Dear Providence College Parents:

The fall is always an exciting time at Providence College as the activity of the new academic year brings with it new opportunities and new challenges for our students--both in and beyond the classrooms. It can also be a time of opportunity and challenge for parents, especially if this is the first time you have sent a daughter or son away to college.

PC shares an important partnership with you. You have encouraged and nurtured your student from childhood to young adulthood. Now, Providence College supports your efforts in guiding your sons or daughters toward achieving success in life by providing an education that will prepare them to make the best possible decisions as they fulfill their roles within God's plan.

College is a critical time of transition when students claim their independence as they cross the threshold into full adulthood. It is a time when they learn important lessons about living with others in a community and becoming responsible adults and citizens who are personally accountable for their successes and failures. Most importantly, it is a time when students learn to find their own voice. 

As parents, you have the challenging task of supporting your sons or daughters in their college experience while encouraging their personal growth and independence. Communication and encouragement are important, which is why I hope you will take advantage of several College activities and initiatives to support your evolving parent-student relationship.

One of the most important campus initiatives this year--and one where your support is especially critical--is our ongoing challenge to address student alcohol abuse. Last year, we implemented several recommendations by our Committee on Campus Culture, Conduct, and Civility relative to this student wellness issue. More changes will be introduced this semester. Please find an opportunity to talk to your student about the serious consequences of alcohol abuse-binge drinking in particular--as we strive to effect positive social change in our campus community. [View a copy of the  committee's report. ]

Attending a Family Weekend at PC provides an opportunity to begin or continue this dialogue with your son or daughter. Twice each year, Providence College welcomes parents and other family members to campus for special weekend activities. On November 1 - November 2, our Freshman Family Weekend is scheduled, while Upperclass Family Weekend will take place in February. For parents of freshmen in particular, this is a time to share in your students' experiences, both academic and extracurricular. You are invited to sit in on classes; meet with faculty and administrators; and experience campus life by cheering on Friars athletics teams, attending a student theatrical performance, and worshipping together in St. Dominic Chapel. 

If you haven't registered for the Freshman Family Weekend, I urge you to do so by visiting the "Parents and Families" link on the College's Home page.  Parents of upperclass students can visit these web pages to watch for dates and details on their weekend as well. 

Among the weekend highlights is a presentation featuring PC's Parent Program, established last year in the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. Under the leadership of its director, Jacqueline Kiernan MacKay, the program provides a variety of parent services focused on helping you help your student achieve success at Providence College.

The program's Web pages are a valuable resource to guide you through the variety of issues and situations that college students face at different times of the academic year--from homesickness, to academic anxiety, to social peer pressures. There's also a link to "frequently asked questions." If your specific concern is not addressed, you are invited electronically to "Ask a Question." Please also share your e-mail addresses with the Parent Program, to ensure that you receive timely suggestions and other important College updates.

Beyond supporting your own student's collegiate experience, I invite you to become involved with the Parents for Providence Association through its key initiatives. These include career services networking, regional admissions events, and our efforts to increase support for Providence College through the Parents' Fund. Gifts from the Parents' Fund enhance academic programs, faculty support, and the quality of our campus facilities and student life.

To learn more about these opportunities to help PC enhance the college experience for all of our students, visit their Web pages or e-mail mychild@providence.edu .

I fondly remember my own student days at Providence College and my parents' encouragement and advice. It was a time when I found my own voice and direction in life. Each day, I pray for your sons and daughters as they seek to discern their own unique place in God's loving plan.

Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P.