CofC Parent Listserv Weekly Updates November 8-14

Important Dates:

November 11 – Greg Mortenson at Carolina First Arena 5:00pm

Nov 24-27 – Thanksgiving holidays (classes resume Nov. 28)

Dec 6 – the last day of fall classes

Dec 8-15 – Final Exams (see the fall exam schedule for exact time and day for exams)

Dec 22 – fall final grades are posted

Jan 6-7- orientation for new students admitted for the spring semester

Jan 10 – spring 2011 classes begin

Block on Bull Residential Communities – Open House November 10 – 5:30-7:30pm Information: http://nsp.cofc.edu/block-on-bull/index.php Questions: Email LLC@cofc.edu

Students interested in living in one of the historic houses on Bull Street during the 2011-12 academic year are invited to drop by the Bull Street houses during the Wednesday, November 10 Open House from 5:30 until 7:00. There will be food and refreshments at every house and residents will be available to show you the living environment and answer questions. These five thematic independent living environments each have a Resident Assistant residing within the house responsible for on-going academic and social themed programming and overall resident safety. The houses have additional faculty oversight and support from either a department or specific school on campus.

Transition Year website:

Parents may be interested in the Transition Year website provided by The Jed Foundation. The website provides information about the complex transition from high school to college and includes many resources to help parents anticipate, plan for, and protect the emotional health of their college student. This guide was designed with input from authorities on college mental health. The Transition Year website can be accessed at http://www.transitionyear.org/ – click on the nametag PARENT to view information. You do not have to register/login to access information.

Campus Websites of Interest:

Parent Information & Resources: www.cofc.edu/parents.

Fall exam schedule: http://registrar.cofc.edu/pdf/Exam_Schedule_Fall2010.pdf

College of Charleston Academic Calendar: http://registrar.cofc.edu/calendars/index.php

Student Life: http://studentlife.cofc.edu/

Event Calendar: http://calendar.cofc.edu/CalendarNOW.aspx?fromdate=9/1/2010&todate=9/30/2010&display=Month&more=1/1/0001

Students who are depressed, overwhelmed, relationship issues, need to talk to a counselor:

o Counseling Center – http://spinner.cofc.edu/~counseling/?referrer=webcluster&

Talk with other students experiencing feeling the same way:

o Support Groups – http://spinner.cofc.edu/betterthingstodo/support_groups.html

Student needs to talk, thinking about withdrawing, academic probation, unsure of options:

o Undergraduate Academic Services – http://undergrad.cofc.edu/

Students may run their own degree audit using DegreeWorks!

DegreeWorks is a web based degree audit application and academic advisement tool that provides a clear and convenient method for students and advisors to track degree progress. Note: DegreeWorks is designed to aid and facilitate academic advising, but is not intended to replace face-to-face advising sessions, the Academic Catalog or the Registrar’s Office. DegreeWorks is neither an official academic transcript nor an official notification of completion of degree requirements.

To access Degree Works: Login to MyCharleston – go to the Academic Services Tab – Open DegreeWorks

Academic Advising & Planning Center:

Degree worksheets, advising contacts, student resources, general education requirements:

http://advising.cofc.edu/

http://advising.cofc.edu/degree-worksheets/index.php

Need more Dining Dollars?

1. Just login to the Student Section of E-Bill (Under authorized user tab if you are a parent) 2. Click on the “Deposit” Tab 3. Select the current term 4. Select the “Deposit Type” 5. Enter the Payment Amount 6. Click on “Make Deposit Payment” 7. Enter Payment Information 8. Submit the payment 9. Receive confirmation

Reload & Rock Out!

Reload with $100 or more Dining Dollars from now until November 12th and you will be entered to win one of these fabulous prizes!

- $150 Ticketmaster gift card

- $100 Best Buy gift card

- $50 iTunes music gift card

To take advantage of this promotion you must add Dining Dollars ($100 or more) in the Dining Services Office, located in Craig Hall. If you have any questions about the promotion please contact us at (843) 953-1414 or DiningServicesCustomerService@cofc.edu.

Spring bills:

The spring 2011 bill due dates are now posted on the Treasurers website at: http://www.treasurer.cofc.edu/. If you have questions please send inquiries directly to the Treasurer at Treasurer@cofc.edu. Specific questions will require full name and CWID.

How to become an Ebill Authorized User for your student:

You can receive eBills by having your son/daughter sign you up as an Authorized User on the eBill system. This allows you to receive a copy of the bill/statement when we bill the student through the email system. To become an authorized user visit the website at: www.treasurer.cofc.edu. All billing information is sent to the student’s campus email account – to receive the student’s bill you must be an Authorized User! If you have any questions email treasurer@cofc.edu.

Counseling Center:

If your student is experiencing difficulties please encourage them to visit the College of Charleston Counseling Center. The video below about the services available on campus was sent to your student: Please check out a short video regarding depression, college students and resources on our campus – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8QRcNn25Ys

If your student is undecided about a major students are welcome to contact the Career Center (843-953-6692) to schedule an individual appointment. Students should use the Career Center early in their academic career – it is not just a resource for graduating seniors.

Undecided about a major? Students need to declare by the time they reach 60 hours!

Students unsure about what to major in can complete free career testing available from the Career Center. The student can review these results with a career counselor. This can be helpful to students who need help narrowing down an area of interest or figuring out which direction to take. The Strong Interest inventory compares interest to others in various fields to help identify interests. The Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory matches personality to work and the learning environment. I’ve included the websites below about the Career Center and the self-assessment tools they have available. The Career Center also provides help with resumes, interviewing, internships, graduate schools as well as part time and full time employment on and off campus. Encourage your student to visit the Career Center – the office is open 8:30-5 M-F and is located on the 2nd floor of the Lightsey Center.

http://careercenter.cofc.edu/ – Career Center

http://careercenter.cofc.edu/getstarted.html – self assessment tools available

MyCharleston Help:

If you receive error messages when accessing MyCharleston or your eBill call the IT Department Helpdesk (843.953.3375) to report problems between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may also report problems to the Helpdesk via e-mail at helpdesk@cofc.edu.

Mail Services:

If you have questions about mailboxes, address changes, shipping or holding packages email mail services at mailservices@cofc.edu. View mail services information on the website at http://mailservices.cofc.edu/index.php

Use the campus directory! http://www.cofc.edu/directory/index.php P a g e | 4

Not all department supervisors are subscribed to the CofC Parent Listserv. If you have comments, suggestions or complaints regarding a particular campus service please send your email directly to the source. Quality service to students and parents is important to us but posting on the listserv will not ensure that the issue is resolved. Use the campus directory at http://www.cofc.edu/directory/index.php in order to notify the appropriate area. By contacting the source the supervisor can address the issue quickly and respond to you directly.

The Growl:

The Office of New Student Programs is committed to helping new students make the transition to the College of Charleston easier throughout the entire year, not just during Orientation! That’s why we employ former Orientation Interns to work as New Student Mentors. The New Student Mentors connect with first year students by planning events, developing publications and helping with campus activities. The Growl (an online newsletter written by students for students) is another way New Student Mentors reach out to students. The Midterm Edition of the Growl is now available at http://nsp.cofc.edu/the-growl/index.php. This issue has great tips for registering for classes, spending the holidays in Charleston and important dates.