November 12, 2004

Believe it or not, the end of the Fall semester is in sight!  You will probably have your student at home for several visits over the next month or so.  We want to provide you with some advice about that and information about the end of the semester and the spring semester.  So, read on…….!

Important Dates

Residence Life

REGISTRAR

Financial Aid

BURSAR

Athletics Update

ALUMNI

Cultural Events on Campus

Safety Update

End of Semester and Holiday Advice

Important Dates for Fall 2004 and Spring 2005

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)

RESIDENCE LIFE

Spring 2005 Deposit Refund Deadlines

50%- January 15, 2005

Cancellations for Spring 2005 must be submitted in writing to the Residence Life and Dining Services Office, 011 Richardson Towers.

Residents canceling the spring portion of their contracts must check-out no later than Friday, December 17 at 3:00 p.m.  Residents checking out of their rooms after December 17 will be responsible for 25% of the rent for the 2005 Spring Semester. 

Thanksgiving Holiday

The residence halls will remain open during the Thanksgiving Holidays, November 25 – 26. 

Semester Break

All residents, with the exception of students living in Carpenter Complex and Richardson Towers, must vacate the residence halls 24 hours after their last exam, at the latest by December 17.  The residence halls will be closed through January 13.  Residents checking out are required to sign up for an appointment to check out and surrender their room keys before they leave for Semester Break.  Residents returning for the Spring Semester are not required to move their possessions out of the halls; however, residents should take all valuables and possessions needed during Semester Break when they leave.

Spring 2005 Check-In

Friday, January 14 and Saturday, January 15 from 1 PM until 4:30 PM

All assigned rooms must be claimed by 4:30 PM on Saturday, January 15.  Residents failing to check into their rooms by 4:30 PM on Saturday, January 15 will forfeit their room assignment and their $100 application/reservation deposit.  In order to prevent your room and deposit from being forfeited, you must contact the Residence Life and Dining Services Office, 011 Richardson Towers, 901-678-2295 and request to be placed on the Late Arrival’s List if you cannot check-in by this date.

Rental Payments for Spring 2005

Rental payments for rent for Spring 2005 are due by January 14, 2005.  Payments must be made to the Bursar’s Office.  Residents who are on the installment plan for rent for Fall 2004 must complete new paperwork in order to obtain an installment plan for Spring 2005.  If you are receiving financial aid or scholarships for the Spring 2005 Semester, all aid will be applied toward tuition first, and then applied toward any debts owed the University, such as rent.

Call Residence Life at 678-2995 with any questions you have.

REGISTRAR

FINAL EXAMS

Classes will be ending December 8, 2004 and students will be taking final exams beginning December 10, 2004. Since attendance is compulsory, it is important that students know when and where their exams will be taking place.  Remind your son/daughter to check the Registrar’s website at http://www.enrollment.memphis.edu/registrar/calendars/04f/04ffinal.htm for information concerning the exam schedule. For additional information regarding calendar information, students may call the Student and Faculty Services Office at 901-678-2810. Some professors give exams before the official exams period begins – this decision is up to each professor.  Your student should be sure that they clarify with each professor when their exam will be.

GRADING INFORMATION

Grades are available on TIGERWEB as soon as the instructors enter them. However, the grades and academic statistics are subject to review and update until they become official, usually by the Thursday following the session’s last exam period. Your student should recheck his/her grades, stats, and academic action after that day.

Grades are not routinely mailed out. If your son/daughter needs a printed copy of his/her grade report (for example, to go to an employer), he/she will need to request a grade mailer. For information on how to view grades, or how to request a grade mailer, go to http://wwwenrollment.memphis.edu/registrar/r_center/howto/grades_mail.htm or visit the Registrar’s Office in 003 Wilder Tower, present a Student ID, and request a printout of grades. Note: Grade Mailers may be requested only for the University term that has just ended. This option is available for a few weeks only after grades are official. Grade Mailers are sent by U.S. Mail and are sent to the student’s Permanent Address.

PARENTS’ REQUESTS FOR STUDENT RECORDS

Parents may request a copy of their student’s record if the student has been claimed as a dependent for tax purposes in the most recent tax year. The University of Memphis suggests you first discuss your intentions with your son/daughter. He/she may share the information you need, avoiding further action on your part. Also, since we are required to notify the student in writing that you have requested and will be given a copy of the record, you may want to give your student some advance warning. If your son/daughter does not share the information, youmay obtain, complete, and sign a Parent Request for Disclosure of Education Record Information and Certification of Dependent Status form. This form may be printed from our website: http://www.enrollment.memphis.edu/registrar/forms/pdf/parent_release.pdf. Mail or deliver the form to: The University of Memphis, Assistant Registrar – Student Records, 003 Wilder Tower, Memphis, TN 38152-3520. You may also visit Student Records 003 Wilder Tower, and complete a copy there. You will need a photo ID for identification.

CONSENT TO RELEASE INFORMATION

 Your son/daughter may authorize the release of his/her record to someone other than a University of Memphis employee by providing his/her consent on the Consent to Release Education Record Information form. This form can be found on our website: http://www.enrollment.memphis.edu/registrar/forms/pdf/student_release.pdf. The form should be completed and given to the Assistant Registrar – Student Records, 003 Wilder Tower. Students may also complete the form in the Student Records Office, 003 Wilder Tower.

SPRING 2005 REGISTRATION

Registration for the Spring, 2005 semester began November 8 and continues through January 14, 2005.  Encourage your son/daughter to take advantage of early registration.  For information concerning registration times, TIGERWEB’s hours of availability, and class listings for the Spring 2005 semester, have your student visit the Registrar’s website at http://www.enrollment.memphis.edu/registrar/.

FINANCIAL AID MONEY AVAILABLE
For those students who did not receive financial aid in the fall, it's not too late to apply for the spring semester.  Go to http://www.enrollment.memphis.edu/FinancialAid/ and follow the application links.  We encourage you to do this before Thanksgiving to ensure ample time to process the applications.

BURSAR

For students who register during regular registration, the fee payment deadline for Spring 2005 is Friday, January 14, 2005 to avoid a $100 late payment fee.  Students who register after January 14 will incur a $100 late registration fee.

Registration and grade holds are placed on accounts of students who owe the University money.  Please remind your son or daughter to pay off any outstanding charges so that they may receive current semester grades and register for Spring 2005.  Account balances may be viewed and paid online at https://www.memphis.edu/cashnet/359/cgi/login.pl or over the telephone at (901) 678-8600.

Remember to ask your son or daughter to sign you up for a Parent PIN so that you can view and pay your student’s charges.  For more information, visit our website at http://bf.memphis.edu/finance/bursar/whatsnew.php

ATHLETICS UPDATE

TOP 25 TIGERS
While football has grabbed most of the headlines, other University of Memphis teams have had exceptional seasons.  Here are some of the highlights.

The men's soccer team has captured its first ever Conference USA regular season championship posting a school record 13 wins this year against just three losses.  The soccer Tigers are currently ranked 13th in the country.

Men's golf has had a banner fall and is currently ranked 14th in the country.  The Tigers have won three of the four tournaments played this fall capturing titles at events hosted by the University of Michigan, the University of Missouri and its own event, the Memphis Intercollegiate.  The Tigers top player, Keven Fortin-Sinard, is just a freshman so the future is very bright for men's golf.

Men's basketball is ranked in both pre-season polls.  The Tigers are 23rd in the USA Today Coaches' Poll and 24th in the Associated Press poll.  The Tigers are currently 3-0.

Women's basketball opens its season on November 19 under first year head coach Blair Savage-Lansden.  Savage-Lansden, an assistant at Memphis for nine years, replaces longtime head coach Joye Lee-McNelis who left after 13 years with the university.

ALUMNI

The Alumni Scholars Program encourages children and grandchildren of Alumni Association members to make the U of M their first choice for higher education.

Family of alumni who have been dues-paying Alumni Association members, any time within the calendar year prior to the application deadline, who will be first-time, incoming freshmen are eligible to apply for the scholarship. The award is worth $1000/year ($500/semester).  For an application and more details regarding eligibility, go to http://www.memphis.edu/alumni/alumni_scholarship.pdf.

Also, we would like to encourage anyone to join the alumni association and take advantage of the exciting programs and opportunities. Alumni membership application and information is available at http://www.memphis.edu/alumni

CULTURAL EVENTS ON CAMPUS

Theatre:  For all upcoming events:  http://www.people.memphis.edu/%7Eumtheatre/season2000.html

The Diviners by Jim Leonard
November 12-13 & 15-20, U of M Theatre Building, Directed by Claire Syler  - A miraculous tale set during the great Depression in a small community where water and faith are in short supply. A charismatic preacher, drifts into town and befriends a gentle but misunderstood boy with a special gift for divining water. The Diviners resonates with questions of faith, divinity, and the power of nature.

Next by Terrence McNally, December 3-4, U of M Theatre Building, Directed by Henry McDaniel - Next revisits the 1960s when an overweight army inductee attempts to get himself disqualified from serving in a war whose purpose has become unclear.

The Serpent by Jean-Claude Van Itallie, December 3-4, U of M Theatre Building, Directed by Jennifer Bauer - The Serpent, a landmark of the experimental theatre movement, is a passionate celebration of the Book of Genesis as it relates to contemporary American values.

For ticket information, call 678-2576. 

Music:  For all upcoming events: http://music.memphis.edu/events.html#nov

Sound Fuzion Concert, With special guest Booker T. Jones, November 19 – 8:00 p.m., Michael D. Rose Theater, Free admission

University Singers & Chamber Choir, November 21 – 4:00 p.m., Idlewild Presbyterian Church – 1750 Union Ave., Free admission

U of M Symphony Band, November 22 – 7:30 p.m., Harris Auditorium – Music Building, Canned food donation requested

U of M Jazz Singers, November 30 - 7:30 p.m., Harris Auditorium – Music Building, Free admission 

Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra & Jazz Ensemble II, December 2 – 7:30 p.m., Harris Auditorium – Music Building, For ticket information call 678-2541

 U of M Symphony Orchestra, December 6 – 8:00 p.m., Harris Auditorium – Music Building, For ticket information call 678-2541

U of M Jazz Combos, December 7 – 7:30 p.m., Harris Auditorium – Music Building, Free admission

The University of Memphis has long been one of the safest campuses in the state, as proven by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s annual Crime on Campus Report
 (http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/divisions/isd_csu_sac.htm).  Last year, the University had the lowest crime rate among the 11 large schools in Tennessee (campus population of 5,000 
or more).  This year, reported crime is down around 6% from 2003. 

However, during the last two weeks, two students reported an assault and an attempted robbery in two of our campus parking lots.  Based on information provided by both
students, the incidents were not related.  These incidents have received a significant amount of attention in the community and have also generated rumors.  Neither of these
incidents involved any type of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault.  There have been no sexual assaults reported on our campus this year.  

While such incidents have proven to be extremely rare on our campus, the University has additional officers to patrol and all officers are focusing their attention on the parking  lots.
Campus lighting has been checked and repaired, and inoperable lights have been replaced.  We are also adding more cameras in the parking lots, expanding the hours of coverage
 in the observation towers, and developing a system to let everyone know when the towers are staffed. 

The Tiger Patrol student escort program (http://bf.memphis.edu/police/tigerpatrol.php) hours have been expanded to cover the period from 4:30 p.m. until 2:00 a.m., seven days
 a week.  Anyone can obtain an escort to and from the parking lots and anywhere else on campus by calling 678-4663 (HOME) or 678-4357 (HELP). 

Considering the University’s overall safety record, we continue to believe ours is a very safe campus.  As an urban institution, we are not immune from the problems experienced 
by the communities that surround us, but when incidents do happen, we increase our efforts to protect the University community. The University and its police department are
committed to the continued safety of our students, employees, and visitors.


END OF SEMESTER AND HOLIDAY ADVICE

The holidays can be a time of great togetherness and pleasure for families, but they can also cause stress.  College freshmen living apart from their parents often experience conflicts when they are home for their first extended stay.  The conflicts are often related to:

·        Different expectations about how much time your child will spend with the family over the holiday: you may want your child most of the time but he/she may want to spend a lot of time visiting friends.

·        House rules:  You may be reluctant to view your child as an adult and make appropriate alternatives to home rules (i.e., later curfews).  That can be frustrating for your child, who is now living as an independent adult at college.

Here are some tips on how to minimize holiday stress for you and your child:

1.      Let your child know about your plans and preferences for the holiday before he/she arrives home. 

2.      Listen to your child’s preferences and plans as well.

3.      Make certain your plans include your child in some way.  Think of something you have in common with him/her or things you enjoy doing with him/her and request to do those things.  Include him/her in the planning and scheduling of these activities.

4.      Think about the needs of your child who is looking for a respite from academic demands.

5.      Discuss house rules and come to mutual agreement on how they should be changed in light of your child’s newfound independence.

6.      If poor grades are a point of contention between you and your child, establish times when any talk about grades is off-limits,

7.      Re-work your relationship with your child.  Approach him/her more as a consultant rather than a caretaker.

8.      Provide a balance to your child between spending time with family and alone.

On campus, the Center for Student Development provides a variety of ways to support your child:

·        When your child feels stress, the Psychological Counseling Unit provides confidential and free individual, family, and group counseling services.  

·        The Psychological Counseling Unit also offers:

o       Psychological and education assessment; personality, learning disorder, and ADHD;

o       Classroom outreach presentation and workshops on topics such as stress management, college transition, suicide prevention, addictions, study skills, and others;

o       Walk-in crisis counseling during regular office hours and after hours on-call crisis counseling;

o       Group counseling on grief and loss, shyness, stress management, alcohol/drug issues, assertiveness/communication, eating disorder, and others;

o       Psychiatric referrals for medication evaluation.

·        When your child needs counseling for an academic major or a career decision, the Career Counseling Units provides confidential individualized career exploration and planning services. 

·        When your child has difficulty with classes, the Educational Support Program (ESP) provides academic assistance.

o       The ESP services include learning centers, individualized academic consultation, group study sessions, and weekly seminars;

o       Learning Centers are Academic Enhancement, Business, English, Mathematics, Science, Freshman First Tutoring, and Supplemental Instruction (weekly sessions).

For more information, call the Center for Student Development at 678-2068 or visit  http://www.people.memphis.edu/~aetcpu/

From,

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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