4) How to Dress: Casual dress is appropriate for most daily activities and eating establishments. One of the most important Sewanee Parent Secret Tips is that "casual attire" in Sewanee may have a different meaning. Some parents think the dress is more formal. At most university events, men wear a jacket and tie. The main message is to dress in what is most comfortable for you.
5) Most parents do attend Family Weekend - especially freshmen parents. Family Weekend is typically in late September or early October of each year. Activities are planned that allow interaction with faculty members, professors, and other students. One of the best things to do, according to some parents, is to meet the parents of your child's friends. These can be very rewarding and lasting relationships.
6) Adjustment and Counseling: The dorms are staffed with proctors and assistant proctors that help students learn about college life. These student volunteers serve as informal peer counselors and role models after receiving training through the dean's office. They offer an experienced student's view of college life, help new students adjust to dorm living, and can advise students with more serious difficulties about available campus resources.
7) Some parents believe the most helpful thing was to hear, "Don't worry, they'll be fine" from other parents because they felt comfortable with the open, safe atmosphere at Sewanee. Also, parents find it very easy to contact anyone on campus - faculty and staff members are very open and encourage your calls.
8) Exercise: The university's athletic facilities are available for parent's use while visiting. You can arrange for a parent's pass from the Fowler Center office or front desk. It is fun to use it and interact with current students. Also, there are unlimited hiking trails around campus, and don't miss a walk through Abbo's Alley!
9) Airports and Sewanee: Sewanee is centrally located between several international airports. Nashville International Airport is about 1 1/2 hours away. Chattanooga Airport is an hour away, and Atlanta International Airport is about 2 1/2 hours away. Sewanee does have an award-winning airport for private planes. When flying to visit your child, please note the time zone changes. Sewanee is in Central Time as is Nashville. Chattanooga and Atlanta are in the Eastern Time zone.
10) Student Involvement in Activities: There are many clubs and activities available for students with many interests. A Student Activities Fair is held early in the first semester where over 50 clubs and activity opportunities are showcased. Students can learn more about each activity and decide in which ones to participate.
11) Well-rounded students are great, but remember that becoming involved in too many things may hinder the students' academic life. Trying out for leadership positions like members of the dorm staff and Angel team is recommended.
12) Staying Informed: A newsletter for parents is sent twice a year to all current parents. Subscribing to the student newspaper willalso keep you up to date on the inner happenings on campus. You can subscribe by calling the Sewanee Purple office at 598-1204. Also, frequent visits to the Sewanee Web Site www.sewanee.edu will find current articles and announcements.
Things I remember being confusing were......
"I was surprised by the number of parties during Parents' Weekend and was not sure which ones to attend. There were off-campus parties and university events to choose from."
"We were not aware of the lodging options the first weekend we brought our child to school."
"The Monteagle Assembly homes were confusing to me."
"We were surprised to learn that parents rent homes during the week of graduation and that you must reserve them during freshmen year to find availability."
"We had no idea where to stay."
"We did not know that making reservations for lodging and restaurants were time sensitive."
"We did not know who the key contact person would be to call if we had questions or a problem."
"We did not know that the university had policies for all parties held, including one we would host."
"We were confused about how the fraternity and sorority system worked."
Things I remember being helpful were....
"The Parent Orientation was great!"
"There are wonderful study abroad programs that are easy to learn about."
"It was helpful to know that the Monteagle Assembly is an assembly of family cottages united in Christian unity."
"We learned that the school asks parents to serve no alcohol at graduation parties."
"Pearls takes reservations."
"Sewanee is more formal in dress for parents than other schools. Men wear coat and tie at most events here."
"The Lessons and Carols service is open to parents and is a good time to visit with your child while attending a meaningful event."
"We learned that we did not NEED to rent a home or have a party - this is just a tradition."
"The introduction of the administration was helpful to put names with faces."
"The computer setup staff was very helpful."
"The new student newsletter / guide was very helpful."
"Teachers are willing to answer any questions at any time...just ask!"
"Learning about the availability of a shuttle service to both Nashville and Chattanooga was helpful."
"It was good to know that my child had the ability to use his/her identification card to pay for campus expenses like phone calls, etc."
Things I think are unique about Sewanee are ...
"The faculty, students, and administration"
"The setting"
"The students ability to interact with faculty, advisors, etc. for any reason or need"
"The dress code - students choosing to dress up for class"
"The gownsmen tradition"
"The family atmosphere"
"The Honor Code"
"Leaving everything open and unlocked"
"The sense of the sacred - the University stands as a symbol of the holiness of everyday life"
"The commitment of the faculty and their interest in the undergraduates"
"The Mountain — what an asset"
"The tradition of close faculty/student relations and the social interaction of teachers, students and parents makes for a wonderful community."
"The university's approach to fraternities and sororities - encouraging them to be inclusive rather than exclusive"
"The personal attention the faculty gives the students"
"The sense of 'family' on campus"
"The sense of responsibility the students feel with honor code and new rules about responsible drinking"
"The emphasis on religious life"
"The friendly atmosphere the students feel — especially the helpfulness from their professors"
"Sewanee is both a community and a school"
"The tradition of graduation in the chapel"
"The unity of the community and the school"
"The interconnectedness of the community for worship, for recreation, for necessary community functions, such as fire/emergency services, and for other work services, such as students' baby-sitting."
Some of the things my child talks about are...
"Friends"
"Classes and scheduling"
"Food"
"Her ability to meet and talk to faculty in situations other than class"
"Her ability to go jogging in and around campus in relative safety"
"Everyone's friendliness and willingness to help each other"
"There's always something to do"
"The student-teacher communication"
"The size of the school - just right - small enough where everyone knows everyone, large enough to offer many opportunities and career choices"
"The great organization of the residential life office and support it gives to students"
"The faculty support to students"
"The drinking policy"
"Her relationship with her teachers"
"The Sewanee Angel Team"
