Columbia University May Family Connection
Welcome from Matthew
Dear Columbia families,
We are at the end of another academic cycle at Columbia. Every year since 1754, Columbia students and families reach this moment with a sense of wonder and mixed emotions. We are relieved that the intensity of final examinations and research papers will cease. We look forward to new and exciting summer opportunities and the chance to reconnect with friends, family members, and loved ones.
Our students spend just four short years here at Columbia and the time passes with incredible speed. For seniors, May 2012 marks the transition to a new reality as a Columbia alum, and the world that awaits them is filled with possibility. For our returning students, there is a sense of anticipation at the subjects yet to be studied, the social and recreational events yet to be experienced, and the chance to welcome the newest members to the Columbia community.
As director of Parent and Family Programs, it has been a privilege and an honor to work, meet, talk, and exchange emails or Facebook conversations with many of you. As we begin the summer break, I will remain in contact with you and keep you informed about all the latest Columbia happenings. For those parents and families of graduating seniors, I invite you and your student to connect with the Columbia Alumni Association to forever affirm your Columbia connection.
As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. I hope to meet and greet with many of you on my summer travels or upon your return to campus for fall 2012.
Sincerely,
Matthew Patashnick
Director of Parent and Family Programs
Columbia Student Affairs
Phone: 212-854-2446 | Email
Web | Facebook
|
News
As we all know, parents and students alike, these last few weeks of the semester are a high stress time. Sleep and eating can suffer when papers are due, and exams are happening. First year students are anticipating leaving their new friends behind and going back home to old rules and curfews. Graduating seniors often feel that they MUST know EXACTLY what the plan is the day after graduation. Pressures abound. As parents anticipate the changes ahead, there can often be anxiety about your student returning home. Has he or she changed? What will it feel like this summer? Or, given the state of the economy, what will it be like to have our newly graduated daughter or son living with us again if that is the case?
These are only some of the common issues that come up now. Most students are juggling many things at once–trying to organize themselves to get everything done. Your student may be calling home constantly for support: “How can I possibly do this?” Your role is to be supportive while at the same time helping your student to figure out how to tackle the problems on his or her own.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) is a great resource at this stressful time of year. Remind your students that he or she can call (212) 854-2878 to set up an initial appointment with one of our clinicians. In addition, we have offices in several of the residence halls on Monday - Thursday evenings for students to just “drop in.” The hours for these residence hall offices are on the CPS website.
CPS is also open during the summer for those students who are in the area. CPS summer hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Read more
Are you the parent of a graduating senior? Or perhaps your student is graduating in future years and you're just curious about Class Day and Commencement. Make sure you’ve bookmarked our GradZone website and check out our new Commencement 2012 app available from the iTunes Store or online from any mobile web browser.
Read more
Each summer, Columbia Student Affairs hits the road and travels across the country and around the world to welcome our incoming students and their families to Columbia. If you are interested in joining us as a Summer Advising volunteer at a session near you, let us know! Volunteers serve as event hosts and welcome guests to Summer Advising, answer questions, and share advice about preparing for the move to Columbia. Check out our schedule online for dates and locations and then email Matthew Patashnick, Director of Parent and Family Programs, to express your interest. Summer Advising is an important program for incoming students and families, and is a great opportunity to meet and engage with Columbia families and alumni in your community!
Additionally, if you live in the Houston, Atlanta, or Washington, DC, metro areas and are interested in joining Matthew Patashnick for dinner in June for an evening of casual conversation about Columbia, contact Parent and Family Programs! Matthew will be in Houston on Saturday, June 2; in Atlanta on Friday, June 8; and in Washington, DC, on Friday, June 15, and is looking for a few Columbia families in each city to join him for dinner.
Read more
|
|
Upcoming Events
Important Dates
|
|
|
