Miami University of Ohio 2015-2016 Guide for Parents

2015–2016A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

4 Miami University

For more information, please contact

Miami University Parent & Family Programs451 East Spring Street110 Warfield HallOxford, OH 45056(513) 529-3436MiamiOH.edu/parents

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5

contents

universityparent.com/MiamiOH 5

| Miami University GuideComprehensive advice and information for student success

6 | Welcome to Miami University and the City of Oxford

8 | The Office of Parent & Family Programs

10 | Family Weekend

11 | It’s All Academic: Degree Requirements and Academic Resources

14 | High School vs. College

16 | Campus Map

18 | Access to My Student’s Records: FERPA

19 | myMiami for Families

20 | A Healthy Transition to College: How Parents Can Help

23 | The Miami Family Fund

24 | On-Campus Banking

25 | About I Am Miami

27 | Helpful Websites

28 | Academic Calendar 2015–16

32 | Oxford Area Resources

6 Miami University

It is a pleasure to welcome you and your family to Miami University and the City of Oxford. Miami University and the City of Oxford enjoy a close and special relationship. Much more than just neighbors, dedicated members of the University and city routinely collaborate productively on matters related to community governance responsibilities.

Together, every year we look forward to the arrival of the first-year class and new transfer students. These students will be joining a community of sophomore and upperclass peers and community members who call Oxford and Miami University home. While many college towns have their own unique charm, the renowned poet Robert Frost was so taken by Oxford and Miami University that he dubbed it “the most beautiful campus ever there was.”

WELCOME to Miami University and the City of Oxford


The traditions of Miami and Oxford run deep, dating back to the days when students arrived on horseback, and later by train, to begin their quest for an education and a better life. In 2009, Miami turned 200 years old, and in 2010 Oxford celebrated its 200th birthday. Relics of our rich history can be found on and off campus, and over the years we have been visited by such prominent and influential figures as Martin Luther King, Jr., His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sandra Day O’Connor, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and several U.S. Presidents. This year, University President David Hodge invites the entire University community

to explore the nature of creativity, its relationship to innovation, and how we can cultivate creativity and innovation in our lives. Students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the public will explore these questions through special events, innovative courses, and activities that demonstrate Miami’s commitment to creating and sustaining this visionary culture.

While steeped in history, our citizens and Miami University students continue to enjoy the day-to-day joys of lunch Uptown, a cup of coffee in the park, university lectures or arts events, and nature walks at nearby Hueston Woods. During your son or daughter’s time here, they will not only obtain an excellent education but will learn lessons of citizenship and collective responsibility, which are built upon the legacy of our past and embodied in the Miami University values statement and the Code of Love and Honor.

Your student will soon find that Oxford and Miami will become their home away from home. As student-citizens of the community, they are charged with caring for and contributing to the campus and the city, a responsibility highlighted by the I Am Miami initiative. We hope the ideas of scholarly excellence, citizenship and community engagement are supported by the information contained in this guide.

Welcome to Miami University and the City of Oxford!

Mike CurmeAssociate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students

Douglas ElliottCity ManagerCity of Oxford

WELCOME to Miami University and the City of Oxford

8 Miami University

Your role as a family member is central to a positive college experience, and we want to partner with you to ensure that your daughter or son is successful at Miami and beyond. In addition to communicating your needs and concerns to University administration, we are here to teach you about student development and effective ways to help your college student become an interdependent and involved citizen.

Parent & Family Programs serves as the primary point of contact for parents and family members at Miami. We want to make sure you are informed about what is taking place on campus, what to expect from your student, and ways you can best

The Office of Parent & Family Programs

support them. There are many learning opportunities available inside and outside the classroom, and students should be encouraged to engage with the resources on campus and in Oxford. The more you are aware of these opportunities, the better you can assist your student. The office coordinates events such as Family Weekend, distributes monthly newsletters to parents, works with the Miami University Parents Council, and administers grants from the Miami Family Fund.

Mission and Learning Outcomes

The Office of Parent & Family Programs works to engage all parents and families as vital partners in advancing the mission of Miami University to create citizen leaders. We value the experiences, perspectives, and wisdom of all families, and create connections that help families appropriately support student learning, transitions, and personal growth.


Parents and Family Members of Miami University students will be able to:

• Enact strategies to foster interdependence and decision-making skills in their student.

• Recognize developmental changes and stages experienced by young adults.

• Convey to their student the value of engaging with people who hold different beliefs and have different backgrounds.

• Identify the existence and purpose of campus resources.

• Appropriately encourage their student to take advantage of available academic and co-curricular opportunities.

• Articulate the purpose and importance of liberal education to the development of citizen leaders.

Confident, Comfortable, Connected, and Curious

Our expectation is that your student feels the decision to attend Miami is the right decision. When students leave Orientation, they should be looking forward to coming back to campus. If you have not begun to “shift gears,” now is the time to start!

The parent and family role should focus on assisting in the development of skills necessary to be successful inside and outside the classroom. Absolutely essential is talking with your student about connecting with others on campus, introducing themselves to their professors, and taking advantage of the many opportunities available, both inside and outside of the classroom. Having several conversations — expectations for home visits, health and wellness issues (including family medical histories and high-risk behavior), grade expectations, budgeting and spending, student organizations — will challenge your student to think more carefully and proceed with informed decisions. The desired outcome is that your new Miami student will come to campus with the confidence to figure out how to be comfortable with and connected to this new environment. Being comfortable and connected will enable your student to fully develop a curiosity for learning that will last a lifetime.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at (513) 529-3436 or [email protected].

Love & Honor,

Mark W. PontiousDirector, Office of Parent & Family Programs

10 Miami University

October 16–18, 2015Family Weekend is the busiest weekend of the year on campus. We are always happy to welcome you back or to introduce you to our beautiful campus for the first time. We design a Family Weekend that is fun for everyone. Family Weekend kicks off on Friday afternoon and continues through Sunday, with a mix of events to give you a peek into your student’s Miami experience. The schedule is available at MiamiOH.edu/familyweekend and events are added as they are confirmed.

Oxford is a small town with very few hotels in the immediate area. Finding accommodations for Family Weekend has become almost as competitive as sporting events. Local hotels typically insist on a two-night stay for Family Weekend. Most families will end up staying at a venue outside of town — probably driving 30–45 minutes to reach campus. Check out the Visiting Miami website (under “About Miami” tab on MiamiOH.edu) for full information about accommodations in our area.

Family Weekend


Students must complete all graduation requirements to earn a bachelor’s degree from Miami University. Students will take courses across a broad spectrum of subjects through the Global Miami Plan, complementing their in-depth study of a subject of choice through their academic major. Below is an overview of degree requirements.

General Requirements

Earn a minimum total of 128 credit hours, 32 of which must be earned from Miami University, including 12 of the final 20 credit hours

Earn a 2.0 cumulative grade point average across all courses and a 2.0 cumulative GPA in major department

Apply and be approved for graduation

Global Miami PlanFocuses on building a range of competencies that will prepare students to become engaged citizens in a global society. The Global Miami Plan is composed of a variety of courses designed to complement specialized studies in your student’s academic major and provides a broadened context for exploring social, academic, political, and professional choices.

Miami Plan Foundation includes courses in:

Composition (3 credit hours)

Humanities (3 credit hours)

Creative Arts (3 credit hours)

Social Science (3 credit hours)

Global Perspectives (6 credit hours)

Physical Science (3 credit hours) and Biological Science (3 credit hours)

One of which must include a laboratory experience.

Mathematics, Formal Reasoning, and Technology (3 credit hours)

One Foundation course must also meet the Intercultural Perspectives Requirement (minimum 3 credit hours)

It’s All Academic: Degree Requirements and Academic Resources

12 Miami University

Advanced Writing course (3 credit hours) at the 200 or 300 level from departments across the University and features writing as the central focus, with multiple substantial writing projects (at least 7,500 words over the course of the term).

Thematic Sequence:

Nine credit hours (three of which can be drawn from a Foundation category course)

Series of related courses that focus on a theme or subject in a developmental way

Must be outside the department of your student’s major

Senior Capstone Experience

Three-credit course designed to integrate a student’s Foundation learning with the specialized knowledge of their major

Typically taken during student’s senior year

May be completed inside or outside student’s major. Some majors have a required Capstone Experience

Additional Experiences (to be met through a Global Miami Plan course that also meets another Global Miami Plan requirement):

Experiential Learning requirement (0 or more credit hours): Experience that enables students to make meaning from direct experience in a “real world” or an “out of the traditional classroom” context. Examples include undergraduate research, career/practical experiences, and designated Service-Learning courses.

Major RequirementsUsing the Global Miami Plan as a base, each major adds specialized content and appropriate professional courses and may integrate experience in field settings. Majors are housed within one of the five Academic Colleges – Arts & Science; Creative Arts; Education, Health, & Society; Engineering & Computing; and Farmer School of Business — and must be formally declared within the College or Department. Some majors have special admissions requirements, such as prerequisite courses.

Divisional RequirementsCourse requirements designed to complement all academic majors within the specific Academic College.

(Optional) Academic MinorsSpecific group of courses taken to complement knowledge and skills learning in the major. Minors are not required for graduation and consist of a lower number of credit hours than a major. Minors can be in any College on campus.

* Access the University Bulletin at MiamiOH.edu/bulletin for official descriptions and most current requirements.


We do not expect your student to navigate the requirements and choices alone. Miami offers many resources designed to support your student’s journey at the University!

1. Academic Advisors empower students to identify their goals and design the best degree program to meet those goals. Advising is a process, not a one-time event. Advisors are available throughout your student’s career at Miami to assist with identifying majors, courses, and other academic opportunities.

2. Bernard B. Rinella, Jr. Learning Center (MiamiOH.edu/learning) offers academic support services, including academic coaching, tutoring, learning strategy workshops, and academic interventions when students fall below minimum academic standards.

3. University Libraries (Lib.MiamiOH.edu) offer individual and group study rooms, in-person assistance with class research, access to over four million books, laptop computer checkout, printing, a coffee shop and more. The King Library, in the heart of campus, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

4. Howe Writing Center (MiamiOH.edu/howe) provides well-trained and supportive graduate and undergraduate student consultants to assist with all stages of any writing assignment, from a first-year essay to a graduate thesis. Consultants will also assist with résumé writing, student organization publications, and applications of all types.

5. Student Disability Services (MiamiOH.edu/sds) coordinates support services and reasonable accommodations to qualified students with physical, medical, psychological, and learning disabilities. Students must provide documentation of the disability and meet with staff to determine a reasonable accommodation plan.

6. Undergraduate Research (MiamiOH.edu/research/student-research) affords students the opportunity to develop their own understanding of the value of inquiry-based learning. Students gain real-world experience and skills valued by employers and graduate schools. Research opportunities are available for students across all majors and academic disciplines.

Academic Support Resources

14 Miami University

Below are examples of key issues to discuss with your college student before classes start in August.

Issue High School University

Teacher-Student Contact

Teachers are available daily to assist students. Teachers may notify parents of student progress. Parents and guardians freely call teachers to discuss student issues. Teachers take attendance in all classes.

Students must take initiative to meet and communicate with faculty. Faculty member is available during designated office hours (appointment usually necessary) and by email. Faculty may not by law disclose student record information to parents or guardians. Course attendance may or may not be taken.

Competition & Grades

Good grades may be obtained with varying levels of effort or competition. Teachers use the same grading scale and often interact with each other about a student’s grades or behavior. Extra credit work may be available.

Minimal effort, lack of initiative in seeking assistance, and poor class attendance may result in poor grades and limited opportunities. Faculty use a variety of grading scales and may or may not use the plus/minus grading scale. Faculty probably will not have interaction with each other about your student.

High School vs. College


Motivation

Teachers offer students constant motivation to complete work, attend class, and succeed. Most of the student’s day is spent in a controlled environment.

Students must motivate themselves to ask for help, attend class, engage tutors, practice good time management, and complete assignments on time.

Academic Counseling &

Guidance

Students often rely on parents, teachers, and counselors to set boundaries and help make decisions about class schedules, college admission, etc.

More choices are available to students and they must often rely on their own judgments. Students wdetermine when to seek advice and must take initiative to do so.

Health & Wellness

Medical examinations and appointments are likely to be set up by parents or guardians. Students are guided to see a doctor or dentist for help. Another person usually takes students to and from doctor’s offices. School medical staff contacts parents or guardians of students about student illness or emotional concerns.

Students must learn basic wellness skills (taking temperature, knowing when and how much medication to take, drug interactions, awareness of allergies, high risk, etc.). Students are responsible for making and keeping appointments, even when ill or during bad weather. The law (HIPAA*) requires written permission of student to release medical information.

Values

Students are strongly influenced by families, peers, teachers, and the community.

Students have more freedom and independence and may be open to different perspectives, behaviors, opinions, and values.

Do not make the assumption that your student will learn these skills from a roommate or others. Helping your student become more interdependent and able to care for him/herself by practicing these life skills will result in less anxiety for everyone when separation becomes a reality.

*HIPAA—Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act—visit MiamiOH.edu/health/medical-records for more information

16 Miami University

24/7

24/7

24/7

24/7

Armstrong Student Center

underconstruction

underconstruction

Maplestreet Station

Etheridge

Western DiningCommons

Stonebridge HallUNDER

CONSTRUCTION

Western B Hall

Western C Hall

Geothermal Plant

UNDERS CONSTRUCTION

No parking 10p - 6aor during special events


Miami Inn permits onlyat all times

No Parking 10 pm - 6am or during special events

24 hour parking

NS

E

W

- 7am-6pm (except Roudebush, Yager,and Martin are Red permit only 24/7)

- 7am-6pm (except Yager,Roudebush, and Martin are Red permit only 24/7)

Paid Parking

Accessible Parking Only

Accessible Entrances

Accessible Curb Cut

A valid permit is required to park in university surface lots at all times. Visitors, contractors, vendors and guests should use paid parking facilities or visit www.miamioh.edu/parking for permit information. Miami University Parking O�ce 128 Campus Avenue BuidlingOxford, OH 45056(513) 529-2224www.miamiOH.edu/parking

Posted signage takes precedence; The Butler County Regional Transit Authority provides service from several campus locations including the Ditmer and west Millett lots to residential areas in Oxford.


24/7

24/7

24/7

24/7

Armstrong Student Center

underconstruction

underconstruction

Maplestreet Station

Etheridge

Western DiningCommons

Stonebridge HallUNDER

CONSTRUCTION

Western B Hall

Western C Hall

Geothermal Plant

UNDERS CONSTRUCTION



Miami Inn permits onlyat all times

No Parking 10 pm - 6am or during special events

24 hour parking

NS

E

W

- 7am-6pm (except Roudebush, Yager,and Martin are Red permit only 24/7)

- 7am-6pm (except Yager,Roudebush, and Martin are Red permit only 24/7)

Paid Parking

Accessible Parking Only

Accessible Entrances

Accessible Curb Cut

A valid permit is required to park in university surface lots at all times. Visitors, contractors, vendors and guests should use paid parking facilities or visit www.miamioh.edu/parking for permit information. Miami University Parking O�ce 128 Campus Avenue BuidlingOxford, OH 45056(513) 529-2224www.miamiOH.edu/parking

Posted signage takes precedence; The Butler County Regional Transit Authority provides service from several campus locations including the Ditmer and west Millett lots to residential areas in Oxford.

18 Miami University

Another change from high school to college is the applicability of the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. FERPA gives college students, whatever their age, the right to control the disclosure of their educational records to others and to inspect and review their educational records.

In primary and secondary education, the rights belong to the parent or legal guardian. Once your student enters college, the rights transfer to the student and federal law now restricts your access. Protecting the “educational record” means that almost all information Miami

maintains about students, including course schedules, grade reports, bursar’s bills, student loans, scholarships, housing details, meal plan accounts, and disciplinary records, is private.

Many of you have developed open communication about important matters, and college grades and experiences are no different. The easiest way to find out about your student’s educational records is to ask, continuing the open communication. Grade reports are available online through the student’s myMiami portal after each term. You can also access student records if you claim your student as a dependent for IRS tax purposes, or if your student grants you access through myMiami for Families. Both of these options are discussed in-depth on the next page.

Access to My Student’s Records: Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)


myMiami for Families is a web portal account through which your student may grant electronic access to information from the Office of the University Registrar (grades, class schedule), Bursar (detailed charges on student accounts, major bills), Student Financial Assistance (scholarship/loan information), and Housing and Meal Plan information.

The student grants access from his/her myMiami account under “Sharing Access to your Personal Records.” If you have been granted access, myMiami for Families offers you the quickest

myMiami for Familiesand easiest entry to important campus information. You will receive an email notifying you if access is granted, after which you will be prompted to sign in with your email address and to create a password.

FERPA also gives a student’s parents or guardians the right to review the student record if the student is claimed as a dependent on the Federal Income Tax Return. You must submit a signed copy of your 2014 Federal Income Tax Return verifying that you claim the student as a dependent. If you choose this method, IRS information submission is required each year that your student is at Miami. For additional information on FERPA and comprehensive financial aid information, visit the University’s One Stop for Student Success website: MiamiOH.edu/OneStop.

20 Miami University

The first six weeks of college can be filled with twists and turns. There are moments of happiness, excitement, loneliness, anxiety, pride, nervousness, intimidation…and that’s just what you may experience as parents! Imagine what your student is feeling. Being a parent during the transition to college can be an adventure. But you have many resources at Miami University to help you along the way, and so does your student. Together, we will navigate the next six weeks and identify some key strategies to a successful transition.

A Healthy Transition to College: How Parents Can Help

Here at Orientation, you will meet Miami staff dedicated to making the transition to college easier for you and your student. We will discuss the difference between independence and interdependence; encourage your student to become confident, comfortable, curious, and connected; and discuss the community standards to which your student will be held. We will also encourage you to take advantage of time at home before school starts to talk to your student about alcohol and sexual assault. Talking to your student about your expectations of their

behavior makes a big difference. Research suggests that discussions just prior to starting college lead to lower alcohol consumption during the first year AND lowers the risk of experiencing alcohol-related consequences.

Some tips for talking with your student include:

• Set clear expectations about alcohol use

• Discuss consequences for alcohol use; social, legal, and the consequences you will impose


• Stress the importance of sticking together with friends, those that go to the party come home from the party

• Identify who will they call if they or their friend needs help

• Avoid tales of drinking exploits from your own college years

After arriving on campus, unpacking boxes, meeting their roommate, and sharing a goodbye hug, your student will be busy! We intentionally keep your student’s schedule packed with residence hall meetings, cookouts, block parties, and a student organization fair. We know that students who are more engaged in structured activities are less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors. The first week of school is a perfect time to remind your student of the expectations you have for them as they explore their new freedom. Check in with your student and ask them about the friends they have made, the activities they have been a part of, and encourage them to get involved on campus and in the community. Revisit the conversations you had about the consequences you have set for them related to alcohol. Studies clearly show that parents remain a key influence on college students; if students know or perceive parents’ disapproval of behaviors, they are less likely to engage in them. This is also a key time to remind students about the legal consequences of alcohol and to review Miami’s Code of Student Conduct.

On campuses across the nation, the first six weeks of college is a high-risk time for alcohol related consequences; particularly unintentional injuries, violent crime, alcohol poisoning, sexual assault, and poor academic performance. Discuss with your student the difference between perceived alcohol use versus actual use. Students often think that other students use alcohol much more than they actually do. When students understand that “not everybody drinks” and “not everyone drinks a lot,” it can be easier to make low-risk choices.

After settling in, we will reinforce messages to students about making safe and smart decisions. Encourage your student to attend presentations and to get involved in programs on campus that build skills and teach about life long wellness. The Step Up! Program is a bystander intervention program that gives students the tools to effectively intervene when they witness a situation that does not align with the Code of Love and Honor. Students have an opportunity to work through scenarios regarding alcohol poisoning, sexual assault, harassment, prescription drug abuse, and other situations with the intent to reflect on appropriate intervention. Additionally, students can participate in the At Risk program, which helps students recognize when a person’s behavior is a sign ofpsychological or emotional distress and teaches students how to recommend mental health support services.

22 Miami University

The goal of these programs is to enhance the culture of care and concern students have for each other.

Soon your student will be well into the semester, taking mid-term exams and making plans for Fall Break. You too may be making plans to come back to Miami for a visit. Whether it’s for Family Weekend, Mom’s or Dad’s weekend, or a spontaneous trip to Oxford, come prepared to model safe and smart behaviors related to alcohol. Although Ohio law permits minors to consume alcohol in the presence of a parent, students who become intoxicated or consume alcohol without a parent present can be subject to legal action. Illegally providing alcohol to anyone under 21 who is not your child subjects you to a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine and possible litigation if someone is hurt or damages property. Participate in alcohol free activities while visiting your student and talk with other parents about not providing alcohol to your student. We want to provide students a safe and fun college experience. This requires the partnership of many entities; Miami University, law enforcement, students and parents.

Talking to your student about your

expectations of their behavior makes a big difference.

• The Office of Student Wellness (MiamiOH.edu/student-life/student-wellness) offers programs on the Oxford campus related to all aspects of wellness, including a peer education team that presents on requested health-related topics to student groups, residence halls, and classes.

• The Student Health Service (MiamiOH.edu/health) is a primary care facility that offers general medicine, immunizations, and pharmacy services.

• Student Counseling Service (MiamiOH.edu/student-life/student-counseling-service) is staffed by licensed psychologists, therapists, and a psychiatrist, available for individual and group sessions.

• The Office of Ethics & Student Conflict Resolution (MiamiOH.edu/oescr) adjudicates the Code of Student Conduct and provides educational sanctions when violations of the Code occur.

Wellness Resources


The Miami Family Fund makes possible a range of out-of-classroom opportunities designed to diversify the learning experiences of Miami students.

These include learning assistance programs and collaborative learning experiences, late-night and weekend events on campus, student travel to professional conferences, and many other initiatives. Gifts to the Family Fund benefit Miami students by providing resources for programs that cannot be funded by state assistance, tuition, or fees. The support of Miami families enables undergraduate students to engage in opportunities that

would otherwise be unavailable. Families giving at or above $10,000 per year to any Miami initiative (cumulative) are inducted into that year's cohort of Miami Family Fellows and receive exclusive benefits of membership.

A few examples of the Family Fund initiatives are:

• Annual Trip to Miami, Oklahoma, for the Miami Tribe’s Winter Gathering

• Community “Walk About” Welcome Program for Students Living Off Campus

• Faculty-Student Discourse Fund—enabling faculty to meet outside the classroom with students for course related discussion

The Miami Family Fund

24 Miami University

• Miami Family Focus newsletter for Parents of First Year Students

• The President’s Distinguished Service Awards

How can I contribute?

Make checks payable to Miami University Family Fund and mail to: The Miami University Family FundMurstein Alumni Center725 E. Chestnut St.Oxford, OH 45056-2480

To make a gift of securities, the preferred procedure is by electronic transfer to a Miami account. Contact Emily Berry, Director of Annual Giving, at (513) 529-9625 for account information. You may also make a secure gift online at forloveandhonor.org/givetoMU.

Why Should I Contribute?

Your generous support helps Miami uphold its academic excellence by strengthening the programs that enhance our students’ educational environment. Our success is nationally recognized year after year, in large part, because of your continuing support.

Thank you for making these initiatives possible. We couldn’t do it without YOU!

First Miami Student Federal Credit Unionwww.fmscu.org

2011 Armstrong Student Center(513) 529-1251

Additional ATM locations:King Library (1st Floor), Recreational Sports Center (1st Floor, south entrance)

PNC Bankwww.pnc.com

Shriver Center701 E. Spring St.(513) 280-5030

Additional ATM locations:Goggin Ice CenterHarris Dining HallMartin Dining HallArmstrong Student CenterHamilton CampusMiddletown Campus

On-Campus Banking


About I Am Miami

“Love and Honor to Miami...”

For more than 200 years, Miami has strived to create a sense of place that goes well beyond its beautiful campus. A place where all who come here know they are experiencing something special. Where they develop a sense of who they are and what they value by working, studying, and interacting with others.

“I Am Miami” is the phrase we use to define the culture to which we aspire and who we are as Miamians. Our students are encouraged to reflect on the individual choices they make at Miami, choices that extend far beyond academics (and academic integrity) and into other dimensions of wellness and personal responsibility that have huge implications for both their short term safety and their long run success. To that end,

Miami students have certain rights and responsibilities under the Code of Student Conduct, which outlines the values and standards of Miami. The Office of Ethics & Student Conflict Resolution reinforces these values and standards in an educational atmosphere, where students can learn to think critically and ethically about their decisions and conflict can be resolved in a constructive manner.

Code of Love and Honor

In 2002, the Miami Board of Trustees formalized a values statement, which inspired an expanded version that is our Code of Love and Honor. Named for our beloved and traditional Love and Honor greeting, which, in turn, comes from our fight song chorus, “Love and Honor to Miami....” Our code begins with the words, “I Am Miami,” thus uniting Miami tradition and values.

26 Miami University

I believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character and intellect.

I stand for honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct.

I respect the dignity, rights, and property of others and their right to hold and express disparate beliefs.

I defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning.

I exercise good judgment and believe in personal responsibility.

I welcome a diversity of people, ideas, and experiences.

I embrace the spirit, academic rigor, opportunities, and challenges of a Miami Experience, preparing me to make the world a better place.

I demonstrate Love and Honor by supporting and caring for my fellow Miamians.

And because I Am Miami,I act through my words and deeds in ways that reflect these values and beliefs.

With a deep sense of accomplishment and gratitude,

I will Love, Honor, and make proud those who help me earn the joy and privilege of saying,

“To think that in such a place, I led such a life.”

I Am Miami.


DEPARTMENT WEBSITE

Athletics www.muredhawks.com

Career Services www.MiamiOH.edu/career

Ethics & Student Conflict Resolution www.MiamiOH.edu/oescr

Housing & Meal Plans www.MiamiOH.edu/housing

IT Services www.MiamiOH.edu/itservices

Miami University Home www.MiamiOH.edu

One Stop for Student Success (Bursar, Financial Aid, Registrar)

www.MiamiOH.edu/onestop

Orientation www.MiamiOH.edu/orientation

Parent & Family Programs www.MiamiOH.edu/parents

Recreational Sports Center www.MiamiOH.edu/recsports

Residence Life www.MiamiOH.edu/reslife

Rinella Learning Center (tutoring, etc.) www.MiamiOH.edu/learning

Student Health Services www.MiamiOH.edu/health

University Bookstore www.MiamiOH.edu/bookstore

Helpful Websites

28 Miami University

FALL SEMESTER 2015

Classes Begin (Monday) August 24

Labor Day (Monday, University Closed) September 7

Fall Break (Friday–Sunday, No Classes) October 9–11

Midterm Grades Available to First-Year Students (Friday) October 16 (Afternoon)

Last Possible Day to Apply for December Graduation (Friday)

October 30

Thanksgiving Holiday (Tuesday) Begins at 10 p.m., November 24

Thanksgiving Holiday (Wednesday, No Classes) November 25

Thanksgiving Holiday (Thursday–Sunday, Campus Closed) November 26–29

First Semester Classes End (Saturday) December 5

Final Exam Week (Monday–Saturday) December 7–12

December Commencement Ceremony (Friday) December 11

Last Day to Apply for January Graduation (Friday) December 11

Dates and times are subject to change without notice. Visit www.MiamiOH.edu/onestop for the most current calendar.

Academic Calendar 2015–16


WINTER TERM 2016

First Possible Day Classes Begin (Saturday) January 2

Martin Luther King Day (Monday, Campuses Closed) January 18

Last Possible Day of Winter Term Classes, All Campuses; Official January Graduation Date (Saturday)

January 23

SPRING SEMESTER 2016

Classes Begin (Monday) January 25

Last Day to Apply for May Graduation (Friday) February 26

Midterm Grades Available to First-Year Students (Friday) March 18 (Afternoon)

Spring Break (Monday–Sunday, No Classes) March 21–27

Spring Semester Classes End (Saturday) May 7

Final Exam Week (Monday–Saturday) May 9–14

Commencement Weekend (Saturday–Sunday) May 14–15

SUMMER TERM 2016

Classes Begin (Tuesday) May 17

Memorial Day (Monday, Campus Closed) May 30

Independence Day (Monday, Campus Closed) July 4

Summer Term Ends; Official Summer Graduation Date (Saturday)

August 6

universityparent.com/MiamiOH

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Homewood Suites by Hilton2670 E. Kemper Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45241(513) 772-8888www.cincinnati.homewoodsuites.comPlease see ad on inside front cover.

Places to Stay

Campus Commons131 E. Spring St.Oxford, OH 45056(513) 523-1647www.southcampusquarter.comPlease see ad on p. 3.

Chestnut Place Apartments201 E. Chestnut St.Oxford, OH 45056(513) 523-2330www.chestnutplacemiami.comPlease see ad on p. 27.

The Courtyards of Miami5 E. Central Ave. #5Oxford, OH 45056www.thecourtyardsofmiami.comPlease see ad on p. 29.

Day Estates Apartments5273 College Corner PikeOxford, OH 45056(513) 532-8511www.dayestates.comPlease see ad on p. 16.

Hawks Landing5262 Brown Rd.Oxford, OH 45056(513) 252-2371oxfordstudenthousing.comPlease see ad on p. 30.

Level 273770 Southpointe Pkwy.Oxford, OH 45056(513) 524-3000level27apts.comPlease see ad on p. 10.

The Miami Preserve104 S. Beech St.Oxford, OH (513) 280-8481miamipreserve.comPlease see ad on p. 21.

Red Brick Property Management21 N. Poplar St.Oxford, OH 45056(513) 524-9340www.redbrickmiami.comPlease see ad on p. 17.

Roberts Apartments212 N. Main St.Oxford, OH 45056(513) 839-1426www.roberts-apts.comPlease see ad on p. 28.

Places to Live

Oxford Area ResourcesFor more area resources visit universityparent.com/MiamiOH

Where to Shop

Alpha House11 S. Main St.Oxford, OH 45056(513) 523-8290www.alphahouse.comPlease see ad on p. 26.

Miami University BookstorePhillip R. Shriver Center701 E. Spring St.Oxford, OH 45056(513) 529-2600miamioh.edu/bookstorePlease see ad on inside back cover.

UniversityParent College Laundry Bagwww.amazon.com/gp/product/b00k0ustye

Walker’s Footwear and Apparel1 W High St Suite 102Oxford, Ohio 45056513-280-6320Please see ad on p. 24.

A Fresh Start Laundry Services709 Central Ave.Hamilton, OH 45011(513) 894-0400www.rem-oh.comPlease see ad on p. 19.

Capitol Cleaners500 S. Locust St.Oxford, OH 45056(513) 523-4861sites.google.com/site/capitoldrycleanersPlease see ad on p. 9.

Additional Services

CJ Management115 S. Locust St., Suite C Oxford, OH 45056(513) 523-3633www.cjmgt.comPlease see ad on inside front cover.

Lifelong Learning -Miami Ohio U214 MacMillan Hall501 E. Spring St.Oxford, OH 45056(513) 529-8600MiamiOH.edu/globalPlease see ad on p. 30.

UniversityParent E-Newswww.UniversityParent.com

UniversityParent’s Guide to Supporting your Student’s Freshman Yearwww.amazon.com/Guide-Supporting-Your-Students-Freshman/dp/0692027440

Documents

Miami University of Ohio 2015-2016 Guide for Parents