Late Fall 2011

Dear NC State Families,

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, I am reminded of how thankful I am to work at North Carolina State University. I am thankful to work with the best and brightest young minds in the world. From the Parents' Orientation Ambassadors who worked incredibly hard to help host Parents & Families Weekend last month (you may have also met them at Parents' Orientation over the summer) to the Landscape Architecture 500 class, who designed landscaping that improves storm-water drainage on campus to the mass number of students who rallied to support a hate-free campus last week in response to the vandalism of the GLBT Center, our students amaze me everyday. I am also thankful to work for a University that "welcomes all people regardless of ethnicity, race, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, religion or disability," and to be a part of a staff that works everyday to create a learning environment that "values empathy, respect, tolerance and equality for all." Finally, I am most thankful to work with the families of our fabulous students, whose unwavering support of our students and this University makes our campus strong - after all, the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.

In the spirit of gratitude, NC State has created a means by which students may share their gratitude for a particularly helpful teacher. The "Thank A Teacher" program gives students the opportunity to thank NC State professors or staff who have gone beyond their standard roles and have made a positive impact upon students' lives. If a faculty or staff person has made this kind of impact upon your student's University experience, encourage him/her to send a message through this program. For an educator, an unsolicited “thank you” from a student may be the highlight of the semester.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jennifer Bell, M.Ed.
Associate Director, Parents & Families Services
Department of Campus Activities

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NOVEMBER MAY BE YOUR STUDENT'S MOST STRESSFUL TIME

With the holidays and breaks from school approaching, you are likely very eager to have your son or daughter home for a few days, excited to hear more about his or her semester..."Is he or she having fun, getting along with his or her roommate, making more friends, and - of course - getting good grades?" You should know that your student may not be as eager to answer as you are to ask.

Our experience at North Carolina State University tells us that November is often the most stressful time for students. Even though final grades officially come out in December, most students know now what those grades will be. If there has been an academic problem during the course of the semester, the anxiety of telling their parents about a poor "report card" may be mounting.

Most of our students did not experience low grades or failure during high school. The average high school GPA of the 2010 freshman class was a 4.24. The average SAT score was 1187. However, many students do not do nearly as well their first semester of college. Last year, over 40% of first-semester students achieved less than a 3.0 (a B average). About 10% earned less than a 2.0 average (a C average). For many students, such grades are a significant disappointment. Additionally, many students may experience disappointment if their semester has not met their social, personal, or work-related expectations. This disappointment can lead to depression.

Fortunately, the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday break presents an important opportunity for parents and families to reach out to students. We always recommend to families to remind their students that they love them no matter what. If your son or daughter has been struggling in classes, an unconditional expression of your support and love can go a long way right now, and you may make more progress when the time comes for "the talk" about what led to these academic problems.

If you feel your son or daughter is struggling academically or otherwise, the Counseling Center's website provides a number of resources that address symptoms and strategies for dealing with depression and general academic issues.

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IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Sunday, November 13 - Saturday, November 19
Homecoming 2011

Wednesday, November 23
Residence halls close for Thanksgiving at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday - Friday, November 23-25 
Thanksgiving vacation for students. No classes. University offices will be closed November 24-25.

Friday, December 2  
Last day of classes. 

Monday - Tuesday, December 5-6
Reading Days

Wednesday - Thursday, December 7-15 
Final exams. Final Exam Schedule

Thursday, December 8
Spring semester tuition payment is due.

Friday, December 16
Non-graduating students must check out of the residence halls for winter break.

Saturday, December 17
Fall Graduation Exercises
Graduating residents must check out of the residence halls by 5:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday, December 26 - December 30  
Winter Break. University offices will be closed. The Parents' HelpLine will not be available during this period.

Friday, January 6 
Students living on campus may return to the residence halls beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Monday, January 9 
First day of classes for the spring 2010 semester.

Monday, January 16  
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. No classes. University offices will be closed.

Monday, January 23
Last day to add a course. Last day to drop a course or change from credit to audit with tuition adjustment. Last day for undergraduate students to drop below 12 hours.

Monday, January 31
Last day to cancel or change spring semester meal plan.

Saturday, February 18
Parents & Families Spring Fling

Monday - Friday, March 5-9
Spring Break. No classes.

All events, activities, and deadlines are subject to review and revision. Please check with the respective program to determine if changes have been made.

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ACADEMIC CALENDARS

Fall 2011 | Spring 2012 | Multi-year calendars | Parent-Student Conversation Calendar

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FLU VACCINE CLINICS
Cases of the flu are already being seen in Student Health Services at North Carolina State University. The typical flu season often begins in the fall and continues through March. A student sickened with flu typically misses 3-5 days of class while recovering.

Help us help your student stay healthy. Please remind your student to get a flu vaccine to stay well and avoid disrupting their progress in classes and other campus commitments. NC State works with MAXIM Healthcare to offer flu vaccine clinics on campus. Students not able to attend a clinic may make an appointment at Student Health Services by calling (919) 515.7107.

If your student develops symptoms due to flu or other viruses, University Dining will provide him/her a Get-Well Meal Kit stocked with non-perishable foods and drink that can be eaten in the comfort of his or her room. This will help ensure those who are not well enough to visit a dining facility get proper nutrition and avoid spreading illness.

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HOLIDAY BREAK OPERATIONS 

Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday - Friday, November 23-25

• No classes. Classes will resume at 8:05 a.m. Monday, November 28.
  
  
• University offices will be closed November 24-25.
  
  
• Dining facilities will operate on a limited schedule November 23-27.
  
  
• Residence halls will close on Wednesday, November 23 at 10:00 a.m. and reopen on Saturday, November 26 at 10:00 a.m. Students do not need to take belongings home.
  
  
• Wolfline shuttle bus service will be provided from the Centennial Campus Storage Lot to campus residence halls on Sunday, November 27. Service will begin at the Centennial RS Lot at 5:00 p.m. and run continuously until 9:00 p.m. with service approximately every half-hour.
  
  
• Many students have expressed an interest in purchasing a temporary parking permit for the brief period of time between the Thanksgiving and Winter Break Holidays. A limited number of temporary permits are available. Students wishing to purchase a temporary permit should visit the Transportation Office at 2721 Sullivan Drive between 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. prior to leaving campus for the Thanksgiving Break.

Winter Break: Friday, December 16 - Friday, January 6
Winter break for students begins after their last final exam. Residence halls close at Noon on Friday, December 16.

• No classes.
  
  
• University Housing:
  • Students must check out of the residence halls within 24 hours of their last exam and no later than Noon on Friday, December 16.
    
  • Graduating seniors must check out by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17.
    
  • Students are encouraged to secure all valuables and take home necessities over the break. Students will not be allowed into their rooms until the halls reopen at 5:00 p.m. on January 6.
• University offices will be closed Monday, December 26 - Friday, December 30. Please note the Parents' HelpLine is not available during University breaks.
  
  
• Classes for the spring 2011 semester will begin Monday, January 9.

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MONEY MATTERS

Spring Semester Billing:
Registration for spring semester courses has started. As a reminder, eBILLs will be sent to students' email addresses in mid-November. Payments are due by December 8, 2011.  Financial aid that students have already accepted will appear as “estimated aid” on the eBILL.

Students may give parents access to view, print and pay eBILLs through the MyPack student portal. Helpful tutorials on accessing eBill and additional important information are available on the University Cashier’s Office website.

Academic Progress & Financial Aid:
Federal guidelines require universities and colleges to set a satisfactory academic progress policy for continued receipt of financial aid.  NC State’s policy has recently changed and may impact a student's eligibility for financial aid in spring 2012.  At the end of each semester, full time undergraduates must:

• maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA,
• not be suspended or on academic probation,
• have successfully completed 12 credit hours (or 9 credit hours if this is the first semester at NC State),
• and not have attempted more than 150% of the hours required to complete a degree.

Failure to meet each of those guidelines may result in a financial aid warning.  Encourage your student to check his/her NC State email account often for important information from the financial aid office.  Even better, encourage your student to keep those grades up and avoid academic issues that might impact financial aid!

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FALL GRADUATION EXERCISES
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

Congratulations to those families with graduating seniors! You deserve a diploma, too! Chancellor and Mrs. W. Randolph Woodson will receive graduating students, their families and friends on Friday, December 16 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the Park Alumni Center. University-wide graduation exercises are scheduled for Saturday, December 17 at 9:00 a.m. in the RBC Center. Unless noted otherwise, college and departmental ceremonies will follow at various times and locations. More Graduation Information

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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Home for the holidays is not always what it is cracked up to be. This may be the reason late fall and early winter are peak times for families to seek counseling. Media images of loving families, with children returning for holiday gatherings, add further pressure to a stressful situation. Families with returning college students may undergo a dramatic change of routine and readjustment during this season. [More]

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ORDER TEXTBOOKS EARLY!

ORDER TEXTBOOKS ON LINE:
NC State’s online textbook ordering program is the easiest way for students to order their textbooks in advance. Students simply need to follow the directions below to access their online booklist, and the bookstore staff will prepare their order and have it ready to pick up prior to the start of spring semester.

Order Textbooks via "My Class Schedule" in MyPack Portal @ mypack.ncsu.edu.

1) Log in to MyPack Portal @ mypack.ncsu.edu.
2) Click on the For Students tab.
3) In the Academics pane under Enrollment, click on My Class Schedule.
4) Select the term for the booklist you would like to view.
5) Once the class schedule appears, click on View My Books at the bottom right.

FINANCIAL AID NOW ACCEPTED ONLINE:
If your student will receive financial aid and he/she would like to defer payment for textbooks, please indicate “Financial Aid” as the method of payment on line. Your student will be billed directly from the University Cashier’s Office.

THE BOOKSTORE HAS MOVED:
NC State Bookstore's main headquarters has relocated to a temporary location in Harrelson Hall; the circular building conveniently located on main campus overlooking the Brickyard and D.H. Hill Library. The temporary location enables the Bookstore to continue to serve the University during the Talley Student Center Renovation and Construction Project.  For a map and directions, please visit go.ncsu.edu/new-bookstore.

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Parents & Families Spring Fling 2012
Saturday, February 18
NC State v. Florida State University
Join your student for a day of Wolfpack fun and watch men's basketball take on the Seminoles! More details will be available at www.ncsu.edu/for_parents in December and in your spring PACKParents newsletter mailed to your home over the winter break.

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NC STATE NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Students Build Landscape Legacy
Over the last year and a half, Andrew Fox, assistant professor of landscape architecture in the College of Design, and his Landscape Architecture 500 class have remade areas around Syme and Turlington residence halls. They’ve done it by designing and executing landscape projects that are beautiful and functional as they manage storm water runoff around the residence halls.

NC State Gets $4 Million Grant to Ramp Up Southeast Biofuel Production
North Carolina State University will use a $4 million grant to study the most efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly ways of producing biofuels from trees and from forest harvesting residue.

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