1. Office of Parent and Family Resources Parent and Family Liaison
College Parenting 101
“The central struggle of parenthood is to let our hopes for our children outweigh our fears.” Ellen Goodman, American Journalist ( )
Office of Parent and Family Resources
Sandy Talbott
Parent and Family Liaison
Introductions
Where is everyone from?
How many are first time college parents?
Did everyone stop at the welcome table?
Who arrived yesterday? Attended the Student Affairs Life on Campus last evening?

2. Pitt Start Day 2 Career Services College Parenting 101
Understanding Pitt’s ABCs: Academics, Book Options, Classroom Expectations
The Wellness Center (Student Health Service and The University Counseling Center)
Overview of sessions provided for parents on Day 2. Announce that these sessions are available during move-in if other family members would like to attend. Also announce that this entire presentation is available at the parent website – Parents of First Year Students link. The parent website and other links will be provided on the last slide.

3. I use this as an segue into how students grow, develop, and mature by the time they graduate.

4. I use this as an segue into how students grow, develop, and mature by the time they graduate. The next slide elaborates on transitions.

5. Transitioning Becoming an adult Money management/time management
Let your student take control of the move-in
Money management/time management
Are you an alarm clock parent?
Does your student like pink?
Res Hall Life – RAs and RDs
1. Talk about students making their own decisions and choices, starting with moving into the dorm. Let your student take control, even if you know that you could make better choices on room arrangements, etc Money management – talk with students NOW about how disposable income will be used over the term. What types of incidentals/expenses are they responsible for? Who is paying for books? If they lose something are they responsible for replacing it? 3. How will your student get up for an 8am class? Parents should talk to students about conditioning their sleep cycle to what will be expected of them in the fall….and getting plenty of rest Talk about laundry instruction this summer and laundry availability at Pitt. 5. Briefly discuss the transition from possibly having their own room at home to living with a roommate, give and take of living with others, being considerate of others, making smart choices about independent living.

6. Summer Conversation Starters
10 top places for your student to visit
Listed in the Parent Guidebook
Webinars (live and archived)
Housing packets
Parking pass!
1. Encourage them to walk with their students to some of these places, including the ARC, Hillman, etc. All 10 suggested places are in the Parent Guidebook which is on the welcome table on on line at parents.pitt.edu 2. Announce that students and families can participate in the webinars together. The next webinar is entitled “Move-In Special” and is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29 at 7pm eastern time. Registration is required and parents can register at the link provided on the last slide.

7. From Director to Support Specialist
When you receive that phone call or text (and you probably will), be prepared to ask questions/clarify
Resist the urge to solve it
Resiliency

8. From Director to Support Specialist
Communications
Important to talk with your student
Know her class schedule and using that, agree on a “talk time”
Set up scheduled times or a window of time to talk
A situation today may be history tomorrow

9. Alcohol Edu and Haven Mandatory for freshmen Alcohol Edu for Parents
Student portal is separate
Haven - Sexual Assault

10. Fall Orientation Arrival Survival
Move-in will be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, August 22, 23, 24
Convocation Aug 24
Parent Reception
Bye-Bye! 
All Tuesday and Wednesday sessions are open to parents and families. Some sessions are specifically designed for parents and families.

11. Looking Ahead Add/Drop Family Weekend Fall Break October 17
Sept October 1 – 4, 2015
Fall Break October 17
Academic Calendar
On or Off Campus housing next year?
Housing contracts are historically due in the beginning of February. These will be thanksgiving conversations

12. Trains, Planes, Automobiles and Buses!
Have conversations regarding expectations when your student comes home.
Pitt Buses
Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break
Other forms of transportation
Megabus or Greyhound
Flights
Train

13. Parent Resources Panther Connections Newsletter Parent Guidebook
Parent Web site -
Webinars
Dedicated –
Dedicated phone–

14. Panther Parent Ambassadors
Custom polo shirt
Assist with summer sendoffs
Tours and special programs
Assist with on-campus programming when convenient
Occasionally write newsletter articles
Register at Panther Parent Ambassadors

15. www.parents.pitt.edu parents@pitt.edu
Office of Parent and Family Resources
Sandy Talbott
Parent and Family Liaison
Electronic version is uploaded at parents.pitt.edu
Click on “Parents of First Year Students”