Blugold Nuggets - August 2008 - Special Edition
This special bonus issue is geared toward families of our new freshmen, your move in experience, and those first couple of days. We ask for your patience as road construction will be a factor in your move-in experience.
Blugold Family Connection Welcome Tent
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Parents and families of new students - please stop by the Blugold Family Connection Welcome Tent during Freshmen Move In Day, August 28th from 9am - 4pm. The tent will be staffed by UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff volunteers who have made themselves available to answer questions. Pick up your welcome packet, coupons to local business, sign up for prizes, and enjoy free refreshments! Refreshments sponsored by US Bank.
Residence Hall Move In
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All new (first year and transfer) students may move in Thursday, Aug. 28, during their assigned times. All other residents may move in beginning Saturday, August 30. Move-in day is an exciting, yet stressful time. Returning students called Hall Raisers are available to help our new students move in.
Clairemont Avenue will be under heavy construction, and is still operating with reduced lanes. The city and the University are doing everything within their control to help, but expect delays. We are asking for your cooperation and patience when moving on campus this fall. What you can do to help:
Arrive during your assigned time: This schedule spaces out arrivals to avoid delays and improve customer service. It is particularly critical this year.
Bring only the vehicles you need: If you need to bring more than one vehicle you may want to consider parking one off site before you near campus to reduce waiting.
Follow the signs: The city is putting up large traffic signs to direct you. Observe these signs even if they conflict with the information you were given over the summer about which entrance to use. We are encouraging as many families as possible to use the Hwy. 37/Hendrickson Drive entrance to access upper campus. Traffic arriving on Clairemont from the east will be directed to use University Drive and this entrance is where we expect the longest delays.
I-94 from the West - use exit 65 and follow the signs.
I-94 from the East - use exit 65 instead of 70 to avoid entering on Clairemont from the east.
From the North 53 or East 29 - you could use Highway 312 to get to Clairemont Avenue from the west.
The hill between upper and lower campus will remain closed during this move-in period. Students who are moving into Putnam or Thomas Halls on lower campus are asked to follow Clairemont Avenue to State Street to Garfield Avenue when arriving on campus this fall.
We polled current UW-Eau Claire students to develop a list of tips for a successful move-in day. This is what they had to say:
- Pack your vehicle the night before.
- Use as few vehicles as possible because of limited parking.
- Pack items so they are easily transported - closed boxes or plastic storage containers with lids work well.
- Pay attention to the weight of the boxes- you’ll likely have to carry them up the stairs!
- Remember to bring a carpet knife, carpet tape, tools, etc.
- Bring a cart or a dolly if you have one. The Residence Life staff provide a limited quantity of move-in carts, but you may want to bring one from home to make move-in run more smoothly.
- Encourage your student to eat a healthy breakfast; move-in can get long.
- Wear comfortable clothing on move-in day, it’s better to feel good than look good!
- Pay attention to parking guidelines and postings.
- Have your student check-in and get the door combination as soon as you arrive. You’ll get instructions there to begin your move.
- Hall Raisers are there to help - USE THEM!
- Most buildings have side stairwells- use them to avoid congestion in the main lobbies.
- Be patient and have fun meeting other parents and families!
Don’t forget to mark off all the items on the family member checklist provided during orientation: www.uwec.edu/orientation/freshmen/preparing/FamilyChecklist.pdf!
Parents Weekend
Greetings UWEC Parents!
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Parents Weekend |
The annual UWEC Parent’s Weekend is close at hand. This year we invite you all to join us Friday, September 19th through Sunday, September 21st for some spectacular events, and perennial favorites. Some of our larger events that will be taking place that weekend include: Casino Night, Planetarium Shows, a Physics Demonstrations, a buffet dinner with music by the Thundermen, comedian Michael Palascak, and Mentalist/Illusionist Wayne Hoffman. We also have a football game at Carson Park against Hope College, and the Michael Knoll Fun Run sponsored by CASE.
It should be another fun year for Parent's Weekend, and we are looking forward to having you here!.
See you there!
Housing and Residence Life
Party House
Party House will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4. Informational and participatory activities will be presented on the Campus Mall to inform students about the dangers of alcohol abuse and offer other options for campus involvement, relaxation and recreation.
In the Council Fire Room of Davies Center, student volunteers will present an interactive program consisting of a seamless series of short vignettes following potential situations involving alcohol, choices to be made and their outcomes. Presentations will begin every fifteen to twenty minutes until 8:30.
Mike Green, a nationally recognized leader in drug and alcohol awareness and education, will present the program, "4 Stages of Drinking," at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. During the past 18 years, Green has presented at more than 2000 campuses. Green has been a participant and coach on both high school and college levels. As a defensive lineman, he received All Pennsylvania Conference and All State Honors and a try-out with the Philadelphia Eagles. His background as athlete, coach and educator helps him connect to youth. His firsthand experiences as a recovering alcoholic gives him the credibility to honestly relate the dangers that drugs and alcohol pose for many students
UW-Eau Claire offices sponsoring these events include Advising and New Student Initiatives, Center for Alcohol Studies and Education, First-Year Experience Program, Athletics, University Centers, Housing and Residence Life, and NCAA.
Get Involved on Campus
There are many opportunities for your son or daughter to get involved on campus right away. With many student organizations and employment opportunities available at UW-Eau Claire, your student will be making a new group of friends before they know it!
PHASE II Orientation - is the second step in the orientation process. It is designed to help answer your student’s remaining questions about University life and to increase his or her comfort and belonging. It is our hope that it will also help students feel confident as they begin classes. On Friday, August 29, students will meet in small groups with faculty/staff and an upperclass mentor. Most students will meet with their freshman year experience instructor and begin to learn about the academic side of UW-Eau Claire. Students will learn about the many support services available at the university while having lunch on the mall. In the afternoon students will meet with faculty in the department of your major (undeclared students will meet with their advisers). Students will also have an opportunity to find your classrooms before the start of classes. Phase II will conclude with a picnic on lower campus and convocation with speaker Toby Cosby.
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CUBEfest |
CUBEFest - Creating the Ultimate Blugold Experience (CUBE) is a program designed to welcome residence hall students and help them make the very most of their experience as UW-Eau Claire Blugolds. CUBEfest begins on at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, and spans the first two weeks of school. Events range from concerts and tie-dye to sporting events and social activities. Encourage your student to take advantage of as many events as possible! The complete schedule of events will be in your student’s welcome packet when he/she arrives on campus.
Student Employment Job Fair - The 17th annual Student Employment Job Fair will be on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 from 10-2pm in the Tamarack Room in Davies Center. If your son or daughter is interested in obtaining employment either on campus or in the community, they should plan to attend the job fair. Employers will have information regarding available positions, employment applications, and some will even hold an interview on the spot. Bring your resume for convenience.
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BOB |
recruitment fair is a great way for you to learn more about student organizations. You can shop around, talk to members, and even sign up for an organization while you're there. BOB is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10th from 11am -2pm on the Campus Mall.
iLead - The Leadership Skills Workshop is a half-day workshop designed for any Blugold! Whether a new leader, an experienced leader, or not even
sure if your student is a leader, this opportunity is designed with all students in mind. This conference-style workshop will feature several breakout sessions on various leadership topics, an opening keynote and closing endnote speaker, and drawings for some GREAT prizes! Brunch will be provided. ilead will be Sunday, October 19, 2008.
Balloons, Flowers and Treats -
The Blugold Family Connection Office is happy to now offer Balloon Bouquet's for families to purchase for delivery for their students! Simply print out our balloon order form and send it with payment to our office (cash or check only please) and we will take care of the rest! . Bouquets are $20 and include one message, one mylar balloon and four latex balloons, free on campus delivery is included. Off campus students can pick up their bouquet in Schofied 30.
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We hope to offer flowers and dessert treats soon. This is a great easy way to let your son or daughter know you are thinking of them. Please call 715-836-5110 if you have any questions.
How to talk to your Children about Alcohol
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As a parent of a future or current university student, two of your biggest concerns are whether your student will be safe and whether he or she will succeed academically. Both of these concerns are understandable and are often closely tied to the use of alcohol.
As an organization dedicated to reducing high risk drinking among UW-Eau Claire students, the Center for Alcohol Studies and Education (CASE) wants you to know the proactive steps we are taking to curb alcohol abuse, the truth about alcohol use among UW-Eau Claire students, and how you can help your son or daughter have the best possible university experience.
Although your son or daughter is gaining independence by attending college, it is still important for you to give encouragement and support during this time of transition. Students will respond best if they are respected as young adults, but they still highly value their parents' opinions.
Share with your son or daughter your expectations for his or her behavior, class attendance and grades. After your son or daughter has begun college , continue to communicate by calling or e-mailing on a regular basis and inquiring about his or her experiences. The following are recommended conversation starters:
Before your student leaves
- How will you decide whether or not to drink at college?
- What will you do if your roommate wants to have alcohol in your residence hall room?
- What will you do if your roommate only wants to drink and party?
- What will you do if you find a student passed out?
- How will you handle it if you are asked to "baby sit" someone who is very drunk?
After your student is at college
- How are you doing?
- Do you like your classes?
- What are you learning in your classes?
- What is the party scene like?
- What kinds of activities are available?
- Are you enjoying living in the residence hall?
- What do you and your friends do for fun?
- How are you getting along with your roommate?
- Are you feeling overwhelmed?
- What can we do to help?
If you suspect your son or daughter is struggling with academic, emotional or alcohol related issues, many offices on campus are available to help free of charge. Encourage your son or daughter to seek help.
THE GOOD NEWS is that not all UW-Eau Claire students consume alcohol, and most who do drink consume responsibly. In fact, campus surveys have found the following good news about UW-Eau Claire students:
- 60 percent drink only 0-3 drinks a week
- 75 percent drink 0-1 nights per week
- 23 percent said they didn't drink at all in the last 30 days (This rises to 32 percent for those under 21 and 36 percent for residence hall students)
The truth about alcohol use among UW-Eau Claire students is that most students who use alcohol are using it responsibly.
