MOUNTAINEERFAMILY

Office of Student Success & Transition - Parent & Family Engagement

SUCCESS FOR YOUR FIRST-YEAR STUDENT ATBEREA COLLEGE

When the College decided to send students home in March, many of us worried openly aboutwhen and how we would welcome students back to our campus. As colleges and universitiesacross the country planned for the Fall, and the number of restrictions and requirements placedon students mounted, it became clear that we would all be entering a school year that wouldchallenge us in unprecedented ways. But as plans became reality, and students began arrivingon campus, it became abundantly clear that the resilience which has defined Berea College andits students for over one hundred and fifty years would continue to guide our communitythrough the pandemic.

With the first term well underway, students are finding their new routines, making connections,and, we hope, establishing the behaviors that will lead to success in this first year and beyond.We knew this was an amazing group of students on paper, but they've truly reinforced that asthey've persisted through these difficult first weeks and energized our community. As always, weappreciate the support that you continue to give your students, and we look forward tocontinuing to partner with you. We want you to be informed of what's happening on campus andin the lives of our students so that you can help us, and your student, achieve our ultimate goal:them graduating from Berea College.

If you ever have any questions, concerns, or need additional information, please don’t hesitateto contact the Office of Student Success & Transition at sst@berea.edu or 859.985.3376. Besure to send your student our way if assistance is needed with absolutely anything. We’re here tohelp the students (and you) find their way through their first-year at Berea College.

By Dr. Chris Lakes, Director - Office of Student Success & Transition

WHAT'SHAPPENING ATBEREACOLLEGE:

Success on yourTermsTransition RecapCourse RegistrationStudent Social HourCollege StudentSupport from HomeImportant Dates toRememberOffice Numbers toKnow

F A L L 2 0 2 0 - S E P T E M B E R I S S U E

SUCCESS ON YOUR TERMS

We want to make sure that your student has all the toolsneeded to succeed academically. Disability and AccessibilityServices (DAS) is a campus resource for students that allowsthem to discuss any disability- related barriers they haveexperienced in the past, any related barriers they are currentlyfacing, or any related barriers they expect for the future atBerea College. Our goal is to make sure all students have theability to take part in the Berea experience. To build aninclusive community, we encourage students to first engage indiscussions about their expectations, experiences, andaccommodations.

For more information about your student registering with DAS,please contact Lisa Ladanyi, Director, at 895.985.3237 orbrowse the website at www.berea.edu/das.

By Lisa Ladanyi, Director - Disability &Accessbility Services

White House Clinic - Berea employee securing Blue"approved" wristband on a new student. All parties whoarrived on Move-In Day Saturday, Aug. 9th & Sunday, Aug.10th received a wristband to inform the campus communitythey had been properly Covid-19 tested or scheduled to beon campus.

TRANSITIONRECAP FALL '20"During my Welcome Week, I feltwelcomed by the staff. I enjoyedgetting into a job close to my majorand all my teachers seemed cooland supportive. There is the ideathat your teachers don't care aboutyou, which isn't true. If you'restressed or don't understandsomething, your teachers andTeaching Assistants (TAs) are agreat resource"Priss Harbuck, '24

"At first, I was really stressed outbecause I was already havingproblems with testing getting toBerea, but I had help from SST tohelp me even up to the day ofarrival. The OLs did a great job ofhelping me know where to go sothat I didn't seem like a lostfreshman on campus, and I madefriends pretty easily. Now, I'm justtrying to get a feel for classes asthe semester continues to movealong pretty fast."James Simpkins , '24

"Berea wasn't what I expected atall and that's okay. I'm learningthat it's causing me to get outsidemy comfort zone and put myself innew things that I wouldn't havewillingly tried on my own beforecoming here. I have made a goodgroup of friends already and myclasses aren't that hard. I don'tnecessarily enjoy wearing a maskall the time, but I'm not botheredand feel that Berea is doing theirbest to keep me and everyone elsesafe with all the rules andprocedures in place that we have tofollow in order to stay here."Shadira Chest, '24

"At first, I was worried about going to utilize theresources around campus because I wasn't sure if Ireally needed them, but I'm glad I did. It's reallyhelped me with succeeding in class. From tutoring &getting help from my peers, it's really made adifference for me academically.

Windham Teddy, '23

Join the Office of Student Success & Transition forSocial Hours, facilitated by our Orientation Leaders to

engage with students both on campus & distancelearning. All times are at 8 p.m. eastern time wherewe meet virtually via Zoom. Encourage your studentto come engage & get to know more about campusresources, things to do in their free-time, & making

the most of their collegiate experience.

Social Hour Dates:Wednesday, Sept. 23rd

Monday, Sept. 28thFriday, Oct. 2nd

Engage with us on Facebook & Instagram at Office ofStudent Success & Transition (@bereacsst)

STUDENT SOCIALHOUR

First-year and transfer students have just successfullycompleted their first course registration period with ushere at Berea. As you may know, all incoming students'schedules are pre-made for them upon entering their firstterm at Berea College. For Term A (August 12th - Oct. 2nd)all students were originally placed in their courses,however for Term B (October 5th - Nov. 22nd) the studentswere encouraged to take their academic journey into theirown hands and register for the courses they would like totake. Course Registration for the Spring term will takeplace in later October/early November.

As a Liberal Arts college, Berea College offers a variety of34 majors and 38 minors of study for students to choosefrom. Additionally, if students would like to create theirown area of study, they have the option to do so.

For more information about your student's academicsuccess in relation to Academic Success, please contactour Office of Student Success & Transition atsst@berea.edu, call us at (859) 985-3376 or browse thewebsite at www.berea.edu/sst where we'd love to be ofservice to you!

COURSE REGISTRATIONOffice of Student Success & Transition -Academic Support

#1 - Encourage, Validate & SupportYour college student is going through a lot of changesright now with navigating transitioning from home to theirnew life in Berea. This is no ordinary year and there is alarge level of uncertainty for many. Undoubtedly, at somepoint throughout this term, you student is going to reachout to you complaining, with excitement, or crying maybeall three at the same time. Be there to listen to them, showthem you care & affirm what they are saying, but don't betemped to "come to their rescue." You want to show themyou believe in them & know that they can navigate thisexperience without you being physically present.

#2.- Listen to understand, not to respondAt times, your student is going to just need a listening ear,not necessarily a response. This is important to note sothat you can be there for them when this time comes.Show them you understand and truly hear what they'resaying. Do this right the first time, they'll come back toyou more as they feel comfortable knowing you're trulygiving your ear to listen and not looking to always have aresponse.

#3 - Challenge and supportCollege is hard, that's no secret, but with your help, yourstudent and you will get through it together. Wheneverthey reach out about difficult professors, lack ofdetermination, or motivation, encourage them to thinkabout what they could be doing differently to make theirexperience at Berea College better.

#5 - Cheer them on no matter the circumstancesRoot for your student like they've never experiencedbefore. This is the time they need you most! These firstfew months of college can be incredibly tranformative fora student, and we want to make sure we're giving themthe support they need both on campus and at home.Encourage them to get involved, to make friends outsideof their residence hall, & to step out of their comfort zone.

#6 - Let them know they have resourcesWith the amount of resources on campus & the peoplewanting your student to succeed, we believe they canmake it. Let them know you are there for them in the goodtimes and bad, & motivate them to see it through!

HOW TO BEST SUPPORTYOUR COLLEGE STUDENTFROM HOME

IMPORTANTDATES TO

REMEMBER

WANT TO STAY IN THE KNOW ABOUT WHAT'SHAPPENING ON CAMPUS?

FOR A FULL LIST OF CAMPUS ACTIVITIES, GO TO HTTPS://CALENDAR.BEREA.EDU

TO VIEW THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR GO TOHTTPS://BEREA.EDU/REGISTRAR/ACADEMIC-CALENDAR/

CONTACT THE OFFICE OF STUDENT SUCCESS & TRANSITION ATSST@BEREA.EDU OR CALL US AT (859) 985-3376 IF YOU NEED

ASSISTANCE FOR YOUR STUDENT

SEPTEMBER 30,WEDNESDAYLast Day to Withdrawfrom a Course for FirstSeven-Week (Term A)Session

OCTOBER 2,FRIDAY

Last day of Classes forFirst Seven-Week (Term A) Session

OCTOBER 7,WEDNESDAYLast Day to Add aCourse for SecondSeven-Week (Term B)Session

OCTOBER 7,WEDNESDAY

Last Day to Drop aCourse without a W on

Record for SecondSeven-Week (Term B)

Session

OCTOBER 12,MONDAYFinal Grades due forFirst Seven-Week (TermA) Session

OCTOBER 16, FRIDAYLast Day to Withdraw from a

Course without WP/WF Gradebeing Recorded for Second

Seven-Week (Term B) Session

Academic ServicesMs. Amanda Leger ext. 3237Provides students with resources foracademic engagement

Black Cultural CenterMs. Kristina Gamble ext. 3795Supports student needs throughintercultural and interracial understanding

Center for Teaching and LearningDr. Lesli Ortquist-Ahrens ext. 3670Assists students with deepending theirconfidence, skills, perspectives, and insightsas readers, writers, and learners

Disability and Accessibility ServicesMr. Lisa Ladanyi ext. 3327Helps develop self-advocacy/confidence andcoordinates accommodations for studentswith documented disabilities

Financial AidMs. Theresa Lowder ext. 3310Provide financial aid needed to meet thebasic costs of education

Office of Student Success & TransitionDr. Chris Lakes ext. 3376Provides focused support to studentsthroughout their first-year transition

Labor ProgramDr. Sylvia Asante est. 3611Administers student job descriptions,payroll forms, training aids, and info

Student AccountsMs. Karen Belcher ext. 3094Assists students with payments/paymentarrangements for term bill that includeshousing, meals, and other required fees

OFFICENUMBERS TO

KNOW