From the Dean of Students' Desk

Welcome to the third issue of the 2006-07 academic year for Staying Connected, a newsletter for parents of first-year students. We hope you’ll enjoy the informative articles, some of which have been written by students and staff members and some which were prepared for Webster by PaperClip Communications.

Campus Construction

Most of the construction on campus is winding down. The Blimpie Subs n’ Salads unit in the UC Crossroads food court should be finished and ready to serve students by the first week in February. And the new Music Hall for the Community Music School on Garden Avenue is nearing completion.

Student Organizations

We now have more student organizations than ever before. For a full list, check out: http://www.webster.edu/studlife/stud_orgs/studorgs.html. Hopefully, your son or daughter has found a group that interests him or her.

Athletics

We are the middle of the season for the basketball and swimming teams. And the spring sports teams are beginning their workouts in preparation for their competitive seasons beginning in March. For more information on Webster Athletics, go to: http://www.webster.edu/athletics/.

Student Writing

By the time you are reading this newsletter, you have probably had a chance to talk with your son or daughter about their fall semester grades. Getting used to the quality of writing that is expected in college courses is one of the big adjustments for many students. I hear many faculty members bemoan the poor quality of writing that they see in their freshmen courses. I also hear employers talk about the poor quality of writing that they see from college graduates. Webster University offers excellent help to students who would like to improve their writing skills. My advice is for you to encourage your son or daughter to make good use of our Writing Center. More information about the Writing Center can be obtained at: http://www.webster.edu/acadaffairs/asp/wc/index.html.

Technology and Good Social Habits

Students have been known to answer cell phones, text message friends, and play games on cell phones at the worst times, even during class. Have you talked with your student about the appropriate times to use his/her cell phone? Are you aware of your student’s schedule so that you can avoid calling them on their cell phone during class or other commitments?

Adjustment Survey

Here is a list of some quick questions that can be used by parents to help you get a feeling for how your son or daughter is doing in their first year of college.

1. Can you name four friends that you made at Webster?
2. Do you have at least one activity that you are participating in at Webster? Hint – there are over 60 student clubs on campus.
3. Have you set a goal for your GPA at the end of the Spring semester?
4. Do you know your academic advisor’s name and the location of his/her office?
5. Do you know a staff person that you could go to when you have a question?
6. Do you know the location of the Writing Center?
7. Do you like Webster and feel like things are working out well so far?

We hope to have another newsletter out to you before Spring Break. We’d love to get your suggestions for future articles.

Go Gorloks!

Sincerely,
Ted Hoef, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
hoeftl@webster.edu

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