From: Parents E-News [parents@memphis.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 3:39 PM
To: parents-list@cc.memphis.edu
Subject: August 3, 2005 Parent E-News

Parent E-News

August 3, 2005
 

We hope you are enjoying the summer.  While it has been HOT this summer we did manage to have a few cooler days during July.  As we enter the month of August we are busy preparing to welcome our new freshmen and returning students.  Classes will start on August 29th and our students will enjoy a three day break beginning on September 3th.  Unfortunately for them, this will be their last break until Fall Break on October 15-18th.

Till next month….may you be safe and happy.

 This email includes information about:

Welcome Week

Fraternity/Sorority Recruitment

Student Health Insurance

Required Immunizations

Important Dates

August 29, Monday, Fall Classes Start

August 29, 2:00 p.m., Freshman Convocation

October 15-18, Saturday-Tuesday, Fall Break

December 9-15, Friday-Thursday, Exams

January 17, 2006, Tuesday, Spring Classes Start

Link to entire Academic Calendar

            http://www.enrollment.memphis.edu/registrar/calendars/academic/ay0405.htm 

or the University Event Calendar http://events.memphis.edu  (best if viewed using Explorer)

GENERAL CAMPUS NEWS

Classification May Have Changed

Grade/Class level breakdowns changed effective with the Spring 2005 semester. Depending on your student's earned or completed hours at the end of the Fall 2004 semester, the classification may change from Senior to Junior, Junior to Sophomore, or Sophomore to Freshman. The new undergraduate classifications are listed below:

·  Freshman 0-29 earned hours

·  Sophomore 30-59 earned hours

·  Junior 60-89 earned hours

·  Senior 90 or more earned hours

U of M Graduate Named International Sweetheart

Amy Jackson, a recent University of Memphis graduate, was selected by Sigma Chi Fraternity as its new International Sweetheart at the fraternity's Grand Chapter meeting last month in Cincinnati.  Jackson was one of three finalists for the honor; the other two represented chapters were from Pepperdine University in California and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.  Each of the fraternity's 216 chapters in the United States and Canada has the opportunity to nominate a candidate for International Sweetheart. 

Jackson was also the sweetheart of the U of M Sigma Chi chapter and a former Miss University of Memphis.   She was awarded the Gov. Ned McWherter Scholarship, and she was a finalist for the prestigious Truman Scholarship last year.   She was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa honor society and graduated summa cum laude.  Amy received her B.A. degree in journalism from the University of Memphis in May 2005. She is employed with the marketing department at ALSAC/St. Jude.

Take a Good Look at the Person Next to You . . .

University of Memphis doctoral student Andrew Olney won first place in the freestyle robot competition at the 20th Annual National Conference of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI-05) held during July in Pittsburgh, PA.

Olney won in the open interaction division for his work developing the software for the Philip K. Dick robot.  Olney and researchers from the FedEx Institute of Technology have been working in conjunction with Hanson Robotics and the Automation and Robotics Research Institute (ARRI) of the University of Texas at Arlington to create a robotic likeness of Philip K Dick, the late sci-fi author, which had its debut at WIRED magazine’s NextFest in Chicago on June 23 – 26. Dick created the fiction behind the popular movies Blade Runner, Minority Report, Paycheck and Total Recall.

The robot is a combination of artificial intelligence, speech recognition software and face recognition software that allows the robot to think, speak, respond and recognize faces.  While the robot's skills may fall well short of activities found in movies, the fact that it can do as much as it can demonstrates the advances made in technology in a very short time span.  The robot required about six months and $250,000 to create but researchers hope to lower the cost of the units down to about $5,000.  Now that researchers have gotten around the learning curve, the production time and cost will only decrease.  Developing the robot's brain, including software, can be done in as little as two weeks now.  Eric Mathews, Associate Director of the Institute, thinks that it might eventually become a high-end toy for some people.

In-state Tuition

For the first time ever residents in Crittenden County, Ark., and Desoto, Marshall, Tate, and Tunica counties in Mississippi will be able to attend the University of Memphis without paying out-of-state tuition.  In June the Tennessee Board of Regents approved the proposal to allow people in the five counties to take advantage of the education available to them from a comprehensive university that is geographically close to their homes.

The new policy will first apply to enrollment for the fall 2005 semester. The change means that academically qualified students who attend the U of M from anywhere in the Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area will not pay out-of-state tuition, which currently is more than $13,000 per year. Tuition for Tennessee residents at the University of Memphis for academic year 2004-2005 was $4,480 per year for undergraduates and $5,450 for graduate students.

Information about admissions requirements and enrollment under this new program is available by phone at 901-678-6721 or online at www.memphis.edu/border.pdf

New Undergraduate Degree Program

Beginning this fall, the University of Memphis' Herff College of Engineering will offer an undergraduate degree program in biomedical engineering that builds on the college's successful joint graduate program with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
 

Student Support Services: Your Student Can Succeed With It!

The Student Support Services (SSS) program at The University of Memphis is a grant-funded TRiO program provided by the Department of Education. At the U of M, the goal of SSS is to assist qualified students in attending and eventually graduating from college. Our goal is simple:  We want our students to graduate!  We understand that many students at The University of Memphis have to overcome significant educational barriers to their education. We are here to help.

TRiO - Student Support Services provides a supportive environment where students can feel comfortable asking for help.  Tutoring, academic and personal counseling, career guidance, intensive academic advising and study skills assistance are only a few of the many services we offer at NO COST to program participants. 

Your student may be eligible if he or she is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has been accepted for enrollment at The University of Memphis and meets one or more of the following criteria:

Space is limited, and participants are selected on a first-come, first-served basis.  So don’t wait because YOUR STUDENT CAN SUCCEED WITH IT!  Eligible students are urged to apply as soon as possible.  For more information, visit our website at http://saweb.memphis.edu/trio.

Allow SSS to provide your student with the tools needed to make their educational goals become a reality!

The IT Service Center

Does your student need assistance activating his or her University of Memphis computer account?  Resetting their password? Configuring a laptop or other wireless device?  Students are encouraged to Beat the Crowd for computing assistance.  The University's Information Technology (IT) Service Center is available to help students 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  There are numerous ways to receive assistance:

°        Call 678-8888

°        Enter a request at Helpdesk Request Center

°        Ask TOM a question at Ask TOM

°        Identity management – self service at iAM, The University of Memphis

°        Stop by Room 124, Administration Building (7:00 am – 7:00 pm, 7 days a week)

We’re here to help – beat the lines by contacting us NOW!

Homecoming

Fall means football, and Homecoming means a whirl of activities on and around the U of M campus.  Make plans now to attend the campus parade, pep rally, and party on October 21, the night before we take on ECU at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (game time 1p.m., Oct. 22).

2005 Football Season Tickets are on Sale Now

            $160 Tickets

            $75 Fun Zone

Call 678-2331 to order today or http://gotigersgo.collegesports.com/tickets/mem-tickets.html

Home Schedule 

9/5         Ole Miss                               3:30pm

9/17       UT-Chattanooga                  7pm

10/1       UTEP                                    7pm

10/22     ECU                                      2:30pm

11/1       UAB                                      6:30pm

11/26     Marshall                               1pm

 

RESIDENCE LIFE & DINING SERVICES

2005 FALL RESIDENCE HALL CHECK-IN INFORMATION

The residence halls will be open during the following hours for check-in:

FRESHMEN FIRST AND HONORS STUDENTS ONLY- 10 AM – 2 PM

Thursday, August 25, 2005

ALL OTHER RESIDENTS- 1 PM – 4:30 PM

Friday, August 26, 2005

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Failure to claim your room by 4:30 PM on Saturday, August 27, 2005, will result in the loss of your room assignment and forfeiture of your application/reservation deposit.  If you are unable to check-in by 4:30 PM on Saturday, August 27, you must contact the Residence Life and Dining Services Office at 901-678-2295 by noon Friday on August 26th and request to be placed on the Late Arrivals List to avoid the forfeiture of your deposit and the loss of your housing assignment.

2005 FALL RESIDENCE HALL RENTAL PAYMENTS

Students must pay a $200 rent prepayment by the date indicated on the assignment letter to maintain the housing assignment.  Students not paying the $200 rent prepayment will have their room assignment canceled.  Students canceling after July 1 or applying and receiving an assignment after July 1 will be obligated for the $200 rent prepayment. All rental payments should be made to The University of Memphis Bursar’s Office, P. O. Box 1000, Dept 313, Memphis, TN  38148-0313 or paid online through CASHNet at www.bf.memphis.edu/ebursar. DO NOT MAIL YOUR PAYMENT TO RESIDENCE LIFE AND DINING SERVICES.  Please include the student’s social security number on all payments. 

Rent is due in full prior to checking in to the room for the 2005 Fall Semester or have verification of financial aid or scholarships to cover the balance of the rent.  If financial aid or scholarships is being received, all aid will be applied toward tuition first, and then applied toward any debts owed the University, such as the rent balance.

Students who do not pay their rental payment in full by the check-in date and are not receiving enough financial aid or scholarships to cover the entire amount of the rental balance after the $200 rental prepayment, will be placed on an installment plan at an additional fee.  The amount of housing fees will remain payable even if a student withdraws from the University, except for any normal University refunds which may reduce the amount due.  All installment amounts due must be paid in order to participate in the course selection process for future terms. 

The Bursar’s Office will not be open on Saturday, August 27 to receive rental payments.

FALL 2005 RESIDENCE HALL ROOM CHANGE PERIOD

Thursday, September 1, 2005

Friday, September 2, 2005

1PM – 4PM

MEAL PLAN MEMBERSHIPS

Meal Plan Membership information is included in the assignment packets.  Please submit the Meal Plan Request Form to the Residence Life and Dining Services Office, 011 Richardson Towers, Memphis, TN  38152, to enroll in a meal plan membership.  Meal Plan Membership costs will be added to the amount of rent and are tax exempt.

Freshmen First-Honors Program- Leadership Membership

(Members of Freshmen First or the Honors Program)

10 Meals/week + $200 Declining Dollars                                  $950

5 Meals/week + $200 Declining Dollars                                    $610

Housing Advantage Membership

(Residents of Richardson Towers non-Freshmen First or Honors floors, Mynders, West, Smith, South, and Rawls halls)

10 meals/week                                                                         $795

5 meals/week                                                                           $425

For more information regarding meal plans visit www.tigerdining.com.

REGISTRAR

REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENT

Fall 2005 Registration opened April 4 for returning students. First-time freshmen register during their Orientation sessions: they are advised and then coached in using TIGERWEB, the University’s web-based registration system, to register for classes. Students use TIGERWEB for all schedule adjustments and registrations.

Below are the key dates that pertain to Fall registration and schedule adjustment:

FALL 2005 SESSIONS1

Full

1st

2nd

Regents

Last day of regular registration

8/26/05

8/26/05

10/18/05

8/26/05

Late Registration - $100 late registration fee assessed

8/27/05-9/1/05

8/26/05 – 8/30/05

10/19/05 – 10/20/05

Special Permission req’d

First day of Classes

08/29/05

08/29/05

10/19/05

08/29/05

Last day to add or change sections

09/01/05

08/30/05

10/20/05

Special Permission req’d

Drops on or after this date receive “W”2 grades.

09/12/05

09/12/05

11/02/05

09/12/05

Last day to drop a class

10/21/05

09/21/05

11/10/05

10/21/05

1For an explanation of the different Sessions, please see: Sessions: What Are the Differences?

2For an explanation of “W” grades, please see:

The Grading Scale and Your GPA.

To view a more extensive list of Fall enrollment events and dates, refer to the Fall           2005 Dates & Deadlines Calendar.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

Instructors report to the Registrar all students who have not attended any class meetings during the first two weeks of classes. These students are sent a Notice of Non-Attendance. Students who do not attend classes should use TIGERWEB to drop or withdraw from their classes.

Students become responsible for both their fees and grades at the time they register. Those who register but then decide not to attend classes should drop/withdraw prior to the first day of classes for the session in which their courses are taught in order to avoid fee or grade liability. Students who stop attending will be assigned “F” grades in courses from which they have not officially withdrawn.

NOTE:

·        Reported non-attendance can affect a student’s eligibility for the Hope Lottery Scholarship and/or Financial Aid. 

·        Students who receive VA benefits or Title IV funds for enrollment fees but who stop attending, may have current and future awards cancelled and may have to repay benefits immediately, whether or not they officially withdraw or drop courses.

ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION

Your insurance company may require proof that your student is attending the University of Memphis. This proof is called Enrollment Verification and is available from the Registrar’s Office or the National Student Clearinghouse. You may request an Enrollment Verification yourself, or you may assign this responsibility to your student. Although an Enrollment Verification may be requested at any time, the Registrar will not begin certifying actual enrollment until the semester’s first day of classes (August 29 for Fall 2005). Requests made prior to the semester’s first day of classes will be sent with the statement “Student has pre-registered for a future term.”  Requests are usually processed and verifications sent within 24 hours.

You or your student may request an Enrollment Verification in person, or by e-mail, phone, or FAX:

In Person:

Go to 003 Wilder Tower and complete a verification request form.

E-mail:

E-mail a request with the information listed below to the U of M contact (pwhitley@memphis.edu) for verification.

Phone:

901-678-2676

FAX:

901-678-1425

The University of Memphis is also a member of the National Student Clearinghouse and has contracted with this organization to verify enrollment. Rather than visit or contact the Registrar’s Office, you or your student may request an Enrollment Verification through the National Student Clearinghouse:

Web:

http://www.studentclearinghouse.org. Information is available from this site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Mail:

The National Student Clearinghouse

2191 Fox Mill Road, Suite 300

Herndon, VA  20171-3242

E-mail:

service@studentclearinghouse

Phone:

703-742-4200

FAX:

703-742-4239

Whether you request Enrollment Verification from the Registrar or from the Clearinghouse, be prepared to provide the following information:

DIRECTORY INFORMATION

The University publishes a printed telephone directory in the fall, and a web directory (“People” Search) that is available year-round. If your student does NOT want his/her address and phone number to be listed, the student must complete a Request to Restrict the Release of Directory Information form (pdf document), and turn it in to the Registrar's Office, 003 Wilder Tower. This form (also available in the Registrar’s Office) must be completed prior to or during the first two weeks of classes.

STUDENTS AND GRADES    
 

Grades are available on TIGERWEB as soon as instructors enter them. However, the grades and related academic statistics are not “official” until the Thursday following the session’s last exam date. Your student should recheck his/her grades, statistics, and academic action after that day.

Grades are not routinely mailed out. If your student needs a printed copy of his/her grade report (for example, to go to an employer), the student needs to request a grade mailer; this can be done in 2 ways:

1.      In person at the Registrar’s Office, 003 Wilder Tower (student must show Student ID).

2.      Online through TIGERWEB; for instructions see, How to: Request a Grade Mailer.

NOTE: Grade Mailers may be requested only for the University term that has just ended, are available only for a few weeks after grades are official, and are sent by U.S. Mail to the student’s Permanent Address.

PARENTS AND GRADES

Can I see my student’s grades?

No, not unless you have your student's consent or you can show that the student is still a dependent for federal income tax purposes.

This may seem strange to you, but federal law prevents us from releasing a student's information to anyone but the student unless we have the student's written consent. The specific law is the Family Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA), also known as the Buckley Amendment.

We recommend that you follow this procedure and that you talk to your student at every stage:

1.      Ask your student to show you his or her grades on TIGERWEB.

2.      If this isn't practical, ask your student to complete a Student Consent to Release Education Record form that would permit the Registrar to release a copy of the grades to you. For further information, including a link to the form, see Student Consent to Release Education Record.

3.      If your student is unwilling to complete the consent form, you can complete a Request for Disclosure of Education Record Information form, provided your student is a dependent for tax purposes. For further information, including a link to the form, see Parent Request for Student Record.

BURSAR

Please visit our new web site at http://bf.memphis.edu/ebursar,

where you will find important information and new features, such as the following:

Fee payment deadlines (Fall deadline is August 26)

Electronic check payment, as well as credit card payment online

Tuition Calculator – Fall 2005 fees now available

Statements and invoices online (Fall invoices will be available online during the first week of August.)

NEW – Student can set up a PIN number for you to be able to view and pay the statements and invoices. (This PIN number is new and different from any other that you may have already established.)

Email reminders when statements and invoices are available online 

Welcome Week August 26- September 5 (schedule still tentative)

Welcome week provides news students a comprehensive and engaging start to the school year and acquaints students and their families with the University.

Friday, August 26              
Warm Welcome Picnic, 4 pm, West Hall


Saturday, August 27
 First Serv
Fourth floor, 10 am - 1 pm, University Center

Be a part from the start! New Memphis students can participate in a service project at a local nonprofit agency. Participants will meet other service-minded freshmen and learn about the Memphis Volunteers program
<> 

Frosh Camp Reunion, 1-3 pm, Student Recreation Center

Students reconnect with students and counselors they meant during their frosh camp experience.
<>

Welcome Week Carnival, 5 - 8 pm
, Richard Towers South

Movies on the Mall, 8pm, Alumni Mall
Who needs to go out and see movies in town when you can experience the big screen right on campus!

Sunday, August 28
 Religious Life Tour, 3 pm

 Students will have the opportunity to meet with religious life representatives as well as tour several houses adjacent to campus.

Monday, August 29
Convocation, 2pm, Rose Theatre
The official beginning of the school year for all new students. Hear from many of University of Memphis' leaders and learn
more about your school.  <>

 Student Organization and Involvement Fair, 
<>Immediately following Convocation, Alumni Mall

 The Involvement Carnival is a chance for Memphis  students (especially freshmen and transfer students) to see what  involvement opportunities exist for them on campus and in the Memphis community.    

Tuesday, August 30
Start your morning with us: 8 - 11 am, Fourth Floor of the University Center
Free Coffee and Doughnuts                                            

Minority Student Mixer, 7 pm, UC 3rd Floor
The Minority Affairs Office hosts this opportunity for you to meet staff and student leaders from many student organications

Welcome Back Dance, 8:30 pm - 11 pm,  University Center

Wednesday, August 31
RecFest, 11 am - 3pm, Student Recreation Center
Come check out all what the Recreation Center has to offer. You can also watch and/or participate in belly flop and dunk contests and enjoy free food and some great giveaways

Wednesday Night Live Karaoke, 8 pm, Tiger Den

Thursday, September 1
Greek Fest/Blue and Gray Bash ,8 pm , University Center
Interested in Greek Life and/or Football???  Stop by and learn more about the different fraternities & sororities and opportunities available to you on Memphis’ campus as well as meant this year’s tiger football team.


Friday, September 2
Step show demomstration, Alumni Mall, 12:30 pm

Monday, September 5
 Frosh Frenzy, 11 am - 2 pm
 Frosh Frenzy is a tradition that takes place on the day of our University's first home football game, and is geared towards our new freshmen.  Your student, as a participant, will have plenty of fun, and the time and opportunity to meet other participants, and form lasting
friendships.  As game time approaches, our newest Tigers are transported to the Liberty bowl on escorted-charter buses with our University's marching band.  They will then take the field and form a human tunnel for the Tiger football team to run through as they start the new gridiron season contending for Conference USA glory. 

Fraternity/Sorority Recruitment

The Women's Panhellenic Council  and Interfraternity Council are currently taking applications for fall recruitment. If you daughter or son is interested in joining a WPC sorority or an IFC chapter, please contact the Office of Campus Life 901-678-8679 or Julia Blaydes at Jules161513@aol.com for WPC chapters or Robert Huber for IFC chapters at rwh3636@aol.com

For those individuals interested the National Pan-Hellenic Council Chapters, those groups will have more information on recruitment events at the beginning of the fall semester. Please keep a lookout for flyers and/or newspaper ads for additional information.

Student Health Services

Student Health Insurance for 205-2006

This plan is approved by The Tennessee Board of Regents Student Health Insurance Committee.  It offers affordable premiums with monthly payments for U.S. citizens.

Brochures are located at

FAQ, on-line brochure & enrollment for U.S. Citizens

The servicing agent is Health Benefit Concepts, Inc. 1-800–463–2317  

Just a reminder concerning the MMR Immunization requirements (http://www.people.memphis.edu/~health/).  Click on the Health Information tab at top of page.  If you or your child has not provided the necessary documentation concerning the MMR immunizations, your documentation may be mailed, faxed, or brought in person to Student Health Services as soon as possible.

The mailing address is:

Student Health Services
200 Hudson Health Center
MemphisTN  38152

The Fax number is:  (901) 678-3124

Remember documentation is not required if the student:  graduated from a Tennessee Public High School after 1999; was born before 1957; is only attending part-time; or is only taking on-line courses.   

 If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call Student Health Services at (901) 678-2287 or visit http://www.people.memphis.edu/~health/ 

Requirements for All Students

To make your transition easier, we want to inform you about a 2003 state law. In this statute, the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee mandates that each public or private post secondary institution in the state provide information concerning Hepatitis B infection to all students entering the institution for the first time. Those students who will be living on campus must also receive information about the risk of meningococcal meningitis infection.  To read more about these diseases and what you are required to do prior to attending the University of Memphis please visit http://www.people.memphis.edu/~health.

 

Your “U of M Parent Information Team”

Remember the Parents web page with links at http://www.memphis.edu/parents.html or you can address specific inquiries to parents@memphis.edu.  Past Parent E-news are posted at http://www.people.memphis.edu/%7Estudent/parentslist.html.


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