Talk with your student about midterm grades
The first half of the fall term is now complete, which means for most students they have completed midterm exams. On our campus, we encourage professors to post midterm grades for students as a progress report. Grades from participating professors are now available for students to view on LOUIE. Talk with your student about his/her midterm grades. Even if midterm grades have not been posted, this is a great time to reflect on academic progress and achievement.

If your student is not receiving the grades he/she is expecting, we would encourage him/her to take several steps. First, students should visit their professors during office hours to talk about current grade(s). Each professor holds office hours and those times and locations should be listed on the syllabus for each course. Second, we would encourage your student to visit the Learning Assistance Centers on campus to get signed up for tutoring or study groups.

Empower your student and encourage him/her to take an active role in his/her education. Please let us know if you need any additional resources.

Ice Jacks
Tyler Holmes is a right wing forward for the undefeated (6-0) NAU Ice Jacks. This construction management senior has been playing since he was six. He joined the Ice Jacks when it was in its early development stages, and has been hooked very since. The Ice Jacks schedule is on their website.

Documentary director to speak at NAU
The director of Latinos '08, a new documentary about Latinos in American politics, will be presenting at NAU.

Observatory hosts new Mars exhibit
On Saturday, Lowell Observatory will host the grand opening of an international exhibit.

Limited space available for Riordan Mansion Halloween tours
Halloween is one of the few times of the year the public is invited to visit the Mansion at night, and the tour will feature ghost stories, folklore, and fantastic but true stories of Arizona history. Admission is $8 - dates and reservations are available by calling 928-779-4395.

October 24: Last day to drop/delete classes with a W October 25: Homecoming
October 27: Early enrollment for spring 2009 begins November 11: Veterans Day holiday (university closed) November 27-28: Thanksgiving Day holiday
(university closed)
November 28: Last day to withdraw from the university
December 1: End of term week
December 8-11: Finals week
December 12: Commencement (last day of fall term) December 12: Residence halls close at 10 a.m.
December 25 - January 1: University winter closure

New dean for the College of Engineering,
Forestry, and Natural Sciences
The College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences gets a new dean, effective June 1.

It pays to do your homework
Encourage your student to enter an annual essay writing competition that challenges students to write about science and technology.

Foundation scholarships target
grad students with service ethic
The Olson family from Sedona is helping service-oriented NAU recipients give back to their communities.

NAU to outsource student e-mail;
campus input sought
NAU will outsource its student e-mail system and is soliciting feedback on which platform to adopt.

NCAA site visit team in Flagstaff
Members of the NCAA site visit team are on campus as part of Northern Arizona University's 10-year recertification process.

Student health tip:  Physical activity can increase the likelihood that your student will have a positive adjustment to college
There is increasing evidence that physical activity can not only increase the overall health of students, it increases the likelihood of making a positive adjustment to college life and staying at NAU.

An email survey of the university's 2007 freshman class further supported this assertion. Physical activity levels and the frequency of exercising with others were significant predictors of college adjustment in this study. By encouraging your student to be active regularly, you may help improve health, social, and personal-emotional adjustment to life at college.

Read more about exercise and opportunities for activity. This health tip brought to you by NAU's Fronske Health Center.

The 15th-ranked football team plays Weber State at Homecoming this Saturday at 3:05 p.m. Students get in free, others can purchase tickets by calling 928-523-5661. The game can also be seen on DISH Network Channel 9411 LIVE and FSN Rocky Mountain live.

The volleyball team hosts two Big Sky Conference games against Montana and Montana State.

Student-Athlete Spotlight:
Veronica Pohl
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Sport: Cross Country
Junior Veronica Pohl earned her third Big Sky honor this season after leading the women’s cross country team to a 10th place finish at Pre-Nationals October 18.