the millennials "millennials” refers to a specific cohort of individuals born, roughly,...

The Millennials

• "Millennials” refers to a specific cohort of individuals born, roughly, between 1980-2000.

• "Millennials” are primarily children of Baby Boomers, though some are children of the older Gen X adults.– “Boomlets” – 2001 and on

• A central characteristic of what defines "Millennials” is that they have no memory of the Cold War, just as Generation X has no memory of the Vietnam War and the Baby Boomers have no memory of World War II.

Common Beliefs and Behaviors

Special Sheltered Confident

Achieving Pressured

Team-Oriented Conventional

Academic Preparation

• Weak in basic skills

• Learn best in ways different from how they are taught

• Pragmatic

• Career oriented

The Entitlement Generation• Shockingly high expectations for salary, job flexibility and duties

• Mismatch between expectations and reality

• Raised on extensive praise and expect it

• Will share sensitive or private information

• Need to know WHY something needs to happen and make things task oriented

• Will work well with others from a different background

• Formality of Mr. and Mrs. and cleaning up are sometimes lost on them

• Need to learn what they’re good at and what they’re not– Not motivated by feelings of duty

Demographic Changes

Ethnicity 2008 FY Enrollment

2013 FY Enrollment

Percent Change 2013 TU Diversity Profile

African American 290 378 30.3% 14.75%

Asian or Pacific Islander

109 145 33% 4.60%

Hispanic/Latino 97 148 52.6% 4.72%

White 2052 1795 -12.5% 64.90%

Two or More Races n/a 112 3.14%

TU’s Commitment to Diversity

• Towson University values diversity and fosters a climate that is grounded in respect and inclusion, enriches the educational experience of students, supports positive workplace environments, promotes excellence, and cultivates the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

www.towson.edu/main/abouttu/comdiv

TU’s Commitment to Diversity

TU’s Commitment to Diversity

TU’s Commitment to Diversity

• Campus resources

• Reporting hate/bias incidents

• Center for Student Diversity (CSD)

TU’s Commitment to Diversity

Stages of Parental Development

• Parental years– Expanding– Developing– Launching– Empty nest

Not all families follow these stages in a linear way

LAUNCHING

• As students are adjusting, so are their family members

Family Feelings Can Come in any Combination

• Sadness and loss• Excitement• Relief• Guilt

– Not wanting to let go– Looking forward to new freedoms

• Worries– About how student will fare

• Normal developmental challenges• Particular pre-existing challenges

– About finances• Uncertainty about new role

Your Childhood

video

Continuum of Potential Responses

• Families need to figure out how to be supportive while also encouraging their student’s growing independence.

Scenario

• You begin a casual phone conversation with your student about how things are going with classes. You hear that classes are difficult but manageable and that it is taking some adjusting to get used to college-level expectations.

What do you do?

2 weeks later

• You talk again. Your student sounds more distressed and says that they have missed several classes because they are feeling overwhelmed. They also say they feel like it’s hard to make friends and they feel lonely.

What do you do?

And what resources might they access?

• Academic Advising Center• Academic Achievement Center• Counseling Center • Student Activities• Housing and Residence Life Staff • Disability Support Services • Center for Student Diversity • Faculty• You!

1 week later

• Your student tells you that they just don’t have the energy to talk to their professors or make an appointment with any of those services. They have continued to miss classes and they are falling further behind. They are wondering whether Towson is the right place for them.

What do you do?

How do you directly assist?

• Contact resources yourself to get guidance on how to help your child access them– Office of New Student Programs (410) 704-2309 or

newstudentprograms@towson.edu

• Contact Division of Student Affairs to consult on your child’s situation and potential sources of support– Lifeline - (410) 704-LIFE(5433)– www.towson.edu/studentaffairs/index.asp

2 days later

• Your student calls in great distress. They have not left their room since you last spoke. They have no appetite and cannot sleep. They do not feel like they are able to reach out to any campus resources or friends.

What do you do?

How do you intervene?

• Consider coming to campus

• Determine whether the situation requires that your student come home or whether you might be able to assist your student with accessing campus resources

• If you bring your student home, consult with appropriate resource people on campus (Office of VP for Student Affairs, Housing & Residence Life, Counseling Center)

And now….

• Let’s make it a little more challenging!

Scenario #3

• Your student calls home late on a Friday night and tells you they are not feeling well and that the Health Center is closed.

What do you do?

Scenario #2

• Your student got along great with their roommate first semester, but now the honeymoon is over. The roommate is borrowing clothes without asking, leaving the room unlocked, playing music too loudly, and eating your student’s Pop-Tarts.

What do you do?

Other scenarios?

When to directly access resource/ intervene

• Academic problems (missing classes, falling behind, low motivation)

• Interpersonal problems (social withdrawal, disruptive behavior, difficulty connecting)

• Behavioral problems (irritability, getting into trouble, poor self-care, substance abuse, disordered eating, non-suicidal self-harm)

• Emotional problems (depression, excessive anxiety, suicidal thoughts)

So how do YOU cope?

• Recognize that not only is your student adjusting to college, but so are you

• Reach out to others who have been through this experience

• Activate your own support networks

• Engage in self-care

• Find ways to enjoy your new freedoms

Overall Recommendations

• Set up guidelines for staying in touch

• Give advice sparingly

• Try to let your student use resources themselves

• Ask about classes, friends, activities

• Be self-aware about your own motives

• Pay attention to warning signs

• Take care of yourself as you adjust along with your student

• What level of involvement is appropriate, healthy, and helpful?

• The 90/10 balance—90 percent of life is great, it’s the 10 percent that we learn from.

• 24 hour rule…act on something if it is still an issue 24 hours later.

• Allowing your child to be uncomfortable is important.

Some Points to Ponder

OneCard

• The OneCard is the student’s all-access pass to Towson University

• The OneCard acts as…o Student’s ID cardo Holds meal plano Holds dining and retail pointso Access to residence hall

• Retail pointso http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8i52mdhoJA&feature=p

lcp

• Important websiteo www.onecard.towson.edu

Dining Plans

Parking • Residential Permit (virtual)

o Limited number of permits for a designated garage o Need housing assignment before applying for a permit

• Commuter Permit (virtual)o Designated spots on campus – specific to freshman status

• Costo Full year: $330o Per term: $190

• Important websiteo www.towson.edu/parking

Textbooks• Purchasing

o University Storeo Online or off-campus stores o Get receipts!

• Book rental programo Pay one flat fee per book for the semester then the book is returned to

the bookstore at the end of the term

• Used Bookso Used books are available to buy at the University Store

• Important websiteso Search www.towson.edu for University Store

Academic Advising• First Semester Schedule

o Student’s first semester schedule is based on the Academic Interest Form they complete before coming to campus.

o FTP students’ schedules are created by the program coordinators.o ORIE 305 (not on FTP schedules) is a non-credit baring course hold

for a time when advisors can meet with students.

• Advisoro All students assigned a First Year Experience (FYE) Advisors. All

students are required to meet with their academic advisor at least three times a semester, including an advising meeting to discuss and learn how to register for Spring classes.

• Important website

o www.towson.edu/academicadvising

Welcome to Towson Orientation Schedule

Saturday 8/23 Sunday 8/24

- Move-in & Packet Pick-Up (9 am – 5 pm) - Skills & Resources- Commuter Celebration (6 pm)- Parent Send-Off (6 pm)

Monday 8/25 Tuesday 8/26

- Academic Transitions - Exploration of campus and Towson

*Classes begin Wednesday 8/27*

Bursar’s Office

eBillItemized Billing

Statement

Monthly Account Statement

Methods of PaymentCash

Check/Money Order ACH/eCheck

Wire Transfer3rd Party Payment

Credit Card(Convenience Fee)

Deferred Payment Plan

How Does It Work?

Refunds and Financial Aid Rebates

The “DOC”Disbursement Online

Center

Your Student’s Financial Account

and

YOU

Become an Authorized User

Higher Education Tax Credit

and the 1098- T Tax Form

Your 5 Action Items

“TO DO” Now

The Financial Aid Office

Have you completed a FAFSA?

(www.fafsa.ed.gov)

GrantsStudent loansParent Loans

Towson Online Services Account

• Accept/Decline awards• Check TU Email• View To-Do List• FERPA

Direct Stafford (student) loans• Complete MPN and Entrance

Counseling• www.studentloans.gov

Parent PLUS Loans• Apply for loan (credit-based)• Complete MPN• www.studentloans.gov

Alternative Loans• Apply with private

lenders

Apply for Loans Now!• Priority deadline was

June 1st

• May need to make other payment arrangements to avoid penalties

More Campus Department Guests

Health Center & Housing and Residence Life

Dr. Teri HallAssociate Vice President for Student Affairs, Campus Lifethall@towson.edu(410) 704-2332

Or

Lisa ReagleDirector of New Student Programslreagle@towson.edu(410) 704-2309

and colleagues

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