Empty Nest

The Eugenia Miller Fountain (above), with its nest-like appearance, sat idle earlier this summer in preparation for repairs. The fountain is teeming with water now as the University prepares to open this week. For parents and guardians, that means some empty nests as families prepare to send their students back to school.

Let the Year Begin

Parents,

Welcome to the new parents who have signed on to receive this electronic newsletter. You are joining over 700 parents who are already tracking the Trinity experience from the parent perspective.

This has been an exciting summer. Miller Hall has undergone a significant renovation as part of a tentative two-year plan that includes a similar re-do of Calvert Hall next summer. The first phase of the science building project is nearly complete, with a long-term plan of at least three years for ultimate completion. The University has added a number of faculty positions in order to continue to offer the best educational experience possible.

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Outside the classroom there is a new Director of Security (Paul Chapa) and a new Director of Campus & Community Involvement (Dr. Raphael Moffett).

In addition, the University continues its search for a new president to lead the campus to even greater heights. The search committee seeks a visionary leader who will bring Trinity University to greater national prominence and who can continue to build up resources despite the conclusion of a successful capital campaign.

The backdrop to all of this is a faltering economy, that has deeply affected the families who make enormous sacrifices to send their children to this prestigious University. We understand the hardships you encounter on behalf of your sons and daughters. We pledge to be excellent stewards of their experience here. They will receive, or continue to receive outstanding instruction and personal attention in and outside the classroom.

If you have heard me speak at family orientations you know I say this is a marathon, not a sprint. We will not always make decisions that you agree with or that appear on the surface to be favorable to you or your student over our four years together. We will, however, look at the broad picture by being professional and consistent while trying at the same time to offer families personal attention. I also believe that an education isn't purchased, but requires great effort to acquire. Your students will get the most from this experience if they embrace it and take advantage of the opportunities they are offered.

Whether you are new to us or you have the benefit of some experience as Trinity parents, I invite you to work with us to offer our students the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed throughout their time here. Best wishes for a terrific academic year.

Sincerely,

Mr. David M. Tuttle
Dean of Students

Announcements

Students are being offered a special rate to join the new YMCA, which is within walking distance to Trinity. The advantage to students is that the YMCA is a health clubs and offers many classes not available on campus. Some of these classes are kickboxing, Body Pump, Zumba, spinning, and aerobics. The cost is $90 for the academic year (which works out to $10 per month). The fee is due upfront and in full and must be paid using Tiger Bucks. The YMCA staff will be on campus for two weeks beginning August 24 and will do the sign-up in the Coates University Center lobby. If your student is interested in this, please work with them to ensure they have put the $90 on their cards.

Meet the new Class Marshal and Alumni Sponsor for the Class of 2013!

Finishing touches

Workers complete a new foot bridge this week as part of the Miller Hall renovation. The Physical Plant uses the summer to complete many capital improvement projects for the year ahead. For returning students, we hope the changes all around campus will be welcome enhancements to the Trinity experience.

Elsewhere, the faculty is returning this week to plan for advising, teaching, and research. Under the leadership of Ben Newhouse (C&CI) and many others, the New Student Orientation and Welcome Week schedules have been developed to offer an educational and fun transition for new and returning students. Residential Life student staff is in training, preparing the first year, sophomore, and upper-class experiences. Career Services programs are scheduled, the first campus newspaper is being planned, and fall athletes are already practicing. This is certainly the most exciting time of the year on campus.

"Can't Miss" Events

This year's summer reading is "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder. It chronicles the work in Haiti of Dr. Paul Farmer. The all-campus lecture for this event features Dr. David Walton, a protégé of Dr. Farmer. An excellent and inspiring speaker in his own right, Dr. Walton will bring the work of Dr. Farmer to life on Thursday, August 27 at 7 p.m.

H1N1 Update

Trinity University is preparing for what appears to be a difficult flu season this year. With leadership in this situation by Dr. Gary Neal, Director of Counseling and Health Services, and Jackie Bevilacqua, Coordinator of Health Services, the Crisis Management Team is tracking this issue daily. The following was sent to the University community earlier this month:

We write to update the Trinity community on the status of H1N1 (swine) and other flu.  This summer, there have been reports of several cases of flu-like illness among Trinity students, faculty, staff, and their family members.  Flu during the summer is highly unusual and suggests that H1N1 flu is active in the campus community.

The Crisis Management Team is monitoring the situation and developing plans for the upcoming flu season.  The latest information is posted at the University's flu Web site at www.trinity.edu/departments/public_relations/flu/ 

In the meantime, several simple prevention measures are the most effective ways to avoid all flu viruses. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

 Take everyday actions to stay healthy: 

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

• Stay home if you get sick. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

 If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, do not go to school or work.  Avoid close contact with others.  The CDC recommends that persons with Influenza like illness stay out of work or school for  24 hours after symptoms are gone. 

The Difference

The difference between… The Trinity Parent and Family newsletter is a hard copy newsletter that is distributed to parents of new students in the summer. The TrintE Parent and Family electronic newsletter is sent to subscribers about every other week during the academic year. ParentTalk is an interactive list serve available to parents and family members. Participants must subscribe to this list, which allows parents to respond to posts submitted by others. It is a valuable list to utilize to pose questions about local services, parental dilemmas, general concerns, and inquiries.