Baker's residential campus is a tight-knit community where most students live in a residence hall, on-campus apartment or a Greek chapter house.

Students participate in Mungano's annual candlelight vigil. With more than 75 student activities and organizations from which to choose, students have no trouble finding their niche.

At Baker, students quickly become part of a community and make friendships that last a lifetime.

Parents have a special opportunity to visit their children on Family Weekend, held in September.

Parents of Baker students can learn about different services available to their students including Career Services and Residence Life.

As the parent of a Wildcat, there will be many opportunities to share in your student's successes.  

At Baker, students learn while surrounded by people of different backgrounds, challenging them to reach beyond the familiar.

Office of Student Affairs

  • Contact or Visit Us
  • Cassy Bailey, Dean of Students
  • 785.594.8431
  • fax: 785.594.4568
  • cassy.bailey@bakerU.edu
  • P.O. Box 65
  • Baldwin City, KS 66006-0065
  • Hours
  • Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Second Floor - Harter Union
Student Life > For Families > Making the Transition >

Supporting Your Student Through Typical Transition Issues

Transitions are not limited to the first few weeks of attending a university. Additional transitions appear throughout the typical academic year for both new freshman and transfer students who may have been living at home while attending their previous institution.

Milestones Throughout the Year

August 

Overall excitement, homesickness, initial roommate worries, abuse of freedom, multiple calls or visits home

September 

First sets of tests, maybe a few roommate challenges

October 

Midterm exams, personal decision making regarding schoolwork, friends and fitting in, consequences of study habits

November

Fall illnesses, tests and papers due, apprehension and excitement about going home for Thanksgiving, enrollment for next semester, economic anxiety as funds begin to dwindle

December

Continued mixed feelings about going home for campus break, final exams and papers due, extracurricular time strain with seasonal parties, concerts, social service projects

January

New semester, decisions regarding fall semester performance and figuring out what adjustments need to be made

February 

Possible distress about Valentine’s Day, possible recurrence of homesickness, relief to be back at school, desire for winter to end, decisions about living situation for next year

March 

Spring break, making choices for next school year, deciding to keep current majors or consider new ones, midterm exams and grades, summer employment or internship stress

April 

Return of spring weather, quickly approaching end of semester, registration for next semester courses, questioning whether they're in the right place or heading in the right direction

May

Final exams, last-minute summer planning, choosing to stay or go home, distress about leaving friends, feeling overwhelmed that the first year at BU is over

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Common Concerns for Freshmen
& Transfer Students

  • Separation issues
  • Handling independence
  • Degree choices
  • Career questions
  • Study skills
  • Time management
  • Being accepted
  • Understanding the BU system

How to Help Your Student 

  • Listen to their fears
  • Help them take initiative
  • Know campus resources
  • Send notes and care packages
  • Avoid "taking care of everything”
  • Stay open and positive
  • Get them to connect with a mentor
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