February 2018

In This Issue Mobile app Off-Campus Housing Senior awards Carolinian Creed Career Center Commencement FAFSA Bursar's Office DMSB Receptions Responsible Decision Making Student Health Services Admitted student events University news Important dates

Greetings! Students have returned to campus, classes are getting exciting, and Gamecock athletic teams are buzzing with great plays. What a time to be at USC! February is the perfect month to check in with your student on their goals, in and out of the classroom. If they are looking to get more involved on campus, remind them that the Leadership and Service Center in the Russell House is a great place to start. If they are trying to improve their GPA, the Student Success Center in the Thomas Cooper Library is ready to help them create strategies for attaining classroom success. Students can begin feeling overwhelmed with assignments and projects at this point in the semester. Encourage your student to make an appointment with Student Health Services to attend a meditation workshop in the Calm Oasis or a healthy eating demonstration in the Center for Health and Well-Being. This month, the Office of Parent & Family Programs will be focusing our Dinner Dialogues: Family Edition on the Counseling & Psychiatry offices at USC. Stay tuned to our Facebook page, website , and mobile app for ways to help your student cope with stress, trauma and other mental health concerns. Be sure to download the Parent & Family Programs mobile app , like us on  Facebook , follow us on  Instagram  and visit the  Parent & Family Programs website  for timely posts and monthly tips to supplement this newsletter.

Pictured above: The inauguration of the 2017-18 Student Government executive officers  –  Treasurer Merritt Francis, Vice President Dani Goodreau, President Ross Lordo, with University President, Harris Pastides. Encourage your student to vote in the Student Government elections Feb. 27 and 28.

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 visit  guidebook.com/app/uofscparents .

Spring 2018 Off-Campus Housing Expo The Office of Off-Campus Student Services is hosting the first Spring 2018 Housing Expo Thursday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Greene Street. Student apartment communities will be present to answer questions. Remind your student to drop by the Off-Campus Housing Expo for housing information, freebies and more!

REMINDER: Senior Awards Application Outstanding senior students are encouraged to apply for senior awards The University of South Carolina's Honors and Awards Commission is accepting applications for the Outstanding Senior Award . Students selected for this honor will also be considered for the university's top two undergraduate honors - the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and Steven N. Swanger Leadership Award. The deadline to apply online is Monday, Feb. 5 at 4 p.m.

More information

Living by the Carolinian Creed The  Carolinian Creed  emphasizes integrity, acceptance, respect, leadership and compassion. All members of the Carolina community strive to live the tenets of the Carolinian Creed to help create an environment that values openness and civility. The  Carolinian Creed  was adopted by the university in 1990. The Creed's creation took a unique approach to solving issues of intolerance on a college campus. Instead of limiting a student's rights through the creation of more rules, it set an example for all to follow. As your student gets involved in the university community, our hope is that they will take advantage of the many opportunities to be inclusive and open to new ideas, people and opinions. Students have the opportunity to engage wit h the   Carolinian Creed   through campus traditions like New Student Convocation, Homecoming and Creed & Diversity Week. At New Student Orientation during the summer, each student signs the Creed and commits to uphold its tenets. Students also can live our Creed through everyday actions like volunteering to be a note taker for the Student Disability Resource Center, practicing the safety tips available at  sc.edu/safety , downloading the Rave Guardian app or being open to taking a class to learn more about an unfamiliar religious or spiritual tradition. Building a foundation of inclusivity where students can engage in a vibrant and diverse environment is a critical component of success both in college and beyond. Parents and family members are a valuable piece of the Carolina community, and we ask for your assistance in upholding the tenets of the Carolinian Creed . Together, we make the University of South Carolina a healthy, supportive community where students can learn and thrive. Carolinian Creed The community of scholars at the University of South Carolina is dedicated to personal and academic excellence.  Choosing to join the community obligates each member to a code of civilized behavior.   As a Carolinian…  I will practice personal and academic integrity;  I will respect the dignity of all persons;  I will respect the rights and property of others;  I will discourage bigotry, while striving to learn from differences in people, ideas and opinions;  I will demonstrate concern for others, their feelings and their need for conditions which support their work and development.  Allegiance to these ideals requires each Carolinian to refrain from and discourage behaviors which threaten the freedom and respect every individual deserves.

UofSC Ring Week All University of South Carolina students with at least 60 credit hours are eligible to purchase their official Carolina ring. My Carolina Alumni Association and Balfour will be on campus Feb. 13-16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the first floor lobby of the Russell House University Union. Representatives will be available to assist students with purchasing their ring. More information

Career Center February Events The Career Center offers various events throughout the semester for your student to plan for their future. Talk about these helpful and useful opportunities with your student. Feb. 5 - Education Roundtables Feb. 7 - Etiquette Dinner Feb. 8 - Pathways-to-Professions: South Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services Feb. 12 - Gamecocks Chat: STEM Careers Feb. 16 - Pathways-to-Professions: Congaree National Park Feb. 20 - Education Recruitment Day Feb. 23 - Pathways-to-Professions: Nephron Pharmaceuticals Feb. 26 - Gamecocks Chat: Business Careers (Management, Marketing, and Finance) More details & information

Spring 2018 Commencement If your student plans on graduating in May, remind them to complete their application for graduation by Feb. 14 through Self-Service Carolina. Your student will graduate with their designated college or school at the following date and time: Friday, May 11, 2018, 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, 2018, 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, 2018, 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

FAFSA Reminder

The 2018-19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now. Students and families should use their 2016 federal income tax information when completing the 2018-19 FAFSA. Students may check the status of their financial aid beginning Jan. 31 in Self-Service Carolina.

News from the Bursar's Office

1098T Educational Tax Credit Statements Via Self-Service Carolina (SSC) , we urge you to advise your student to opt into the online version of the 1098T statements so they can be conveniently printed from a home/school computer. Otherwise, 1098T statements will be mailed from our office beginning the week of Feb. 1. Due to the sensitive nature of the information contained in the 1098T statement, we cannot email or fax them.   Spring 2018 Payment Plans The next payment for spring 2018 payment plans is due Feb. 12. For more information regarding payment plans, visit this link: https://sc.edu/bursar/paying.shtml .  Changes to Your Student's Bill Please remind your student to frequently review their bill on SSC . Each time a change is made to the account, i.e., dropping/adding classes, changing meal plans, changing housing and adding optional fees – additional/unexpected charges can be added. Unpaid balances on your student's account can result in the cancellation of their classes. Dropping Classes Please advise your student that dropping classes at this point will likely result in a percentage of financial liability for the course even though your student no longer attends the course(s). “Parts of Term” should be carefully examined for the refund deadline details before a course is dropped. See here for information regarding Parts of Term deadlines. We strongly advise students contact our office to discuss dropping courses before doing so.  Authorized Users Students have the ability to assign authorized users to their account in SSC . This authorization will allow the authorized user to see the student's bill, payment history, 1098T information and payment plans, receive emails, as well as speak with the Bursar's Office staff about the student's account. We strongly encourage students to set up authorized users on their account. Direct Deposits If your student expects to receive a refund, which includes excess financial aid, please have them set up direct deposit via SSC . If your student is expecting a refund and they have set up a direct deposit, please allow at least 72 hours for the funds to be deposited. If a direct deposit is not in place, your student will receive a paper check via mail to the current address on file, which could take up to 5-7 business days, or more, depending on U.S. mail service. Student Email Please encourage your student to check their student email account frequently. Our office communicates with students via email about financial activity on the student account. We find that too often students are not checking their email accounts. As a result, communication about drop deadlines, payment deadlines, and statement information goes unread and uncommunicated to parents/guardians.

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The Darla Moore School of Business Networking Receptions The Darla Moore School of Business invites parents to join alumni, friends and partners of the school for networking receptions. These receptions will be hosted in Atlanta (Feb. 22), Washington, D.C. (March 22) and Charlotte (May 17). Dean Peter Brews will deliver an update on the school, while you enjoy beer, wine, and heavy hors d'oeuvres. Admission is free, but please register so we know who to expect. Hope to see you there!

Register here

Educating Students on Responsible Decision Making The University of South Carolina's  Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education  (SAPE) actively educates students about the consequences of engaging in high-risk behaviors so they can make informed and responsible decisions about substance-related behavior and other student wellness issues.  Through collaboration with other service areas and departments on campus, SAPE provides programs, services and resources that help students recognize that their decisions affect not only themselves but also the greater university and Columbia communities.  Encourage your student to get involved with these programs and services offered by the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education.  Gameday Programs SAPE partners with several organizations to provide gameday programming that encourages low-risk behaviors, including alcohol-free viewing parties and tailgates. Students can find out more through campus-wide emails and communications. Peer Education A diverse group of students are selected to provide education to the USC campus on alcohol, drugs, and addiction with the goal of encouraging healthy decisions, promoting low-risk use and reducing stigma. Volunteers and interns facilitate evidence-based activities for a variety of audiences. Brief Intervention STIR is a brief alcohol and/or marijuana screening and intervention program designed to reduce high risk behaviors and potential harmful consequences of substance use. Students can be sanctioned to the program through the conduct process or voluntarily wish to explore their use and choices about substances. For more information about and to get involved with the  Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education , visit  sa.sc.edu/sape . Also, follow SAPE on Twitter at  @UofSCGoodChoice .

Student Health Services Upcoming Events Gamecocks Get the Flu Shot! The flu is going around – students need to follow the CDC’s recommendations for prevention, including frequently washing hands, disinfecting surfaces often, not sharing utensils and cups and staying home when they’re sick. Encourage your student to visit the Center for Health and Well-Being to receive a free flu shot. Walk-ins are welcome. Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Feb. 6, noon-2 p.m., CHW Room 217 Feb. 21, 1-3 p.m., CHW Room 219 Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the college student population, however it is one of the most preventable forms of death. Mental Health Initiatives will offer Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Feb. 6 and 21 at the Center for Health and Well-Being. Students can s ign up  and/or learn more about the training here .   Safe Haven Film Screening Feb. 12., 7-10 p.m., Russell House Theater Students can attend a screening of Safe Haven , based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, followed by a meaningful dialogue about stalking behaviors as presented through the film and in contemporary culture.   Life Comes at You Fast Feb. 27, 3-5 p.m., CHW Room 217 Encourage your student to attend this resilience workshop focusing on how to handle rejection and criticism. If they are unable to attend, have a conversation with your student about their resilience and productive ways they can handle criticism as an adult. Learn more

Fall 2018 Admitted Student Events Interested in helping recruit the next generation of Gamecock families? Save the date for an admitted student event near you! Maryland Admitted Student Reception • Columbia, MD • 2.22.18 at 7 p.m. Cincinnati Admitted Student Reception • Cincinnati, OH • 2.25.18 at 2 p.m. 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. Visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions ' events page for more details as these dates approach.

" Outstanding Black Alumni: Benjamin Hall, '77 "  A "Texas Super Lawyer," Benjamin Hall started the path to his legal career with a degree in religion from Carolina in 1977. Hall has been named Outstanding Black Alumni. View more " Nursing works with other health disciplines to improve SC's health "  The Carolina Family Practice, operated by nursing faculty, has a new home to better serve its patients. In November, the clinic opened in downtown Columbia as part of its new affiliation with Palmetto Health USC Medical Group. View more

Important Upcoming Dates

Feb. 3: Student Leadership & Diversity Conference Feb. 5: Senior awards application deadline Feb. 14: Application for spring 2018 graduation due Feb. 19: Ring Week begins Feb. 27: Student Government elections begin at sc.edu/elections 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 (for new spring 2018 students) March 20-22: Graduation Fair

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