College Parenting
This Month and Next
There are two Welcome Week sessions for new parents and families! Join us on either Wednesday, Aug. 14, or Thursday, Aug. 15. The content is the same on both days. We’ll also be recording the session to share at /LibertyUFamily and our FAQs webpage.
Click here to see next year’s 2024-2025 Academic Calendar.
Move-In Fall 2024 for new students begins on Wednesday, August 14; new students select a Move-In Timeslot in their Res Life Portal to let Residence Life know when they’ll be arriving on campus. Returning students should arrive between Friday, August 16, and Sunday, August 18, and go directly to their hall to check-in with their Resident Assistant (RA).
Welcome Week activities are August 14-19! Join us at either Wednesday or Thursday’s New Parent and Family Session (they are identical).
Classes begin Monday, August 19. Add/Drop week is August 19-23. Students may change their course selections this week.
CSER 100 and other CSER Dates and Deadlines. Christian Community Service (CSER) registration for Fall 2024 opened on July 29.
Prayer Points
Move-in for new students is 2 weeks away as of August 1, 2024.
Preparing to travel to LU; travel mercies and good conversations with family and friends.
Pray for our students to be able to resolve conflicts quickly, to seek harmony and understanding with each other, and to have a spirit of collaboration as they share living space (Read Ephesians 4:29-32).
For strength in the Lord; to guard against fears and doubts distracting them from their calling (Read Ephesians 6:10, and 2 Timothy 1:7).
For protection from temptations that would destroy their faith (Read Psalm 91:2, 6, 14-16).
Whatever Is True? God’s faithfulness is true. “Being a college parent involves a lot of praying and cheering for your student. For many families, it means changing how often you talk, and becoming okay with less than daily updates.” Turn your mind onto what is true in Whatsoever’s Whatever Is True.
What are your rules of engagement? E/4:29 Parent-to-Parent Blog “How Often to Call or Text” gives helpful advice that supports you and your student.
Help for Declaring a Major. If your student is wondering what their major should be, or they’d value having confirmation they chose the right one, start at “Tools for Choosing a Major.” The information may also help you as you guide their start at college.
College Parenting Tip of the Month
Decide together what your communication plans are. Create a balanced approach to when, what, and how often to communicate.
Quote of the Month
“Knowing when not to talk is just as important as knowing when to talk” (“Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest” by William Vanderbloemen, p. 161).
Resource of the Month
“Preparing our children for life often feels at odds with protecting them.” We can do both! Strategies for Growth and Learning: Help for Helicopter Parents by Danielle Pitzer, Director of Sanctity of Human Life, Focus on the Family.
This Month’s Theme: Guidance and Protection
“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:2).
Dear Lord, we pray for our students to study well and to use this time to develop skills, gifts, and talents for Your purposes. Surround them with friends who will challenge them to walk more closely with You and guide them to a home church where they can develop strong relationships in small groups and a love for serving others. Help them to love You through the challenges. Give them courage to follow You and glorify You where You’ve placed them.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Liberty Dining Website Updates
Shelby Burton, Marketing Manager, Dining Services
Liberty Dining’s website has a fresh new look due to a site migration! Visit the website and update the links to anything you may have favorited in the past because some of the URLs have changed. But we promise that all of the same information is available!
Visit the Chaplains Museum
Donna Davis Donald, Director of Public History Initiatives, Department of History
Summer hours at the Museum run through August 17. Regular hours of operation are Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed for July the Fourth holidays on Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5). Follow us on Instagram @chaplainsmuseum or our website for the latest updates.
Beyond Barriers: Summer Transition Program
Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS)
Incoming freshmen and transfer students who register with Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) can apply to attend the program from August 4-14. If your student needs to register for accommodations, please use the LUAccommodate app today.
Beyond Barriers is a great opportunity to move into their Residence Hall early, get familiar with campus and supportive resources, and learn about the transition from high school to college while managing a disability. Visit Beyond Barriers for more information about the program. If you have any questions about the summer program, please contact Dr. Ester Warren in ODAS at ejwarren@liberty.edu or by phone at (434) 592-6468.
After FCI, Students Apply for Their Mobile Flames Pass
Julie Williams, Student Financial Services
Parents, we are so excited for your student to join us on campus this fall!
If your student has completed Financial Check-In, then their next step is to request their Mobile Flames Pass (their Liberty University student ID) through our online application. Details can be found at the Mobile Flames Pass photo requirements.
Once your student’s application and photo submission have been approved, they will finalize setting up their Mobile Flames Pass by following these steps:
- Download the eAccounts app on their mobile device, and sign in with their university credentials.
- Add the Mobile Flames Pass to their Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet.
With the Mobile Flames Pass, students can badge into their dorm, purchase meals, and more — all with the tap of a device. Check out this fun video for an overview of the benefits: Flames Pass on Your Phone (link takes you to YouTube).
Please review our webpage and FAQ for more information, including step-by-step instructions for setting up the Mobile Flames Pass. If students need additional help once they are on campus, they can visit ID & Campus Services, located in Montview Student Union, Room 1720.
PFC’s Mission for Families | From the First Day of Class to Commencement
At Liberty University, you can rest assured that the values you instilled in your children will not be undermined. We take pride in creating an environment where your student feels they have a home away from home. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or guardian, we are committed to collaborating with you in guiding your student through the challenges and triumphs of the next few years.
Our goal is to support student success and promote an appropriate role for parents and families within the campus community. We hope to encourage you through your transition as a college family. As you move away from the daily monitoring of your child’s decisions and into the role of a coach who listens, prays, guides, and promotes their resiliency, some days may feel like a struggle. The challenges and struggles – and prayers – are all parts of growth.
The First Days
The first semester in particular will give rise to new experiences, new questions, and many opportunities for your student to practice becoming an advocate of their own – housing, food, time management, friendships, classes, the pace of communication with you, and more.
- For Your First Year – interprets the key dates and activities on the university’s schedule (i.e., the academic calendar)
- Parent & Family Guide 2024-25 – equips LU families with an easy reference to the college schedule and offices
- Frequently Asked Questions – recommends the departments that support your student’s success on campus
Every Semester
Most importantly, pray. Cover the highs and lows your student may experience during their academic journey using our Timeline as a guide. We have monthly College Parenting news, and just for you, there are regular Blogs for encouragement on your faith journey as a college parent.
May you be blessed and transition smoothly into this next stage of your family’s life.
We exist to support the mission of Liberty University Training Champions for Christ by sharing information with students’ family members about the resources, programs, and activities available on campus. Our purpose is to build relationships between parents and the university, promote student success, and support parents through the transition of their students being at college – all the while praying for their highest calling in Jesus Christ.
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