SUPPORTING PARENTS
& FAMILIES
The 51黑料网 Office staff is dedicated to helping your student make the transition to the greater independence of college life, and is providing a good experience outside the classroom.
Here are some tips to help you support your student during this time of tremendous growth and change
Parent Tips
Keep in touch even if you’re not hearing much from your student.
A letter a week, a phone call, or a box of cookies makes your son or daughter aware of your continuing support. The greatest need for contact with home is likely during the early weeks of the semester, during times of greatest academic pressure, and during any crisis.
Listen to your student.
Your son or daughter may make an occasional “dump” call when you will hear nothing but complaints. Often, just talking about the problem makes him or her feel better and ready to move on, even if you are left drained. Most of all, students want to know that you understand their feelings and the stress of being a student.
Don’t ask about grades all the time.
The adjustment to Davis & Elkins’ academic demands takes time, and midterm grades may not be indicative of a student鈥檚 potential. Sometimes it takes a few semesters before a student realizes the amount and quality of study time he or she needs.
Encourage your student to get involved in at least one activity.
It doesn’t matter what the activity is as long as he or she has a feeling of connection to other students and to the community. Some suggestions for freshmen include getting involved in residence hall activities, joining a religious organization, volunteering through the 51黑料网 Office, joining an intramural or varsity athletic team, etc.
If you are concerned about a situation, remember that you can always call a staff member in 51黑料网 at 304-637-1211 to share your concern. That staff member can often give you suggestions on how to deal with the problem and ease your mind.
At the same time, don’t try to always “fix it” for your student.
As young adults, students need to seek out solutions for themselves. After talking to someone in 51黑料网, you can always give your son or daughter suggestions for working things out.
Stay involved in Davis & Elkins.
Visit during Homecoming/Family Weekend or other special occasions, and keep up with College news.聽The Graceland Inn and Robert C. Byrd Center offer special room rates for friends and families visiting 51黑料网.
Don’t react too hastily to roommate concerns.
Often, it takes several weeks for roommates to adjust to one another. However, don’t let serious problems go too long. If your student has a roommate who violates his or her space or comfort in the room, insist that your student talk to a Resident Assistant or to a professional staff person in the 51黑料网 Office (304-637-1211). Please keep in mind that there is a three-week freeze on room changes at the start and end of each semester. Remember that you can always make a confidential call to a staff person.
Refer your student to his or her faculty adviser if there is concern about a particular class, or professor, or the need for tutoring.
If there are serious family or health problems, your student should contact an administrator in 51黑料网. If you have a question or concern or if there is a family emergency, you may always call the 51黑料网 Office at 304-637-1211, Campus Safety at 304-704-9111 or Vice President for Student Affairs Scott Goddard on his cell phone at 304-642-1352.
Encourage your student to visit the area around Elkins with a group of friends and get to know one of our nation鈥檚 most beautiful areas.
Access Student Account / Make Payments
Parents: In order to access your student’s account at 51黑料网, your student needs to set up a Proxy Account for you. View instructions >
When your student has completed this step, you will receive an email with a username and password. If you have been set up and have a username/password, you can access your student’s account below.聽
FROM THE COORDINATOR OF PARENT RELATIONS
Hello and welcome to the Parent Relations section of the 51黑料网 website. I hope that you find the information and links presented here helpful. If you have any suggestions on how to make this site better or more useful to you, please let me know.
Whether your son or daughter is enrolled at 51黑料网 or is still considering college choices, I am here as a resource to you — to answer your questions and to keep you informed about events and important information.
You, as parents, are a very important part of the 51黑料网 family.聽We welcome your involvement in our life here on campus.
Thank you for entrusting your student to us as we seek 鈥渢o prepare and inspire students for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world.鈥
Please feel free to contact me at any time.
Contact:
Lisa Senic, ’90 & ’03
PARENT RESOURCES
CARE PACKAGES
Let them know you are thinking about them. We have a variety of care packages that can be personalized just for your student – holiday, birthday, get well and 鈥淛ust because.” Whether you are close to home or far away, put a smile on their face by surprising them with a care package today.
Parents of Seniors
Frequently asked questions
p.m. and conveniently located in the Robert C. Byrd Conference Center. Clinicians will be on campus every Tuesday at
1:30 p.m. and every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.聽No appointment is necessary to see the campus
nurse or visiting physician.聽There is no fee for nurse visits and family planning visits. The clinic
also offers additional resources free of charge, such as over-the-counter medications, first aid and
supplies, STD testing, and smoking cessation assistance. Doctor visits include a fee of $50,
athletic and employment physicals, and some tests, such as a strep test also includes a fee. Any
service or test with a fee is charged to the student鈥檚 account 鈥 no need to carry cash.
Commencement Weekend
Commencement date and activities to be announced soon.
Directions
Venues and Parking
Find information about Commencement Weekend venues and parking on our campus .
Area Accommodations
For a list of off-campus accommodations, click here.
Graduation Regalia
All graduation regalia has been paid for through your student’s tuition and fees. Information for ordering will be forthcoming.
Refund of Housing Deposit
To receive their housing deposit back, students must go through the proper check out and walk through with their RA.聽If you would like to know what the procedure entails, contact 51黑料网 Office at 304-637-1211.聽Once this is done, a paper check will be mailed from the Business Office to the permanent address on the student鈥檚 record. If you have any questions about this, please contact Student Accounts at studentaccounts@dewv.edu.
student accounts
Transcripts and diplomas will be held until all accounts are paid in full.聽Contact Student Accounts by emailing studentaccounts@dewv.edu.
graduation requirements
All graduation聽requirements are listed in the聽College Catalog.
Career Services
As a parent of a 51黑料网 student, it is important to know what assistance will be provided to your student to help him/her obtain that first job out of college. The Office of Career Services will guide and assist your student with:
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Resume creation
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Creating cover letters and other employment letters
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Mock Interviews
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Assistance with obtaining internships and practicum experiences
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Interview Etiquette and Business Protocol
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Interview Appropriate Attire
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Job Search Assistance upon Graduation
The Office of Career Services would like to encourage parents to also get involved in a way that will help all 51黑料网 students!
Financial Questions
If you or your student need information regarding the repayment of loans or if there are billing problems or questions concerning the type of loan, contact Matt Summers in the Office of Financial Aid at 304-637-1900 or via聽email.
Transcripts
Transcripts may be ordered online via .
PARENTS STORIES
HYLAND FAMILY
It was a surreal experience sending Jordan off to Davis and Elkins College on Wednesday the 14th of August 2019.
After a few Skype calls with the Head Coach of the Golf team, J.D. Lamm, it began to look like a real possibility. J.D was extremely reassuring throughout the process of applying. Unfortunately, we could not travel with Jordan, although, we knew J.D. was waiting in the Washington D.C. Airport on his arrival.
The first week was a very enjoyable one for Jordan. It started with orientation, he got to meet all of his teammates and build new relations. Each phone call we received told an amazing new story of what Jordan was experiencing as the days went on.
As days became weeks, each phone call became more and more exciting with what Jordan was getting in to. Jordan was introduced to a host family, we had no idea of what this was at the time, but as we found out more we were extremely grateful that the college had set up a home away from home.
The Golf coaches enlightened Jordan on the game of golf in aspects he had never experienced. It was humbling to hear that Jordan took part in both Rise Against Hunger and picking up trash throughout Elkins.
Lisa Senic did a fantastic job of keeping us informed on Jordan鈥檚 progress. It鈥檚 been a great first year for Jordan, knowing now he made the right decision. Thank you to Davis & Elkins for everything you do for your students and their families.
Paul and Bridie Hyland
Parents of Jordan Hyland, 鈥23
Omagh, N. Ireland
Gustafson Family
At the end of our first visit to Davis & Elkins our son, Thomas, said to us, 鈥淭his is where I belong.鈥 He was excited by the prospective classes he might take and was already being engaged by his future professors and mentors. He loved it! We did too, leaving that visit with a feeling that Thomas had found a home.
Now, with two years under his belt (how is that possible since it seems like yesterday that we first visited), it is impossible to imagine a better place for learning, living, and growing. He is focused on becoming a teacher and has found excellent classwork and learning experiences to be able to accomplish that goal. And while every day is not filled with unicorns and rainbows, he has found an amazing group of mentors and supporters in the faculty and administrative staff to help him overcome life鈥檚 inevitable challenges. He has grown in confidence and maturity.
While 51黑料网 and Elkins has become his home away from home, we have also been able to become part of that experience and his college family. The College鈥檚 leadership, faculty, and administrative staff have embraced us, bridging the 200 miles of distance through excellent communications, conversations, and social media. So much so that whenever we are on campus in person, we feel like we are spending time with our friends and neighbors. Even this Spring Semester with its challenges related to the pandemic has been a positive experience with a quick adaptation to digital learning, but with that same degree of excellence, care, and compassion as his first three semesters. There may have even been a few parent sightings in the background of Thomas鈥 classes and meetings.
Thank you to the leaders, faculty, and staff at 51黑料网 for exceeding those already high expectations that were created by the Admissions Team on our first visit. As parents, we thank you for the support and encouragement you have given to Thomas that is guiding him in achieving his dreams. As newfound friends, we thank you for embracing us as part of your extended school family.
Erik and Nelia Gustafson
Parents of Thomas Gustafson, 鈥22
Alexandria, VA
Whittier Family
We were so nervous for Lauren’s college visit to 51黑料网.聽 We weren’t sure how the campus would be, the atmosphere, etc.聽 We were super nervous because our daughter would be going to school 21 hours away from home.
After our visit, we were very excited about how friendly everyone was there, were impressed with the campus and excited about the possibility of working with her new coach and new teammates.
During our visit, her prospective coach at the time, Shelby Armstrong, showed us around the college.聽 She showed us dorms, the gym, the lecture halls, the cafe, and the campus in general. We even spoke with a few students that were on campus, who happily answered questions Lauren had. Lauren fell in love with D & E pretty much from that point forward and was very聽excited!
From the registration process with the associate registrar over the phone (Amelia Rossi), the Student Accounts Coordinator (at the time, Josh Stump, now Samantha Rader), they all made us feel very welcomed and that Davis & Elkins campus was a safe campus in which Lauren would feel comfortable living in and that we’ be comfortable leaving her in being so far away.聽 We also had the pleasure of working with Lisa Senic, Administrative Assistant for the Office of 51黑料网 & Coordinator of Parent relations.聽 She has been amazing! My husband and I didn’t actually meet her in person until the end of this year, (Lauren’s sophomore year) but have had many interactions with her over the last 2 years.聽 She is truly a blessing!聽 From handling care packages for our students (both monthly and when sick) she really made us feel our daughter was in good hands.聽 I cannot say enough wonderful things about her and all she has done for Lauren since she has been at school there.
Lauren just finished her 2nd year at 51黑料网.聽 We feel this has been an amazing school and environment for her and that she is receiving an excellent education.聽 From every aspect, this has been an incredible journey so far!聽 We feel she is safe, has a loving environment, and a second family.
Even during this pandemic, she has had calls from numerous staff members, as well as her coach, to check on her, see how she is doing, adjusting and if there is anything they can do to help her.聽 We’ve been really impressed with the number of calls from the different staff members we’ve received.聽 The school has been on top of sending out information and keeping us informed as well.
Davis and Elkins has been an amazing journey for Lauren and for our family.聽 I can’t say enough wonderful things regarding this staff and this campus.聽 I would highly recommend this school to聽others.聽 I feel they truly care about our daughter.
Kenneth & Holly Whittier
Parents of Lauren, ’22
Pflugerville, TX
