Early Fall 2012

Dear NC State Parents & Families,

August has traditionally marked the beginning of “back-to-school,” as evidenced by school supplies lining the aisles of every major retail store. Although the supply list now includes smartphone and iPads rather than crayons and pencils, the transition is a welcomed one, as students anticipate starting classes, connecting with current friends and meeting new ones, exploring interests, and making a difference. The time is marked by excitement, and nervous first day jitters, along with high hopes for a great year.

As the new academic year begins, you will notice a couple of changes specifically related to Parents and Families Services. Over the summer, Jennifer Bell, the Associate Director of Parents and Families Services left the university. We thank her for many years of service and wish her well in her new endeavors. Through reorganization at NC State University, the Offices of New Student Orientation and Parents and Families Services have moved to the Division of Enrollment Management and Services. The great benefits you receive as parents through the Parents and Families Association will continue as planned, so be sure to bring your Parents and Families Association membership card with you when you bring your student to campus. Your card is good for discounts at many local hotels, restaurants and other services through the Very Important Parent Discount Program.

Whether you are preparing to send your student off to college for the first time or the last time, your involvement is important to his or her success and the Office of Parents and Families Services is here to assist you in guiding your student toward continued success. Please refer to your Parents’ Handbook (pdf) and Conversation Calendar (pdf) as these publications are designed to help you continue to be a well-informed resource for your student. For questions or concerns, please contact our office at 919-515-2441 or 877-568-5733 (toll free) or e-mail us at ncsuparents@ncsu.edu.

I hope 2012-2013 is one of the best and most exciting academic years yet. I look forward to corresponding with you and wish you and your student a very happy academic year.

  Sincerely,
  Stacy Fair

  Director, Parents & Families Services
  Division of Enrollment Management & Services

HELPFUL TIPS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION

• Set realistic expectations for your student regarding academics, financial responsibility, social involvement, alcohol and drug use. Discuss these expectations with him in a non-judgmental manner, and be open to listening to him as well. Keep the lines of communication open.
• Discuss the importance of sharing records with you. Federal law requires
  NC State to keep certain student records confidential. It is the student's responsibility to share information, such as grades and tuition statements, with you.
• Plan a visit with your son or daughter such as Parents and Families Weekend, or another opportunity. Being able to specifically say when you will see each other again may help ease the sting of saying goodbye.
• Make friends at the post office. College students enjoy being included in the family news, and love receiving letters and thoughtful gifts.
• If there are siblings at home, be prepared for their own roller coaster of emotions. Planning something special for them, dinner out or a night with friends may help take the edge off any anxieties about the new family dynamics. They may also find new connections with their brother or sister through sending their own care packages and letters.
• Plan something for yourself after you settle your son or daughter in during move-in weekend. It’s good to have something to look forward to.

Back To Contents

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Prior to beginning of semester
Immunization records must be up-to-date and on file with NC State University.

Students who are already covered by an insurance policy, and wish to waive the university-sponsored plan, must submit their insurance policy number online for verification.

Wednesday – Saturday, August 8-11
African American Symposium for new students

Wednesday - Saturday, August 8-18
Wolfpack Welcome Week

Friday - Saturday, August 10-11
Hispanic Symposium for new students

Friday - Tuesday, August 10-15
Students living on campus may move into the residence halls. Housing Check-In Information

Saturday, August 11
Alumni Association Legacy Luncheon

Monday - Tuesday, August 13-14
Native American Symposium for new students

Monday, August 13
Convocation Festival features games, pep rally and the student summer reading author of It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine's Path to Peace, Rye Barcott.

Thursday, August 16
First day of classes. Classes begin at 8:05 a.m.

Tuesday, August 22
Last day to add a course without permission of the instructor.

Wednesday, August 29
Last day to register or to add a course. Last day to drop a course or change from credit to audit with a tuition adjustment. Last day for undergraduates to drop below 12 hours.

Monday, September 3
Labor Day Holiday. No classes. University offices closed.

Wednesday, September 12
Registration opens for Parents and Families Weekend. Details and registration information will be sent to your home as part of the fall PACKParents newsletter in early September.

Thursday, September 20
Study Abroad Information Fair

Sunday, September 30
Last day to cancel/change fall meal plan

Thursday - Friday, October 4-5
Fall Break. No classes. University offices will be open.

Monday, October 15
Last day to withdraw or drop a course without a grade. Last day to change from credit to audit. Last day to change to credit only.

Friday - Sunday, November 9-11
Parents and Families Weekend 2012 (details to come in PACKParents newsletter)

Back To Contents

Fall 2012 | Multi-year calendars | Parent-Student Conversation Calendar

Back To Contents

FALL 2012 MOVE-IN WEEKEND HOURS:

Friday - Monday, August 10-13

To assist students with a smooth transition to the new academic year, many offices will be open for assistance the weekend before classes start. Unless noted otherwise, other University offices and departments, will be open Friday, August 10 and the following business week for regular operating hours.

Schedule is subject to changes. Go to the office's respective website for updates.

Back To Contents

Residence Halls Check-In: Students may check in to the residence halls during the dates and times noted below.

• Friday, August 10: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (Check in at assigned hall)
• Saturday, August 11: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Check in at assigned hall)
• Sunday, August 12: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Check in at respective residence hall's 24-hour service desk)
• Monday-Tuesday, August 13-15: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Check in at respective residence hall's 24-hour service desk)

Wolf Village Check-In:

• Buildings A and B: August 7-11 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Check in at Building B)
• Buildings C, D, G and H: August 7-11 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Check in at Building D)
• Buildings E and F: August 7-11 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Check in at Building E)
• All Buildings: August 12-15 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Check in at Building G Service Desk)

Parking: In order to park on campus during "move-in weekend," you must display the proper parking permit on your dashboard as you arrive on campus. Permits are available for download and printing on University Housing's website.

More information about move-in weekend, including parking, transportation and early check-in details are available in the online Fall Housing Check-In Guide.

Back To Contents

WOLFPACK WELCOME WEEK

Thursday - Saturday, August 8-18

Wolfpack Welcome Week is a great tradition at NC State – it’s a time to get acquainted with the university, to make new friends and to explore all the exciting ways to learn in and outside of class. Activities for Welcome Week take place in the days leading up to (and even after) the first day of fall classes (Thursday, August 16, 2012). Hopefully, you will take advantage of the wide range of wonderful activities scheduled for this year's Wolfpack Welcome Week - there's something for everyone. More information about Wolfpack Welcome Week, including a schedule of events, can be found online.

Students should be sure to attend the Convocation Festival on August 13 featuring Rye Barcott, author of our summer reading, It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine’s Path to Peace. Barcott will be on site to sign books after Convocation.

Back To Contents

2012 PARENTS & FAMILIES WEEKEND

Friday - Sunday, November 9-11

Celebrate 125 years of North Carolina State University while enjoying a weekend with your student and other
NC State families. Details will be sent to your home in the PACKParents newsletter which you will receive in early September. Until then, you can review the 2011 weekend webpage to get a feel for what will take place during this year's event.

Back To Contents

STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT

Last day to waive student health insurance is September 15, 2012.

Undergraduates enrolled in 6+ credit hours and graduate students in 3+ credit hours who are in a degree-seeking program are required to either purchase the university-sponsored plan or provide evidence of an existing creditable health insurance policy. Graduate Research and Teaching Assistants, as well as Fellows, are covered under the Graduate Student Support Plan.

Students who are already covered by an insurance policy (i.e. through parent plans, family plans, employer-sponsored plans, or student health insurance), and wish to waive out, must submit their insurance policy number for verification though a secure website. The charge is removed from the student's bill once their policy is verified. Students who do not waive out are automatically billed each semester and will be enrolled in the university-sponsored plan after the waiver deadline. The deadline for waiving out of the insurance for the fall is September 15, 2012.

Students wishing to purchase the university-sponsored plan, should go to the online enrollment form and set up their Insurance Account with Pearce & Pearce. You will be billed automatically on your Student Account.

More information on the benefits and waiver process is available on the NC State Student Health website.

You can find FAQs, definitions of terms, a benefits summary, claim forms and instructions, and other important information at the Pearce & Pearce website.

Questions about the new health insurance plan or requirements should be directed to the University Student Health Services at 919-515-2563.

For more information, view the NC State University-sponsored health insurance information available online.

Back To Contents

RISKY BEHAVIOR

Going back to college or going to college for the first time can be a time for students to reinvent themselves in many ways.  Perhaps they will find a new interest and join a new organization.  Perhaps they will try out a new style of dress or develop an interest in different movies or music.  As students are exploring their new freedoms and interests, it is a good time to talk through the values that you have instilled in them specifically related to drug and alcohol use, physical boundaries and safety in relationships, as well as how they portray themselves in social media.  By encouraging your student to join a social group on campus, you can help your student connect with others who may share similar interests or values.  As always, one of the best things you can do is to call your student especially on the weekends and keep the lines of communication open.

Back To Contents

GRADES, BILLS, ETC.: KEY POINTS FOR STAYING IN THE LOOP

The Parents' HelpLine receives many contacts each year from parents and family members asking if and how they may access their student's academic and/or financial information. In general, NC State expects students to share this information directly with their parents and others who have a need to know. This helps foster responsibility and independence in the student, while keeping family in the loop about important information. That said, there are several key points family members should know to help ensure they stay in this important loop effectively and appropriately.

Back To Contents

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ON CAMPUS:

• GoPass: Capital Area Transit (CAT) and Triangle Transit Authority (TT) partner with NCSU Transportation to provide GoPass to NC State students, faculty and staff as a transit alternative to the single occupancy vehicle. The GoPass is free to students with advance registration.
  
  Students may pick up their free 2012-13 GoPass during the following campus events:
  
  August 9, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.: International Student Info Fair, Talley Student Center
  August 15, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Welcome Back Pack, Fountain Dining Hall

• 

  Zipcar: Zip car is a car-share program that offers the convenience of car ownership without the hassles of having a car on campus. There are three vehicles available for use at NC State — two Prius hybrids and one Scion XB crossover — parked in designated spots around campus. These cars will be available to students, faculty and staff of the university to borrow 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The low hourly rate ($8/hr) include gas, insurance and roadside assistance.
  
  For more information and to join today or check out: Zipcar at NC State
  

• 

  Zimride: is a new, fun and easy way to share rides out of town or coordinate your daily commute. Zimride uses Facebook integration to make it convenient for you to find a friend, classmate or fellow NC State employee to carpool with. It's simple. Have a car? Add your ride offer and split the costs by driving with friends, classmates or colleagues. Need a ride? Add your ride request and get to where you want to go. Just register for a free account and post where you’re coming from and when. NC State’s Zimride service will help you find others making similar trips!
  

Back To Contents

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are on the move
The Office of Parents and Families Services has moved from Harrelson Hall to the E. Carroll Joyner Visitor Center. Feel free to stop in whenever you visit campus. The address is 1210 Varsity Dr., Raleigh, NC 27606 or Campus Box 7404, Raleigh, NC 27695. View the campus map

For questions or concerns, we welcome you to visit the Parents & Families website or contact the Parents' HelpLine toll free at 877-568-5733 or locally at 919-515-2441 and via e-mail at ncsuparents@ncsu.edu.

Message from the Panhellenic Association
Is your daughter interested in joining a sorority at NC State? We know that choice comes with many questions regarding the how that will effect her student experience. Join the Panhellenic Association for a Parents' Webinar on August 25 at
4 p.m. to learn more about the amazing opportunities that come with joining a Greek organization. More information on how to participate is available on the NC State Panhellenic website.

Back To Contents

NC STATE NEWS

North Carolina State University is celebrating 125 years of tradition and transformation. With special events throughout the year, students and their families are invited to celebrate together.

Spending part of your summer vacation watching the 2012 London Olympics? Check out how NC State is involved in Olympic events.

Keep up-to-date on all things NC State by visiting the NC State website on a regular basis. It's one easy way to find out what's going on here on campus.

Back To Contents