Finding answers, gaining problem-solving skills
From the Orientation 2007 Parent Newsletter


Whenever you have questions about the University, its policies or procedures, or the resources available for your student, we encourage you to first ask your student to find the answer or information. Moreover, if your student calls, e-mails, or comes home with a problem, your primary role as a parent is to encourage your student to take responsibility for resolving the issue. When students take care of their own problems or seek out campus resources, they meet people who can be helpful later, they develop important problem-solving skills, and they gain confidence in themselves.

Before you get involved with your student’s issues, consider the following:
•Can your student learn something by handling the issue on his or her own?
•Who has the full story? If your student has details about a situation, it is easiest for all involved if he or she makes the call. Otherwise, considerable time will be spent relaying information back and forth.
•Will your involvement complicate matters or make things worse for your student? Generally, it's best for students to handle their own affairs.
•Would you be comfortable with your student knowing you called about the situation? Although parents sometimes ask that we not tell their student they called, please keep in mind: We need your student's permission to address most situations, and students usually figure out anyway that their parent called.

You should get involved when:
•Your student is too ill to handle his or her situation.
•Your student has mental health issues that prevent him or her from making well-informed decisions.
•Your student’s finances are likely to affect the family finances.
•You cannot locate your student.You can guide your student to talk to the right person by determining the category that best fits the concern:

Academic issue
Students can talk to their instructor if a concern is related to a specific class; otherwise students should talk to their academic adviser. Students can find the name and contact information for their academic adviser on the student Web portal at http://myu.umn.edu.

Residence hall issue
Students can first talk to the Community Adviser (CA); if the CA can’t help, the student should talk to the hall director; for disturbances or illegal activities in the residence hall, students can call the information desk to report the incident or call University Police (for emergencies, call 911; for non-emergencies, call 612-624-2677).

Commuter issue
The Commuter Connection office (612-625-4668) on the second floor of Coffman Union can provide guidance and direction similar to what residence hall students find with their CA.

Personal issue
Students are encouraged to talk to a counselor at University Counseling & Consulting Services (www.ucs.umn.edu or call 612-624-3323). Academic advisers may also help students find resources related to personal concerns.

Physical or mental health issue
Your student should make an appointment or call the nurse’s line at Boynton Health Service (www.bhs.umn.edu).

Safety or legal issue
Call University Police (612-624-2677) or 911.