Monarch Family Connection Newsletter - Ready to Reign Edition

3 Tips for Family & Student Success from Dean Dr. Williams

Dr. Vicki Williams is the Interim Dean of Students and Associate Vice President of Engagement. Dr. Williams is focused on creating an engaging, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students. Each newsletter will feature a piece from Dr. Williams. 

As the Dean of Students, I understand how transitioning into this next chapter can be exciting, challenging, and emotional. Below are a few ways to encourage success for both you and your student:

• Identify how you will communicate. Lay the groundwork for outreach. Establish your best communication plan with your student, whether it's scheduled calls, FaceTime, daily texts, or even emails.
• Listen & encourage. There may be moments of defeat and triumph. Your student will want to know you are listening and encouraging them through times of both wins and losses.
• Empower them to be their own advocate. As your student learns to enhance their problem-solving skills, guide them, without immediately providing the solution. Empower them to take action steps such as contacting their advisor or any University staff member to help them unravel any concerns they may have.

Use this form to submit questions or topic proposals for Dr. Williams.

Academic Success Tips to Share with Your Student

As your student prepares for a new semester, we want to encourage the following strategies for success: 

• Review all course syllabi and notate important dates and deadlines in the planner of choice. Each student will find the organizational method that best suits them. This could be reminders on their phone or writing down assignments in a physical planner. 
• Research shows that students should spend about 2 hours studying per credit hour for each course. 
• Know and use the campus resources available. There are several academic support resources ranging from professor’s office hours (noted on course syllabus), University Library, Writing Center, Math and Science Resource Center, and course-specific tutoring. 
• Find ways to manage stress. This will look different for each student. Some will enjoy physical fitness at the Student Recreation Center while others may thrive in an on-campus club or organization.

The Monarch Experience

The Monarch Experiences continues until September 11! We hope to see your student there as these events are designed to create connections and community here at ODU.

The Monarch Experience (TME) is a campus-wide initiative to welcome Monarchs and introduce campus culture, traditions, and values. The Monarch Experience will begin August 24 and includes both in-person and virtual events. Students can access the schedule of events on the website and in the ODU Mobile app. The schedule will be updated as events are finalized, so refer back frequently to begin planning your Monarch Experience!

University Policies to Note

The following messages were shared with the campus community over the past several weeks:

• Effective August 16, 2021 and until further notice, Old Dominion University will require face masks that cover both the mouth and nose fully in all indoor public spaces, including classrooms, facilities, and buildings, except when eating or drinking.
• On July 1, 2021, the possession of one ounce of cannabis (i.e., marijuana) and/or its use became legal in Virginia for those 21 and older. The federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act prohibits the use or possession of cannabis on college campuses that receive federal funding, including Old Dominion University. Federal law prohibits the possession, use or distribution of cannabis on University property or as part of University-sponsored events. Cannabis remains an illegal drug under federal law.

Billing & Payments 

Old Dominion University uses e-mail billing notification. Notifications will be sent to your student’s official ODU.EDU email address. Failure to activate or maintain your official e-mail account will not be a valid reason for failure to pay on time. Information on how student’s can obtain their bill can be found on the Office of Finance website. 

Students can designate authorized users through LeoOnline. The steps to do so can be found on the Office of Finance website. 

COVID Vaccines available for students! 

All three vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and their related boosters are available for students Monday through Friday by appointment 9am to 3pm. Students can self-schedule via the Monarch Wellness Portal. Vaccines are first come, first served.