relatively speaking header
FEBRUARY 2017
Greetings, Niner Nation Family!
We are a month and a half into 2017, and the New Year not only brings new opportunities for students to implement lessons they learned from last semester but a new administration in the White House. 

This issue also brings you updates of many things taking place on campus. First, UNC Charlotte is excited to be celebrating Black History Month through a variety of events and educational programs for students, faculty and staff. You will find information about the opportunities for your student to engage in the rich history of African-Americans through a wide variety of programming.

February is also home to that occasion that you either love or hate: Valentine’s Day. Included in the newsletter is a two-sided look at this day – from those who are celebrating with someone special to those who are looking to avoid the holiday at all costs.

Other features include thoughts on finishing strong this semester, a quick look at the Charlotte 49ers basketball season and suggestions of things to do when you visit your student here in town.

Even though it’s only February, it’s not too early for your student to be thinking about summer and next year. Opportunities for summer internships, jobs and study abroad are coming up soon, so we encourage you to connect with your student on summer plans.

It’s also time to start thinking about where your student is planning to live next year. Will he or she live on campus, off campus or commute from home? If your student plans to return to on-campus housing, the return application can be found at http://housing.uncc.edu/news/return-campus-living-starts-february-1.

If your student is thinking about moving off campus next year, make sure to utilize Niner Choice information to select a location that is best for your student. It’s never too early to get your student thinking about next year!

We hope to see many of you at this month’s Spring Family Reunion on Saturday, Feb. 25. Registration for the program closes on Friday, Feb. 17. For more information, visit our website!  

As always, we are here to make sure you stay informed and engaged in the UNC Charlotte experience. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out at parents@uncc.edu or 704-687-0341.

Go Niners!





Jordan Holliday-Millard
Assistant Director for New Student & Family Services
Niner Nation Family
Spring Semester: Finishing Strong,
the Viewpoint Varies
By Daniel Watson , New Student and Family Services

January 2017 is a thing of the past, and Niners are back in the full swing on campus. Until early May, the focus is on spring semester – but what that focus looks like differs by class. Here’s one take.

Freshmen
Being back home for an extended stay at the holidays was nothing short of an adjustment – what is a curfew? Freshmen are eager to return to friends, Chick-fil-A on campus and to pick up right where they left off. They have just begun to scratch the surface of their collegiate journey.

“I really missed my friends. There are people I met last semester that I already know will be around for a long time.” – Megan H.

“I’m eager to see what my student organizations have planned for the spring. In high school, student clubs were just kind of cool, but here it’s unusual to not be involved in at least one student organization.” – James D.

Sophomores
No longer a rookie, sophomores are accustomed to the spring semester drop-off and have vowed to learn from their freshman mistakes. They are cognizant of the importance of both their academic and social decisions.

“Do better than what I did in the fall semester. Think big and think long term; the decisions I make now are going to affect me in the future.” – Joshua B.

“Feed your dreams and starve your distractions.” – Kayla D.

Juniors
These certified veterans in scholastic arms are prepared for the best and the worst. Juniors have basically done it all and seen it all and use their experiences to mentor younger students. With only one summer ahead of them, juniors have entered internship roles and spend a great deal of time prepping for life after college.

“You have to be selfish about your education.” – Jasmynn C.

“If you don’t do it, then who will?” – Isaac W.

Seniors
Prepare for takeoff! The home stretch! The finish line is oh so close! With one foot already out the door, seniors are ready to embark on life’s journey. They are picturing themselves in their graduation cap as you read this.

“I have really bad seniorities so I’m ready to get out so I can jump into the real world.” – Christian T.

The goal is “to get a job! …and pass all of my classes and enjoy what I have left of college.” – Kelsey W.
49ers Excel on the Court,
Feature Spring Family Reunion Feb. 25
By Kelsey Wilkins , New Student and Family Services

The Charlotte 49ers men’s and women’ basketball teams both got off to a good start this season. The women began 5-3 and then enjoyed a nine-game winning streak in December and early January.

As of Feb. 11, the women’s team is 17-7. Head coach Cara Consuegra as well as seniors Ciara Gregory, Lefty Webster and Kenya Olley have done a great job leading this team to a strong season.

The men’s seniors, Anthony Vanhook, Reid Aube and Braxton Ogbueze, also have been leading the men’s team – which started 6-2 but is 11-13 through Feb. 11 under second-year head coach Mark Price.

Our annual Spring Family Reunion is centered around a men’s game on Feb. 25. Students and families can attend the game together and cheer on the 49ers against Marshall. To sign up for this event, go to parents.uncc.edu and click on the Spring Family Reunion tab. 

The men’s and women’s teams will continue to play until early March and have the opportunity to compete in the Conference USA tournament in Birmingham, Alabama.

Off the court, the teams give back to the Charlotte community by volunteering with area organizations. One of their main activities is participating in youth basketball camps.
Visiting Charlotte? Here are Cool Things to Do
teacher-students-college.jpg

By Caitlin Carey, New Student and Family Services

Your student may have been attending UNC Charlotte for years or just started this semester. Either way, there is always something new to see and do when visiting your student in Charlotte. Here is a list of some of my favorite spots.

Botanical Gardens

My mom and I love going to see the crafted gardens of Charlotte. When my family visited last, I took them to two different gardens: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Gaston County and UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens on campus. Both are absolutely lovely, and the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens is free to visit!

Breweries

For those who have students 21 or older, Charlotte has a big brewery scene. For a complete list of breweries and locations follow this link.

Hiking

I love getting exercise outside whenever I can. Charlotte is close to many North Carolina state parks, including Crowders Mountain State Park near Kings Mountain, Lake Norman State Park near Troutman and Morrow Mountain State Park near Albemarle. Each state park features different landscapes and is only a short drive from campus.

Restaurants

Just as much as Charlotte’s brewery scene is bustling, so are the city’s restaurants. There are so many options. Here are links to some of my personal favorites. 

A Tour of Uptown

When my parents visited Charlotte for the first time, they were so excited to walk through Uptown. If you have never gotten the chance to walk down Trade or Tryon streets, I highly recommend it!

U.S. National Whitewater Center

Do you love the thrill of adventure? The center offers ziplining, whitewater rafting, rock climbing and walking paths. Or, if you would just like to hang out by the water with a beverage in hand while your family members raft, that’s good, too. Admission is $5 per vehicle, and all activities are reasonably priced. Visit this link to find out more information.

Singles Awareness Day vs.
Valentine’s Day  on Campus
By Kelsey Wilkins, New Student and Family Services

All over campus, students have mixed emotions about Feb. 14. Some see it as a day of hope and love, and others dread it, wishing those 24 hours would end as fast as possible. Here at UNC Charlotte, students celebrate the occasion in different ways.

In 2016, CRU, an on-campus Christian ministry, handed out roses and little notes to students that walked by them on their way to class. Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity, sold roses to students inside of the Student Union.

This year, UNC Charlotte offers students a chance to get last-minute Valentine’s presents in the Cone Building on Feb. 13 at 11 a.m. Students can create their own gifts that may include candy, small presents and a personalized photo snow globe. The Pre-Valentine’s Day Café is also another event that students can attend for the holiday. There will be live music, a photo booth and chances to win prizes. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum is an increasingly popular, humorous celebration, Singles Awareness Day (S.A.D.), recognized either Feb. 14 or Feb. 15. People gather to celebrate their current romantic status of single. Typical activities that people partake in on S.A.D. are volunteer opportunities in the community and hanging out with other single friends or family. UNC Charlotte does not currently offer activities for S.A.D., but students are encouraged to hang out with friends and not spend the day alone.

Whether students celebrate Valentine’s Day or not, UNC Charlotte still offers plenty of things to participate in on campus. And regardless of how people feel about the day, everyone can take advantage of the Valentine’s candy sale that begins on the 15th!
#BHM: Honoring Black History Month
By Daniel Watson , New Student and Family Services

In 1926, Carter G. Woodson, former slave and historian, declared the second week of February “Negro History Week.” This week was chosen because it corresponded with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and slavery abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Woodson felt strongly about the indispensable importance of teaching black history. "If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition; it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world and it stands in danger of being exterminated,” he said.

Nearly a century later, black student organizations at UNC Charlotte strive to keep Woodson’s legacy alive. February, as Black History Month, has been jampacked with opportunities for the University community to “school” themselves on African-American history. The complete list below shows the wide variety of activities.

Feb. 15
“Speed Dating: Black History Edition” - Meet your new flame and learn about black history
6:30 p.m., Cone Center Afterhours
Building Better Brothers, D.I.V.A.S.

Feb. 18
“Roll Bounce and R&B” - Rollerskating and ’80s,’90s, and 2000s R&B
7 p.m., Halton Arena Rec Courts
Campus Activities Board

Feb. 21
“The Shared Story of Race in the South” - Race, Football and Civil Rights in 1960s Charlotte
6 p.m., Levine Museum of the New South, Uptown Charlotte

March 1
“State of the Black Union” Panel Discussion
6 p.m., Barnhardt Student Activity Center Salons
Collegiate 100, 100 Black Women, the Black Student Union, UNC Charlotte NAACP, the Black History Club, Community Activists, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police
Fighting Cancer Together: Relay for Life

By Caitlin Carey, New Student and Family Services

Many individuals in the UNC Charlotte community are teaming up to volunteer their time and effort to fight cancer.

On April 7, students, faculty, staff and community residents will be joining together at the Barnhardt Student Activity Center to participate in Relay for Life, the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The event will be held from 6 p.m. April 7 until 12 a.m. April 8. Student organizations as well as departments on campus will be at the event with fundraising booths. Here are highlights.

Survivors Lap

“Survivors define courage and inspire those facing a cancer diagnosis. Their strength is honored with each step they take around the first lap. If you know anyone who's overcome cancer, invite them to join,” according to the Relay for Life website.

Caregivers Lap

“Caring for others is such a selfless act, which is why we honor caregivers with a lap. They often walk with the person they've supported.”

Luminaria Ceremony

“Each luminaria bag represents a loved one lost to cancer, brings support to those affected by it, and honors survivors. This powerful moment gives people the opportunity to grieve but also offers hope and comfort.”

Closing Ceremony

“We celebrate all that we've accomplished together and remember those we've lost. Together, we commit to take action and help end the pain and suffering of cancer.”

Every action matters fighting cancer. We invite you to share information about this event with your student and inquire if he or she will be fighting cancer with the UNC Charlotte community. If you would like more information about the event or to donate to the cause, follow this link, UNC Charlotte Relay for Life.

Dinner with the Dean Honors Student,
Staff Leadership
By Ena Walker , New Student and Family Services

Dinner with the Dean at UNC Charlotte is held every year by Christine Reed Davis and the Dean of Students Office. Dean Davis hosts the event to celebrate her student leaders and staff for their hard work.

It’s is a prestigious and coveted event that only Dean of Students Office members can attend. This includes New Student and Family Services, Latino Student Services, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Conduct, Office of the Dean, Student Assistance and Support, Minority Student Services, Off-Campus Outreach and Volunteer Outreach and Veterans Services. Under many of the departments are groups of student leaders, such as Orientation and SAFE Counselors, who are also celebrated at Dinner with the Dean.

This year the event was planned with the help of Ryan Lucks. Lucks is the administrative support associate for New Student and Family Services. “Dinner with the Dean is a highly coveted event to attend,” he said. “Planning an event to celebrate 175-plus students and 20-plus staff is an exciting and multi-faceted process. From entertainment to food to invitations, planning such a large event is an important task.”
The 2017 Dinner with the Dean was Jan. 20 at the Popp Martin Student Union. It featured a Hawaii-style cocktail hour, dinner and dessert. Guest speaker Jessica Pettitt spoke to the students about their different leaderships styles, helped them realize their assumptions and taught everyone how to be more effective team players.

One of the best parts of #DWD17 was the giveaways. From leather pad folios to paid lunches with Dean Davis to Fitbits and Beats headphones – the Dean of Students made sure to share amazing prizes with the students. All three of our Family Programs Interns (Daniel, Kelsey and I) received some sort of prize!

Overall, Dinner with the Dean is an amazing affair. It’s another way for the Niner Nation Family to come together and create a community of leaders.
Looking Beyond Graduation: What’s the Plan?
By Caitlin Carey, New Student and Family Services

Graduation is going to be here sooner than you think – and you may already be wondering, “What is my student planning to do after graduation?” Surely you do not want him or her back home living on your couch. Fortunately, UNC Charlotte has many resources to help students think about post-graduation plans.

The University Career Center is a good place to start. It’s committed to providing a wide range of services to students and alumni to prepare them for the competitive job market. The center seeks campus and employer partnerships to connect students with meaningful experiences and guides them each step of the way.

The three big steps the center encourages students to take are: decide, brand and implement. At each step, students are expected to identify goals that are reasonable and achievable. Once students have gone through the process, they will have pinpointed potential career fits, created a consistent and professional image that reflects their value and developed a strong action plan to secure opportunities for employment or continued education.

The University Career Center also provides students with a broad variety of events and seminars, including crash courses on writing a resume, selling one’s skills and how to talk with employers. The center’s career fair is a highly anticipated event for students who are looking to meet future employers and obtain opportunities for interviews.

This year’s fair will be held Feb. 16-17 in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center. Feb. 16 is for students looking for science, technology, engineering and math-related careers. Feb. 17 is for those looking for careers in business, arts, communications and service. Overall, more than 250 employers and graduate schools will be in attendance, and students will have multiple opportunities to talk with employers. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

Whether your student attends the career fair or not, the University Career Center is an important resource for helping answer “what next?” after graduation. Through the center’s services, students might discover something new about something they already know or begin the process of searching for a job. Either way, the center and UNC Charlotte are here to help – and to keep your student off your couch after graduation.

For more information about the University Career Center, follow this link: http://career.uncc.edu/. For the career fair, follow this link: https://careerfairs.uncc.edu/.
Niner Nation Family
New Student & Family Services
Dean of Students Office 
UNC Charlotte