Dear Carolina parent,
Move-in day is just around the corner on Saturday, Aug. 17! As you and your student prepare for moving to (or back to) campus, we are here to help with any questions you may have. Call the Parents Assistance Line at 1-800-868-6752 or send us an email.During this transition, encourage your student to be independent and act responsibly. Be an empathetic listener but refrain from "coming to the rescue" when he/she faces a problem. By teaching your student how to resolve his/her own problems, you will demonstrate that you have confidence in him/her.Don't forget to take care of yourself too! This is a period of adjustment for parents and families as well. Whether you're a first-time college parent or you're sending a student back to campus after spending a summer at home together, your mixed feelings of joy and sorrow, pride and loss, are normal.
Monthly tips for parents. Visit the Office of Parents Programs website regularly to review the monthly tips that serve as a supplement to this newsletter. I f you have any questions about resources available at Carolina, please call the Parents Assistance Line at 1-800-868-6752 or send us an email at scparents@sc.edu.
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Register now for Parents Weekend!
Mark your calendars for Parents Weekend 2013, to be held Oct. 4-6! Register online today!Registration is required to participate in the weekend's activities and is available online now through Sept. 13 at 4 p.m. (ET).V isit the Office of Parents Programs website to view the tentative schedule of events and to register. The events and activities are updated weekly, so continue to check back regularly throughout the summer for updates.
Also, "like" University of South Carolina Parents Weekend on Facebook! We'll post regular updates and reminders to keep you informed about plans for the weekend. The popular Parents Weekend 5K will take place Saturday, Oct. 5 at 8 a.m. Registration for the 5K will be available on the Office of Parents Programs website beginning Monday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. (ET). Be sure to sign up!
We look forward to welcoming you to an unforgettable Gamecock weekend this fall!
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Carolina welcomes incoming students!
Move-in Day The residence halls will officially open for Move-in Day 2013 on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 8 a.m. Your student should receive a move-in packet at his/her permanent address before Aug. 17. This packet includes a brochure with reminders, a campus map and a parking tag that must be displayed to utilize one of the 20-minute unloading zones. If your student has a question about move-in, encourage him/her to contact an assignment coordinator at 803-777-4283, or connect with University Housing on Facebook and Twitter. Review the 2013 Move-In Guide for more information on what to pack, residence hall amenities, how to ship packages to campus, staggered move-in times and much more! For complete information about Move-in Day, visit the welcome website.
The Family Roost - Information for new and returning GamecocksWe invite you and your student to stop by the Family Roost information table on the first floor of the Russell House Friday, Aug. 16, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the Family Roost information tent on Greene Street in front of the Russell House on Saturday, Aug. 17, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Parents can pick up information from the Office of Parents Programs, and students and families can talk with representatives from the Department of Student Life about the many ways to get involved on campus. Campus maps and information about the city of Columbia will be available. On Saturday, we also will provide great music, water, soft drinks and the popular misting fan! Carolina Welcome Carolina Welcome 2013, which runs Aug. 17-25, is a university-wide celebration that features a variety of events designed to welcome new and returning students to campus before the start of classes. For more information on Carolina Welcome, click here. You also can follow Carolina Welcome on Twitter.
New Student Convocation New students and their families are invited to New Student Convocation, the official academic welcome to the university, on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 4 p.m. at the Carolina Coliseum. Prior to convocation, colleges and schools will host receptions for families, and immediately following the ceremony is a reception with President Pastides and other university administrators. Click here for more information and to RSVP.
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New publications for parents online
The Parents Calendar and Handbook 2013-2014 is available now on our website! This publication is a great tool for helping you navigate the academic year. Copies will be available for you to pick up at the Family Roost table on Friday, Aug. 16 and tent on Saturday, Aug. 17. Copies also will be available in the residence halls on Move-in Day and at Parents Weekend.
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Spring 2013 Honor Roll and Dean's List posted
The Spring 2013 President's Honor Roll and Dean's List have been released online. The names on these lists signify students who met the following standards during spring 2013:
President's Honor Roll: a grade point average of 4.00 earned on a minimum of 12 credited semester hours .
Dean's List: a grade point average of 3.50 or higher (3.25 or higher for freshmen) earned on a minimum of 12 credited semester hours.
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AlcoholEdu® requirement for incoming students
All incoming 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 learn about alcohol and its effects on the mind and body.
How do students take AlcoholEdu®? Students should log in to my.sc.edu using their VIP ID and password to complete AlcoholEdu®. Instructions on how to complete the course can be found here. Students entering in fall 2013 must complete part one by Aug. 16, and part two by Oct. 17. 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 P218663PARENT in the new user log-in field to create an account.
For more information about AlcoholEdu®, click here.
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August commencement information
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Join the Gamecock Club
Interested in getting football, basketball or baseball tickets while your son or daughter is at USC? Join the Gamecock Club to receive access to season tickets, parking (if available), single game and mini-pack offers before the general public and much more! Click here for more information or call 803-777-4276.
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News from the Bursar
The Bursar's Office is excited to announce the transition to the university's new One Carolina system. New features available in the student's Self Service Carolina (SSC) site via my.sc.edu include the ability to enroll in payment plans online and make partial payments up until the payment deadline.
Bill and payment deadlines
Bills are available via my.sc.edu for the fall semester. The Bursar's Office will be open for fee payment in the Carolina Coliseum, Greene Street entrance, Friday, Aug. 16, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Payments also can be made at the Carolina Coliseum Aug. 19-22, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The Bursar's Office will be closed Sunday, Aug.18. The mail-in payment deadline for the fall semester is Aug. 9, and the deadline to pay fees for the fall semester is Aug. 22 at 5 p.m. Please note that bills can be paid through SSC using MasterCard, American Express, Discover or e-check, by mail or in person.
Please note: Financial aid will be automatically applied to students' bills.
Payment plans
The university offers payment plans for fall and spring semesters. Payment plans require an initial payment of 25 percent of the balance due after all financial aid has been applied, plus a $75 administrative fee. There are three additional payments, resulting in a total of four payments per term. Students who had a payment plan in the past and paid on time, as well as first time users, will be able to sign up online. Click here for more information.
Authorized users
Students have the ability to assign authorized users to their account in SSC. This authorization will allow the authorized user to see the student's bill, payment history, 1098T information and payment plan, as well as speak with the Bursar's Office staff about the student's account. Please note that if your student previously submitted a FERPA release form, he/she will still need to set authorized users in SSC.
Direct deposits
If your student expects to receive a refund (which includes excess financial aid), please have him/her set up his/her direct deposit via SSC. Please note that if your student had direct deposit prior to the conversion to our new system, he/she will need to set up his/her direct deposit information again.
For more information from the Office of the Bursar, click here.
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Opportunities to share with your student Student football ticketsStudent tickets for the 2013 Gamecock football season will be allocated on a weekly basis. Please encourage your student to read the new process online so he/she knows how to request and claim tickets for Carolina football games! Click here to review the process.
The Student Athletic Tickets office will host a webinar Aug. 6 from 3-4:30 p.m. (ET), that will cover the student ticketing process, the accrual of loyalty points and other important information that relates to student athletic tickets. Students and parents can register for the webinar here.
Freshmen send-offs Join the Carolina Alumni Association for freshmen send-offs held around the country to welcome incoming students and their families to the Carolina family! Click here for event locations and more details.
Part-time job fair If your student is looking for a part-time job this semester, encourage him/her to visit the Opportunity Knocks Part-time Job Fair, sponsored by the Career Center, on Aug. 20 between noon and 3 p.m. in the Russell House ballroom. Click here for more information.
Freshman CouncilIs your student interested in leadership and making a positive and lasting impact on the Carolina community? If so, encourage him or her to apply for Freshman Council! This unique group of freshman leaders prepares members for leadership roles in the Carolina community. Freshman Council members are able to sharpen leadership skills, interact with Student Government leaders, learn about the USC community and build lasting relationships. Students must apply by Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. and can access the online application here. Carolina ConvoySponsored by Student Government, Carolina Convoy is a spirit-filled day trip designed to support the Gamecocks football team while they are away from Williams-Brice Stadium. Carolina Convoy provides a safe and convenient environment for students to enjoy an away football game. This year's Convoy will travel to Georgia on Sept. 7. Your student can sign up through his/her Student Account Manager. Packages, which are $95, are available on a first-come, first-served basis and include round-trip bus transport, a game ticket, Gamecock gear and snacks. Incoming freshmen will receive an email the week of Aug. 5 regarding away game and convoy tickets! Click here for more information.
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University news updates
Carolina Dining brings healthy options to campusBased on input from the Carolina community through surveys, Chick-fil-a breakfast options will be added on the Russell House University Union's second floor. Burger King has been removed in favor of Sodexo's own burger station, Fresh Burger. The lower level of the Russell House will welcome a new, cantina-style Mexican restaurant, Wholly Habaneros.These new developments and more will open when the students arrive the week of Aug. 17. Read more>>
South Carolina leads 2012-13 SEC First-Year Academic Honor RollFor the sixth-consecutive year, South Carolina leads the Southeastern Conference (SEC) by placing 97 student-athletes on the league's First-Year Academic Honor Roll. Read more>>Stay updated on the latest University of South Carolina news.
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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 email 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 Email: scparents@sc.edu |
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