Parents and Families

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Student Experience

Learning doesn't just happen in the classroom. The university offers dozens of opportunities to be involved each week — from the more than 140 student-run undergraduate student-run clubs and organizations, 21 Division I athletics games (all free to all students), club sports, intramurals, internationally renowned speakers, conferences, discussions, activities and other events, there’s something for everyone. Offices across the university help coordinate hundreds of events and opportunities for leadership and entertainment.

What’s New from Student Engagement

Helping students feel more connected

If students are looking to connect with their peers and find a community through student engagement, please get in touch with studentorgs@qu.edu to set up a time with our professional staff to discuss all options or check out our Do You QU online platform and find organizations of interest. Each active organization has its own profile and contact information. The platform also highlights events put on by all organizations!

Highlights from the past month

• Fall Fest, October 9th

  • This year's SPB/WQAQ Fall Fest featured singer, Marc E. Bassy and the band, Doublecamp. Festivities included three food trucks, a rock-climbing wall, a mechanical pumpkin, a corn maze, an inflatable slide and fall donuts sponsored by QU Dining. This event occurred on Sunday, October 9th from 2-6 p.m. on the Quad and was free for all QU students.

• The Office of Student Engagement hosted therapy dogs on campus during midterms week & will have them back during finals!

• Recognition of new organizations on campus (you can find more information on Do You QU!)

  • QU Association of Minority Engineers

  • Survivor Advocacy Alliance

  • Commuter Student Union

  • QU Suc-sess Academy

  • QU Women’s Health Organization

• Pumpkin Carving Contest: Students v. Hartford Health Care Orthopedic Surgeons

• Student organizations hosted over 250 events during the month of October!

Office of Student Engagement vendor program

We invite local vendors to come to campus weekly! Follow @qu_ose on Instagram for the full schedule.

• November:

  • 11/15/22: Olivers Olive Oil & DesignsByActive

  • 11/30/22: Gypsy Jewelry

• December:

  • 12/6/22: Sparkle Jewelry

  • 12/7/22: LIV For FASHION

  • 12/8/22: Olivers Olive Oil

  • 12/14/22: Sparkle Jewelry

If your student owns their own small business, contact campuslife@qu.edu for more information!

Mark your calendar for these beloved traditions in the Spring semester

QTHON is on Saturday, March 25, 2023

QTHON is a year-long fundraising enterprise led by Quinnipiac students, which culminates in a 10-hour dance marathon to raise funds and awareness in support of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Over the past 8 years, the Bobcat community has raised more than $1 million to support patients and their families.

Learn more about QTHON

Connect with QTHON on Instagram

Big Event is on Saturday, April 15, 2023

Quinnipiac’s Big Event was founded in 2010. The annual day of service encourages thousands of students and alumni to complete thousands of hours of work to benefit their communities each year. The event began nearly 4 decades ago at Texas A&M University.

Registration will open in spring 2023

Connect with Big Event on Instagram

What’s new from the Department of Cultural and Global Engagement

Highlights from the past month

• LGBTQIA+ Student Leadership Retreat: Our second annual retreat on October 8 provided a space for a group of students to connect, build community, set goals, and explore media representation and LGBTQ+ healthcare.

• LGBTQIA+ History Month Teach-In: On October 13, the Department of Cultural and Global Engagement hosted the second annual teach-in to celebrate and amplify the voices of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex and Asexual community. Topics explored representation, activism, intersectionality, LGBTQ athletes and LGBTQ folks in war and conflict. The teach-in provided an opportunity for Quinnipiac faculty, staff and students to learn about the rich histories and personal stories of the LGBTQIA+ community at QU and beyond.

• DCGE Inclusive Conversations: Cultural Appropriation: On October 20, the Department of Cultural and Global Engagement hosted an event to fully understand the consequences of cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful or stereotypical way. This conversation sought to explore the history of appropriation as well as healthy appreciation, education and diversity amongst the QU community and beyond.

• DCGE Inclusive Conversations: LGBTQIA+ and QU: On October 26, the Department of Cultural and Global Engagement hosted an event intended to foster an inclusive conversation. This inclusive conversation sought to explore the importance and benefits of community for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex and Asexual community at Quinnipiac and beyond. As we celebrate and honor LGBTQIA+ History Month, participants will have an opportunity to break down and understand the LGBTQIA+ acronym, reflect on assumptions of heteronormativity and explore how we can be more inclusive in our everyday language and behavior.

International Education

This month DCGE is celebrating International Education Week from November 14-18. Throughout the week there will be a variety of events each day, consisting of panel discussions, guest speakers and information sessions. International Education Week events aim to expand perspectives, foster communication between different cultures and build recognition and support of international education.

One event that we are especially excited about is, “Working in the U.S.: An International Student and Alumni Panel” featuring eight international alumni and current students from a variety of disciplines who have used their QU education to find exciting work and internship opportunities in the USA. Attendees will get to hear their stories and learn how they have managed the sometimes-intimidating waters of immigration regulations while living, interning and working in the USA.

Highlights from the past month

DCGE brought a group of international and domestic students to volunteer at the NYC Marathon on November 6. This event was an exciting opportunity to travel to New York City and participate in a large-scale athletic event with runners from around the world. Students filled and handed out water cups to the 50,000+ runners. Students also connected with the hundreds of other volunteers stationed at Mile 22.

Two international student-athletes from the Netherlands created a podcast produced at Quinnipiac called “Not from Here,” where they discuss their journeys to Quinnipiac and their experiences of cultural differences with rotating guests.

Supporting international students over Thanksgiving break

DCGE will be planning a variety of programs and events over Thanksgiving break including shopping trips to grocery stores, a game night at On the Rocks, an excursion to New Haven and to the movies. Students remaining on campus over Thanksgiving break are also invited to enjoy a Thanksgiving holiday meal with President Judy Olian on Tuesday, November 22. DCGE is also coordinating the Thanksgiving Host Program in which students remaining in the area can experience a Thanksgiving meal and celebration with a Quinnipiac faculty or staff member in their home.

What should a student whose roommate is studying abroad expect? Is there a way to request a new roommate?

If a student’s roommate is studying abroad for the spring semester, they should expect that they will get a new roommate. The new roommate might be a person returning from study abroad, returning from a leave of absence, or simply wanting to change rooms for the new semester. Yes, a student can request a roommate by contacting our office at residentiallife@quinnipiac.edu with the name of the person they would like to live with. We will make every effort to accommodate requests based on the spaces that we have available. Room assignments will be finalized in January and we encourage students to reach out to us as early as possible if they have a roommate request.

Is it too late to study abroad?

Information sessions for Summer 2023 affiliate, some Summer 2023 faculty-led courses and the Fall 2023 semester abroad will be held in early February with a March 15 application deadline.

What’s new from Fraternity and Sorority Life

Joining a Fraternity or Sorority

If your Bobcat is interested in joining the Fraternity & Sorority community, there are still several opportunities to do so. Interested students can email fslife@qu.edu to learn more! Next semester we will have even more opportunities for students to get involved in Fraternity & Sorority Life; save the date for our signature Meet the Greeks kickoff event on January 24 at 9 p.m. in Burt Kahn Court!

Those who want to learn more about what the community is all about are invited to attend our Greek Leadership Series event on November 30 from 4-6 p.m. in SC 207. This drop-in style event will focus on practicing gratitude; this crucial skill can be challenging for some. All Bobcats are welcome to join us; we’ll have some treats, templates for expressing gratitude and good company!

Panhellenic Pride Week

The week of November 14 is Panhellenic Pride Week. The sorority community will come together to celebrate their sisterhood through a series of events including karaoke, BINGO, a pop-up shop and Nacho Average Panhellenic Event which includes lots of nachos! All sorority women are encouraged to attend, spend time with one another and fundraise for Circle of Sisterhood, the adopted philanthropy of Quinnipiac's Panhellenic Council.

Philanthropy/Community Service

Throughout the month of November, the fraternity community is partnering with No Shave November CT/The CT Cancer Foundation to raise awareness and funds for Connecticut residents battling cancer. Funds will go towards medical expenses, living expenses, rent/mortgage, utilities, food and more. Those interested in participating in No Shave November can contact fslife@qu.edu to get involved!

So far, the community has raised over $23,000 for philanthropic/charitable organizations this semester and performed almost 2,000 hours of hands-on community service. We’ve also initiated 172 members into our 3 honor societies this semester: Rho Lambda National Honor Society, Gamma Sigma Alpha and the Order of Omega Honor Society. There’s so much happening in the Fraternity & Sorority community; if your Bobcat is interested in joining us, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

All questions can be directed to fslife@qu.edu or asked via Instagram at @qufsl.

Housing and Residential Life Updates

Residential Life

Please encourage your students to attend the RA Mandatory Community Meetings to learn information and ask questions about the Thanksgiving and Winter Break closing. Have your student check-in with their RA for the date and location for these meetings.

We are excited to announce the start of Resident Assistant (RA) recruitment with hosting a social on “LEARN S’MORE” about becoming an RA. This is a meet and greet with our fantastic current Res Life staff and an opportunity to make your own s’more! It’s happening on Wednesday, November 30 at 9 p.m. in Complex Courtyard. RA applications will be available in January; more details coming soon!

Happening on December 3 from 8 - 9:30 p.m. at Troup Hall is our famous Late Nite Lounge with the Winter Holiday Extravaganza theme featuring a hot cocoa bar, holiday treats, stuff a teddy bear, snow globes and holiday-themed music. Please encourage your student to take a break from studying and participate in Res Life’s last large-scale program for 2022.

Residential Life staff will be entering all student rooms/apartments/university-owned houses after 5 p.m. on November 18 to conduct health and safety inspections.

Housing

2023-2024 Senior Housing Selection Process

The Housing Office encourages the parents and guardians of current juniors to remind their students of the Senior Housing Selection Process which is currently underway. Housing contracts were due on November 13 and Selection Day will be on Thursday, November 17. Current juniors received detailed information about the process in their QU e-mail.

Please note that sophomore housing selection (for current first-year students) and junior housing selection (for current sophomore students) will take place in the spring semester.

View the Housing Contract

Sign the Housing Contract

After completing the contract, the student will be directed to the online payment portal.

We look forward to the opportunity to host your student in QU housing for the upcoming year. If you have any questions about the process, please do not hesitate to contact us at 203-582-8666 or residentiallife@qu.edu.

Thanksgiving Break Closing

All university residence areas close for Thanksgiving Break on Friday, November 18 at 6 p.m. and reopen on Sunday, November 27 at 10 a.m. Students may request to stay on campus for part or all of the break if they are international students, if they are from a non-drivable distance, or if they are required to be on campus due to an academic, athletic or university commitment. Students requesting to stay past 6 p.m. on Friday, November 18 or to return to campus earlier than November 27 at 10 a.m. must submit a Thanksgiving Break Housing Request, which is available on MyHousing. The university will be closed on November 24 and 25 with no services provided except for Public Safety. Students can reach Public Safety at any time by calling 203-582-6200.

Winter Break Closing

All university residence areas close again on Friday, December 16 at 6 p.m. for Winter Break. All students must depart campus by this deadline unless they have been approved by the Housing Office to remain on campus for all or part of the break. The Winter Break Housing Request will be available on MyHousing in early December. Students approved to stay on campus will be relocated to The Crescent residence hall (York Hill Campus) for the duration of the break and may be charged a fee for each night they stay on campus unless they are an international student or are participating in university business/activities/classes. The university will be closed from December 21 to January 2 with no services provided except for Public Safety. We will welcome students back to campus on Saturday, January 21 and Sunday, January 22 from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

What’s new from Religious Life

Key events for the next month

Next month we will wind down the semester with a series of smaller programs and activities that are geared to help our students deal with the stress of final exams. This will include creating quiet study hours in the Assembly Room in the Center for Religion.

Highlights from the past month

The highlight of last month was our first Midnight Swimsuit Marathon for charity. Almost 130 students ran the race around the Quad on October 9th and dozens more came out to watch the event. Our Associate Dean of Students, Dr. Lynn Hendricks, crowned the winners with laurel crowns on the steps of the library. Not only did the students love the event, but we raised nearly $1,000 for Morgan’s Message, a group that works on mental health issues with collegiate athletes.

How is the university marking the upcoming religious holidays?

Two events stand out to mark the upcoming religious holidays. The Catholic community will mark the beginning of the Advent season on November 27 with a blessing and lighting of our Advent wreath. Also, staff from Religious Life will join the Jewish community for a special Friday sabbath service at the Peter C. Hereld House for Jewish Life!

Dining Updates

Stay on track with meal points

As we head toward the holidays please encourage your student to regularly check their meal point balances on the QCard Balance page on MyQ and compare it to the Dining Meal Plan Budget Tracker which shows a suggested balance week-by-week throughout the semester.

Too many points?

Students who have more points than the budget recommends will be able to use these points in the spring term. Alternatively, they can transfer their points to another student.

Too few points?

Students who have less points than the budget recommends can negotiate a transfer of points from another student, supplement with QCash or use a credit card.

Learn More

Learn more about our meal plans, how to check balances, transfer points and more on the  Meal Plans page.

See all upcoming dining events

Thanksgiving Break hours of operation

• Friday, November 18 — North Haven closes at 2:30 p.m., York Hill closes at 5 p.m., Café Q closes at 5 p.m., Starbucks closes at 3 p.m.

• Saturday, November 19 through Saturday, November 25 — Closed

• Sunday, November 27 — Café Q open 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Bobcat Den open 4 p.m. – 11 p.m., York Hill 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

• Monday, November 28 – All locations open regular hours of operation.

See full dining hours of operation

One Stop and the Registrar

One Stop provides seamless and integrated student administrative services throughout the entire student life cycle. One Stop includes cross-functional student solutions for:

• records and enrollment services

• managing student finances

• parking and transportation services

One Stop works closely with and can provide preliminary information about financial aid, Q-Cards, housing and dining. Advanced registrar functions such as degree conferrals, Dean’s List and diplomas will continue to be administered through the Registrar.

• Email: onestop@qu.edu

• Call: 203-582-8650

What’s new from One Stop

Invoices available and tuition due dates announced

Undergraduate, graduate and law students will receive their invoices in Self-Service after the Thanksgiving break and payment is due by December 15. School of Medicine students have already been invoiced and payment is due by November 15. Reference the "When is tuition due?" FAQ of our website for a complete list of due dates and payment plan installment dates.

The Self-Service site allows students and their designated proxy to do the following:

• Review an invoice (financial activity including tuition, financial aid, and payments)

• Make a payment via credit card or electronic check (cash is not accepted)

• Set up a payment plan

• Authorize a proxy (allows others like parents or spouses to pay invoices)

By the due date (12/15/22 for undergraduate, graduate and law and 11/15/22 for medicine), please remit payment in full, enroll in a payment plan (must be enrolled in a payment plan by the 14th for the first payment to occur on the 15th), and/or ensure financial aid or loans are secured to avoid being charged late fees or a hold being placed on the account.

There are no payment plans for the January term.

For the Spring term we are offering two payment plans:

• Auto Adjust – this plan covers the student’s full balance due and will automatically adjust if the amount owed changes. Therefore, if financial aid is applied the balance due on the payment plan will automatically adjust. This adjustment can lead to an increase or decrease in the monthly payment plan. The remaining balance due will be split among the remaining payments.

• Fixed Balance – this plan allows the student to determine the amount to pay via the payment plan. To adjust the amount after the first payment is due, the student needs to contact the One Stop Office.

Students who do not see their invoice for the January or Spring terms of the 2022-2023 academic year, may have a hold on their student account. Hold and contact information to resolve the hold appears in Self-Service. If the hold is due to an outstanding balance and a payment is made via ACH, it will take at least a week to settle. Once the hold is resolved, the invoice should appear within 24 hours.

In Self-Service, the student/proxy is asked to consent to the statement of financial responsibility which includes our refunds and withdrawal policy. The student/proxy will also be offered the opportunity to purchase tuition insurance.

Please reference the following for assistance as needed:

Self-Service Student Finance Guide provides complete instructions on using Self-Service to set up a proxy, view and pay invoices and set up a payment plan.

Costs and Budgets provides detailed information on tuition and fees.

Financial Aid  and the links in the navigation on the right will answer most financial aid questions.

Should you or your student have additional questions which are not addressed above, please contact One Stop at onestop@qu.edu.  We look forward to assisting you.

One Stop hours of operation

Please find the One Stop hours of operation on the Contact One Stop page of our website. Please note that our office will be closed for winter break from December 21 through January 2. Families making payments during this time are highly encouraged to use Self-Service to pay via ACH or credit card. We encourage all families who use 529 plans to pay their tuition electronically, if possible.  Please contact your 529 plan to see if this option is available.

Learn more about One Stop

What’s new from the Registrar

Final Exams are scheduled for December 13-17, 2022.

Final grades for the Fall 2022 semester are due December 19 and are posted to Self-Service by instructors. If grades are not posted by December 19, please reach out to your instructor.

Open registration begins on November 28 at 7 a.m. through January 4, 2023 for J-Term and through January 27th for Spring 2023 term.

J-Term 2023 courses run January 4 - January 20

Spring 2023 courses run January 23 – May 13

Spring recess is March 13 - 18, 2023

Please refer to the Quinnipiac Commencement website for all commencement information.

Learn more about the Registrar

Parking, Shuttles and Transportation

Parking

Residential first-year students are not permitted to bring their cars to campus. We request that parents do not send their first-year students back to campus after the Thanksgiving holiday with a car. Cars without valid parking decals will be ticketed and towed.

Learn more about parking

How would a student register a new/changed car for the spring?

Students may work with One Stop to register a new vehicle or change an existing vehicle.

Can students leave their cars on campus over break? If so, what do they need to do?

Students may request to leave their vehicles on campus during the break. All requests must be made through One Stop.

Are escort services available? If so, how are they activated?

Students may request an escort at any time by calling the Department of Public Safety at 203-582-6200.

What’s new from Community Engagement

What can a student wishing to start a community service project do?

Students interested in starting a community service project can connect with the Director of Community Engagement at vincent.contrucci@qu.edu to discuss their idea and funding needs. There are currently dedicated funds for students who wish to initiate a community service project that impacts and addresses the needs of minority and underrepresented populations in the greater New Haven area.

Submit a project proposal or funding request for those types of projects

Key events next month

The Office of Community Engagement is hosting information sessions over the next few weeks for students to learn about and sign-up to participate in the service break trips offered over Winter and Spring Breaks. Our free Winter break trip will work with the New Haven Habitat for Humanity. The Spring Break trip will work with an affiliate in North Carolina and anticipated costs for participation will range between $300 and $400.

Information sessions are scheduled for:

• November 15 at 12:30 p.m., in SC116

• November 17 at 1 p.m., in SC116

• November 29 at 9:15 p.m., in TH113

• December 1 at 9:30 p.m. on Zoom

Highlights from the past month

This month the office hosted two service events working with various state parks on clean-up and maintenance projects. We also hosted information tables to encourage students to register to vote and/or check their voter registration.

The office hosted an event with the Herald House to make soups to donate to a local food pantry. We also collaborated with the Big Event and QSNA to develop a spikeball tournament to raise funds to support the American Red Cross’ work in responding to Hurricane Ian.

The office hosted its Furry Friends for Refugee Children event where students made stuffed animals for donation to a local resettlement agency. Stuffed animals are placed in the apartments that families with children will be moving into upon their arrival in the U.S. so those children have a new friend to welcome them.

Connect on instagram @quserves for information and post-service photos of events

Graduating Students

Commencement

We recommend making hotel reservations as soon as possible if you have not already done so. Our Commencement site lists the ceremony schedule and will be updated with further information as we move into the spring semester. Graduates will begin receiving information on ordering a cap and gown and more. Please encourage your student to regularly check their Quinnipiac email.

Parents Council

How can Parents and Families get involved?

Focusing on the philanthropic and strategic vision of Quinnipiac, we welcome parents and families to get involved with our QU Parents Council and Family Fellows program. Working with the Director of Development for Parents & Families, we ask members of this group to join with a financial gift to the area of their choice and lend their support in multiple ways - through their professional expertise, connections as well as the support of QU programs and University priorities.

What was discussed in the most recent meeting?

At our most recent meeting on November 9, Council members welcomed our newest Bobcat families joining the council. Topics focused on QU priorities, corporate partnership connections and opportunities; and included presentations from Todd Sloan, vice president of development and alumni affairs, Holly Raider, the dean of the school of business, and Michael Kassa, associate vice president of corporate partnerships.

When is the next meeting? How can parents get involved?

While each family customizes their experience to meet their family needs, the only requirement to join the Parents Council is a desire to help make a difference with an annual leadership gift in support of the university’s priorities.

Benefits of joining the Quinnipiac Parents Council:

• Presentations by administration, faculty, staff and others about how your student can maximize their QU experience

• Networking and learning more about career development

• Impacting the school, program or department of your choice with your gift designation

• Interacting with other parents, President Olian and university leadership at Parents Council meetings

• Timely, relevant Parents Council email communications

• Invitations to special receptions

• Special Commencement benefits with a four-year Parents Council membership

Our next meeting will be on February 18 on campus, followed by a special invitation to a QU men’s hockey game. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Aimee Marcella, director of development for parents and families: aimee.marcella@qu.edu or 203-582-7974.

Learn more and get involved in Parents Council

Upcoming ways to get involved

Giving Tuesday / Parent Residence Hall Challenge

Tuesday, November 29 is #Giving Tuesday!

Our students need YOU! Support student success this fall and give your Bobcats a well-earned, end-of-semester study break — with this brand-new fundraising opportunity.

Quinnipiac will be hosting a 24-hour competition amongst the parents of students in all the residence halls. Whichever residence hall has the highest parent participation percentage will win a food truck for their student’s residence hall. Does your student live off campus? They are included as well! Be sure and click on “off campus” on the gift page when it asks where your student lives for it to be counted!

It’s all about participation! Giving Tuesday is a nationally known philanthropy movement, so make QU your chosen gift that day. With a donation in any amount to any area of your choice, you can support student success and build a relationship with the university for a lifetime!

Make a Gift

Admissions

Parent Volunteer Opportunity

Quinnipiac University is looking for parent volunteers who would like to assist the admissions team in representing the university at local college fairs during spring and fall events. All volunteers would participate in a training session and then would be invited to work the table in collaboration with a representative from the Admissions Office. The focus would be to engage the parents of high school students who will be discussing QU with the Admissions Counselors.

Sign up

Thank you for considering this impactful opportunity!

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