1. Welcome Parents!
W H A T H T A R S T AH T S E C R E N G EASNT H E T H ER L DO R L D .
W S AT TS R ER HE HA CH GES WO W .
2. Parent Orientation
Purpose: Educate and Answer
• Assist parents in this transitional time
• Parents still have an important role
• Parents are not eliminated from the
process
• Redirect parental involvement
• Sensitive to cultural differences
Source: NACADA webinar, Brian Nossaman, OU
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
3. Welcome to the Cockrell School
of Engineering!
UT is a nationally recognized
university known for its outstanding
programs, faculty, students, and
alumni. It is the flagship university in
the State of Texas!
Congratulations on joining the
UT Austin family!
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
4. What is engineering?
Engineering is essential to our health,
happiness and safety…from the grandest
skyscrapers to microscopic medical
devices, it is impossible to imagine life
without engineering.
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
5. What do engineers do?
Engineers make a world of difference…from
new farming equipment and safer drinking
water to electric cars and faster microchips,
engineers use their knowledge to improve
people's lives in meaningful ways.
Engineers are creative problem-solvers…they
have a vision for how something should work,
and are dedicated to making it better, faster
or more efficient.
Engineers help shape the future…they use
the latest science, tools and technology to
bring ideas to life.
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
6. What can you do with an engineering
degree?
• Anything you want!!
• Work in industry
• Do research
• Go to law school, medical school, or other
professional school
• Do graduate work in engineering
• Become a professor
• Open your own business
• Work in public policy, government
• Join the Peace Corps
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
8. Engineering Departments
Enrollment for Fall 2009
• Undergraduates 5, 675
• Undergraduate Men 78%
• Undergraduate Women 22%
• Underrepresented Populations 18%
• Ranked 9th overall in the country
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
9. Our Focus is the Student
Student
Advisor Parent
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
10. Letting Go is A Process…
It is important to start thinking about
and working toward this process now.
Letting your son/daughter begin to
problem solve for themselves is critical
to their development.
Coaching them on what questions to
ask is good…asking the questions
yourself…not so good.
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
11. Vocabulary Change
Child vs. Student
“We” vs. your student
Always „yes‟ vs. Sometimes „no‟
Access vs. Confidentiality
Customer vs. Professional
Service Office
Source: NACADA webinar, 2009, Brian Nossaman, OU
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
12. Dialogue between Advisors and
Parents
I will not be able to provide specific
information about your student.
However, if students are in this
particular situation, this is what I
would recommend.
This is what I need for you to do.
Please have your student contact me or
come in to see me, because I want to
assist him/her with this situation.
Student becomes the communicator
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
13. Parental Encouragement
1. Communicating about their
progress, experiences and
difficulties
2. Support by listening and
serving as a sounding board as
THEY try to problem-solve
3. Help identify resources
• Tutoring/study tables
• Advisors
• EOE, WEP offices
• Health/Counseling Center
4. Encourage use of campus
resources
Source: WEP, Cockrell School
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
14. Student Orientation
College Meeting
Academic Advising
• Orientation Advisor
• SAO Advisor
• TAMS Advising
• Honors Advising
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
15. Student Expectations
Students are responsible for:
• their behavioral choices
• following campus policies
• academic honesty
• personal integrity
• developing healthy study, eating, and sleep habits
• seeking academic and personal assistance when
needed
• being a positive member of the UT
community
Source: TLU 2003
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
16. Common First –Year Issues
Students struggle with what it actually
means to be an “engineer”
Students are flooded with opportunities
Students are in constant transition: social
issues, academic pressures, emotional
growth, time management, and money
management
Source: WESP, K-State
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
17. Common First-Year Academic
Issues
Students realize that studying and taking
exams in college is VERY DIFFERENT
from high school
Students are enrolled in a variety of courses
designed to lay the foundation for
engineering. These courses are Calculus,
Chemistry and engineering physics which
are given in a large lecture format.
Source: WESP, K-State
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
18. Adjusting to UT in Five Stages
Source: WESP, K-State
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
19. FERPA
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Federal Law
Protects privacy of student
education records
Restricts release of
information
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
20. Cockrell School of Engineering
Student Support Programs
•Student Affairs Office
•Engineering Career Assistance Center
•Office of Student Life
•Equal Opportunity in Engineering Program
•Women in Engineering Program
•Scholarships
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
21. Office of Student Affairs
We help students succeed!
Advising, resource referral, etc.
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
22. UT Austin (ECAC) ranks #4 for Best Career/Job Placement Services according
to the Princeton Review 2009 Best 366 College Rankings
Job search counseling
Workshops
On-campus interviews
Online job board
Summer internships
Co-op Program
Extern Program Michael Powell, Director
Resource library http://ecac.engr.utexas.edu
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
23. Developing Leaders. Building Community
The Office of Student Life seeks to:
Provide opportunities outside the classroom for
engineering students to develop skills in leadership,
teamwork, and communications.
Involve students in the life of the Cockrell School
of Engineering.
Create a sense of community in the Cockrell
School.
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
24. • Created to recruit & retain African American, Hispanic & Native American
engineering students
• Creates opportunities that encourage students to interact with peers, faculty,
alumni & industry
• Builds a supportive network for advancement
• Strives to increase the diversity of UT
engineering graduates
• Services are free & open to all
• http://www.engr.utexas.edu/eoe/
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
25. Connecting women in engineering to….
• Peer mentors and faculty
• Campus and community resources
• Research, career and volunteer opportunities
• Industry engineers, recruiters and mentors
Through
• Workshops, seminars, camps and hands-on activities
• Mentoring programs, online communities, tools and
resources
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
26. Academic Learning Communities
Free Tutoring in Math, Chemistry, Physics and
Engineering intro courses
Full time advisor (Jester)
All advising services
Free drop-in tutoring
and study groups
• 4 days/week 8:30–10:30pm
(Fall and Spring Semesters)
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
27. GE Supplemental Instruction Courses
Offered for Chemistry, Math and Physics
Key Program Elements
Grading and Class Structure
Reasons to Take a GE Course
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
28. Scholarships
Currently enrolled engineering students complete the
Engineering Scholarship Application by February 1, each year to
be considered for scholarship awards and renewals the
following year. The Cockrell School also offers scholarships
throughout the year from companies, organizations and external
groups.
The Current Scholarship List changes frequently, so check it
often. Most internally awarded corporate scholarships are due
each October 1.
Remember fill out the FASFA every year!
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
29. Campus Resources:
Freshmen Interest Groups (FIG)
Key elements
• 2 courses with FIG group
• Weekly FIG seminar
Why enroll in a FIG?
• Connect academic and social
experience
• Regular contact with peer and
staff advisors
• Intro to academic resources
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
30. Campus Resources:
International Engineering Education (Study Abroad)
What is study abroad?
Why study abroad?
Does it mean
graduating late?
Is it expensive?
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
31. Campus Resources: Changing Your Major
Not all students keep the major they
began with!
Don‟t Worry, Be Happy!
This is where your advisor comes in to
help your student during this process!
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
32. Campus Resources: Getting Involved
Encourage your student to participate
in various activities and to explore
different options during their
freshman year!
Departmental activities, college
organizations and university- wide
participation
Source: WESP, K-State
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
33. Campus Resources : Will I Need a
Computer?
The decision to purchase a computer is a personal
one. We recommend that you buy a laptop that
your student is most comfortable with; either a
MAC or PC.
It is highly recommended that students purchase
their software needs at our Campus Computer
Store in the Flawn Academic Center (FAC).
Note: For engineering software, Professors will give this information to
students if they will need to purchase software for a class. Also all
computer labs in engineering have the needed software on their
computers.
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
34. Campus Resources: Campus Safety
Emergency phones around campus (they are yellow)
UT Austin‟s emergency text messaging alert system
SURE Walk- Located at the ITS help desk on the
first floor of the Flawn Academic Center (FAC)
Days: Monday through Thursday
Times: 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL)- 512-232-
5050
Use good judgment!
Be Safe, Texas : http://www.utexas.edu/besafe/
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
35. Campus Resources: Getting a Job
Working on Campus:
http://www.hirealonghorn.org/index.ht
ml
• Division of Housing and Foods
• Texas Union
• Perry Castanada Library
• UT Austin Recreational Sports
• Departmental jobs in your major
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
36. Remember ….When your schedule
hands you lemons
Student schedules will not be ideal during their first
semester here.
“Wait-listing” is an option for your student when
scheduling a class.
Is your student interested in other topics outside
engineering? Students are encouraging to get a well-
rounded education. If your son or daughter wants to play
in the University Band encourage them to do.
The undergraduate experience is a once in a lifetime
experience.
Students should attend their wing meeting and should
be the one registering. Engineering staff will be on
hand to help your students with registration help.
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
37. Top Questions Parents Should Ask
1. Are you going to class?
• Skipping class is the #1 reason
students fail.
2. Are you studying at least 35 hrs/wk?
• College is a FULL-TIME job.
3. Are you reviewing the material in each
class weekly?
• Preparing for an exam is easier if you
have been reviewing each week.
Source: WEP, Cockrell School
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
38. Top Questions Parents Should Ask
4. Have you been to office hours yet?
• You have to find help; your professor is
not going to seek you out.
5. Are you going to tutoring?
• It’s free and a great place to do
homework.
6. Have you formed a study group?
• Studying complex material is more
efficient with a study group.
Source: WEP, Cockrell School
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
39. By the end of Freshman Year….
A resume
Gone to an Engineering Career Fair (Fall or
Spring semester)
Meet with an academic advisor twice during the
semester
Apply for Engineering and UT Austin scholarships
Joined a departmental club or university
organization
Have a course schedule for Fall 2011 (for
summer if taking summer classes)
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
40. What you can do: Join the UT
Austin Parents Association
To keep parents informed, the organization
publishes Texas Parents, the official parent
magazine, mailed to all UT Austin parents each
fall semester.
The Texas Parents Web site,
www.texasparents.org, is another important
tool parents can use to access information,
advice and programs throughout campus
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
41. What you can do: Get involved with P2
(Partnering with Parents)
Give us your contact information and we will
put you on our mailing list to receive
information about campus life and engineering
events and how you can support your new
Longhorn engineer!
Please go to our Parent‟s Page and sign up for
our newsletter.
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
42. Future Parent Initiatives
Parent‟s Weekend
• October 15 – 17, 2010
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
43. Any Questions? Please call
the Student Affairs Office
at 512-471-4321.
W H A T S TA R T S H E R E C H A N G E S T H E W O R L D .
