- Family Weekend
- Waive health insurance
- Five Points Shuttle
- Talking Points
- CarolinaCard updates
- Philadelphia viewing party
- Bursar's Office
- First Year Transition
- MyCarolina
- Student Health Services
- University news
- Important dates
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Greetings!
The semester is just beginning and there is a renewed sense of energy on campus. Creativity is a theme at UofSC this year and my hope is that your student will find time to be
creative in their goals, passions and contributions to
our community.
Students should start by getting involved on campus early. First-year students can get involved with Student Government by applying for
Freshman Council
(due Sept. 5 at 4 p.m.). Upperclassmen are encouraged to attend the
Gamecocks Get Hired Career Fairs
(Sept. 25 and 26) and visit the
Leadership & Service Center
, where they can connect with staff to find their niche on campus.
Take some time this month to talk with your student about the topics shared in this newsletter. College is often the first time students are faced with difficult decisions. Use the Family Talking Points below and those included in the
Parent & Family Programs mobile app
to have those all-important conversations about decision-making and what's expected of your student when they face those difficult choices.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure your student has a fulfilling and engaging year here at the University of South Carolina. I hope to see you at
Family Weekend!
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Anna C. Edwards, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Life
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An
estimated 34,500 students
will study at UofSC this fall with the newest first-year and transfer students being among the brightest and most diverse in the university's history.
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Family Weekend Registration closes Sept. 17
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Missing your student or is your student feeling homesick?
The first six weeks of a student's semester are the most crucial for their success. Be part of that by joining them at their beloved Carolina for a fun weekend as a family!
You'll see
the excitement on your student's face
as they welcome you to their new home and introduce you to their professors. You'll get to meet the friends they share Chicken Finger Wednesday with each week and the resident mentor who unlocks the door when they forget their keys. And finally, you'll feel the energy of watching your student, arm-in-arm with fellow Gamecocks, cheering as "Sandstorm" blasts throughout Williams-Brice Stadium.
These experiences are what Family Weekend is all about
and we can't wait to share in these moments with you and your family!
Online registration closes Monday, Sept. 17 at 4 p.m.
, so don't delay. Call the Parents Assistance Line at (800) 868-6752 or email
scparents@sc.edu
with your Family Weekend questions.
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Student Health Insurance Waiver due: Sept. 15
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The deadline to waive the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan is Sept. 15.
Students need to submit proof of insurance at
sc.myahpcare.com
for the $869 fee to be removed from their university bill.
If your student is covered under your or a family member's health insurance plan, they will need to input that information to be waived from the university's insurance plan.
Failure to waive will result in automatic enrollment,
with no option for refunds
, in the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan with a premium cost of $869.
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Five Points Late-Night Shuttle
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The University of South Carolina operates a late-night shuttle from the Five Points entertainment district for enrolled students. This shuttle runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. during the fall semester. Students can be picked up on the 2100 block of Santee Avenue, located at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
The shuttle has drop-off locations on campus and near off-campus housing communities. These locations are Capstone/Columbia Hall, Williams-Brice Nursing Building, Longstreet Theatre, Greek Village, the Blatt P.E. Center, Park Place, Aspyre and the intersection of Pulaski and Devine St. (near Colonial Life Arena).
Encourage your student to download the
Transloc Rider app
to see the route and check where the bus is in real time.
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September Family Talking Points
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Bystander Accountability
Encourage your student to look out for others by being an active bystander — someone who sees a negative situation or event and intervenes in some way to prevent harm. These negative situations include sexual and physical violence on campus; discriminatory, destructive and illegal behavior; and situations involving relationship violence and stalking.
The Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates (SAPU)
online workshop
is a requirement for new undergraduate students prior to the start of the fall semester. Families can also take the course to learn more and talk with their student about preventing sexual assault, harassment and stalking behaviors on campus.
Hazing
The University of South Carolina strongly prohibits any actions that detract from its
vibrant learning environment where all students learn, grow and develop to their fullest potential. As such, n
o organization or its current, prospective or new members may participate in the activity of hazing. Hazing is defined as any activity undertaken by a group or organization or a member of that group or organization in which members or prospective or uninitiated members are subjected to activities that harass, intimidate, physically exhaust, impart pain, cause undue mental fatigue or mental distress, emotional distress or engage in any conduct that presents a threat to health and safety. Hazing includes personal servitude, which can be defined as running errands, cleaning or being required to do unnecessary tasks for other organization members.
Talk with your student about the risk of hazing and what it may look like in their respective organizations. Students who witness alleged hazing are urged to
report it immediately
by calling the Hazing Hotline at 803-777-5800.
Additional conversation topics are available in the
Talking Points
publication and on the Parent & Family Programs mobile app.
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GET Mobile App
Students can download the GET mobile app to see account balances, spending history and report their CarolinaCard if it is ever lost or stolen. Students can also use their meal plan swipes, meal plan dollars and CarolinaCa$h directly from their phones through the GET app.
Add CarolinaCa$h Online
CarolinaCa$h is a simple and convenient way for students to purchase anything on campus, including items in the bookstore. Students and families can add CarolinaCa$h 24/7 online through get.cbord.com/sc using the following steps:
- Go to: GET.cbord.com/sc
- Select "Click here to deposit into a student's account," under the "parents, guardians or other relatives" tab
- Enter in your student's information (VIP ID, last name, date of birth)
- Enter in credit card information
- Confirm
Students will receive a confirmation email when money is deposited in their account.
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You're Invited: Philadelphia Viewing Party
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Current families in the Philadelphia area are invited to attend a football viewing party hosted by the local
MyCarolina Alumni Club on Saturday, Sept. 22.
Meet Gamecock alumni and fellow families
while cheering on the South Carolina football team against Vanderbilt University. Join them an hour before kickoff at Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse, 1823 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Not in Philadelphia, but want to join other Gamecocks for gamedays? MyCarolina Alumni Association Clubs host gameday viewing parties across the country for fellow alumni, family and friends of the university.
Find a MyCarolina Club
near you to join the festivities!
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News from the Bursar's Office
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Payment Plans
The first installment for the fall 2018 payment plan is due Sept. 10
.
Payment
plans require an initial payment of 25% of the balance due after all financial aid (scholarships, loans, grants) has been applied, plus a $75 administrative fee, due at the time the student selects a payment plan. There are three additional payments due over the following three months, resulting in a total of four payments per term. Additionally, a late fee of $100 will be applied if payment is not made on time.
The payment plan and first payment can be made through
Self Service Carolina (SSC)
. A payment plan covers tuition, housing, meal plans and technology and program fees. The monthly payment can be paid in person, mailed in to the Bursar’s Office or processed electronically via SSC from a checking account or credit card. The payment plan does not carry over to the next semester.
Authorized Users
Students can
assign authorized users
to their SSC account
.
Granting this access allows the authorized user to see the student's bills, receive communication, view payment history, request/print 1098-T information, set up a payment plan and speak with the Bursar's Office about the student's account.
Direct Deposits
If a refund is expected, which includes excess financial aid, students will need to set up direct deposit via SSC through the e-refunds tab. This is the most efficient and convenient way for students to receive a refund.
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First-Year College Transition Tips
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As a parent or family member of a first-year student, it is important to encourage and support them during this new transition to life on campus. Here are some ways you can assist and empower them as they navigate college life.
- Set communication expectations early. Will you talk on the phone every day? Once a week? Only text or email? Every family and student is different in their contact needs, so make a plan together so that your student feels independent, but you can be reassured that they're doing okay.
- Your student is likely to feel homesick at some point during the first semester. Use this time to help your student build resiliency. While having your student come home every weekend seems like a solution, it only prolongs those feelings. Instead, create a family day or weekend trip to campus to visit your student. It'll help build new memories on campus for them, while allowing them to create roots here at Carolina.
- Roommate concerns are normal. Learning how to live with another person can be overwhelming when the roommates have little in common or differing lifestyles. Encourage your student to work with their roommate to set guidelines that let them both enjoy their space in the room and their time on campus. If issues continue to arise, recommend that your student reach out to their resident mentor to work on solving them.
- Remind your student to get involved during the first semester. Having something to focus on besides class will give your student the outlet they need to enjoy their time on campus. They can create an intramural team with hall-mates, get a part-time job on campus, or join one of over 500 student-led organizations. This will not only help them make friends, but it will also increase satisfaction of their time on campus.
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News from MyCarolina Alumni Association
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Ring Week Fall 2018
All UofSC students with at least 60 credit hours are eligible to purchase their official Carolina ring. My Carolina Alumni Association and Balfour will host Ring Week at two locations on campus.
- Sept. 4 - 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Russell House University Union second floor lobby
- Sept. 5 - 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Darla Moore School of Business courtyard
Grad Fair Fall 2018
The Grad Fair is a two-day event for students who plan to graduate in December. Its a one-stop shop for all graduation needs. Students can purchase their cap and gown, official UofSC ring and more. The Grad Fair will take place Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the USC Alumni Center (900 Senate Street).
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Student Health Services Updates
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Counseling & Psychiatry After-Hours Care
Mental health services for students in crisis are now available around the clock. Students who have an urgent need can call
Counseling & Psychiatry
at 803-777-5223 at any time and will receive direct support or be referred to immediate help.
Love Your Plate! Cooking Class
Center for Health & Well-Being 219
Students will learn to prepare recipes with more variety. Gamecocks Eat Well kicks off their fall campaign with new ways to prepare all five food groups. These cooking classes are free and open to any UofSC student. A registered dietitian provides knowledge of nutrition and hands-on instruction for preparing healthy, balanced meals.
Meet Me at the Bar(bell)
Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center Boardroom
Meet Me at the Bar(bell) is a comprehensive wellness program designed to enhance the gym experience for students at any fitness level. While learning about proper gym form from a certified personal trainer and resources offered by Campus Recreation and Student Health Services, participants will understand how the gym can play a role in self-care, healthy relations and overall wellness.
Amazing Race - Guide to Thrive
Sept. 24 @ 2:30 p.m.
Russell House University Union patio stage
Students can join Student Health Services for a campus-wide scavenger hunt to learn how to thrive on campus, even when new challenges and stressors arise. Students need to
register online
to take part in this fun afternoon activity.
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"Movin' on up"
The Class of 2022 is here — all 5,800-plus of them — and their hopes and dreams as Gamecock freshmen are as varied as you might imagine. @UofSC Today caught up with three of them on Move-in Day.
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"Tackling the talk"
Lyric Swinton is the only undergraduate speaker for TEDxUofSC on Oct. 9. She will be discussing a topic that has affected her life and is becoming increasingly important in our current social climate, stereotypes.
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Sept. 3:
Labor Day -
no classes, offices closed
Sept. 14:
Deadline to apply for fall 2018 graduation
Sept. 17:
Deadline to register for Family Weekend
Sept. 25 & 26:
Gamecocks Get Hired Job Fairs
Oct. 1:
University Housing interest form sign-ups begin
Oct. 5-7:
Family Weekend
Oct. 17:
Greek Village closes at 6 p.m. for fall break
Oct. 18-21:
Fall break -
no classes
Oct. 21:
Greek Village opens at noon after fall break
Oct. 22:
Homecoming Week begins
Oct. 28:
Official UofSC Ring Ceremony
Nov. 6:
General Election Day
- no classes
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Please continue to visit the Parents & Families Gateway for information and resources at
sc.edu/parents
.
Office of Parent & Family Programs
University of South Carolina
Parents Assistance Line: 1-800-868-6752
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