Blugold Nuggets - May 2007

May is a month full of excitement at UW-Eau Claire. It can also be a stressful time. We hope this newsletter helps encourage your Blugold to take advantage of the fun and manage the stress.

Final Exams

Studying for finals

The Final Exam Schedule for each student is different. Examination week is part of the regular academic semester, and all classes are required to meet as shown in the final examination schedule. 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. Some courses have common exams and students should refer to the Common Exam Schedule for a listing of those exam times.

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.

As the end of the semester nears, it is important to examine what is left to do and how you are going to accomplish it all. It may be a little overwhelming, but one way to get through it is to create your own "Final Exam Battle Plan". This worksheet allows you to determine the things you may need to do to get caught up (if you are somewhat behind), what assignments or projects still need to be completed, and how to plan your preparations for final exams. You can access the pdf version of the "Final Exam Battle Plan" here or you can stop by the Academic Skills Center and pick one up.

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 May 20. 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 Move Out

Residence Hall Move Out

Studying for finals, packing, and planning for move out day can be stressful. Blugolds can reduce the stress by planning ahead. Students will be required to sign up for a checkout time with their resident assistant. This time must be designated 24 hours before your student plans to move out. Your student can sign up on his or her Resident Assistant's calendar posted beside their room door.

Failure to check out will result in a $25.00 fee, plus room damages.

The check out process requires that the following things be completed:

• open drapes so screens, windows, drapes can be checked.
• remove stickers, stars, tape residue on ceilings, walls and doors
• sweep and mop floor
• dust and clean every shelf including inside drawers
• have all drawers open to be check
• mattress pads should be neatly folded on bed
• mirrors and windows should be cleaned
• the hall space outside room should be cleaned
• desk and dresser tops should be cleaned
• wastebaskets and recycling bin should be emptied and cleaned
• all personal belongings should be out of room
• TV cables should be coiled, taped and placed on a dresser.
• forwarding address card should be completed to be given to the RA

The Housing & Residence Life Office provides cleaning supplies. Supplies will be located on each floor and available starting May 2. Touch up paint and supplies are be provided for your student and are already available from the front desk of each residence hall. Students can begin painting now to avoid the rush during finals week.

Bicycle owners are responsible for removing bicycles from campus at the end of the spring semester.  At the end of the academic year Parking & Transportation will collect bicycles not displaying a valid summer permit and donate them to a charitable organization.

Text Book Rental Returns

University Bookstore

 

 

 

 

Spring 2007 text book rental materials must be returned no later than Friday, May 18, 2007. The University Bookstore will have extended hours throughout finals week. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. The University Bookstore will remain be open from 7:30 a.m. -7:30 p.m. on May 18. All rental transactions require a valid student Blugold Card.

Books may be returned at any time before May 18, and may be brought back one at a time. A fine will be assessed on each book not returned by May 18 at 7:30 p.m. The late fine will be $1 per book, May 21 - May 25. On May 29, the fine will increase to $5 per book.

Rental books not returned by Friday, June 22, 2007, will be assessed an additional handling fee of $20. At that time the borrower forfeits the right to return the overdue book, and book will no longer be accepted at the University Bookstore. All fines and fees, as well as the full purchase price of the book, then become due and payable at the University Business Office.

Students will be required to pay for any lost, damaged or misplaced rental book. Encourage your Blugold to contact the University Bookstore about any lost or damaged books by May 18 to prevent late fees and additional charges.

Final Exam Care Packages

The National Residence Hall Honorary sponsors a care package program to help parents and families support their Blugold throughout the year. Parents and families 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.

Commencement

May Commencement

UW-Eau Claire Commencement will be Saturday, May 19. Listed below is important information for parents and graduates-

Seating for guests
Doors to the arena will open at 8:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. respectively for guest seating. Tickets are required for all guests, including babies and small children.
Students should visit the Activities & Programs Office to make arrangements for special needs seating. A musical prelude begins a half-hour before the ceremony.

 

Remote site broadcast
There will be a remote site broadcast of the ceremony in Davies Theatre. Davies Theatre is located in the W. R. Davies Center, just across the campus mall from Zorn Arena and provides a particularly comfortable space for elderly guests and those with small children. No tickets are required for the remote site broadcast. Refreshments available at this site.

Arrival of graduates
Candidates should arrive NO LATER THAN 8:40 a.m. or 1:10 p.m. respectively. Enter at the door to the arena marked "Graduates Only." Belongings may be stored in Kjer Theatre near the Information Table. Please do not leave purses, wallets, or other valuables in the theatre.

Photographs
Professional photographs will be taken of all graduates as they receive their diplomas . Proofs will be mailed approximately three weeks after the ceremony. No standing at the front for photos during the ceremony. Personal photos may be taken on the platform following the ceremony.

Diplomas
Graduates will receive only a diploma cover during the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed to graduate's permanent address 4-8 weeks after commencement.

Recessional and Reception
Stay seated as the platform party and faculty exit the arena. Graduates do not march from the arena, so make arrangements for a meeting place with guests beforehand. A reception will take place immediately following the ceremony on the campus mall lawn or in the Spruce/Tamarack Room of Davies Center, depending on the weather. All graduates and guests are welcome.

For more information about Commencement contact Dr. Beverly Soll, Commencement Coordinator, at 715-836-4833.

Spring Fest

University Activities Commission

Each year the students of the University Activities Commission sponsor Spring Fest. This week-long concert series features local talent performing on the Campus Mall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year's festival begins on Monday, May 7 and ends with a concert in the Council Fire Room of Davies Center on Friday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for the public and $4 for students. All mall concerts are free and open to the public. Encourage your Blugold to take advantage of the awesome line-up of talent during Spring Fest 2007.

 

Fall 2007 Registration

Fall Registration

Registration for fall semester will take place through May 4. Here is some information you can share with your students.

• During the week of March 12 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 prior to registering. This goes toward the fall 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.

Registration time often focuses students’ attention on their major. It is a good time to talk with your students - particularly freshmen and sophomores - about whether they are still happy with the major they have chosen. If they are undeclared, they should be encouraged to talk with their adviser early, so they can do some major/career exploration before registering.

• 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.
• Students who are uncertain about what they want to major in can talk to a counselor in Career Services. They can call 836-5359 or stop by Schofield 230.

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

Summer Registration

Students can still register for Summer Session 2007. Students should check out the Summer Session Class Schedule now to see if a course they may need is still available. A $100 registration deposit is required for summer registration after April 27.

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.

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

Summer Employment

Summer Employment

Career Services assists in the search for summer employment . Students can also utilize the online job board to gain access to employment in the Eau Claire area. Many summer employment opportunities have already been filled. So if your Blugold is still in need of a position for this summer, encourage them to stop by the Career Services Office as soon as possible. If your student is looking for on-campus employment for the summer, several Housing & Residence Life crews still have positions available. Students can complete an online application and take it to the Housing & Residence Life Office in Towers Hall 112.

Summer Off Campus Living

Off-Campus Living

 

 

 

 

 

Whether your Blugold is moving off-campus for the first time, subleasing for the summer, or spending their first summer is Eau Claire, it is important to be aware of the special considerations of off-campus living. The University has an Off-Campus Living website designed to assist students in navigating the culture of off-campus life.

The University has a wonderful relationship with the citizens of Eau Claire that is dependant on our students being good citizens and neighbors. We encourage you to talk with your student about what being a good neighbor means. Eau Claire has a number of ordinances that assist in maintaining a beautiful community. Talk to your student about ordinances for waste removal, mowing, parking, etc. before they are cited and fined. A complete listing of ordinances is one of the many resources available on the Off-Campus Living website.

Students may be tempted to sponsor large gatherings at their new home off-campus. It is important for students to know that the City of Eau Claire Police Department responds to noise and alcohol complaints and issues citations throughout the summer. Students can learn a costly lesson by sponsoring a party and being cited for ordinance violations.

Summer in Eau Claire

Those students remaining in Eau Claire for the summer have a wealth of opportunities for entertainment on and off-campus. Encourage your student to check out the complete listing of on-campus summer entertainment. The Activities and Programs Office offers Jazz at Noon, Summer Cinema, a Summer Concert Series. All events are free and open to the public.

Eau Claire's Volume One magazine offers a complete listing of activities and events in the Chippewa Valley throughout the year. Blugolds should pick up a copy of the magazine or search online to get a full listing of the events in the area. The Chippewa Valley is home to the Wisconsin Renaissance Faire, numerous music festivals, a Thursday Concert Series in Phoenix Park, the Eau Claire Express and Cavaliers baseball teams, weekly Farmers Market and many other events. And, with a bike trail and the Chippewa River running right through the middle of our campus, students can find access to dozens of outdoor activities beginning right on campus.

University Recreation and Sport Facilities offers a variety of summer recreational activities. Students can visit the Environmental Adventure Center to rent equipment for all of their outdoor summer plans. Students can also take advantage of the nine hole disk golf course right on upper campus.

Summer at Home

Summer at Home

Many students are very excited to return home after the stress of the semester. But your student has changed and so has your home life. We've heard from parents and students alike that an early, honest conversation about house rules and family expectations for the summer will ward off many issues that might arise.

Students brainstormed the following list of things to think about:

• Students may become bored at home during the summer.
• 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 academic 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. 
• 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.

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 during the summer?
• If a student is not working, what will he or she do to occupy his or her time?