All the excitement of that first semester at college, decorating the residence hall room, finalizing course schedules, and getting to know new friends, belies that difficult moment of saying goodbye to parents, siblings, and other supporters.
For some students, it will be offset by the excitement of becoming independent, while others will feel homesick for weeks to come. As students embark on this new journey, Spartan family members can also find their place in the campus community with Spartan Family Engagement.
This is a place for parents and supporters to find answers to their questions, to connect with other families, and to stay in touch with UNCG through events or volunteering.
Loved Ones in the Know
Spartan Family Engagement is particularly vital for a place like UNCG, where many students are the first in their family to pursue higher education. Parents and family who did not share in the college experience can feel connected and confident in their child’s journey.
“We can help facilitate conversations, because we know what students typically struggle with,” says Nicole Merritt, Associate Director for Student and Family Engagement in the Division of Student Affairs. “We point parents in the right direction and give them the tools to have conversations, whether it be with a University staff member or their own student.”
Merritt says the most common concerns she hears about from families center around safety and student mental health. She reminds family members about how students can connect with UNCG Police and find other important resources. Additionally, families can help remind students to focus on their well-being.
“When their child is stressed about class, and their well-being might be suffering, it is our job to remind parents and families of the resources we have. When students turn to their families, they can say, ‘Have you considered this? Did you know this is a resource?'”
How to Get Involved
Spartan Family Engagement keeps parents informed through social media and monthly newsletters. This year, they rolled out a new Spartan Family Portal to bring all those tools together in one place for families to easily access what they need.
“It is a one-stop shop for all things,” says Merritt. “And it doesn’t have to be for just mom or dad. It can work for a cousin or anyone supporting that student on their journey.”
It also hosts the Parent and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). This group is comprised of students’ loved ones who meet every month to discuss ways to support students. One of their initiatives is the Spartan Family Fund. This directs money toward good causes that help students on campus, such as Spartan Open Pantry.
There is no requirement for families to use services provided by Spartan Family Engagement, but many families appreciate it, and it allows them to stay connected to the campus community.
“Filtering through some of that information is helpful to family members,” says Merritt. “They know their child, and they can suggest which of our many resources are best for their student.”
Families can learn more by going to the Spartan Family Engagement webpage or by emailing families@uncg.edu.
Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
