Parent and Family Newsletter
October, 2017
THUNDER IS COMING...
Parent and Family Weekend Fast Approaching!
Below you will find:
- A message from Vice President for Student Affairs, Cedric Gathings
- Homecoming 2017 Schedule
- Tips for Midterm Stress
- October Student Services Highlight (Tutoring Services and Writing Center)
- Upcoming Athletic Events
- Academic Calendar (October - November)
A Message from the Vice President for Student Affairs, Cedric Gathings
Dear families,
October is here and the fall semester at Marshall is in full swing! Marshall’s campus is beautiful this time of year and so many exciting things are happening. We want to share them with you to encourage your student to take advantage of each opportunity.
October 9th starts our Homecoming activities and as you can see from this link it is a full week of fun and a chance for our students to show their school spirit! http://www.marshall.edu/homecoming/events/.
Other than homecoming, we have so many campus and community events our students can take part in. We know student success takes place inside and outside the classroom and want our students to get involved! If they have questions about clubs, activities or campus events, they can visit Student Affairs in the Memorial Student Center and we can help them find what is right for them!
Now we know that October brings fun with football games, Homecoming, and all the other activities on campus and around. But, October also brings midterms and this is the time our students need to practice time management and really use the resources Marshall offers. Whether it is tutoring, the Writing Center, or a session with our Student Advocate and Success Specialist to help with an academic success plan, we can help our students succeed. This newsletter will help you learn more ways to help students be successful academically and we want you to pass this along to our students!
Remember Student Affairs is here to help our students navigate Marshall University and we are a resource for our students and you.
Go Herd!
Cedric Gathings
Vice President for Student Affairs
We Are...Marshall!
Homecoming Schedule
- Unity Walk - 4:00 p.m. - Marshall Main Campus
- Herd Game Night - 7:30 p.m. - Don Morris Room (Memorial Student Center)
Wednesday, October 11th
- Race to the Throne - 2:00 p.m. - Marshall Main Campus
Thursday, October 12th
- Canned Food Art - 11:00 a.m. - Memorial Student Center Plaza
- Homecoming Parade - 6:30 p.m. - Downtown Huntington
- Pep Rally and Bon Fire - 8:00 p.m. - Harless Field
- Rock the Rec - 9:30 p.m. - The Rec Center
Friday, October 13th,
- Picnic on the Plaza - 11:30 a.m. - Memorial Student Center Plaza
- Parent and Family Weekend Welcome Reception - 4:30 p.m. - Memorial Student Center Lobby
- Homecoming Step Show - 7:00 p.m. - Keith Albee Theater
Saturday, October 14th,
- Homecoming Stampede 5K - 8:00 a.m. - Marshall Main Campus
- Marshall University Alumni Association Tailgate - 11:00 a.m. - Harless Field
- Thundering Herd vs. Monarchs - 2:30 p.m. - Joan C. Edwards Stadium
- Halftime Ceremony - Halftime - Joan C. Edwards Stadium
Sunday, October 15th
- Parent and Family Weekend Brunch - 11:00 a.m. - Harless Dining Hall
Contact Michael Circle (304-696-6833 / circle@marshall.edu) for more information.
5 Tips to Help Your Student Get Prepared for Midterms
1. Encourage them to start now! Students need to develop a study plan and outline for their exams with key points and deadlines. This can also help alleviate stress so they are not cramming the night before.
2. Find their perfect study space. Some students like music or some need total silence. Students can reserve study rooms in the Drinko Library to help them have a quiet place to study. Also, step away from the cell phone! We all know how distracting cell phones can be. Encourage your student to turn it off when they are studying and really need to focus.
3. Connect with professors. Students should visit professors during office hours to get tips and assistance on anything they are not understanding.
4. Study groups, tutoring, and more! Students really need to take advantage of the resources we have available for their academic success.
5. Take a break. Rest, eating healthy, and getting exercise is extremely important during midterms. Students might want to stress eat, but eating “brain food” snacks and having regular meals will produce better results. Also, stepping away from studying, taking a walk, using the Rec Center, taking a break with friends can help students come back to studying with a fresh perspective.
Student Services Highlight: Tutoring Services/Writing Center
Tutoring Services
The University College Tutoring Center provides a welcoming environment for any one struggling in their college courses. Students may receive help in any number of courses from Math and English to Communications, Sciences, Engineering and more!
The Tutoring Center utilizes Peer Tutors, students who have demonstrated expertise in the subject area(s) they tutor and have obtained recommendations from appropriate faculty members. Scheduling is easy and can be done as a one-shot campaign for a better grade or a recurring series to set the student's highest standards of education.
Students can stop by University College in Smith Communications Building (Room 211) or submit a Tutor Request form.
TUTORING TIPS
Students should come to the Tutoring Center prepared to become active, independent learners. The following tips will help you, the student, reach your goal of academic success:
- Bring all applicable class materials (textbooks, notes, handouts, calculators, etc.)
- Know your student number (901-XX-XXXX).
- Turn off your cell phone before your tutoring session begins.
- Plan ahead—the tutor will be able to assist you more appropriately if you do not wait until the day of or day before the test or deadline.
- Come to your tutoring session prepared to work on something specific.
- Ask for help. Don’t be shy; tutors are here to assist you.
- Be sure to eat before you come to the Tutoring Center.
- Get adequate sleep the night before.
- Think positively!
- Make sure you’ve made an attempt to complete your work yourself, and that you have at least a basic understanding of what you need help with. The tutor’s job is to prepare you to do your work independently, not to do your work for you.
- Consider making an appointment – even though drop-in tutoring is available without an appointment being necessary, it may help to meet with the tutor in advance and plan your session(s).
The Writing Center
The Marshall University Writing Center is a free tutoring service for all Marshall students who want help with their writing. The Writing Center is staffed with graduate and undergraduate students ready to help you at any stage of the writing process. Tutors can be consulted on any writing assignment from any discipline.
The Marshall University Writing Center also partners with the Marshall University librarians. The “Research Librarian” tutor helps with the research aspect of writing (including citation methods). If you are struggling to understand how to work with sources or are simply curious about the resources available through our libraries, make a special appointment with the tutor designated as “Research Librarian.”
Upcoming Athletic Events
October Events
10/07/17 - @ Charlotte *Charlotte, N.C.6:00 p.m. ET
10/14/17 - vs. Old Dominion (Homecoming) *Huntington, W.Va.2:30 p.m. ET
10/20/17 - @ Middle Tennessee *Murfreesboro, Tn.7:00 p.m. ET
10/28/17 - vs. FIU *Huntington, W.Va.2:30 p.m. ET
Mens Soccer:
10/07/17 - @ Florida International *Miami, Fla.7:00 p.m. ET
10/14/17 - vs. Kentucky *Huntington, W.Va.11:00 a.m. ET
10/17/17 - @ Liberty *Lynchburg, Va.6:00 p.m. ET
10/21/17 - @ Old Dominion *Norfolk, Va.7:00 p.m. ET
10/28/17 - vs. UAB *Huntington, W.Va.7:30 p.m. ET
Womens Soccer:
10/06/17 - @ UAB *Birmingham, Ala.8:00 p.m. ET
10/08/17 - @ Middle Tennessee State *Murfreesboro, Tenn.2:00 p.m. ET
10/13/17 - vs. Florida International *Huntington, W.Va.7:00 p.m. ET
10/15/17 - vs. Florida Atlantic *Huntington, W.Va.1:00 p.m. ET
10/19/17 - @ UTEP *El Paso, Texas9:00 p.m. ET
10/27/17 - @ Western Kentucky *Bowling Green, Ky.7:00 p.m. ET
Academic Calendar (Oct-Nov)
Monday, October 2
Final draft of thesis/dissertation delivered to committee chair
Monday. October 9, Noon
Freshmen/Sophomore midterm grades due
Wednesday, October 11
1st 8 weeks courses end
Thursday, October 12
2nd 8 weeks courses begin
Monday, October 23
Students should schedule appointments with advisors
to prepare for advance registration.
(Required for students who have mandatory advising holds)
Friday, October 27
Last day to drop a full semester individual course
Monday, October 30
Recommended date to apply for May 2017 graduation
Monday, October 30 – Friday, December 8
Complete withdrawals only
Monday, November 6 – Friday, November 17
Advance registration for spring semester
(open only to currently enrolled students)
Tuesday, November 14
Last day to drop 2nd 8 weeks courses
Saturday, November 18, Noon
Residence halls close
Monday. November 20
Advance registration for spring semester (open to admitted and readmitted students)
Monday, November 20 – Saturday, November 25
Thanksgiving Break
Classes dismissed
Thursday, November 23 – Friday, November 24
Thanksgiving Holiday
University closed
Sunday, November 26, 9:00 a.m.
Residence halls open
Monday, November 27
Classes resume
Office of Student Affairs/Parent and Family Services
Email: parent@marshall.edu
Website: www.marshall.edu/parents
Location: Marshall University, John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV, United States
Phone: 304-696-6833
Facebook: facebook.com/MUParentPrograms
Twitter: @mustudentaff