Changes in Campus Dining
Beginning August 21, you will see a number of changes in Campus Dining Services.

Making Smart Choices About Alcohol
College is all about choices. And some of the most important choices your student will make this semester involve alcohol.

Illegal File Sharing
Illegal peer-to-peer file sharing of copyrighted music and movies is an issue that many colleges and universities have wrestled with in recent years.

WebsterWorksWorldwide
Annually, Webster University sponsors a campus-wide community service day in partnership with local agencies and nonprofit organizations.

From the Dean of Students Desk
Welcome to the first issue of the 2006-07 academic year for Staying Connected, a newsletter for parents of first-year students.

Campus Dining Services Hours of Operation
Fall 2006 (effective August 21)

New Student Issues
“I’m Leaving for School in a Few Short Weeks!”-Related Issues

Organizing Residence Hall Rooms
What’s the difference between a residence hall room that’s a hovel and one that’s a haven?

Cough Medicine Abuse
Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a substance found in more than 100 over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines. And now more and more students are taking it for recreational purposes, potentially causing serious damage to their bodies and brains.

Looking at College Life Through a Values Filter
When students head to college, their values will be tested. Decisions about a variety of things, from alcohol to intimacy to how to spend their time, will come up daily.

From hovel to haven
Organizing Residence Hall Rooms

What’s the difference between a residence hall room that’s a hovel and one that’s a haven? Organization! Admittedly, no room is ever as big as you’d like. Going in with a desire to organize and maximize the available space can help students focus on the positive—and what they can do about it.

Some simple tips to share with your student about getting organized right off the bat include:

  • Computer Set-up. If your student will have a computer in the room, getting things hooked up and set up on the desk will help them have a big piece of their academic/personal life squared away. This organization can include getting any necessary passwords and their campus email address, too. Then, they’ll be ready to e-go!
  • Clothes Away. If possible, only bring the clothes you’ll need for that season. Others can be picked up at home or mailed when needed. There’s only so much closet and dresser space! Consider storing lesser-worn items in a suitcase under the bed.
  • Food Stuffs. Try to keep food items to a minimum to reduce clutter—and to discourage bugs! Use airtight containers, keep a few things in the fridge and don’t have too many dishes. Things can always be washed and it’s rare that your student will be serving a full dinner in his room!
  • Books & Papers. College life is full of printed “stuff” that can get overwhelming. Consider a file crate or small file cabinet for the room where your student can file things regularly. Encourage her to only bring a few books from home—there’s not a lot of space for those plus all the textbooks she’ll be buying. Set up a paper-recycling bin now. And try to employ the “touch it once” method of paper management to avoid piles!

One of the keys to staying organized in a residence hall room is not having TOO much stuff! If there are leftover boxes on move-in day and no place to store those items, take things home. It’ll be a tough decision on the spot yet will help your student feel less overwhelmed—and much more organized.

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