- Talking Points
- Spring break housing
- Commencement
- Pillars for Carolina
- Student Success Center
- Bursar's Office
- Admitted Student Receptions
- CarolinaCard
- Student Health Services
- University news
- Important dates
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Greetings!
We've reached the midpoint in the semester and students are looking ahead to spring break, March 10-17. Before they pack their bags to travel home or on vacation, midterm exams and projects are a main focus.
If your student is struggling with their coursework, encourage them to schedule a
tutoring appointment
or success consultation with the
Student Success Center
to get back on track. Additionally, they should discuss any concerns about their classes with their
academic advisor
to determine an appropriate course of action. If a change in major is on their mind, the
Career Center
can also help your student assess their interests and professional desires to find a career that's right for them.
While spring break can be a time of rest, relaxation and
service
for students, it's important to go into the week with open communication about expectations - whether your student is coming home or traveling with friends. The
Talking Points
publication in the
Parent & Family Programs mobile app
is a great starting point for talking with your student about alcohol, drugs, and the impact those decisions can have on their future.
This month is sure to go by quickly with the many
academic and extra-curricular activities
planned. I am hopeful your student will have a renewed sense of energy when they return from spring break to finish their semester strong!
Happy March!
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Anna C. Edwards, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Life
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The semester and the weather are heating up! Encourage your student to take a break from homework and studying to enjoy the outdoors with
Campus Recreation
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March Family Talking Points
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For many college students, spring break signifies the start to career planning for their summer. They will submit applications for summer jobs or begin interviewing for internship and graduate/professional school opportunities.
If your student has yet to decide how they're spending their summer, consider encouraging them to take part in these additional activities to support their career and professional development.
- Taking summer classes - Summer classes are a great way for your student to take care of a general degree requirement or a course that gets them closer to graduation. Be sure your student discusses any plans with their advisor before registering for a summer class.
- Talking to people in their chosen field - Meeting with individuals in their desired career field can lead students to stronger connections and new ideas about their job prospects. The summer months are often slower for many businesses, allowing more opportunities for your student to connect with professionals.
- Volunteering in the community - If your student isn't able to find a summer job that works for them, remind them that volunteering in their community is another way to learn and practice skills that are important for success in their career, while giving back to others.
- Studying for entrance exams - If your student is planning to attend graduate or professional school after their time at South Carolina, summer provides an extended opportunity for them to study for the GRE, MCAT, LSAT or GMAT exams without the stress of classes.
If your student is looking for additional guidance about their career planning, the
Career Center
offers opportunities for students to attend workshops and meet with career development coaches to talk about their interests. They also provide services including resume critiquing, interview preparation and interest assessments to help set your student up for a successful internship or job search.
Conversation topics and additional talking points to discuss with your student are available in the
Parent & Family Programs mobile app
. Be sure to review the "Conversation Kick-Starters" tab and the
Talking Points
publication for discussion ideas.
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Spring Break Housing Reminders
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On-Campus Housing
Traditional and suite-style residence halls will close for spring break March 9 at 10 a.m. and reopen March 17 at 8 a.m. Apartment-style residence halls and Maxcy College will remain open. Greek Village will close for spring break March 8 at 6 p.m. and reopen March 17 at noon.
Off-Campus Housing
Worrying about an apartment can put a damper on a vacation. Help your student by encouraging them to secure their home before departing campus. Share these safety tips from
Off-Campus Living & Neighborhood Relations
with your student as they prepare for spring break:
- Lock your room, apartment or house doors and windows.
- Move your vehicle off public streets and remove any valuable items.
- Ask a neighbor to watch your house and suspend home deliveries and mail.
- Leave a light, radio or television on so your house looks and sounds occupied.
- Park a car in your driveway so your house looks busy.
Find additional safety and security tips and resources for off-campus living by visiting
sc.edu/offcampusliving
.
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Graduation Fair
Students graduating this spring are invited to attend the
Graduation Fair
hosted by the University of South Carolina Official Bookstore and My Carolina Alumni Association. The Grad Fair provides students the opportunity to
purchase their cap and gown, tassel, announcements, invitations and Carolina ring.
- March 19-21, 2019
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- University of South Carolina Alumni Center (900 Senate Street)
A free shuttle service from the Horseshoe to the Alumni Center for the Graduation Fair will be available every 15 minutes
.
Ceremonies
Students graduating this spring will graduate with their designated college or school at the following date and time:
Friday, May 10, 3 p.m., Colonial Life Arena
College of Pharmacy
Darla Moore School of Business
College of Nursing
Arnold School of Public Health
Saturday, May 11, 9:30 a.m., Colonial Life Arena
S.C. Honors College (BARSC students only)
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Information and Communications
Saturday, May 11, 3 p.m., Colonial Life Arena
College of Education
Interdisciplinary Studies
College of Engineering and Computing
College of Social Work
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
School of Music
Palmetto College
Students can request guest tickets for their ceremony March 18 - April 10 through their student ticketing account manager. More information about seating, parking and photography for Commencement can be found at
sc.edu/commencement.
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Pillars for Carolina Feedback
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Pillars for Carolina is seeking parent feedback!
Did your UofSC student participate in Pillars before their first year? Pillars would love to hear if you would recommend this program to other parents, as well as
how your student’s Pillars experience helped them transition into college
.
Feedback given through the
online form
is anonymous, but if you would like to openly give your testimonial, feel free to head to the
Pillars Facebook
page to interact with prospective parents. Thank you in advance for your help!
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Student Success Center Events
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Success Connect
The Student Success Center's Success Connect program is offering various workshop events for students to attend this semester. These workshops offer valuable tools that students can utilize throughout their college and professional career.
- Tuesday, March 5: Mindset for Success Workshop; 7-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 19: Budgeting 101; 7-8 p.m.
- Monday, April 22: Preparing for Exams; 7-8 p.m.
All Success Connect workshops are held in the Student Success Center Conference Room on the mezzanine level of the Thomas Cooper Library.
Portfolio Pop-Up
The Peer Writing & Communications Lab presents Portfolio Pop-Up! This event is for English 101 & 102 students only. Students can drop by to get writing help from expert peer tutors. Pizza, refreshments and giveaways will also be available.
- Tuesday, March 26
- Thursday, April 25
All Portfolio Pop-Up events will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. in the Peer Writing & Communications Lab in Sims at Women's Quad Room S109.
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News from the Bursar's Office
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1098-T Educational Tax Credit Statements
Students enrolled between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2018 and who submitted payments for qualified tuition and related expenses are eligible for a 1098-T educational tax credit statement. The form is now available and can be accessed online by the student via
Self Service Carolina
(SSC):
- Click on the Account Information box
- Select Tax Document By Year
- Choose the 1098-T Tuition Statement box
- Enter the tax year
- Click submit
- Print a copy of the 1098-T form
If you have been added as an authorized user on your student’s account, you can also access the 1098-T via SSC under the e-statements tab using your login information.
The Bursar's Office is
prohibited from emailing or faxing 1098-T forms.
If your student opted for the paper/mailed version of the form, it was mailed to the permanent address listed on the student account. Although this may have been opted by the student, the form can still be printed via SSC.
Additionally, important information about the revisions required by the IRS on tuition tax credit statements can be found
on the Bursar's website.
Spring 2019 Payment Plans
The next payment for students enrolled in a payment plan is due March 11.
A late fee of $100 will be applied if payment is not made on time. Any charges not captured in the payment plan, e.g., parking citations, health service charges, student conduct charges, etc., must be paid manually via the student's SSC account.
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Volunteer Opportunities for Current UofSC Parents
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Interested in helping recruit the next generation of Gamecock families? Consider attending an admitted student event near you!
Nashville Admitted Student Reception
March 7 at 7 p.m. -
Mere Bulles
Jacksonville Admitted Student Reception
March 7 at 7 p.m. -
Deercreek Country Club
Philadelphia Admitted Student Reception
March 11 at 7 p.m. -
Merion Tribute House
Chicago Admitted Student Reception
March 13 at 7 p.m. -
Seven Bridges
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Your Student's CarolinaCard
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Midterms are in full swing and students are looking for study snacks!
CarolinaCa$h is a great way to cover a sweet treat, coffee while studying or a
meal off campus
.
Families can add money to their student's CarolinaCard by visiting get.cbord.com/sc or by calling the CarolinaCard Office at 803-777-1708 during business hours.
Has your student lost their CarolinaCard? They can get a replacement card by visiting the CarolinaCard Office in the lower level of the Russell House.
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Student Health Services Events
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Counseling & Psychiatry After-Hours Support
After-hours and weekend mental health services are now available to UofSC-Columbia students. The seamless service provided by ProtoCall allows students and community members to call 803-777-5223, no matter the time of day for support. This unique program provides crisis and early intervention support 24/7, while also connecting the student with office personnel for continuity of care and follow up by Counseling & Psychiatry staff.
Yoga
Wednesdays, 5 p.m., Fridays, noon
Center for Health & Well-Being 215
Students can relax and participate in yoga while clearing their mind and reducing stress.
Tackle Stress Tuesday: Body Image & Self-Talk
Center for Health & Well-Being 215
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it can be managed. Student Health Services is offering a series of workshops and presentations to help students effectively manage a variety of stressors.
Healthy Carolina Farmers Market
March 19, 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Greene Street
Welcome the market back for spring! Healthy Carolina Farmers Market is a source of local produce and entertainment on the South Carolina campus. Students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome to participate.
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"Life after the 4th quarter"
Since graduating 15 years ago, former Gamecocks football player Preston Thorne has taught history, coached high school football and even co-authored a children's book. Now, he's helping the College of Education recruit more students to the teaching profession.
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"New internship supports women in sport management"
UofSC and Monumental Sports & Entertainment are proud to announce a new partnership that will provide four paid internships per year to advance the career experience of female students majoring in sport and entertainment management.
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March 4:
Last day to drop a course without a grade of "WF"
March 8:
Greek Village closes at 6 p.m. for spring break
March 9:
Residence halls close at 10 a.m. for spring break
March 10-17:
Spring break -
no classes
March 17:
Residence halls open at 8 a.m., Greek Village opens at noon
March 19-21:
Graduation Fair
March 20:
Spring AlcoholEDU and SAPU part 2 due
April 7:
Official UofSC Ring Ceremony
April 18:
University Awards Day
April 26:
Discover USC
April 29:
Last day of classes
April 30:
Reading 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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