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We can hardly believe the end of the fall semester is coming to a close this month! This Friday, Dec. 2, is the last day of classes for your student, with final exams being held Dec. 5-12.
The end of the semester is a particularly stressful period for many students. Supporting them during this time with positive encouragement and understanding is important.
Your student can expect their final grades to be posted on
Self Service Carolina
, and they can communicate those grades to you when received. If your student is a first-year student and their first semester grades are lower than expected, please keep in mind that grades often improve in subsequent semesters as students adjust to a new life away from home. The
Student Success Center
is a great resource for course-specific assistance, and the
University Advising Center
offers
Success Coaches
that can help students discover their strengths and develop a plan for overall success in college.
We hope you enjoy having your student home with you over the break!
Make sure to like us on
Facebook
, follow us on
Instagram
and visit the
Parents Programs website
for timely posts and monthly tips to supplement this newsletter.
Pictured above: Students studying in Thomas Cooper Library. As a reminder, the library is open for students 24 hours through Dec. 9, then adjusted hours for the remainder of the month.
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Parents Weekend 2017
Mark your calendars for Parents Weekend 2017, to be held Oct. 6-8! Registration is required.
More information about the schedule and registration will be made available in the coming months. Please continue to visit the Office of Parents Programs website throughout the spring and summer as your prepare for an unforgettable Gamecock weekend.
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December commencement information
Congratulations to all graduating students! December commencement will be held Monday, Dec. 12 at 2:30 p.m. in the Colonial Life Arena. United States congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis will be the guest speaker at the commencement exercise. For more information about tickets, parking and other things to remember, click here.
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Russell House Study Union
During final exams, the
Russell House University Union transforms into the Russell House Study Union! From Dec. 3 to 11, the Russell House will be open for all students to study in meeting rooms and lobbies.
- The Russell House will stay open until 2 a.m. Dec. 4-9 for late-night studying.
- Several meeting rooms and the ballroom will be set up to accommodate individual students and small groups for studying all-day, everyday during finals.
- A relaxation station will be set up in the second floor lobby where students can relax in bean bag chairs and grab a de-stress pack, stress ball or sheet of bubble wrap to take with them.
- Student Health Services will be hosting their weekly Wind Down Wednesday on Dec. 7 at 12:15 p.m. in Russell House 301.
- Free photocopying and printing will be available at the Russell House Information Desk.
- The popular "Russell House Review" will be held Monday, Dec. 5. This exciting night will feature a free late-night breakfast in the Grand Market Place and massages from licensed massage therapists beginning at 10 p.m.
- The Student Success Center will host exam review sessions throughout the Russell House.
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From the Bursar's Office
Spring 2017 Bills
Your student's spring 2017 bill is now available in
Self-Service Carolina
. Please be sure your student reviews their bill thoroughly, checking that all charges are present and accurate. The online and in-person payment deadline for spring 2017 is
Jan. 4
. The deadline for pre-payment by mail is
Dec. 19
.
Spring 2017 Payment Plans
Payment plans for the spring semester are available through your student's SSC account. These plans will allow for paying throughout the semester, per a monthly schedule, until the balance is paid in full. To facilitate the payment plan process, an initial payment of 25% of the total balance is to be paid after all financial aid has been applied, plus a $75 administrative fee due at payment plan enrollment. Three additional payments are due over the next three months on Feb. 10, Mar. 10 and Apr. 10. A late fee of $100 will be applied if a payment is not made on time. Payment plans can be set up with scheduled payments or one time payments where each monthly payment is submitted manually by the student/authorized user.
The payment plan covers tuition, housing, meal plans and technology and program fees. Any charges that are not captured in the payment plan, i.e. parking citations, health service charges, student conduct charges, etc., must be paid manually by line item via your student's SSC account. The monthly payment can be paid in person, mailed to the Bursar's Office, or online with an E-check/credit card via SSC. The payment plan does not carry over to the next semester. The student will need to enroll in the payment plan each semester.
Refunds and Direct Deposit
If your student expects to receive a refund, which includes excess financial aid, encourage them to set up direct deposit for funds to be received most efficiently. This can be done through your student's SSC account. Please note that if your student had direct deposit prior to the conversion to SSC, direct deposit information will need to be set up again. If direct deposit is not set up on the student account, a paper check will be issued and mailed to the address listed as current on the student record. All refund checks are distributed on Jan. 6.
Authorized Users
Students can assign authorized users to their account in
SSC
. This authorization will allow the authorized users to view the student's bill, payment history, 1098T information and payment plan, as well as speak with the
Bursar's Office
staff about the student's account.
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On-campus housing reminders
Residence hall opening and closing information
To assist residents with travel planning, University Housing publishes residence hall opening and closing dates on an online calendar. Please use this calendar as a resource to help your student plan for university breaks. If your student is staying in a 9-month residence hall and is interested in staying on campus during a break, they will need to register on Self-Service Carolina.
Upcoming dates:
- Winter break closing: Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m.
- Winter break reopening: Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 8 a.m.
Greek Village opening and closing information
For students living in the Greek Village,
opening and closing dates are published online
to assist with travel plans for university breaks.
Upcoming dates:
- Winter break closing: 24 hours after last exam
- Winter break reopening: Sunday, Jan. 8 at noon
For additional questions about specific houses, students should contact their house director.
Students not returning to University Housing spring 2017
If your student is not returning to University Housing for the spring semester, they must move out of their residence hall no later than 10 a.m. on Dec. 13 and they will not be eligible to register to stay on-campus during winter break.
Questions? V
isit the
University Housing website
or call 803-777-4283.
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Opportunities to share with your student
U101 peer leader application
A University 101 peer leader is an exceptional upper-class student chosen to serve as a co-instructor in a University 101 class. Peer leader applications are now available. Click here to view the application and selection process. The final application deadline is Friday, Jan. 13 at 11:59 p.m.
Career fairs set for spring 2016
The Career Center has set the dates for the spring career fairs for students. The Career Fest (for non-technical careers) and Science, Engineering & Technology (S.E.T.) Fair are both scheduled for Jan. 18. Both Career Fest and the S.E.T. Fair will be held in the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Employers will be present to talk with students about internships, cooperative education and full-time positions.
MLK Days of Service
The largest campus-wide community service event recognizes Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy through two days of service, Jan. 14 & 21. Students can make a positive impact in the greater Columbia area by joining hundreds of fellow students, faculty and staff in keeping Dr. King's dream alive. To find out more, click here.
Student Government
Is your student interested in running for an office in Student Government? Students running for office should file for candidacy Jan. 17-18 in the SG Office in Russell House.
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University news updates
USC alumnus Bob McNair opens new entrepreneur institute
McNair visited USC on Nov. 10 and announced the establishment of the $8 million McNair Institute for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise. The goal being to encourage active participation in entrepreneurial endeavors and help students gain a deeper understanding of the principles that underpin the American economy.
Read more >>>
Gamecocks with a mission
The University of South Carolina marks its commitment to veterans and the military through a variety of endeavors, including the launch of a Veterans Alumni Council and a University Libraries project to digitize 100 years of Marine Corps films.
Read more >>>
Stay updated on the latest
University of South Carolina news.
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Important upcoming dates
Dec. 2: Last day of classes
Dec. 5-12: Final Exams
Dec. 12:
Commencement
Jan. 9: Spring semester classes begin
Jan. 14: MLK Service Saturday
Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no classes)
Jan. 17: Last day to change/drop a course without a grade of "W" being recorded.
Jan. 18: Student Organization Fair, Career Fest and S.E.T. Job Fair
Jan. 21: MLK Service Saturday
Jan. 30: Last day to apply for May graduation
Feb. 4: Student Leadership and Diversity Conference
Feb. 16: AlcoholEdu & Haven Part 1 due for new first-year and transfer students.
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