1. How does my son or daughter get a work study job?
Students must qualify through the financial aid process for work study. If your student has received this aid, he or she may begin the process of looking for a position during Freshman Orientation.  Students may access the list of available positions by linking to Career Services (lower level Massman Hall) after securing a work-study position, students fill out Federal and Missouri W-4 forms and an I-9 form. Questions regarding paper work and eligibility should be directed to Financial Aid.

2. Do the students need a car?
Freshmen are allowed to bring a car on campus, however it is not necessary. It is relatively easy to get a ride home, especially to St. Louis or Omaha.

3. Is the meal plan required of residents? What are points?
Rockhurst offers a declining balance program for residence hall students. It is designed for all purchases to be made on an ala carte basis. Declining balance may be used for selections in the Thomas More Dining Center, On the Rocks Grill or in the Daily Grind. Points refer to the amount of spending money available on the student's declining balance account.

The 2007-2008 board plan rate for all residents of McGee, Corcoran and Xavier-Loyola Halls range from $1350 to $1550 per semester. Commuter students can open a declining balance account in blocks of $100 when they register or at any time in the Business Office in Massman Hall. Balances from the fall semester can be carried over to the spring semester; however balances remaining at the end of the academic year will be forfeited.

4. How much money will my son or daughter spend a week?
Each student's expenditures vary. Most students spend more at the beginning of the year on organization fees, etc. Typically around $20 - $30 per week is plenty. Many families decide to have the student spend their work study salary instead of giving them an allowance.

5. How often should we talk on the phone?
The beginning of freshman year many families call frequently. Once things settle down, probably one or two times a week is enough. Cell phones have made calling easy, but students can benefit from making decisions on their own. Remember student schedules are different from ours. Don't forget e-mail. It is free and convenient for students to check while they are studying.

6. How safe is Rockhurst University?
Rockhurst University is located in the city. During Orientation we address this issue and talk to students about what safety precautions they should observe. The campus itself has an excellent security department. We have security phones positioned on campus, escort services available and security systems on all the residence halls. Each residence hall has front desk assistants. In addition we have a security staff comprised of 23 officers and 1 support staff member.

7. What if my son or daughter doesn't like their roommate?
After the semester has begun students are able to change roommates. They must go to the Residence Life office in Massman 2 and request a change. If your son or daughter is having difficulty with their roommate and would like help in resolving this they should seek assistance from the Resident Assistant on their floor or contact Sandy Waddell, the Director of New Students.

8. Should my son or daughter go Greek?
Rockhurst University has deferred Recruitment. Freshmen are not allowed to participate in Recruitment until second semester. This allows students the opportunity to meet a variety of other students and observe the social culture here. By spring semester they are also more equipped to judge whether they can balance their time between academics and Greek life.

For more information about Greek life at Rockhurst, you can download and print* a copy of 'It's All Greek to Me', (3MB, PDF file) a comprehensive introduction to Greek life at Rockhurst. 

9. What assistance is there for students who struggle academically?
The Learning Center (Van Ackeren 200) is opened from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is staffed with three professionals and numerous student workers. The services provided range from writing assistance, study skills assistance and, one to one tutoring in any subject. The Center is designed to assist all students who want to improve their work. It is not designed to do remedial work.