宅男福利社

Family Experience

Stay in the know and equipped to support your Tiger from orientation to graduation. Get customized information relevant to you, connect to your student, and receive newsletters with important 宅男福利社news, dates, and deadlines by signing up for 宅男福利社Family Experience.

For more information, contact:

Kirstan Cunningham, Director of Residence Life & Family Experience
(205) 652-3599听
[email protected]听听

Student Rights and Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), sometimes referred to as the Buckley Amendment, is a federal law that protects the privacy and handling of student educational records.

Resources & Tips

College is a new experience and a time of transition for freshmen. The first-year college student is ready to become more independent of their family. Family and guardians share the same hopes and goals for their children; they want them to be happy, successful and self-reliant. 宅男福利社recognizes family and guardians as vital partners in the college search process and as 鈥渇amily members鈥� once a student is enrolled.  

Here are a few guidelines that may be useful to you as your student transitions to UWA:  

• The college selection process signifies a milestone in your child’s life; we suggest you play a great supporting role, not a leading role.  
• Familiarize yourself with admission and financial aid requirements as well as academic majors offered at UWA.听听
• Avoid using 鈥渨e鈥� when referring to your student鈥檚 application and enrollment process.  
• Encourage a minimum of one visit (to include you) to campus. Be sure to include any special requests you may have as part of the visit.  

We also know that for many family and guardians, this might be the first time you鈥檙e sending a child off to college, so we offer the following tips to help make both your experience and your student鈥檚 the best it can be. 

Try Not to Call Every Day

It鈥檚 only natural to want to reach out as much as possible. Now might be a good time to let your student know that you trust them; that you don鈥檛 need to check up on them as frequently as you did when they were at home. You don鈥檛 have to go long stretches without talking, but it may help to find a rhythm that works well for both of you. Striking that balance together can make staying connected feel more meaningful.

Have a Discussion About Social Media

Social media can have a lasting effect on a person鈥檚 life. Much of what is posted on these platforms is forever archived and can follow the student throughout their life. Have a talk with your child so that they are aware of the potential long-term impacts of their words and actions on social media.   

Help Them Take Greater Control of Their Daily Lives

Encourage your student to take over the daily tasks of their lives if they haven鈥檛 already. Every residence hall has a laundry room. Every student is expected to keep a tidy room and bathroom. Handling these tasks now is an important part of college and young adult life and can help develop long-lasting, positive habits. 

Encourage Involvement

A complete college experience means more than classes and homework. Taking part in extracurricular activities, enjoying recreation and joining clubs and organizations expands your student鈥檚 horizons and helps them socialize. Experience with extracurricular activities related to your student鈥檚 field of study is also valued by prospective employers.听听

Send Them Something

With so much communication happening electronically, there鈥檚 still something special about receiving a note in the mail. Consider sending your student a short message to let them know how proud you are, a favorite photo, or even a small care package with a few useful items. Opening a letter or package can be a simple way to brighten their day.

Have a Discussion About Drugs and Alcohol

College is often a time when students encounter new situations and choices, including those involving drugs and alcohol. It鈥檚 important to have an open, honest conversation with your student about expectations and decision-making.

宅男福利社is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and law-abiding campus environment. Violations of drug and alcohol policies can lead to serious consequences, including possible suspension.

We encourage students to make responsible decisions, respect university policies, and follow all state and federal laws. You can review the full details in the .

Talk About Credit Cards and Finances Before School Begins

Many students begin managing their own finances for the first time in college, including using credit cards and budgeting for everyday expenses. This can be a great opportunity to have an open conversation about financial responsibility.

Talk with your student about topics like credit card use, setting spending limits, and whether it makes sense for a parent or guardian to stay involved by monitoring statements or serving as a co-signer. Students are often offered credit cards with introductory rates and low limits, which can change over time.

Encouraging your student to make thoughtful, informed decisions about banking and credit can help them build strong financial habits that will serve them well beyond college.

Be Interested, Not Critical, About Course Selection

During the first year, students begin navigating course selection and degree requirements, often with guidance from academic advisors. While you may not always agree with your student鈥檚 choices, showing interest in their decisions rather than focusing on criticism can be more productive. Asking questions and staying engaged can open the door to meaningful conversations and help you both better understand how those choices fit into your student鈥檚 overall educational goals.