update this information at any time by logging into Banner. In most emergencies, the University would use the automated alert system for the initial notice. During the course of a crisis situation, updates would be delivered by text, web site and/or email, depending upon the urgency and complexity of the message. If you have not been receiving E-2 Campus alerts, and would like to, just ask your son or daughter to go into Banner and add your contact information.

Parent E-mail Addresses Needed
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.

Spring Family Weekend
Spring Family Weekend will take place April 26-28, 2013. Highlights include Honors Convocation, the Hot Dog Day Festival, special performances and presentations, MFA thesis exhibitions, the Parents Advisory Board meeting, the Pine Hill Derby, Chicken Barbecue, Observatory open house, Career Development Center open house, live music at the Village Bandstand and more. For an idea of what to expect, please check out the Spring Family Weekend schedule.

Commencement
Commencement will take place Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Please visit the Commencement web page for details.

Parents Orientation
Parents Orientation will take place Thursday, August 22, 2013. All parents are encouraged to visit the Parents Association Table in McLane Gym during morning check-in to meet members of the Parents Advisory Board and pick up a copy of the AU Parent Handbook. Following that there will be a Parents Welcome with President Edmondson and Parents Association President Katie Rommel-Esham, a Picnic Lunch, Parents Information Fair, and Parent Information Sessions covering topics such as Health and Wellness, Residence Life, Safety, Special Academic Services, Financial Matters, Leadership Opportunities for students, Career Development Center, Long Distance Parenting and more. A complete schedule will be posted here during the summer and will also be available at the Parents Association Table.

Fall Family Weekend
Fall Family Weekend was held September 21-23, 2012. The schedule included special performances, presentations and events, an AU history presentation, athletic events, 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 2012 Fall Family Weekend schedule. Next year's Fall Family Weekend will take place September 20-22, 2013.

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
The AU Student Accounts Office has implemented an 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
March 1 Last day to apply for Study Abroad for Fall semester
March 8 Spring Break begins after last class
March 18 Classes Resume
March 18 Summer Class Registration begins
April 1-5 Advisement Week for Fall Semester
April 8 Registration for Fall Semester begins
April 26 Honors Convocation
April 26-28 Spring Family Weekend
April 27 Hot Dog Day
May 6 Spring Classes End after last class meeting
May 8 Final Exams begin
May 13 Spring Semester ends after last Final Exam
May 18 Commencement
May 20 Summer Classes Begin

view the complete AU academic calendar
view the AU on-line Calendar of Events

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. view off-campus housing information
  • Using the Wellness Center
    • If you are concerned about your son or daughter's well being encourage them to contact the Wellness Center, which incorporates Health Services (607.871.2400) and Counseling Services (607.871.2300). They really care and they can help. find out more about the 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 Wellness Center immediately at 607.871.2300 or the Student Affairs Office at 607.871.2132. If it is after regular business hours, 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 Health Services (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 AU Parent 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.

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 AU Parent Handbook, Parents website, the Parents Association and the Parents Advisory Board. Another helpful resource for parents of new students is the Parent-to-Parent Yahoo Group. For information about joining the Yahoo Group, please contact Jodi Bailey, via email.

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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