Parent Weekly Newsletter 9/7

 Fall 2007, Issue #1

Biola University, Office of Parent Relations, 13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639 / (800) 99-BIOLA / (562) 906-4535
Colleen Heykoop, Manager / Mallory Rae, Service Coordinator

  Greeting

Dear Parents,

Happy New School Year! I love this time of year, as the orderliness of the school routine replaces the laid back days of summer. Call me nuts, but there’s something comforting about knowing exactly what I need to do and where I need to be. I know not everyone shares this sentiment, including some of our students! But ready or not, classes have begun and I trust that your students have found their routine or are in the process of doing so!

If you new college parents are anything like me, you’re probably wondering how your student is doing- whether they are getting to their morning classes on time or attending the required chapels.  Chances are they’re doing just fine. But some of your students have needed prodding throughout their high school years to get out of bed on time or to get started on their homework. Now that you’re not with them, you might be concerned that responsibilities could be falling through the cracks. And they might be!

Let me make a suggestion. Trust your student to figure it out. In fact, expect them to figure it out. There are plenty of natural consequences in place to prevent a student from sleeping through all the morning chapels or putting off their homework. Letting them experience a lecture from a professor or have to buy make-up chapel CD’s is the best motivator for change and much more beneficial than a reminder phone call from a parent every morning.

Now I’m not suggesting that you stop calling your student or asking about classes. Most of your students desire to share with you what’s going on in their lives. However, I would suggest you give your student some space and let them enjoy the freedom and responsibility that comes with being a college student. That doesn’t mean you can’t have expectations of your student with your own set of consequences, especially if you’re paying the tuition bill. But it does suggest that it’s appropriate for you as parents to move away from being the instructor and move toward being the encourager.

Your student has entered one of the most exciting and developmentally fertile periods of their lives. It’s a bit scary for them as well as for us as parents. But it’s also the most rewarding, as God uses this time to stretch and mold your student into a mature and productive young Christian man or woman.  So step back, provide instruction when necessary, and give encouragement often. Know that you have parented them well to this point and let the growth process take its course.

Blessings to you and your family,


Colleen Heykoop
Manager, Parent Relations   

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  Chapel Next Week

September 10 - 14

Next week begins Biola's "Spiritual Renewal" series featuring Dr. Eric Thoennes and Dr. Mickey Klink.  Dr. Thoennes will be speaking all three days during the first chapel, while Dr. Klink will speak in the second.

Also, in a special Chapel service at the beginning of the semester, Biola Chaplain Ron Hafer announced that he will retire from his post at the end of this school year.  Ron Hafer has faithfully served the Biola community for 41 years.

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  General Announcements

From the Office of the Registrar:

Friday September 7th is the last day for students to add a course, and October 19th is the deadline to drop a course or withdraw.   If students do not remember to officially drop a course, and they stop attending or do not complete the coursework, a "UW" grade will be given to them (which will count the same as an "F" in their GPAs).

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  Upcoming Events

September 8th at 6pm Biola welcomes President Barry H. Corey.  Tickets are $20 a person for dinner.  To register on line visit the Jazz Under the Stars website or contact developmentevents@biola.edu for more information.

 September 16th at 12:30pm Centennial Celebrations presents Biola Dodger Day.  Join the Biola community for a day at Dodger Stadium.  Tickets are $20 a person and includes admission, all you can eat food, and a commemorative T-shirt.  Contact 100years@biola.edu for more information.

September 24th at 8am begins Biola's 29th annual golf tournament.  It will be held at the Los Coyotes Country Club in Buena Park, CA.  Contact beth.chapman@biola.edu for more information.

Parent Weekend 2007 (October 5 - 7)

The office of Parent Relations invites you to join us, October 5 -7, for Parent Weekend 2007.  Every year Biola University hosts parents and families of Biola University students for a variety of events around campus.  We encourage you to come!

Parents are welcome to attend any one or all of the scheduled activities. However, we recommend discussing the weekend schedule with your student before sending your RSVP.

Be looking in the mail for your registration information, or go to the parent weekend website.

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  Special Feature - Hugs from Home

What is a Hug from Home? It is a service that lets parents of current students say "I love you", "Happy Birthday" or simply "We're thinking about you", with our carefully handpicked gifts.  

This year we are featuring two new Hugs, the iTunes Hug, and the Pampered Hug.

The iTunes Hug includes an iTunes gift card, which is redeemable on either a mac or pc, a deck of cards, chocolate and gum! This Hug is available for $25.

The Pampered Hug includes a gift card for a manicure at 'Happy Nails' (a local nail salon), hand lotion, gum and lots of chocolate! What better way to say I love you and miss you than salon time and chocolate? This Hug is available for $25.

For pictures and descriptions of all of our hugs, visit our Hugs from Home website to see all of the Hugs from Home we have available this fall and to place your order.

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  Learn Biola Lingo

Ever feel like your student started speaking a new language since they came to Biola?  We are here to help, because Biola definitely has a lingo all its own.  Here are a few words you will want to be sure to know as we begin the new year. 

The words for this week are:

Bubbs: Biola University Bulletin Board System; The University's email system, which includes various forums in addition to students' personal emails.

Gyrad: Get Your Roommate a Date; residents get dates for their roommates, and join their entire floor for a group date.

Open House: Certain hours in the dorms when guys can go on girls' floors and girls can go on guys' floors.

We encourage you to brush up on your "Biola Lingo" so you know what your students are saying! Visit "Biola Lingo."

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  Sports 

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