Finding answers at UH Mānoa, the campus that smells like flowers
By Diane Chang
This is my favorite time on the calendar—the weeks between the waning days of summer and the exciting launch of the Fall 2009 semester. All over UH Mānoa, including weekends, you can spot smiling parents with their excited college-aged children and family members exploring the campus, stopping to snap photos, take video or admire the 800 species of flora. I recently walked behind one young woman who took a deep breath, exhaled and remarked to her companion, “The air smells like flowers.”
Yes, UH Mānoa often smells like flowers, and we all need to take the time to enjoy that aspect of the campus. That is particularly important since there is a lot of stress across the nation, as well as here in Hawai‘i and at UH Mānoa, about the economic challenges that all of us are facing. Student success is the highest priority, but the major financial reductions to Mānoa’s state funding are challenging the campus to keep services for students, faculty and staff at the high level all of us want. The campus is being upfront about that reality, yet continuing to work hard to ensure that student success is foremost in everybody’s minds as those reductions are put into place. As a parent, I also know the economic stresses posed by sending our children to college, yet realize it is the best investment we can ever make for them.
As parents, armed with the wisdom and long-term perspective that we hope our children will gain, it's our job to be their chief cheerleaders, especially in such trying times. My daughter, a senior in political science, sometimes (or is it often?) gets discouraged about so many aspects of college life. You may be familiar with the complaints: The course is too demanding. The professor isn’t helpful. At registration, there aren’t enough available classes—at least not in the desired 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. timeframe.
Whether in Hawai‘i or on the other side of the world, parents of UH Mānoa students are united in a common goal: making sure our children are fine. And that means, when they call or e-mail or tell us across the dining table that they are struggling, they basically want us to listen. And sympathize. And perhaps pass on some helpful advice.
For example, there’s a wealth of information available online. Hey, want to impress your student? The next time he or she has a question on some aspect of campus life, mention nonchalantly, “Oh, you should go to the UH Mānoa home page (http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/) and click on Current Students on the top left-hand side.” There are close to 100 links there with almost everything you needed to know about classes, financial services, advising, daily life and student resources.
If the answer’s not there, urge your student to seek out the answer on campus. Sometimes they’re too shy to approach people for assistance but members of the UH Mānoa really do want to help. Please tell them that somebody, somewhere at Mānoa, has the answer, or at least knows the appropriate person to contact. Granted, it may require some patience and determination to find that person at times, but such perseverance will become a trait coveted by employers after graduation.
To encourage newcomers to speak up, many UH Mānoa folks—such as front-line groundskeepers, cleaning personnel and other staff members—will be wearing newly designed "Ask Me" buttons this Fall. These knowledgeable folks can give directions to buildings, point out specific offices at the Campus Center or Queen Lili‘uokalani Center for Students, and also know the closest route to a badly needed cup of coffee or cool, fruity beverage. They are all eager to welcome your child and you to your new ‘ohana.
Parents are also encouraged to come explore UH Mānoa themselves, especially for Homecoming festivities from November 3-8. 2009 marks the 100th anniversary of UH sports, so the celebration—which will include a golf tournament, pep rally, lectures, art exhibits, receptions, entertainment, women’s volleyball matches, and a big football game at Aloha Stadium against Utah State—will be extra special. See up-to-date details at http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/homecoming/.
I hope to meet you soon on the campus that smells like flowers—your UH Mānoa.
This is an ongoing column for the UH Mānoa ‘Ohana by Diane Chang, director of communications in the Chancellor’s Office and mom to a UH Mānoa senior. Contact her at (808) 956-0391 or dianec@hawaii.edu.