Orientation Is for Parents, Too
When Ford Jacka arrived at Tulane University last week, he looked part student (lugging a backpack) and part tourist (a camera slung on a strap around his neck). Like many parents, Jacka had come to campus with his wife, Mary Sue, and their 18-year-old daughter, Caroline, for new student orientation.
A brass band welcomes parents with their sons and daughters during a summer orientation session for incoming students on the Tulane uptown campus. (Photo by Sally Asher)
On Tuesday (June 28), the Kendall Cram Room in the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life was packed as a five-piece brass band marched in. Ford Jacka felt a mixture of excitement that his last child was heading off to college and pride that she is attending Tulane on scholarships.
“We'll be nervous later on when we drop her off on campus [for the fall semester] and drive away,” said the dad from Monroe, La. “I'm concerned she'll be homesick, like I was when I went to college.”
Jitters are common for parents attending the two-day summer orientation sessions.
Together, the incoming students and their parents heard from Michael Hogg, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, and James MacLaren, dean of Newcomb-Tulane College. Then the students headed off with current students who are orientation team leaders. Students and parents attend parallel sessions, with the same information presented in different ways for the two audiences.
Once the students had left the room, Hogg said, “I understand that you're trusting us with something that's most precious in your lives your sons and daughters.” The reassurances had begun.
“It'll be fine,” said Deborah Slattery, one of 20 academic advisers and the mother of a 2011 Tulane grad. “Your sons and daughters wouldn't be admitted to Tulane if they couldn't excel. And if he or she hits a little bump, we're here with resources.”
In addition to all the information presented and the printed parents' guide, each parent went home with a refrigerator magnet with contact information for the Tulane Office of Parent Programs.
