Student & Family Care

• Holistic support for students as they transition and adjust to Rollins.
• Connect students with on campus resources for academic, social, financial and emotional wellbeing.
• Collaborate with parents, faculty, staff, and other campus partners to identify how best to support a student’s success and wellbeing.
• Partner with the Rollins campus to identify and advocate against systemic barriers to student success and wellbeing.
• Assist students with navigating difficult conversations with professors, peers, family and friends.
• Manage and respond to all student of concern referrals.
• Assist students with medical/personal leaves and withdraws.

• Student makes direct statements of distress “I’m really struggling” “I’m very overwhelmed.”
• Loss of family member or friend.
• Difficulty adjusting the college life.
• Housing and food insecurity.
• Other financial challenges.
• Expressions of self-harm or suicide.
• Excessively demanding or dependent behavior.
• Problems in daily functioning (missing class, change in appetite or sleep, change in appearance, hygiene, or general demeanor).

• Submit a Student of Concern Referral
• Call our office at 407-646-2345
• Email your concern to Care@Rollins.edu

When your student moves to campus they are immediately surrounded by new academic expectations, new independence, new living environment and new social circles. Learning to balance all that comes with the college experience takes time. It is not uncommon for parents to receive a stressful call or two from your student expressing frustrations, sadness or feelings of being overwhelmed, especially the first few weeks. It’s important to keep perspective if you receive one of these calls and understand that you are most likely on the receiving end of an emotional release from your student and it’s likely that as soon as the phone call ends your student will feel better. Be a good listener and remind your student that what they are feeling is a normal part of the transition to college. 

Here are five helpful tips on how you can support your student from the sidelines, especially leading into the Thanksgiving and winter breaks.

Students go through a lot of changes the first couple years of college. They are trying out their new independence and making mistakes is part of the territory. Rollins provides and environment for students to practice problem solving skills rather than relying on others for solutions.  Listen to your student, help them see the mistake or problem is manageable and remind them of campus resources. https://www.rollins.edu/dean-of-students/student-care/student-family-resources.html

You know your student better than anyone else. If you believe your student is experiencing a stressful situation beyond a normal transition, please contact the Office of Student and Family Care and we will reach out to your student to offer support and resources. Parents and students can contact our office by email at care@rollins.edu, or phone 407-646-2596. If your student is experiencing a crisis or needs immediate assistance, call our Campus Safety Office at 407-646-2999, or call 911.

• Discuss your expectations for communicating before arriving on campus. Setting a standard day (Sundays are popular) can be helpful for you and your student during this transition. Having a regular check-in to share about events or discuss challenges makes students feel important and supported.
• Use technology. Text messaging and social media are quick ways to check in and your student is already using these platforms. Sometimes phone calls can be emotional for everyone at first.
• Be Flexible. College life can be hectic as students learn to balance numerous academic, social and service obligations. If your student isn’t available when you call or doesn’t respond to your text right away be patient and allow them some space. 
• Send a card or care package. Students love getting mail! It provides a sense of connection and support that lasts for weeks.  A card from home and/or their favorite cookie or snack will always brighten a student’s day, especially during mid-terms and finals.  

Allow your student space to talk and be a good listener. Some questions that can lead to more personal discussions are:

1. What has surprised you most about your classes and professors?
2. How do you spend your time outside of class?
3. What has been your favorite meal in the Campus Center?
4. How are your high school friends doing?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. This law gives parents rights to access their child's education records and transfers those rights to the student when they turns 18. 

Have a conversation with your student before they begin Rollins about FERPA and if it will be a good fit for your family. Things to consider:

• Will having FERPA privilege be helpful to the success of my student while they are attending Rollins? Sometimes it’s helpful for students to know parents have access to student records to keep them motivated as they attend college. Providing written consent provides an additional layer of support for some students.
• Will having FERPA privilege be helpful to the relationship with my student while they are attending Rollins? Sometimes students appreciate the parental involvement when problems arise with academics, social or financial situations. Students are okay with parents calling Rollins to inquire about issues. This also gives Rollins the okay to contact families if there is a concern. 
• It’s important to note Rollins faculty and staff members cannot release information about the educational records of a student to a parent or other family member without the written consent of the student.
• Students can authorize family members to access their student records in Foxlink. 

 To learn more about FERPA, visit https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html