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Parent Weekly Updates February 28-March 6, 2011
College of Charleston Office of New Student Programs
Parent Website: www.cofc.edu/parents
Email Questions to: parents@cofc.edu
IMPORTANT DATES:
Final Exam Schedule: http://registrar.cofc.edu/calendars/index.php#FES. All calendars can be found on the Registrar’s website.
Do you have a question – Ask a Cougar!
The Ask a Cougar link can be found at: http://www.cofc.edu/askthecougar/index.php. You may submit any question. If yours is a frequently asked question, you will get an immediate response.
ONLINE:
ACADEMICS:
Midterm Grades (Available March 1):
In college many (but NOT ALL) classes will provide students with a midterm grades to help them measure their academic progress midway in the semester. These midterm grades will be available for viewing from MyCharleston by 8:00am(EST) Tuesday March 1.
To view midterm grades:
Although midterm grading is highly encouraged some professors may choose not to assign a midterm grade depending on the course assignments, due dates, and time of grading. Some upper-level courses may also not report midterm grades. If a course does not have a midterm grade posted or if your student is unsure of their status please advise them to meet with the professor to get an idea of where they stand. Professors often note their office hours on their syllabus to encourage students to meet with them outside of class time.
If a student receives a poor midterm grade encourage them to talk to someone about their progress – an academic advisor, a CSL study skills instructor, a CofC staff member or the professor can be a great source of advice. Although the midterm grades are not a permanent part of the academic record, these grades do give a good indication of the possibility of successfully completing the course with a passing grade.
Here are some tips for students worried about midterm grades:
1. Talk to the Professor – check the syllabus for available office hours. The professors at the College of Charleston want to help students succeed but the student must take the initiative to seek them out and discuss their concerns with them!
2. Go to the Center for Student Learning in the Library: http://csl.cofc.edu/?referrer=webcluster& – The CSL is FREE for students! The services include: Tutoring, Math Lab, Writing Lab, Speaking Lab, Language Lab, and help with Study Skills.
3. Talk with an Academic Advisor: http://advising.cofc.edu/ – An academic advisor is a great resource for advice about classes and academic planning.
4. Do not miss class!
5. Look for effective ways to study – incorporate active learning techniques for reading texts and taking notes!
6. Manage your time differently – cut back or stop extracurricular activities such as a club or organizations. Create a weekly calendar with time for study noted each day. Consider reducing work hours. Working more than 20 hours a week (if enrolled full time) can affect academics.
GPA calculator:
http://undergrad.cofc.edu/academic-resources/semester-cumulative-gpa.php
Academic Advising & Planning Center:
Degree worksheets, advising contacts, student resources, general education requirements:
Declaring a major:
Degree-seeking undergraduate students must declare a major no later than the second semester of their sophomore year. If a student has earned 45 or more credit hours in residence at the College of Charleston or a transfer student who has a total of 45 or more overall earned credit hours, they must declare a major by March 15, 2011. Students can declare a major online through the Program of Study Management (POSM) system. POSM is an electronic workflow that allows students to manage their degree program(s) online. The POSM channel is located on the Academic Services tab in MyCharleston. Students will be able to:
May Graduation:
The Senior Information website at http://www.cofc.edu/seniorinfo/ will be updated as information about graduation is posted. Students apply for graduation thru the Registrar and will be notified via email regarding information, tickets and related information. The ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011. THERE WILL BE TWO CEREMONIES – one in the morning for graduates from the School of the Arts, School of Humanities and Social Sciences and School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs and another in the afternoon for graduate from the School of Business, School of Education, Health and Human Performance, and School of Sciences and Mathematics Ceremonies will last 2 1/2 – 3 hours (morning) and 2 – 2 1/2 hours (afternoon). Additional Information:
STUDENT SERVICES:
Tax help for students on campus:
The College of Charleston is hosting one of many Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program sites this year on the 2nd floor of the Stern Student Center at the College of Charleston on Saturdays from 10am-2pm. This is an opportunity for ANYBODY (individual or family) making under $49,000/year to get free tax preparation services by well-trained volunteers.
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.
Financial Aid:
The 2011-12 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application for federal, state, and institutional aid. The FAFSA must be filed annually. If your student has previously submitted a FASFA, they may file the Renewal FAFSA. To file the FAFSA go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and follow the on-line instructions. The FAFSA must be completed by April 1st to receive priority consideration. If you have questions about filing the FAFSA, please contact the Office of Financial Assistance & Veterans Affairs at the College of Charleston. It is very important that students check their MyCharleston (my.cofc.edu) account often.
When will students hear about their financial aid award package?
Once final spring grades have posted in mid-May, the Financial Aid Office will begin the packaging process and your student will be notified by e-mail to view and take action on the aid offer in MyCharleston.
Where can you locate Departmental Scholarships or Outside Scholarship Resources?
The financial aid website lists Departmental Scholarships available to students. Please keep in mind that your student will need to research and inquire within the specific Department for these scholarships. Also, students should research outside scholarships for which they may qualify. Go to http://finaid.cofc.edu/ and click on “types of financial aid” and then “scholarships.” Check the “outside scholarships” section for suggestions.
Where can students find information about State or Institutional Scholarship renewal criteria?
This information is available in a user friendly chart format under the ‘scholarship’ section of the website indicated above.
EVENTS:
The Equestrian Team raffle:
A Charleston Getaway Package. A two night stay at the AAA, 4 Diamond Market Pavilion Hotel, downtown Charleston, a $200.00 gift card to Grill 225 and a $200.00 gift card to Maverick Southern Kitchens, including SNOB and High Cotton, and a gift basket from Charleston Cooks, a total value of approximately $1000.00. Tickets are $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00.To purchase tickets e-mail JMT0279@gmail.com or call 203-438-5942. The drawing will be held Saturday March 5, 2011. The link to the raffle flyer: https://www.nmnathletics.com//pdf8/723385.pdf?ATCLID=205032729&SPSID=69444&SPID=7839&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=14800
Family Weekend:
The College of Charleston’s annual Family Weekend will be held on September 23-25, 2011. Coordinated by the Office of Student Life, the weekend will include a variety of educational, informational and social opportunities for students and their families to learn more about the College and the various cultures and traditions that make Charleston and the Lowcountry a wonderful place to live and grow.
OFF CAMPUS LIVING:
Finding housing:
If looking for off campus housing your student may want to look first at the information posted on the Residence Life website (see link below).There is a tab at the top of this webpage called OFF CAMPUS HOUSING – when you place your mouse over this tab a drop-down menu appears where you can get more information about living off campus. The Residence Life department also has an Off Campus Housing office located at 40 Coming Street where students can go for help. There is also a link provided by Residence Life with additional resources for finding housing and what to watch for (See below).
Additional resources posted at: http://reslife.cofc.edu/?page=additional includes:
Guidebooks and Web sites: