College of Charleston Parent Weekly Updates: March 14-20, 2011

College of Charleston Office of New Student Programs

Parent Website: www.cofc.edu/parents

Email Questions to: parents@cofc.edu

 

IMPORTANT DATES:

• March 15: NIT game tonight – CofC vs. Dayton – 7pm
• Tuesday, Mar. 15 – Students should declare a major if they have earned 45 hours or more
• Saturday-Sunday, March 18-19 – Accepted Student Weekend
• Saturday, March 19 – Orientation registration available to new students via MyCharleston
• Monday, Mar. 21 – Open registration for fall 2011 begins based on earned hours
• Monday, Apr. 25 – Last day of spring and Express II classes
• Wednesday, Apr. 27 – Final and Express II exams begin
• Wednesday, May 4 – Last day of exams
• Thursday, May 5 at 6pm – the Residence Halls close

 

This week’s Study Skills Seminar:

Contents Under Pressure! Managing Stress in College! Robert Scott Small bldg., rm. 103

•  
  • Wednesday, 3.16 @ 6 pm
  • Thursday, 3.17 @ 4 pm

 

ONLINE:

• Academic Advising & Planning Center: http://advising.cofc.edu/

• Athletics: http://www.cofcsports.com/
• College of Charleston Academic Calendar: http://registrar.cofc.edu/calendars/index.php
• Career Center: http://careercenter.cofc.edu/
• Center for Student Learning: http://csl.cofc.edu/?referrer=webcluster&
• Center for Disability Services: http://disabilityservices.cofc.edu/?referrer=webcluster&
• Dean of Students: http://deanofstudents.cofc.edu/index.php
• Degree Worksheets: http://advising.cofc.edu/degree-worksheets/index.php
• Financial Aid: http://admissions.cofc.edu/financialaid/index.php
• FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE: www.cofc.edu/fye or to email: (fye@cofc.edu)  
• GPA calculators: http://undergrad.cofc.edu/academic-resources/gpa-calculators.php
• Hometown news form: http://mediarelations.cofc.edu/hometown-news/index.php
• MyCharleston registration entry times are now available online at: http://registrar.cofc.edu/calendars/entrytimes.php
• Parent Information & Unsubscribe to Listserv: www.cofc.edu/parents
• Public Safety: http://spinner.cofc.edu/publicsafety/
• Registrar (calendars, exams, registration, academics): http://registrar.cofc.edu/
• Residence Life: http://reslife.cofc.edu/
• Student Affairs: http://studentaffairs.cofc.edu/services/index.php
• Treasurer: http://treasurer.cofc.edu/

 

ACADEMICS:

Final Exam Schedule: http://registrar.cofc.edu/calendars/index.php#FES. All calendars can be found on the Registrar’s website.

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. 

• More details about declaring a major can be found at: http://advising.cofc.edu/declaring-your-major/index.php
• Students can declare a major online – information about POSM: http://advising.cofc.edu/declaring-your-major/program-of-study-managememt.php

Midterm Grades:

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. To view midterm grades:

1. Log into MyCharleston (user name and password is needed to login)
2. Once you are logged in click on the Academic Services tab (located in the top toolbar)
3. From the Academic Services page click on Banner Self-Service
4. From Banner Self-Service you will see folders – click on the STUDENT folder and click on Student Records – select the option for midterm grades

• If you have problems logging in to MyCharleston contact Helpdesk@cofc.edu

 

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.

 

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:

• Additional Seating
• Parking Information for Spring Commencement

FINANCIAL 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. 

 

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 1^st 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.

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.

                                                                                                                                     

EVENTS:

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. 

• Mark your calendars now and visit http://www.studentlife.cofc.edu/recent-events/index.php to see video from Family Weekend 2010 and http://familyweekend.cofc.edu/  to check for updates on this year’s schedule and registration information (coming soon).

 

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).

• Off Campus listings: http://reslife.cofc.edu/?page=offcampus&source=avrp

Additional resources posted at: http://reslife.cofc.edu/?page=additional includes:

• The Charleston Post & Courier, www.charleston.net
• The Charleston City Paper, www.charlestoncitypaper.com

Guidebooks and Web sites:

• Apartment Finder, www.apartmentsnationwide.com
• Apartment Finder Bluebook, www.apartmentbluebook.com
• Apartment Guide, www.apartmentguide.com
• Apartment Ratings, www.aptrating.com
• Apartment Selector, www.aptselector.com (843) 763-5844
• Apartments, Sublets, Roommate Matching, www.historiccharlestonrentals.com, (843) 577-745