Parents' Frequently Asked Questions
SAFETY
What measures does Mount Ida take to keep the campus safe?
Mount Ida takes every precaution to keep your student safe. Public Safety Officers patrol the entire campus 24 hours a day, making building checks and being available for any disturbances or concerns. If your student has a concern or needs a campus escort, he or she may contact Public Safety directly at (617) 928-4777. As a parent, talk to your student about making smart choices about personal safety and recommend reporting any suspicious behavior immediately. Remind your student that their help is necessary to keep the campus safe.
How safe are the residence halls?
Similar to our campus, residence hall safety is a top priority. The campus is patrolled 24 hours a day by Public Safety. The Public Safety staff can be contacted by telephone. There are also red emergency phones located throughout campus which connect directly to Public Safety. Students are provided with a key to personal rooms, and student identification cards will open their residence hall doors. Only students living in a specific hall will have access to that hall. Mount Ida College policy requires students to carry identification cards at all times when on campus.
DINING
Where does my student eat?
Students living on-campus eat meals in the central dining hall, Wingate Dining Hall. However, your student may buy snacks and drinks at the café in Carlson Hall.
I'm concerned that my student won't eat well. What kinds of food are served in Wingate Dining Hall?
While students make their own choices about what to eat, Mount Ida makes every effort to provide students with a wide variety of nutritional options. Parents can help freshmen understand what kinds of food fuels healthy minds and bodies. You can learn more about the dining options at the ARAMARK dining services page.
If my student lives on campus, is a meal plan required?
Yes, a meal plan is required for all students living on campus and at Pine Manor College.
When does my student need to sign up for a meal plan?
For more information about meal plans, please visit ARAMARK Dining Services page.
ACADEMIC ADVISING
Will someone help my student choose classes?
Students are assigned a faculty advisor during their first semester at Mount Ida College. This advisor provides guidance with course selection, assistance with long-term academic planning and direction to help advisees successfully reach career goals. For more detailed information and access to the Advising Handbook, Program Guide Checklist and Steps to Successful Advising/Registration, please visit our website.
My student needs a tutor. Does Mount Ida make tutors available to students?
College can bring many new experiences. Often, this also means new challenges that can seem overwhelming, especially when you are away from home. At Mount Ida, we are dedicated to offering a personalized approach to learning – and we know that individual students have different needs and concerns. We have a variety of academic services designed to help you create the best college experience possible.
The Academic Success Center (ASC) is designed to provide the tools your student will need to succeed academically and is located on the first floor of Hallden Center. Staffed by professional and peer tutors, students will find a supportive learning environment where they can go to work individually with tutors on a variety of subjects, such as math, science, business, and veterinary technology; study alone or with a group; study with a group led by a tutor; use computers to work independently.
Learn more about Academic Services here.
Can I talk to my student's academic advisor or the registrar about my student's progress or grades?
Although this is a frequent source of unhappiness and frustration among parents, in general the reason that Mount Ida personnel cannot give out information about our students is that it is against the law to do so without that student's permission. This includes a student's grades. Grades and other information can only be discussed with parents/guardians through the signature of a
FERPA Form; please talk to your student beforehand to authorize this.
GETTING INVOLVED
What kinds of activities are available for my student?
The Office of Student Activities at Mount Ida College fosters student development by providing social, educational and cultural co-curricular programs. We strive to enhance leadership skills by offering opportunities to become involved with student government, campus programming board, orientation and leadership development workshops. For more information about getting involved, please visit the Mount Ida College Student Activities page.
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS
What services are available for my student at the Counseling Center?
The Counseling Center provides a variety of services that promote and support the mental health and wellness of students of Mount Ida College. These services can include the following:
Counseling Center staff is also available for consultation to all members of the Mount Ida community which may include faculty, staff, and parents of students.
Hours: The Health Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are available throughout the academic year from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call (617) 928-4599.
Location: The Health Center is located in Appleton House just beyond Hallden Hall in a small brown house with a handicapped ramp in the front.
Emergency Information: Mount Ida College security is available 24 hours a day. When the Health Center is closed, campus police are available at (617) 928-4777. They will assess the situation and call an ambulance if necessary.
RESIDENCE
How are residence hall assignments made?
Residence Hall assignments were made using our new Residence software. Students were asked to log in by July 20, 2012 to fill out their housing assignment and select a roommate. If a student was unable to complete this, they were assigned a space. All correspondence with students regarding housing was sent to their Mount Ida College email address.
How are roommates assigned?
If students requested a roommate through the Residence system, we were able to place them together. If students were unable to mutually request one another, then they were assigned with another student. Students who would like to request to change rooms may do so by filling out a Room Change Request form on our website. A staff member in our office will be in touch with the student beginning on September 12, 2012.
What should my student bring?
For more on what to bring, please click here.
FINANCIAL AID
Does my student need to apply for financial aid every year?
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually in order to have eligibility determined for and receive an actual financial aid award that includes - federal grant, loan or work study assistance, state grant and loan funds (according to the terms and eligibility requirements of the student and, if appropriate, the parent's legal state of residence). You can complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Again, to be considered for need based financial aid, students must complete a FAFSA annually.
Learn more about Financial Aid.