Parent Update

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

January term courses to consider

January-term classes are a great way to earn a few more credits toward graduation along with the luxury of focusing on just one course during the month. The following J-term courses may be of interest to your student:

  • Personal Financial Fitness (2 credits) - budgeting, assessing personal credit, setting realistic financial goals - all excellent lifetime skills. Download flyer »

  • Strategies for Problem Solving with Math (2 credits) - for those anxious about math or lacking confidence even though they have been placed in the appropriate math level. Download flyer »

  • Career Development for Women (2 credits) - matching careers to values, skills and interests; planning internships; examining study-abroad possibilities; good for students who have not yet decided on a major or have doubts about the major they have chosen. Download flyer »
Financial aid eligibility for J-term is considered part of your student's winter semester award.

Monday, October 26, 2009

November happenings

Check out the November calender of activities and events. Remind your student of all the events taking place on campus during the month of November!

Download the November calendar »

Money Doesn't Grow On Trees


Our money management program, Money Doesn't Grow on Trees, is off to a great start. In September, 173 students attended a budgeting workshop.

On Oct. 14, over 90 students, staff, faculty, parents and guests of the University listened to nationally recognized speaker Nathan Dungan. Dungan talked about the role money plays in our lives, how we can develop and maintain healthy financial habits and develop a balance between sharing, saving and spending.

Programs later this semester include:

  • Everything You Need to Know: KatePay and Student Accounts
    Thursday, Nov. 5, noon–12:55 p.m., Minneapolis campus, Education Building 250

  • What is the Difference? Loans, Scholarships, Grants, Work Study?
    Wednesday, Nov. 11, 4:30–6 p.m., Derham Hall 409

  • Identify Theft: The Silent Thief
    Thursday, Nov. 19, 4:30–6 p.m, Derham Hall 409

  • Have Yourself a "Thrifty Little Christmas"
    Wednesday, Dec. 2, 4:30–6 p.m., Derham Hall 409

  • Everything You Need To Know About Credit including the Card Act
    Thursday, Dec. 3, noon–12:55 p.m., Minneapolis campus, Education Building 250

Encourage your daughter to attend! Parents and family members are always welcome.

Additionally, any St. Kate’s student can meet with our financial counselor to discuss money management issues, including budgeting and spending plans, loan repayment options, dealing with debt collectors, credit card debt, credit report review and more.

This is a free service for all St. Kate’s students. Our goal is to help students learn healthy money management habits and avoid any money crises.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Making a smooth transition


A Letter from:
Heide Malat, Psy.D., L.P.
Director, St. Catherine University Counseling Center

Now that we’re into mid-fall, your daughter has begun to create her niche at St. Kate’s. She no doubt is meeting a lot of new people and encountering new ideas and activities in what is becoming a more familiar environment. I hope that things are going smoothly, although new students almost always encounter a few bumps in the road. College can seem like an exciting adventure or a scary challenge — or both, depending upon the day, or the hour.

How you and your daughter respond to the first year of college will depend on your temperaments and life histories. For your daughter, it may help to know that some of the difficulties she will experience are part of a normal developmental process and have been survived by many before her.

Homesickness is common during the first year of college, though it may not always look the same or show up at the same time, depending upon the individual student. I describe it as a longing to be in a familiar, safe, secure place without having to face change and challenges that you aren’t sure you can manage.

Homesickness may show up right away or after the excitement of a new beginning wears off, or when tests loom and “life gets real.” It may manifest itself as tears and sadness, or as irritability and anger.

The very name “homesick” has been used to belittle or minimize a feeling that is a very real part of an important developmental process as young adults learn to trust themselves and cope with change. From the time they are born, children work to develop their own sense of identity, to discover who they are and what they can do in the world.

Over the years, parents gradually evolve from being totally in charge and central in the life of a newborn or even a school-aged child to stepping back and holding students with “open hands.” Separating while staying connected is a theme of the first year of college and may help parents learn how to react to homesickness that can be managed without professional intervention. Ups and downs are part of the ride of a new experience.

If you have any questions or concerns about what your daughter is experiencing, please call the Counseling Center to consult with one of our psychologists. We may have suggestions for handling a particular situation or be able to guide you to other resources.

The amazing Chapel architecture

Our next program in the Parent and Family Speaker series is just around the corner. Please join us on Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 7–8:30 p.m. in Our Lady of Victory Chapel for Chapel Talk.

Professor Mary Ann Brenden will share the story of how Our Lady of Victory Chapel came to be and how Mother Antonia McHugh used the Cathedral of St. Trophime in Arles, France, as her inspiration. Come learn about the amazing architecture and unique features of our beautiful Chapel. Light refreshments will be served.

R.S.V.P. to Ellen Richter-Norgel at erichter-norgel@stkate.edu or (651) 690-8730.

SCAN, October 2009: Read "The Spirit of Our Lady" »

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Your phone will be ringing Dec. 2



Attention parents of all first-year students: your phone will be ringing on Wednesday, Dec. 2, between 6–9 p.m. Members of the Parent and Family Association as well as faculty and staff from St. Kate’s will be conducting the Annual Fall Parent and Family Phonathon.

Our purpose in calling is to see how well the University is meeting the needs of your daughter. We hope you will have time to catch up with your daughter over the Thanksgiving break to learn how her first semester is going. The information we gather is helpful in addressing the needs of our students. Circle the date on your calender and be ready for our call!