Blugold Nuggets - August 2006

Welcome to the inaugural issue of the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Blugold Nuggets Parent Newsletter. The newsletter is designed to get information to parents and family members "just-in-time" to assist and support their Blugold.

Residence Hall Move-in

Mom and Dad Move In

First year students may move in Thursday, August 31, during their assigned times. All other residents may move in during their assigned times on Friday, September 1. Move-in day is an exciting, yet stressful time. As such, returning students called Hall Raisers are available to help our new students move in. 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.

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.
  
• Encourage your student to eat a healthy breakfast; move-in can get long.
  
• Wear comfortable clothing - 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.

Phase II Orientation

Welcome Picnic

Mentoring New Students

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. The opening event for Phase II is a picnic on the campus mall beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31. Students will attend this event in a group with the other students in the residence hall wing.  Commuting students will attend as a group as well and should meet in Davies Theatre on the second floor of Davies Center at 6:00 p.m.  This is an event that your commuting student WILL NOT want to miss! It will help begin to connect them to the campus community. A convocation featuring Dr. Joe Martin, founder and president of RealWorld University will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Zorn Arena.

The second day of Phase II Orientation on September 1, includes a small group meeting with a faculty member and a returning student mentor, a Student Services Fair, an advising meeting with the department of the students’ major or undeclared advisors and an opportunity to find classrooms for their classes.

CUBEfest

Bungy Running at CUBEfest

Creating the Ultimate Blugold Experience (CUBE) is a program designed to welcome new students and help them make the very most of their experience as UW-Eau Claire Blugolds. CUBEfest begins on Friday, September 1, 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. Schedules also are posted throughout the residence halls.

Dropping and Adding Classes

During the first week of the fall semester, students may make changes to their registration online. The last day to register for or add full-semester or first-half fall classes without instructor approval is Monday, September 11. As of the second week, students can no longer add classes without the instructor’s permission. Students may still drop a class during the second week using the on-line system.

Monday, September 18, is the last day to:

• Drop full-semester fall courses with no record.
• Register for or add full-semester courses without dean’s approval

A friendly reminder about these important deadlines may be helpful if your student is new to UW-Eau Claire!

What does dropping a class mean for your student’s record?

Dropping a full-semester class during the first two weeks of the regular semester has no effect on your student’s record, since these classes are not recorded on his/her transcript. However, the student must maintain 12 credits to be considered full time. After the second week, however, a dropped class will result in a grade of “W,” and this remains the case up until the 11th week of classes. Deadlines for the drop/add period and withdrawals are important to keep in mind. For a complete listing of the important dates to know, go to www.uwec.edu/registrar/calendars/0607regcal.htm.

Advice for your Student on Getting Books

All required course materials requested by faculty for the fall 2006 term are available in the Bookstore, located in Davies Center UW- Eau Claire has a rental program that is funded with your student’s segregated fees. Usually the main textbook is available for rental, and any supplemental materials requested by the instructor will be available for the student to purchase.

If your student would like to have his/her texts prepackaged and ready for them when they arrive on campus, the Bookstore offers a Textbook Reservation Program. Your student may visit the web site at www.uwec.bkstore.com/ and click on the link for “Buying Your Textbooks.” Doing this allows students to choose which titles they would like prepackaged. Your student’s Blugold ID number is required to package any rental texts. If they would like the purchase materials boxed with the rentals a credit card number also is required. If you have any questions about this site, please call the Bookstore at 715- 836-2171.

If your student plans to pick out his/her own textbooks at the Bookstore, a Blugold ID is required for the rental textbooks. The student should also bring a copy of his/her class schedule that lists the books needed.

Reducing High-Risk Drinking

Committed to Reducing High-Risk Drinking at UW-Eau Claire

High-risk drinking is a problem on college campuses across the country. UW-Eau Claire is no exception.  We have a number of proactive educational activities planned throughout the year beginning with a student developed print media campaign that is intended to raise awareness among students about the consequences of high-risk drinking.  As part of the campaign, all incoming freshmen will receive a postcard in the mail at their home before they leave for school. The postcard includes information about the legal consequences of drinking and shares information from a student survey of alcohol issues conducted in 2006 that highlights the fact that the majority of UW-Eau Claire students disapprove of of excessive drinking.

The student-created, interactive program about the dangers of excessive
alcohol, Drink Like A Blugold: Challenge the Assumptions, takes place on Thursday, September 7, at 6 p.m. on the Campus Mall and in the Council Fire Room. Encourage your student to attend this event to increase his/her awareness of the potential dangers of alcohol abuse. Following the interactive portion of the program students will move to Zorn Arena where they will hear nationally recognized author and speaker Jackson Katz.

Our outreach to students continues with National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week which begins on Saturday, September 23, with the 2nd Annual Michael Noll Fun Run.  Students can register to participate in the Fun Run in the Student Senate Office, 132 Davies Center.  All funds raised from the Fun Run benefit the Center for Alcohol Studies and Education and alcohol education outreach efforts.

We encourage you to continue your conversations about alcohol with your student throughout the year. For more information about our campus initiatives to reduce high-risk drinking, visit www.uwec.edu/cares.

Homesickness

Homesickness may set in at any time, but is most common in the first six weeks of school. You can help avoid homesickness by encouraging your student to stay on campus during the first weekends and to attend campus events. Additionally, encourage your student to join a campus organization. If you have concerns about your student, there are many resources available to you.  You can contact the residence hall staff if your student lives in the residence halls, or you may contact one of the Associate Deans of Student Development. You may also consider sending a National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) Special Delivery.

There are MANY ways to get involved at UW-Eau Claire! Participating in one or more of the following opportunities will help your student find ways to connect to the campus community.

• Participate in the Campus Community Connection. This showcase of city resources, services and retailers will be specifically aimed at students and will also feature a preview of student organizations at UW-Eau Claire. This event will take place on Wednesday, September 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Campus Mall.
  
  
• Go to the Employment Fair. Studies show employment in college helps students succeed. This job fair is an excellent opportunity for students to find on- and off-campus employment from over 40 local employers. The fair takes place on Wednesday, September 6, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Council Fire Room, Davies Center.

• Join a campus organization. Encourage your student to attend the Blugold Organizations Bash (BOB). BOB is recruitment fair for student organizations. This year’s event will take place on Wednesday, September 13, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the Campus Mall. This is the best way to survey all of the campus organization offerings.

• Participate in a community service project. The best way to get connected with a service project is by attending Community Action Day.  This is a chance for students to meet with community service agencies to explore potential service opportunities on Thursday, September 14 from 11 p.m. until 3 p.m. in the Council Fire Room, Davies Center.  It is a great way to get involved in the Eau Claire community while working toward the fulfillment of the service learning requirement at UW-Eau Claire.
  
  
• Attend the first hall council meeting if your student lives in a residence hall. Each residence hall has a Hall Council. These councils make hall policies, plan programs, participate in community service, and make hall improvements. Getting involved here will help your student meet members of the hall community.  Hall Council meeting times are posted in the lobby of each residence hall.  To get involved, your student should contact the Resident Assistant.

• Attend the Housing and Residence Life Leadership Retreat. The Leadership Retreat, September 15 - 17, is an exciting, all-expense-paid overnight retreat at Beaver Creek Nature Reserve in Fall Creek, Wisconsin. The event will give your student an opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience and training while meeting lots of new people. To sign up, your student should stop by the Housing and Residence Leadership Center, Towers 137, or visit the National Residence Hall Honorary web page.

• Join an intramural team. Intramural sports activities are offered to meet the physical, social and recreational needs of all levels of participation from the beginner to the skilled athlete. Superior athletic skills or previous sports experience are not prerequisites for participation. The intramural program promotes team, league, tournament, individual and dual sport competition. More than 40 men's, women's and co-ed activities are offered to students interested in competitive sports in a recreational atmosphere. Leagues and tournaments are organized for all skill levels in most activities. Intramural teams can advance to regional and national tournaments in certain sports.
  
  Team registrations are available online at: www.uwec.edu/recreation/scripts/Intramurals. Individuals may add their name to the "Free Agents" list located on the Intramural Information Board in Hilltop Center. This list will be made available to all teams looking for additional players at the Captain's Meeting.

Academic Skills Center

Tutoring Students in the Academic Skills Center

What if your student doesn’t feel prepared for college or is struggling in the first few weeks of class? There are many services available to assist your student. The Academic Skills Center is a resource for students needing individual tutoring to enhance learning strategies and skills in mathematics, reading, studying and writing. Group tutoring also is available for a variety of entry-level courses. An English as a second language program is available for permanent resident students. Walk-in tutoring for writing is available on a limited basis. 

For more information about the Academic Skills Center, students can go to 2112 Old Library or visit www.uwec.edu/asc.

Paying Tuition

An electronic bill with financial aid applied will be emailed to all students to their University of WI-Eau Claire email address on August 31. A final electronic bill will be emailed on September 19. Payment is due in full by Friday, September 29, to avoid finance charges.

If you elect to participate in our partial payment plan, one half of your bill is due on Friday, September 29. The remaining half, plus finance charges, is due on Friday, October 27. An electronic bill with be emailed on October 17. For more information about billing, go to www.uwec.edu/bussvs/busoff.

Online Safety

Many university students will join online communities like Facebook, MySpace or LiveJournal to keep in touch with friends and make new friends. While there are many benefits to these Web sites, some students have experienced unintended consequences because of what they have chosen to post online. Many students believe that the information they post will only be seen by other students who are "like me." The reality is that their entries can be viewed by a wide range of Internet users, and they can be used in ways students have not foreseen. We strongly encourage you to talk with your student about these communities and how the information they post may be viewed and used by others. 

For more information about online communities you may want to check out this recent article at www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/08/02/colleges.online.warning.ap.

We also suggest that parents talk with their student about the importance of protecting passwords and PIN numbers. College-age students fall into the age range of individuals who are most likely to have their identity stolen. Our students are very trusting and often believe they can share this information with a friend, roommate or significant other.  Parents can send a valuable message by saying, “Please don’t share your password with anyone … not even me!"

Parents' Weekend

Bill Cosby Featured Entertainer

Parents’ Weekend is hosted by Housing and Residence Life and the students in the National Residence Hall Honorary. The weekend is jam-packed with fun events for the whole family - siblings and grandparents are welcome and encouraged to attend! The weekend includes a football game, dinner, entertainment showcase, dance and brunch. The weekend, Friday, September 29-Sunday, October 1, would be a great opportunity to visit your student!

 

 

Looking Ahead to October

Topics in our next newsletter - National Student Exchange, Study Abroad, Homecoming, Majors Fair, registering for spring semester, Tunnel of Oppression, Resident Assistant Selection and the Career Fair.