Supportive families are vital to student success. That support was important when I was a student at the University of Idaho. It’s just as important for today’s Vandals as they navigate their studies and find a path in life toward careers. Parents and families are partners in our students’ success. That’s why this week’s Parent and Family Weekend is so important for moms, dads, brothers, sisters and other extended family members to visit campus, meet our faculty and staff, and engage with the broader U of I community. I am looking forward to my mother, brothers, aunt and uncle joining me this weekend to celebrate. I wish everyone a safe and fun weekend on campus. The Vandal Family is a wonderful thing. We have pride in U of I and the time we spent on this campus. We see it when our alumni return and in families where the Idaho legacy is a part of many generations and histories. That close-knit feeling also materializes in the way we support our students. It shows up through our Counseling and Testing Center, staffed by psychologists, counselors and social workers who can assist with the unique challenges faced by today’s college students, to ensure they get the support they need. Our Vandal Health Education program offers classes and workshops for students on everything from healthy cooking to quitting smoking to support their well-being in the classroom and in life after college. The university’s Holiday Break Bus routes ensure students get home safely to their families. It stops throughout Idaho, Washington and Oregon for Thanksgiving, Winter Break and Spring Break. These services are all part of how we build a supportive community for today’s students. It’s also important that we step up if a member of our Vandal Family is in distress. Our VandalCARE reporting form allows anyone to report when we feel a member of the community isn’t getting the help they need. One addition we’re excited about is our Vandal Health Clinic’s recent return to campus. The clinic, a partnership with Gritman Moscow Family Medicine, provides healthcare services to the entire campus community by medical professionals. The clinic officially returned this week. It’s important we have pride in supporting our students and giving them the resources they need – whether inside the classroom or out. It’s our obligation as members of the Vandal Family. |