Parent Handbook - Lafayette College

Message from the PresidentPresident Alison ByerlyIt is a pleasure to have the opportunity to greet the parents of new and returningLafayette students. As the recently appointed 17th President of Lafayette, I feel aparticular kinship with the Class of 2017— I know what it is like to be new here!I am confident that first-year students will make friends and feel at home quicklyin this warm and welcoming place. They will find a tremendous resource in thestrength of the ’Pard community — students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, andfriends of the College— all of whom are eager to help in any way they can.The Parent Handbook is designed to help you as parents become at home in thiscommunity as well, by orienting you to the offices and services that will support yourstudent throughout his or her time at Lafayette. I encourage you to familiarize yourselfwith the information, which will help you to understand your student’s experienceand to support his or her efforts to navigate an exciting and challenging four years.As the parent of a college student myself, I know that parents and families are anxiousto know as much as they can about their student’s new environment and experiences.Communication with your son or daughter will be your most important source ofinformation, of course, but we offer many other opportunities to learn about what ishappening at Lafayette. I hope that you will take advantage of those resources. Readingon the web about an athletic contest, dance performance, or community-service projectthat your student was involved in can help you to feel closer to the action.Finally, I hope you will have the opportunity to visit campus during Family Weekendor at another time, to meet your students’ friends and classmates and the faculty, coaches,deans, advisers, and others who are part of their lives here. Parents are important partnersin our efforts to help your sons and daughters learn and grow. I welcome you to theLafayette community, and look forward to seeing you on campus soon.Alison Byerly3 parent handbook2013 | 2014