Articles and Tips from the Parent & Family Relations Think Tank

 

Working with Student Disability Serivces, Part 1 - January 2025

I’m Christie Goodman, a Red Raider alum, Red Raider parent and Red Raider daughter. It is my daughter’s experience that made me want to share with you some info about Texas Tech’s Student Disability Services. Tech’s SDS office is recognized nationally for its student support. As you get ready for your child’s freshman year, if your student has special needs, a 504 or a chronic condition, make sure to get set up with Student Disability Services before school starts.

The intake process includes an online application, documentation, and an initial meeting (which can be virtual). Your student will really benefit from getting this done in the summer since some accommodations or other supports need to be established before school starts. Plus, it will help ensure a smoother college beginning.

The Student Disability Services office will walk your student through the basic steps to follow at the beginning of each semester. For example, these steps for each semester might be:

Before classes start, your student will request letters of accommodation from SDS for each class.
Once the letters (LOAs) are approved, SDS will email the student’s professors and will copy your student, which helps your student know when to get their “pink sheets” from SDS. (Student tip: Save the emails.)
Most students go to SDS for their pink sheets, but students can print them (though they won’t be the recognizable pink color).

This process makes sure students and professors are clear about the accommodations and details like test dates and locations.

It can feel daunting to a first-time student. You can help by reminding your child that professors are used to this process. My daughter said she has felt even more support from her Texas Tech professors than she did in high school. Plus, it gives them an excuse to greet their professors one-on-one early in the semester. (Students don’t need an excuse, but reluctant first-timers may feel otherwise.)

Another practical pointer for any freshman is to understand what to do with a syllabus. On my first weekend visit a few weeks into the school year, we spent some time in the library figuring out how to use the app for the printer so my daughter could print all of her syllabuses and then note test dates on her calendar. It is not that complicated, but it can get lost among all the new things and time demands that first semester.

While SDS services are free, the office also has a fee-for-service program called the TECHniques Center. Once students are approved by the Student Disability Services office, they can apply to the TECHniques Center for additional support. Know that there is a waiting list and your student may not get in their first semester. But the earlier they apply, the better their chances.

The support for students through Student Disability Services and TECHniques are customized for each student.

My daughter specifically wanted me to add that the SDS staff are extremely nice and helpful. She has always felt welcome and encouraged.

Christie L. Goodman, APR, Fellow PRSA, directs communications at IDRA, a national education justice non-profit based in San Antonio.

 

Working with Student Disability Services, Part 2

I could see how the anticipation of all the “new” things to come swirled continuously through my daughter’s head weeks before her move-in date. New living arrangements, new friends, new routines. It was exciting, fun, and scary all at the same time, not just for my daughter, but for me as her mom. She’s always been my “I’ll figure it out; it’ll be fine” middle child, even if it means learning things in hard or unconventional ways. I was confident in her social abilities because she easily makes friends. However, I harbored some uncertainty regarding her academic performance and adaptation to developing new schedules and routines. It was clear to me that we were both concealing our genuine worries; she due to her strength, bravery, and desire for independence, and myself out of a desire to be supportive, encouraging, and optimistic. This is our experience of navigating through my daughter’s freshman year at Texas Tech as a neurodivergent with social and learning differences. 

Part One of this series outlined how to apply for accommodations through the Student Disability Services Department at Texas Tech. I echo the praises of how great these services are and how helpful the staff is. From day one of Texas Tech Orientation, I did not doubt that my daughter would have access to multiple resources to help her be successful as a college student. It was clear that she would be surrounded by faculty and staff who wanted to support her. The question was whether my daughter would recognize and seek help and support before she found herself in dire need. As a parent, I thought I had taken the appropriate measures by ensuring she was informed about the available resources and the necessary steps to access them. She knew if she wanted to have the option to utilize accommodations, she had to advocate for herself to get them in place. This is where one of the first learning lessons occurred. My daughter desired to be “normal” and function like a “traditional” college student without special help or accommodations. Her first semester served as somewhat of a reality check. When finals were around the corner, she realized she would probably benefit from having accommodations. She did the intake process through SDS, scheduled an appointment, and had her initial meeting with an SDS Specialist. Sadly, being late in the semester with finals not far away, she knew she didn’t have time to follow through with the rest of the required process to have accommodations for her finals. (i.e. get a Letter of Accommodations for each class, meet with each of her professors to discuss the accommodations, get the letter signed, and sign up to get placed in a testing room, which has a certain capacity and can fill up). 

LESSONS: 

• The accommodations may differ from those your student had in High School.
• Getting accommodations requires work on the student’s part; the parent cannot do it for them.
• It is important to go through the ENTIRE process of applying, speaking with instructors, and getting accommodations in place so they are available when the student needs them. 

NOTES: 

• Some common academic accommodations include extended time on tests, use of peer note takers, use of a computer with spell check, and provision of sign language interpreters.
• Texas Tech SDS does not provide testing to qualify for accommodations. If your child would benefit from an assessment, they can provide referrals to those resources.

OBSERVATION: 

• Texas Tech faculty and staff truly want our students to thrive and be successful.
• They are ready and willing to help. 

Disappointed with how semester one turned out academically, my daughter ended up in “academic warning” status. My husband and I questioned if college was a good decision for her. I learned I wasn’t alone, and it is not uncommon for the first semester or two to come with challenges as our students learn to adjust and figure out what they need to be successful. The equation that produces the answer may not be the same for everyone. Two plus two is four, but so is three plus one, and five minus one, as is four times one. There are several ways to produce the same answer and Texas Tech has the resources to help our students work through them all. Another resource we love that our daughter has access to is Life Coaches through her college. According to The Department of University Coaching and Student Achievement, students “can meet with a coach as often as (they’d) like, in a one-on-one setting. It provides a space for finding new perspectives to help (them) make better plans to achieve (their) goals. Coaches help (them) think things through and offer accountability.” Additionally, in the Spring of 2023, the Red Raider Success Hub was launched as a resource aimed at improving the overall educational experience at Texas Tech which offers a “holistic student-centered approach to student success and retention.” 

We’re ready for year two! As graduates of Texas Tech, and with a family deeply rooted in the Red Raider tradition, my husband and I are truly impressed by the significant progress Texas Tech has achieved in supporting its students. Our youngest joined the Red Raider family this Fall accompanying his sister. Her previous experiences have shaped how we approach the year, and we have a community of support we know won’t let us down.

From a Think Tank Member

 

Getting Ready for Your Students’ Amazing Study Abroad Experience

My daughter is a computer engineering student who did her study abroad in Ireland last summer. It was a life-changing experience for her – in a really good way. I know there were study abroad opportunities back in my day at Tech, but they were nothing like what is available today. 

If your student is considering it, we have some pointers for you.

First, check out the Tech study abroad website for ideas and look at the college-specific programs. For example, my daughter worked most closely with the engineering study abroad office. 

Take advantage of the informational webinars offered by Tech for families. There will also be sessions for students on campus.

Start looking at options and preferences about a year beforehand. The first decision for your child to make is whether to study, intern, research or do service abroad. There are good reasons for each. Along with that, of course, is the decision of place. 

In my daughter’s case, she preferred the Ireland program, in part because it would be based on a campus. She would live in a dorm and be matched with other students (“fellow nerds” as she says). While there, she took one engineering class and one cultural class that included fabulous historical field trips. Classes were only four days per week, so she was able to visit other parts of the country on long weekends. She even took a couple of day trips, one to London and one to Edinburgh.

Once your child selects the place and program, the next steps will include the following.

• Meet with a Study Abroad Counselor or Engineering Program Manager, depending on your student's major.
• Put key dates on your calendar or planner or sticky notes… These will include school application dates, scholarship deadlines, deposit and other payment due dates, class registration dates, program start and end dates, etc.
• Apply to the international program.
• Get info about housing.
• Apply for study abroad scholarships.
• Make travel arrangements.
• Get a Passport (or see if your student needs to renew). Passports need to be valid for 6 months after the end of the program date. So if a program ends in August 2025, their passport needs to be valid until February 2026. 
   

As a parent, I had several questions and worries:

• Is it safe? As I learned more about my daughter’s program, I was reassured about safety when I read that the police there don’t even carry guns. But I also made sure I knew who to contact there in an emergency.
• How do we pay for this? This is a critical factor in planning a student’s international experience. While there are a number of scholarships, my daughter did not receive any. We used her 529 savings and she used some of her savings for spending money. The study abroad office will provide more information as well.
• How do we get the details we need? Thankfully, my daughter received emails and an eBook that spelled out key dates (when to arrive, when to leave, etc.), meals there were included, how to get other food, planned welcome activities, what the climate is like, what the dorms are like, local currency, how to get mail, insurance, available health services, local transportation, packing list, language considerations, and more!
• Should I accompany my daughter to get her settled? My daughter said no, and she was right.
• How do I check in with my child and make sure she is OK when she’s there? We added a short-term international plan to my daughter’s cell phone account so we could talk and text throughout her stay. (The time change was a factor.) We also got to see photos on her social media accounts. I relished seeing her smiles in the photos!
   

I called this a life-changing experience for my daughter. Here’s why: She made friends who she has stayed in touch with. She was forced to manage her days in an unfamiliar place. She successfully planned and took side trips, including catching the wrong subway and missing her return flight from London with her phone battery dying. She was immersed in a culture that was new to her and appreciated its kindness.

She plans to go back to Europe after she graduates. And the best part is: I will get to visit her this time!

Christie L. Goodman, APR, Fellow PRSA, directs communications at IDRA, a national education justice non-profit based in San Antonio.

 

What to Expect at a Texas Tech Football Game, September 2024

It’s called “game day” for a reason. Texas Tech football engages more of the school and community than arguably another activity. I’ve lived this since I was a few months old. 

Hi! I’m Christie Goodman. I am a proud alumnus of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland. My daughter - a Tech senior - was our family’s third-generation Goin’ Band member. That’s right, third. My parents met in Band 1. When I was an infant, I was in the stands, getting passed around from the clarinets to the trombones between stand tunes and fight songs.

Naturally, I love Texas Tech football. 

Here are tips to be ready for your first game.

• Download the Red Raiders Gameday Live app, which contains a game-day guide with a parking map, digital program, mobile ticket FAQs, concessions info, ADA details, and alerts.
• Look up the parking maps. Well-running shuttles are available. If you will use Citibus, download the “Go Pass” payment app in advance. Many people walk from their nearby hotel. Uber and Lyft are options, but they get filled up quickly.
• Download your mobile ticket before you get to the stadium. The wi-fi is not strong in such a big crowd.
• There are many activities before the game, like tailgating (duh), concerts in Raider Alley (two hours before kickoff), Raider Walk to cheer the team as it exits the buses (about 2¼ hours before kickoff) and the Goin’ Band from Raiderland’s fan performance (about 2 hours before the game). The band will then parade through the campus to the stadium and will march back after the game. (Remember to stay off the memorial circle grass. For real!)
• There are lots of good photo spots before the game, like in front of the university seal, with the horse statue of Soap Suds, and with the Masked Rider and Centennial Champion.
• Plan to arrive at the stadium about an hour before kick-off to get to your seats, get a snack and see pre-game.
• Know the policy for clear bags and other things you can or cannot bring into the stadium. I know this sounds obvious, but…tortilla tossing is not an approved thing. Just, so you know. (See other official policies and FAQs.)
• When deciding what to wear, watch social media to see if it is a special color game (white out, red out, etc.). Not all games have a color call. Otherwise, Texas Tech colors are a must from a t-shirt and jeans to upscale fashion.
• If it is a sunny day, remember to douse with sunscreen beforehand and bring a hat or fan or whatever you need to keep cool. Afternoon games in September can get blistering hot. While the rules generally won’t let you bring beverages into the stadium, you can bring an empty water bottle and refill it once you get inside.
• Current students can attend the games on a first-come, first-served basis, which is why you’ll see them lining up hours early, especially for big games. Their seating section is separate from ticketed seating. If you want to sit with your student, you’ll need to purchase their ticket with yours.
• My plea: Plan to stay for the whole game. The fans’ energy feeds the team. We’re there for each other. Plus Tech has a way to bring in a surprise win in the last two minutes. (Families with small children get a pass.)
• Learn the Fight Song! The words will be on the scoreboard, but you’ll be super glad to know already when to clap and where to do guns up as the band plays the song after each score. And we plan to be singing the fight song a lot!

You don’t have to be a sports fan to have fun. And you don’t have to be a Texas Tech alum to have fun. If your child is a Red Raider, you are a Red Raider. Wreck ‘em!

Christie L. Goodman, APR, Fellow PRSA, directs communications at IDRA, a national education justice non-profit based in San Antonio.