For Parents
Parents play an important role in assisting future and current Lamar University students, from offering help with applications to encouraging students to persevere. For any college student, especially first-time students, the support of parents and families is vital to success. This page is intended to answer questions parents might have about the environment at LU and how to help their students adjust to college life. Parents also are invited to become involved through the Lamar University Parents and Families Initiative.
Academic Support
Lamar University offers several programs to help students achieve their full academic potential whether they need extra help or extra challenges.
The Student Advising and Retention Services (STARS) program offers free tutoring, supplemental instruction in classes that are often challenging for students and academic enhancement workshops on topics such as study skills, test preparation and time management. STARS serves all students on academic probation and others who choose to take advantage of its programs.
For students who excel academically, LU’s Honors Program offers additional challenges. Honors students may enroll in enriched core curriculum classes, participate in interdisciplinary seminars, pursue independent study and initiate enhanced projects in classes to match their interests. Honors students have access to specialized scholarships and peer mentoring.
All freshmen and new transfer students are required to meet with an academic advisor before registering for classes, and many departments require advising for all majors each semester. Students who have not decided on a major are advised by the Center for General Studies, which also provides help evaluating majors and career options.
Campus Safety
Lamar University works diligently to maintain a safe and healthful environment on campus. The LU Police Department employs certified Texas peace officers to patrol campus; enforce local, state and federal laws; and investigate violations. Officers are assigned regular shifts to monitor university housing and adjacent parking lots.
Additional protection is provided through security cameras and emergency phones placed at strategic locations across campus. In the evenings, a free shuttle service provides transportation for LU students on campus and in the immediate vicinity, such as from the library to the residence halls. Lamar University also has an emergency notification system to quickly convey necessary information to students via e-mail, cell phone and/or text messaging in the event of a weather emergency or other situation.
Students have access to a variety of free and low-cost medical services through the university’s Student Health Services. Free services include examination and diagnosis of acute injury or illness and counseling for needs such as nutrition, weight loss, mental health, substance abuse and contraception.
Adjusting to College Life
Parents can help their students make the transition to college life by striking the right balance between providing support and fostering independence.
Parents and their students should openly discuss both financial plans and academic expectations. Students also should be encouraged to make responsible decisions about alcohol and other lifestyle choices.
Parents can help by recognizing that their students are adults who still need a coach but not a rescuer. They can support their students by listening and offering encouragement while urging students to take advantage of resources on campus and to solve their own problems.
Parents should be aware that a federal law, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), protects the privacy of student educational records and may restrict their access to certain information, including grades.
