Oriented

The highschool kid officially became College Kid II today. We just got home from freshman orientation...which is weird to attend because (1) I am a double alumnus, and graduated in 1995 and 1996. (2) Mr. P is an alum as well (so is my sister and her husband) and he graduated in 2000. (3) I started working here in 2004. (4) College Kid I started school here in 2007 (and I attended orientation then as well). I have LOADS of knowledge about said school, we only haven't been on campus for 4 of the last 14 years, so orientation is not so orientatious, but more ANNOYING.

In a Parent to Parent session, the "panel" parents answered questions.

Audience Parent: What advice do we offer when our student is struggling?

Panel Parent: Tell them to regularly visit with their professors.

HELLO??? Before telling them to wander in and out of their professor's offices, why not ask them what have they done to prepare for class: Have you gone to class? Have you read? Have you done your assignments...graded or otherwise? Don't get me wrong, if students are trying, I WANT them to be in my office so I can help get them through. But I DESPISE students that I have never seen in class coming to my office hours expecting me to teach them then.

Audience Parent: My son is going to have to work. How many hours seem reasonable to expect him to work?

Panel Parent: Well, it would be better if he didn't have to work, so he had time to adjust and enjoy college.

HELLO???? Maybe that isn't an option for that family. Now, instead of offering sound advice, you made that parent feel like crap.

After that session we had a smaller 'intimate' session with a couple of college kid counselor types.

Parent: I think $995 a semester is too much for the mandatory meal plan.
All too Chipper Counselor A: It was just released that only 2% of the mandatory plan funds were not used by students, so it seems that students are using the money.
Parent: But MY daughter won't eat that much.
ATCCA: It does roll over, and you can buy giftcards to Starbucks and Chick Fil A for your balance that you can give as gifts!
Parent: I think it is too much.

OH FUCK. Do you really think that these two college kids have anything what.so.ever to do with setting the limits on the meal plans????

Parent: What happens if my students loses her ID (which includes the meal plans moneys)?
ATCCB: There is a webpage that you can login to, and immediately unactivate the card.
Parent: Am I out the money if someone steals it and uses it, even though there is a picture?
ATCCB: I have never heard of that happening, but as soon as she realizes it she can shut it down.
Parent: That didn't answer my question, am I OUT THE MONEY?

AGAIN. It is a college kid, if you are so fucking worried that your kid is going to lose the card, tape it too her forehead.

This was all in the first two hours.

BUT, my kid is all registered and excited about school, which is the purpose of the program. I can deal with idiots all day for that!