Flock Talk

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Parent and Family Programs is pleased to present Flock Talk, a podcast for parents and families of new Ducks. A partnership with Student Orientation Programs, Flock Talk shares practical information about your student's transition to college. From housing and roommates, to financial aid and scholars…

University of Oregon


    • May 27, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 41m AVG DURATION
    • 132 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Flock Talk podcast is a must-listen for anyone who wants to stay informed and knowledgeable about college life and the various aspects that come with it. As a parent attending the introduction session with my student, I initially thought I wouldn't learn anything new from this podcast. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it provided me with invaluable information and answers to questions that I hadn't even thought to ask.

    One of the best aspects of The Flock Talk podcast is its comprehensive coverage of topics related to college life. It delves into important subjects such as health care coverage, student health centers, and even conversations parents should have with their students before they start college. This breadth of information ensures that listeners are well-equipped with knowledge that can help them navigate their student's college experience more effectively.

    Another highlight of this podcast is its focus on practical advice and tips for incoming students. From discussing what to bring or not to bring when moving into a dormitory, to emphasizing the importance of attending student programming during Week of Welcome, The Flock Talk provides valuable insights that can make a significant difference in a student's overall experience. It not only helps parents like myself understand what our students need to do but also empowers us to guide them in making informed decisions.

    Despite its many positives, there are a few areas where The Flock Talk could be improved. Firstly, the frequency of episodes could be increased. While each episode covers multiple topics in depth, having more frequent releases would allow for an even greater range of discussions and ensure that listeners have access to up-to-date information throughout the year. Additionally, incorporating interviews or guest speakers from different universities or colleges could provide diverse perspectives on certain subjects.

    In conclusion, The Flock Talk podcast offers a wealth of comprehensive information about college life that is indispensable for both parents and students. It tackles numerous crucial topics and provides practical advice that can greatly enhance an individual's understanding and preparedness for the college experience. While there may be room for improvement in terms of episode frequency and guest speakers, the overall value provided by this podcast cannot be overstated. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking guidance and insights into the intricacies of college life.



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    Latest episodes from Flock Talk

    Care and Advocacy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 43:49


    Today we welcome Drew Terhune Sirman, Assistant Dean of Students here at the University of Oregon. We have a conversation about how the Care and Advocacy Program provides students with resources and support if they face challenges during college.

    Student Success

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 42:34


    Grant Schonover, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Success discusses how he and his staff help students to be successful outside of the classroom.

    Alumni Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 48:01


    Recent UO alumna Jackson Elliot, now a year into the "real world" after graduating in 2024, discusses his journey as a Duck — from choosing the University of Oregon, IntroDUCKtion, and the transition from high school, to navigating Covid and making connections during that challenging time, to utilizing resources and programs on campus and starting his career in higher education.

    All About FERPA

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 42:16


    Today we're joined by Julia Pomerenk, Associate Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management and University Registrar as she provides helpful information about FERPA.

    University Housing: Where Ducks Live

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 45:38


    https://housing.uoregon.edu Bryson Beck, Director of Promotions and Student Recruitment for University Housing, discusses UO campus housing basics as well as tips and tricks. Topics include specifics around registration, timelines and deadlines, the data behind UO's live-on requirement for first-year students, housing community options, the ins and outs of roommate selection, care and conflict coordinator resources, and so much more. A must-listen for students and parents!

    Could an ARC or a FIG be a good fit?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 53:54


    fyp.uoregon.eduhousing.uoregon.edu/communities On today's episode, we hear about First-Year Interest Groups, or as we call them, FIGs. Amy Hughes Giard, from the First-Year Programs Office, joins the pod to share the benefits and logistics of FIGs, as well as when the 2023 FIGs will be available to read about, and how students can register in June. We also talk with Jessica Winders about Academic Residential Communities (ARCs), and all the benefits for first-year students. You'll hear about registration for ARCs and the timeline for selection.

    Becoming a Duck

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 38:58


    Today we welcome Erin Hays, an Associate Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management and our Director of Admissions here at the UO. Erin offers parents and families some valuable tips on how to support your high school senior in the final stages of their college search.

    Holding On and Letting Go

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 47:42


    On the podcast today, Mariko Lin, Assistant Director for Education and Prevention Outreach Director joins us. We discuss common transitional issues for UO students and the ways families can help from afar.

    Parent and Family Programs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 36:43


    On today's episode we'll introduce you to Dee Kanikkeberg, Director of Parent and Family Programs here at the UO. We'll discuss our efforts to maintain a great partnership with those supporting their Ducks from afar.

    Student Life and Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 60:09


    https://studentlife.uoregon.edu Today we sit down with Kris Winter, Associate Vice President for Student Life. We discuss the university's approach to student development, the role of higher education in career readiness, and the ways we support parents and families through their students' journey at the UO.

    Week of Welcome

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 40:17


    This week we talk with Michael Luna, Assistant Director of Welcome and Transition, and Zac Collins, Coordinator of Transition Programs, to discuss all things Week of Welcome (WOW) — including events for students, events for families, and tips for all on how to get the most out of the weekend. https://wow.uoregon.edu

    More About University Housing

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 48:28


    https://housing.uoregon.edu/movein https://housing.uoregon.edu/blog More on move-in times, Unpack the Quack (spoiler: leave the trailer at home!), and residential hall housing here at the University of Oregon with Bryson Beck, Director of Promotions and Recruitment for University Housing.

    Living and Learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 49:28


    https://housing.uoregon.edu/communities Kevin Hatfield, Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships, discusses one of the two living-learning programs offered in the residential halls at the UO—Academic Residential Communities (ARCs). Dive into the many opportunities for community building this program offers!

    Basic Needs Program

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 46:08


    We revisit our conversation with Jimmy Howard, Interim Dean of Students, and Julia Morrill, Director of Basic Needs and Off-Campus Community Support, about our Basic Needs Program. The Basic Needs team connects students with campus and community resources to support their well-being, so that they can meet their academic goals.

    About FERPA: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 42:25


    We revisit our conversation with Julia Pomerenk, Associate Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management and University Registrar, to discuss FERPA—the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act—and navigating the "night and day" shift in records ownership for parents and students in higher education. Join us!

    AI and Higher Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 55:19


    Academic Integrity in the age of Generative AI. Dr. Ramón Alvarado, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Data Science Initiative Data Ethics Coordinator, and Dianne Tanjuaquio, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards, join the show to share the fascinating and complex ways UO faculty and administration blend ethics and technology to navigate the powerful tools – and potential pitfalls – of generative artificial intelligence and student learning experiences.

    All Things Health Services

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 50:04


    http://health.uoregon.edu  This week, we revisit our discussion about University Health Services with Deb Beck, Assistant Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management and Executive Director of University Health Services. We'll cover the phenomenal programs and care available for students right on campus through UHS, including primary and specialty care, pharmacy, mental health coordination services, wellness center, insurance coverage options, and immunizations. Join us!

    Alum

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 41:34


    Recent UO alumna Lauren Lilly, now a year into the "real world" after graduating in 2023, discusses her journey as a Duck — from choosing the University of Oregon, IntroDUCKtion, and the transition from high school, to navigating Covid and making connections during that challenging time, to utliizing resources and programs on campus and starting her career in higher education.

    University Housing: Where Ducks Live

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 40:01


    https://housing.uoregon.edu Bryson Beck, Director of Promotions and Student Recruitment for University Housing, discusses UO campus housing basics as well as tips and tricks. Topics include specifics around registration, timelines and deadlines, the data behind UO's live-on requirement for first-year students, housing community options, the ins and outs of roommate selection, care and conflict coordinator resources, and so much more. A must-listen for students and parents!

    Becoming a Duck

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2024 54:38


    Today we're joined by Jesse Nelson, Assistant Vice Provost for Advising and Accessibility. You'll hear about all of the different academic advising opportunities for students.

    Student Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 43:29


    Today we're joined by Kris Winter, Interim Vice President of Student Life as we wrap up this season of Flock Talk.

    student life flock talk
    Holding On and Letting Go

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2023 45:32


    On the podcast today, Mariko Lin, Assistant Director for Education and Prevention Outreach Director joins us. We discuss common transitional issues for UO students and the ways families can help from afar.

    Presidential Perspectives

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2023 33:57


    Today we're joined by University of Oregon President Karl Scholtz. Hear more about UO governance, his vision for the university, and what he's most excited about.

    Dean of Students

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2023 47:55


    Today we have a conversation with Marcus Langford, Dean of Students here at the UO. 

    Accessible Education Center

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2023 43:36


    Today we're joined by Norma Kehdi, Senior Director of our Accessible Education Center here at the UO. aec.uoregon.edu

    Faculty Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2023 47:55


    Today our guest is Steve Beda, Assistant Professor of History here at the UO. Listen to get a taste of the college academic experience.

    What To Do Next For Health Services

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2023 43:12


    On today's episode our guest is Deb Beck, Assistant Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management and Executive Director of University Health Services. We discuss primary and specialty care, pharmacy, mental health coordination services, wellness center, insurance coverage options, and immunizations here at the UO.  http://health.uoregon.edu 

    Fraternity and Sorority Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2023 38:17


    Today we speak to Caitlin Roberts, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Leo Serrato, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

    University Housing Updates

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2023 47:50


    Today we have a conversation about housing here at the University of Oregon with Nedzer Erilus, Director of Housing for Residence Life and Educational Initiatives and Bryson Beck, Director of Promotions and Recruitment for University Housing. https://housing.uoregon.edu/admitted

    Care and Advocacy Program

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2023 45:22


    Today we speak to Drew Terhune, Director of Care and Advocacy Program here at the University of Oregon. We have a conversation about how the program provides students with resources and support if they face challenges during college. safe.uoregon.edu  dos.uoregon.edu/help Flock Talk is taking off a week for the holiday and will be back with our Thursday shows the week after that.

    Basic Needs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2023 43:57


    Today we have a conversation with Marcus Langford, Dean of Students and Julia Morrill, Director of Basic Needs and Off-Campus Community Support about our Basic Needs Program. This program is intended to connect students with campus and community resources intended to support their well-being, so that they can meet your academic goals. basicneeds.uoregon.edu/

    Career Center and Career Advising

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2023 38:42


    Today we welcome Kate Werdebaugh, Senior Associate Director for the University Career Center and Sally Garner, Director of Student Services for the School of Journalism and Communication. The UO is committed to ensuring that all Ducks are career ready when they graduate. We'll go over the things students can do during their first year to help launch a successful career later.

    Financial Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2023 41:16


    Today we have a conversation with Gilbert Rogers, Director of Student Financial Wellness. We discuss the crucial ways family members can support their student's financial literacy, and the programs and resources the UO offers Ducks to better understand and manage their money matters, both while at the UO and for life after college.

    Protecting the Flock

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 59:49


    Today we're joined by Kris Winter, Interim Vice President of Student Life; Jason Wade, Chief of University of Oregon Police Department; and Krista Dillon, Chief of Staff and Senior Director of Operations for Safety and Risk Services to talk about protecting the flock.

    Parents and Family Programs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2023 40:14


    On today's episode we'll introduce you to Dee Kanikkeberg, Director of Parent and Family Programs here at the UO. We'll discuss our efforts to maintain a great partnership with those supporting their Ducks from afar.

    All about FERPA

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2023 40:14


    Today we're joined by Julia Pomerenk, Associate Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management and University Registrar, to discuss FERPA guidelines. 

    All about Advising Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2023 43:09


    Today we're joined by Lori Manson, Director of Academic Advising who shares an overview of the UO degree, first-term advising information, and how students can harness the tools advisors offer to stay on track toward graduation.

    All about IntroDUCKtion

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2023 53:29


    Today we're joined by Jess Tallant, Associate Director of Orientation and Transition programs. You'll learn the ins and outs of what you can expect during IntroDUCKtion, our summer orientation and transition program, and why we hope you'll start to get excited to register if you haven't yet. https://orientation.uoregon.edu/  

    All About Advising

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2023 48:16


    Today we're joined by Jesse Nelson, Assistant Vice Provost for Advising and Accessibility. You'll hear about all of the different academic advising opportunities for students and how to get comfortable with metacognition. https://advising.uoregon.edu/

    All Things University Health Services

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2023 47:55


    On today's episode our guest is Deb Beck, Assistant Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management and Executive Director of University Health Services. We discuss primary and specialty care, pharmacy, mental health coordination services, wellness center, insurance coverage options, and immunizations here at the UO.  http://health.uoregon.edu 

    Pre-Freshman Study Abroad

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2023 32:14


    Today we're joined by Kate Mondloch, Professor of History of Art and Architecture, and Faculty in Residence for the Clark Honors College. Kate helps us get excited for this year's summer pre-freshman programs in Sienna and London. We review the experience for students including what they'll learn, where they'll live, and when they'll travel. geo.uoregon.edu/pre-freshman-siena geo.uoregon.edu/pre-freshman-london

    Could an ARC or a FIG be a good fit?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2023 36:07


    On today's episode, we hear about First-Year Interest Groups, or as we call them, FIGs. Amy Hughes Giard, from the First-Year Programs Office, joins the pod to share the benefits and logistics of FIGs, as well as when the 2023 FIGs will be available to read about, and how students can register in June. We also talk with Jessica Winders about Academic Residential Communities (ARCs), and all the benefits for first-year students. You'll hear about registration for ARCs and the timeline for selection. fyp.uoregon.eduhousing.uoregon.edu/communities

    Financial Aid Award Notifications and Next Steps

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2023 47:37


    Today we welcome Staci Miles, Associate Director of Advising and Michele Holdway, Associate Director for Scholarships. We discuss scholarships and the financial aid award notifications coming to admitted students in March, what all those words mean on the notifications, and critical financial conversations. https://financialaid.uoregon.edu/contact

    What To Do Next For University Housing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2023 54:30


    https://housing.uoregon.edu Today we welcome Bryson Beck, Interim Director of Promotions and Recruitment for University Housing and Jeff Sann, Associate Director of Residence Operations. They talk about _. Housing registration: who can register? When? What does it cost? Why do it now? Other dates, deadlines, and important reminders Community applications and timelines Buildings/room selection Buildings B and C Meal plan selection How/when do you communicate with parents/guardians and other supporter

    Getting to May 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2023 44:07


    Today we welcome Erin Hays, an Associate Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management and our Director of Admissions here at the UO. Erin offers parents and families some valuable tips on how to support your high school senior in the final stages of their college search.

    Season 4 Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2023 2:10


    http://flocktalk.uoregon.edu Hear about upcoming episodes of the podcast.

    COVID Stories: Caring For Students In Isolation And Quarantine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2021 47:30


    https://housing.uoregon.edu Stacie Irvin and Omar Khater, both with University Housing, join us for our final episode of our COVID Stories series to discuss how they helped to design and manage the care of students in isolation and quarantine on campus. Learn about the immense network of UO staff who came together to provide care, food, support, and community to students in Barnhart Hall, our isolation and quarantine hall in 2020-21.

    Class of 2025: Understanding Your Changing Role

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 44:00


    http://introducktion.uoregon.edu http://families.uoregon.edu Tiffany Fritz, Director of Parent and Family Programs, joins us once again to share more about preparing for how life is going to change for you during your student’s transition to the UO. We’ll discuss a few common concerns and issues, conversations to prepare for, and a few ways to ensure you’re thriving during this time as well.

    COVID Stories: The Residential Experience

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2021 51:49


    https://housing.uoregon.edu Anna Schmidt-MacKenzie, Director of Residence Life shares a few of the ups and downs of the residential experience for first-year students living in the halls this year and the staff who managed it all. Hear about the changes to the typical housing experience for students and all that the team in Residence Life learned throughout the year.

    Class of 2025: Checking Off Some Of Those To-Dos

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 24:54


    http://orientation.uoregon.edu Today, Cora shares a short review of some of the next steps and to-do items for students as we prepare for IntroDUCKtion and matriculation.

    COVID Stories: The Story Of Corona Corps

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2021 48:42


    https://coronavirus.uoregon.edu/corona-corps UO Professor of Psychology Jeff Measelle, and University Health Services Director of Public Health Practices and Health Outcomes Improvement Angela Long share the story of the creation, evolution, and the future of Corona Corps. The Corona Corps are a group of students who work on monitoring in Lane County, contact tracing, student case management and care, and case investigation in Lane County. Hear about the collaboration and the exciting work on the horizon for Corona Corps!

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