Parent Weekly Newsletter 5/09Spring 2008, Issue #14 |
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Biola
University, Office of Parent Relations, 13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA
90639 / (800) 99-BIOLA / (562) 906-4535
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Greeting |
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“Parents and their ‘Almost Adult’ Children” Have you heard that 26 is the new 18? I’m talking age, and how neither parents nor their college-age offspring consider the traditional-age college student to be an adult. A 2007 study by Brigham Young University researchers found that only 16% of mothers and 19% of fathers viewed their college-age students as adults. Astonishingly, 16% of the college students surveyed agreed! According to “If You Want Me to Treat You Like an Adult, Start Acting Like One,” an article in the Journal of Family Psychology based on the BYU study, parents and their college students define adulthood according to different criteria. Parents sited the ability of their students to behave responsibly in the areas of drinking, driving and sex. Students, on the other hand, believed that financial independence, a steady job and no longer living with parents were the most important criteria in defining adulthood. In only one area did both parents and students agree on what defined an adult, and that was in the area of self-reliance. With commencement exercises two weeks away, I wonder how many of our Biola graduates (the majority of them 21-24 years old) are walking into the work world or graduate school believing they haven’t quite attained adulthood. Will the belief of being “not quite an adult” play a part in their ability to thrive following graduation? And how about their parents’ treatment of them as pre-adults? Will it affect the relationship and possibly hinder their students’ growth? As a parent of a nineteen and seventeen year old, I want to do what I can to help my kids become equipped adults. One decision our family has made to this end is to expect our college student to share part of the cost of attending college and living on campus. It has not been easy for our daughter, as she has had to balance her work schedule with her academics and her social life. The payoff we’ve seen, however, is a growing wisdom in how our daughter uses her time and her money. Notice I said “growing” wisdom, as there have been frustrations and setbacks along the way. Each bump, however, has led to a better decision-making process later on. As summer approaches and your student puts one more academic year behind them, what can you do to encourage your student in their continued growth towards adulthood? In what areas are they ready to be stretched and given more responsibilities, even if the consequences of failure are scary and difficult? I encourage you to communicate as a family, to define expectations and priorities. Through that act you will be demonstrating confidence in your student that they are capable adults, able to handle increased responsibilities and liberties. And as a result, your parent-child relationship will increasingly become an adult-adult relationship, with a mutual sharing of respect and grace. With you on the journey, Colleen Heykoop Manager, Parent Relations |
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Question of the Week |
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Weekly Question #3: Whether out of necessity, or desire, while at Biola has your student had a job? If so, has it been part time or full time, on campus or off campus? Furthermore, for your student, what have you seen to be some of the advantages of working while in college? Likewise, what have you seen to be some of the disadvantages for a student who is working? Please respond by replying directly to this email or by sending your response to parent.relations@biola.edu. Also, please remember that by responding you are allowing Biola University to anonymously reprint and edit your response for the benefit of other parents in upcoming emails. |
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Centennial Updates |
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 As Biola's 100th anniversary draws to a close with the Closing Ceremony chapel on May 14, we encourage everyone to purchase their copy of Biola's limited-edition coffee-table book, Biola University: Rooted for One Hundred Years. This commemorative book features Biola's rich heritage through stories and photography from the past 100 years. Don't miss your opportunity to own your personal copy of the Biola story before they're gone. It's a perfect Biola keepsake to share with your son or daughter. Please visit biola.thebooksmithgroup.com to order your copy today before they sell out. Or call 888.est.1908. Cost - $39.95 + tax & shipping. [ return to top ] |
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Chapel |
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Chapel Schedule  Monday, May 12th President's Award & Yearbook Dedication Wednesday, May 14th Centennial Closing Ceremony Biola's 100th anniversary celebration draws to a close with the Closing Ceremony held in the Chase Gymnasium. Serving as a time to reflect upon the centennial year activities and moving ahead with Biola's mission and future vision, the ceremony will feature music by the Crystal Cathedral's Children's Choir and Biola's Chorale. In addition, the Biola Symphony will perform a special commissioned celebratory composition based on Lyman Stewart's speech of 1913. Everyone is welcome to join in the celebration of entering the next century. Friday, May 16th- Worship Chapel |
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Year End Reminders |
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Web Reg Info: All continuing students should complete Web Reg Phase I for the Fall 2008 semester, by next Friday May 16th, in order to avoid late fees. Phase one is the time in which students select classes for the next semester. Web Reg Phase II will begin July 28 and continue through August 19, 2008. Web Reg Phase II must be completed by August 19th, and requires a minimum 60% down payment. When completing Web Reg Phase II students will have the option to pay online via credit card. If your student has given you access to their Portal Account, subsequent payments can also be made online throughout the year. If your family chooses to pay the 60% down payment on or before the August 19th deadline, you will then have two options for handling the remainder of the balance. 1.) The balance can be paid in full when the first billing statement arrives. With this option no finance charges will be assessed. 2.) The balance can be spread over three payments. A monthly finance charge will be assessed in this case. A 1.5% finance charge will be assessed to the first $1,000 of outstanding balance, with a 1% finance charge being assessed on outstanding balance amounts over $1,000. For more information regarding parent access to the Portal, please visit portal.biola.edu/Portal?jsessionid=PARENTS and then speak with your student. For questions regarding payment options and billing please contact the Accounting Department at 562.903.4760. Financial Aid Info: Is your student's Financial Aid ready for next year? Please remember that funds are limited, and are awarded on a "first come, first serve" basis. Don't let your student miss out on grants and scholarships that they are eligible for, just because of paperwork! Get your paperwork in as soon as possible! Contact Financial Aid at 562.903.4742 with any questions. Housing Info: Please keep in mind that for the Spring semester students must check out of their dorm rooms by 6:00 pm on Saturday, May 24th, 2008. Graduating Seniors and students staying for summer housing must check out by 10:00 am on Sunday, May 25. Students moving into to summer housing will be allowed to do so beginning at 10:00 am. on Sunday the 25th. There is an additional fee for summer housing. All halls and apartments are closed for the summer with the exception of one designated hall for summer housing. Students may also sign up for a meal plan or flex points to be used throughout the summer. Commencement Info: Graduation is 2 weeks away! Have any last minute questions? Visit the commencement website or give us a call at 1.800.99.BIOLA. Also, be sure to mark your calendars for the Senior Baccalaureate Service Hosted by Dr. Barry Corey. It will be held Tuesday, May 20 at 8:00 pm in Calvary Chapel. All undergraduate graduating seniors and their families are welcomed to attend. Survival Sacks: Order a "Survival Sack" for your student from the Department of Spiritual Life before Wednesday May 14th! The packages and encouragement notes will be delivered on Friday, May 16th. Please call 562. 903.4754 to place your order. [ return to top ] |