Blugold Nuggets - February 2007

The information in this month's newsletter should help to get your student off to a great start for Spring Semester!

Internship Mania Week

Are you looking to give your UW-Eau Claire student ‘the edge’? Jobs right out of college, a higher starting salary than students with the same major! How is it possible? The answer is an internship!

Nearly 80% of employers with internship programs hire their full-time employees from their intern pool. Nearly half said they offer higher starting salaries to college graduates with intern experience. Encourage your student to participate in UW-Eau Claire’s largest annual internship event- Internship Mania 2007.

Career Services is offering several activities meant to prepare students to land their perfect internship and get ‘the edge’ on millions of other college grads entering the job market.

Dress for Success Fashion Show, Jan. 31, Davies Theater, 5:30 p.m.
Giving students  the ‘fashion edge’, with tips from professionals on appropriate and stylish business attire to land that internship or job.

Employer Research Day, Feb. 2, Schofield 230, Career Services 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Student will find out about the nearly 90 employers coming to Internship Mania. They will be able to work with Career Services Staff to research the employers and the types of internships they offer. Students can go in with the ‘knowledge edge’, armed and prepared to wow potential employers with their expertise about the companies they are hoping to intern with.   

Employer Social, Feb. 7, Zorn Arena - Gold Room, 8-10 a.m.
An informal breakfast social, perfect for those who can’t make it to Internship Mania or want the ‘social edge’ by getting to know employers in a more casual setting.

Internship Mania, Feb. 7, Zorn Arena, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Employers offering paid and unpaid internships for fields and majors across the board will be accepting resumes, doing on-the-spot interviews and finding interns for summer and future semester internships. Giving students the ultimate ’experience edge’ when they graduate and start looking for employment. 

This is a can’t miss event whether students are near graduation or in their freshman year.

Library Tours

McIntyre Library

The McIntyre Library faculty invite University of Wisconsin-Eau students to take a short tour of the library at the start of the spring semester. Tours will be offered during the weeks of Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 at the following times: 5:30 p.m. Mondays, 3 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Wednesdays and noon Thursdays.

Encourage your student to get to know their library! To join a tour group, students should meet in the Library Grand Corridor couch seating area outside the library, near the display cases. Tour participants will learn where to locate books and journal articles; how to ask a question online or in person; how to schedule a group study room, including those with plasma screens and other technologies; how to check out materials, including DVDs, CDs, laptops and digital cameras; and how to locate call numbers.

For more information about the tours, call the Reference Desk at 715-836-3858 or e-mail library.reference@uwec.edu. To schedule a library information literacy instruction session, contact Karen Pope at 715-836-2959 or popekj@uwec.edu, or contact the Reference Desk.

Paying Spring Semester Tuition

An electronic bill will be emailed on Feb. 6. To avoid finance charges, students should make payment in full by Friday, Feb. 16. If a student elects to participate in the partial payment plan, one half of their bill is due on Feb. 16.  The remaining tuition, plus finance charges, is due on Friday, Mar 16.

A final electronic bill will be emailed to students on Mar. 6. For more information about billing visit http://www.uwec.edu/bussvs/busoff/index.htm

Financial Aid Information

Financial Aid

FAFSA Completion Information
Students must apply for financial aid each year to determine eligibility for need based financial aid and some non-need based financial aid. Aid is awarded when a student’s application is complete and is based on the funds available at that time. UW -Eau Claire has a priority date of April 15th. To apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form collects the information needed to determine financial aid eligibility. Students may sign the on-line FAFSA electronically if they have a federal PIN number. If your student does not already have a U.S. Department of Education Personal Identification Number (PIN), one may be applied for at http://www.pin.ed.gov. With your PINs, you and your student can electronically sign the FAFSA on the web. The PIN simplifies the application process and allows you to get your results faster. UW-Eau Claire’s Federal School Code is 003917. Completing the FAFSA by the priority date allows students the opportunity to receive consideration for all financial aid.

Additionally, about 30 percent of our applicants are required to submit signed copies of income tax forms (both parent and student). Your student does not need to submit tax forms unless requested to do so by the UW-Eau Claire Financial Aid Office.

Free Help in Completing the FAFSA
College Goal Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 11 in locations across the state and will offer students and parents free advice from financial aid professionals in completing the FAFSA.  The following link will allow you to find the location closest to you: http://www.wicollegegoalsunday.org/

Scholarship Applications
Now is a good time to apply for UW-Eau Claire Foundation scholarships for 07-08.  Check out individual scholarships, their eligibility criteria and application procedures at: http://www.uwec.edu/finaid/aid/FDNscholarships.htm

National Student Exchange Deadline

The application deadline is fast approaching for National Student Exchange. This exchange program allows UW-Eau Claire students to study at one of nearly 190 colleges located in the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands while the student continues to pay UW-Eau Claire tuition. If your student is interested in applying for 07-08 academic year participation, he or she should contact the Student Development and Diversity Office as soon as possible. If your student already has an NSE application and is planning to apply, but has not met to discuss school choices, call (715)836-2003 for an appointment.

The application process does take time, so students should act now!  The application deadline is Feb. 7.

Resident Assistant Selection

Resident Assistant Staff

Students who have lived in the residence halls for one semester can participate in resident assistant selection. If your student is interested in applying for resident assistant position, encourage him/her to talk to an R.A.

Resident Assistant applications for Fall 2007 will be available beginning Jan.18, and may be picked up from any residence hall front desk, hall director or the Housing and Residence Life Office in Towers Hall 112. The application deadline is Feb. 12 at 12:00 noon.  Completed applications are due to the hall director of the hall where your student plans to apply.

Get Involved!

The Blugold Organizations Bash, a member recruitment fair for University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire student organizations, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, in the Council Fire Room of Davies Center.

This is a great opportunity for your student to check out the many campus organizations and sign up for participation in one of those organizations. Research shows that students involved in campus activities are more likely to stay in school. If your student hasn't gotten involved in any campus organizations yet, now is a great time to learn more about the opportunities available!

A wide range of the more than 200 organizations on campus will hand out information and discuss the benefits of membership. Students are invited to shop around for the groups that will give them the best opportunities for friendship, involvement, leadership and job-related experience at UW-Eau Claire. Free pizza, caricatures and a DJ will be featured. The Blugold Organizations Bash is sponsored by the Activities and Programs Office.

Community Action Fair

Volunteer opportunities, internships and careers in the common good will be showcased at the Community Action Fair Thursday, Feb. 1. A collaborative effort of the Center for Service-Learning and the Activities and Program's Community Action and Lifelong Learning program, the event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Council Fire Room of Davies Center.

 

Winter Snow Removal

Campus snow removal regulations:
There is no parking between the hours of 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. seven days a week, through Mar. 15, in the meters in the following locations:

• University Drive in front of Chancellors, Oakridge and Bridgman
• Garfield Avenue in front of Putnam and Thomas
• Towers Circle (only the 20 minute meters along the building)
• Behind Hilltop
• University Drive in front of McPhee and Ade Olson Addition

Cars parked in the meters between the aforementioned hours will receive a $20 ticket for prohibited parking.

Off campus parking guidelines:

Calendar Parking is enforced from November 1 to May 1, from midnight to 7a.m.  On odd numbered days (the date after midnight), students 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.

Off campus snow removal:

Cleaning of snow and ice required.  Sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours after snowfall.

Tickets are issued for violations of these campus and city policies. For many students, these policies will be a new requirement. A gentle reminder from you might help your student avoid a ticket and fine.

There IS Something to Do!

University Activities Commission

We often hear from students - "There's nothing to do in Eau Claire." You may have even heard this statement in the past semester, too. That statement is simply not true. There are many things to do each weekend. And, what's most exciting is that many events are free. All Blugold Athletic events are free with your student's Blugold card. A complete schedule of Blugold Athletic Events is available on the web.

The University Activities Commission - the campus-wide events programming board at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is an all-volunteer, award winning commission of the Student Senate.The UAC welcomes students on any of their six committees, which include: The Cabin, Concerts, Festivals, Films, Higherground and Special Events. A complete listing of upcoming UAC events is listed in their newsletter.

This winter, challenge your Blugold to find one new event to attend on campus each week!

Registering for Summer Session

Summer Session 2007

 

Students can now register for Summer Session 2007. Students should check out the Summer Session Class Schedule now to see if a course or two will fit into their plans for this summer.

Summer Session allows students to:

• Complete their undergraduate or graduate degree program more quickly.
• Catch up on missed courses and/or lighten workload for fall and spring semesters.
• Enhance career opportunities.
• Make new friends in small, interactive classes.
• Earn while they learn. Our flexible scheduling options and online local job listings make it convenient to find a summer job while taking classes.
• Enjoy the beautiful Chippewa Valley and all it offers during the summer.

New this year- $100 down payment not required until April 27, 2007!

Many of the summer course are available online through UW-Eau Claire Online These programs and/or courses that will allow students to earn college credit at times and from locations that are convenient for them.