Responding to Student Concerns

Responding to StudentConcernsNew Student(and Parent) Orientation2013

Roommate Conflict•Living i i with a roommate can be challenging•According to the Higher Education ResearchInstitute, t 47.9% of students t experienceroommate problems•Has a lot to do with expectations•Has more to do with making an effort to getalong and learning to compromise

Roommate ConflictWhat We Will Do• SLAs will help students discuss and work out problems• Mediation sessions are required before roomchanges will be considered• Private rooms are very rare and generally verytemporaryWhat You Can Do• Don’t try to select the roommate for your student• Remember there are 2 sides to every story• Encourage self-advocacy

Homesickness• Be enthusiastic – avoid negative statementsor mixed messages• Talk about coping strategies and campusresources• Don’t try to “home it away” and avoid thepick-up-deal• Try not to call or visit too often.•Do send care packages!• Please let us know.4

Homesickness• We’ll try to encourage and helpstudents to get more involved• Our counselor and SLAs can meet withstudents who are struggling• We offer some “homesickness groups”early in the year, which can be veryhelpful. l It’s nice to know you aren’talone.

Discipline• Make sure they (and you) read ourhandbook thoroughly hl before August!• Minor infractions – Some are expected. Wewon’t inform you unless it becomes afrequent problem.• Major infractions – We’ll call you.– Timing of response• REALLY BAD CHOICES – We’ll call you tocome get them. 7

Discipline – What You Can Do• Know and support our policies.• Help your student understand that byaccepting the privilege of attending LSMSA,they also must accept the policies.• Hold your student accountable, but try not tooverreact.

Emotional Concerns• Please notify us of prior issues of which weshould be aware!• Notify us anytime you notice changes thatconcern you.• Our counselor will work with students andmay suggest a local l (off-campus) counselorin some cases.• Students who are considered to be apossible danger to themselves are senthome for an assessment and must becleared to return to LSMSA.

Academic Concerns• Covered in several other sessions!• Important resources:– Faculty– Academic Advisor– Rolanda Myers, Coordinator of AcademicAdvising and Student Support– Student t Life Advisors

Questions?• Emily Shumate, Director of Student Services• eshumate@lsmsa.edu• 318-357-2526357 12