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PARENTS & FAMILIES NEWSLETTER
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Dear NYU Parents and Families,
As many of you know, in the United States, this time of year is characterized by gratitude - for family, for friends, for everything in our lives which allows us to flourish and contribute to the good in the world.
In that spirit, we want to express our deep appreciation for each of you. Your students’ incredible contributions to NYU are due in no small part to your ongoing dedication and care for them. So, thank you - thank you for lending us your loved ones during their time at university, and we hope that we return them having expanded their knowledge, skills and networks, equipped to change the world and make it a more just and equitable place.
In this issue, we’ve highlighted a few service-focused opportunities we offer with your students, as well as select resources and recommendations around student academic support.
With Gratitude,
Rafael Rodriguez, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
Division of Student Affairs
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Parents & Family Weekend SurveyIt was great to welcome you back to NYU for Alumni and Parent Weekend 2022. We are always looking for ways to improve our parent and family engagement and we value your feedback. Please tell us how we did by completing the Parent Weekend 2022 Survey.
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Get Caught UpOn October 12, 2022, we hosted the Finding Your Home at NYU Parents and Families webinar which provided parents/families insight regarding important resources and opportunities for the fall semester and strategies to support your student's journey. Watch the Finding Your Home at NYU video recording, and check out other great videos on our Parents and Families Events & Involvement page
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NYU students are here to change the world!Here is just a small sample of how your student can make a difference at NYU.
- On Dec. 3, NYU students are invited to join the “Give Where You Live effort” with the Food Bank for New York City. Students will be packing fresh produce and shelf-stable grocery bags for distribution to community members.
- Sponsored by NYU’s Student Government Assembly, NYU’s Swipe it Forward program allows students to donate meal swipes to fellow food-insecure students.
- Hillel at NYU and the NYU Bronfman Center is sponsoring a Winter Clothing drive through November 21st.
Visit NYU’s Local and Global Service webpage for more information regarding service opportunities for students. In addition, encourage your student to check out NYU Engage, where they can find over 800 active clubs and organizations, join any of the 300+ active student clubs open to all students, look for a club exclusive to their school or academic program and find hundreds of unique engagement opportunities each semester.
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Just in Time/Just in Case
Resources and/or events that help you to “Be a Compass” to your student
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Important DatesWith the end of the semester in sight, we wanted to highlight important dates and information:
- Spring Course Registration Began: November 14
- Fall Break/Thanksgiving Recess: November 23 - 25
- Last Day to Withdraw or Request Pass/Fail grade: December 5
- Last Day of Classes: December 14
- Final Exam Period: December 16 - 22
- Winter Recess Begins: December 23
Find the full list of important dates on the NYU Academic Calendar. During this time of year, many families are solidifying travel arrangements. A reminder that students are given class syllabi outlining assignments and exam dates, all of which can impact travel dates. If your student is unclear about exam or assignment dates, encourage them to speak with their professor to clarify their requirements before finalizing travel plans.
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NYU's Academic Resource CenterNYU’s Academic Resource Center (ARC) offers a variety of academic support and resources for new and returning students, including peer tutoring through the University Learning Center, referrals to other academic resources, a computer bar, an ITS printer, and study spaces.
Within the ARC, the University Learning Center (ULC) aims to help students meet the challenge of the College’s rigorous academic standards, to guide students in their adjustment to the college learning environment, and to prepare them for a lifetime of self-sufficient learning. They host free one-on-one peer tutoring, group review workshops, academic skills workshops, “study-slams'' test prep sessions, and more. In addition to subject-matter tutoring, the ULC's Learning Assistants can help students improve learning skills and techniques.
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Frequently Asked Question of the Month
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How can we learn more about our student’s grades?
Much of our work with parents and families focuses on the transition from high school to college. We often find that the lack of access to your student’s university grades can be a big adjustment for many families. As a U.S. institution that accepts federal monies, NYU is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects the privacy of students' education records, including grades. Read about NYU’s FERPA policies.
Grades can be a sensitive and emotion-filled topic, often bringing about feelings of excitement, disappointment, angst/stress, boastfulness, pride, or shame (and sometimes simultaneously!) no matter when your student is in school. In college, your primary source for grade information is now your student. When it comes to grades and academic performance, here are a few tips about navigating this conversation with your student:
Dialogue over Lecture - Asking questions that allow your student to reflect on the totality of their semester's experience can often be a more productive way to encourage sharing and minimize defensiveness. Some questions to consider, maybe even before asking to see your student’s grades, include: - What were your academic goals for this semester?
- What grade were you most proud of/disappointed by?
- (For classes where students did not meet their academic goals) What was the most challenging part of the class? or Despite the grade what is one thing you learned about the class material?
- What did you learn about yourself this semester?
- What will you do differently next semester? or What goals will you set for next semester?
For newer NYU parents and families, this “dialogue over lecture” advice is all the more important. The first semester/year in college is a significant transition. Students are adjusting to managing much of their academic course load while also navigating a transition to a new place and beginning their journey into adulthood. Some students may struggle while others flourish; keeping the lines of communication open will help your student seek the support they need before a small worry becomes a big one.
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