Monday Jambalaya

In this Issue

• Storm warnings and Alertus
• Wildfires and prescribed burns research
• Have a conversation with your student about consent before school begins

It’s a new week, Deac families. We’re almost to the halfway point of Summer Session II, and before we know it August will be here, and then move-in will be upon us. The summer is flying by, isn’t it?

Speaking of summer, tis the season for afternoon thunderstorms, so it is a good time to remind families to be sure to download Alertus to their laptop. And we have a couple of other stories – one about wildfires, and one reminder to have a consent conversation with your Deac before school begins.

Storm warnings and Alertus

Last week and even this weekend, we had some severe thunderstorm warnings that triggered emails from our Wake Alert warning system, as well as a laptop screen takeovers from Alertus, our screen warning software. You can see what that looks like.

If your student was on their laptop and did not get that screen takeover, it means they did not download Alertus as requested. Encourage them to do so here. This is especially important during the school year. Students should be silencing their phones during class, but many use their laptops in class. In the event of an emergency where students need to be notified, these Alertus screen takeovers are a key method of notification.

And a reminder to parents and families, if you want to be receiving campus warnings and are not, you can get those via the Wake Safe app (instructions here). Note that you cannot choose to opt in to which notification methods (e.g., texts, phone calls, etc.) You are either all in or all out, it’s just how the system works.

Wildfires and prescribed burns research

One of the things I love about working at Wake Forest is hearing about the research that our faculty are doing, and why that research matters. One of my friends shared this Instagram post about work on fires in the Southeast by Lauren Lowman, Associate Professor of Engineering.

Her research looks at how extreme weather events have impacted wildfires, and how prescribed burns can be a helpful and necessary part of our ecosystem. This Instagram post also helped me think differently about the idea that ‘all wildfires are bad’ – because some may not be. This is interesting stuff to ponder, with some clear real-world implications.

Have a conversation with your student about consent before school begins

Consent is a very important topic on college campuses. Students are living independently and making their own behavioral choices. We want to ensure our students are making well-thought out, safe choices, and this would include consent.

Some of my colleagues on campus have created a Consent Conversation Guide to help families – of all years – talk to their students’ about consent:

“Wake Forest is committed to a safe environment for all students. While we have a duty to provide education to students, we recognize that as a parent or caregiver, you are and will continue to be the primary influence in your student’s life. 

College is a time for your student to gain new experiences, build new friendships, and make new memories that will last a lifetime. This resource will provide you with tools to help you prepare for an open dialogue with your student about consent. It includes important information on University policies and procedures, the importance of discussing consent, and how consent is affected by substance use.”

It’s important to stress that having a conversation about consent does not mean we are asking your student to be sexually active! Consent can be about a kiss or other activity short of actual sex. And we know that every student and family has their own values where matters of sexuality are concerned. What we want is to help students understand what consent looks like, how to give it, and how to be sure that when the time comes (whenever that may be) that both parties are consenting.

You as parents, family members, and loved ones can help reinforce those concepts through this conversation guide. Find a good time to have this discussion with your student, certainly before move-in this fall.