As it warms up and begins to feel more like spring, remind your student of the importance of attending all of their classes. Spring break is March 5-12, so talk with your student about plans for the break and discuss safety tips if they are traveling.
March 2 is the midpoint of the semester and the last day for your student to drop a course or withdraw without a grade of "WF" being recorded. Encourage your student to speak with their professor if they are struggling in a course.
Remind your student to spring forward an hour for daylight saving time, which begins March 12.
Additionally, 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.
Commencement information
Places to stay and eat
General information about commencement
Times and locations of the ceremonies
Grad Fair
For students who plan to graduate this spring, the Grad Fair is a one-stop shop for all graduation needs. The Grad Fair will take place March 14-16 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the USC Alumni Center. Students who are not able to attend can order their caps and gowns online.
Grad Dine
My Carolina Alumni Association
invites graduating spring 2017 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 either attending a seated dinner on Friday, May 5 at 6 p.m. or lunch on Saturday, May 6 at noon. Registration and full details are available
here
. My Carolina looks forward to welcoming the class of 2017 into the alumni family!
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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. Students participating in undergraduate research, student teaching, group projects or internships are eligible to stay on the Horseshoe for $300 for the week. If your student is interested in this option, they need to
book an appointment online
under spring break room reservation. There are limited reservations available and space is first come, first serve.
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
University Housing is excited to offer Park Place as an on-campus housing option beginning fall 2017. Park Place is designed with the needs of today's college student in mind, while also providing the support of University Housing's residential living experience. Park Place offers a resort style pool, hot tub and grilling stations for your student's enjoyment. The great room and cyber cafe in the clubhouse provide a fun, yet professional environment with 24/7 access to computers for residents to study, work on group projects or just hang out and relax. For more information, visit their
website here
.
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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CarolinaCard news
March is a busy month for our Gamecocks with spring break and midterms. Don't forget that Carolina Cash can be uploaded to your student's account 24/7 on
Self-Service Carolina
for those snacks during long study sessions. Additionally, encourage your student to check out the spring CarolinaConnect event on March 13. Students can engage with local Columbia businesses and learn where their CarolinaCard can be used in the community. For more information, visit the
CarolinaCard website
.
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Cocky's road home
The campaign to raise $20,001 to immortalize our favorite feathered friend with a larger-than-life statue is currently underway! Students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the university are encouraged to donate and be part of making this piece of campus history a reality. Donations of $1,000 or more will be listed on a donor recognition piece near the statue; it's the perfect way to honor the Gamecock fan in your family! To learn more about the campaign and make a donation, please click here.
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Pillars for Carolina
Do you know an incoming UofSC freshman? Have them check out the university's five-day transition program, Pillars for Carolina! Get a head start on becoming a Gamecock while making memories that will last a lifetime.
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Job scam alert
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently reported that college students across the nation are entangled in an employment scam that could result in financial damages and identity theft. To help protect students from this type of activity, the Career Center partners with several organizations and top employers to provide job opportunities that are vetted in a number of ways. One in particular is through the Career Center's new online job platform, Handshake, which has built-in scam detection software that is able to monitor and quickly shut down scams nationwide prior to entering the platform.
In the event that a student becomes involved or detects any suspicious activity while applying for jobs, they are encouraged to report the information to the FBI via their Internet Crime Complaint Center, the USC Information Technology department at 803-777-0707 or [email protected], and the Career Center at 803-777-1585 or [email protected].
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From the Bursar's Office
1098-T educational tax credit statements
The university is required to provide students with a 1098-T Tuition Statement for qualified tuition and related expenses. The 1098-T form is required to be distributed for the purposes of determining a student's eligibility for education tax credits. 1098-T forms reflect charges only, not payments. The 2016 1098-T form can be accessed by the student via Self Service Carolina. To print the form from SSC:
- Click on the Account Information box
- Click on 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 access the 1098-T via SSC using your login 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 of the student. Even if the student chose this option, 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. The university is unable to offer tax advice. If you have any questions regarding the amounts posted in boxes 2-10 on the 1098-T, please refer to the detailed information at the bottom of the form. If you need to speak with a university representative, feel free to contact the Bursar's Office at 803-777-4233 or [email protected].
Spring 2017 payment plans
If your student set up a payment plan for spring 2017, please remember the next payment is due March 10. For more information regarding payment plans, please click here.
For more information from the Office of the Bursar, 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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Opportunities to share with your student
Academic success
March 2 marks the midpoint of the semester. Your student may share concerns about how their classes are going so far this semester. If it sounds like your student is struggling with a course or two, encourage them to visit the
Student Success Center
, which offers
supplemental instruction
,
peer tutoring
and much more. Additionally, students can visit the
University Advising Center
for
academic success coaching
.
Celebrating the Carolinian Creed and diversity
The university will celebrate the Carolinian Creed and appreciation for diversity March 27 and 29. CREEDx, which is the main event, will feature a variety of brief talks from faculty, staff and students about living out the Carolinian Creed. For more information about all of the ways UofSC is celebrating,
click here
.
Off-Campus Student Services support
Off-Campus Student Services
is available to help your student with their off-campus housing search.
The
Off-Campus Living Guide
and the
Partners in Off-Campus Living
page, which lists complexes that cater to UofSC students, are great resources to assist with their search.
For more information, feel free to contact Off-Campus Student Services at [email protected] or by phone at 803-777-3366.
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University news updates
Outdoor Recreation adventure trips return
Is your student looking to explore the natural wonders of South Carolina and meet new people? Look no further than UofSC's Outdoor Recreation team (ORec).
Read more>>>
Rhodes scholarship winner credits mom, UofSC for success
South Carolina's most recent Rhodes Scholarship winner credits his mother and his UofSC experiences with helping him be successful.
Read more>>>
Are you curious about what happens on campus?
Now you can get an inside view with Inside Carolina, a monthly e-newsletter for alumni, parents and supporters of the university. Inside Carolina highlights the people, places and events that make Carolina such a special place.
Read more>>>
Darius comes home
The tweet heard 'round campus is coming true. Darius Rucker will perform live in Columbia on Wednesday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Colonia Life Arena. Read more>>>
Stay updated on the latest
University of South Carolina news
.
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Important upcoming dates
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 25: Service Saturday
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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