March 10, 2015
Greetings from the Office of Parent Services!
March is here and hopes are high for a warm, wonderful spring. As the second half of the semester begins, we're sharing some important spring break updates, course registration information and guidance for on- and off- campus housing selection. Now's also the time for you and your student to plan ahead for final exams and move-out.
Additional class time
In view of the lost class time as a consequence of snow closings, the Faculty Senate approved a change to the academic calendar. Originally a reading day, Thursday, April 30 will instead follow a Monday regular class schedule. Final exams begin as scheduled, Friday, May 1.
Spring break plans
Many students will use this month's spring break to get away from the stresses of class and college. Some students opt to travel to the southern or western regions of the United States, to bask in warm sunshine and lounge on lovely beaches, while others may choose to travel abroad. Remind your student to exercise good judgment and common sense when traveling. Here are some more friendly tips to help you and your student with the adventure:
- Confirm travel itineraries, including hotel, plane and rental car reservations, a few days in advance.
- When traveling abroad, keep passports secure.
- Keep in mind that being in another country means students are bound by that country's laws.
- Always bring an insurance card and an international calling card.
- Keep important telephone numbers handy at all times.
- Use caution with credit cards and be aware of identity theft.
- Make extended family members aware of your student's plans, and caution them that email 'phishing' scams can be common during break.
- Remember that false identification cards, including fake driver's licenses, are illegal and especially subject to review and sanctions during spring break.
We hope they travel safely and return with many wonderful memories and photos.
For students staying in Amherst, university support services including University Health Services, the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health and the Center for Women and Community will be available throughout break.
Fall 2015 course registration and advising
Priority course registration for Fall, 2015 begins Monday, March 30. Here are a few pointers to help speed your student's registration process:
- Students can view their individual enrollment appointments (registration window) by logging onto SPIRE. They should also check SPIRE to make sure there are no holds on their accounts. In the event that your student has a hold, they should contact the corresponding office ASAP to clear it up and avoid unnecessary issues with course registration.
- Remind your student to schedule an advising appointment prior to registering for courses, to be sure they're on track with requirements. Some students will have advising holds that won't allow them to register until they meet with their advisor; some will not. Encourage your student to go to the advising appointment prepared with questions, so the time is fruitful.
- Students can find their advisors' information in SPIRE's Student Center. It includes the location of advising centers as well as a link to their college website.
- Students are encouraged to declare a major by the end of their third semester on campus. If your student is ready to declare a major, wishes to change majors or study abroad, they should discuss this decision with their current advisor.
- Some majors are open to current students, while others have restrictions or application processes that students must fulfill before they can declare the major. Your student's advisor can help determine which steps to take.
Find more information on the Office of the University Registrar's website.
Fall 2015 room and apartment selection
The Fall 2015 room selection guide is posted on the Residential Life website. The guide details important steps students need to take to participate in the room selection process for the coming semester. Review it closely and encourage your student to do the same.
Is your student moving off-campus?
The Off-Campus Student Center, 314 Student Union, is staffed by a team of undergraduate students, graduate students and professionals ready to help all students interested in living off-campus. With this assistance your student can:
- Search for rental listings and housemates or learn more about first-time renter information on the Off-Campus Student Services website. All rental listings are vetted by a university staff member.
- Complete the Living Off-Campus Certification. Students register online for this 20-minute training covering basic information about landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities, budgeting, neighbor relations, town bylaws, university expectations for conduct and more. Parents can take the training using the guest access link.
- Remind your student to take a cue from the Walk This Way (WTW) program and choose to walk through campus instead of the adjacent residential streets. WTW efforts address the impact that noise, trash, public urination and vandalism have on neighbors and students on weekend evenings.
- Meet students who are part of Team Positive Presence. Team members are peer role models for students attending large-scale events on- and off-campus, promoting safety and responsible behavior.
It's not too soon to start thinking about May move-out!
If your student's coming home for spring break, encourage them to bring items they won't need for the end of the semester with them. We want your student's move-out to be as simple and stress-free as possible. Starting April 1, the Residential Life website will have tips and checklists for a smooth move-out experience, as well as information on traffic patterns and loading zones for each residence hall.
New features on the Parent Services website
We're excited to announce the addition of two new features to our website:
- Parent e-postcards: In addition to phone calls and emails, you and your students can now surprise each other with customized e-postcards. Select your favorite image, one of five greeting options, and add your own message. Take advantage of this new feature as often as you wish!
- Polls: As partners in your student's success, we value your opinion. Each month, we'll feature a new question on a topic related to UMass Amherst students, the university and you; check in and let us know what you think. The first question is now available.
We hope you'll enjoy the new features and find them helpful and fun to use.
Financial aid update
Financial Aid Services sends award notifications to current students' university email accounts; they are not mailed to students' homes. Remind your student to check their university email for information related to their financial aid application. Students should also check their To Do List in SPIRE to determine if any paperwork is needed to continue processing their aid request.
Financial aid award emails for Fall 2015 will begin in late June and continue as students become eligible. Visit the Financial Aid Office website for more information.
Fall 2014 Dean's List
We are excited to announce that the Fall 2014 Dean's List is now available. Congratulations to student honorees and their families! For more information on how to find the Dean's List in your local paper, visit the News and Information Office.
Our students are #UMassProud
Watch our great students tell the world what makes them #UMassProud. A new social media campaign features video clips of UMass Amherst students discussing what makes us a world-class university.
Important Dates
March 13: Residence halls close for spring break at 6 p.m.
March 22: Residence halls reopen at 10 a.m.
March 23: Classes resume
March 30: Registration for Fall 2015 begins
Helpful Links
Center for Counseling and Psychological Health
Center for Women and Community
Fall 2014 Dean's List
Financial Aid Services
Off-Campus Student Services
Office of the Registrar
Residential Life
University Health Services
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the Office of Parent Services. Our office is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. We're more than happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Horrigan, Director
Office of Parent Services
Treating Our Parents as Partners
5 Arnold House
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
Email: umassparents@umass.edu
Phone: 413-577-4444
Fax: 413-545-9631
Office of Parent Services Website
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