Welcome to Eagle News!  The first month of the semester passed by at a dizzying pace.  Your students adjusted to classes, settled into the residence halls, and took advantage of exciting events. They also attended the Involvement Fair and learned about all the ways to get involved at AU.  They explored the city.  And, of course, they attended classes where they have been challenged, have worked hard, and now face...midterms.

Midterms

     That simple word can send your student's stress level soaring, especially when facing midterms for the first time.  While your student may be trying to gain independence, your encouragement and support are needed, even if it appears otherwise.  Your phone calls, e-mail messages, cards, and care packages can ease stress and improve your student's adjustment to college life.  Consider one of the special programs offered by Bon Appetit and Housing and Dining Programs such as Treats from Home, or receive an AU discount at 1-800-Flowers.com.

A Note from the Counseling Center

     In addition to the stress of midterms in October, the excitement of getting started in college is giving way to long to-do lists. Students may feel overwhelmed by multiple academic and extracurricular commitments and roommate relationships can get tense.  If students are letting you know that they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, here are some tips for supporting them:

• Express your faith in them and their ability to meet the challenges of college life--including the challenges of making tough decisions, setting priorities, asking for help, and doing the best they can under difficult circumstances.
• Encourage your students to make use of the resources available to them on campus, including the Counseling Center.
• Stay alert to signs of extreme distress, such as expressions of hopelessness, chronic sleep deprivation, or self-defeating behaviors such as skipping classes.  If you hear these sorts of messages, encourage your student to seek help right away.  Additional information on how to help a student in distress is available on the Counseling Center Website.

     Information and tips related to stress management are also available on-line through the self help library of the Counseling Center's Website. 

Fall Break

     Fall Break can be a perfect time to engage your student in conversations about college life.  Perhaps these sample questions will open the door and give you some insights into how your student is adjusting to AU during the first semester:

1.  How's your coursework going?
2.  What courses did your academic advisor suggest you take next semester? 
3.  What type of writing assignments have you been given in College Writing?  This is a good time to remind your student about the Academic Support Center, the Writing Center, and the Mathematics and Statistics Tutoring Lab.
4.  Tell me about the friends you've made...
5.  How are things going on your residence hall floor? 
6.  What campus events have you gone to?
7.  In general, how do you feel about being at American?

     If you detect a problem, continue the conversation until you feel assured that your student knows where to seek assistance. 

Family Weekend

     We hope that you are able to join us for Family Weekend.  There are many exciting events planned, including an opening reception, an opportunity to meet with the deans and President Kerwin, and the chance to attend Classes without Quizzes with some of our faculty and staff.  You can share events with your student such as the family picnic or enjoy The Wild Party at the Greenberg Theater.  Adapted from a book length poem written in and about the Roaring Twenties, Andrew Lippa's play tells the story of one wild evening in the Manhattan apartment shared by a vaudeville dancer and a vaudeville clown.

  On Saturday morning, early risers can walk and run through campus to support Habitat for Humanity in the seventh annual American Classic 5K. On Saturday night, the Kennedy Political Union presents a discussion with the chairmen of the Republican National Committee and the Democratic Leadership Council -- Michael J. Steele and Harold Ford, Jr., respectively.  

   The weekend concludes on Sunday with the Sparkling Cider Brunch in the University Club or brunch in the Terrace Dining Room.  Throughout the weekend, there are tours of the Katzen Arts Center, a neighborhood bus tour, an historical walking tour of the campus and a family picnic on Saturday in the amphitheater. 

H1N1 Update

As we continue to be concerned about the H1N1 influenza on local, national and global fronts, the AU campus remains vigilant in our efforts to educate and support residence hall students during this health situation.

So far, AU has not reported a large number of cases of influenza-like illness on our campus like many other universities in the nation.  We are encouraged that AU students have listened to our guidance on prevention and are helping to keep our community well.  For specific information on the campus's response as well as numbers of reported cases on campus, visit our H1N1 Influenza Information Page.

The Student Health Center is preparing to receive H1N1 vaccine from the District of Columbia.  The vaccine will initially be administered to priority groups (see CDC Website for priority group classification) and then offered to the remaining campus community. H1N1 vaccine updates will be posted on the Student Health Center Website.