New Student Transitions - Helpful Resources

March

By Carmen M. Vazquez

Vice President, Student Affairs

Dear Torero Parents,

The saying goes that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.  In conversing with students the past several weeks, the same appears to be true for the spring semester in general.  Many of our students shared that they felt as if they had been back for a month, when in fact, it had only been a week!

Time management and self-discipline are critical during a semester when the weather that makes San Diego famous begins to shine brightly.  In the midst of this spring acceleration, your student will prepare to make decisions about next year, experience midterms that seem to come too early, and begin to consider what their major area of study will be. 

Major Questions

If your student is beginning to explore majors, suggest that they visit Career Services, schedule a meeting with their Preceptor, or schedule a meeting with a representative of the major departments they are considering.  Early conversations about major exploration will allow your student to take advantage of the amazing faculty, study abroad opportunities, and co-curricular programs that support and enhance the academic experience at USD.

Where to live?

Safety, convenience, and community are just a few of the things students mention when asked to articulate the benefits of on-campus housing.  As I shared in last month’s column, the construction of a new Missions Fitness Center and Café will provide a nexus of healthy community for our residential students living in “the valley.”  I am pleased to report that with this expansion and the renovation of the Alcalá Vistas, there will be sufficient housing to guarantee campus residences for sophomore students.

USD prides itself of being a community of learning and encourages students to remain on campus for their sophomore year.  Research shows that

Group living influences maturation by exposing students to a variety of experiences. What distinguishes group living in campus residence from most other forms of housing is the involvement of both professional and paraprofessional staff members in providing intentional, as opposed to random, educational experiences for students. Students living in residence halls participate in more extracurricular, social, and cultural events; are more likely to graduate; and exhibit greater positive gains in psychosocial development, intellectual orientation, and self concept than students living at home or commuting” (Schroeder & Mable, 1993).

The annual fall housing sign-up period is scheduled to begin on March 6 and run through April 26, 2007. Sign-up weekend will be held April 29 - 30, 2007.  Engage your student in a conversation about where they want to live next year and why they want to live there. 

In Torero Spirit,

Carmen M. Vazquez