For Parents & Families
Easing the Transition to College
The Student Life Office staff is dedicated to helping your student make a smooth transition to the greater independence of college life and to providing a good experience outside the classroom.
Whether your son or daughter is enrolled at D&E or is still considering college choices, the Coordinator of Parent Relations is available as a resource to answer your questions and keep you informed about events and important information. Parents are a very important part of the D&E family.
Parent Tips
Here are some tips from the Student Life Office to help you support your student during this time of tremendous growth and change:
Keep in touch even if you’re not hearing much from your student.
Keep in touch even if you’re not hearing much from your student.
A letter a week, a phone call, or a box of cookies makes your son or daughter aware of your continuing support. The greatest need for contact with home is likely during the early weeks of the semester, during times of greatest academic pressure, and during any crisis.
A letter a week, a phone call, or a box of cookies makes your son or daughter aware of your continuing support. The greatest need for contact with home is likely during the early weeks of the semester, during times of greatest academic pressure, and during any crisis.
Listen to your student.
Listen to your student.
Your son or daughter may make an occasional “dump” call, when you will hear nothing but complaints. Often, just talking about the problem makes him or her feel better and ready to move on, even if you are left drained. Most of all, students want to know that you understand their feelings and the stress of being a student.
Your son or daughter may make an occasional “dump” call, when you will hear nothing but complaints. Often, just talking about the problem makes him or her feel better and ready to move on, even if you are left drained. Most of all, students want to know that you understand their feelings and the stress of being a student.
Don’t ask about grades all the time.
Don’t ask about grades all the time.
The adjustment to Davis & Elkins’ academic demands takes time, and midterm grades may not be indicative of a student’s potential. Sometimes it takes a few semesters before a student realizes the amount and quality of study time he or she needs.
The adjustment to Davis & Elkins’ academic demands takes time, and midterm grades may not be indicative of a student’s potential. Sometimes it takes a few semesters before a student realizes the amount and quality of study time he or she needs.
Encourage your student to get involved in at least one activity.
Encourage your student to get involved in at least one activity.
It doesn’t matter what the activity is as long as they have a feeling of connection to other students and to the community. Some suggestions for freshmen include getting involved in residence hall activities, joining a religious organization, volunteering through the Student Life Office, joining an intramural or varsity athletic team, etc.
It doesn’t matter what the activity is as long as they have a feeling of connection to other students and to the community. Some suggestions for freshmen include getting involved in residence hall activities, joining a religious organization, volunteering through the Student Life Office, joining an intramural or varsity athletic team, etc.
If you are concerned about a situation, call Student Life.
If you are concerned about a situation, call Student Life.
You can always call a staff member in Student Life at 304-637-1211 to share your concern. That staff member can often give you suggestions on how to deal with the problem and ease your mind.
You can always call a staff member in Student Life at 304-637-1211 to share your concern. That staff member can often give you suggestions on how to deal with the problem and ease your mind.
Don’t try to always “fix it” for your student.
Don’t try to always “fix it” for your student.
As young adults, students need to seek out solutions for themselves. After talking to someone in Student Life, you can always give your son or daughter suggestions for working things out.
As young adults, students need to seek out solutions for themselves. After talking to someone in Student Life, you can always give your son or daughter suggestions for working things out.
Stay involved in Davis & Elkins.
Stay involved in Davis & Elkins.
Visit during Homecoming/Family Weekend or other special occasions, and keep up with college news. The Graceland Inn and Robert C. Byrd Center offer special room rates for friends and families visiting Davis & Elkins College. Additionally, encourage your student to visit the area around Elkins with a group of friends and get to know one of our nation’s most beautiful areas.
Visit during Homecoming/Family Weekend or other special occasions, and keep up with college news. The Graceland Inn and Robert C. Byrd Center offer special room rates for friends and families visiting Davis & Elkins College. Additionally, encourage your student to visit the area around Elkins with a group of friends and get to know one of our nation’s most beautiful areas.
Don’t react too hastily to roommate concerns.
Don’t react too hastily to roommate concerns.
Often, it takes several weeks for roommates to adjust to one another. However, don’t let serious problems go on too long. If your student has a roommate who violates his or her space or comfort in the room, insist that your student talk to a Resident Assistant or to a professional staff member in the Student Life Office (304-637-1211). Please keep in mind that there is a three-week freeze on room changes at the start and end of each semester.
Often, it takes several weeks for roommates to adjust to one another. However, don’t let serious problems go on too long. If your student has a roommate who violates his or her space or comfort in the room, insist that your student talk to a Resident Assistant or to a professional staff member in the Student Life Office (304-637-1211). Please keep in mind that there is a three-week freeze on room changes at the start and end of each semester.
Refer your student to his or her faculty adviser if there is concern about a particular class, professor, or the need for tutoring.
Refer your student to his or her faculty adviser if there is concern about a particular class, professor, or the need for tutoring.
If there are serious family or health problems, your student should contact an administrator in Student Life. If you have a question or concern or if there is a family emergency, call Student Life at 304-637-1211, Campus Safety at 304-704-9111, or Vice President for Student Affairs, Scott Goddard, on his cell phone at 304-642-1352.
If there are serious family or health problems, your student should contact an administrator in Student Life. If you have a question or concern or if there is a family emergency, call Student Life at 304-637-1211, Campus Safety at 304-704-9111, or Vice President for Student Affairs, Scott Goddard, on his cell phone at 304-642-1352.
Accessing Your Student’s Account
To access your student’s account at D&E, your student needs to set up a Proxy Account for you. When your student has completed this step, you will receive an email with a username and password.
Care Packages
Care packages are a great way to let your student know you are thinking about them. D&E offers a variety of care packages that can be personalized just for your student — holiday, birthday, get well, and “just because.” Whether you are close to home or far away, you can surprise your student with a care package.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parents of Graduating High School Seniors
If I have a question about my student’s meal plan, whom should I talk to?
Contact Dining Services at 304-637-1308.
How do I add Senator Bucks to my student’s ID card?
Contact Dining Services at 304-637-1308.
What is FERPA, and what are the rights of parents?
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects the privacy of educational records, establishes the right of students to inspect and review their educational records, and provides guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. At the postsecondary level, parents have no inherent right to inspect a student’s education record without the student’s written consent. The College’s full FERPA policy is available in the Registrar’s Office and online.
What health services are provided?
The Davis & Elkins Student Health Services clinic is open Monday through Friday from 12–4 p.m. and is located in the Robert C. Byrd Conference Center. Clinicians are on campus every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary to see the campus nurse or visiting physician. There is no fee for nurse visits and family planning visits. The clinic also offers additional resources free of charge: over-the-counter medications, first-aid and supplies, STD testing, and smoking cessation assistance. Doctor visits include a $50 fee; athletic and employment physicals and some tests (such as a strep test) also include a fee. Any fee is charged to the student’s account.
Who do I contact with questions about my student’s grades, such as mid-term grades and when they are reported?
Contact the Registrar’s Office at 304-637-1224.
Who is my student’s adviser?
Contact the Registrar’s Office at 304-637-1224.
If there is an error on my student’s account, whom do I contact?
Contact Student Accounts by emailing studentaccounts@dewv.edu.
What should I bring for my student’s dorm room?
View the “What to Bring” checklist.
Whom do I contact about my student’s roommate situation (a problem or a roommate moving out)?
Contact Student Life at 304-637-1211.
Whom do I contact about the condition of my student’s dorm room?
Contact Student Life at 304-637-1211.
My student has parking violations. Whom should I contact?
Contact Public Safety at 304-704-9111.
Is transportation provided for students to and from nearby airports and other locations?
Visit the Transportation section of the website for bus and shuttle schedules, nearby airport information, and local destination information (such as Kroger and Walmart).
Where can I stay in Elkins when I visit my student?
Spend the night on campus at the historic Graceland Inn or adjacent Robert C. Byrd Center and take advantage of the discounted Friends and Family Rate. Staying on campus is convenient, affordable, and the perfect way to get the true feel of Davis & Elkins College. Get a complete list of accommodations on our Explore Elkins page.
Additional Information
Commencement Weekend
Commencement takes place annually in May. For current date, schedule, venues, parking, and area accommodations, visit our Commencement Page. The campus iMap is available for venue and parking information.
Graduation Regalia
All graduation regalia has been paid for through your student’s tuition and fees. Information for ordering will be provided to graduates.
Refund of Housing Deposit
To receive the housing deposit refund, students must go through the proper check-out and walk-through with their RA. Once completed, a paper check will be mailed from the Business Office to the permanent address on the student’s record.
Contact Student Life at 304-637-1211 for check-out procedures.
Contact Student Accounts for questions about the check.
Student Accounts / Transcripts and Diplomas
Transcripts and diplomas will be held until all accounts are paid in full. Contact Student Accounts.
Graduation Requirements
All graduation requirements are listed in the College Catalog.
Career Services
The Office of Career Services will guide and assist your student with:
- Resume creation
- Creating cover letters and other employment letters
- Mock interviews
- Assistance with obtaining internships and practicum experiences
- Interview etiquette and business protocol
- Interview-appropriate attire
- Job search assistance upon graduation
The Office of Career Services also encourages parents to get involved in ways that will help all D&E students. Learn more.
Financial Questions/Loan Repayment
If you or your student needs information regarding the repayment of loans, or if there are billing problems or questions concerning the type of loan, please contact:
Matt Summers — Office of Financial Aid
Phone: 304-637-1900
Email: summersm@dewv.edu
Transcripts
Transcripts may be ordered online via Parchment. Get started here.
Testimonials
It was a surreal experience sending Jordan off to Davis and Elkins College. After a few Skype calls with the Head Golf Coach, J.D. Lamm, it began to look like a real possibility. J.D was extremely reassuring throughout the process of applying. The first week was a very enjoyable one for Jordan. It started with orientation, where he got to meet all of his teammates and build new relations. As days became weeks, each phone call became more and more exciting. Jordan was introduced to a host family – a home away from home. Lisa Senic did a fantastic job of keeping us informed on Jordan’s progress. It’s been a great first year for Jordan, knowing now he made the right decision. Thank you to Davis & Elkins for everything you do for your students and their families.
— Paul and Bridie Hyland — Parents of Jordan Hyland, ’23, Omagh, N. Ireland
