Parents

Welcome to the FIDM Community!

If your student has already been accepted to attend FIDM, congratulations! We know you've probably got a lot of questions about the exciting journey ahead. We are here to help students make a smooth transition to FIDM even before their first day of class. This section will direct you to up-to-the-minute information about housing, campus life, school safety, signing up for classes, financial aid, and practically anything else parents (and students) need to know. Keep checking in once your student transitions to college, to get updates on the FIDM Community. If you have further questions, we always want to hear from you.

If your student is considering applying to attend college at FIDM, we are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Your FIDM Advisor is available to help you and your student by offering personalized advice and providing information about FIDM to help you in your college search. If you have not already spoken with an Advisor at FIDM, we invite you to call the campus of your choice and an Advisor will assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What resources are available for parents?

FIDM provides a Parent Orientation Guide to the parents of all incoming FIDM Students upon their start. Designed to coincide with the on-campus Parent Orientation sessions, the Parent Orientation Guide covers the topics that we have found are of special interest to parents. For your convenience, the Parent Orientation Guide is also available at the menu to the left as a pdf.

What is Parent Orientation? When does it take place?

Parent Orientation is a program designed to welcome parents to the FIDM community. Orientation takes place on-campus prior to the start of the quarter and offers information as well as a brief introduction to FIDM, accreditation, academic expectations and rigor, college policies, and campus safety. Contact your Admissions Advisor for specific dates and details.

What is New Student Orientation?

All new students are strongly encouraged to attend on-campus orientation, during which they will be informed about college facilities and general policies, including scheduling of classes, attendance, grading, transfer in of coursework, finances, and job placement.

What is the Success Seminar program? Who is required to attend? When does it take place?

Success Seminar is a program that provides information and activities that will help students be successful during their first quarter. First-time college students and conditionally admitted students are required to participate (ICC, ATB, and FTB students). Students with college experience are also invited but are not required to attend. Contact your Admissions Advisor for specific dates and details.

Does FIDM have any recommendations for what computer a student should purchase?

Parents can find the recommended computer specifications at the menu at the left side of this page. In addition, students may visit the FIDM Portal at http://myfidm.fidm.edu where up-to-date recommended computer specifications by department can be found under the FIDM Resources tab.

What is the FIDM Portal? What resources are available to FIDM Students?

The FIDM Portal (https://myfidm.fidm.edu) is for new students, current students, and alumni. The FIDM Portal is a place for students to easily and securely access information regarding their FIDM college experience. Students register, check grades, conduct research for a project, search for a job, review upcoming events, and obtain financial information through the FIDM Portal.

When is FIDM's Graduation?

Graduation dates are listed in Academic Calendar (see the Spring quarter sections). In addition, general graduation information is available to all FIDM Students year-round on the FIDM Portal, under the link titled "Graduation Ceremony" and the heading "Academics." Specific information such as dates, times, and contact information is available in the campus newsletters and the graduation handbooks listed below.

• Los Angeles Graduation Handbook 2013
• San Francisco Graduation Handbook 2013

We've got a family vacation planned which overlaps with the first day of class. What is FIDM's attendance policy?

Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Instructors are required to take attendance and follow department policies concerning absences. Any student absent from the FIRST meeting of a class, once roll is taken, will have forfeited his/her space if adding other students closes the class.

My student is having trouble reaching his/her instructor. What should he/she do?

If the student is having a problem contacting the instructor by FIDM e-mail he/she can include their Department Advisor or the Education Department on messages to the instructor to help track the communication cycle and have a record of attempts. The Department Advisor/Education Department can also forward the correspondence to the personal faculty email address to expedite the process. Please note that the instructor may not respond over break times when school is not in session.

My student is concerned about their grade in a course. What can he/she do?

The first step is for the student to schedule a meeting with the instructor during their scheduled office hours to discuss their progress and grade, and receive assistance. Studios, workshops, and tutoring sessions are offered to assist students with their assignments and projects. The IDEA Center provides students with additional educational assistance to supplement classroom instruction in the areas of writing, mathematics, computer competency, study skills, time management, research skills, and reading comprehension. For specific days, times, and topics, students may see the campus newsletter, FIDM Portal, or the Education Department.

How can my student find out about the student activities available on campus?

The campus newsletter, published weekly, is available on the FIDM Portal and on campus. It provides information not only about activities, but also important information regarding registration, graduation, guest speakers, service opportunities, tutoring assistance, and more. Please click on the campus of your choice to read the most recent campus newsletter.

My student has received a grade that he/she feels is incorrect. Where can I direct him/her?

Students may appeal a final grade during the subsequent quarter. The student schedules a meeting with the instructor to discuss the final grade which is determined by the total points earned versus the total points possible. Absences are also taken into consideration. If no resolution is achieved, the student is to go to his/her Department or Academic Advisor in the Education Department to fill out the Grade Appeal Petition form. The student's request will be reviewed and he/she will be notified of the petition results within weeks.