T-Bird Parents: Questions Every College Parent Should Ask

Posted: September 14, 2022 | Author: Kenzie Lundberg | Read Time: 7 minutes

Questions college parents should ask As your college student begins the process of choosing a college, it’s important for college parents to stay informed, connected and supportive. While your level of involvement depends on your parenting style, you’ll likely want to ask the following questions to get a better perspective of each college or university and help your student make the best decision.

Frequently Asked Questions for College Parents

What resources are available for my student?

Homework can be difficult, presentations can be scary, and college can be tricky. If your student is struggling, there are countless campus resources available at SUU to help them succeed. From Academic Advising to the Writing Center to Counseling and Psychological Services, SUU has the resources to ensure that your student passes their tests and stays sane during their academic journey. These resources are funded by student fees and are essential to a successful academic experience.

Here’s a comprehensive list of campus resources to help your student succeed.
Not sure who to refer your student to? The Nest and ACES are always available and a great starting point to get your student the help they need.

What resources are devoted to diversity on campus?

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community and celebrating diverse approaches and points of view. As a university, we believe diversity makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared to compete in a global society. We respect the rights of all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, ability, sexual orientation, veteran status, immigration status, gender identity, or gender expression.

The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI), along with the chief diversity officer, leads and supports strategic university-wide initiatives that build equity, strengthen and leverage diversity, and enhance inclusion and belonging for faculty, staff, and students.
The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) provides emotional, social, and financial support to students from historically underrepresented communities.
Nine diversity clubs facilitate opportunities to mingle, serve, succeed in the classroom, and celebrate culture on campus.

What type of safety or security does the university provide?

If you’re a parent or guardian of a college student, it’s natural to worry about your student’s safety on campus. You can rest assured that SUU makes student safety a top priority. SUU has its own dedicated SUU Campus Police department and also works closely with the Cedar City Police Department. Security officers are available 24 hours a day to respond to student concerns.

To ensure campus safety, and enforce the campus and city laws, officers patrol campus regularly. All buildings on campus are monitored and locked nightly by SUU police personnel. Additionally, the entrances to residence halls can only be opened by the students who live there, using personal ID cards as a key.

Beyond campus safety, SUU also offers two useful safety resources for students:

The Campus Security Division provides courtesy escorts for students, faculty and staff on campus. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If your student gets locked out of their vehicle on campus, SUU Police officers are trained in unlocking vehicles and will respond as soon as possible.

If my student is feeling overwhelmed, where can they find support on campus?

If your student is feeling overwhelmed, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is here to help. CAPS is staffed with experienced licensed mental health professionals including psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors, who work with students to reduce the interference of everyday stress and treat more serious conditions.

Due to the high volume of requests for counseling services it may take some time for your student to book an appointment. In the meantime, CAPS suggests the following resources for your student:

Let's Talk: these 10-15 minute drop-in consultations are free for SUU students and no appointment is necessary.
Therapy or support groups: group is a very powerful and effective way to bring about meaningful change and to get support.
Mental Health Toolkit: a set of customized tools and links to support your student as they learn and practice habits of mental wellness.

In 2022, SUU teamed up with TimelyMD to offer students free and equitable access to mental health support through the TimelyCare platform. TimelyCare serves as a 24/7 virtual extension of campus counseling center resources.

For many students, counseling enhances the university experience. Meeting with a counselor is an opportunity to explore expectations and concerns and determine possible courses of action or resolution.

What healthcare resources are available to students?

Physical and mental health may be the most important issue on every college campus and SUU is committed to serving your student. SUU is currently expanding its healthcare resources and with the start of the Fall 2022 semester, will have an on-campus health clinic. The medical care will be free for all uninsured, underinsured and low-income students.

Through TimelyCare, SUU students can select from a wide-ranging menu of virtual care options from licensed counselors in all 50 states – at no cost. Students log in on their phone or other device and can access a variety of services:

On-demand mental health support (TalkNow)
Appointment-based mental health counseling
Psychiatric support
Health coaching
Digital self-care content

The Health and Wellness Center offers many programs and resources dedicated to supporting students on campus. The center strives to promote the physical and emotional well-being of students through comprehensive programming, campus-wide events, peer education, the sharing of up-to-date accurate health information and resources, and providing information and support regarding their own or someone else’s health and well-being.

What do student fees cover?

Student fees are separate from tuition and help support the institution in a variety of ways. These fees allow students to attend events, athletic games, theatre and dance performances, and student activities for no additional cost. They also provide free services to students like counseling, recreational hours at the PE Building and volunteer opportunities through the Community Engagement Center.

What is housing like? How do we find housing for our college student?

SUU's Residence Halls are designed to offer the best college experience possible. Each one is tailored to different students' needs, so your student and you are sure to feel comfortable. Visit the SUU Housing site for more information about housing options on campus, resources, dining, etc.

Deciding where to live can be a challenging process, especially for first-year students. Here are some pros and cons to living on and off campus.
If on-campus housing is full, this off-campus housing list can help students find the perfect home away from home.
If you are struggling to find housing at SUU, your student’s ACE, the Parent and Family Services Office, and the First-Year Experience Office are here to help.

What scholarships are available for my student?

A college education is one of the best investments that a person can make. With the goal of keeping school affordable for all students, SUU continually works to make quality education accessible with initiatives to not raise tuition and student fees and lowering tuition costs where it can.

A variety of scholarships are available to SUU students, you just need to determine what scholarships your student qualifies for and to apply for them. If you have questions about scholarships or how to pay for college, contact the Financial Aid Team.

Where can my student look for jobs on or around campus?

The Career and Professional Development Center helps students and alumni find purpose, make connections, and prepare for the future. For students, the Career Center is the best place to visit for on-campus and local job opportunities, resume and cover letter help, support in deciding on a major or career, and networking strategies and career-related events.

The Career Center also hosts the Professional Internship Program, designed to provide students with paid internships with practical experience. Students are evaluated over the course of the internship to identify progress and goals for improvement, including a final Career Ready Reflection.

Parent and Family Services at SUU

You are sure to have many questions as your student prepares for school, and SUU’s Parent and Family Services is here to help welcome you to the T-Bird family. They know families can be the best advocates for their students, so they keep families informed and connected to campus throughout the school year.

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