CMC Parent Newsletter
Summer 2024

In this issue:

Welcome to California: Parent and Family Orientation is Here!

By Dr. Melanie J. Malinowski, Ph.D P’27

When our only child, Echo, found out that she had gained admission to Claremont McKenna College and would be playing soccer for the Athenas, we danced around our kitchen. We were thrilled she would be leaving Texas, far removed from the searing and unpleasant relentless heat and humidity of Houston to attend the great CMC! It had always been our family’s dream that she would attend college in California, and now this dream was realized. To aid her in preparing to leave home, I researched and considered, measured and evaluated.

As an athlete, Echo arrived on campus early in August, several weeks prior to other first-year students. To a hurricane (which won’t happen again this year, according the weather app). Her much-anticipated WOA trip? Cancelled. Outdoor fun and games? Cancelled. It rained—poured. A dreary, East Coast kind of weather pattern settled on us. We had traveled by plane from Houston with eight bags: three duffels weighing over a hundred pounds each, a smaller duffel, two roller suitcases, and my own pink duffel and satchel. We were over the top, overprepared, a grotesque study in a mom set on assuring her only daughter wanted for nothing, needed nothing, my own fears of leaving her fifteen hundred miles from home—from me! --, driving my overspending on Dormify, Amazon, PB Teen, and at Target. My husband mollified me, though he suspiciously eyed my every purchase. I knew: he, too was tender and worried.

Echo had spent her entire life in the same house, same city, attended the same school for fourteen years, same soccer club, same volleyball club, same very involved parents, same twelve-year-old dog. Transitioning for all of us was going to be difficult. So, I over prepared. I thought I could control, direct, and dictate all of this: my student’s entry into this new place and space and life.

As I contemplate last year’s Parent and Family Orientation and Move-In Day, which looked different because of the weather, I recognize my own tight grip and see where we could have made things easier on ourselves. Here are some pieces of advice for our new incoming families:

Be Flexible: CMC is paradise. The campus, the weather, the people, the attention to detail, the compassionate smiles and helpers. My daughter says she feels like she is at summer camp! However, weather, traffic, elevators, toilets, emotions, moods are all unpredictable. Sometimes a hurricane ruins your plans. Sometimes it doesn’t. Be flexible. Be kind. Be patient.
Evaluate Your Packing. Then, Reevaluate Again: You know how they say to glance in the mirror and remove one accessory before leaving the house? I suggest removing three suitcases or duffels before boarding the plane or loading the car. As we helped Echo pack up her dorm room once she finished her first yar, we took three loads of cutlery, towels, dishes, pillows, and other stuff to Goodwill, tossed food and unused sundries, and repurposed books and school supplies. Your student honestly does not need much: a computer, some casual clothes, comfy pjs, a pillow and blanket from home, a favorite mug, photos, a nice outfit or two for the Ath. Take a look the packing list provided by the school. It helps. Mid-semester, after visiting her to watch one of her soccer games, we traveled back to Houston with two duffel bags of items she hadn’t needed. Her dorm room looked and felt brighter. And it felt like home to her, which is what we, as parents, want.
Enjoy the Day: Your student made it to CMC! Congratulations! Take advantage of the Parent and Family Orientation programming, which was curated to help you learn about all the support your student will have during the school year. Connect with parents and other families during lunch. Takes lots of photos!

Remember, relax and enjoy yourself.

Dialing Down Anxiety: How to Get Through the First Academic Year as a College Parent

by Arti Kumar P’27

Its that time, your little bird is ready to fly away! Maybe you have done this before and maybe it’s your first time. Either way there is some anxiety about how your student will fare throughout the academic year. You might be thinking: Will they settle in and like it or be homesick? What if they want to come back home? Here are a few things you might come across and how to navigate them as you and your student jointly make it through this rite of passage.

To Call or Not to Call? Check in with your student and have a conversation about staying in touch. You might set up a time to talk. Or, you could also wait for your student to call you. Remember, you’ll hear from them less because they are trying new things and having fun.
Support, Support, Support: CMC has your student’s back. The staff is so dedicated to your student’s wellbeing and success. The Dean of Students office is a wonderful resource for anything that comes up for your student, direct them there. The student clinic is helpful for health issues – make sure your student’s insurance is up to date. First Year flu is a thing – so pack in some flu remedies just in case. It’s always good to be prepared. Romero Success coaches are a great resource for first-years to learn to schedule themselves, and to manage conflicting demands of academics, extracurriculars and other activities. They will grow so much this year and so will you. Professors are available for office hours, remind your students to take advantage of them. The Soll Center for Student Opportunity will help your student with their professional plans at every stage. This begins just a few weeks into the academic year. By the time they are juniors and seniors, they are well prepared for their internships and job searches.
“I’m Having a Hard Time”: You might hear this from your student during their first academic year. Since this is their first time away from home, it can be emotional for you. You and your student will get through it. The first year is challenging especially if your child has not separated from you for extended periods of time. There will be ups and downs as they learn to navigate college life on their own. When you hear about it, and offer support and advice. Remind them to ask for help (the Dean of Students office is a great place to start) or look for new opportunities on campus to expand their horizons. Amazing opportunities abound. CMC is about students learning to seize the day. There are numerous clubs, intramural sports, and community events available to students.
What Will My Student Eat? Food is not an issue with multiple dining choices on campus. Your student has access to the dining halls of the other Claremont Colleges. When the dining halls are closed, The Hub Grill has many options and is open late. There are also many restaurants in The Village, which is a short walk from CMC, if they want a change. Delivery options are available as well through Grubhub and Uber Eats.
Make Your Own CMC Community: All parents and families are invited to regional chapter events. Make time to participate in your local region. It really helps to form new friendships with other families and members of the community.

Anxiety is normal at this time. A new chapter is beginning and everyone will learn to adapt to it. Know that your student will be supported at CMC like nowhere else. They will not fall through the cracks. Your child and your family will be known at CMC. Your student will grow and shine into the best adult version of themselves over the years. You will all make lifelong friendships. Welcome to the CMC and 5C family!

Student Privacy for Healthcare and Grades: The Parent Perspective

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) was designed to protect student’s rights by maintaining the privacy of educational records, and providing guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading information. The College realizes, however, that some students may want to share their academic progress with their parents and welcome parental support when it comes to healthcare and academics.

Parents and students over the age of 18 may want to have a conversation regarding the release of educational and medical records, and arrive at a mutually satisfactory agreement. More information regarding the specific forms is below.

Healthcare: Student Health Services (SHS) and Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services (MCAPS) follow all required HIPAA and privacy guidelines, unless students pose a danger to themselves or to others. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), protects the privacy of medical records. As soon as a child turns 18, parents no longer have access to their medical information even if they are still covered by the parents’ health insurance. Students may elect to sign a Medical Release of Information Form, allowing health-care provides to share information with the authorized person.

If your student is a CMS athlete, be aware that athletes will be asked to complete the annual NCAA Student-Athlete HIPAA Authorization Form with the rest of their NCAA Eligibility paperwork. This allows athletic trainers, physicians, and other medical providers to freely communicate about an athlete’s healthcare-related information. It also allows coaches to be kept informed on the status and severity of injuries. In order for parents to be informed about sports-related health information, athletes would have to also sign the aforementioned SHS Medical Release of Information Form.

Grades and Educational Records:

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), is a federal law that administered by the Department of Education. FERPA applies to all institutions that receive funding from the department. Once a student reaches the age of 18 and enrolls in college, FERPA rights transfer from the parent to the individual student. As a result, CMC cannot release education records—including grades—to parents unless the student has given prior express written consent. Students may access, fill out, and sign a FERPA Release Form and bring it to the Registrar’s Office in order for their parents to have access to their grades. (In accord with FERPA laws, CMC’s full written policy with regard to educational privacy and student privacy rights can be found on the website.)

Privacidad de los estudiantes para la atención médica y las calificaciones: La perspectiva de los padres

La Ley de Derechos Educativos y Privacidad de la Familia (FERPA) fue diseñada para proteger los derechos de los estudiantes manteniendo la privacidad de los registros educativos, y proporcionando lineamientos para la corrección de información inexacta o errónea. Sin embargo, la universidad es consciente de que algunos estudiantes pueden querer compartir su progreso académico con sus padres y agradecen el apoyo de los padres cuando se trata de la atención médica.

Los padres y los estudiantes mayores de 18 años pueden tener una conversación sobre la divulgación de los registros educativos y médicos, y llegar a un acuerdo mutuamente satisfactorio. A continuación, encontrará más información sobre los formularios específicos.

Atención médica: Los Servicios de Salud de los Estudiantes (SHS) y los Servicios Psicológicos y de Asesoramiento de Monsour (MCAPS) siguen todas las directrices requeridas por la HIPAA y de privacidad, a menos que los estudiantes representen un peligro para ellos mismos o para otros. La Ley de Portabilidad y Responsabilidad del Seguro Médico (HIPPA), protege la privacidad de los registros médicos. Tan pronto como un adolescente cumple 18 años, los padres ya no tienen acceso a su información médica, incluso si todavía están cubiertos por el seguro médico de los padres. Los estudiantes pueden optar por firmar un formulario de divulgación de información médica, lo que permite que los proveedores de atención médica compartan la información con la persona autorizada. El formulario se puede encontrar aquí.

Si su estudiante es un atleta de CMC, tenga en cuenta que se les pedirá a los atletas que completen el formulario anual de autorización HIPAA para estudiantes-atletas de la NCAA con el resto de su documentación de elegibilidad de la NCAA. Esto permite que los entrenadores de atletismo, los médicos y otros proveedores de servicios médicos se comuniquen libremente sobre la información relacionada con la atención médica de un atleta. También permite que los entrenadores se mantengan informados sobre el estado y la gravedad de las lesiones. Para que los padres sean informados sobre la información de salud relacionada con el deporte, los atletas también tendrían que firmar el mencionado Formulario de Divulgación de Información Médica de SHS.

Calificaciones y registros educativos:

La Ley de Derechos Educativos y Privacidad de la Familia (FERPA), es una ley federal que administra el Departamento de Educación. La FERPA se aplica a todas las instituciones que reciben fondos del departamento. Una vez que un estudiante alcanza la edad de 18 años y se inscribe en la universidad, los derechos de FERPA se transfieren de los padres al estudiante individual. En consecuencia, CMC no puede divulgar los registros educativos -incluidas las calificaciones- a los padres, a menos que el estudiante haya dado previamente su consentimiento por escrito. Los estudiantes pueden acceder, completar y firmar un formulario de autorización FERPA y llevarlo a la Oficina de Registro para que sus padres tengan acceso a sus calificaciones. (De acuerdo con las leyes FERPA, el documento completo de CMC con respecto a la privacidad educativa y los derechos de privacidad de los estudiantes se puede encontrar en el sitio web).

Volunteer with the Parent Network!

As the parent/guardian of a CMC student, you are part of the Parent Network and uniquely connected to the College through your student. The mission of the Parent Network is to help students and their families make the most of their CMC years by providing information about campus life, important milestones and events, and by offering a variety ways to learn more about and connect with the College and each other.

Whether you live across the globe or down the street, there are many ways to become involved. Please visit the volunteer page here to learn more and submit an interest form.

CMC will be the center of your student’s life for four years and beyond. We encourage you to be connected and engaged!

Show Off Your CMC Pride!

Looking for the latest in CMC parent gear? The CMC Supply Shop ( https://www.cmcsupplyshop.com/) has you covered! Make sure to catch our pop-up shops in Roberts Pavilion during Parent and Family Orientation (August 18, 2024) and during Family Weekend (February 15-17, 2025)!

We hope you will display your CMC pride on-campus, at home, and wherever your travels may take you.

Parent Network Board Meetings

The Parent Network Board meets quarterly to discuss ways to enhance the College experience and to hear from College leadership. Read the April 2024 Board meeting minutes here.

Read the Meeting Minutes