Tech @ Night
Students did not have to venture out into the cold winter weather last Friday night in order to have a good time. Student Life hosted a late-night event called Tech@Night, which showcased some of the most popular activities that happen throughout the year, all packed into one night. Andorfer Commons was host to a 9-hole glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course, BINGO games, create-a-critter novelties, a performance by comedian Arvin Mitchell and a showing of “How to Train Your Dragon” in the Magee-O’Connor Theater. Lasting from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., there was no shortage of things to do for anyone who stayed on campus Friday night!
Giving Tuesday
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, many come together with their family, community, company or organization to find a way to give back with the gift of time, money, goods or acts of kindness. This Nov. 27, Indiana Tech is joining the movement with a day of service to our local community. Students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to work alongside each other on several activities throughout the day, both on campus as well as in the community. Projects will include:
- Love Rocks – Decorate rocks with uplifting messages and images to be given to cancer patients as a token of hope and encouragement in their battle against cancer.
- Rescue Dog Toys – Upcycle old supplies and shirts to create dog toys, which will be donated to the local animal shelter.
- Blankets – Make fleece blankets, to be donated to the homeless.
- Yardwork – Clean up yards and rake leaves for our neighbors who are not able to do so themselves.
- Vincent Village – Vincent Village provides affordable housing for homeless families in Fort Wayne. We will be helping prepare homes for new families to move into.
Thanksgiving Break Conversations
This break is often a time when parents get to hear their student talk about the stressors of college life. We are very close to the end of the semester—thus major projects, papers, presentations, and finals. You can almost anticipate hearing the students complain about classes, food, lack of activities/things to do, friends, etc. Please know this is often related simply to stress. The best thing you can do is offer support and encouragement. Don’t enable rash decisions—they need to finish the semester, feel confident, and do their best work. Remember, our goal is to work with you to help your student achieve their degree and graduate from Indiana Tech. So, here are a few things to help the conversation.
- If classes or the finals outlook are not so great, what is realistic and how can you finish as strong as possible?
- What have you learned this semester about your study habits that you can improve next semester?
- What have you done to set yourself up for an internship or a professional experience?
- What has gone well this semester? (this would be an attempt to flip the script and find some silver linings; it couldn’t be all bad)
- How have you connected and engaged this semester with others? Have you attended activities or events, connected with friends or joined groups with common interests? If not, why?
If your student is struggling and just doesn’t seem to find a positive way forward, know that Indiana Tech has numerous resources to help. Please have them seek out these resources when back on campus. For instance, the Office of Student Success can help with classes, and, maybe, help develop a plan for more effective study habits or tutoring. Our campus counselor might help with dealing with stress. Our Career Center staff could help with internships and career readiness—or even career exploration. Our Student Life staff can help students get connected through organizations or events. Our Residence Life staff—including RAs—can provide roommate and living assistance. WE ARE ALL HERE TO HELP. We just need to know what the problem is.
So, don’t let your student wallow in a stressful situation. Give them the needed rest and break they need. Provide them with support and encouragement. And then give them the resources to finish strong.
I hope you have an enjoyable break!
Dr. Dan Stoker
Vice President for Student Affairs
