Hello Parents, Family Members, and Supporters of our SCU Students!
I am excited to introduce the first issue of the Bronco Family Newsletter, providing you insight into life at SCU and equipping you with valuable information to support your students throughout their college journey. The content presented in this newsletter has been previously communicated to your student through email, at a resource fair, or is available on the SCU website. In this edition, you'll find:
- Tips on how to maximize your visit during Family Weekend
- Details about our recently launched webpage featuring a range of well-being resources
- Essential course registration tips to educate your students
- An inspiring story about one of our students finding purpose in their work
- Information on summer student job opportunities
- And a short list of events happening over the next two weeks that your student can attend!
I'd like to express my gratitude to everyone who has participated in the Communication Survey distributed in January. Your feedback is immensely valuable, and I'm eager to integrate the insights you've shared into our strategy for parent and family communication and engagement. If you haven't had the chance to complete the survey, you can still do so by clicking the button below. My goal is to reach a 90% participation rate among our parent and family community to ensure a representative sample. This survey will be open until February 25, the Sunday following Family Weekend. I look forward to sharing some key findings from the survey with you in the future!
Should you have any feedback on the content of this newsletter or specific requests for future editions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me via email at sponce@scu.edu.
Cheers!
Steven Ponce Director of Parent and Family Communication and Engagement Division of Student Life Santa Clara University
February 20-23: Course Registration
February 23: Last day to drop classes with a W
February 23: Last day to petition for degrees to be conferred in June 2024
Family Weekend - 2 Weeks Away!
We are excited to see you all in two weeks! If you haven't registered yet, there's still time to do so. The weekend will be brimming with positive energy as families spend quality time with their Broncos. Participate in the resource fair to interact with university professionals and students, uncovering the wealth of resources we provide. Take the opportunity to explore and tour recently renovated campus spaces, indulge in the Barrio Fiesta, and savor the Love Jones Talent Show presented by our student clubs. Information about other activities can be found on the event website.
For parents of our 2024 graduating students, don't miss out on the Senior Gala at the Signia by Hilton San Jose. Secure your tickets today, as they are selling out fast! This event is widely regarded as the most memorable for seniors during their time at SCU.
Event registration is tricky at times, so we created this guide that will help you register!
Tips on Maximizing Your Visit on Family Weekend!
Family Weekend presents a great opportunity to reconnect with your students. It's a chance to gain firsthand insight into their experience at SCU and explore parts of campus you may not have seen since your last visit. However, like any great opportunity, there are challenges, particularly if you're not adequately prepared. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit:
1. Communicate with Students: Discuss plans with your students to align schedules and expectations for the visit.
2. Event Selection: Carefully choose events and activities, aiming for a balance between scheduled events and free time.
3. Campus Tour Considerations: Join a campus tour if it aligns with the family's schedule, as it offers insights into the student's daily life.
4. Flexibility in Schedule: It is important to remain flexible, as unexpected events or changes in plans may occur.
5. Meaningful One-on-One Time: Prioritize quality one-on-one time with your student, fostering connections and open communication.
6. Attendance at Campus Events: Attend various campus events to experience the vibrant campus community.
7. Involvement in Campus Life: Engage with the college's community, meeting faculty and staff, and exploring campus resources.
SCU Reimagines Webpage for Student Well-Being Resources
Enhancing student well-being is a collaborative effort across our campus, and in partnership with our parent community, we will strengthen awareness of the services and offerings available to our students! Explore our brand-new, all-encompassing website packed with a variety of well-being resources at scu.edu/well-being! If your students are uncertain about where to begin or what they might require, please take a moment to peruse the compiled offerings. This will enable you to guide your student in the right direction.
Tips & Tricks to Educate Your Student
Navigating course registration can present challenges for your student, with unexpected issues possibly arising. Below are tips we've shared with students to help guide them to success during the registration process, which takes place from February 20-23:
Students should schedule an appointment with an academic advisor before registration. Drahmann Center advisors provide support for students from all colleges and academic years, with specific assistance for undeclared students and those facing academic difficulties. Advisors can help with major and minor selection, academic planning, SCU Core Curriculum review, and explanation of academic policies. For more information on advising, visit the Drahmann Center website.
Students should reach out to their Faculty Advisor for support. Faculty advisors, assigned by the department overseeing the student's major, are key resources for information on academic policy, curricular planning, and program choice. If your student wants to work with a different faculty advisor, they can request this change by contacting the department manager of their major.
Students should pre-plan multiple Saved Schedules in Workday. Encourage your student to pre-plan multiple Saved Schedules in Workday (the cloud-based student information system where course registration takes place). They should consider prerequisites, concurrent classes, and any account holds. This approach maximizes their chances of securing the desired classes for the quarter.
Students should log into Workday early. Like any software, heavy traffic can slow down the registration page. Advise your student to log into Workday ahead of their registration appointment time, navigate to the registration page, and be ready to submit their Saved Schedule promptly.
If your student has any questions about course registration, please have them contact the Drahmann Center by email at drahmanncenter@scu.edu.
Finding Purpose in a Problem
The journey for Jack Petersen '24 is deeply influenced by his mother's battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), which he witnessed from a young age. The struggles his mother faced, such as difficulties with mobility and vision impairment, instilled in him a sense of responsibility to care for his family. Despite the challenges, Petersen's mother's health stabilized in recent years, thanks to medical advancements.
Petersen's experience motivated him to get involved in MS advocacy and research. In high school, he volunteered with the National MS Society, and at SCU, he helped organize MS fundraisers on campus. However, it wasn't until his junior year at SCU that Petersen discovered his true passion for chemistry and its potential impact on MS research.
The full story, written by Matt Morgan, can be found here.
Various Student Opportunities Available for Summer in the Housing and Conference Services Office!
Is your student looking to stay on campus or in the Santa Clara area this summer? Are they looking for an exciting summer job? The Office of Housing and Conferences Services is seeking enthusiastic individuals to fill various positions.
Why should your student join the Housing and Conference Services team?
- Hands-on Experience: Gain valuable experience in housing and conference services.
- Professional Development: Sharpen their critical thinking, problem-solving, customer service and leadership skills.
- Team Collaboration: Work with a supportive team dedicated to creating a positive community.
- Summer Housing Included: Enjoy the convenience of summer housing, though not required!
The deadline to apply is Friday, March 15, 2024 at 11:59pm PST.
Learn more about how your student can secure a job with Housing and Conference Services this summer on the Housing Website
Your Student can be an Orientation Leader (OL)!
Do you remember those friendly and knowledgeable students who guided you and your Bronco through Orientation? Weren't they amazing?!?
Now your Bronco can be just that for new students and their families this summer. Orientation Leaders are PAID, get FREE HOUSING for June and July, and are provided MEALS during summer training!
Information Sessions: Sessions took place on January 30 and February 7. The last session is on Thursday, February 15 from 4pm-5pm in the California Mission Room at Benson.
Pass this information along to your Bronco for an opportunity to experience great leadership development, form a new friend group and community, and be the first to welcome new Broncos and their families to SCU!
Applications are due Monday, February 26, 2024 at 11:59PM PST
For more information, please visit the Orientation Leader website
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Maker Night: Essential Designer Skills
4:00PM - 6:00PM at the Mayer Theatre
In this collaboration with the SCU Costume Shop, students will go over skills that a designer needs to put together looks in a sustainable way, like picking colors and shapes to make a statement. Maker Night workshops allow EcoFashion Show designers and anyone with an interest to learn new techniques and get help with sketches or inspiration. No sewing or design experience required!
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Diversity Works Expo
5:00PM - 8:00PM at Locatelli
Diversity Works Expo & Awards (DWE) is the Santa Clara University Career Center’s annual flagship event that brings together students, employers, staff and faculty in a celebration of diversity in the workplace. DWE provides $10,000 in student award scholarships, deepens employer partnerships, and amplifies student voices. We expect this year’s DWE to include over 100 students, over 20 employer partners, in addition to faculty staff and the rest of the SCU community. The event will include acceptance speeches from our individual student award winners and award winning RSOs, a panel discussion with industry experts, breakout discussions with employers, and a reverse career fair/gallery walk. Come join us for the fun! Students can register for this event on Handshake!
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Interviewing for Impact
2:30PM - 3:30PM in the Benson Williman Room
Are you new to interviewing? This workshop is meant for students who have little to no experience interviewing for professional internships or jobs after graduation. Effective interviewing takes practice. Don’t wait until the night before your big interview to prepare. Join us for the second interview workshop this quarter, and gain confidence in your ability to have successful interviews.
Students can register for this event on Handshake!
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International Student Tax Workshop
12:00PM - 1:00PM via Zoom
If your student is an F-1 and J-1 international student they should attend the International Student Tax Workshop by Sprintax. The first 100 registrants receive a code for free tax services from Sprintax. Your student will get the Zoom Link after they register for the event on the SCU Events Calendar!
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President’s Day
University Holiday (No Classes)
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REAL Information Session
Starts at 5:00PM in SCDI DISC
Is your student in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)? Do they need a summer internship, or have an unpaid opportunity lined up for the summer? Tell them to stop by and learn about the REAL Program and how they can apply for funding to support them during the summer experience!
The deadline to complete the application is March 1.
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Langston Hughes Project
4:00pm - 5:30pm in the California Mission Room in Benson
The Langston Hughes Project (LHP) is a 75-90 minute multimedia presentation that involves music, spoken word, and videography that served as Hughes' social commentary on the struggle for freedom and equality among Africans and African Americans in the 1960s. The program is facilitated by Dr. Ronald McCurdy, Assistant Dean and professor of music at Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. For updated events and detailed information, please visit the Black History Month events page
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RLC Events for Students Living on Campus
Attention parents of students who live on campus. Is your student reading the weekly newsletter emailed to them by their Assistant Resident Director? There are so many events happening in the Residential Learning Communities (RLCs) each week. Since each RLC has different programs going on, I will not list the events here as they don’t apply to all students. However, if you are curious, please reach out to your student and ask! You can also ask me what’s happening, but this could be a great conversation starter for you and your student!
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