Dear Rice Families,

As a parent, you have done a wonderful job, and you have raised a remarkable child. Your teenager is now ready to leave home - ready to make new friends, new discoveries, and new mistakes. During this first year at Rice, your child must learn to succeed in a highly demanding academic program, and to strike a healthy balance between the demands of the academics and the many other activities that will piece together to form a full, rewarding life.

We recognize that your child's matriculation at Rice represents a significant transition for you as well. You must learn to love, trust, and support your child from a distance. We have provided some information about what is available at Rice for your student at http://students.rice.edu/students/Parents.asp. If you find yourself asking, "How can I help my child?" consult this site. And don't forget that students always enjoy receiving mail, surprise gifts, food, and money!

With your child's matriculation at Rice, you, too, become valued members of the Rice community. I hope that you will take advantage of the opportunities throughout the year to attend events on the Rice campus, and learn more about the university and your child's experiences.

We are all devoted to making the next few years some of the most exciting, fun, challenging and rewarding of your child's life. I do not know what path your child will choose, but I can assure you that over the next four years, your child will grow and develop in ways that surprise both you and them, and that they will reach for and achieve goals that you never thought possible.

Sincerely,

Robin Forman, Dean of Undergraduates