Parent Newsletter Parenta parent’s guideNewsletter to the first year at Rocky Mountain College a parent’s guide œto the first year at Rocky Mountain College Personal Identity – Family Weekendœ 2016 It Doesn’t Come Easily November 11-13 CollegePersonalBy Cynthia Hutchinson, Sleep Identity LCSW, LMFT Habits – FAFSA Information 16 RMC Counselor Remind students they need to complete a FAFSA for every year &It Anxiety/DepressionDoesn’t Come Easily Novemberthey are seeking federal aid. If 11-13they received a Pell grant, student 406.657.1049 loans, and/or work study this year and want federal aid again next By Cynthia Hutchinson, LCSW, LMFT year, they need to complete a 2018-19 FAFSA. RMCToday’s Counselor parents know more about their children’s lives By406.657.1049than Cynthia any other Hutchinson, previous generation. LCSW, LMFT With cell phones, text The FAFSA asks for income and tax information from two tax years RMCmessaging, Counselor email, social media, and computer history, a prior. That means on the 2018–19 FAFSA, students and their 4Today’sparent06.657.1049 parentscan have know a grasp more of whereabout their children’sson or daughter lives is parents will report their 2016 income and tax information, rather thanand anywhat other they previousthink and generation. talk about. With cell phones, text than their 2017 income and tax information. This is great news Collegemessaging, students email, develop social media,sleep habits and computer based on convenience,history, a because it means that students and parents don’t need to wait until their tax returns from the 2017 year are filed before applying. classparentDuring schedules, can late have adolescence, social a grasp activity, of individualswhere demands their are son of engaged academic or daughter in work, form is - Register Today for Family Weekend at: andanding employment. whattheir theyown thinkpersonal Frequently, and identities. talk studentsabout. Development will short change is more the IRS Datarocky.edu/parents/FamilyWeekendRegistration.php Retrieval Tool (DRT), that is part of FAFSA on the web, is amountabout psychological of time spent hurdles,sleeping suchto free as more transferring time for depen other- back up and operating on October 1 for the 2018-19 FAFSA partsDuringdency of fromtheirlate adolescence, routines.parents to The peers, individuals average forming college are a engagedloose student network in sleeps form -6 Friday, November 11 applicationRegister year. This Today tool allows for Family students Weekend and parents at: to transfer toingof 6.9 friends,their hours. own routines, The personal quality habits, identities. of that and sleeptaking Development is impactedon different is moreby aroles vari- their• Familytax information Weekend from check-in the IRS will directly be held into 11:00 their FAFSA.a.m. - 4:00 Last rocky.edu/parents/FamilyWeekendRegistration.php etyaboutwithin of habitspsychological a college known community. as hurdles, sleep hygiene. such as transferring depen- spring,p.m. the in Department the Bair Family of Education Student and Center the IRS on took RMC the campus tool dency from parents to peers, forming a loose network offline,• Optional after identity Lunch Friday,thieves in the tried NovemberRMC to Dininguse it 11 to Hallsteal information.with your But TwentyofWhen friends, percentyoung routines, adults of students habits, make willchoicesand pulltaking thatat least on run different one counter all-night rolesto the- •it’s back Familystudent's now Weekend with meal enhanced plan check-in security. will be In held order 11:00 to better a.m. protect - 4:00 erwithinvalues, every a month,beliefs,college andcommunity. preferencesstaying up to of 3:00 their a.m. parents, two or this more some - financial•p.m. Family inaid the applicants’Weekend Bair Family Receptioninformation, Student in starting RMC'sCenter thisRyniker-Morrisonon yearRMC the campus nightstimes a causes week isconflict routine forwithin 35% the of family. college Yet,students. this process Getting •Department OptionalArt Gallery: of Lunch Education 4:00 in p.m. the has RMC - announced 6:00 Dining p.m. the Hall DRT with will your 'limit the information that displays to the applicant in order to enhance the onlyWhenof carving five young hours out adults theirof sleep make own is separatereportedchoices thatidentityto berun common counteris a normal whento the and it •student's RMC Theater meal plan production - William Shakespeare's "Cym- security and privacy of sensitive personal data transferred to the comesvalues,critical to beliefs, part completing of and their preferences homework.lifelong growth of their and parents, development. this some De-- • Familybeline" Weekend at Billings Reception Studio Theatre: in RMC's 7:30 Ryniker-Morrison p.m. - 9:30 p.m. FAFSAArt fromGallery: the IRS.'4:00 Sensitivep.m. - 6:00 data, p.m. such as adjusted gross income, timesveloping causes a healthy conflict identity within also the involvesfamily. Yet, building this process self-es- will not be displayed to the applicants. Instead of seeing the income • RMC Theater Saturday,production November - William 12Shakespeare's "Cym- Researchofteem carving and has outa senseshown their of ownthat personal gettingseparate competence. inadequate identity is sleep a normal is a major and numbers that are being pulled in from the IRS, you'll simply see a factorcritical contributing part of their to lifelong symptoms growth of anxiety and development. or depression, De - note•beline" Footballthat data at wasBillingsTailgate transferred Studioin the from parkingTheatre: the IRS.lot 7:30 of You Techp.m. will Hall:- not9:30 be9:30 p.m. able to suchvelopingWhat as: You a healthy Can Do: identity also involves building self-es- reviewa.m. or change- 12:00 that p.m. information. includes food, The games, information and inflatables will be comin ing teem and a sense of personal competence. directlyhonor from of the Senior IRS,Saturday, however,and Military November so if familiesAppreciation 12 are confident Weekend they filed • • PoorBe tolerant concentration of lifestyle choices so long as they are not •their• Football Battlin'tax return BearsTailgate correctly, vs. in UM thethey Western parking should beFootballlot comfortable of Tech Game Hall: knowing at 9:30 Herb the •What Memoryclearly You Can self-destructive. loss Do: tax informationa.m.Klindt - 12:00 Field being p.m. 12:00 importedincludes p.m. food,is correct. games, and inflatables in • • DecreasedEncourage ability ways toto learnconnect; weekly phone call, email, •honor Evening of Seniorentertainment: and Military RMC Appreciation Faculty Music Weekend Recital in While using the tool is optional, it is still a more streamlined way to •• FeelingBeor tolerant packages overwhelmed of from lifestyle home. choices so long as they are not • Battlin'Losekamp Bears Hall vs. (6:00UM Western p.m. - 6:45 Football p.m.) Game at Herb file the FAFSA. It pulls information directly from the IRS, so • • IndecisionclearlyKeep criticismself-destructive. to a minimum. Your student(s) wants •Klindt RMC FieldTheater 12:00 production p.m. at Billings Studio Theatre •manual Evening(7:30 entry p.m. entertainment: errors - 9:30 are p.m.) eliminated. RMC TheFaculty DRT Music can also Recital save students in •• IsolatingEncourageyour approval from ways social and to connect; acceptance, situa- weekly even phone if he or call, she email, seems and their families time on the back end if they are selected for Losekamp Hall (6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.) tionsornot packages to.due to physicalfrom home. dis- verification. DRT-provided information is already verified, so the •• comfortKeepAllow criticism your son to or a minimum.daughter to Your make student(s) mistakes. wants Let •verification RMC Theater process isproductionSunday, much faster November at and Billings easier 13 Studioif the applicant Theatre has • Feelingyouryour approval student of not beingknowand acceptance, ablethat toyou don’t even consider if he or shemistakes seems to used•(7:30 Chapelthe DRT. p.m. Service - 9:30 9:30p.m.) a.m. in the RMC Chapel “catchnotbe to.disastrous up” and you’ve made mistakes too. • Family Weekend Brunch in RMC Dining Hall: 10:00 •• OvereatingAllow your (oftenson or daughterrelated to to make mistakes. Let Studentsa.m. will - 12:00 also needp.m.Sunday, to reapply November for their 13institutional aid (merit “freshmanyour student fifteen” know that weight you don’t considerContinued mistakes on p. to 2 •scholarships,*All Chapel events Service are athletic FREE 9:30 scholarships, for a.m. students in the Bear and RMC grants) their Chapel byfamilies! completing an gain)be disastrous and you’ve made mistakes too. •RMC Family Grant Weekend & Scholarship Brunch Renewal in RMC Form. Dining This form Hall: can 10:00 be found online at rocky.edu > Financial Aid > Financial Aid Forms. • Test anxiety a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Continued on p. 2 *All events are FREE for students and their families! Please feel free to call or email: 406.657.1031 or [email protected]. Continued, p. 2 College Sleep Habits, continued from p. 1 Some examples of disruptive sleep behaviors are: Parents often pick up on habits that reflect increased stress and anxiety. Here are some methods of encouraging health- • Sleeping in during the weekend to “catch up” from ier habits: sleeplessness during the week. This can disrupt the Circadian rhythm, or internal body clock, that regulates • Encourage your college student to have a consistent the hours of sleep. sleep routine, where going to bed and getting up in the • Exposure to the blue light from computer screens, cell morning happens at the same time every day regardless phones, or other electronic devices, which stimulates of when the first class is. the brain and inhibits the ability to calm down. • Stop use of any screen device, including Netflix or other • Increased intake of caffeine from energy drinks, so- video programs, 30 minutes to an hour before going to das (like Mountain Dew), and coffee often used to get bed. through a day or evening of studying. • Alcohol and over the counter medications can interfere drastically in sleep and should be used only in modera- Establishing healthy sleep habits can increase a student’s tion. ability to study, prioritize and contributes to greater immunity to common viruses and decreased mental and Talking about sleep routines can be a way to talk about what physical fatigue. Because of this, sleep routines are a major is happening in your college student’s life, and sleep issues factor contributing to holistic student health, including could be further addressed by talking with campus counsel- coping with anxiety and depression. Getting 8 to 9 hours of or Cynthia Hutchinson ([email protected]). A counselor sleep is the best scenario for the average college student, and can help identify ways to make adjustments for anxiety or students should always seek to get no less than 7. depression, including examining poor sleep habits. Spiritual Life

By Rev. Kim Woeste Chaplain, Director of Spiritual Life and Church Relations The Festival of Lessons and Carols is also a time-honored 406.657.1098 tradition that tells the story through specific scripture readings, hymns, and choral selections. Traditions can be important. They connect us with our history, provide a way of celebrating what we value, and give Since this type of service is common among United Meth- us a sense of belonging. During the holiday season, many odist, Presbyterian, and UCC churches, the tradition high- students start to miss the traditions that remind them of lights the denominational history of Rocky Mountain Col- home. However, at Rocky Mountain College, we have a few lege. The Festival of Lessons and Carols also highlights the traditions of our own that are designed to help students talents of the Rocky Mountain College music department. connect with the history of the college and celebrate being a It serves as a premier Christmas performance in the Billings part of the RMC family. Included in these traditions are the community, and if you live in the area, you are welcome to Log Dinner and the Festival of Lessons and Carols. attend. It will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2017, with one performance at 3:00 p.m. and another at 7:00 p.m. The Dinner has been a tradition at Rocky Moun- tain College for as long as anyone can remember. It com- During this holiday season, we are grateful that you and bines a holiday meal with a traditional Yule Log lighting your student are now a part of our Rocky Mountain College ceremony. The tradition of lighting a Yule Log at Christ- traditions! mas dates back hundreds of years. It was meant to bring prosperity and protection to a household and to celebrate Christ, the light in the darkness. Since the youngest mem- ber of the household was traditionally given the honor, the youngest student at RMC is invited to light our Yule Log.

TheY ule Log celebration provides students an opportunity to gather with RMC family and friends, to enjoy great food and holiday entertainment, to remember Christmas and to be a part of this longstanding RMC tradition.

2 Time Management: Time Flies When Your Student is at College By Steven Peterman pear and are wasted. Ask how he or she can avoid those Director of LEAP “waste baskets” in the future. 406.657.1099 • Encourage him or her to identify “prime times” for studying, socializing, sleeping, etc. When do you feel You just don’t understand it. Your student only has one or best or perform best? two classes each day, but he calls in a panic after missing an • Help your student learn how to prioritize time. Ask him assignment deadline or overwhelmed with a huge or her to create a list of tasks and activities, then rank assignment due tomorrow morning. You wonder…what order from most important to least important. exactly is he doing with the other 20 plus hours in his day? • Suggest a daily to-do list to organize daily priorities and feel the satisfaction of crossing off the priorities as they One of the greatest challenges college students experiernce are accomplished. It’s a great feeling! is time management. Managing the major priorities in • Help him or her understand the importance of saying their lives related to academics, a job, co-curricular “NO” when opportunities arise that don’t mesh with activities, personal wellness, and a social life can often those priorities. leave students feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, • Encourage this common advice offered by college pro- ultimately leading to bad habits such as procrastination fessors: Students should study two hours for every one and poor academic performance. hour in class. • Promote the idea of breaking huge tasks into smaller, So, the next time your student calls to share about a poor more manageable tasks over time. It will be less over- grade on a test – because he or she didn’t study, or over- whelming and your student will feel like he or she is slept, or was up all night with friends and slept through the accomplishing the larger task little by little. scheduled study group, consider challenging him or her on • Send a care package filled with tools that will support how to better manage study time with some easy better time management efforts. Tools to consider in- “challenge and support” time-management tips. cluding are: a planner, a journal, a dry-erase calendar, a bulletin board, post-it notes, a watch, highlighters, and How Can I Help? an alarm clock. • Help the student assess how he or she is allocating time • Promote open communication with your student and by suggesting keeping a time log for one week. his or her instructors. • Encourage looking for the “waste baskets” in the time log. Waste baskets are large chunks of time that disap-

students of how important it is to be aware of their Campus Safety surroundings and to be mindful of the security of themselves By Amberly Tanzosh and their property. They should also keep aware of suspects or Campus Safety Coordinator vehicles to look out for. 406.238.7293 As the colder weather approaches, students are encouraged to Surely it seems as though the semester just began, have emergency items stored away in their vehicles (out of and now the holiday season is upon us and the plain sight, of course), wear proper footwear and clothing for semester is nearly over. At the beginning of the the weather. Students will also receive an email with semester, I sent out emails urging students to make information on how to stay safe during the holidays whether sure they lock their vehicle doors and not leave any they are traveling or staying on campus. items in plain sight. Unfortunately, every year there are a few vehicles that are left unlocked and items are Some students need to leave their vehicles on campus while taken. While we do have surveillance cameras, work they travel home for the holidays. Rocky does allow this, closely with Billings Police Department, however, we ask that students sign a waiver stating they communicate with MSUB Police, conduct foot understand that Rocky Mountain College is not liable for any patrols, etc. your student also needs to be invested in damage, break-ins, etc. that may occur and students are the security of their property. I have sent out emails encouraged to take everything out of their vehicles. when these incidents do occur, to again remind We care a great deal about your students and their belongings.

3 Winter Break Reminders Hover Boards - Due to safety concerns, the use, possession, By Shaydean Saye and/or storage of hover boards (self-balancing scooters, Director of Residence Life battery operated scooters, hands-free Segways, and other 406.657.1051 similar equipment) is prohibited on all college-owned or managed property (inclusive of outdoor areas). As we approach the holiday season the Office of Residence Life wanted to share a list of common gifts that are not Pets - The residence halls are not properly designed for the allowed at Rocky Mountain College. Please be sure your care of pets, and the presence of animals can impact the students are leaving these items at home before returning to health of other residents as well as damage property. Pets, campus to avoid any problematic situation(s). with the exception of fish in aquariums, are not allowed in the residence halls. Aquariums larger than 15 gallons are not Firearms and Weapons - The possession of firearms, permitted. weapons, and ammunition on campus is strictly prohibited. Under this policy, firearms are any gun, rifle, pistol, handgun Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Unmanned Aerial Systems or device designed to fire bullets, BBs, pellets, or shots (Drones) - The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and (including paint balls), or other projectiles, regardless of the Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) and other similar propellant used. Other weapons include but are not limited equipment is prohibited on college-owned or managed to tasers, stun guns, knives with fixed blades, switchblades, property (inclusive of outdoor areas) without written spring-loaded knives, pocket knives with blades longer than authorization from the Vice President for Student Life. four inches, any item (including kitchen utensils) used for an inappropriate purpose, martial arts weapons, bow and For a full description of these and other Residence Life arrows of any type, swords, dirks, daggers, brass knuckles, Policies please go to http://rocky.edu/student-life/housing- sling shots, explosives, or incendiary devices. Replicas and residential-life/pdf/ResidenceLifeHandbook.pdf displays of any weapon are also prohibited from campus. Continued, p. 5 To access Fare Split, the user can tap the driver’s photo and Uber Comes to RMC split the cost with everyone in the car. For more information In case you haven’t heard, Uber made its way to Montana on Fare Split and other options to help students with the cost last year. But, what is Uber? Uber is a company that has of using Uber (like Uber Family), visit www.uber.com. created a taxi-like system to allow safe rides to a desired destination. Rocky Mountain College has teamed up with Uber to provide safe rides to our students. Whether trying to go to the grocery store or the airport, Uber is an alternative to public transportation or walking; especially as the temperature begins to drop! Things to know We have two pick up/drop-off locations, with one on each There are some things to know about using Uber. Some side of campus, along with a promo code (RMCRIDE) that drivers have a cancellation fee. This is typically a $5.00 fee allows first-time riders traveling from the RMC campus to that will get automatically charged to the account profile get a discount on their ride. being used. Also, if your student is riding during peak hours, fares can be subject to an increase. The amount the Download and Ride fare is increased will be on the screen before the ride is Once the Uber app is downloaded on a smart phone, set-up requested, but can easily be missed. Peak hours are typically is really simple. To create an Uber account, please follow when bars are closing, or when there is an event getting out. this link: https://www.uber.com/?exp=home_signup_form. Final Notes Fare Split Uber is a great, safe, and reliable service. RMC recognizes Is your student the kind that will always pick up a tab when that we have students from all over the country, and having their friends are strapped for cash? Are you worried that a car on campus is not always easy. Uber provides an your student will always be the one stuck paying and having opportunity for these students to get around town without to collect money from friends later? Well, luckily Uber has a their own car. If there are any questions or concerns about feature called Fare Split. Fare split is a way to share the cost the use of Uber on campus, please direct them to Area of the ride with any contact that uses Uber. Coordinator Sam Kohl ([email protected]). 4 Winter Break Reminders, continued from p. 4

Winter Break Housing The residence halls close for winter break on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at noon at which time all residents will As a reminder, students wishing to apply for on-campus have to vacate the halls. We reopen the residence halls on housing for winter break need to complete the Winter Sunday, January 7, 2018 at noon. The Winter Break On- Break On-Campus Housing Request Form available online: Campus Housing Request Form needs to be submitted no http://rocky.edu/student-life/housing-residential-life/ later than Monday, December 4, 2017. WinterBreakOnCampusHousingRequest.php. Spring Housing & Meal Plans Students living in Jorgenson Hall are welcome to stay for no charge but are required to register by December 4th. The spring semester billing process for students with meal Jorgenson Hall residents who do not register for winter plans and/or housing assignments has begun. Students must break housing will be required to turn in their apartment be registered for spring semester courses to be able to secure keys to the Office of Residence Life by December 9th at their housing space and/or meal plan. Students who have noon and can collect them beginning January 7th at noon. not registered for spring classes by the close of the fall The Jorgenson Hall Winter Break Registration Form is semester will be required to move out of their residence hall available online at http://rocky.edu/student-life/housing- at the close of the semester. If your student has not residential-life/pdf/ registered yet, please encourage them to do so. JorgensonWinterBreakHousingRegistration.pdf. Dean of Students Office 406.657.1018

Residence Life Happy Holidays from the 406.657.1051 406.698.8777 (24/hr #)

Office of Residence Life! Campus Safety With the winter break upon us, the Office of Residence Life wanted to keep families informed 406.238.7293 406.238.SAFE (24/hr #) regarding break housing and tips for students traveling home for the holidays. (7233)

Things to know if your student is staying in Billings during the winter break: Academic Resource Center 406.238.7280

- Our Campus Dining Hall will be closed for the duration of the break. SeServices for Academic Success 406.657.1070 - Encourage your student to check out www.billings365.com for local events to attend. Disability Services 406.657.1128 - The Office of Residence Life will have a full-time professional staff member available on- campus to respond to room lock-outs and emergencies. They can be reached 24 hours a day at Chaplain 406-698-8777. 406.657.1098

Things to know if your student is traveling home for the winter break: Campus Counselor 406-657-1049 - Our residence halls close on Saturday, December 9th at noon and reopen on Sunday, January 7th at noon. Students needing to stay late or arrive early will need to register for winter Parent Relations break housing by December 4th; students not registered for winter break housing will not have 406.238.7394 access to the residence halls for the full duration of the winter break. LEAP Mentoring 406.657.1099 - Students are allowed to leave their vehicles on campus, however they should check with the Office of Campus Safety regarding parking to ensure they are parked in an area that will not Academic Affairs Office be impacted by the snow removal schedule. 406.657.1020 Athletics Office - Please remind your student to complete the Winter Departure Check-List provided by 406.657.1133 their Resident Advisor prior to leaving campus. Career Services Office 406.657.1039

5 Parent Newsletter PARENT & FAMILY 

RELATIONS Rocky Mountain College Dean of Students Office • ESTABLISHED 1878• 1511 Poly Dr. Billings, MT 59102 406.657.1018

Upcoming Student Activities, Community Engagement & Outdoor Recreation

For upcoming events, please visit RMC’s master calendar at rocky.edu/calendar

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