- Talking Points
- Break closings
- Bursar's Office
- Staff recognition
- CarolinaCard Office
- December graduates
- Student Health Services
- University news
- Important dates
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Greetings!
It's hard to imagine the fall 2018 semester is coming to a close and your student will be heading home in two short weeks. It seems like only yesterday our first-year students moved into their residence halls for the first time and classes began.
The holiday season is a wonderful time to share in traditions and celebrate family. The university will host the annual tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. on the historic Horseshoe. Encourage your student to take a break from studying to join in the festivities with their Carolina family. When classes begin Jan. 14, your student can also plan to take part in the honored traditions of
MLK Days of Service
, the
Student Leadership & Diversity Conference
, and the
Spring Career Fairs. T
hese are great opportunities for your student to embrace their community and prepare for their future.
This time of year makes me feel most grateful to work alongside students who help make our Carolina community stronger and more engaged. While we will miss the bustle of campus once classes are finished, I know how happy you will be to have your student home with you. I wish your family a wonderful holiday season and look forward to all that 2019 will bring for your student and their time at UofSC.
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Anna C. Edwards, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Life
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University of South Carolina offices will be closed Dec. 22 for the winter break. Offices will reopen Jan. 2 to begin preparations for the spring semester.
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December Family Talking Points
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With the excitement for the end of the semester also comes the stress of studying and preparing for final projects. During this time, students may exhibit signs of sleep deprivation, high stress and overwhelm. It's important to encourage them to practice self-care throughout the remaining weeks of the semester.
Many resources are available to your student including the
Student Success Center
(tutoring and peer writing review),
Campus Recreation
(group exercise classes) and
Student Health Services
(counseling and stress management workshops). These offices can assist your student with establishing study and self-care strategies to help reduce their stress during the last week of classes and final exams.
Looking for additional ways to support your student through final exams? Check out the "End-of-the-Semester Checklist: Family Edition" and "Supporting through Finals Week" blog posts on the
Parent & Family Programs mobile app
under the "Dinner Dialogues: Family Edition" tab. Additional conversation topics are available in the
Talking Points
publication and on the mobile app.
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University Housing Break Closings
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Students residing in university residence halls and Greek Village are required to leave for winter break
24 hours after their last final exam
. Students graduating Dec. 17 will need to move out the following day by 10 a.m. for university residence halls and noon for Greek Village.
Residence halls will reopen Jan. 9 at 8 a.m. and Greek Village will reopen Jan. 13 at noon.
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Information for December Graduates
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Colonial Life Arena Clear Bag Policy
Students and guests attending the fall 2018 Commencement exercises will need to follow Colonial Life Arena's newly implemented
Clear Bag policy.
While bags are not encouraged, the following bags are permissible: 12" x 6" x 12" clear plastic bag, 1-gallon freezer bag, 4.5" x 6.5" small clutch bag. Please note that helium celebration balloons and gift bags are not permissible inside the arena.
Grad Dine
My Carolina Alumni Association invites all fall 2018 graduates to dine in their new alumni home with family and friends before Commencement Dec. 17. The Grad Dine lunch will take place at the USC Alumni Center, just a short walk to Colonial Life Arena. A professional photographer will be available for graduation and family photos throughout the lunch. Individual tickets, as well as full tables, are
available for purchase
until Dec. 10. Skip the hassle of waiting at a local restaurant and dine at the Alumni Center!
My Carolina Graduation Gift Ideas
Looking for a graduation gift for your Gamecock? Consider giving them a lifetime of connection to their alma mater with access to resources like the Career Center and networking groups. December 2018 graduates can receive a
My Carolina Alumni Association Life Membership
for 50% off. You can also leave your graduate's legacy on the historic Horseshoe by purchasing a personalized brick with their membership.
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As your student studies and prepares for final exams, consider depositing CarolinaCa$h onto their
CarolinaCard
account so they can stay fueled during long study sessions. Coffee from an on-campus Starbucks location or a quick bite at a local cafe are all made possible with CarolinaCa$h.
Families can deposit CarolinaCa$h by visiting:
- get.cboard.com/sc - Under 'Parents, Guardians or Other Relatives,' select 'Click here to deposit into a student's account'
- my.carolinacard.sc.edu - Login credentials are required with multifactor authentication approval. Add funds by selecting 'Deposits for CarolinaCa$h'
- CarolinaCard Office in the lower level of the Russell House University Union, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Parent & Family Programs Staff Recognized
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Skylar Pritchard, coordinator of communication & engagement in the Office of Parent & Family Programs, was named the 2018 Outstanding New Professional by the Association of Higher Education Parent/Family Program Professionals.
If you've called the Parents Assistance Line, emailed
scparents@sc.edu
, engaged with us on social media, or visited during Family Weekend - chances are you've spoken with Skylar. She's a top-notch professional (and now a national award winner)! We feel lucky to have her on our team to help support UofSC families. Congratulations, Skylar!
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Reminders from the Bursar's Office
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Spring 2019 Bills
Tuition bills will be available for students who are registered for spring semester classes beginning Nov. 15. Please be sure your student reviews their bill thoroughly, checking that all charges are present and accurate.
The deadline
for mailed-in payments is Dec. 10, while online payments for spring 2019 are due Jan. 9.
If payments will include 529 college savings plan checks or scholarship/grant checks, please communicate with the respective administrators regarding the mail-in deadline and provide any required documentation to them to ensure payments are received by the deadline. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the University of South Carolina and mailed to: Bursar's Office, University of South Carolina, 1244 Blossom Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208.
1098-T Tax Form
Students can choose to access and print their 1098-T forms online via SSC or have them mailed to their permanent address.
Authorized Users
can also access the 1098-T forms through SSC. For questions concerning your tax credit, please contact a tax advisor.
The Bursar's Office will be closed during winter break, Dec. 24 - Jan 1.
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Student Health Services Updates
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Center for Health & Well-Being Pharmacy
A full-service pharmacy is available for students on the 2nd floor of the Center for Health & Well-Being. The pharmacy, which accepts the state health plan, is available during the Center for Health & Well-Being's normal business hours. Most available prescriptions cost the same or less than other retail pharmacies. Be sure to remind your student to refill and pick up any prescriptions before leaving for winter break.
De-Stress Fest
Dec. 7 @ 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Russell House University Union Patio
Students can unwind at this drop-in event with the Changing Carolina Peer Leaders. The winter-themed De-Stress Fest provides students the opportunity to learn positive ways to practice self-care, gratitude and ways to relieve stress while studying for final exams.
Center for Health & Well-Being Winter Break Hours
Dec. 3-15 --
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday: 2-8 p.m.
Dec. 16 --
closed
Dec. 17 --
8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dec. 18-21 --
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Dec. 22-Jan. 1 --
closed
Jan. 2-8 --
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Regular spring semester hours resume Jan. 9 --
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday: 2-8 p.m.
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"Behind the burn"
Tiger Burn is one of the university's most cherished traditions, uniting student and alumni alike to watch. Hear from the engineering students behind the scenes that build the tiger everyone watches go up in flames.
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"Making a big deal of things"
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management senior Parker Coggins has worked hard to stand out. Her efforts paid off recently: a $20,000 Scholarship of Excellence from the Statler Foundation.
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Dec. 7:
Last day of fall semester classes
Dec. 8:
Reading Day
Dec. 10:
Final exams begin
Dec. 17:
Fall 2018 Commencement
Dec. 18:
Residence halls close at 10 a.m. for winter break
Dec. 18:
Greek Village closes at noon for winter break
Dec. 24-Jan. 1
: University offices closed
Jan. 9:
Residence halls open at 8 a.m. for spring semester
Jan. 13:
Greek Village opens at noon for spring semester
Jan. 14:
Spring semester classes begin
Jan. 21:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day -
no classes
Jan. 22:
Last day to change/drop a course without a grade of "W"
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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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