Division of Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement • APRIL 2026
FAMILY ADVICE
Housing & Residential Life
Preparing for Moving Out of On-Campus Housing
Housing for the Spring 2026 semester closes at noon on Saturday, May 9. Housing and Residential Life has compiled some tips to help your student have a successful move-out experience.
Be sure to review the Spring 2026 Move-Out Information for important details on move-out dates, guidelines/procedures on how your student can properly move out to avoid charges, information on how they can donate unwanted items, etc.
Have conversations with your student now about how to prepare in advance of closing so that their stress will be minimized, and they can focus on their academic needs as it pertains to their final exams or projects. Students will receive email notices in addition to information from the student leaders in their Residential College/Community.
Looking for summer storage options? Contact The UPS Store located in Lakeside Village today!
Summer housing during summer session C will be offered. More details on how a student can sign up can also be found on Housing and Residential Life’s website, as well as rate information. Students must apply by May 1 to avoid being assessed a $100 late fee.
For the latest updates, encourage your student to monitor their University email address or to visit miami.edu/housing. If there are any questions or concerns, for the best ways to reach out, please visit the Contact Us page.
Finals Week can be a frightening time for our students. Finals are the last hurdle before completing the semester, and students usually have cumulative exams or projects due in most of their classes. But never fear! At the University of Miami, we ensure they have all the resources to ace their finals.
One of our biggest and most successful programs is Finish Strong.Hosted by the Residential Faculty and Housing and Residential Life, this program is a multi-subject review session led by more than 25 faculty members and attended by more than 1,000 students each semester. Beyond review sessions, we provide a space for group study with tutors and faculty from students’ classes, available on-site during our late-night study tables (with snacks!). Students say these sessions help them by making finals less overwhelming and providing more access to their professor to ask questions.
Students are not facing these exams alone. Tell them to join us for Finish Strong this semester! Marketing will be posted throughout the residential areas in the coming weeks, distributed via @canesliveon Instagram, and shared in the weekly housing newsletter.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Department of Wellness and Recreation
Outdoor Wellness Activities
As the semester begins to wind down, stress levels tend to rise, but one of the most effective ways to reset is also one of the simplest: Step outside. Research in Attention Restoration Theory shows that time in nature can significantly improve focus, reduce mental fatigue, and support overall well-being. Pair that with movement, and you’re not just managing stress. You are building habits that support long-term health.
In my work with Outdoor Adventures, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful these experiences can be. Beyond the physical and mental benefits, students are forming real connections. Just recently, one of our senior staff members shared that he wished he weren’t graduating because he had discovered a new community through our programs.
If you’re looking for a way to recharge, consider joining an Outdoor Adventures trip, attending an “Outdoors for Everyone” workshop, or spending time at our bouldering wall. You can also take advantage of our rental center to explore on your own. Sometimes, all it takes is one step outside to feel more grounded, energized, and connected.
Matt Pestle
Assistant Director, Outdoor Adventures
FROM DR. WHITELY’S DESK
Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement
A Note from Dr. Whitely
With the start of April, many students begin to feel the pressure that comes with the final stretch of the academic year. Papers, projects, and final exams often converge at once, creating a period that can feel both demanding and overwhelming. While this time is academically important, it is also a moment when students must actively care for their well-being.
Students who tend to perform best are often those who approach studying with structure and balance. Encourage your student to use campus resources like the Learning Commons at the Library, the Writing Center, the Camner Center, and the Math Lab. Breaking large assignments into manageable pieces and establishing consistent study routines can reduce last-minute stress and improve focus.
Maintaining healthy habits is equally important during this busy season. Adequate sleep, regular meals, and brief breaks can significantly improve concentration and retention. A short message of encouragement or a reminder that effort matters more than perfection can also help relieve some of the pressure students place on themselves.
As commencement approaches, I want to congratulate the families of our graduating students. Your support and encouragement have helped make this milestone possible, and I look forward to celebrating together. If you or your student needs anything, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Dr. Patricia A. Whitely began her service as Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement in 1997. She is an adjunct faculty member in the School of Education and Human Development. Dr. Whitely oversees facilities, services, and programs that support students, families, and alumni, including residential life, leadership development, service learning, orientation, student organizations, student activities, student facilities, student counseling, Greek life, the Dean of Students Office, the Camner Center for Academic Resources, Canes Central, and Alumni Engagement.
STUDENT VOICE
Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement
Student Note
Dear Cane Families,
As the spring semester keeps going, this is the time when everything starts to feel busier. Classes pick up, and deadlines come quicker. It can be a lot to balance.
For me, what has helped the most is staying connected. I spend more time on campus and surround myself with people who support me. I also make sure to take a moment to reset when I need it. Those small choices go a long way.
I have learned that a quick check-in or a few words of encouragement can mean more than you think during this part of the semester. As I prepare for senior year enrollment, I am trying to stay grounded and take things one step at a time. It has reminded me how much support matters when students are managing so much at once.
Go Canes, Adrianna Zambrano
Adrianna Zambrano is a junior pursuing a triple major in Political Science, Criminology, and Sociology with a minor in History. She is a commuter student from Miami, FL. On campus, she serves as a Transfer Assistant in the Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement, as the Great Start Recreation Chair, and as the Vice President 1 of the Association of Commuter Students. She also works as a Student Assistant for Law Alumni & Community Relations.
RESOURCE GUIDE FOR FAMILIES
Produced by Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement, the Family Resource Guide is designed specifically for families of current undergraduate students and includes a variety of resources for academics, student life, campus safety, and other critical resources.
FAMILY COMMUNICATIONS
Spring 2026 Commencement: If your student graduates in May 2026, you are encouraged to join the Commencement listserv. This will allow you to receive information sent to graduates, including deadlines and the most up-to-date information for Commencement.
A new program called Cane Commitment helps undergraduate students highlight the various professional skills they gained during their time at the University, using LinkedIn digital badges.
Wanli Xang, a learning scientist at the University of Miami, explores the symbiotic nature of artificial intelligence in education—how AI helps students and how students help AI—in his quest to improve educational outcomes.
Scholarship donors and recipients gathered at the 2026 Scholarship Donor Celebration to share stories that celebrate the powerful connection between donor generosity and student opportunity.
During a conference focused on humanizing artificial intelligence, six student teams from the School of Education and Human Development pitched business ideas aimed at helping pave a better future for today’s youth.
