March 2018

In This Issue Mobile app Talking points Off-Campus Housing My Carolina announcements Commencement Airport shuttle CarolinaCard Give 4 Garnet Bursar's Office Student Health Services Admitted student events University news Important dates

Greetings! Spring is in the air and students are getting excited for some time away from classes to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Spring break is quickly approaching, March 11 -18. Now is a great time to have a conversation with your student about communication expectations and safety precautions if they are traveling over break. The USC Police Department and the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education provide many resources to help students make safe and responsible decisions. As we approach the midpoint in the semester, encourage your student to take advantage of the resources available to them in the Student Success Center and the University Advising Center to set themselves up for a successful semester's end. They should begin thinking about the classes they want to take next year, as well as their internship and job plans for the summer. The Career Center is available to assist students with finding those opportunities. Be sure to download the Parent & Family Programs mobile app , like us on  Facebook , follow us on  Instagram, subscribe to our YouTube channel,   and visit the  Parent & Family Programs website  for timely posts and monthly tips to supplement this newsletter.

Pictured above: Students participating in the 2017 Alternative Spring Break trip to assist with affordable housing developments in rural communities. Students will be traveling to Memphis, Tennessee, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Merritt Island, Florida during this year's Alternative Spring Break.

Download the Parent & Family Programs App The Office of Parent & Family Programs mobile app is your year-round access to campus contacts, websites, and tips to support your USC student. Download our app in the app store by searching: University of South Carolina Parents or by visiting:  guidebook.com/app/uofscparents .

March Family Talking Points Making Good Choices Students at USC engage in many fun, healthy and low-risk activities both on and off campus. The  SAPE website highlights many free and low-cost “good choices"  for students to try during their time at Carolina and beyond. Follow @ UofSCGoodChoice  on Twitter for upcoming events and social media challenges. Remind your student to check the  calendar of events from Carolina Productions  (CP) each month so they don't miss out on any of the free events on campus! CP events include regular weekend movies, open mic nights, celebrity visits, poetry nights and much more.  In the fall, tailgates and watch parties are held regularly in the Russell House and on Greene Street, where students can enjoy food and earn giveaways while supporting their fellow Gamecocks in a safe environment.  South Carolina Laws on Underage Drinking The State of South Carolina has serious penalties for violating the minimum drinking age. A person under age 21 who is caught possessing, consuming, purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol can be fined up to $465 or serve 30 days in jail for the first offense and could have their driver's license suspended. Using a fake ID, whether it belongs to another person or is an altered ID, is illegal, and violating this law could incur fines up to $465 or 30 days in jail. Adults who transfer or give alcoholic beverages to people under age 21 can be punished with fines or jail time, as well. If an intoxicated underage drinker injures himself or others as a result of consuming the alcohol provided by an adult, that adult may face legal action in South Carolina. In addition to fines, court costs and legal fees, Carolina students who violate the state's alcohol or drug policies may lose their state-funded scholarships, such as the LIFE Scholarship. Source: S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services Encourage Good Choice Options. Students can: Cheer on the Gamecocks at an athletic event Bowl with a group of friends Spend a day at the Riverbanks Zoo  Listen to a favorite comedian or band at a Carolina Productions event Join a club with help from the Leadership Service Center Picnic on the Horseshoe Go see a movie in the Russell House Theater Learn how to kayak with Outdoor Recreation Explore the restaurants, shopping, museums and theaters around Columbia

Off-Campus Student Services Reminders

Spring 2018 Commencement Students graduating this spring will graduate with their designated college or school at the following date and time: Friday, May 11, 3 p.m., Colonial Life Arena College of Pharmacy Darla Moore School of Business College of Nursing Arnold School of Public Health Saturday, May 12, 9:30 a.m., Colonial Life Arena S.C. Honors College ( BARSC  students only) College of Arts and Sciences College of Information and Communications Saturday, May 12, 3 p.m., Colonial Life Arena College of Education Interdisciplinary Studies College of Engineering and Computing College of Social Work College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management School of Music Palmetto College More information

My Carolina Alumni Association Announcements Graduation Fair The Graduation Fair is a one-stop shop for all graduation needs (cap and gown, commencement announcements, official USC class ring, and more). The Graduation Fair will take place March 20-22 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m . at the USC Alumni Center (900 Senate Street) with free parking available. Students who are not able to attend can order their caps and gowns online .  Grad Dine My Carolina Alumni Association invites graduating students, families and friends to dine at the USC Alumni Center before or after commencement. Take the hassle out of finding a reservation and celebrate by attending dinner Friday, May 11 at 6 p.m. or lunch Saturday, May 12 at noon. Registration and full details are available at mycarolina.org/GradDine . We look forward to welcoming the class of 2018 into the alumni family! More information

Columbia Airport Shuttle Available Students interested in using the Student Government Columbia Airport Shuttle service to travel for spring break should reserve their space online by Friday, March 2 at noon. Students are taken to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport: March 9 and 10 at 5 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. The shuttle will pick up students at the corner of Greene and Sumter Streets Students are picked up from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport: March 18 at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. If your student misses their scheduled pick up, they can call the 24/7 shuttle hotline at 803-777-1080. Shuttle reservations

CarolinaCard Office Updates

Your student is almost midway through the semester and in an attempt to keep them energized, consider adding CarolinaCa$h to their CarolinaCard ! During midterms, stress levels are high and students are in need of all the energy they can receive to be successful. With CarolinaCa$h, students are able to purchase meals from on-campus locations, including the new Starbucks located in the Thomas Cooper Library. Students are also able to use CarolinaCa$h at various off-campus locations around Columbia. To add CarolinaCa$h, follow the steps below: Go to: get.cbord.com/sc Select “Click Here to Deposit into a Student's Account” under Parents, Guardians or Other Relatives Enter your student’s information (VIPID, last name, date of birth) Enter billing information Confirm information FINISHED! We wish your student the best of luck as midterm exams begin!

Give 4 Garnet The University of South Carolina will host its first system-wide day of giving, Give 4 Garnet, April 18. Give 4 Garnet is one day each year when the Carolina community comes together to celebrate the significant impact the university has on our students, our state and the world. On this special day, members of the Carolina community will be encouraged to make a gift to an area of the university that means the most to them. The goal is to raise $3 million to support today’s students. There are many ways you and your student can show support for Give 4 Garnet! Follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and download a Give 4 Garnet profile picture to spread the excitement!    Encourage your student to visit us on Greene Street on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for exciting Give 4 Garnet events and giveaways!

News from the Bursar's Office

1098-T Educational Tax Credit Statements The university is required to provide students with a Form 1098-T Tuition Statement for the tax year for qualified tuition and related expenses. The 2017 1098-T form can be accessed by the student via Self-Service Carolina (SSC) at http://my.sc.edu . To print the form from SSC: Click on the "Account Information" box Click on the "Tax Document By Year-1098-T Tuition Statement" box Enter the tax year Click "Submit" Print a copy of the 1098-T If you have been added as an authorized user on your student’s account, you can also access the 1098-T via SSC using your log on information. You will find the 1098-T form under the "E-Statements" tab. If your student opted for the paper/mailed version of the form, it was mailed to the permanent address listed on the account. Although this option may have been selected by the student, the form can still be printed via SSC. If you have questions regarding qualification for potential tax relief opportunities, you should consult a tax professional. Unfortunately, the university is prohibited from offering tax advice. If you have any questions regarding the amounts posted in boxes 2 through 10 on the 1098-T, please refer to the detailed information at the bottom of the form. If you need to speak to a university representative, please contact the Bursar’s Office at 803-777-4233, or bursref@mailbox.sc.edu . Spring 2018 Payment Plans If your student has a payment plan for spring 2018, please note the next payment is due March 10.

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Student Health Services Upcoming Events This is Our Story March 5, 6-8 p.m., Russell House Theater "This is Our Story" is an event for students to learn what it is like to be a college student living with a mental health condition. There will be a screening of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s film It's Real: College Students and Mental Health followed by a panel discussion led by students with lived experience, Counseling & Psychiatry and the Student Disability Resource Center.  Game On! Mental Health Mini Convention March 7, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Russell House Ballroom Cosplay and video games are pastimes and hobbies enjoyed by many students, but did you know they also can have a positive impact on your mental health? Students are invited to attend a mini convention on gaming and cosplay in mental health. Prizes will be awarded to the winner of the cosplay contest, gaming tournament and one lucky participant that attends all three events !  Healthy Relationships & Dating Apps March 8, noon-1 p.m., Center for Health and Well-Being 217 As dating apps take over as the primary method for students to engage in relationships, participants will discuss the culture of online dating, understand the risks and red flags associated with using online dating tools and leave with resources to have a successful relationship.   A Dash of Meal Prep & Time Management March 30, noon-1:30 p.m., Center for Health and Well-Being Demonstration Kitchen Students who plan out their meals and dedicate time toward cooking on the weekends make their weekdays less stressful! Students can learn how to meal prep recipes for five breakfasts and lunches, as well as tips to help better manage time, including planning ahead and setting boundaries. Gamecocks Eat Well Cooking Classes are free and open to any university student. Students can register until March 23 . Learn more

Upcoming Admitted Student Events Interested in helping recruit the next generation of Gamecock families? Consider attending an admitted student event near you! Fairfield Admitted Student Reception • Fairfield, CT • 3.4.18 at 2 p.m. Jacksonville Admitted Student Reception • Jacksonville, FL • 3.6.18 at 7 p.m. Nashville Admitted Student Luncheon • Brentwood, TN • 3.8.18 at 6:30 p.m. Boston Admitted Student Reception • Boston, MA • 3.11.18 at 1 p.m. Chicago Admitted Student Reception • Woodridge, IL • 3.21.18 at 7 p.m. Contact Amy Moffatt, assistant director of out-of-state recruitment, at amymoffatt@sc.edu for more information.

"Rising star"  Freshman retailing major Sydney Bernhardt visited New York City for the National Retail Federation Student Convention, thanks in part to winning a Rising Star Scholarship from the organization.  View more " Make your best pitch "  For the past eight years, University of South Carolina students and recent grads have had the opportunity to turn their brilliant ideas into something tangible with The Proving Ground — a startup business pitch competition. View more

Important Upcoming Dates

March 2 at noon: Columbia Airport shuttle reservations due March 9: Last day to drop a course or withdraw without a grade of "WF" March 9 at 6 p.m. : Greek Village closes for spring break March 10 at 10 a.m. : Residence halls close for spring break March 11-18: Spring break - no classes March 18: Residence halls open at 8 a.m ., Greek Village opens at noon March 20: AlcoholEdu part 2 and Haven part 2 deadline (for new spring 2018 students) March 20-22: Graduation Fair April 20: Discover USC Showcase April 22: Official USC Ring Ceremony April 30: Last day of classes

Please continue to visit our website for information and resources at sa.sc.edu/parents . As always, we are only a phone call or email away, and we encourage your feedback! Office of Parent & Family Programs University of South Carolina Website:  sa.sc.edu/parents   Parents Assistance Line: 1-800-868-6752 Email: scparents@sc.edu App: guidebook.com/app/uofscparents