WVU Parent's Club - Cabell-Wayne Counties

SOCIAL MEDIA @WVU

noreply@blogger.com (jkhewett) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:23:00 +0000

Keeping You Connected and Informed

Social media has exploded over the past few years, and WVU is
definitely in the mix. We are sure that your students have already been
exploring these sites, but they are also a great way for you to stay
connected to WVU! You can follow WVU news, developments, and events on
and off campus by linking to several social media websites such as
Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. WVU has also enhanced its online
presence and experience with the launching of the new WVU Today site, a
WVU application for iPhone, and a mobile WVU site for web-capable mobile
devices. See all of the exciting developments below:

Facebook
Do you have a Facebook account? Facebook is all about social networking
and has become a very powerful tool in uniting the Mountaineer Nation on
campus and around the globe. At facebook.wvu.edu you can find links to
WVU's Facebook page, become a fan of WVU on Facebook, or find some of
the various WVU groups on the site. There are also some important tips
to remember when using Facebook or networking sites in general. For more
information visit http://facebook.wvu.edu/
(http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=1117).

Twitter
Tweets. Twitterverse. Tweeple. These are just some of the terms derived
from the growing Twitter movement. What is Twitter? Twitter describes
itself as a "real-time short-messaging system." Tweets are short and
sweet. The catch is that you only have 140 characters to make your point
or share your information. It could be what you are doing at the moment,
an interesting link to a news article, a philosophical quotation, etc.
The Twitter world is still evolving, and it is up to you what to add or
how to use the information. You can follow WVU coaches, professors,
various University offices, colleges, WVU News, and more. Check out a
comprehensive list of those at WVU on Twitter at http://twitter.wvu.edu/
(http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=1118).

YouTube
The evolution of entertainment, news, and information is happening on
the Internet; no longer is television the king. YouTube provides a ton
of user-generated video and information. WVU has established some
YouTube "real estate" by establishing the West Virginia U Channel. Check
out messages from University officials, WVU television commercials,
lectures from professors and guest speakers, student video diaries, and
much more on YouTube. For our YouTube channel please visit
http://www.youtube.com/user/WestVirginiaU
(http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=1119).

WVU Today
WVU Today (the University’s news site) has recently been transformed
into a multimedia, interactive daily news source, designed to bring you
breaking news and important information. The site will feature stories
through a variety of platforms, including written articles, audio and
video podcasts, live webcasts, archived video programming, documentary
photography and narrative imagery. To see and interact with the new
site, please visit http://wvutoday.wvu.edu
(http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=1120).

WVU iPhone Application
WVU has now launched an application for iPhone. Jared Crawford a
junior WVU engineering student created the application. The app allows
users to, among other things, browse an interactive campus map, stream
the U92 radio station, link to Bill Stewart’s Twitter feed and find
updated dining hall menus. It can be downloaded from Apple's iTunes.
For more information about the new app, you can read the press release
at http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=1121.

Mobile WVU Website
WVU recently launched a mobile site, perfect for your web-capable
mobile device such as an iPhone, Smartphone, or PDA. To visit on your
mobile device, launch your web browser and go to m.wvu.edu. You will
need a web/data plan from your carrier or a WiFi connection. You can
also preview the smartphone version of the site from your desktop or
laptop by visiting http://m.wvu.edu/
(http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=1122).

INFLUENZA UPDATE FROM WVU

noreply@blogger.com (jkhewett) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Two cases of H1N1 Influenza have been confirmed in West Virginia
University students. There is a possibility that large numbers of
students may become ill with either seasonal influenza and/or H1N1
influenza this fall. They are essentially indistinguishable illnesses,
but getting one does not protect you from the other, and getting
vaccinated for one does not protect you from the other. Seasonal Flu
vaccine will be available free to all WVU students at the Student Rec
Center from 3-7 pm on September 28 and October 6. Vaccine for H1N1 is
expected to be available (and free) to WVU students by mid October, and
dates and locations of distribution will be announced once the vaccine
is released by the manufacturer. WELL WVU strongly recommends that all
students protect themselves by receiving both influenza vaccines this
fall. WVU administrators, including housing, dining, faculty, and
student services are all working together to provide for the ongoing
needs of students.

WVU will be following national guidelines set by the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC). The recommendations for preventing influenza
are:

1. Get vaccinated for seasonal and H1N1 influenza.

2. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol based
sanitizer. (hand sanitizer dispensers are already in place or being
placed in most WVU buildings)

3. COVER YOUR COUGH - with a tissue, then discard. Coughing into your
elbow is recommended if a tissue is not available.

4. Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone who is ill.

5. Eat a balanced diet, drink extra fluids, exercise regularly and get
plenty of sleep.

How to recognize Influenza:

1. fever >100.4˚F

2. sudden onset of illness and body aches

3. congestion, cough, sore throat

What should I do if I think I have the flu?
1. Isolate yourself at home or in your University housing until your
fever is gone for 24 hours.

- Talk to your RA about having meals brought in.
- Talk to your professors about missing class and how to make up work.
Most professors will allow for some absences associated with illness.
- If you are ill wear a mask if you must be around others. (available
at residence halls main desks, Student Health, or local pharmacies).
Students who are well do not need to wear masks.

2. Try to maintain a good diet, but especially drink extra fluid.

3. Take acetaminophen for fever and body aches.

4. Get extra rest

5. Should you come down with the flu, in all likelihood your roommate
has been exposed to the virus. Separating the two of you will not be
effective. If you want to separate yourself from your roommate, you will
need to go home or make arrangements to live someplace else temporarily.
There is not separate WVU housing available to isolate students with the
illness from those are well.

6. Most students with influenza should not go to a health care provider
(increase risk of spreading the illness).

Call Student Health to speak with a nurse (304-293-2311), and determine
if you should come to Student Health if:

- You have an underlying health problem such as asthma, heart or lung
disease, diabetes.
- Are immunocompromised.
- Are not improving in 3-5 days.
- You have any questions or concerns.

Online housing, roommate-matching sytems

noreply@blogger.com (jkhewett) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:19:00 +0000

Returning Student Room Process
for the 2009-2010 Academic Year

SELECT YOUR OWN ROOM

Great News! - The West Virginia University Office of Housing and University Apartments are pleased to announce the opening of the new on line Housing Management System (HMS). HMS is designed to be a user friendly housing tool in which students select their own room, submit a request for a Residential College, and even crate a personal profile for selection of a roommate.

An email will be sent directly to you at your MIX account from HMS informing you of your priority period for room selection. Starting on January 22, 2009, students wishing to Homestead (stay in their current room) will have first choice at room selection in HMS. On January 25, 2009, HMS will then be opened to all returning students to select other rooms. A link in your email will take you to HMS. Then you can use your MIX User ID and password to login, select from available rooms and invite a roommate . . . it's that simple! Click here to sign on to HMS.

All room assignment information made through HMS will be delivered electronically by email to your MIX account. As in the past, you will be able to view your room assignment and roommate information in STAR. Just follow the Housing link to view your room assignment or roommate information.

April News Letter

noreply@blogger.com (jkhewett) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0000

In case you missed it!

Download the April WVU Parent Club Newsletter

Spring Fling

noreply@blogger.com (jkhewett) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:07:00 +0000

Photo by jkhewett via Flickr

All Parents Club Members are invited to a Spring Fling on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at the MU Hall of Fame cafe in downtown Huntington at 6:30 pm. This will be a great opportunity to meet other WVU families plus talk about the upcoming Summer Send-off!

In addition, we will be giving away a $200 textbook gift card to the WVU Bookstore. This will come in handy for your student!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dave Lunsford 304-733-2780 or Glenn bailey at 304-736-9803.

Mark your calendars ...

WVU Parent Club Newsletter!

noreply@blogger.com (jkhewett) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Just in case you didn't receive this by email ... here is the last news from the WVU Parent Club.

Click here to download

2009 Dates to Mark on Your Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (jkhewett) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:07:00 +0000

Dates, 2009

April 10, Good Friday. University Closed.

May 4 – 9, Final Exam Week

May 9, Residence Hall Close – 5:00 pm

May 15-17, Commencement Weekend

May 18, Summer Session begins

June 1 – 25, New Student Orientation

August 21, Move-in Day

August 24, Fall Semester begins

October 2 – 4, Fall Family Weekend

FINANCIAL AID AWARENESS WEEK GOING ON NOW!

noreply@blogger.com (jkhewett) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:05:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

FINANCIAL AID AWARENESS WEEK GOING ON NOW!

The WVU Financial Aid Office is sponsoring the annual Financial Aid
Awareness Week this week, February 9-13, to remind students and families
about the submission of the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) and the important deadline date of March 1, 2009, for
on-time filing.

Financial aid staff are readily available at the “Financial Aid
Booth” in the Mountainlair Food Court area during the week and as
always, are available in the office, located on the 2nd floor of the
Mountainlair.

In addition to information on filing the FAFSA, students may also
obtain materials on financial literacy and money management. The WVU
Financial Aid Office has recently linked to “CashCourse” from
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=1012 and are pleased to provide
students with this very helpful information.

The 2009-10 FAFSA is available online at
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=1013. Remember that you can file the
FAFSA using estimated income figures if you have not yet filed your 2008
income tax information. Estimated figures can be corrected later if
necessary. Filing the FAFSA annually is necessary in order to be
considered for student/parent loans and student employment as well as
grants and some scholarships.

Families who are experiencing circumstances that result in reduced
income in 2009 are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office after
initially submitting the FAFSA with 2008 income information. In some
instances, there can be a re-evaluation of eligibility.

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR TO BE HELD THIS WEEKEND
WVU's Financial Aid Office will be offering an informational webinar
for current WVU students and their families. This will be held this
Sunday, February 15 at 5:00 p.m. Further details, registration/logon
information will be posted on the WVU Financial Aid website at
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=1012 this week. Be sure to check back
to register for this informative session!

IRS FORM 1098-T NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
The WVU Tax Services department would like you to know that tax forms
used by students or their parents to obtain tax credits under the
federal Hope and Lifetime Learning Credit programs are available
electronically. There are advantages of receiving your form
electronically, such as faster receipt as compared to it being mailed,
being available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the ability to
reprint the form if it becomes misplaced, and no need to be concerned
whether your mailing address is correct. The website also has FAQs to
help you with questions, informative links to Internal Revenue Service
publications and forms, and a summary of the Hope and Lifetime Learning
Credit programs. The website is at
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=1014.

ENERGY EXPRESS ACCEPTING POSITIONS FOR SUMMER 2009

noreply@blogger.com (jkhewett) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:51:00 +0000

Image by jkhewett via Flickr

Energy Express is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience, earn money, and help the community, and it's a great resume builder.

One of the top-fifty AmeriCorps programs in the country, Energy Express is a summer reading and nutrition program targeting low-income and rural West Virginia children. Currently, Energy Express is recruiting more than 500 AmeriCorps members to serve as mentors and volunteer coordinators from June 15 through August 7, 2009. Energy Express AmeriCorps members receive a $1,600 living allowance and a $1,000 educational award that can be used to help pay off student loans or to finance college, graduate school, or vocational training.

Mentors work with a small group of children to make reading meaningful in their lives by creating an enriching environment. Volunteer coordinators connect parents and community members to the site. They recruit, train, and supervise community and teen volunteers who help with various site activities.

Energy Express AmeriCorps mentors must be full-time college students (undergraduate, graduate, or post-secondary education) or college-bound graduating high school seniors who will be 18 years of age by June 15, 2009. To find out more, visit http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=1000 or call 304-293-3855. Applications are currently available for download on the website. The deadline for applications is March 2, 2009. For other AmeriCorps and national service opportunities visit http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=1001.

Energy Express is under the leadership of the WVU Extension Service 4-H Youth Development Program, and is funded in part by grants from the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts and the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service. The Commission encourages West Virginians of all ages to be involved in service to their community.

MOUNTAINEER PARENTS CLUB WINTER WEEKEND APPROACHES - Feb. 27-28, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (jkhewett) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:53:00 +0000

Image by K. Coles via FlickrWinter Weekend is a great time to visit your student and be on campus! The Mountaineer Parents Club has planned an exciting weekend for you and your family. On Saturday morning, be sure to take in an informative lecture: learn how to help your kid get a job or hear important information about Financial Aid or WVU's Entrepreneur Center. Sign up online now at http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=996.

Following the lectures, come to the Shell Building adjacent to the WVU Coliseum for the pre-game pizza party and pep rally. Special guest appearances will be made by the women's basketball team, head coach Mike Carey, the cheerleaders, pep band, dance team, and Mountaineer Mascot. Don't miss the chance to take in all this action and lunch prior to the women's basketball game. No tickets are required for this event, but be sure to purchase your discounted women's basketball tickets at http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=997. Ordering instructions can be found at http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=998. WVU students with a valid ID do not need to purchase tickets. Don't miss great Big East action!

Hotel discounts are available as well, so go to the Winter Weekend website for all the details: http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=999. Hope to see you on campus!

Upcoming dates & deadlines!

noreply@blogger.com (WVU Parents Club) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:57:00 +0000

UPCOMING EVENTS AND DEADLINES:

- OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING FAIR TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK - January 14, 2009
- BODY FOR BREAK 2009 KICKOFF APPROACHING - January 14, 2009
- WESTERN EUROPE STUDY TRIP - Deadline: January 16, 2009
- 2009-2010 ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PRIORITY DATE NEARING - Deadline: January 20, 2009
- STUDENT LEADERSHIP ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT FAIR - January 21, 2009

SAVE THE DATE:
- MOUNTAINEER PARENTS CLUB WINTER WEEKEND - February 27-28, 2009

Attention Class of 2013!

noreply@blogger.com (WVU Parents Club) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:20:00 +0000

Heading off to WVU in the Fall ...

Start your journey here! http://welcometo.wvu.edu/

Also checkout the Facebook page dedicated to this class - click here!

We wish you all the best!

(WVU PARENTS - SPECIAL EDITION) Economic Impact - Tips and Suggestions for WVU families

noreply@blogger.com (WVU Parents Club) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:17:00 +0000

REPOST!

The state of the economy has been a topic of interest to virtually everyone across America in recent months. As parents of college students, you no doubt have been paying attention to these discussions as they relate to you and your family. As the economy has been trending in somewhat unstable ways, we know that many of you may have questions or concerns as to the status of your student's educational expenses, thus this Parent E-news Special Edition.

For many of us, these concerns are very real and impacts are already being felt. This is a nationwide concern, and we all know there is no one answer or quick solution for these trends. As an institution of higher education, we recognize that many more of our students and families will likely be impacted by this and while we also have no quick answers, we do want to be realistic and forward thinking as well as help educate you about options you may have as you plan ahead. Several suggestions follow in the E-news below.

At this time, it seems only fitting to include the following adage from my own mother... You know you have all heard it and likely said it yourselves: "It is the tough times in life that will make us stronger." And certainly this population knows that parents don't lie! With that said, these tough times can also help us to gain focus as we pare down to reveal what is most important as we move forward and plan ahead. During this holiday season, we hope you and your students are enjoying your time together with friends and family. Here's to a safe and happy holiday season - see you soon in 2009! In this special edition:

- WVU STATEMENT AND CURRENT STATUS
- FINANCIAL ACTION ITEMS
- UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY CALENDAR
- STUDENT ECONOMIC IMPACT SURVEY

WVU STATEMENT AND CURRENT STATUS
Colleges and universities across the country are not immune to the effects of the economic turbulence. Many institutions across the country are bracing for hits that have the potential of being felt in endowments and scholarships funds, through reductions in state and federal appropriations, and through tuition/fee and room/board revenue fluctuations as students and parents begin to make crucial decisions based on their current status. In an electronic release on December 8, 2008, WVU's Vice President for Administration and Finance, Narvel Weese,
made the following comments in response to recent press inquiries about WVU's
stance and status in these times:

"We recognize that the extraordinary turbulence in the world's financial markets and the current recession are having a serious impact on virtually every sector of the economy; WVU is not immune.
"At this point, we are in a monitoring mode. We're monitoring the Endowment, we're monitoring appropriations from the state, we're monitoring enrollment and the ability of students to pay tuition. At some point, we may need to take actions to ensure that our financial position remains stable. But right now, we're in a monitoring mode.

"What we are seeing is that enrollment is strong and state appropriations are strong. We will continue to be careful and prudent in our planning because, despite difficult economic times, WVU is committed to our role as a leading research university and the important outreach
work in support of communities across the state and region."

FINANCIAL ACTION ITEMS
As you, the parents of our students, move forward, we must be vigilant and prudent. We challenge you along with your student to work to look ahead whenever possible in your planning efforts with your student's education options. While home over winter break, we hope that you take this chance to discuss with your students the impacts of these times and what this may mean for your family situation and your student's education. The following action items or options are some you may wish to consider as you have these discussions:

1. Fall 2008 grades come out this week. Remember, your students can easily view/share these via their MIX Accounts. With this said, this may be a time for your student to REASSESS ACADEMIC PROGRESS or possibly look to take a FULLER COURSE LOAD in future terms to finish school on a more aggressive schedule than originally planned. While academic advisors may need to be consulted (see University Holiday calendar below), students can also do a majority of this legwork themselves over break by utilizing the catalog and other valuable online resources. Students should log onto the WVU Catalog at http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=984 to review major requirements and course work and work through MIX to map out what courses they’ve completed and what courses are still needed to complete a graduation
plan.

2. For some, this may mean students will look to pick up a PART-TIME JOB or two to help with the day-to-day expenses. WVU offers the Office of Student Employment to help students find part-time, flexible jobs that can help off set costs. For more on this option from the Office of
Student Employment, please check out the "Economic Impact - Tips and Suggestions for WVU families" link at: http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=985.

3. Still for others this may mean exploring monthly PAYMENT PLANS for tuition even if you have not previously used this method. WVU's Office of Student Accounts offers two options including a 60/40 plan and a monthly payment plan through Tuition Pay. For more on these options from the Office of Student Accounts, please check out the "Economic Impact - Tips and Suggestions for WVU families" at:
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=985.

4. Some families who had not previously filed the FAFSA for this current 2008-2009 school year may wish to do so to see if they qualify for funds. While we are limited by federal guidelines as to the total amount of aid in certain categories students may receive and funding pools are limited, if there has been a change to a family’s financial situation, the Office of Financial Aid can help reassess a student's current condition to see if any additional eligibility for funds is
available. For more from the Office of Financial Aid, please check out the "Economic Impact - Tips and Suggestions for WVU families" link for further information from their office at:
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=985.

5. It is not too early to LOOK AHEAD and begin to think about the 2009-2010 school year. 09-10 FAFSAs are available on January 1 and may be submitted anytime after the first of the year. WVU's deadline is March 1, 2009. Remember, it is ok to estimate your taxes for the purpose of FAFSA and make corrections if necessary.

6. Consider FUTURE HOUSING options for the upcoming terms as well. With the start of the spring term we will see the 09-10 housing processes - both on and off campus - fall into full swing. For more on on-campus housing options, go to: http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=959
and for off-campus options, http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=958. Also students may wish to get creative such as exploring the options of Resident Assistantships http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=960. Be sure students complete a budget to accurately plan for upcoming expenses to make the smartest choice for the upcoming school year.

7. Finally, the Office of Financial Aid puts out a newsletter, MONEY TALK$, on their website each term. This is a quick access point for a variety of important financial information. The Midterm Fall 08 edition can be found in the bottom left hand corner of their website:
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=986. This is a great one to print off and read prior to having these conversations with your students.

UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY CALENDAR
Know that there are WVU offices available to help you navigate many of these issues and while we may not have an absolute fix for every situation, we do hope that you explore all of your options. We realize that we are reaching out over our students' winter break.

Officially, WVU will be closed for the holidays beginning on the afternoon of December 23-26, 2008 and January 1-2, 2009. Also, during this time when our students are away, many of our staff take vacation and some offices operate with limited staff so please be patient with inquiries.

STUDENT ECONOMIC IMPACT SURVEY
One final reminder - the Office of Financial Aid has recently asked students to complete an online Economic Impact Survey. Please encourage your student to log on through their MIX accounts to complete this survey if they have not already. We'd like to gain as much feedback as
possible as we all move forward.

UPCOMING DEADLINES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

noreply@blogger.com (WVU Parents Club) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:59:00 +0000

NOW IS THE TIME TO APPLY TO LIVE IN WVU HOUSING FOR 2009 - 2010
If your student is a current WVU student interested in living on-campus next year, now is the time to complete a WVU housing application and submit the deposit. Remember, there is a limited number of housing applications from current students that will be accepted for the
2009-2010 academic year. As long as space is available, the deadline for current WVU students to submit the housing application and $225 deposit is Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 11:59 p.m.

Applications and deposit payment can be made on-line through the STAR Information System accessible through MIX. Whether a student is currently living on-campus or off-campus, they are encouraged to go to this web site to for information about how to apply for University
housing: http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=970. Students should contact the Housing Assignments Office at 304-293-2811 if they have any questions.

COMMUTER DINING PLANS AVAILABLE FOR SPRING TERM
Looking for a holiday gift for your student? Give your commuting student one less thing to worry about by giving them a dining plan from WVU Dining Services. Benefits of most plans include:

- Access to our Staff Dietitian for advice and counsel
- Peace of mind: knowing you have set aside dollars specifically for
food and snacks.
- All-you-care-to-eat entrees (including vegan/vegetarian), vegetables,
fruit, salad, soup, dessert, hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza
- All-you-care-to-drink sodas, milk and juices
- Special Events featuring entrees such as Prime Rib and Grilled
Salmon
- Free samples of new products featured in our mini-food shows
- Convenient locations on three campuses
- Healthy "U": an award winning program designed to make eating
healthier both convenient and accessible
- Value-added (no charge) "Meals Plus Bonus Bucks" to spend at any
Dining Services location

Prior to the beginning of the spring semester, dining plans from WVU Dining Services are available by calling 304-293-2096 ext 4 or by visiting us on the Web at http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=971.

Commuting students may choose from both residential and commuter dining plan options. Just click on the contract link, print, complete, sign and mail the order form. For more details on billing, costs, and other details of these plans, please visit the web link above.

MOUNTAINEER ACADEMIC PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

After a successful first semester, the Office of Disability Services under the Presidents Office of Social Justice is pleased to announce the continuation of the Mountaineer Academic Program (MAP) to assist students with disabilities. Newly created this term, MAP provides supplemental academic services for students with disabilities. These services included academic tutoring and coaching. Academic tutoring is provided to students on a one-on-one basis and provides tutoring in both specific content areas and in basic study skills. Academic coaching provides students with one-on-one support with an academic coach to assist in acquiring academic and time mnagement skills needed to be successful in the college environment. In order to best serve your student’s needs the MAP program has varying options and levels of service.

MAP is currently accepting applications for both the spring 2009 and the fall 2009 semesters. Space in this program is limited and students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in finding out about MAP services or how MAP services can help your
student please feel free to contact us at 304-293-7752 daily between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

REMINDER: IMMUNIZATION FORMS REQUIRED
Remember if your son/daughter has not submitted proof of immunization o the Office of Admissions and Records, he/she needs to do so as soon as possible. The immunization form can be found online at:
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=972.

It Must Be Finals Week! WVU Parent's Club Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (WVU Parents Club) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 01:21:00 +0000

Well it is the time of year again when libraries are packed with study groups, the computer labs are overflowing as last minute papers get written and students are anxiously studying as they anticipate the end of their fall classes. Ah yes, it must be final week! With Winter Break just around the corner, next week students will begin the journeys over the river and through the woods to their homes near and far. As some get ready to embark on their first week of finals, nearly 1,400 of graduating seniors will be celebrating as they take their very last exams and are then recognized during December Convocation to be held Sunday, December 14! For more all the details on this ceremony, go to: http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=964 and congratulations to all of our graduates as they join the ranks of the 170,000 plus Mountaineer Alumni!

This Parent E-Newsletter has a ton of information from across campus and various units so you, the parents, are aware of all the happenings, opportunities, and pertinent information to help you support your students. Details are included about residence hall closing and opening dates, job opportunities for graduates, meals plans for spring term, and what to expect after final grades come out - among other important items. So if you don't have time to peruse this article right now, hit print and read at your leisure! Also, as we wrap up one semester don't
forget to look ahead for important dates in the upcoming spring term at http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=965. As your students prepare to conclude their fall term on campus, here's to good luck on finals and wishes for a successful finish to the semester! In this edition:

CLOSING OUT '08:
- ONLINE JOB SEARCH RESOURCE NOW AVAILABLE FOR GRADUATING SENIORS
- HOLIDAY BUSSES FOR WINTER BREAK
- RESIDENCE HALL WINTER BREAK CLOSING/OPENING INFO
- OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING WINTER BREAK TIPS - BATTENING THE HATCHES

UPCOMING DEADLINES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
- NOW IS THE TIME TO APPLY TO LIVE IN WVU HOUSING FOR 2009 - 2010
- COMMUTER DINING PLANS AVAILABLE FOR SPRING TERM
- MOUNTAINEER ACADEMIC PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ACCEPTING
APPLICATIONS
- REMINDER: IMMUNIZATION FORMS REQUIRED

NOTICES:
- CREATIVE ARTS CENTER ANNUAL HOLIDAY POTTERY SALE - December 5-7
- *ONLY ONLINE* WINTER 2008 MOUNTAINEER PARENTS CLUB NEWSLETTER NOW
AVAILABLE
- ANOTHER GREEN INITIATIVE - MAGAZINE CONNECTS WITH WIND ENERGY

TIPS FROM THE TRENCHES:
- WRAPPING UP THE SEMESTER...ACADEMICALLY SPEAKING
by Regan Bruni - Assistant Dean for Retention and Research

CLOSING UP '08:

ONLINE JOB SEARCH RESOURCE NOW AVAILABLE FOR GRADUATING SENIORS
Do you know a senior who will be graduating soon? The WVU Career Services Center through the Office of Student Affairs is now offering free access to CareerShift to all graduating seniors. CareerShift is the most comprehensive online resource available to help students in their
job search. Its set of tools and applications provides a unique opportunity to job hunters. While other Web services offer bits and pieces of the job hunt process, only CareerShift provides an easy-to-use approach for bringing all these parts together to crack the hidden job market and for managing the job hunt all in one place. Please encourage seniors to use this job search tool in addition to the Career Services Center’s MountaineerTRAK. Details and registration instructions are available online at http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=966, by phone at 293-2221 or e-mail at careerservices@mail.wvu.edu.

HOLIDAY BUSSES FOR WINTER BREAK
The end of the semester is almost here so be sure your student has a ride home for the semester break! The WVU Mountaineer Parents Club Holiday Bus Schedules are available online. Spaces are still available to Secaucus, NJ; Allentown, PA; Hagerstown, MD and Philadelphia, PA. For
more information, please log on to http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=967.

Three individual Parents Clubs - Long Island, Northern Virginia and Central Maryland - have also planned busses home for the holiday break, and spaces are still available. For more information and details on how to make these reservations, visit http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=967.

As a reminder, the daily Grey Line shuttle to the Pittsburgh Airport and Pittsburgh Greyhound Station will be running the normal 10:00 a.m. run all week. NOTE: There is no 4 p.m. run for Winter Break. For information on the daily schedule and details, or to make a reservation,
call 304-296-3869 or visit: http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=968.

PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for refunds for Winter Break busses was December 3rd and has now passed. Also, students who may be on academic probation should check the time of the returning bus because the earliest probation workshops (information to be sent once final grades are posted) will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2009.

RESIDENCE HALL WINTER BREAK CLOSING/OPENING INFO
The residence halls will officially close at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13. All students must be out of their rooms by 5:00 p.m. This affects students in University-owned or supervised residence halls and apartments including parts of College Park - The Ridge. Students are
welcome to leave their belongings in their room over break. However, we encourage students to take any valuables home with them, along with items they will need over the break. During Winter Break, students will not be permitted in their rooms nor have access to their mailboxes. Be sure to remind your students to empty their trash cans, close windows, and lock their room doors as they leave.

University Housing will reopen at noon on Saturday, January 10. Dining Services for the Evansdale Residential Complex and Boreman Hall on the downtown campus will begin with dinner on Saturday, January 10, 2009. The rest of the dining facilities will begin service on the first day of classes, Monday, January 12, 2009. Again the complete list of all residence hall opening and closing dates and times for 2008-2009 can be found online at: http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=969.

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING WINTER BREAK TIPS - BATTENING THE HATCHES
If your students live off campus, remind them to prepare their apartments for being away for this extended break. Unfortunately crime tends to increase around the holidays. Tips to pass along include putting lights on a timer, having their mail temporarily held by the US
Post Office to give their place the "someone's-home" look, or if they subscribe to a newspaper, contact their carrier to stop the delivery temporarily. It's a good idea to take out their trash and clean up before leaving as well as dirty apartments over a period of time can attract unwelcome visitors. They should also take valuable items with them when they leave town and because of the cold weather, although they may lower their heat they should not turn this off completely because pipes might freeze if temperatures drop. Of course the obvious reminder is to close and lock all windows and doors as they leave town. Here's to a safe and restful break!

UPCOMING DEADLINES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

NOW IS THE TIME TO APPLY TO LIVE IN WVU HOUSING FOR 2009 - 2010
If your student is a current WVU student interested in living on-campus next year, now is the time to complete a WVU housing application and submit the deposit. Remember, there is a limited number of housing applications from current students that will be accepted for the
2009-2010 academic year. As long as space is available, the deadline for current WVU students to submit the housing application and $225 deposit is Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 11:59 p.m.

Applications and deposit payment can be made on-line through the STAR Information System accessible through MIX. Whether a student is currently living on-campus or off-campus, they are encouraged to go to this web site to for information about how to apply for University
housing: http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=970. Students should contact the Housing Assignments Office at 304-293-2811 if they have any questions.

COMMUTER DINING PLANS AVAILABLE FOR SPRING TERM
Looking for a holiday gift for your student? Give your commuting student one less thing to worry about by giving them a dining plan from WVU Dining Services. Benefits of most plans include:
- Access to our Staff Dietitian for advice and counsel
- Peace of mind: knowing you have set aside dollars specifically for
food and snacks.
- All-you-care-to-eat entrees (including vegan/vegetarian), vegetables,
fruit, salad, soup, dessert, hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza
- All-you-care-to-drink sodas, milk and juices
- Special Events featuring entrees such as Prime Rib and Grilled
Salmon
- Free samples of new products featured in our mini-food shows
- Convenient locations on three campuses
- Healthy "U": an award winning program designed to make eating
healthier both convenient and accessible
- Value-added (no charge) "Meals Plus Bonus Bucks" to spend at any
Dining Services location

Prior to the beginning of the spring semester, dining plans from WVU Dining Services are available by calling 304-293-2096 ext 4 or by visiting us on the Web at http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=971.
Commuting students may choose from both residential and commuter dining plan options. Just click on the contract link, print, complete, sign and mail the order form. For more details on billing, costs, and other details of these plans, please visit the web link above.

MOUNTAINEER ACADEMIC PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
After a successful first semester, the Office of Disability Services under the Presidents Office of Social Justice is pleased to announce the continuation of the Mountaineer Academic Program (MAP) to assist students with disabilities. Newly created this term, MAP provides supplemental academic services for students with disabilities. These services included academic tutoring and coaching. Academic tutoring is provided to students on a one-on-one basis and provides tutoring in both specific content areas and in basic study skills. Academic coaching provides students with one-on-one support with an academic coach to assist in acquiring academic and time mnagement skills needed to be successful in the college environment. In order to best serve your student’s needs the MAP program has varying options and levels of service.

MAP is currently accepting applications for both the spring 2009 and the fall 2009 semesters. Space in this program is limited and students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in finding out about MAP services or how MAP services can help your
student please feel free to contact us at 304-293-7752 daily between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

REMINDER: IMMUNIZATION FORMS REQUIRED
Remember if your son/daughter has not submitted proof of immunization o the Office of Admissions and Records, he/she needs to do so as soon as possible. The immunization form can be found online at:
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=972.

NOTICES:

CREATIVE ARTS CENTER ANNUAL HOLIDAY POTTERY SALE
The faculty, staff and students of the West Virginia University Ceramics Department cordially invite you and your students to the Annual Holiday Pottery Sale. This year’s sale will be held in the Douglas O. Blaney Lobby of the Creative Arts Center and will feature work from the
WVU-Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute in China. The remaining dates and times follow:
Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
If you have any questions about the sale you may contact Christopher
Brown at 304-293-2140 Ext.3208

*ONLY ONLINE* WINTER 2008 MOUNTAINEER PARENTS CLUB NEWSLETTER NOW
AVAILABLE
The Mountaineer Parents Club is happy to announce that the Winter 2008 newsletter can be found online! As part of the University-wide effort to "Go Green", this issue of the Mountaineer Parents Club Newsletter will be available on our website ONLY. Also, on our web site go to the
Question of the Month and let us know what you think of the new format.
Please go to http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=956 to read the newsletter.

ANOTHER GREEN INITIATIVE - MAGAZINE CONNECTS WITH WIND ENERGY
Eberly, the magazine showcasing the people and programs of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences has undergone a complete redesign. It is printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved, recycled paper, using wind energy. It is the first fully FSC recycled publication at
WVU. Parents interested in receiving the biannual publication can send their names and addresses to rebecca.herod@mail.wvu.edu. The magazine is available online at http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=973. To learn more about the Forest Stewardship Council go to http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=974.

TIPS FROM THE TRENCHES:

WRAPPING UP THE SEMESTER...ACADEMICALLY SPEAKING
By: Regan Bruni - Assistant Dean of Retention and Research

As many of you know final exams are right around the corner. For many students the anticipation of grades will be the well-deserved reward for spending countless hours in the library, reviewing class notes on a nightly basis, or getting extra help from a tutor at the Academic Resource Center. For others it will be a reality check that study habits need to change or the realization of needing extra help. General information follows about the academic probation process if students feel this may be an impact. We know your students turn to you for
support, so we would like to share with you this information as well as some of WVU’s services and resources to help your students be even more academically successful:

Academic Resource Centers - These centers offer free, walk-in tutoring on many WVU subjects. The Academic Resource Centers will be open during Finals Week and we’re adding more days at our location in the Downtown Library. For more information about locations and hours visit:
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=975.

Chemistry Learning Center - This Center offers free tutoring on general chemistry classes. This center is promoted during classes to all entry level Chemistry students. For more information visit http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=977.

Math Learning Center - Students can drop in for free help in a variety of math classes. For more information visit
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=978 .

Term Paper Clinic - Need help with research papers? Check out this Clinic! For more information visit
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=979.

Writing Center - The Writing Center focuses on helping students become better writers. For more information visit
http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=980.

Emotional Support - Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services - Student can often feel overwhelmed or stressed when it comes to grades or other personal issues they may be encountering. The Carruth Center for Counseling offers individual counseling, group
sessions, and classes to support your student. They also offer daily walk-in hours. See the help your student can receive at http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=981 .

- Academic Probation
Students are placed on academic probation if their cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0. First-year students on academic probation will need to attend a workshop on Sunday, January 11th. During the workshop, students will learn more about WVU’s support services and classes to help get them back on track as well as the D/F Repeat Policy, Academic Suspension guidelines, and Financial Aid policies. If this applies to your student, more details will be mailed during the semester break. We encourage students on academic probation to take EDP 101 or MDS 293 to
help improve their study skills and repeat any courses in which a D or F was earned. For more information on WVU’s D/F Repeat Policy visit http://www.wvu.edu/Redirect/?id=982. The Office of Retention and Research also offers a workshop series throughout the spring semester on topics such as time management, study skills, career planning, and text anxiety.

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