1. Duck Transitions: Information for Ducks & Partners
Presentation by:
Gretchen Jewett, Director of Nontraditional and Veteran Education and Support
Terra Wilcoxson, Graduate Student Family Issues GTF, Work-Life Resources

2. Session Purpose
Welcome the whole family to this endeavor and to the UO community
Practice strategies for spousal communication and managing stress
Introduce resources that are available to you

3. Introductions
Your name
Student or partner?
2 adjectives

4. The Transition
The student family member may be taking on a new role and new responsibilities that can affect the whole family
Your family will have new expenses and financial considerations
The student may be returning to the classroom after a long time away
He/she may find that they have different perspectives and life experiences than more traditionally-aged students
It’s like playing a new sport, or starting a new job.
The separation process is a mutual one: your student has a new status, and so do you.
Your student is developing the ability to function independently while still maintaining an important emotional tie to family.
As parents, you are developing an adult-to-adult relationship with your student, and learning to feel comfortable with a change in your role.

5. Communicate Proactively
Why is your partner choosing to go back to school? Was this change a joint decision?
What are your hopes and concerns about present lifestyle changes?
How will this decision impact the way things work in your home right now?
How does this change impact parenting roles?
How do you see your household renegotiating responsibilities and roles?
What do you each need from each other?

6. Household Responsibilities and Time Management
Challenge: managing irregular schedules
Potential Strategies
Plan a quarterly and a monthly calendar (Include assignments and exams AND family events/time)
Help your partner maintain a study routine
As a partnership, establish time you spend together
Work together to make a plan for managing household responsibilities
Does the non-student partner feel that their personal activities are supported?

7. Role Calendaring Exercise
Identify 5-6 important roles in your life
Examples: partner, parent, student, employee, friend and family member, self
Identify at least 1-2 things that you will do this week to maintain each role
Calendar activities for each role
Discuss your calendar with your partner:
Are there busy days?
Identify 1-2 things in your week for which you would like your partner’s assistance and support. Ask for that assistance.
As a pair, identify what you will do this week to maintain your roles as partners/spouses and put it on the calendar together.

8. Roles and Goals Example
Individual/Personal
Rough Draft Mission Statement
Register seminar
Visit Frank in Hospital
Spouse/Parent
Confirm Symphony Tickets
Tim’s science project
Sarah’s bike
Manager-New Prod.
Test market parameters
Interview assistant candidates
Study consumer survey
Manager-Research
Study last test result
Work on bonding prob.
Network with Ken and Peter
Man. Staff Dev.
Review responsibilities with Janie
Visit with Samuel
Man.-Admin.
End of the month reports
Salary review report
United Way Chair
Prepare agenda
P.R. visit with Conklin
Start next year’s plan

9. Calendar Example

10. Student Example: Roles and Goals

11. Student Example: Planner

12. UO Family Connections Outdoor Program
ASUO spousal equivalent card needed:
Athletic tickets
Discounted membership to the Student Recreation Center
One-time fee of $10
$45 per term, $180 annual 
Reduced rate for Craft Center Classes
Outdoor Program
Kid trips: Susan Hanlon at

13. UO Family Connections Student Rec Center Social Networks
Family Rec: Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 12-5
Swimming, rock climbing, gym play, etc
Social Networks
UO Families Listserv
Graduate Student Family Facebook group
Family Friendly Museums
Museum of Natural and Cultural History
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art

14. Campus Resources for Grad Student Partnerships
ASUO Child Care Subsidy
Child Care Centers
Family Housing
Nontraditional Student Programs
Nontraditional Student Union and Lounge
EMU Suite 2,
Veterans and Family Student Association
EMU Suite 2,

15. Campus Resources for Grad Student Partnerships
Work-Life Resources
Child care, school referrals, lactation support, Child Care Share
Women’s Center
Graduate School

16. Nontraditional Student Programs
(541)
Individual consultations and resource referrals
Monthly electronic newsletters
Family and nontraditional student events
Tillman Military Scholars Program
Faculty Mentorship Program
Veteran Friendly Listeners Program

17. Work-Life Resources Karen Logvin klogvin@uoregon.edu
Terra Wilcoxson
(541)
463 Oregon Hall
Lactation Support
Child Care and School Referral
Elder Care Information
Child Care Share
UOFamilies Listserv and Facebook Group
Workshops and Events

18. Questions, Concerns, Discussion
What else is on your mind?