In This Issue:

Roomate Issues
Counseling Center Announces New Substance Abuse Services
Welcome Week Recap

Whitman Smith, Director of Orientation Programs

Hello mom and dad,

I hope that your student is off to a good start at Ole Miss. We've had a busy two weeks helping students transition to college life, starting programs, getting welcome week activities going, etc. Our first football game is behind us and we’re undefeated so far (1-0). Some of you may have just sent your student back to campus with clean laundry after the long Labor Day weekend. Others, probably further away, may have endured some "I miss you, I'm bored, I'm the only one left on campus" phone calls. Regardless, we are in full swing and the next break is Thanksgiving. With this in mind, we are proud to introduce our new parents to the Slice of Life newsletter.

Slice of Life is an electronic newsletter that we send monthly to parents, and quite frankly anyone who the student put down as an e-mail contact under "parent e-mail" when they signed up for orientation. So if you are something other than mom or dad, please understand that we are addressing you also and not neglecting you because you have a different title. Our newsletter is an attempt to supplement our bi-annual print newsletter to parents, keep you up-to-date on what is happening at The University of Mississippi, offer you tips on helping your student succeed in college, and in general just maintain contact with you. Inside you'll find two to four articles designed to keep you abreast of what’s happening on campus with your student during this specific part of the year. We also have a section for announcements and try and offer you as much contact information as possible in terms of offices and individuals that may be helpful to you and your student.

Our goal is to help students succeed and (as we say at every orientation) partner with you to help your student succeed.  That said, remember that the real key to helping your student succeed is to allow them the freedom to solve their own problems. Remember, you already know a lot about navigating college and life. Your students needs to learn too, and that means letting them figure some things out. As always, we are a phone call away if you need us in the Office of Orientation and Parent Programs. Call us anytime at 662-915-1185 or e-mail us at orequest@olemiss.edu and we'll help how we can.

Whitman

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Roomate Issues

Lorinda Krhut

Director of student housing and residence life

The success of any roommate relationship is dependent upon open and honest communication. Of course, lack of speaking to each other is a form of communication implying that the roommates have no desire to resolve the conflict. Silence is not a healthy way to handle roommate issues and only causes the problem to fester longer.

It is common and natural for roommates to have disagreements. Living in close proximity will test the best of relationships, and students who have the tools to resolve their differences will benefit in the long run. One simple suggestion is that students develop a roommate contract where expectations are written and agreed upon by both roommates. Recommended areas to cover include expectations regarding roommate behaviors for

Having roommates can be the highlight of the college living experience and produce lifetime friendships. However, the manner in which issues are addressed will make or break the relationship. The “silent treatment,” gossiping or getting others involved (including parents) seldom help in resolving the conflict. Conflicts are part of life, and the ability of the student to resolve a conflict independently will help him or her learn a valuable life skill. It may help to get an objective opinion by taking advantage of services offered by individuals in the Division of Student Life or University Counseling Center. If the student lives on campus, the resident assistant and hall director are valuable resources in helping to mitigate roommate issues. In either case, students would do best to approach their roommates with an open mind and positive attitude.

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Counseling Center Announces New Substance Abuse Services

The University Counseling Center is pleased to announce several new substance abuse services beginning fall semester 2007. A primary objective in instituting these new programs is to help students avoid leaving school in order to seek treatment for alcohol and drug issues. Our goal is to provide comprehensive services to meet students’ needs while they remain enrolled at the university.

The center will offer three new services:

Crossroads is an intensive 8- to 10-week alcohol and drug treatment program geared toward students. We offer a nontraditional approach tailored to individual needs. Students will collaborate with their counselors to develop treatment goals while receiving individual and group support. Our goal is to help the students incorporate treatment gains into their daily lives while learning to balance academic and social obligations.

Turning Point is a weekly support group for students who have been affected by a loved one’s drinking or drug use. The group offers a safe place for students to take steps toward healing through interaction with others sharing similar experiences.  

Oasis is a weekly support group for students maintaining an alcohol-free and drug-free way of life. We offer a nontraditional, student-focused approach that addresses the unique issues of maintaining a substance-free lifestyle in a college atmosphere.

All services are provided in the confidential atmosphere of the Counseling Center by professional counselors and graduate student therapists. Turning Point and Oasis are provided free of charge; a fee is charged for Crossroads.

To enroll in any of these services, or for more information, please contact Amy Fisher at the University Counseling Center at 662-915-3784 or afisher@olemiss.edu

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Welcome Week Recap

Jennifer Taylor

Director of Campus Programming

Each year, the fall semester begins with Welcome Week, a series of events to welcome new and returning students to the Ole Miss campus. To kick off the week, a screening of Spiderman III was shown in the Grove on Sunday evening with free popcorn and drinks. Activities were held throughout the week at the Student Union, which included a rock wall, poster and T-shirt sales, free snow cones, a caricature artist, the campus and student organization fair, and the weekly Union Unplugged series. Back by popular demand was Think Fast Trivia, an interactive game show where students are asked trivia questions on topics ranging from music, TV and movies to politics, history and geography. Every participant had the chance to win a $200 cash prize. The annual Chancellor’s Walk was held on Wednesday morning as students, faculty and staff joined members of the Ole Miss coaching staff for an entertaining and leisurely stroll around campus. 

On Friday night, Rebel Nights, a monthly late-night program event, transformed the Student Union into a Comedy Night featuring comedians Corey Holcomb and Greg Warren, a DJ on the plaza, a caricature artist and make-your-own canvases and chalices. Free Papa John’s pizza and soft drinks were also provided throughout the evening. Welcome Week culminated with bands rocking the campus at the annual Rumble in the Grove. This year’s lineup included performances by Eric Church, Ingram Hill, Drew Holcomb and Yoni.

Welcome Week provided a full week of fun and a great way for students to meet others (and maybe even win money or other prizes), all without ever leaving campus. For a complete schedule of Welcome Week activities, visit the Campus Programming Web site at http://www.olemiss.edu/student_life/campus_programming/.

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