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OCTOBER 7, 2009 | Issue 9 Volume 6

NEWS FOR PARENTS

Trustees approve first phase of new engineering facility

The Marquette University Board of Trustees recently approved moving ahead with the first phase of the university’s new, $100 million College of Engineering facility.

The first phase will involve construction of a five-story, 100,000 square foot building on the south side of Wisconsin Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets. Preparation of the site has already begun with soil testing and environmental demolition work on the interior of four university-owned apartment buildings. Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., said the university expects to break ground for the new building in spring 2010 with initial occupancy planned for August 2011.

The structure will feature an innovative Discovery Learning Laboratory and a two-story engineering materials and structural testing laboratory, as well as other new teaching and research laboratories, common areas for students and office space.

The initial structure will be linked to a future, 150,000 square foot building that will include classrooms, offices and additional laboratories.

Seasonal flu shots now available on campus

Encourage your student to get the seasonal flu vaccine now. Student Health Service personnel are making the seasonal flu shot available at locations across campus. As an added incentive, students getting the seasonal flu shot throughout October can be entered to win great prizes!

The university is in close contact with the Milwaukee Health Department to monitor the evolving H1N1 flu situation. As soon as the H1N1 flu vaccine is available for students, Marquette will publicize this information through all available channels, including the Student Health Service Web site, News Briefs e-mails to campus, and residence hall, student union and other campus postings.

As a reminder, if your student is ill with flu-like symptoms, he or she should stay home from class, work or campus activities until at least 24 hours after the fever has passed. For more information about the flu, please visit the Student Health Service Web site.

University Apartments offer a safe, affordable living space

Now is the time for sophomores and juniors to think about where to sign a lease for the 2010-2011 school year. University Apartments offers studio, one, two and three-bedroom options in five safe and convenient living communities on or close to campus and nearby amenities. All university apartment buildings feature 24-hour building surveillance and security. Front desks at the three largest apartment buildings (Campus Town East and West and Humphrey Hall) are staffed 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. On-campus and on-call professional staff members are available to respond to emergency situations at any time of the day or night.

Students can sign a lease for a semester, academic year or full year, and are able to pay rent directly to their university Bursar account. All apartments include wireless internet access and basic cable, and some apartments are completely or partially furnished. Recent renovations to University Apartments include new carpeting, refinished furniture and new elevators and community spaces within certain buildings.

To reserve a space, a $200 deposit is required; deposits, which are credited to the student’s first month rent, are accepted beginning Oct. 19. Sign up times vary in early November. For more information, visit the University Apartments Web site or call 414-288-7281.

Campus Ministry services available

As a Catholic, Jesuit university, Marquette takes seriously its commitment to cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Campus Ministry provides a wide array of worship, faith formation, discernment, pastoral care, retreats and other opportunities for students of all religious backgrounds. For more information on fall programs or other ways for students to enrich their spiritual lives on campus, visit the Campus Ministry Web site.

Public Safety recommends personal safety tips for students

Now that the academic year is in full swing, students should be practicing good personal safety habits. You can remind your students to consider the role they need to play in ensuring their own personal safety and encourage use of the following tips.

Safety in numbers
Remember the buddy system! Whenever possible do not walk alone, especially at night. Stick with and watch out for friends when going out for the evening.

Walk with the light
Stay in well-lit areas. Avoid taking short cuts through alleys or dark locations in the off-campus neighborhood. A well-lit path in a heavily traveled area is the safest route to any destination, even if it takes a bit longer.

Look confident, pay attention
Pay attention to all that is going on around you. Don’t become distracted by talking on your phone or playing your iPod at a high volume when walking around the campus neighborhood.

Learn self-defense maneuvers
Public Safety offers several free classes each semester. Learning several simple moves can increase your confidence and assist you in identifying any potential threats. Call Public Safety at 414-288-6800 or visit the Web site for more information.

Use Public Safety’s services
Get into the habit of using Safety Patrol walking escorts and riding the LIMO vans and LIMO Express buses to safely get to and from your destinations on and around campus. Never hesitate to contact Public Safety for more information on any of the department’s programs and services.

Counseling Center advice for checking in with your student

After about six weeks of classes you are probably starting to wonder how your student is really doing with the transition either to college for the first time or back at school after summer break.

Dr. Joan Ravanelli Miller, a psychologist in Marquette’s Counseling Center, advises parents that it is normal at this point in the year to hear most often about what is going on in their social life, rather than academics. She suggests parents ask probing questions, always open-ended rather than yes-no, and to try to remain non-judgmental as you listen to their responses. Some areas of inquiry could include how they are getting along with their roommate, what kinds of things are they doing in their spare time and what student organizations they are joining. After that, students may be more open to questions about academics, including how classes are going so far, what is their favorite class or professor, and what class will be the most challenging.

“What is important is that parents stay available to the student when the student is ready to talk. Ask the questions. But know that they may not feel like sharing too much at first. If you keep asking, they’ll know they can open up when they’re ready,” says Miller.

It is sometimes difficult for parents to determine a normal adjustment issue versus a real cause for concern. According to Miller, parents should be alert if they hear their student is having trouble sleeping or has not yet made a connection with at least one other person. “If it seems like the student is isolated or having real problems coping with stress, they should advise the student to call the Counseling Center. We routinely help students with these types of issues,” she says.

For more information, visit the Counseling Center online or call 414-288-7172.

MARQUETTE EVENTS

Centennial Celebration of Women events include Mother Teresa dedication

As part of Marquette University’s Centennial Celebration of Women, a 6 ½-foot statue of Mother Teresa of Calcutta was dedicated on campus yesterday. The bronze likeness is located immediately west of the famed St. Joan of Arc Chapel and near the east entrance of the Schroeder Health Sciences Complex.

Mother Teresa visited Marquette in 1981 when she was awarded the Pere Marquette Discovery Award, the university’s highest honor.

Join a Marquette Circle

Marquette provides networking opportunities for parents and family members through the CIRCLES program. You are invited to join fellow parents, alumni and industry leaders and to enhance your professional and personal network by connecting with others in the Marquette family. CIRCLES links attendees based on the industry in which they work. Events this fall include: New York City on Oct. 21, Chicago on Nov. 16, and Atlanta on Dec. 3. For more information or to register, please visit us online.

Enjoy the arts on the Marquette campus: Haggerty Museum and Helfaer Theatre fall programs

The Haggerty Museum of Art will present Persian Visions: Contemporary Photography from Iran from Oct. 14 to Jan. 17. This exhibition includes more than 60 works of photography and video installations by 20 of Iran’s most celebrated photographers. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the museum will present a special exhibition to highlight some of the treasures of its permanent collection. The variety of works in the collection will be organized through individual pairings of art that invite the viewer to consider one work in relationship to another.

The Department of Performing Arts kicks off its 2009-10 season with a tribute to WWII Women Air Force Service Pilots. Censored on Final Approach by Phyllis Ravel, artistic associate professor in the Department of Performing Arts, takes us to a time when 1,830 young women pilots from all over the United States quit their jobs, left their home and paid their own way to Texas to learn to fly “the Army way.” The play continues its run Oct. 7- 11.

Nov. 12 – 22 spells are cast, lovers are fooled and revelry abounds as worlds collide in William Shakespeare's imaginative comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Buy tickets or see the full season schedule at the Helfaer Theatre Box Office online.

New video: USA Today Sports Columnist Christine Brennan

Now available on Marquette’s Difference Network Web site, hear Christine Brennan, an award-winning USA Today sports columnist, best-selling author, and commentator for ABC News, ESPN, NPR and Fox Sports Radio, address students and faculty on campus about the barriers women in sports and sports journalism have overcome and their accomplishments throughout history including the enactment of Title 9.

The Difference Network offers free access to video of key thought leaders speaking at Marquette University events. New video content is added regularly.

MARQUETTE ATHLETICS

Marquette Madness kicks off basketball season Oct. 16

Join us for another exciting season of hoops, as the men’s and women’s basketball teams hold their annual Marquette Madness on Friday, Oct. 16, at the Al McGuire Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the festivities begin with the Marquette volleyball team facing Georgetown at 6 p.m. Immediately afterward, the women’s basketball team will take to the court for a scrimmage followed by introductions of the men’s team, a dunk contest and scrimmage. Admission is free.

Mini-plan ticket packages are still available for both men’s and women’s basketball. You can catch five of the biggest men’s games of the year for as little as $75 or the three biggest women’s games for just $10. For more information, visit the Marquette Athletics Web site.

IMPORTANT DATES

If you know high school seniors interested in attending Marquette, pass along these important Admissions and Financial Aid dates.

High School Senior Open House: Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009

Recommended application submission date: Oct. 31, 2009 (This gives us time to let you know if you're missing something so you can get it in by the Dec. 1 deadline.)

Freshman application deadline: Dec. 1, 2009

Financial Aid (FAFSA) deadline: Feb. 1, 2010 (It is recommended that you file as soon as possible in January, using estimates for your tax figures.)

Freshman scholarship deadline: Feb. 15, 2010

National candidate's reply date: May 1, 2010 (High school seniors need to make a commitment to a college by this date.)

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