Greetings from the Parents Council!
Welcome Parents of Rensselaer to the Spring 2008 semester. Temperatures are in the single digits in the Troy area as I write these notes and it’s difficult to think of warm Spring thoughts. It’s hard to believe that it was only four short months ago that the Fall semester was beginning and temps were in the 90s. Stop for a moment and reflect how quickly the first half of the academic year has sped by. Before we can focus on the spring semester and warmer circumstances, it will be upon us. Now is the time to start making those plans for the summer or, for some of us, post-graduation strategies! If the fall semester came and went so quickly, the spring semester will really speed by!
The Parents Council of the Parents of Rensselaer is the organization on campus, within the Office of the First-Year Experience, which is the communication channel between parents and the rest of the Rensselaer community. Our task is to create programs and committees to strengthen bonds within this college community and to make college life a little easier for our students. The future success of all Rensselaer students drives our organization and every other aspect of this university. It is a thoughtful and progressive administration that includes the parents in its success formula.
We have always been a productive piece of the Rensselaer success story with respect to keeping parents involved in their student’s college careers. To that end, we are expanding our areas of concern this spring semester with the creation of new and more responsive committees to better serve you and the Rensselaer educational community. The Parent Directory committee will remain as our primary focus. It contains a list of parents who are willing to be contacted with questions, experiences, concerns and comments from Rensselaer parents or parents-to-be. The list is broken up into geographic areas to better serve the specific needs of Rensselaer families across the country. Besides our directory we continue to work on projects within Admissions, Student Life, Transportation, and the Career Development Center; all working towards creating the best educational environment possible for our students.
Please use our services and information by visiting the Parents and Family Programs on the rpi.edu website at www.rpi.edu/parents. Our continued success is measured in how well we can serve you and your Rensselaer student. I wish you, your family, and your student a very successful, happy and warm semester. Remember to take the time to enjoy your Rensselaer Experience!
Steve Coonradt
President of the Parent Council
Save the Date for Fall Fest 2008!
Family Weekend will be held on October 17-19, 2008, so mark your calendars now! It is sure to be an amazing weekend filled with family, friends and fun. We hope you will attend what has become an important part of the Rensselaer experience. As the date draws near, please visit http://www.rpi.edu/fye/parents/events/fallfest.html for more information.
Spring 2008 – Key Dates
January 25 – The last day for graduating students to file a degree application with the Registrar. This is an absolute “must do” for students planning to graduate in May!
January 25 - Last day to add a course or adjust a course schedule
January 29 – Career Development Center Spring Career Fair in the “Armory”
February 21 - Bookstore Graduation Fair
Another “must do”- Students order their cap and gowns
Seniors receive Free hockey tickets for the February 23rd game against Clarkson, “Senior Appreciation Night”
April 21 - Student loan exit interviews are available on-line
Detailed information will be emailed to the students. Exit interviews should be completed by Graduation Status Check.
April 30 - Outstanding account balances due!
May 1 - Graduation Status Check
Commencement tickets distributed for students who are preliminarily cleared for graduation (students are eligible for seven tickets)
May 12-16 - Senior Week
A week of activities for seniors
May 17- Commencement
Plan to attend the President’s Picnic following the ceremony
