Parent and Family News-December 1, 2020

Volume 3 - Issue 6, December 1, 2020

In This Issue:

UofSC Aiken Celebrates Fall Graduates

On a crisp Nov. 20, 2020 evening, hundreds of graduate degree candidates were recognized at UofSC Aiken's fall graduation ceremony.

These students are completing coursework amid an evolving global pandemic. They are persevering with grace and poise.

Many students had the support of families throughout their college careers and especially in recent months. Thank you!

Read about the ceremony here and view the video here.

Financial Aid

Free Application for Federal Student Aid is available now!

Questions? Contact stuaid@usca.edu

UofSC Aiken and DHEC Provide

Free COVID-19 Testing Site

Free drive-up COVID-19 testing continues for all UofSC Aiken students, faculty, staff, and the greater Aiken community.

Testing site and guidelines:

Testing is conducted six days a week - Wednesday through Monday, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
The Convocation Center parking lot located at 2049 Champion Way, Graniteville, provides two drive-through testing lanes.
No insurance card is needed, but you will need to present a driver’s license or UofSC Aiken ID.
No insurance card needed, but you do need a driver's license or UofSC Aiken ID.
SC DHEC (SC Department of Health and Environmental Control) will provide trained staff to administer the test. They will follow all HIPAA guidelines and regulations.
SC DHEC will analyze and provide results of testing within 24-48 hours of testing
A pre-registration link is available for your convenience. It is rrtesting.com/uscaiken.
For more information, please contact Mr. Deri Wills at Deriw@usca.edu or 803-641-3787.

In addition, while your student is home for break, please be vigilant when it comes to COVID-19 protocols. If they were quarantined or tested positive while at school, continue that quarantine at home for the required number of days. If your student will be moving into housing in January, make sure you and your student are aware of testing requirements before moving in.

January Resident Student Move In

Resident students will have two days to check into Housing: Saturday, Jan. 9 and Sunday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Each resident must provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test done no more than 10 days prior to the return to campus. Please be aware that should your student be unable to complete the COVID-19 test before returning to campus, there will be an option on-campus to be tested. (This information was emailed to all resident students earlier this semester.) Check the housing website for updates.

Please continue to revisit Ready, Set, Return, our comprehensive, campus-wide mitigation plan. The revision date appears on the front cover when new information is added.

Updates on the campus’s condition will be reflected on the dashboard each Friday and will cover weekly updates on Thursday evening each week.

December Tips to Support Your Student

Students will finish course requirements, including finals, remotely. If possible, provide a quiet, dedicated space for them to complete coursework and take exams.
This tip is supporting your student and your whole family. Consider getting a COVID-19 test together before you visit relatives for the holidays. UofSC Aiken has free testing; details are in the previous article. Regional residents can check South Carolina's DHEC testing sites here. National sites can be found here.
Now is an excellent time to check finances, any holds on student accounts and Degree Works. Degree Works shows real-time degree progress.
Let students view their grades first so they can process that information. Grades are posted in student portals by Dec. 14.
Suppose students struggled in specific areas this fall. In that case, they might get a jump start on spring term by contacting the Center for Student Achievement, counseling center , their advisor, or other support resources now before they need help in the spring.

Chancellor Search

The UofSC Aiken has launched a nationwide search for its next chancellor. As mentioned last month, the current chancellor, Sandra Jordan, will step down from her duties in June 2021. Stay current with updates throughout the spring term by clicking here.

Message from the Admissions Staff

Is your student having a great experience at UofSC Aiken? Then please help us spread the word! Personal referrals can be super helpful, so please think about family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc., who have loved ones looking for the right college opportunity.

Let them know how pleased you are with the university. Positive posts in your social media accounts are also quite helpful.

Current campus visit info can be found at usca.edu/visit, and Admissions can be reached at 803-641-3366 or admit@usca.edu. We appreciate your help in sharing the good news about the opportunities at UofSC Aiken.

Alumni Silent Auction

Snag a holiday gift at the UofSC Aiken Alumni board silent auction!

Bidding started on Nov. 30 and will continue through Dec. 9 at https://www.facebook.com/USCAikenAlumniAssociation Proceeds help fund student scholarships.

To make a payment, call 803-641-3408.

Thank you for your support, and Go, Pacers!

Spring Break 2021

The university's leadership continues to be encouraged that our Ready, Set, Return plan is being followed and that this mitigation plan allowed us to hold on-campus classes during Fall 2020.

Looking forward to the Spring 2021 semester, the university needs to make adjustments to continue protecting our university community from the spread of the coronavirus. Instead of having a traditional spring break week, UofSC Aiken students will have four days off spread throughout the semester as wellness/break days and a second reading day just before final exams.

See the updated academic calendar for details.