Web site becomes one-stop shop for College Survival Information
Student Connection looks to link campus with college survival tips and daily events.
By Joi Harris
Staff Reporter

The start of this school year is not unlike any other. It’s about reconnecting to friends, hang outs, and, most importantly, about classes and studying.

However, this year the notion of connection has taken on a slightly different meaning. Students will not be officially connected until they’ve logged onto the Student Connection.

The Student Connection is a new Web site created by the Division of Student Affairs containing campus information for students, parents, faculty and administrators.

“We wanted to break down the walls between departments and make the site a central clearing house where they all come together,” said Craig Elders, associate director of Student Affairs Information Services.

It’s kind of like a one-stop shop where students can find all the information they need to successfully survive college life.

So let’s Get Down to Basics. The Student Connection is to help students Get Involved and Succeed as a Student by allowing them to Map a Career Path that focuses on themselves. Most importantly they need to Stay Healthy and Well while they Keep the Faith and Stay Safe. The real trick is to do all that and keep up with Today’s 411 at the same time. All of these subjects are tabbed for easy access on the site.

“The questions upperclassmen had as freshmen, are now on the minds of new students,” Elders said. “Here’s just an easy way to find answers.”

The FAQ or Important Numbers tabs are two of the more helpful ones, he said.

“We wanted to design the site to help students find information in ways that made sense to them,” said Shelley Story, Campus Life coordinator and Web page designer.

Students entering college without any idea as to what they want to do can click on the Student Connection’s Map a Career Path tab and find University Career Services’ career counseling and an online resume program.

Under the Stay Healthy and Well tab students can find resources for physical and mental health. In the same place they can learn how to sign up for intramurals and find an online screening for mental health.

The new site summarizes and simplifies any information found on TCU’s home page. The address is (www.sa.tcu.edu).