Temperatures have dropped, snow and ice are appearing in the forecast, and cold weather accessories in the form of mittens and hats have made an appearance on many members of the UNE community. To tackle the change in season, here are some recommendations to share with your student for navigating this time of year.
Staying in the Loop
All students are strongly encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications so they can receive timely updates for campus closures and reduced operations when winter weather impacts campus. Students can easily sign up for these notifications via COMPASS. Updates will also be posted on the UNE website and local news television stations such as Channel 6, 8, and 13.
Proper Winter Apparel
UNE’s Biddeford campus is beautiful with breathtaking views overlooking the water which means we are also susceptible to cold winds and precipitation as temperatures drop. After all, UNE’s beloved mascot Stormin’ Norman was influenced by the powerful storms that impact the region known as nor’easters! To help keep them safe and comfortable, please remind your student to dress warmly and appropriately for the weather forecast.
Dealing with Illness
If your student is feeling under the weather, please remind them that Student Health Services maintains locations on both campuses of the University. Students can easily sign up for an appointment using the Medicat portal. While walk-ins are accommodated whenever possible, it’s always best to plan ahead by making an appointment. For a speedy recovery, students are encouraged to rest, drink plenty of fluids to support proper hydration, and to take their medicine as prescribed.
In the event that your student needs to miss class in order to recover from illness, please remind them that it is critical that they communicate with their faculty about their need to do so. To the best of their ability, they should communicate with their faculty before they miss a class (not days later) and to inquire about any opportunity to get caught up on missed content and/or assignments. Not unlike calling in a sick day for work, making sure faculty know when and why a student will be missing from class is an important part of getting your student ready for the lives they’ll lead after college.