Parent Weekly Newsletter 5/16Spring 2008, Issue #15 |
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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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As the school year wraps up, I cannot help but think back on the past year, a year of a number of changes. But then again, every year is a year of change. Some changes are unexpected, but some happen every year, just like the changing of the seasons. For myself, I don’t think I deal with change very well. I need that constant reminder I am not in control, everything is in God’s hands and it’s all part of His plan. Our second child, Kimberly, will be starting college in the fall. Neither my wife nor I attended Biola, so I do not think we pushed her either towards or away from Biola. Though she put the decision off for a long time, she finally decided to join her brother at Biola. Needless to say, we are pleased with her choice. She has, mentally, been done with high school for some time and, now that the decision is behind her, is already looking forward to starting at Biola in the fall. We join the entire Biola family to pray for students and parents as they go through changes over the summer months: for those graduating and moving on to their next step; for returning students and their summer plans, whether it be a mission trip, a summer job or internship, or some summer classes; and for the incoming class. Mark Winter  Students: Matthew (’10) Biblical Studies Kimberly (’12) Film, Television & Radio Have a question for Mark? Contact him by clicking here. |
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Question of the Week |
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Weekly Question #4: Reflecting on this past year, what are some of the good things that God has done for your student and your family? As the Centennial year, academic year, and another year of your family's time at Biola, draw to a close, let's remember all of the blessings the Lord provided along the way! 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. Responses to 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? 1. My daughter has chosen to work to pay most of her college expenses. What is amazing is that she is taking responsibility for her education. Working is helping her to own her choice to go to Biola vs. a local city college. 2. Our daughter had an off-campus job. I believe it gave her some great tools in time management, as well as prioritizing her schedule. She had to learn what she could and could not do. It also helped her learn more about money management. It was interesting having phone calls involving things like, "I have a little money set aside for that," or "you don't have to send extra money this month, I have enough".... that was delightful. 3. My son worked on campus for the first two months of this last academic year. This was his first year at Biola and it was his first job! While we felt the experience of having a job was good, the demands of his major are great and after seeing the struggle, we encouraged him to decrease his hours. In the end, the decision was made to have him give his notice. I think it was a good decision and the first semester ended up being successful. It is our anticipation that he will move more and more into balancing work and life and we don't regret easing him into it! 4. My position has been that my daughter’s first priority is her education. Her hard work in her classes has resulted in scholarships that cover nearly 1/3 of her tuition costs. This is worth more than I believe she could earn at a job while taking a full academic load. However, as a result of her desire to actively help with her education and life's costs, she also found part time work. The advantages I've seen are at several levels. The financial benefits are obvious. The sense of responsibility and an understanding of how to balance multiple demands on her time & energy, as well as the pride of accomplishment, are important too. A disadvantage might be that some of the social or 'fun aspects' of the college experience may be suffering as well as fatigue from lack of rest. 5. We have two daughters in college, one at Biola and another at Wheaton. We asked both of them not to work the first semester of their freshman year so they could adjust to life away from home, increased academic intensity, and increased need for self-organization -- all without the added pressure of part-time employment. Since then, both daughters' have taken jobs that are part-time and on-campus. There have been many benefits: (1) Their places of employment have become one of their various social circles. (2) By working and studying they learn organization and "balancing" skills. (3) Some of their jobs have been ministry or service related and have exposed them to areas of potential career interest. (4) Some jobs have stretched them personally and given them confidence. (5) Arguably all jobs are stepping stones to future jobs that involve greater responsibility. (6) I have a feeling their jobs sometimes provide a needed diversion from academics. (7) Need I say it… their jobs have been a source of cash and, like most jobs, have taught them the value of money and the relationship between education and earning power. 6. Yes, our son has been working out of necessity. He has a part-time job at the school cafe and also does editing for our church. I think it has been good for his growth as a young man. The hard part for him has been rooming with two guys who do not work at all and missing out on some of the fun activities that they do. Overall I believe he is a better person for it though. |
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Housing Info |
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Check out Spring 2008
When? Non-graduating students: by 6pm on Saturday May 24th Graduating Seniors and those moving to summer housing: 6pm on Sunday May 25th What if? -Your student fails to check out of their dorm or apartment on time? $50 fine -Your student does not correctly follow all checkout procedures? $25 -Your student does not turn in their room key? $55 charge for re-keying -Belongings are left behind? They will be discarded and student will be charged a removal fee. -Room is not properly cleaned? Cleaning charges will be assessed at the rate of $18 per hour. What about summer storage? No on campus summer storage is provided. Couches and bicycles may not be left in lounges, laundry rooms, or other areas. All items left after the checkout deadlines will be discarded. Bicycles left after June 15th in racks other than those in front of Alpha Chi, will be disposed of. If you need local self-storage, check with the Auxiliary Services front desk (562.903.4872) for a list of local storage facilities. You may also utilize portable storage containers (PODS) to get your belongings back to school in the fall, but check first with Facilities Services (x4897) and Campus Safety (562.903.4877) to be sure that the parking lot where you want your containers dropped is available. However, you may not use PODS to store your belongings on campus for the entire summer. Remember to... Students need to hold on to their laundry cards. The laundry card students are given as freshmen is meant to be used throughout their Biola career. If a graduating student has a remaining balance on a laundry card that may be given or sold to another student, but no refunds will be given. If your student is not returning to Biola housing next year they will need to claim their housing deposit refund. To do this, a housing deposit refund application must be filled out at the Housing Office by July 15th. If your student for some reason withdraws from Biola during the summer, you must contact the Housing Office in writing or by email before July 15th in order to receive a refund on your housing deposit. No shows are charged one month's housing and lose their housing deposit. Check in Fall 2008 Returning students may check in on Saturday August 23rd. Do not plan to move into housing or bring any belongings to campus before this date. Make your travel plans with this in mind. [ return to top ] |
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Commencement |
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Graduation is 1 week 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. |
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Last minute Hugs |
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Its not too late... If you didn't get a chance to send your student one of the Spiritual Life Department's "Survival Sacks", or maybe you just want to send them that one last "Hug from Home", it's not too late. Visit our website or give us a call at 1.800.99.BIOLA The Big Hug is always sure to please! Big Hug- $17  [ return to top ] |