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Many are re-committing to doing well in their classes, trying to look for better time management. Others might be thinking of trying a new activity, a new club. Socially it’s also time to explore anew. Seniors might be focused on securing that first job after graduation; some might have the relief of already having that locked up, but still face comprehensive exams and/or have senior theses to write. Fromers (Fall Romers) return to campus and soon become “Romesick,” since nothing in Irving can live up to the spectacular experiences they’ve had in Rome, Venice, Greece, and/or Prague. Freshmen feel more confident that they know their way around, both socially and academically, and themselves begin thinking about applying to attend the Rome Program next year.
For the parent, it’s time to practice letting go just a bit more, letting the students handle the transition to full adulthood (for the seniors) or the full immersion into this greater college independence (for the freshmen). But they still want to hear from you — or more importantly, for you to listen to them as they tell you about these new stages, responsibilities, and challenges.
Groundhog Day was the big celebration at the beginning of the semester (see below). Some might already be planning Spring Break trips, whether back home or in some other direction.
Student Activities kicked off a busy semester with the university’s 59th Groundhog celebration on Saturday, Feb. 5.
UD students have been celebrating Groundhog Day for almost 60 years, ever since former UD president Donald Cowan’s fateful injunction to establish traditions unique to UD: “Think of something to celebrate — celebrate Groundhog Day, for instance — but whatever you do, do it with style.” However, the celebration has shifted throughout the years to become the event it is today, in which the Saturday night Party in the Park is the culmination of three days’ worth of Groundhog-centered fun. Your student had the opportunity to join in the monumental, traditional festivities this year, even with the slight interruption of a couple of snow days (and quite a bit of meltwater mud at the Party in the Park!).
We have a semester packed with recreational activities available to all UD students!
First, we have men’s and women’s basketball leagues throughout the month of February. Teams for basketball are freeform, so encourage your students to sign up even if they are not part of a full team. Finally, we will have full seasons of co-ed soccer and volleyball through the end of April. However, if organized sports are of no interest to your son or daughter, we will also be offering semester-long self-defense classes, Saturday yoga, and two spring 5K marathons.
This month our Dallas Year initiative will be taking UD students to the Dallas Zoo and the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. Students will be able to sign up for tickets to attend both excursions in the month of February. Make sure your students check their email for more information.
Crusaders for Life led a group of more than 65 UD students to the March for Life in Austin, Texas, in January. CFL is made up of pro-life student leaders who believe that human life begins at conception and that each human is created by God with an unalienable right to life. As a club, their goals are to educate ourselves and our community, to serve as advocates for life through peaceful protest and political and social activism, and to support like-minded organizations. If your students would like to join or learn more about CFL, they can contact the president, Hailey Guth (hcguth@udallas.edu), or email the club directly (crusadersforlife@gmail.com).
The Thomistic Institute has been organizing bi-weekly seminars on a variety of subjects, with upcoming talks focused on "How are smartphones changing us?" and "The perspectives of Edith Stein and Cervantes." Thomistic Institute chapters are formed and run by students to bring top-notch Christian intellectuals to their universities with the end goal of making the Catholic intellectual tradition vibrantly present on contemporary campuses. Your student can contact udthomists@gmail.com to get involved.
It’s not imminent, but fairly soon students will start making their housing choices for next year. You and your students can review the housing policies here and the terms and conditions here and consider which housing options are appropriate for next year. Links at the tops of these pages lead you to even more information.
