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The spring semester is in full swing, and we hope your student is feeling adjusted to their class schedule. This is a great time to check in with them about their progress toward their academic goals. If they are struggling in one or more classes, the Student Success Center can be a great resource to recommend for tutoring and other services.
February also brings Carolina baseball season! Encourage your student to attend baseball games, starting with the first home game on Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. For a complete schedule, click here. There are many ways to cheer on the Gamecocks this month, including men's basketball, women's basketball, equestrian and more!
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.
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Parents Weekend 2017
Mark your calendar 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 you prepare for an unforgettable Gamecock weekend.
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2017 Commencement
Commencement exercises for the University of South Carolina Class of 2017 will be held May 5-6. If your student is graduating, we suggest you begin reviewing the information below to be sure you are prepared for the big day. Additionally, now is a good time to make hotel and meal reservations for the weekend.
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Spring break airport shuttle
Each year, Student Government sponsors a free shuttle to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport for students during certain university breaks.
This service will be available for spring break and will run March 3 and 4, with trips departing at 5 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Students can also be picked up from the airport at the conclusion of the break on March 12 at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
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On-campus housing reminders
Residence hall opening and closing information
Remind your student that residence halls will close for spring break March 4 at 10 a.m. and reopen March 12 at 8 a.m.
Greek Village opening and closing information
For students living in the Greek Village, the houses will close for spring break March 3 at 6 p.m. and reopen March 12 at noon.
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University Housing News
On-campus housing still available
Housing is still available for returning students. Don't let them miss their opportunity to live on campus next fall! University Housing will offer additional housing at Park Place beginning this August.
End of year reminder
All students should plan to move out of their residence halls by May 4 at 10 a.m. or within 24 hours of their final exam. For students looking to store items in Columbia over the summer, Off-Campus Student Services offers a list of storage facilities close to campus.
Fall 2017 Move-In
University Housing is pleased to welcome parents and students home this fall on Tuesday, Aug. 22. Discover more about Move-In 2017 by clicking
here
.
Questions? Visit the University Housing website or call 803-777-4283.
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Flu season reminder
Only 8% of college students get the flu vaccine but 100% are susceptible to the flu. Student Health Services continues to encourage students to follow these flu prevention tips:
- Get the flu vaccine!
- Wash your hands
- Clean and disinfect surfaces
- Use hand wipes and sanitizers
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Stay home if you are sick
- Get plenty of sleep
- Drink lots of water
- Eat a balanced diet
- Stay physically active
For more information, visit the Student Health Services website or call 803-777-9511.
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Requirements for incoming students: AlcoholEdu and Haven
All new undergraduate students (freshmen, transfer and change-of-campus) at the Columbia campus enrolled for spring 2017 are required to complete the AlcoholEdu and Haven online courses.
AlcoholEdu is an online alcohol education assessment that measures students' perceptions about alcohol use and abuse prior to arriving on campus and after several weeks on campus. Haven is an online sexual assault prevention education and training module that presents realistic and interactive skill-building scenarios. In accordance with federal mandates, this program will serve as one way students at South Carolina receive education and training on sexual assault prevention.
How do students take AlcoholEdu and Haven?
New students should log in to
Self Service Carolina
and click on the "AlcoholEdu & Haven" box.
Instructions on how to complete the course can be found here.
Students must complete part one of each course by Feb. 16 and part two of each course by April 16. Failure to successfully complete both parts of each assessment will result in a hold being placed on the student's record, making them ineligible to register for the next semester's classes.
Can parents take AlcoholEdu and Haven?
Parents have the opportunity to view an introduction and overview of the AlcoholEdu course as well as take a demo version of the Haven course. This is a great way to encourage more discussion about the risks and consequences of alcohol and other drugs as well as sexual assault prevention and available resources. For instructions on how to log in, click
here
.
For more information about AlcoholEdu and Haven,
click here
.
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Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Mark your calendar for Aug. 18-21, as Columbia, SC will be the total solar eclipse capital of the east coast! Columbia, SC and its surrounding region are positioned in the best location to witness a spectacle that has not been seen in the continental United States since 1979. Throughout the long weekend, attractions, cultural institutions, hospitality and retail businesses in Columbia, will host special eclipse-related events leading up to nature's grandest spectacle. For more information about the total solar eclipse, please visit: http://totaleclipsecolumbiasc.com.
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From the Bursar's Office
1098T Educational Tax Credit statements
In order to conveniently print the 1098T statement, encourage your student to opt into the online version of their 1098T statement on Self Service Carolina. Otherwise, 1098T statements will be mailed beginning the week of Feb. 1. Due to the sensitive nature of the information contained in the 1098T statement, the Bursar's Office is unable to email or fax them.
Spring 2017 payment plans
If your student set up a payment plan for spring 2017, please remember the next payment is due Feb. 10. For more information regarding payment plans, please click here.
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 additional 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 percent of financial liability for the course even though your student may no longer attend. "Parts of term" should be carefully examined before a course is dropped.
Click here for information regarding parts of term deadlines.
Authorized users
Students can assign authorized users to their account in
SSC. This authorization will allow the authorized user 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.
Direct deposit
If your student expects to receive a refund, which includes excess financial aid, please have them set up direct deposit on
SSC. They should click on the "e-refunds" tab.
If your student is expecting a refund and they set up a direct deposit, please allow at least 72 hours to see the direct deposit in the account. 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 5-7 business days, or longer depending on the U.S. Postal Service.
For
more information from the Office of the Bursar,
click here
.
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Opportunities to share with your student
Black History Month
USC will celebrate Black History Month 2017 in February with events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, student organizations, academic departments and university offices. The events are open to the university community. For more information, click here.
Student Government elections
February is an exciting month on campus for student leaders, as it marks the election season for Student Government. The Executive Candidate Debate will be held Feb. 7 in Russell House Ballroom. Students are encouraged to attend to learn more about each candidate running for office so they can make an informed decision when voting. Elections will be held Feb. 14 and 15. Click here for more information about Student Government elections and how your student can vote.
Senior Awards
The University of South Carolina's Honors and Awards Commission is accepting applications for the Outstanding Senior award. Students selected for the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and Outstanding Senior honors will also be considered for the university's top two undergraduate honors -- the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and Steven N. Swanger Leadership Award. Applicants must graduate from an undergraduate degree program at USC Columbia between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2017; must have completed at least 75 academic credit hours; and must exemplify scholarship, involvement, citizenship and leadership in academic and co-curricular activities. The deadline to apply online is Monday, Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. For more information, click here.
CarolinaCard
Carolina Cash is the perfect Valentine's Day gift! It can be used all across campus and at over 35 off-campus locations. To add Carolina Cash, click "Carolina Cash Deposits" on
Self Service Carolina
under the account tab.
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University news updates
Darla Moore School of Business building earns LEED Platinum
The University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business building has earned LEED Platinum certification, the highest certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Read more>>>
McNair family makes gift to Gamecock Football Operations Center
USC alumnus Bob McNair and his wife, Janice, continue to make an impact on his alma mater with a $5 million commitment to the construction of the Football Operations Center.
Read more>>>
Stay updated on the latest
University of South Carolina news
.
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Important upcoming dates
Feb. 4: Student Leadership and Diversity Conference
Feb. 14-15: Student Government elections
Feb. 16: AlcoholEdu & Haven part one due for new students
Feb. 18: Service Saturday
March 2: Last day to drop a course or withdraw without a grade of "WF" being recorded; midpoint in semester
March 5-12: Spring break
March 15: Student Government inauguration
March 29: Carolinian Creed and Diversity Day
April 20: University Awards Day
April 24: Last day of classes
April 25: Reading day (no classes)
April 26-May 3: Final exams
May 5-6:
Commencement
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