Blugold Nuggets - December 2006

We hope this December issue of Blugold Nuggets will be helpful as your student finishes the last few weeks of the Fall semester and prepares for winter break.

Final Exams and Fall Semester Grades

Final Exam Week

Examination week is part of the regular academic semester, and all classes are required to meet as shown in the final examination schedule. Exam schedules are available at: www.uwec.edu/registrar/student/exams. Each course offered for credit is concluded with a final examination unless the instructor determines that some other method of evaluation is more appropriate to the objectives of the course.

It is important to know that no student will be permitted to reschedule a final examination unless there are extraordinary circumstances over which the student has no control (e.g. hospitalization or military obligation). If your student has a serious issue arise which prevents him or her from taking an exam, your student should contact the Student Development and Diversity Office for assistance.

However, if a student has three or more examinations scheduled for one day he or she may request the change of an individual examination time. A request for a change in the time of an individual final examination must be approved by the instructor, the department chair, and the assistant/associate dean of the college in which the course is offered. Make-up examinations must be scheduled during finals week or later and must be arranged by the student with the instructor.

At the conclusion of each term, an electronic grade report is e-mailed to each enrolled student at their university e-mail account. The grade submission deadline is 4 p.m. on Dec. 27. The electronic grade report is typically emailed to the student within 48 hours of the submission deadline. The report includes, in addition to grades for courses just completed, the student's semester GPA, resident GPA, classification, degree program, major, faculty adviser, academic status (if unsatisfactory), and academic warnings or special notices. The grade report links to information for students in academic difficulty. If your student has a designation of academic warning, probation or suspension s/he should follow that link to get more information.

Students can also access their grades via the web using MyBlugold.

Residence Hall Information for Winter Break

Residence Hall Closing

Students living in the residence halls should be aware that all halls will close on Saturday, Dec. 23 noon with the exception of Towers, Katharine Thomas and Chancellors Halls. A UW-Eau Claire student who plans to stay in the halls during the winter recess must register to stay in Towers, Katharine Thomas or Chancellors. He/she can do this by completing an online registration form by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21. If a student wishes to stay on campus during the break but does not reside in one of the three halls that are open, that student must stop in the Housing Office before Thursday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. to fill out a form and get permission/signatures from a student(s) to use their room. Female students may only stay in female designated rooms; male students may only stay in male designated rooms.

The residence halls reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 8 a.m.

Students are expected to move out of the halls following their last final. It is important for students to plan ahead to complete the required tasks of "closing" their room for the break. Students will be asked to defrost their refrigerator, unplug all appliances, empty trash, etc. These tasks take some time and stress is reduced if students allow time to complete the necessary assignments. Residence hall staff will come through all of the rooms and check to make sure students have completed the closing activities.

Some things you may want to think about-

• Bring a cooler to transport any food items from the defrosted refrigerator.
• Allow room in the vehicle to bring home any items that your student will need during the break. Ask your student how much they plan to bring home.
• Help your student anticipate what they'll need during the break. The halls are locked and staff is not available to open individual student rooms.
• Mail is not forwarded during the break, so students should make arrangements with the sender of any bills, prescriptions, etc. that might need to be received during the break.

Winter Break Tips for Students Living Off Campus

Off Campus Living

Students living off campus who plan to be gone from their Eau Claire residence for an extended period of time during the break should consider safety precautions. We encourage students to lock their homes during the break and secure any valuables. Students should have a conversation with their roommates about safety during the break. Students should communicate about who will be returning to the house/apartment and when the house will be unoccupied. Students may also want to discuss topics like- who is responsible for locking doors, checking messages, picking up the mail, etc. A little extra precaution can often ward off any issues.

If a student suspects that something has been stolen or property has been damaged, he or she should contact the Eau Claire Police Department.

It is also important for students to think about frozen pipes and other winter issues in their homes. Students often want to conserve by turning their heat down while they are gone for break. A reminder that turning heat 'down' is okay but 'off' would result in frozen or broken pipes might be helpful. You also may want to have a conversation about how you would "winterize" your house.

Paying Tuition

Winterim - Informational electronic bills will be emailed to all students University of Wisconsin -Eau Claire email address on Thursday, Dec. 7. Payment is due in full on Tuesday, Jan. 2 to avoid a $6 per credit administrative service fee.

If student’s financial aid exceeds University costs, refunds will be disbursed beginning Jan. 2, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Cashier’s Window, Schofield Hall 108. If a student wishes to have his or her financial aid refund check mailed when their class(es) begin, please complete the instructions at this web site: www.uwec.edu/bussvs/busoff/refundAuth.

Spring Semester - Informational electronic bills will be emailed to all students at their UW-Eau Claire email address on Friday, Dec. 8. An Electronic bill with financial aid applied will be emailed to all students to their UW-Eau Claire email address on Thursday, Jan. 18.  A final electronic bill will be emailed on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Payment is due in full by Friday, Feb. 16, to avoid finance charges.

If a student elects to participate in our partial payment plan, one half of his or her bill is due on Friday, Feb. 16. The remaining half, plus finance charges, is due on Friday, Mar. 16. An electronic bill with be emailed to students at their UW-Eau Claire email address on Tuesday, Mar. 6.

For more information about billing contact the Business Office.

Winter Break Plans

We've heard from parents and families in the past that winter break is LONG! Students will have a month-long break beginning on Dec. 22 and continuing through Jan. 22.

Students brainstormed the following list of things to think about:

• Students may become bored at home over break.
• Students may feel the need to stay connected (via email, IM, phone, visits, etc.) with friends from school.
• Grades will arrive and may or may not be what students and parents expected; maybe a reality check about the first semester challenges, refocusing for next semester, additional encouragement, possibly appeals procedures if grades are very low, course load, the reality that classes that "sound" easy (i.e. English 101) might be very challenging, understand that a high school honors student may only be an "average" college student and even then, might still be struggling, etc.  It is important to remember that the first semester with all the transition is typically the toughest.
• Students may or may not want to spend time with friends from back home; they will have changed, too, and those connections might not be as desirable any more
• House rules/policies: communicate and compromise; the student has experienced freedom, independence, and, likely, change. The rules that were in place for the 18 year old high school student may need to be revised for the 18 year old college student. But it's important the student still recognizes parental guidelines and, especially, if there are siblings at home, the impact of their behaviors and attitudes on their brothers/sisters.
• Some of the students will have chosen/experienced physical changes as well. Some of these may be of the new piercing/tattoo/hair style/hair color variety. Others may involve weight gain. Students say they don't want to hear remarks about the "freshman 15" or "muffin tops" or any other potentially insensitive observations. We know these innocent comments often reinforce negative body image which leads to eating issues. Also, on a related note, be careful about buying clothes for holiday gifts…not only may tastes/preferences have changed, but sizes may have changed as well. Consider gift cards or shopping together.

Parents and families in the past have shared that it is helpful to discuss:

• The policies (curfews, house rules, etc.) you have had in the past. Have your "policies" changed now that your student is back?
• Students may have picked up some new habits while away at college, unfortunately not all of those habits are good ones. What happens if you do not approve of their new habits?
• What about chores? Who is responsible for the laundry? Is your student expected to perform daily duties?
• Money - who pays for what?
• Will your student work over winter break?
• If a student is not working, what will he or she do to occupy his or her time?

If employment is part of the plan, your student should visit Career Services for information about job searching.  Students can also utilize the online job board to find jobs in Eau Claire.

If your Blugold will not be working he or she might consider some of these activities:

• It might be a great time to do some career exploration. Students can job shadow, conduct informational interviews or tour job-sites during the winter break to help them move closer toward a career choice.
• Some students have found that winter break is a good time to complete their service-learning project. All candidates for the baccalaureate degree must satisfactorily complete 30 or more clock-hours of approved service-learning activity. This requirement is intended to provide students with an opportunity to serve their community, apply knowledge gained in the classroom and enhance their critical thinking skills. Students can create their own service-learning experience or they can select a project that has been posted by The Center for Service-Learning. If service-learning is a part of your Blugold's winter plans, encourage them to look into service opportunities now.
• It is not too early to start thinking about summer opportunities. Students can search for internship, job, and service opportunities during the winter break to get a jump on the competition. Your student can also work on his or her resume to include new activities as a result of experience gained this fall.
• Students can also work on applications for special programs like study abroad and National Student Exchange.

Ask an Alum and Friends

Winter break is a great time for students to ease their minds of classes and think about their future career paths. Did you know a program is available to help your student connect with over 700 alumni and friends of UW-Eau Claire from 42 states, 9 countries and 86 different majors who have volunteered to share their expertise and time to interested students?

Ask An Alum and Friends is a database, co-sponsored by Career Services and Alumni Relations, which allows alumni and friends to volunteer as a mentor to students who are interested in contacting them about their major, chosen career field or how they got to where they are today. Students can search by a variety of fields, including major, industry and location, to find an alum or friend who matches their interests. Students are not only able to view profiles online but can also select alumni and receive contact information for them. They can then network with their chosen alumni or friend through phone, email or even job shadowing.

The process is simple; visit the Career Services web site, go to Ask an Alum and Friends, log in and begin searching. Career Services will contact students who have submitted a request and provide contact information for chosen alumni and friends in addition to guidelines for conducting an informational interview.
 
Access to so many individuals who are willing to share their experiences can provide valuable information to guide students in making important decisions about majors, internships and careers through a personal connection with alumni or friends in the work place. Also, keep in mind that you can be a valuable resource to your student, sharing with them your experiences.  For more information contact Career Services, 230 Schofield Hall, 715-836-5358 or careers@uwec.edu

Registering for Spring Semester

Registration for second semester takes place from Nov. 8 – Dec. 8. With a few exceptions, students register according to the number of credits they have, with seniors registering first. Second semester freshmen will start registering around Thanksgiving.

Here is some important information you can share with your students.

• During the week of Oct. 16 students were e-mailed their registration materials, including their exact registration time as well as a degree audit that lists all the requirements for their degree. 
• All students must pay a $100 deposit for spring semester prior to registering. This goes toward the spring semester tuition.
• All students with fewer than 60 earned credits and all students in academic difficulty must see an adviser and receive their PAC (personal advising code) prior to registering. In reality, all students should see an adviser before registering. Please encourage your students to make these appointments early.
• Students who want to change their major should do it before they register so they can talk with their new adviser. Information on how to do that can be found on the Registration Web site.
• Students who are considering changing a major can get a “What-if degree audit” for the major they are considering.

For answers to most registration related questions, see “Steps to a Successful Registration.”

Winter Weather Tips

Now that winter has arrived , it is important for students to know rules regarding parking and snow removal. Calendar parking is enforced from Nov. 1 to May 1, from midnight to 7:00 a.m. On odd numbered days (the date after midnight), residents must park only on the side of the street displaying odd numbered addresses. On even numbered days, park on the even side of the street. Additionally, cleaning of snow and ice is required. Sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours after snowfall.

Students can get information about local weather from the two local news stations WEAU or WQOW. Students are encouraged to get information about winter road conditions prior to traveling.

Winterim Registration Still Available

Winter in Eau Claire

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Winterim 2007, a three-week session that will run Jan. 2-19, will offer more than 70 classroom courses and nine Web-based courses. Seats are still available for many courses. If your student has not already considered a winterim course there is still time!

"This Winterim session provides such a rich array of course offerings compared to where we started just 10 years ago," said Jan Morse, administrative officer for academic affairs. "I think with the number and variety of courses available, most students will find at least one course to help them earn credits in just three weeks — it's a great way to stay on track or get a step ahead on completing their degrees." Winterim also offers an opportunity for people not enrolled at the university to take a course.

Currently enrolled students and special students — including those not currently enrolled at UW-Eau Claire — can register up until the first day of class, but early registration is encouraged.

For more information, call the Registrar's Office office at (715) 836-2425.

Online Ride Board

If your student is looking for a ride home or to visit friends, the Online Ride Board is a great place to start the search. This Online Ride Board is provided as an opportunity for students to find and provide rides with other students to home or other destinations outside of Eau Claire. The system is simple to use and a student can post a request for riders or a ride.

Students should get to know the driver/riders ahead of time and drive responsibly.

Final Exam Care Packages

Final Exam Survival Kit

Fruit Basket

The National Residence Hall Honorary sponsors a care package program to help parents and families support their Blugold throughout the year. Parents can have a variety of care packages delivered to their residence hall student at any time. Printable order forms are available for balloons, cake, flowers and pizza.

In December, NRHH delivers fruit basket or final exam survival kits to residence hall students. Orders for fruit and finals kits should be placed by Dec. 6. Fruit baskets and survival kits will be distributed Dec. 14 and 15. All other items are available anytime and can be delivered any Monday through Friday.