Greetings,

I cannot believe that the Holidays are upon us already – it seems like only yesterday that I was greeting the Class of ’09 parents at New Student Family Day!

In this issue of Parent Talk, you’ll find an article spotlighting our Student Health Services clinic, an essay from a first-year student and some information on how you can help our admissions office in recruiting great students.

Thank you all for your feedback regarding Family Weekend.  As a result, starting in the Fall of 2006, ALL parents will be welcome at a combined Homecoming/Family Weekend.  The weekend will incorporate our traditional schedule for new parents along with inclusive programs and events for all parents and alumni.  There will also be an “Arts and Academics” weekend starting in the Spring of 2007 that will highlight student accomplishments in these areas.  In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you at Family Weekend 2006 (March 31-April 2).

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Terri Selby - tselby@smcvt.edu
Director for the Parent Fund
Office of Institutional Advancement
802.654.2462

Healthy Students are Their Priority
by Terri Selby
Director of Parent Programs

Parents need not worry about the quality of health care that students receive while at Saint Michael’s College.  Ill students or students seeking preventative care are in good hands.  The professional staff includes registered nurses, nurse practitioners, a nutritionist and a physician.  The clinic is under the leadership of Director Susan Jacques R.N., M.A.  The staff has created a warm and comforting environment for students who seek them out.  They provide comprehensive health care and referral services for dental and other specialty care.

Centrally located in the residential life complex, Student Health Services is convenient for all first-year students living in the “Quad” – Lyons, Joyce and Ryan Halls, as well as the sophomores and juniors living above them in Alumni Hall.  Walk-in visits are welcome.  Student Health Services is open seven days a week during the academic year.

Upon entering the clinic, students are greeted by a bright and colorful waiting room that is overseen by Elizabeth Gray, administrative assistant, who is often the first person students meet.  She expertly assists students in sorting out the medical service or advice that they seek and is a comfort for those feeling unwell.  According to Jacques, the most common reason students go to the clinic is for respiratory illnesses – bronchitis, colds, and the flu.

The day that I visited, it was standing room only in the waiting room as the clinic was offering free flu shots to students, faculty and staff.  This is just one of the many preventative care services that they offer.  They also provide allergy injections, nutrition counseling, immunization/travel services and smoking cessation, among other services.

Jacques, who is a certified adult nurse practitioner, received her MSN from the University of Maryland and her BSN from the University of Virginia.  She is most proud of creating a monthly health promotion program that runs throughout the academic year.  This year’s topics are as follows:

• Healthy Living (September)

• Flu Prevention and Alcohol Awareness (October)

• Cancer Awareness (October)

• Smoke Out (November)

• Stress Survival (December)

• Winter Wellness (January)

• Safe Spring Breaks (February)

• Nutrition Awareness (March)

• Immunization and Travel (April)

• Skin Cancer Prevention (May)

Jacques reports that students should feel comfortable using Student Health Services as they would their health service providers at home.  She would like to remind parents that students need to bring their health insurance cards with them to college in case of emergencies.  Also, parents should inform students about their health insurance coverage so that students are aware of any restrictions of their coverage (for example, services that might not be covered out of network).

There is no charge for students who use the clinic but there may be fees for lab testing, immunizations, prescription medication or a visit to a referred specialist in the area.

Jacques is happy to talk to concerned parents (and will contact parents in cases of emergency) but cautions them that all student visits are confidential as stipulated under the Federal Right to Privacy Act or FERPA.  However, if students give staff permission, they will be happy to share details of a visit with parents.

Please feel free to check out their webpage: www.smcvt.edu/studentlife/healthservices

A First Semester Impression
by Lauren Gluck '09

The last time I went to camp, at the age of 14, I barely lasted a week and couldn’t even think about staying for the second week.  By the end of the first week, I wanted to go home.  This, naturally, made my parents a little nervous about how I would handle college life.  How would I adjust to being away from home months at a time?  I am going to school only 40 minutes away from my house, but it still is a big adjustment.  Yet I soon discovered that college life has something camp life doesn’t: a feeling of family.

By my second day at Saint Michael’s, everyone on my floor (4th floor Ryan Hall) knew each other and was already starting to form friendships and we had many floor-wide socials.  Whenever it is someone’s birthday, a person will make them a card, have everyone on the floor sign it, and there will be an informal celebration for them.  There is more than a sense of community; it is more like an extended family.  Everyone doesn’t always get along with everyone else, but everyone pulls together if someone needs support.

Campus life, in general, is wonderful. This campus is small enough that it is never too far to walk to a sporting event or to visit a friend.  Saint Michael's College makes an effort to bring both intellectual speakers and entertaining guests to the school.  Between events hosted by the college and plans made with friends, it is hard to pass an evening or weekend bored here.

A very exciting event to take part in is the Senior Prom which is organized by M.O.V.E (Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts).  Men and women from senior homes in the area come to campus and Saint Michael’s students donate their time to decorate International Commons and dance and share punch with the seniors.  I found this event very rewarding because it gave me the opportunity to dress up and share an evening of fun with some local senior citizens.

The First Year Seminar program here at Saint Michael’s is also a great experience.  I am enrolled in the honors level Peace and Justice seminar with Dr. John McDonald.  This course has helped me develop my discussion and writing skills and also helped me acquaint myself with a group of fellow first year students on a personal level.  Our discussions not only include themes from the book The Life of Pi but also how these themes relate to our world both on a personal level and in more global terms.

Now that my initial phase of homesickness has passed, I am truly enjoying college life.  Saint Michael's College offers what I have always thought was an “ideal” education.  The liberal arts education that the College provides allows students like me opportunities not only to grow as an individual, but also encourages growth and an awareness of my generation’s responsibility to become active members in our society and our world.

• 40 Saint Michael's College students, faculty and staff members knit 121 items for preemies and others in need
• Political scientist Patricia Siplon awarded Fulbright
• 2006 Theatre Season Announced
  

Spring Semester:

• Sunday, Jan. 15 – All Residence Hall open at noon
• Monday, Jan. 16 – Classes Begin
• Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 20-21 – Mid winter break
• Friday, March 10 – Spring Recess begins after last class, all Residence Halls close at 6 pm
• March 10-19 – Spring Recess
• Sunday, March 19 – All Residence Halls open at 10 am
• Monday, March 20 – Classes Resume
• Friday-Sun, March 31-April 2 – Family Weekend
• Thursday, April 13, Easter Recess begins after last class
• Friday-Monday, April 14-17 – Easter Recess
• Tuesday, April 18 – Classes Resume
• Monday-Friday, May 8-12 – Final Exams
• Friday, May 13 – All Residence Halls close at 6 pm (except senior housing)
• Wednesday, May 17 – Baccalaureate
• Thursday, May 18 – Commencement

2005/2006 Academic Calendar

For more information on these programs, visit our Parent Page or contact Terri Selby, Director of Parent Programs 802.654.2462 or tselby@smcvt.edu.

Saint Michael's Fund Update

Thank you, Dr. Steven and Patricia Bookless P’08 for agreeing to be the co-chairs for current parents and the Saint Michael’s Fund. They are parents of Kim, Michelle and Megan, ’08, from Barrington, RI. Yes, they are triplets! All three young women are active both in and outside of the classroom. If you meet them, please ask them about the “spreadsheet story!” Steven and Patty wanted to be involved in their daughters’ college careers and felt the best way to do that was to take a leadership role as volunteers. They look forward to co-chairing their first meeting on Family Weekend, March 31-April 2.

Parent Giving to the Saint Michael's Fund
(As of November 30, 2005)

If you would like to make your annual Saint Michael’s Fund gift now the easiest and most convenient way in which to make a gift is to go to the College’s secure online website: www.smcvt.edu/giveback or call toll-free 888.44.7111. If you have any further questions on how to make a gift, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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