Family Experience
Welcome to the Ram Fam! We're thrilled that your student has chosen to attend West Chester University. Now that they're part of WCU, you are a member of the Ram Fam, too!
The Office of Student Experience is here to support all parents, families, and supporters as you are supporting your Golden Ram throughout their college journey. Research indicates that family involvement contributes to student success, and students benefit when their family supports and shares in their university experience. Not only do we support your involvement in your student's life, we encourage it!
We hope you will take advantage of the opportunities to stay connected to the university, to your student's journey, and that you will continue to play an active role in your student's life.
Rams Up!
- Kelsey Frank, Associate Director, Student and Family Experience
stay informed with ram fam central
Ram Fam Central, our family engagement portal, is your gateway to University communication and support. By signing up for Ram Fam Central, you can join communities relevant to you, receive newsletters, and engage in discussion with other parents/families of WCU students. Ram Fam Central gives you the tools and resources you need to stay connected, informed, and involved in your student’s college experience.
Important Family-Specific Websites
Ram Fam Central
The Office of Student Experience is excited to provide Ram Fam Central, a personalized communications platform to enhance your experience, allowing you to customize the information you receive. The goal of Ram Fam Central is to ensure you receive the most relevant news items and special notices at just the right time in your student's journey.
Ram Fam Central is your one-stop-shop for:
- Access to important news, updates, and deadlines
- Personalized newsletters specific to you and your student
- Announcements via email
- Sharing of updates with your student and friends and family
Parent and family member emails are automatically imported as their undergraduate student enrolls at the university. Once imported, you will receive a welcome email with instructions on how to complete the registration process.
Didn't receive a welcome email or don’t want to wait? No worries! Click the link below to sign up and set up your communication settings.
Once you create an account, you can personalize newsletters, from content to frequency. You can choose to receive the newsletter digest weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly. * The online platform also generates news and information specific to you and your student, all based on the personal interests (or communities) you select. If your contact information changes, please update your Ram Fam Central profile.
*Don't worry! You'll still receive ALL important announcements from WCU via email. These special announcements will be promptly pushed out on the platform, regardless of the frequency you select for the newsletter.
Family Benefits
As a member of the Ram Fam, you have access to additional benefits and special touches to support your student. Below is a list of currently available benefits/resources. Keep checking back to see what additional benefits are added!
Care Packages
WCU's Office of Student and Family Experience has partnered with CampusCube, the premier college care package company. The colorful boxes are loaded with healthy snacks, quality personal care items, useful gadgets, and each package includes a beautiful gift card printed with personal messages of love and support. Packages are available for special events such as birthdays, holidays, graduation, and for busier academic times such as midterms or final exams. The best part? The care package(s) are delivered right to your student's door in their residence hall!
Ram Fam Advisory Council
Ram Fam Advisory Council
Ram Fam Advisory Council Mission: The Ram Fam Advisory Council is a representative group of WCU family members who have made a commitment to volunteer their time, share their knowledge and expertise, and act as an advisory group for the University in collaboration with the Office of Family Experience.
Eligibility and Qualifications
- Must be a parent or family member of a full-time undergraduate student of West Chester University.
- Must share a belief that family support enhances student success and must seek to make a positive impact on student life at WCU.
- Must be able to commit to two-year renewable term.
- WCU faculty, staff, and students are not eligible to apply or serve. Family members who are employed by the University interested in serving are encouraged to inquire about non-Council volunteer opportunities.
- The Ram Fam Advisory Council strives to recruit members that represent the diversity of WCU's undergraduate population.
Commitment and Responsibilities
- Attend biannual Council meetings in West Chester, PA (lodging and travel at your own expense).
- Attend monthly Zoom meetings.
- Serve a two-year renewable term.
- Provide strategic input to administrators regarding issues of importance to parents and families.
- Represent the Ram Fam Advisory Council at parent and family events and other outreach efforts.
- Assist with recruitment of future Council members.
- Participate in assessment efforts.
- Maintain communication and frequent contact with the Office of Student Experience staff.
Council Member Benefits
- Help shape the parent and family experience at WCU.
- Maintain involvement with your student's education institution.
- Increase your knowledge about University resources and programs that support student success.
- Opportunity to engage with University faculty and staff on a regular basis.
- Opportunity to meet and network with other WCU families.
- Invitations to special events.
Resources
Your Role - The Big 7
Many incoming students see their family members as trusted coaches and sources of support, which is not likely to change when they begin their WCU career. Students need you to support their growth, development, and independence.
- Support Student Autonomy – Support your student’s autonomy by relinquishing unnecessary control and encouraging personal responsibility. When a problem arises, allow your student to learn how to fix their own problems and advocate for themselves.
- Stay Connected – Expect that your student will not respond to all your contacts, but they certainly appreciate hearing from you. Visit, but not too often…Family Weekend is a wonderful time to reconnect with your student.
- Embrace Exploration – Allow your student to explore new ideas, viewpoints, and perspectives without being judgmental. Changes are to be expected, but if you suspect bigger problems, trust your instincts, and contact the Office of Family Experience to discuss intervention options.
- Be Knowledgeable about Campus Resources – You are powerful referral agents for your student. Make use of the resources available at wcupa.edu/ramfam to refer your student to appropriate on-campus offices and empower them to take action to solve their own problems.
- Continue Difficult Conversations – You continue to influence your student’s behavior, even when they are college students. While you will not be able to make decisions for your student, you can create an atmosphere of open communication by listening and sharing family expectations.
- Recognize Challenges – The first year can be full of indecision, insecurities, disappointments, and mistakes. It is also a time of discovery, inspiration, fun, and excitement. The reality is that your student will likely experience all these things (sometimes all at once), which is normal and to be expected.
- Welcome Change – Your student will change and so will you. Accept this change and try to support your student’s decisions. Trust your student and trust the job you have done preparing them for this new journey.
Further Reading - Critical Conversations
Be a sounding board
- Avoid Yes/No questions
- Talk about mental health regularly to increase comfort levels
- Contact the Counseling Center for more information
610-436-2301
Encourage your student to get involved
- Help them set social goals
- Join Handshake and RamConnect to get more involved!
- Contact the Office of Student Involvement for more information
610-436-2117
Set Boundaries
- Know that you can still be there for them without solving their problems
- Talk about your boundaries and what you both expect of each other
- Contact the Office of Family Experience Resources for more information
610-436-3356
Interpersonal Violence & Sexual Assault
Critical Conversation Themes:
- Encourage your child to set personal boundaries
- What would be unacceptable/acceptable in your relationship?
- What would happen if your partner does not agree with these boundaries?
- What is consent?
- Anything other than a verbal "yes" is a "no."
- Use specific examples from the media to showcase toxic vs. healthy relationships
- Address rape myths directly
- For example, 8/10 rapes are committed by someone the victim knows
- Encourage your student to be an active bystander
- Offer unwavering support when your student comes to you with these issues
- I will not blame or judge you based on what you tell me.
- Have these conversations regularly
To find out more, visit Center for Women and Gender Equity website, via social media on Facebook and Instagram: @wcu_CWGE, via email the center at cwge@wcupa.edu or call 610-436-2122.
Further Reading - Interpersonal Violence & Sexual AssaultFurther Reading - Interpersonal Violence & Sexual Assault
For more in-depth guide(s) of how to talk to your student about interpersonal violence and sexual assault, check out the following resources:
- Confi Conversation Guide
- Supporting LGBTQ Survivors
- "Talking with Your Daughter" Article
- "I’ve talked with teenage boys" Article
- Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN)
Mental Health
Critical Conversation Themes:
- Do not panic over every call or text
- Your student may just need to vent
- Be a sounding board
- Instead of jumping to fix the problem, practice active listening skills
- Don't be afraid to ask questions to really understand the crux of the problem
- Talk about mental health regularly to increase your comfort levels
- Encourage your student to get involved on campus to maintain a healthy social life
and sense of purpose
- Help your student set social goals-for example, talk to one new person each day
- While it is good for your student to learn resiliency, it is okay to ask for help!
- Encourage them to visit The Counseling Center
The Counseling Center ascribes to a brief therapy form of treatment. Once students have had a triage appointment and been assigned to a counselor, they will work in conjunction with that individual to determine their level of need. Contact wcucc@wcupa.edu or 610-436-2301 for more questions
Further Reading - Mental HealthFurther Reading - Mental Health
Crisis
Definition:
- Wanting to die
- Wanting to harm self or others
- Being recently physically or sexually assaulted, or experiencing another recent traumatic event
Steps to Take:
If it is Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.:
- Encourage your student to walk to the Counseling Center.
- They will need to tell the front desk that they are having a "mental health crisis."
- They will fill out crisis form when asked.
- They will fill out paperwork on computer if asked.
- If they are told that they will be seen by a counselor ASAP, they will sit in the waiting room until a counselor is ready to meet with them.
If it is any other time (e.g., evenings, weekends, holidays):
- Call Public Safety at 610-436-3311 or 911 or encourage your student to call.
- Your student should tell the operator that they are having a "mental health crisis."
- They will need to follow instructions.
High Distress
Definition:
- High stress or anxiety
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feeling sad or crying
- Experiencing an unexpected change
- Relationship problem
- Academic problem
Steps to Take:
If your student has a therapist:
- Contact your therapist.
- Wait for your therapist to respond.
If your student does not have a therapist:
- Encourage them to walk to the Counseling Center.
- They will need to ask the receptionist for a walk-in appointment for that day or the next business day.
- If the Counseling Center is closed, your student will have to visit the Center on the next business day.
Physical Health & Safety
What to know:
- Student Health Services
- Appointments can be made via phone at 610-436-2509 or in person.
- There is a $12 visit fee and possible additional fees for medications and supplies.
- Charges for visits will automatically be posted to your student’s account and can be paid either online or at the Bursar’s Office.
- Charges will not reveal any personal health information.
- Wellness Promotion
- Wellness Promotion is comprised of experienced professional staff who help students manage their personal and professional goals
- Educational topics include alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, sexual health, & sleep and stress management
- To find out more, visit www.wcupa.edu/wellness, email wellness@wcupa.edu, or call 610-436-0730.
- Public Safety
- For non-counseling emergencies, Contact the police dispatcher at 610-436-3311
- Blue Light Boxes area also located across campus for students to use whenever they have need of campus police
- You can also report incidents in person at our station located at 690 South Church Street
Ram Fam Most Requested Contacts
| Contact | Phone Number | Email Address |
|---|---|---|
| Affiliated Housing (USH) | 610-430-4988 | Leasing@ushcommunities.org |
| Bursar | 610-436-2552 | Bursar@wcupa.edu |
| Counseling and Psychological Services | 610-436-2301 | WCUCC@wcupa.edu |
| Financial Aid | 610-436-2627 | FinAid@wcupa.edu |
| Health Center | 610-436-2509 | HealthCtr@wcupa.edu |
| On-Campus Dining | 610-436-2161 | wcudiningservices@wcupa.edu |
| Student and Family Experience | 610-436-2361 | Commuters@wcupa.edu |
| Parking Services | 610-436-3345 | Parking@wcupa.edu |
| Registrar | 610-436-3541 | Registrar@wcupa.edu |
| Traditional Housing and Residence Life | 610-436-3307 | Housing@wcupa.edu |