So your kid’s going to be a Hornet
The forms have been filled out,
the tuition paid, the books
bought. Now it’s time for that
child you pushed so hard to get
into Sac State to actually go.
And as students leave the
home nest for the Hornet’s
nest, they’ll find a whole
network of staff and
faculty looking out
for their needs.
Along with taking the right classes and putting in enough hours at the library, incoming students face challenges that range from avoiding fast food diets and credit card debt to keeping up on emerging technology. At Sac State, as with other universities around the country, several programs and departments work together to help students stay safe, healthy, happy, financially secure, and in the end, meet their educational requirements.
Many new students worry they will add the seemingly inevitable “Freshmen 15” to their waistlines. Stephanie Ewing, registered dietician for the University’s dining services, says most students actually only gain between three and seven pounds their freshmen year, and that is due to poor portion control.
with an “Ask the Dietician” feature. She says the main obstacles to eating healthy on campus can be blamed on harried schedules, distance between classes, social eating, grazing during study sessions and poor snack choices.
“I tell students, ‘Look at your schedule. Plan your eating times so you know when your meals are. Make room for healthy snacks.’”
But the newest dietary challenge students face is the availability of trendy coffee, sports and alcoholic beverages. “Those are new sources of calories that they really have to watch out for,” she says.
says Elena Larson, assistant director for university collections and student loans, who oversees the University’s Your Money Matters program. Larson says new technologies have made it easier for students to overspend.
At the money management workshops her department offers, she advises students to refrain from using a credit card to buy everyday items like coffee or lunch, and avoid making frequent debit withdrawals. “We say to them, ‘Think of the last $20 you took out of the ATM. Do you remember how it was spent?’”
To be better aware of where their money goes, the program encourages students to track spending and develop a spending plan. Presentations are offered to classes and organizations on these steps as well as how to save, student loans, establishing credit and identity protection.
will be on the minds of many parents and students when school starts. University staff and campus police have worked diligently to prepare for all types of emergencies, says Ken Barnett, director of public safety and chief of police.
“Students need to establish a personal safety plan, familiarize themselves with available resources and always be vigilant in their surroundings,” Barnett says. “The partnership between students and police is a critical component of maintaining a safe campus environment.”
Barnett’s main concern for incoming students is to make sure they know where to call in an emergency. The quickest way to reach campus police is by dialing 911 from a campus phone—not on a mobile phone. “If students dial 911 from their cell phone they are going to get the California Highway Patrol,” Barnett says. “And then the CHP will have to call us. To make responses quicker, students can program the police department’s number—(916) 278-6851—into their cell phones.” Officers also can be reached immediately at any of the campus’ blue light emergency phones.
Barnett also tells students to let someone know where they are going. And he advises parents to respect students’ newfound freedom. “You need to understand that they may not call every day,” he says. Instead, designate an agreed-upon time and day to touch base with each other, he says.
Flyers featuring a variety of safety tips are available in the Public Safety Building. A list of safety recommendations, as well as crime statistics, can be found at the public safety website. And campus police also give presentations to residence hall students, campus clubs and organizations, and any other group that requests them, on ways to stay safe.
there is the Suzanne A. Snively Student Health Center. “We’re not just here to take care of them when they are sick, but we are promoting a wellness approach,” says Laurie Bisset Grady, director of health education.
The center is available on a drop-in basis for treatment of acute illnesses and injuries. Center staff also provide services including health education, alcohol awareness and drug prevention programs, and sexual health programs, and there are laboratory, optometry, pharmacy and x-ray facilities.
Most frequently, students are treated for colds or flus. Visits are covered by student health fees paid at enrollment, with the exception of medication, and some lab work.
Attending college can be stressful. If students are feeling overwhelmed they can take advantage of free short-term personal therapy at the University’s Psychological Counseling Services for many types of personal issues such as anxiety, depression and relationship concerns.
“We consult with other departments, and we are happy to consult with parents,” says facility director Bert Epstein. In addition counselors are available to discuss prevention issues with student groups.
Gone are landlines. In their wake are cell phones, text messaging and MySpace, says Cynthia Cockrill, the director of housing and residential life. But many other things have remained the same, Cockrill says, including students’ personal responsibility to respect those they live with.
Resident advisors and professional residential life coordinators live in each building. They are available to deal with the personality conflicts that can occur when strangers live together, but they also look out for their safety. Staff also work closely with University Police and with community service officers assigned to the halls.
One popular way to transition into oncampus housing is to attend Frosh Night, where students can stay overnight in the residence halls during the summer. The all-night event—which is also open to students who will not be living on campus— includes food, music, games, movies and other activities. It’s a snapshot of the many social events, clubs and activities students can get involved in on campus.
ranging from comedy nights to movie nights and concerts. There are more than 240 clubs on campus and during the first two weeks of each semester, clubs and organizations greet new students in the Library Quad to tell them how they can get more out of campus life.
To help them stay on track academically, first-time students are required to fulfill the Freshmen Advising Program. Students attend mandatory orientation, meet with an advisor or peer mentor during their first and second semesters, and are encouraged to develop a long-term plan.
And above all, students should embrace their new environment.
“My number one piece of advice to freshmen and transferring students is to stay open-minded,” says Kathryn Palmieri, coordinator for freshmen programs and advising. “If you have your mind made up about what college should be, you might end up missing out.”
Along with taking the right classes and putting in enough hours at the library, incoming students face challenges that range from avoiding fast food diets and credit card debt to keeping up on emerging technology. At Sac State, as with other universities around the country, several programs and departments work together to help students stay safe, healthy, happy, financially secure, and in the end, meet their educational requirements.
Many new students worry they will add the seemingly inevitable “Freshmen 15” to their waistlines. Stephanie Ewing, registered dietician for the University’s dining services, says most students actually only gain between three and seven pounds their freshmen year, and that is due to poor portion control.
with an “Ask the Dietician” feature. She says the main obstacles to eating healthy on campus can be blamed on harried schedules, distance between classes, social eating, grazing during study sessions and poor snack choices.
“I tell students, ‘Look at your schedule. Plan your eating times so you know when your meals are. Make room for healthy snacks.’”
But the newest dietary challenge students face is the availability of trendy coffee, sports and alcoholic beverages. “Those are new sources of calories that they really have to watch out for,” she says.
says Elena Larson, assistant director for university collections and student loans, who oversees the University’s Your Money Matters program. Larson says new technologies have made it easier for students to overspend.
At the money management workshops her department offers, she advises students to refrain from using a credit card to buy everyday items like coffee or lunch, and avoid making frequent debit withdrawals. “We say to them, ‘Think of the last $20 you took out of the ATM. Do you remember how it was spent?’”
To be better aware of where their money goes, the program encourages students to track spending and develop a spending plan. Presentations are offered to classes and organizations on these steps as well as how to save, student loans, establishing credit and identity protection.
will be on the minds of many parents and students when school starts. University staff and campus police have worked diligently to prepare for all types of emergencies, says Ken Barnett, director of public safety and chief of police.
“Students need to establish a personal safety plan, familiarize themselves with available resources and always be vigilant in their surroundings,” Barnett says. “The partnership between students and police is a critical component of maintaining a safe campus environment.”
Barnett’s main concern for incoming students is to make sure they know where to call in an emergency. The quickest way to reach campus police is by dialing 911 from a campus phone—not on a mobile phone. “If students dial 911 from their cell phone they are going to get the California Highway Patrol,” Barnett says. “And then the CHP will have to call us. To make responses quicker, students can program the police department’s number—(916) 278-6851—into their cell phones.” Officers also can be reached immediately at any of the campus’ blue light emergency phones.
Barnett also tells students to let someone know where they are going. And he advises parents to respect students’ newfound freedom. “You need to understand that they may not call every day,” he says. Instead, designate an agreed-upon time and day to touch base with each other, he says.
Flyers featuring a variety of safety tips are available in the Public Safety Building. A list of safety recommendations, as well as crime statistics, can be found at the public safety website. And campus police also give presentations to residence hall students, campus clubs and organizations, and any other group that requests them, on ways to stay safe.
there is the Suzanne A. Snively Student Health Center. “We’re not just here to take care of them when they are sick, but we are promoting a wellness approach,” says Laurie Bisset Grady, director of health education.
The center is available on a drop-in basis for treatment of acute illnesses and injuries. Center staff also provide services including health education, alcohol awareness and drug prevention programs, and sexual health programs, and there are laboratory, optometry, pharmacy and x-ray facilities.
Most frequently, students are treated for colds or flus. Visits are covered by student health fees paid at enrollment, with the exception of medication, and some lab work.
Attending college can be stressful. If students are feeling overwhelmed they can take advantage of free short-term personal therapy at the University’s Psychological Counseling Services for many types of personal issues such as anxiety, depression and relationship concerns.
“We consult with other departments, and we are happy to consult with parents,” says facility director Bert Epstein. In addition counselors are available to discuss prevention issues with student groups.
Gone are landlines. In their wake are cell phones, text messaging and MySpace, says Cynthia Cockrill, the director of housing and residential life. But many other things have remained the same, Cockrill says, including students’ personal responsibility to respect those they live with.
Resident advisors and professional residential life coordinators live in each building. They are available to deal with the personality conflicts that can occur when strangers live together, but they also look out for their safety. Staff also work closely with University Police and with community service officers assigned to the halls.
One popular way to transition into oncampus housing is to attend Frosh Night, where students can stay overnight in the residence halls during the summer. The all-night event—which is also open to students who will not be living on campus— includes food, music, games, movies and other activities. It’s a snapshot of the many social events, clubs and activities students can get involved in on campus.
ranging from comedy nights to movie nights and concerts. There are more than 240 clubs on campus and during the first two weeks of each semester, clubs and organizations greet new students in the Library Quad to tell them how they can get more out of campus life.
To help them stay on track academically, first-time students are required to fulfill the Freshmen Advising Program. Students attend mandatory orientation, meet with an advisor or peer mentor during their first and second semesters, and are encouraged to develop a long-term plan.
And above all, students should embrace their new environment.
“My number one piece of advice to freshmen and transferring students is to stay open-minded,” says Kathryn Palmieri, coordinator for freshmen programs and advising. “If you have your mind made up about what college should be, you might end up missing out.”
