October 5, 2012 E-Connection
Hello folks!
After a very hot summer and a warm September, October has brought a
significant change in temperatures and it’s clear that fall has arrived! Believe it or
not we had a little snow last night and it’s in the forties today. There’s a
possibility of snow on Saturday (a couple of inches) as overnight temperatures are
dipping below freezing! Not to worry though, by the end of next week we should
be back in the seventies!
For those of you who were able to visit campus for Family Weekend 2012 (last
weekend) we hope you enjoyed seeing your student(s), the tremendous weather,
and the wide variety of activities we put together for you. We’re sorry we couldn’t
arrange a victory against UCLA but the young Buffs football team fought hard
against the Bruins and promises to improve every week. Just in case you’re
interested, here’s a link to a nice collection of Family Weekend pictures on our
Facebook
page: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152146631190646.914219.10
150149044125646&type=1#
Hopefully, your student is adjusting to this busy part of the semester! Of course,
we’re in the period of time when mid-terms and papers are occurring. If your
student is less than pleased with their grades/progress at this point there is help
available. In addition to the free tutoring support available to those living in the
residence halls via Housing and Dining Services’ Academic Support and Assistance
Program (ASAP: http://housing.colorado.edu/resources-tips/tutoring), the Student
Academic Services Center (SASC: http://www.colorado.edu/sasc) offers
workshops on subjects ranging from study habits to test taking as well as
information to help students find tutors (fee based). Finally, encourage your
student to take advantage of the office hours offered by each of their
instructors/professors. Faculty members respect students who seek help…they
take visits as a sign of a student’s interest and commitment.
While I’m on the topic of academics, it’s a great time for students to start planning
for next semester. Registration for the Spring 2013 semester begins in late
October (registration “windows” are based upon accumulated credit hours…those
with the most hours—seniors, juniors, etc.—are given the opportunity to register
first). Once on-line registration begins academic advisors will be exceedingly
busy. Consequently, now, before the registration rush, is the time to for students
to schedule appointments with their academic advisor.
I have a quick favor to ask. We have developed a short survey to collect data on
parents’ perspectives regarding CU Boulder. The two-minute survey will help us
better understand our strengths and weaknesses and will assist in our
communications and strategic planning efforts. Thanks in advance for your
feedback! Here’s the link to the survey:
https://cuboulder.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_dnINEYtQxnTBdlj.
Dr. Don Misch, our Senior Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health and Wellness and
Director of the Wardenburg Health Center, recently wrote an OpEd piece for the
Denver Post regarding conversations parents might have with their students
regarding marijuana. Don is a nationally recognized expert on alcohol and drug
abuse among young people. Here’s a link to the OpEd in case you’re interested:
http://blogs.denverpost.com/opinion/2012/09/20/kids-marijuana/25770. By the
way, while I’m talking about marijuana, it’s important for you to know that the
University of Colorado Board of Regents recently voted 5-0 to oppose Amendment
64, a State of Colorado ballot measure to legalize marijuana and regulate it like
alcohol. For more on this story visit: http://www.dailycamera.com/cunews/ci_21525837/cu-regents-vote-oppose-marijuana-legalization-underamendment?IADID=Search-www.dailycamera.com-www.dailycamera.com.
Finally, flu season is just around the corner. It’s a great time for your student to
get a flu shot at Wardenburg Health Center. For more information visit
http://www.colorado.edu/healthcenter/flu-information.
That’s all for now folks…we’ll be back in touch in a couple of week! In the
meantime, have a great weekend!
All the best…Barney
George W. "Barney" Ballinger
Colonel, USAF (retired)
Director, Office of Parent Relations and Office of Veteran Services
Campus Box 120
303-492-1098
303-492-0039 (fax)