At Grand Canyon University (GCU), our goal is to form a collaborative partnership with students, families and GCU to ensure that every student has a successful and enjoyable college experience. Throughout your student's time at GCU, our office can offer support and provide you with resources to stay connected. We also encourage you to take part in events tailored just for you!
You are a vital member of our campus community and play a key role in your student's success. We encourage you to sign up for our monthly Parent Connection e-newsletter and join the GCU Parent Association. To be even more involved, apply to be part of our Parent Council.
Contact Us
602-639-8950
ParentConnection@gcu.edu
First Year Experience
The First Year Experience helps students who are new to GCU transition to university life. We have created a Road Map to help your student on their GCU journey, with everything they need to be successful, from helpful links to departments across the university to tips for getting the most out of their GCU experience.
Parent Council
Parent Council is comprised of parent volunteers who serve as ambassadors for GCU. Council members also serve as liaisons to GCU by representing and expressing views of parents to the administration, while also communicating university goals and plans to parents. The Parent Council meets twice per year with the goal of serving Parent Association members and their students, participating as volunteers during university events or programs and helping to generate ideas for parent and family programming.
Parent Connection
The Parent Connection e-newsletter delivers campus news, resources and important reminders right to your inbox. The e-newsletter shares stories and updates to engage and inform parents about campus life. Sign up today to receive the monthly Parent Connection e-newsletter.
The Office of Residence Life is proud to partner with you in supporting your student's success. We welcome you to the campus community and encourage you to engage with the various staff members who will be present throughout your student's on-campus living experience:
Services Offered
- Emergency referral assistance
- Conflict resolution for roommate issues
- Facilities follow-up
- Prayer support
- Residential activities
- Referral for Life Groups
- Referrals for counseling assistance
- Proactive alcohol and drug awareness programs
Residence Hall Staff
- Resident Assistant (RA): Student leaders selected to provide guidance, lead hall meetings and assist residents after business hours.
- Resident Director (RD): Full-time staff who supervise RAs and residents. Each living area is assigned at least one RD. Contact your RD during business hours to set up an appointment.
The Student Conduct Process
The Student Conduct Office is an office within Residence Life that supports the educational mission of the university by upholding the Community Standards. The GCU Student Conduct Process is a fair and informal educational process designed to promote an educational environment and develop students to be a part of the global community. If your student is about to go through the Student Conduct Process, then you may be able to do the following to help:
Before your student arrives on campus:
- Have an open discussion with them about making good decisions, taking responsibility for their actions and responding to peer pressure.
- Make sure your student knows clearly what you expect and what you value.
- Remember that your student will look to you as a role model for dealing with and responding to conflict.
- Be open to discussing difficult topics such as substance abuse, intimate relationships and other risky behavior.
When your student has received a notice alleging that they have violated the GCU Community Standards:
- Speak with your student regarding the situation. Make sure that you listen carefully and critically.
- Make sure your student knows the Student Conduct Process. Your student should review the Community Standards section of the University Policy Handbook.
- Discuss with your student your expectations for their behavior at GCU.
- Brainstorm with your student appropriate resources for help and support (alcohol education, personal counseling, etc.).
Helping Your Student with Roommate Conflict
Open and ongoing communication is the key to your student establishing and maintaining a positive and successful roommate relationship. Dialoguing with your student ahead of time regarding roommate expectations, flexibility and approaching conflict proactively will help your student be prepared to navigate their roommate relationships. For most students, this is their first time sharing a room and learning to live with someone who is not a member of their family. When a roommate conflict arises, the conflict will be resolved through the structure of GCU's Roommate Conflict Resolution Approach.
What Can I do to Help?
Roommate conflicts are normal and healthy for students and are a very common part of your student learning to live autonomously. As their parent/family member, you will often be their first call when faced with the challenges of roommate conflict.
- Remain calm.
- Listen and ask questions to understand what they are experiencing.
- Filter out your own emotions about the situation.
- Encourage your student to talk it out with their roommate.
Most conflicts result from a lack of communication between roommates. Remind your student that as a member of the residential community, they are guaranteed a safe but not always comfortable living environment. Encourage them to talk with their RA for more assistance. Lastly, remind your student that conflict resolution does not happen overnight!