UWGB Parents & Families

UWGB Parents & Family,

Happy holidays! It’s hard to believe the winter holidays are but a few short weeks away. I hope you were able to reconnect (virtually or safely in-person) with your student over their recent break from classes. Many of them were looking forward to returning home in order to enjoy time with loved ones, good food and much undisturbed sleep before heading back to campus to prepare for their first round of final exams. This has certainly been a most unusual semester, so I’m hopeful that everyone could re-energize in whatever fashion worked best for them.

The weeks between now and Winter Break can be extremely stressful for your college student. This is the time when they will have the opportunity to prove they’ve retained all that they’ve learned this semester in the form of many tests, papers and projects. Many of us remember from our own experiences what that type of pressure feels like! If you are looking for ways to show your support, you may consider sending them text messages just before/after their big exams, mailing cards or letters of encouragement or shipping them a small care package filled with a few of their favorite things. At heightened times of tension and anxiety, even the smallest gestures are both meaningful and impactful.

As I close out my last note of 2020, I want you to know what a pleasure it’s been to serve you and your student so far this academic year. Our newsletters will continue into next spring, but you don’t have to wait for information to reach you. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us; we would enjoy the opportunity to answer any and all of your inquiries. We can be reached at 920-465-2040, or you can message me at simsg@uwgb.edu. Thank you for all you do to assist your student in being successful here at UWGB! I look forward to what will hopefully be a brighter 2021, where we can discuss Covid-19 less and enjoy thoughts of returning to some of our much-missed campus routines and traditions.

Stay safe and well,

Gail Sims-Aubert
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Inclusivity & Student Affairs
Director of Residence Life
Office of Residence Life

Welcome Parents & Families

Parents and families,

It is my sincerest hope that this note finds you safe and well during this most unusual time. It’s difficult to believe that it’s been over a month since your student moved to campus. In the weeks since this momentous occasion, all students have done a tremendous job of making UWGB their home, of being respectful of campus safety guidance as it relates to Covid-19 and having successfully acclimated to their ‘new normal’. As you know, we are not only conducting surveillance testing of all residential students, but have increased the testing cadence to a weekly rotation. This testing regimen has allowed us to identify potential pockets of infection, and to react quickly to minimize spread to others. We will continue to be vigilant and do our very best to keep campus safely open for in-person classes and services. As we all watch how the infection persists in trending regionally, we completely understand the challenge that lies ahead, but our students seem highly motivated to stay on campus proper and that will surely bode well for all.

Even though the pandemic has stolen the spotlight from many worthy endeavors and achievements in 2020, the Office of Residence Life is doing what it can to ensure that students are having a traditional college experience. This is especially important for our first-year students. Our efforts look different this fall, but we’re doing what we can to facilitate strong roommate relationships, guiding the development of new friendships and providing robust out-of-classroom educational opportunities. By about early October, we like for our students to have found a friend group, have involved themselves in campus organizations and to be utilizing campus resources. If you believe that your student is not quite to that point or could use a little assistance with the transition to college – please reach out to me. I will work with my staff to help engage your student and offer them the nudge they may need to get them involved in their college experience. I can be reached at 920-465-2712 or simsg@uwgb.edu.

Thank you for all you do to support your student, and until next time – stay safe and well.

Go Phoenix!

Gail Sims-Aubert
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Inclusivity & Student Affairs

Important Information – UWGB Student Housing

Parents of Housing Residents:

During this uncertain time and with the rapid spread of COVID-19, University leadership has encouraged students who live in on-campus housing to move home.  We wanted to reach out to parents to encourage you to talk with your student about what their plans are pertaining to their housing situation.  Below are a few things to that may be helpful during that conversation.

1)   No student is required to move out of campus housing.  We strongly encourage them to do so if they have the option to return home.

2)   Any student can request to stay in housing and we will honor the request. We simply ask that students utilize the link to the “Request to Stay Form” that was included in the email sent on March 17 to make their intent known to staff.

3)   If your student would like to move out of housing, but is unable to do so for themselves due to illness or other reasons there is a Designee form they can compete to identify who will be collecting their belongings.  The link to the form is located in the e-mail sent earlier.

4)   If they choose to move out of their university residence, they will need to follow the Express Check-out process on myResLink.

5)   Students should check their mailbox and pick up any packages from the Mailroom in the Community Center before departing campus.  Mailroom hours are listed in the e-mail they received.

6)   Refunds and deposits will be processed as soon as possible.  Students will be updated as soon as we know what the refund amount will be and the date of disbursement.

7)  All official university communication, including housing updates, will be issued through your students’ UWGB e-mail account.  Please encourage them to check it regularly.  If there are updates about re-contracting, housing selection, summer housing, etc. it will be communicated through that e-mail account.

8)   More information about COVID-19 can be found on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

We want students to be safe and make sure they understand that we will support them in whatever choice works best for their housing needs.

If you have questions, contact the Office of Residence Life at 920-465-2040 or housing@uwgb.edu.

UW-Green Bay
Office of Residence Life
3350 Leon Bond Drive
Green Bay, WI  54311
(920) 465-2040
www.uwgb.edu/housing 
Housing@uwgb.edu

Coronavirus Update

As you may be aware, there is an outbreak of a new virus in China, called “2019nCoV” or “Wuhan Coronavirus.” The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay expresses its deepest concerns and support to the people of Wuhan.

Please be advised that no students have arrived from Wuhan, China this semester and there are no reported cases of the Coronavirus on our campuses. CDC has provided information to all travelers from Wuhan, China with information and what steps they should take if signs/symptoms develop. In addition, we have reached out to students who may have traveled to Wuhan, China over break and provided information related to the outbreak, symptoms and protocol to follow if they become ill.

The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff is a top priority. University officials are closely and continuously monitoring this situation and are taking every measure and action that is being directed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Brown County Public Health.

If there is any information that would indicate an actual health emergency related to the Coronavirus, we will be sending an immediate emergency notification. Please read the following link at the CDC for specific information:

CDC FAQ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf

If you recently traveled to Wuhan, China or have been in direct contact with someone who has, and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, within 14 days of travel, you should follow the CDC’s recommendations:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf

If you are a student, you may call the Counseling and Health Center during regular business hours at 920-465-2380 for assistance if needed.

Please remember that it is also currently flu and respiratory season and it is recommended that you follow CDC’s everyday precautions to prevent the spread of germs: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/prevention.htm

Additionally, UW-Green Bay has also developed a FAQ with campus specific details that will soon be available at the Counseling and Health website.

Any questions should be directed to the Counseling and Health Center at 920-465-2380 or Brown County Public Health Department at 920-448-6400 or Wisconsin Department of Health Services at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

Student Resources for Success

Now that your student has completed their first semester and has begun second semester classes, you may be wondering about campus resources to assist with your student’s academic success.

Student satisfaction and success research suggests that students who are satisfied with their university experience tend to perform well in college. Factors that contribute to student success include connecting with others, utilizing faculty office hours, getting involved in activities and events, staying healthy, and taking advantage of campus resources.

Some examples of important campus resources include the Dean of Students Office which provides support to students in the event of absences from class, crisis intervention, illnesses, bereavement support and notification of instructors in the event of absence from class, and personal safety.

Academic Advising which provides personalized developmental advising to first-year, new transfer, and undeclared students. Through one-to-one and group sessions, students receive information and support to help them become good decision-makers and managers of their academic career. Another campus service commonly used by students is Tutoring Services offering one-to-one and group tutoring services for a variety of courses.

The Counseling and Health Center offers on-campus counseling and health services including free counseling services by licensed professional counselors and limited psychiatric services. The center also offers access to nurses for minor illnesses, vaccinations, and much more.

Finally, the Office of Residence Life employs five Area Coordinators (ACs) each supervising an “area” of residence hall and apartment buildings. Our goal is to provide guidance and advisement to students who need a Resident Assistant or Area Coordinator’s assistance, and to make appropriate referrals to campus offices and services. Students may schedule an appointment with their Area Coordinator by contacting the front desk of the Office of Residence Life, (920) 465-2040.

Need Repairs?  Snow Slowing You Down?

As your student settles back in after the break please remind them to report any maintenance concerns and repair needs early and often regardless of how small they seem.  Maintenance requests can be submitted online through myResLink or by calling the Community Center Front Desk 24/7 at 920-465-2040.  Students are not charged for repairs unless there appears to be intentional damage, or failure to report early which results in additional damage.  Reporting repair needs early will also make the departure process easier at the end of the semester.

We have received some student concerns about snow and icy conditions on campus. We are in the heart of the winter season in Green Bay which means we will continue to experience more snow and ice.  Students can report excessive snow and ice to the Community Center Front Desk 24/7 at 920-465-2040 so it can be referred to our Facilities Management staff.

Benefits of Student Employment

Student employment is an important part of the college experience.  Residence Life at UWGB employs many students in a variety of different positions that will provide students with the opportunity to gain skills that will be used both during their time in college and after they graduate from the university.

A quick visit to the Residence Life Student Employment page will reveal that there are a variety of student employment opportunities that are available to students at UW-Green Bay.  Each position offers different tasks and experiences which also promote learning outside of the classroom.  What a visit to the employment page will not reveal directly are the other invaluable reasons that students should apply for a student employment experience in Residence Life.

Academic Focus

Student employees are first and foremost students.  As an employer, we understand this.  Our focus is on our student employees’ academic success.  This starts at the beginning of the semester by ensuring that a work schedule does not interfere with your student’s class schedule.  It occurs during regular conversations, some formal and some casual, where a staff member will ask, “How are you classes going?”  Each semester our department also asks students to complete a mid-semester grade check for most positions.  This encourages the student to connect with their professors to receive an assessment of how they are doing.  These connections can often make the difference on the pathway to academic success.

Mentorship

One of the core values that we take very seriously in Residence Life is the mentorship.  As a department, we maintain an intentional focus on building relationships with the students that reside on campus but the students that work for us receive the benefit of having that interaction on a daily basis.  Our staff, from our custodians all the way up to the director, take the time to ask, “How are you doing today?”  We make sure that our student employees know that they have an on-campus resource available to ask questions.  We are invested in their success and in building relationships that last through their time at UWGB and often long after.

Teamwork

While teamwork may not always seem like a benefit, learning how to communicate and operate with others to accomplish a task is one of the most important transferrable skills a student employee will master during employment with our department.  Nearly all of our student employment positions offer the opportunity to work as part of a larger team.  In some areas, like being a Resident Assistant, your student would work directly with other RAs in their building and area to ensure that their communities remain safe and fun environments to learn and grow.

As we begin this spring semester, Residence Life will be recruiting for summer of 2020 and 2020-21 academic year positions.  More information is available on the Student Employment Page.  Encourage your student to apply today to take advantage of the great experience and benefits that student employment offers!

Making the Most of the College Experience

Living on campus has many benefits that enrich the university experience and impacts student lives.  Students who live on campus tend to be more involved in campus activities, earn better grades and are more likely to graduate than their peers who live off campus.  Students also report that living on campus provides an opportunity to meet new friends or to live near friends, seek help with coursework, and living close by campus classroom buildings.

Some strategies you can discuss with your student to enhance their success are described in the remainder of this article. It is never too late to have these conversations!

Getting Involved in Campus Life

There are many on-campus events and activities for your student.  Resident Assistants (RAs) plan activities in each building and promote student participation in larger campus events. Participation helps promote a sense of belonging, will help your student meet other students, and learn new things.  Students who are involved in campus life report being more satisfied with their college experience.  Ask your student if they are attending any events and activities.

Help Your Students Develop a Budget
For many students, this may be a “first” time they are truly in charge of their own spending. Many are not very good at it stretching their money out between paydays, not to mention, the entire semester! Discuss developing a budget with your student and assist them in doing so. Have periodic detailed conversations (weekly or monthly) about how they are doing with their finances. Many student go to fast food places or have food delivered to them, which is more expensive than learning to make your own food at home or having a campus dining plan.

Sending a Student to College is An Adjustment for Families
Many of the parents we speak with mention this adjustment. Parents may under-estimate the sense of “loss” they feel when sending a student to college for the first time. This is a normal transition. Encourage your child to engage in their experience and reach out to meet people on campus instead of coming home often. Students need your support to make their own decisions while at college.

Discuss How Often Your Student & You Will Talk
Students need to be responsible for their own decisions at college. Consider stepping back just a little to let your student learn to work things out for themselves. Yet, don’t step back too far that they feel you have abandoned them.

One parent suggested using FaceTime or Skype to communicate because one can notice non-verbal and verbal cues to how your student is doing. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear from your student as often as you would like. This is most likely a good sign that they are adjusting to college, meeting friends, and getting involved in campus life. On the other hand, don’t be afraid to reach out to your student if you haven’t heard from them in a while. If you talk with them about the expected frequency of contact, if may save both of you some frustration.

Anticipate What Coming Back Home Will Be Like For Your Student
Things may not feel the same for your student when they come home. They may change – their hair, their dress, their music, their expectations, etc. They may have a different type of friend group. Don’t be alarmed, this may be very good for them! Several parents have recommended leaving their bedroom as is, so they have a comfortable and familiar place to return home. You may want to discuss which “house rules” apply when they come home the first few times, now that your student is a young adult who has been living with different rules while at college.

Ask About Roommates
Having a roommate is most often one of the best and most positive experiences a student can have while away at college. For some students it can also a challenging experience. Ask your student about their roommate relationships. Offer tips and advice about adjusting to a new roommate. Please encourage them to speak with their student Resident Assistant if they have any issues with their new roommate and not to wait too long. They are also welcome to speak with the professional staff member who oversees their building, the Area Coordinator.

Encourage Your Student To Use Campus Resources
There are many offices and people who are here to help students. Encourage your student to use campus resources such as the Dean of Students Office, Counseling and Health, Academic Advising, and the Office of Residence Life, just to name a few. Contact information can be found on the University’s web site using the directory.

Encourage Your Students To Use Faculty Office Hours
Faculty have scheduled office hours which are available for student visits and questions about assignments, course content, and just establishing a positive relationship with faculty and instructors.

We Are Here To Help!
You may contact the Office of Residence Life, (920) 465-2040, housing@uwgb.edu  with questions.  Although we are not able to share private information, a question you can ask is “if a student is in need of help regarding a particular issue, what would you recommend they do?”

Re-Contracting for 2020-21 Housing

It is that time again! Students who currently live in housing will soon need to decide if they are living on-campus for the 2020-21 academic year.

Students who choose to return next year will be able to take advantage of the following:

    • A 0% increase in room rates for 2020-2021
    • Safe and conveniently located housing which includes high-definition cable television and wired/wireless high-speed Internet access in every room.
    • Living in close proximity to a variety of university programs, services, and leadership opportunities that contribute much to your experience as a UWGB student.
    • Staff who provide programming and other engagement experiences, and who foster a strong and connected community

The re-contracting process opened on Monday, November 18 and ends on Wednesday, March 18 at 11:59PM. On March 24 – March 27, students who have contracted will be able to select their apartment or residence hall room. The time and date for students to select their room or apartment is determined by a student’s number of semesters on campus and academic credits earned.

Students may retain their current room or apartment for 2020-2021 by the deadline of March 2, 2020 in retention eligible buildings (Liebl, Haevers, Pamperin, and Harden Halls).

Regardless of accommodation type, students enjoy the following amenities: private bathrooms, furnished rooms and apartments, high-speed internet access including Wi-Fi, high definition cable television service, and laundry facilities in each building.

We hope that your student has had a positive living experience on campus, and chooses to return to campus housing for another year. Many of our students remain on campus through graduation due to the variety of living options, and the many opportunities to grow and learn in a residential setting.

If your student has questions about the re-contracting process, please have them visit the Office of Residence Life, call (920) 465-2040, email housing@uwgb.edu or visiting our web site.