Office of Parents Programs 

University of South Carolina Parent Updates - September 2010
In This Issue
Get involved on campus
Gamecock Tailgate Parties
NEW! Monthly tips for parents
Academic resources
Parents Weekend reminders
AlcoholEdu requirement
University news updates
Important dates
Quick Links

 

 
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Students get involved on campus
Dear Carolina parent,    
 
Greetings from Carolina! Your student has been on campus for a few weeks now, and we hope he or she is getting adjusted and settled for another school year! Encourage your student to get involved on campus. You'll find several ways students can get involved in this e-newsletter as well as in our monthly tips for September.

Football season starts tomorrow with Carolina's first game against Southern Mississippi! Carolina alumni clubs around the country will host viewing parties for this game and throughout the season, and parents are invited to join them! Click here for more information and locations.

If you have any questions about resources available at Carolina, please call the Parents Assistance Line at 1-800-868-6752 or send us an e-mail at scparents@sc.edu
Getting involved on campus
Students who are involved on campus have more success academically and feel more part of the Carolina community. Encourage your student to find ways to get involved at Carolina. With more than 300 student organizations, there's something for everyone, and we encourage students to find their fit! Please share with your student these ways to get involved.
 
Community Service Opportunity Fair
Encourage your student to attend the Community Service Opportunity Fair on Wednesday, Sept.15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Greene Street in front of the Russell House. Meet non-profit agencies who are looking for volunteers and other students interested in service. Whether your student loves animals, has a heart for working with children, or wants to feed the hungry, there is an opportunity for everyone. For more information about how to get involved with community service, click here.

Emerging Leaders Program
Does your student want to learn more about his/her leadership capabilities, receive one-on-one mentoring and support from experienced student leaders, and develop the confidence to use his/her leadership skills to make a difference at Carolina? The Emerging Leaders Program is an eight-week leadership certification program that strives to provide Carolina students with the tools that they need to become successful student leaders. Workshops take place on Thursdays from 4-5:30 p.m. The program starts Sept. 9 and ends Nov. 11 with a graduation ceremony. The deadline to apply is Sept. 2. For more information and to apply, click here.

Freshman Council
Freshman Council is designed to prepare leaders with the skills to lead successful organizations at the collegiate level. With the support of Student Government, members of Freshman Council work hand-in-hand with top student leaders and campus professionals to build a strong and supportive environment for freshmen.  Members will be selected through an application and interview process. Completed applications are due Friday, Sept. 3. For more information, click here.

Women's Mentor Network
Does your female student want a mentor interested in the same academic area or career path? The Women's Mentor Network pairs female faculty, staff, and graduate assistants with undergraduate women. Mentors want to help women succeed in their academic development, career path, and personal growth. Participants are encouraged to get together once a month at mentor network activities or schedule an alternative meeting. The registration deadline is Sept. 10. For more information and to register, click here.
Gamecock Tailgate Parties
Is your student looking for a place to tailgate before Carolina home football games this fall? All Carolina students are invited to tailgate at the Biscuit House parking lot, located in the Palmetto Health Gamecock Village just across Bluff Road from Williams-Brice Stadium, starting two and a half hours before kickoff. The tailgate parties are free for Carolina students when they show their CarolinaCard. Encourage your student to join us for food, games, music, and fun!
NEW! Monthly tips for parents
The Office of Parents Programs website has a new feature to help parents navigate the college experience at Carolina. Extensive monthly tips will be added throughout the year to help you stay updated on what you should be talking with your student about, things your student might be experiencing that month, and resources to help you with deadlines and questions you might have. If you have feedback on this new resource or suggestions for items that would help make this page more helpful, please let us know!

For complete information about what you need to know for September, click here.
Free academic support available for students
Please remind your student of the free academic support resources on campus!
--For academic coaching, study-skill development, math tutoring, and writing consultations, visit the Academic Centers for Excellence
--For more information about Supplemental Instruction offered for selected math, science, and business courses, click here.
--For information on tutoring in various subjects, click here.

These services are available until Dec. 3 for the fall semester, so encourage your student to utilize the Student Success Center and Academic Centers for Excellence.
Parents Weekend reminders for registered participants
If you registered for Parents Weekend, you should receive an e-mail with all the final details about a week before Parents Weekend. (Click here to review the tentative schedule of events.) We look forward to seeing you on campus for a fun weekend of activities just for families Sept. 17-19!

Registration for the Parents Weekend 5K is available now through Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. Run or walk the 5K course with your family!
 
If you did not register for Parents Weekend but are interested in purchasing football tickets for the game against Furman University on Sept. 18, click here.
AlcoholEdu® requirement for new students
All students under the age of 23 who are new to the University of South Carolina Columbia campus are required to complete AlcoholEdu® for College to educate students about alcohol and its effects on the mind and body. Data collected through this alcohol education course will enable the University to better serve the community and provide services and resources to address student needs.

How do students take AlcoholEdu®?
Students should have completed part one already, so remind your student to complete part two by October 15. (Students should log in to VIP using their VIP ID and password.) Failure to successfully complete both parts will result in a hold being placed on the student's registration for their second semester classes.

Can parents take AlcoholEdu®?
Parents can take the AlcoholEdu® course, and it's a great way to encourage more discussion about the risks and consequences of alcohol and other drugs. To log in, click here. Enter 10P218663PARENT in the new user log-in field to create an account.

For more information about AlcoholEdu®, click here.
University news updates
U.S. News rankings: International business is still No. 1
The same week that it welcomed its largest freshman class, the University of South Carolina was recognized in U.S.News & World Report's 2011 college guide for its outstanding programs that encourage student success and for having the nation's top undergraduate international business program. Read more>>

College Colors Day coming to Carolina
College Colors Day, an annual celebration dedicated to promoting the traditions and spirit that embody the college experience, is coming to Williams-Brice Stadium! This year, all South Carolina Gamecock fans will help the nation ring in the tradition as it plays host to the University of Southern Mississippi in the annual College Colors Day Kickoff on the eve of the big day. College Colors Day will be celebrated on Sept. 3, so wear garnet and black on Friday! Read more>>
 
Stay updated on the latest
University of South Carolina news.
Important upcoming dates
September 2: First football game -- South Carolina vs. Southern Mississippi
September 6: Labor Day (no classes)
September 9: Last day to apply for December graduation
September 17-19: Parents Weekend
September 29: Career Fest; Science, Engineering, and Technology Job Fair
October 7: Last day to drop a course or withdraw without a grade of "WF" being recorded; midpoint in the semester
October 14-15: Fall break (no classes)
November 1-6: Homecoming Week
November 2: Election Day (no classes)
November 7: Daylight saving time ends
November 10: Carolinian Creed Day
November 22: Tiger Burn
November 24: Residence halls close at 10 a.m.
November 24-26: Thanksgiving break (no classes)
November 28: Residence halls open at noon
Please continue to visit our website for information and resources at www.sa.sc.edu/parents. As always, we are only a phone call or e-mail away, and we encourage your feedback!


Office of Parents Programs
University of South Carolina
Website:
www.sa.sc.edu/parents
Parents Assistance Line: 1-800-868-6752
E-mail:
scparents@sc.edu