Samford University is planning to conduct an on-campus combined emergency response drill on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 9:30 am. Because many parents are signed up for RAVE alerts, we want you to be aware before you receive these notifications.

The drill will last approximately 20 minutes and involves three of the most common emergency responses required, regardless of location. While those on campus should participate in the drill, it is strongly recommended that those off campus pay close attention to the directives as well for future personal emergency preparedness steps at other locations as well (home, church, eating out, athletic events, etc

We are looking forward to Grandparents' Day at Samford, Friday, February 21, 2025. Registration and details coming soon, so stay tuned!

Highlights include:

• Morning Worship Service
• Campus Bus Tours
• Demonstrations and Session at Brock School of Business and College of Health Sciences
• Lunch with President Taylor
• A Capella Choir Performance
• Planetarium Show
• Samford Grandparent T-shirt

Fall Break Conversation Tips

Samford CARES is here to help your student(s) thrive. Our university counselor, Susie-Hannah Williams, has compiled a list of questions and tips to help you support your student while they are on Fall Break. Below are four things to remember as you support and encourage your student while they are home, or traveling, over the break. 

1. Be supportive- Offer support and guidance when they talk about challenges but avoid micromanaging their choices. Ask how you can help rather than offering unsolicited advice. 
2. Focus on wellbeing- Instead of solely focusing on grades, ask how they are managing stress or if they have found activities that help them unwind. 
3. Respect independence - Let the student have agency to schedule what they want to do during the break.
   It can be tempting to cram in family time and other activities, but also allow them to have some downtime or catch up with local friend. Balance desire to spend time together with their need for rest. 

4. Celebrate their achievements- Celebrate small and large successes, whether academic or personal. Encouraging their growth fosters a positive connection and helps them feel valued. 

7 Questions to Ask Your Student During Fall Break 

1. Talk about your favorite wat to spend a day off from school or work. 
2. Talk about the biggest difference between high school and college. 
3. Talk about how you like to be shown appreciation for good work. 
4. Talk about an aspect of Samford life that is harder than you expected it to be. 
5. Talk about an aspect of Samford life that is better than you expected it to be. 
6. Talk about a “no” that was hard to say but turned out to be for the best. 
7. Talk about what you are doing to stay healthy, both mentally and physically. 

Want more questions like these? 

Support Samford CARES by purchasing our Samford TALKS card deck to ensure you always have a way to start conversation with your student. 

We look forward to supporting your student during their time at Samford. Please let the Samford CARES team know if you have any additional questions. 

Best,

Susie-Hannah Williams, MA, Associate Licensed Counselor

Under the Supervision of Rhonna W. Phillips, Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

Read the Parent and Family Engagement Report, celebrating highlights and initiatives from Fiscal Year 2024.

Parent Engagement Annual Report FY 24

An Important Message Regarding Academic Resources

The mission of the Academic Success Center is to facilitate students’ successful transition through Samford University by identifying and providing academic resources in a highly collaborative and student-centered manner.

The director works closely with faculty, the admissions office, Career Development, and the counseling offices to provide academic assistance as needed. First-year and transfer students are particularly encouraged to take advantage of the center’s services to facilitate their transition to Samford University.

The Academic Success Center and Office of Accessibility and Accommodations provides the helpful guide below for your student as they manage registration, class schedules, FERPA, and accommodations.

How-To Guide for New Students

An Important Message Regarding Samford Student Employment

Samford University provides work opportunities for students through the two following programs: Federal Work Study (FWS) jobs are need-based, as determined by the FAFSA, and Institutional Student Employment Program (ISEP) jobs are not need-based. Students are federally required to provide documents in order to complete the employment process.

For most students the required I9 documents are:

1. an unexpired US Passport, OR
2. an unexpired state driver’s license and a Birth Certificate, OR
3.  an unexpired driver’s license and a social security card. 

Students can find job postings here. 
For questions, please contact studentjobs@samford.edu.

An Important Message Regarding Zoom Calls for Parents

The office of Parent and Family Engagement has partnered with the offices of Residential Life, Greek Life, and Campus Safety to provide informational Zoom calls for parents. Below, you will find links to recordings of the most recent calls.

Res Life Zoom Call for Parents: Room Assignment Process

Greek Life Zoom Calls for Parents: IFC, PNC, and NPHC Recruitment
This link includes recordings and notes for IFC, PNC, and NPHC recruitment.

Res Life Zoom Call for Parents: New Student Move In

Res Life Zoom Call for Parents: Returning Student Move In

Campus Safety Zoom Call for Parents: Parking and Shuttles
 
To learn about other virtual and in-person events, please visit samford.edu/parents/events and click on the Upcoming Events tab.

An Important Message regarding Health Insurance Requirements for International Students and Students in the College of Health Sciences

Samford University is pleased to partner with Academic Health Plans (AHP) to offer student health insurance through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.  All undergraduate students enrolled for nine (9) or more credits and graduate students enrolled for six (6) or more credits are eligible to enroll in the health plan on a voluntary basis. All international students and College of Health Sciences students in the Schools of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Professions are required to either waive coverage by providing proof of comparable coverage or enroll in the student health insurance policy. Mandatory SHIP students who do not successfully opt out of the Samford/AHP policy before the waiver deadline will be automatically enrolled and billed $3,401.80 for annual coverage (8/21/24-8/20/25).  

We do not want anyone to incur unnecessary insurance fees. Mandatory students should be receiving instructional emails from AHP.  Tracy Hanrahan in the Office of Business Services can also assist if a student needs help with the waiver process (tghanrah@samford.edu; 205-726-4578).  It is important to either waive or enroll in insurance coverage between July 1^st and September 16^th.  Voluntary enrollment for non-international or CHS students is available during the same time frame.  

Let us know if you have any questions about the process.  We’re on your side to help any way that we can!

Learn More

An Important Message from Samford One Stop

Hello new Bulldogs and Bulldog families. Welcome to the Samford family! We understand this is an exciting but also overwhelming time in the life of your student and family. You will be overloaded with information in the coming days and months. As a result, we want to give you a head start by providing you with some important financial information regarding your student’s account and aid. It’s a good idea to save this document for future reference. While some pieces of information may change from year to year, most will remain the same.

The following information will help you navigate the sometimes-complicated aspects of student accounts, financial aid, and all other matters related to the business of being a Samford student. 

Resource Guide

The Samford One Stop prepares the hearts and minds of Samford students to be fiscally responsible global citizens and is here to help you navigate all the related financial applications, options, systems, processes, etc. Our advisors will assist you with issues related to the distribution of your parking permit and Samford ID, student account, payments, including 529 payments, and payment plans, financial aid, Veteran’s benefits, other aid resources, refunds, tuition insurance, and more. We are located on the ground floor in Ingalls Hall, just below the Office of Admission.

Location: Ingalls Hall – Ground Floor
Hours: M-F 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 205-726-2905
Email: onestop@samford.edu
Samford Portal: connect.samford.edu
Web: samford.edu/go/onestop
Social Media: @SamfordOneStop

Interest-free Payment Plans

As an alternative to borrowing, Samford provides interest-free payment plan options for all eligible students enrolled in fall, spring and summer terms. If you do not enroll in a payment plan during the enrollment period, your fall term balance will be due in full on September 3. Enrollment for Fall 2024 Payment Plans opens July 15. Learn more about payment plans, student accounts, financial aid, and all other matters related to the business of being a Samford student in the One Stop Resource Guide.