CMC Parent News - Spring 2022
In this issue:
Five Things to Know as the School Year Ends
Senior Thesis? A Guide to CMC's Capstone
¿Ir o no ir? Porque los estudiantes deben estudiar en el extranjero
To Go or Not to Go: CMCers and a Semester Abroad
Your Student is Ready!
Seriously. Why Hang Out at a Local Parent and Alumni Event? Celebrating CMC's 75th Anniversary in Austin
Congratulations to the Class of 2022 - What to Know About Commencement

Five Things to Know as the School Year Ends

Parent Newsletter  

CMC students are busy finishing up projects, typing up their last assignments, and spending the last few days with their classmates. To help you and your student plan for the upcoming summer, here are five things you should know as the 2021-2022 year comes to a close.

  1. Summer Storage
    Does your student need to store their dorm items over the summer? Here is some helpful information from the Dean of Students office:
    • Storage Pods/Boxes: Students who would like to store their items in pods over the summer must fill out the survey they received via email on April 21. The storage company will pick-up student boxes and store them at their facility until their return in the fall (or spring) semester. Storage boxes must be removed from campus by Friday, May 20, 2022. The boxes are usually 8x5x7 in size. The typical cost for May-August is $450.00-$500.00 and $750.00-$800.00 for May 2022 – January 2023. The two companies below are the ones used by our students most often: Storage Valet (877-798-2538) and Box-n-Go (877-269-6461).
    • Off Campus Storage Facilities: If your student wishes to store their items in a local Claremont self-storage facility, here is a list of locations: All American Mini Storage (909-621-7867), Extra Space Storage (855-841-5837), Reliable Self Storage of Claremont (909-625-5060), and StorQuest Self Storage (909-784-1121).
    • Car Summer Storage: Students who wish to store their cars on campus over the summer must fill out the Summer Car Registration Form. Students may leave their cars on approved summer parking lots (Bauer Center parking lot and Biszantz Family Tennis Center parking lot). Students must leave a copy of their key with the Dean of Students office, a local friend, or a local relative in case of emergency. CMC does not assume responsibility for vehicles left on campus.
    • Bike Storage: There are bike storage rooms available in Crown and Stark Halls that all students can utilize. Students will receive additional information regarding registering their bikes for summer storage in the end of year closing email.

  2. Sponsored Internships & Experiences Program (SIE) Deadline is Fast Approaching!
    The CMC SIE program was developed to encourage quality student experiences across a variety of industries and geographies. The SIE program is accepting summer funding applications from students right now! The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, May 20. Funding preference is given to first-years and sophomores to help them pursue an unpaid or low paid internship or experience. If your student is still trying to figure out their summer plans, please encourage them to reach out to someone at Career Services to talk through their options and see if they are eligible for funding for this summer! For more information, visit the SIE website.

  3. Move in Day for Returning Students and Academic Calendar
    Are you planning ahead for the 2022-2023 school year? Returning students are scheduled to move in on Saturday, August 27 – Sunday, August 28, 2022. You can also find the 22-23 Academic Calendar here

  4. Summer Hours for Dean of Students Office, the Alumni and Parent Engagement Office, Student Health Services, and Monsour Counseling.
    During the summer months, parents still have the chance to connect with the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement. They can be reached on Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific). You can also email your questions at parents@cmc.edu. Students can connect with the Dean of Students Office on Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. View the Directory of the Deans to meet the staff. Please note that the Student Health Center and Monsour Counseling are closed for the summer months.

  5. NSPs, Summer Chapter Events, Summer Virtual Events

    School’s out! Time to enjoy some summer fun and continue to connect with the CMC community! Here is a selection of what to expect during the summer of 2022:

    • New Student Parties: Join the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement as they welcome the Class of 2026 and transfer students all over the world. If you would like to attend a New Student Party in your area, make sure to check your email or visit the New Student Party website.
    • Summer Chapter Events: Our parents and families are an important part of our regional chapters. Did you know we have 19 chapters all over the world? Attending a chapter event will give you the opportunity to connect with alumni, other parents, and distinguished professors. 
    • Virtual Events: This summer, you can continue to celebrate CMC’s 75th anniversary virtually. The office of Alumni and Parent Engagement will host an array of professors who will discuss important and timely topics.

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What is Senior Thesis? A Guide to CMC's Capstone
By Jay Cohen P'23

Parent Newsletter  

The final general education requirement for CMC students is the senior thesis. It is arguably the most challenging and rewarding requirement for students. Recent senior thesis topics have ranged from a mathematical analysis of throwing a no hitter, to the impact of wildfire on air quality, to a green approach to bromination in pincer complex synthesis. (I am offering a reward to any parent who can explain “pincer complex synthesis.”) Seniors select a topic for their thesis in consultation with a faculty reader, although a department chair sometimes needs to be involved when a student is pursuing honors in their major.

While a thesis can seem intimidating given the independence and volume of work required, note that CMC students are well prepared. This is an exciting opportunity for a student to explore a topic of choice with a chosen faculty member! 

Important facts regarding senior thesis:

  • The senior thesis counts as a course. Students can complete their thesis in either one semester or two, and may earn either one or two course units for the project. Typically, about a third of students complete their thesis in the fall, a third complete it in spring, and a third do it over two semesters
  • All seniors must complete a Senior Thesis Topic Form. Topics can be quite broad, but must be approved by the student’s reader prior to registration. As students develop their theses, topics become narrower and more well-defined. By the end, they’ll turn into a title.
  • Students are required to write a thesis in one of their majors. Exceptions are rare, but possible for students who have a deep academic background in a subject outside their major.
  • Students need to select a reader for their thesis. The reader must teach in the student’s major, know something about the topic, and be a CMC faculty member. Students can have more than one reader for their thesis and non-CMC faculty may serve as additional readers, when appropriate.
  • Theses must be original work for this course only. With a reader’s advanced approval, a thesis may be an expansion of a previous term paper, provided the student includes that previous paper as an appendix and cites it appropriately. All theses are carefully checked for originality.
  • Students must meet with their faculty reader on a regular basis throughout the semester(s). Students typically meet with their reader for about an hour each week.

Resources:
Other than their faculty reader, students have a number of resources available to help them with their theses. The Center for Writing and Public Discourse (CWPD) is a great resource for students as they structure and write their thesis and one-on-one peer tutoring is available. Student consultants can review drafts of papers at any stage of the writing process from any and all disciplines. The CWPD also maintains online resources like style and citation guides. 

The Claremont Colleges Library offers an online senior thesis research guide, citation management tools, and subject-area experts who are eager to help students with their projects. Also, the Office of the Registrar maintains an entire section of the website dedicated to senior thesis rules and processes, including a handy FAQ.

Key Links:
Senior Thesis
Senior Thesis FAQ
Center for Writing and Public Discourse

By the way, you might enjoy seeing past thesis topics which demonstrate the diversity and scholarship of the research done by past students. 

Key dates:
Last day to register for fall thesis, Monday, September 12, 2022
Fall 1-semester theses due, Monday, December 5, 2022 by 3:00 p.m.
Last day to register for spring thesis, Monday, January 30, 2023
Spring and 2-semester thesis due, Monday, April 24, 2023 by 3:00 p.m.

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¿Ir o no ir? Porque los estudiantes deben estudiar en el extranjero
Por Marisol Rivera Thurman P'24 y traducido por Carmen Amaya P'25

Parent Newsletter  

¿Debe mi hijo estudiar en el extranjero? Esa es la pregunta que le planteé recientemente a Kristen Mallory, Directora de Educación Global en CMC.  Por si no quieres leer todo el artículo, la respuesta, para los que puedan, es un decisivo ¡SÍ!

En nuestra familia siempre se ha pensado que estudiar en el extranjero y sumergirse en otra cultura es una parte importante de la educación universitaria. Nuestros hijos han estudiado en Dinamarca, Francia, Bolivia, Rusia y China. Así que, cuando mi hijo (CMC '24) anunció recientemente que quería pasar su tercer semestre de otoño en Sevilla, España, debería haber estado emocionada. En cambio, me sentí aprensiva y, si he de ser sincera, triste. La inesperada inquietud fue otro recordatorio de lo que esta pandemia ha causado a nuestros hijos; en lugar de celebrarlo, me encontré haciéndome preguntas como: ¿Por qué dejar CMC si ha perdido un año entero de experiencia en el campus? ¿Merece la pena estudiar en el extranjero con las posibles limitaciones de COVID? ¿Podrán sus nuevas amistades del campus soportar una ausencia de un semestre?

¿Vale la pena?
Compartí todas mis preocupaciones con Kristen Mallory, Directora de Educación Global en CMC. Kristen validó cada una de las preocupaciones, añadiendo que el personal de la universidad y los profesores comparten sentimientos similares de ambivalencia, ya que también han experimentado una pérdida de tiempo en sus relaciones con los estudiantes. Sin embargo, no tardó en añadir que quizás no hay mejor momento que ahora para aceptar el reto de un semestre de estudios en el extranjero.

"Estudiar en el extranjero es un curso intensivo de madurez", dijo Mallory. "Cuando viven en el extranjero, los estudiantes pueden acelerar el proceso de autoautoría que el CMC pretende promover en ellos. Cuando regresan al campus, descubren que están por delante de sus compañeros en algunas habilidades y perspectivas vitales".  En realidad, les permite ganar lo que podrían haber perdido. 

Es parte de la misión del CMC.
Mallory añadió que la Educación Global es una opción muy importante en CMC. El presidente Hiram Chodosh insistió en mantener los programas en el extranjero durante la pandemia. Los estudiantes que viajaron al extranjero durante el punto crítico de la pandemia encontraron regalos sorprendentes. Por ejemplo, en lugar de viajar por toda una región coleccionando postales de las principales capitales, los estudiantes aprovecharon la oportunidad de sumergirse profundamente en un país, desarrollando una comprensión más sofisticada de otra cultura. Los beneficios de la inmersión lingüística también fueron evidentes.

¿Encontrará mi estudiante un programa que se ajuste a su especialidad académica? 
Algunos estudiantes del CMC estudian en el extranjero por inmersión lingüística, pero la mayoría no lo hace. Con más de 120 programas aprobados, los estudiantes pueden encontrar un área de estudio de interés. Si tienen dificultades para encontrar un programa que se ajuste a sus necesidades, el personal del Centro de Educación Global trabajará con ellos. Mi hijo ha encontrado un programa que se ajusta a sus intereses en Negocios y Economía.

Todos los estudiantes del CMC tienen la misma oportunidad de estudiar en el extranjero.
CMC valora esta experiencia y apoya a los estudiantes que toman este valiente desafío. Los estudiantes con ayuda financiera seguirán recibiendo ayuda mientras estén en el extranjero, así como becas privadas y de mérito. En cada caso, CMC también puede proporcionar un subsidio pagadero al estudiante para el pasaje aéreo, las comidas, el transporte público y el alojamiento. Para más información, visite la página web del Centro de Finanzas y Becas para Estudios en el Extranjero. Si su estudiante está interesado en esta ayuda, remítalo a Mallory y a su equipo.

Actualmente hay 34 estudiantes en el extranjero, aproximadamente un 50% menos que antes de la pandemia. Mallory está emocionada porque en otoño habrá unos 60 estudiantes que viajarán para representar a CMC en todo el mundo. ¿Será tu estudiante el siguiente? Ella espera que sí.

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To Go or Not to Go: CMCers and a Semester Abroad
By Marisol Rivera Thurman P'24

Parent Newsletter  

Should my son study abroad? That is the question I recently posed to Kristen Mallory, Director of Global Education at CMC. In case you don’t want to read the entire article, the answer, for those who are able, is a decisive YES!

In our family, it has always been understood that studying abroad and immersing oneself in understanding another culture is an important part of a college education. Our children have studied in Denmark, France, Bolivia, Russia and China. So, when my son (CMC ’24) recently announced that he wanted to spend his junior fall semester in Seville, Spain, I should have been ecstatic. Instead, I felt apprehensive, and if I am going to be truly honest, sad. The unexpected hesitation was yet another reminder of what this pandemic has cost our children; instead of celebrating, I found myself asking questions like: Why leave CMC when he has lost an entire year of campus experience? Is studying abroad worth it with possible COVID limitations? Can his newly formed campus relationships withstand a semester-long absence?

Is it worth it?
I shared all my concerns with Kristen Mallory, Director of Off Campus Study at CMC. Kristen validated each concern, adding that College staff and faculty share similar feelings of ambivalence, as they have also experienced a loss of time in their relationships with students. However, she quickly added that there is perhaps no better time than now to take the challenge of a study abroad semester.

Study abroad is a crash course in maturity” said Mallory. “When living abroad, students can speed up the process of self-authorship that CMC seeks to promote in them. When they come back to campus, they find that they are ahead of their peers in some life skills and perspectives.” In reality, it allows them to gain what they might have lost.

It's Part of the CMC Mission.
Mallory added that Global Education is a very important choice at CMC. President Hiram Chodosh was insistent on keeping abroad programs running throughout the pandemic. Students who went abroad during the height of the pandemic found surprising gifts. For example, instead of traveling an entire region collecting postcards from the main capitals, students took the opportunity to dive deeply into one country, developing a more sophisticated understanding of another culture. The benefits to language immersion were also apparent.

Will My Student Find a Program That Fits Their Academic Discipline?
Some CMC students study abroad for language immersion, but most do not. With over 120 approved programs, students can find a study area of interest. If they are having a hard time finding a program that fits their needs, staff at the Global Education Center will work with them. My son has found a program that caters to his interests in Business and Economics.

Every CMCer Has Equal Opportunity to Study Abroad.
CMC values this experience and supports students who take this brave challenge. Students on financial aid will continue to receive aid while abroad, as well as private and merit scholarships. In a case-by-case basis, CMC may also provide an allowance payable to the student for airfare, meals, public transportation, and housing. For more information, visit the Center’s Study Abroad Finance and Scholarships website here.

If your student is interested in this help, direct them to Mallory and her team. Currently there are 34 students abroad, about 50% less that pre-pandemic. Mallory is excited that in the fall there will be about 60 students launching to represent CMC around the globe. Will your student be next? She sure hopes so!

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Your Student is Ready!
By Steve Kapner P'22

Is your student looking for a summer internship or a job after graduation? Here is one way the Parent Network is helping.

Parent Newsletter  

At Family Weekend, the Parent Network Board Careers Committee hosted a networking and interviewing workshop. Led by Kristin Mannion, P'22 and Kristi Mitchell P'23, this interactive session ran students through a series of exercises to help them craft their own personal narratives and to express why they are ready for that internship or job. 

But this wasn’t just for students. Graduates—and even parents!—need to learn our best narrative as we navigate opportunities to win the professional roles we seek. This is a lifelong learning exercise as questions remain similar but experiences and answers become more robust. 

Some examples of how the workshop helped with crafting narratives:

Question: How can students answer “Tell me about yourself” while being both comprehensive and not rambling?
Answer: Use the “Present/past/future structure” — Who am I today; what experience and skills have I gained; and what is my current goal.

Question: How can students talk about their strengths and why they are right for the opportunity in a way that helps them stand out?
Answer: Research and recognize the characteristics most important for that particular employer, e.g., courage, curiosity, teamwork, etc. Use the worksheet to match your experiences to those characteristics, and when you answer interview questions, make sure your answer has an implicit “...and that’s proof that I am [that characteristic].”

Question: How can students be prepared for oddball questions?
Answer: Redirect the question back to an area you feel confident discussing. (The students practiced answering these questions in breakout sessions with parents who were in attendance!)

The workshop was part of the committee’s broader “I’m Ready” program, designed encourage our parent community to offer jobs and internship opportunities for our CMCers. The committee also has organized phone calling sessions where students have reached out to parents to network, learn about different industries, and potentially uncover work opportunities.

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

Important deadline for your student: May 20th!
The CMC Sponsored Internships & Experiences (SIE) program is accepting summer funding applications from students right now. The deadline for submitting applications is May 20. CMC gives funding preference to first-years and sophomores to help them pursue unpaid or low paid internships or experiences.

If your student is still trying to figure out their summer plans, please encourage them to reach out to someone at Career Services. They might be eligible for funding for this summer!

Post an internship!
Do you know of an internship or job opportunity? Share these with Career Services by posting an internship or job here or emailing Charlene Kile at ckile@cmc.edu. No formal internship program is required!

Learn more
•    Check out CMC’s Career Services for Families site
•    Read “Demystifying Recruitment at CMC” for how to answer your student’s questions like:

“What should I do after freshman year?”
“How can I network?”
“How come I’m the only one of my friends without a job yet?”

SEE PAST CAREER SERVICES ARTICLES
•    “Supporting Students for Summer Internships” Winter 2022
•    “Supporting Your Student in Their Job Search” Fall 2021 — Focused on seniors
•    “Life Hacks: Helping your Student Find Their Way to the Soll Center for Student Opportunity” Winter 2021 — Advice for families by school year: freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior

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Seriously. Why Hang Out at a Local Parent and Alumni Event? Celebrating CMC’s 75th Anniversary in Austin
By Pat Wilson P'24

Parent Newsletter  

Parents are a vital part of our tight-knit CMC communiy, and are welcome and encouraged to attend CMC Chapter events around the globe! For those parents seeking clarity, here’s what I can say for sure - our event was packed with great hospitality, interesting conversations, and inspiring news showcased by a fascinating interactive demo. Curious parents were surrounded by recent CMC grads, long-time local alums, and CMC staff and student leaders for the CMC 75th Anniversary Celebration roadshow in Austin, Texas sponsored by the Office of Alumni & Parent Engagement. 

President Hiram Chodosh and Vice President for Advancement & Student Opportunity, Michelle Chamberlain, among others, joined our vibrant group in Silicon Hills (the moniker for Austin) for a few hours filled with appetizers, drinks, announcements, and, of course, a lively Q&A session. A couple of things about this event that can be ruled out right away - it was not boring and it was not all about fundraising.

The teaser for the night was the display of an interactive map displaying the coming changes to the CMC campus, anchored by the addition of the Integrated Sciences and Computation Center which is at the heart of those changes. The Center will be constructed at the eastern frontier of the campus footprint. Aesthetically, the ambitious plans call for the Center to be a gateway to the transformation of the campus while allowing for a series of other developments and improvements. 

The event’s highlight was the introduction to the innovative academic design, goals, and plans for the new Sciences Center which, we were told, will help to solve a host of challenges that didn't exist a few generations ago. It will be designed to prepare CMC students to be leaders in solving the broad global challenges of society around interdisciplinary themes like Genomics, Decision Sciences, and Climate, Energy and the Environment, to name a few. We also learned that there are some seriously exciting things planned for students academically around CMC’s integration of the sciences, computation, the humanities and social sciences, with plans for tackling the problems of tomorrow’s future. 

Seeing the remarkable architecture of the new Center captured in 3D was very impressive, and the illustrations showcased something vital about the immersive structure and the mission of the new integrated program. We were excited to learn about the plans to revolutionize CMC’s approach to the Sciences at a Liberal Arts College - maybe just as Netflix did in revolutionizing the playbook for the entertainment business.

Given the nature of the backyard setting (with views of downtown Austin in the background), the casual conversations, and a dramatic interactive presentation, it would have been almost impossible for parents and alumni to not want to hang out to enjoy the interesting news, the drinks and hors d'oeuvres, the company, and the springtime weather. It was an enjoyable evening!

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Congratulations to the Class of 2022
By Jay Cohen P'23

Are you parents of a graduating senior?

Parent Newsletter  

I'm sure you'll agree that four years goes by incredibly fast, especially from a parent’s perspective! As we look to celebrate the Class of '22 in just one week, below is some helpful information on this important event.

Date of Commencement
The Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2022 will take place on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

Some Key Events Surrounding Graduation Weekend

  • Friday, May 13, 9:00 a.m. - Commencement Rehearsal and Cap and Gown Distribution for Students.
  • Friday, May 13, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.  - Reception for Graduates, Families, and Friends at Gann Quadrangle, Kravis Center – a time to meet College administrators and faculty. Don’t miss this lovely evening!
  • Satuday, May 14, 9:00 a.m. - ROTC Commissioning Ceremony - McKenna Auditorium
  • Saturday, May 14, 12:00 p.m. - Commencement Tent Opens for Ceremony Seating – seats may only be saved starting at 12:00 p.m. and if someone from your party is in attendance.
  • Saturday, May 14, 2:00 p.m. – Commencement Ceremony – Parents Field
  • Saturday, May 14, 4:00 p.m. – Reception for Graduates, Family, and Friends – a time to celebrate together, held on Pritzlaff Field (soccer field), ending at 5:30.

Important Reminders for Students
Complete all checklist items noted in the graduation portal. 
 
Location for Commencement
Parents Field – CMC Campus
 
Possible COVID Impact
As CMC proceeds with preparations, the College will continue to monitor the public health conditions in Claremont and around the globe. The planning for Commencement events will continue to align with College policy, as outlined on CMC Returns, and county and state health and safety guidelines in order to provide our graduates, family members, and friends with a healthy and enjoyable celebration. Hand sanitizing stations will be available, and we request that anyone not feeling well please stay home. While not required, masking is strongly recommended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

What to Expect for the Ceremony
All family and friends are welcome to attend. There are no tickets issued. The commencement ceremony is normally two hours and will include a presentation by the commencement speaker (to be announced soon), President Hiram E. Chodosh, student speakers, and the awarding of degrees.

Make Hotel/Restaurant Reservations
Make plans ASAP if you have not already. Information regarding local accommodations can be found on the Commencement website.  You are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and make reservations at local restaurants for individual graduation celebrations and meals during the commencement weekend.
 
Live-stream Will be Available 
The Commencement Ceremony will be live-streamed on the CMC website.
 
Photos Will Be Taken
CMC has contracted for individual photos of each graduate receiving a diploma during the ceremony. A link containing these images will be sent to you and your student via email one week following the ceremony.

Parking for Commencement Events
Due to other commencement activities occurring at neighboring colleges, please plan to need extra time for parking. Please visit the Commencement website for information on suggested areas for parking.
 
Where Can you Find Information?
Visit the Commencement 2022 website.
 
Expect More Details
Please continue to visit the Commencement website for more details at we get closer to the big day.
 
Congratulations to the Class of 2022!

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Parent Network Board Meetings

The Parent Network Board meets quarterly to discuss ways to enhance the College experience and to hear from College leadership. Read the February Board meeting minutes here

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Past Parent Newsletters:

Fall 2023
Summer 2023

Spring 2023

Winter 2023