This document provides an overview of academic life for first-year students at McDaniel College, including: - An introduction to key staff like the First Year Team and information on the First Year Seminar program. - Suggestions for how parents can communicate with their student about academics and expectations. - A review of academic challenges students may face and resources available to help them succeed. - A calendar of important academic dates and events for the fall semester. - Information on staying connected through social media and an explanation of FERPA policies.

1. Academic Life for
First-Year Students at McDaniel
Parent Preview Program
Summer 2012

2. Welcome & Introductions
 First Year Team at McDaniel College
 Dr. Karen Violanti
 Assistant Dean for First Year Students
 Dr. Peter Bradley
 Director, First Year Seminar Program
 Professor Jill Krebs
 Assistant Director, First Year Seminar Program
 Dean Elizabeth Towle
 Associate Dean for Student Affairs
 Jan Kiphart, Registrar

3. Session Agenda (KV)
 Goal: To provide information and resources regarding
student academic life for families of first-year students.
 Please See the “First Year Program” overview handout in
your binder for additional information.
 Agenda:
 Important People to Know
 What is an First Year Seminar (FYS)?
 Communication with Your Student About Academics
 Academic Challenges and Resources to Help Your Student
 Review of What Has Happened in May/June and What Is
Coming in July and August
 What Happens Once the Academic Year Starts
 Questions

4. Throughout Presentation (KV)
 As our time is limited this afternoon,
please use the Powerpoint presentation
handouts to write down your questions.
 The First Year Team and the Registrar
will be in attendance at the dinner and
Resource Fair later today for follow-up
questions.

5. Important People to Know in your Student’s
First Year Academic Experience (JK)
 First Year Team
 First-Year Seminar Professor &
Advisor
 Student Peer Mentor
 Faculty Members
 Department Chairs

6. What is a FYS? (PB)
 4-credit innovative topical or thematic course suitable for 1st
year students that provide an introduction to the liberal arts
and transition to college.
 Introduction to critical thinking, analytic reading, writing, and
oral communication
 Promote cooperation and foster intellectual development
 Limited to 15 students, professor = advisor
 Flex Hour in FYS – What is it?
 Peer mentor

7. Communicating With Your
Student About Academics (PB)
 Stay connected to what is happening on campus
 Expectations of student workload
 Communicate frequently based on what works best for
you and your student
 Promote self-advocacy for your student
 Support and encourage use of campus resources by
your student

8. Overall Academic Transition (JK)
 What are some of the typical academic
challenges FY students face in their first
semester?
 Managing freedom and being on their own
 Self and Time-Management
 Attending class on a regular basis and keeping
up with reading and written assignments
 Meeting expectations of college level academic
work
 Knowing how, when and where to study
 Regular communication with professors
 Self-advocacy in knowing class standing at all
times

9. Summary of Academic Resources (JK)
 Writing Center
 Department Tutors (Ask professor of course for
department specific information)
 Professor of the Course: Office Hours and Individual
Help for Course
 Academic/FYS Advisor
 Assistant Dean for First Year Students
 Library staff
 Student Academic Support Services Office (SASS)
 Student Peer Mentor
 Online Resources such as the catalog and the
Archway

10. What Happened and
What is Coming? (PB)
 May & June
 Placement exams online
 Advising
 Class registration started for Fall 2012
 July & August
 Class schedule adjustments as needed
 Complete required forms by July 1
 Common Summer Academic Experience
 Get ready to arrive in August for Orientation

11. Fall 2012:
Continued Transitional and Academic Support (KV)
 First Year Seminar “Flex” Hour
Presentations
 First Year Connections Workshop
Series
 Individual Support by Student Affairs
and Academic Affairs
 Individual Support by FYS
advisor/professor and Peer Mentor

12. Social Media –
Staying Connected (PB)
 Facebook group for parents/families:
 http://www.facebook.com/groups/354681331246234/
 Facebook page for timely updates about courses,
deadlines, and events on campus,
 http://www.facebook.com/McDanielLife2016
 Blogs:
 http://mcdaniel2016.wordpress.com/
 http://mcdaniel2016.tumblr.com
 Social Networks:
 @mcdaniel2016 (twitter)

13. Fall 2012 Academic Calendar (JK)
Important Academic Dates
to Know as a Parent/Family Member:
*Academic Calendar is in your Parent Preview Binder
 8/22-8/26: New Student Orientation
 8/27: First Day of Classes
 9/5: Last day to add a class
 9/17: Last day to drop a class

14. Fall 2012 Academic Calendar (KV)
 9/24-9/28: Jan term registration
 10/17: Midterm Grades Due from All Professors to
Registrar’s Office
 Midterm Grades are posted online in the Archway
after 12pm on 10/17. If a student are missing any
grades he/she should check back later in the day or
contact the Professor directly.
 If the students receives a “D” or “F” at midterm in
any class, they will receive an outreach from
Academic Affairs (copied to their Advisor) offering
support for getting back on track.

15. Fall 2012 Academic Calendar (PB)
 10/29: Last day to withdraw from a course with
a grade of “W”
 A grade of “W” remains on the transcript
but the grade is not calculated into the
GPA.
 11/5-11/16 (FY students are closer to the end
of the registration period): Class registration
for Spring 2013 semester

16. Fall 2012 Academic Calendar (JK)
 12/7: Fall 2012 classes end
 12/10-12/14: Exam week
 Final Grades Due from Faculty: 12/18
 Final grades are posted online in the
Archway
 Minimum Scholastic Requirements: Online in
the Undergraduate Catalog
 A student must have and maintain a 2.0
cumulative GPA or higher to be in good
academic standing at the college.

17. FERPA
 Jan Kiphart, Registrar, McDaniel College
 Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act
of 1974
 What is it and what does it mean for
parents/families in a college setting?
 Jan will be at the resource fair tonight for
any additional questions you may have
about FERPA as it relates to academics.

18. Next Steps – What Happens Now? (KV)
 We encourage you to talk with your
student before they arrive to join the
McDaniel community.
 What do you expect of your student?
 How will he/she manage their time?
 How will he/she study and get all their work
done?
 How will they communicate when they need
assistance in classes?
 How do they feel about using campus resources
and when will they use those resources?

19. Closing
 Questions?
 Thank you for attending the Parent
Preview orientation and we look forward
to seeing you at the dinner and resource
fair later tonight.