|
 | Frequently Asked Questions
Academics | Insurance | School Records | Seasonal | Other
Academics
My student was invited to join an honorary society. Should he join?
In terms of assessing whether it's worthwhile for your student to join any group, our recommendation is to ask your student to consider why he or she wants to join the group and whether this group will meet your student's reason for joining. For most students, the reasons for participating in an organization is to share a particular interest, to meet like-minded students, and to advance personal or career knowledge and opportunities.
In general, it seems not to be beneficial to have the name of an organization on a resume unless the student can also say that he or she participated in some ACTIVE way. That participation might be serving as an officer, playing a role in planning or organizing events, or making a contribution to the development of the group through a committee.
Students sometimes believe that having a list of memberships on their resume will improve their chances when they apply for a job or for graduate school. Employers and graduate schools will be impressed with a good grade point average, and they will want evidence of how students contributed to the organizations to which they belonged. They will want to know what students learned from their activities.
Some groups suggest that membership in an honorary society helps in getting scholarships—the most important factors in receiving departmental and academic scholarships are grade point average, evidence of involvement, and the recommendation of a professor or an academic adviser. Advisers usually know about a range of scholarship opportunities; professors are likely to hear about the scholarships offered by their department.
The best suggestion for determining the value of any group would be for your student to get in touch with the person listed as the contact to find out what the group does and how your student feels about the person or people leading the organization. If the contact person can talk about planned activities and the organization's goals, see if they fit your student's interests.
You can find out if a group is a registered student organization on LSU’s campus by checking the Center for Student Leadership & Involvement’s list of registered student groups.
You also can do a Web-based search for a national branch of the organization through any Internet search site (Yahoo, Netscape, AltaVista, Google, etc.) to find out about the organization's mission and goals and any national activities the student can participate in.
My student is not doing well academically. How can I help?
Students, particularly freshmen, can encounter academic difficulties. First-year students often face difficult transitions and adjustments to college, including separating from family members, adjusting to new living arrangements, and accommodating the University's higher academic standards.
The Center for Academic Success offers free tutoring to LSU students. This Web site also offers suggestions and resources for achieving academic success, dealing with stress, depression, illness, alcohol misuse, and other issues.
My student was named to the Dean’s List. What does that mean?
Each of the colleges within the University has a Dean’s List to recognize high-achieving students. Although there may be slight variations for each college, in general students who receive a 3.5-3.9 for the semester are named to the Dean’s List. Students who receive a 4.0 for the semester will be on the Chancellor’s List. Students also must have completed 15 or more credits during the semester, graded as A-F.
Back to top
Insurance
What kind of insurance does my student need to protect her computer, stereo, and other personal possessions?
As students review their to-do lists and begin packing for the move to a residence hall or off-campus apartment, they should also be thinking about how to insure their possessions in their new home. Parents might want to help their students go over their options.
Many parents choose to add their college student to their existing homeowner’s policy. This is often the less expensive option, as long as the student’s primary residence remains the parent’s home. If your student rents an apartment, however, the insurance company will likely consider that to be his primary address.
Downsides to adding your student to your homeowner’s policy may include the need to add a rider to your policy, the possible effect of claims made by your student on your insurance policy and rate, and the possible inadequacy of coverage due to caps and high deductibles.
Renter’s insurance is another possibility for your student and you to consider. This will allow you to tailor coverage for your student’s specific needs, and prevent claims made by your student from affecting your own insurance policy. For students who do not live permanently with their parents, renter’s insurance is likely their only choice to insure their belongings.
Whichever option you choose, a few things to consider:
- What situations are included and/or excluded from the policy? Does it cover damage from fires or floods?
- Does the policy cover replacement or the actual value of the property? Electronics like computers, televisions, cameras, etc., depreciate significantly over time. A policy that only covers the actual value of a stolen or damaged item may not provide your student with enough money to replace it.
- Does the policy cover liability claims?
How can you and your student make the best decision for both of you? Carefully review your options with your insurance broker or agent.
Does my student need to have the LSU health insurance to use the Student Health Center Services?
All full-time students are eligible to receive most services at the Student Health Center at no cost, although some services do require a fee. All students are also required to have current health insurance. For more information, please visit the Student Health Center Web site.
Back to top
School Records
How can I obtain a copy of my student's grades?
The easiest way for you to receive a copy of your student’s grades, current financial information, and other student information is for your student to log on to their PAWS account. Midterm and final grades can be viewed by clicking on the Student Services tab. Financial information can be found by clicking on the Financial Services tab. Your student can also visit the Registrar’s Office. Students can have the information printed at this office and pass it on to you. Students must bring their LDU ID to receive the information.
The University is prohibited from releasing certain information to parents without permission of the student. By federal law (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, FERPA, also known as the Buckley Amendment), students over the age of 18 are considered responsible and are allowed to determine who will receive information about them.
Where do I get proof of my student's enrollment and grade point average for my insurance company?
The easiest way for you to receive a copy of your student’s grades, current financial information, and other student information is for your student to visit the Registrar’s Office. Students can have the information printed at this office and pass it on to you. Students must bring their LDU ID to receive the information.
Back to top
Seasonal
When is commencement?
Each college within the University has its own commencement ceremony. A calendar of the upcoming main ceremonies and diploma ceremonies can be found by visiting the Commencement Web Site.
How can my student buy course books before classes start?
Students may buy course books at the LSU Bookstore or online from their Web site at any time after registering for classes, as long as the instructor has identified the required textbooks.
Transportation
How can my student get a parking tag for parking on campus?
Students can order parking passes by logging on to their Paws account and clicking on the Additional Services link. Students will also be prompted to choose a parking pass when scheduling online each semester. For more information, please visit the Office of Parking, Traffic & Transportation’s Web site.
Back to top
Other
My student is a sophomore and still doesn’t have a major picked out. Who can help?
LSU Career Services can help students explore academic major and career options. In addition, University Center for Advising & Counseling can assist your student with choosing a major.
My student is thinking of joining a fraternity/sorority. What is the process?
Joining a fraternity or sorority is a mutual selection process. The Greek communities on campus offer a formal recruitment process. For specific information, visit the Greek Life Web site.
Back to top |
|
|