Blugold Nuggets - September 2007

Welcome to a new academic year and our second year 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.

Blugold Parent and Family Office

Blugold Parent and Family Office

UW-Eau Claire has created the Blugold Parent and Family Office to help you stay informed and get the information you need to play a positive role in supporting the success of your Blugold student. Jennifer Lee has been hired as Director. Call 715-836-5111, stop by Schofield Hall 30 or send an email to family@uwec.edu. Be sure to check out our Blugold Parent and Family web page at: http://www.uwec.edu/home/family.htm

You can also stop by the Parent and Family Welcome Tent on Aug. 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on upper campus near the tennis courts to get your questions answered, quench your thirst, and get your gift bag.

Residence Hall Move-In

Move-In Day

All new (first year and transfer) students may move in Thursday, Aug. 30, during their assigned times. All other residents may move in during their assigned times on Saturday, Sept. 1. Move-in day is an exciting, yet stressful time. Be sure to make plans to stop by the Parent and Family Welcome Tent during move-in to pick up your welcome packet, get your last minute questions answered and enjoy refreshments. The tent is sponsored by the UW-Eau Claire Foundation and the Blugold Parent and Family Office.

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.

Living Off Campus

Off-Campus Living

Whether your Blugold is moving off-campus for the first time or has lived off campus before, it is important to be aware of the special considerations of off-campus living. The University has an Off-Campus Living web site 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 dependent 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. You might also want to mention to them that it is an ordinance violation to bring their household furniture outside. Couches placed on the lawn will draw the attention of neighbors and police alike and will result in an ordinance fine. A complete listing of ordinances is one of the many resources available on the Off-Campus Living web site.

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. It is important for students to know that if their name is on a lease they can be charged with ordinance violations regardless even if they are not present at the time of the violation. All persons on a lease are responsible for the activities at the property. This is often a surprise for our students.

Students living off campus should make sure that they properly dispose of their garbage, move-in boxes, etc. When they lived in the residence halls, this was done for them. Students can be and are cited for failing to properly dispose of their garbage.

Phase II Orientation

Chancellor Welcomes 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. Phase II Orientation will take place on Friday, Aug. 31 beginning with a small group meeting with a faculty member and a returning student mentor at 10 a.m. Students will also participate in a Student Services Fair, advising meeting with the department of the students’ major or undeclared advisors and have an opportunity to find classrooms for their classes. The day will conclude with a picnic on the campus mall beginning at 6 p.m. and convocation featuring Dr. Joe Martin, founder and president of RealWorld University, at 7:30 p.m. in Zorn Arena.

CUBEfest

Bungy Running at CUBEfest

Making new friends

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 at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, and spans the first two weeks of school. Events range from concerts and tie-dye to sporting events and social activities.

The complete schedule of events will be in your student’s welcome packet when he/she arrives on campus. Encourage your student to take advantage of as many events as possible! Students who get involved early and participate in the awesome array of activities in this first two weeks are more likely to feel a part of the campus community more quickly!

 

 

Bookstore Information

All required course materials requested by faculty for the fall 2007 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 your student would like his or her purchase texts/materials boxed with the rentals textbooks, a credit card number also is required. To take advantage of the reservation program, students must submit their information via the web by Aug. 23.   Students may pick up their reserved textbooks until Sept. 7. If you have any questions about this site, please call the University 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.

Homesickness

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.

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.

Get Connected

• 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, Sept.5, 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, Sept. 5, 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, Sept.12, 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, Sept. 13 from 11 a.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. Most Hall Councils will have their first meeting on Sunday, Sept. 9.

• Attend the Housing and Residence Life Leadership Retreat. The Leadership Retreat, September 21 - 22, 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.
  

  Intramurals

  
  Team registrations are available online. Fall registration is Sept. 10 through Sept. 13. 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. For more information about intramurals contact Jon Bollinger at bollinjr@uwec.edu

High Risk Drinking

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 the online course all new students and athletes participated in this summer. Additionally, a student-developed print media campaign that is intended to raise awareness among students about the consequences of high-risk drinking will take place throughout the fall semester.. 

The student-created, interactive program about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption - Party House, takes place on Thursday, Sept. 6, 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 students will view the video- Spin the Bottle. An Entertainment Showcase will take place on the Campus Mall immediately following the movie.

Our outreach to students continues with National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week which begins on Saturday, Sept. 22, with the 3rd 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 alcohol education and 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 http://www.uwec.edu/case/index.htm.

Finally- just a friendly reminder to all first year students and student athletes! All new students and student athletes should complete the online education program called My Student Body by Aug. 30. All UW-Eau Claire students can take the course by logging on at: http://www.uwec.edu/case Those students who successfully complete the course will be eligible for prizes that will be awarded during the Welcome Convocation on August 31st.

Paying Tuition

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 Aug. 30. A final electronic bill will be emailed on Sept. 19. Payment is due in full by Friday, Sept. 28, to avoid finance charges.

If you elect to participate in our partial payment plan, one half of your bill is due on Friday, Sept. 28. The remaining half, plus finance charges, is due on Friday, Oct. 26. An electronic bill with be emailed on Oct. 3.

Financial aid disbursement begins on the first day of classes, Sept. 4, in the Cashier's Office, 108 Schofield Hall. For more information about billing, go to www.uwec.edu/bussvs/busoff.

Dropping and Adding Classes

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, Sept. 10. 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, Sept. 17, 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, visit the online registration calendar.

Tutoring and Academic Support

Tutoring and Academic Support

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

The Mathematics Department offers a walk-in tutoring service in the Math Lab. The Math Lab provides assistance to students who have questions on details of their homework or who need clarification of concepts that they are learning in their mathematics courses. The math lab is located in Hibbard Humanities Hall (HHH 220). Courses tutored include Math 020 through Math 215 and Math 246. Please visit the Math Lab web site to learn more about the services and see available schedules.

Encourage your student to seek help early! Students who meet with faculty during their office hours and get tutoring early are more likely to be successful.

Campus Safety

Campus Safety

While no open university campus is immune to the kind of violence that occurred at Virginia Tech, we want to reassure you that UW-Eau Claire is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment in order to minimize threats.

UW-Eau Claire has full-time, professional and duly sworn police officers who patrol campus 24 hours a day 7 days a week. University Police officers act as first responders in emergencies and are engaged in observing and investigating suspicious individuals or activities. The university also maintains "blue" emergency phones at locations throughout the campus that are directly connected to the Eau Claire City-County 911 Communications Center.

UW-Eau Claire has mutual assistance agreements with both City of Eau Claire Police and the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department and is able to access additional law enforcement resources within minutes should the need arise. University police work in concert with those agencies to regularly review and revise safety and emergency response procedures.

It is important to remember that UW-Eau Claire and the City of Eau Claire consistently rank among the safest college campuses and communities in the U.S. While that provides some peace of mind, the events at Virginia Tech serve as a reminder we must always be vigilant and prepared.

The University has detailed Health and Safety Plans to respond to emergencies. The Office of the Student Development and Diversity has as one of its functions the task of responding to an urgent or emergency situation, which involves University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire students on campus, in the community, and in other locations as appropriate. Student Development and Diversity responds to these situations using the University Crisis Management Plan.

If you have questions or concerns about safety issues, please contact University Police at 715-836-2222.

Jeremy's Market

Jeremy's Market

Students are treated each week of the beginning of the fall semester to a little bit of the downtown Farmer's Market. Our campus version of the Farmer's Market called Jeremy's Market features fresh produce, flowers, and cheesecake. This awesome opportunity to take advantage of fresh Eau Claire products takes place Thursdays: Aug. 30 - Oct. 25 from 7:30a.m. - 11:30 a.m. near Zorn Arena North Sidewalk. Encourage your Blugold to check out this great event!

 

 

 

Parents' Weekend

Parents' Weekend

Parents' Weekend 2007 will take place September 28-30. Mark your calendars now for this exciting family weekend. All family members (including siblings and grandparents!) are invited and encouraged to attend.

We encourage families to reserve your hotel in the summer to make sure you have a room for Parents' Weekend. View a list of Area Hotels for more information about lodging in Eau Claire.

The weekend will feature an Entertainment Showcase with The Comedy of Pete Holmes and the Moody Magic of Nate Staniforth, Saturday, Sept. 29, 8:30 p.m., in Zorn Arena. Tickets are $5 for UW-EC students and Parents' Weekend participants. Also featured during the weekend is local favorite- The Thundermen- who will entertain guests with their 50's and 60's music during a family dance.

Families can register for Parents' Weekend at: http://www.uwec.edu/housing/Activities/ParentsWeekend/index.htm

Immunizations

Immunizations

Is Your Blugold Up to Date on Immunizations?
In case you missed us at Orientation, Student Health Service regularly provides the following immunizations and shots:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• Tetanus/diphtheria (Td)
• Influenza vaccine (usually available Oct/Nov through Jan)
• Menomune vaccine
• Gardasil vaccine
• PPD for TB testing
• Allergy shots ordered by your allergist

Others may be available on request. Our clinic is open Monday – Friday when classes are in session, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Appointments are scheduled by calling (715) 836-5360.