January 2017 Parents & Family Newsletter

Website: uakron.edu/pfa | On Facebook: Zip Parents

In this issue:
  • Important dates for the Spring Semester
  • Bill Reminder
  • Students encouraged to check spring course schedules via My Akron
  • Free emergency text-messaging service
  • Resume and On-Campus Job Search Workshop
  • Financial Aid News
  • Residence Life and Housing: Current Student Housing Reapplication Process
  • Feature: Student Recreation and Wellness Services


Important Dates for Spring 2017

  • President’s Day observance: Tuesday, Feb. 21
  • Spring Break: Monday, March 27-31
  • Final Exam Week: May 8-14
  • Spring Commencement: May 12-14

Other important dates and deadlines can be found on The University of Akron Calendar.



Bill Reminder

The payment due date for spring semester registration was Jan. 17, 2017.

The last day to sign up for the payment plan is Friday, Jan. 20, to avoid late fees and possible enrollment cancellation for nonpayment.

Your student can authorize Parent Access by following these steps, along with completing a FERPA Release form.



Students encouraged to check spring course schedules via My Akron

Please remind your student to check their spring 2017 schedules via My Akron. Here are the steps:

  • Log into My Akron with UAnet ID and password.
  • Click on the “My Experience” tab, then select “Student Center.”

Information regarding course meeting times, days and room location is given in real-time; in other words, all information is up to date as it is retrieved.

The Office of the University Registrar sends an announcement via e-mail to the instructor of record and to all enrolled students’ UAnet e-mail addresses when there is a classroom change made in the course(s) in which they are enrolled. It is recommended that students check their UAnet e-mail often for any important messages from the University, as this will be the official means of notification used by the Office of the University Registrar.



Free emergency text-messaging service

We encourage all students to sign up for our free, emergency text-messaging service called Z-Alert. It is the quickest way to know when campus closes because of snow or because of an event that affects safety.

A student may enroll one other person (for instance, a parent or spouse) as well. (We have a limited number of licenses for the service, which we purchase from an outside vendor.)



Resume Builder and Job Search Workshop

Does your student have Federal Work-Study eligibility and/or need help finding an on-campus job?

ZipAssist and the Career Center will host a workshop for UA students designed to help them with their resume and apply for on-campus jobs. The students can arrive at any point during the designated time to receive consultation on their resume as well as assistance in finding, reviewing and applying for on-campus jobs. Although all UA students are welcome, Federal Work-Study eligible students will be directly invited to the event given the unique opportunity these students have in terms of securing on-campus employment.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Where: ZipAssist, Simmons Hall Lobby



Financial Aid News

In case you missed it, the 2017-2018 FAFSA became available on Oct. 1, 2016. If your student hasn’t completed this FAFSA yet, please do so as soon as possible. The 2017-2018 FAFSA uses 2015 tax and income information (yes, the same information you used on the 2016-2017 FAFSA), so you don’t have to wait to file your taxes or for your W2s in order to fill it out.

Our office is currently helping students with their spring 2017 financial aid, but will soon start to focus efforts to the upcoming academic year. Financial aid award notifications will begin as early as next month (if not sooner!). If you’re a second-year or beyond parent, know that these notifications are emailed to continuing students, rather than sent via U.S. Mail.

If your student is required to submit documents for the process called “verification,” they have been notified via email and the necessary items appear on their To Do List in the Student Center of MyAkron. Financial aid award notifications are not sent to students who have financial aid-related To Do List items, so be sure to talk with your student to see if anything is needed. The sooner you can submit items for verification, the better! Please don’t wait until July or August.



Residence Life and Housing: Current Student Housing Reapplication Process

Please encourage your student to consider living on-campus for the upcoming academic year. Why choose to live on campus? Location! Highly trained staff! Amenities! Our ability to assist your student by collaborating with other campus resources! And so much more! Priority is given to current UA students! Students who wish to live on campus are encouraged to complete the online housing application, available beginning Jan. 30 at 9 a.m. through Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. Once the housing application has been completed, additional information regarding room selection will be provided to your student via UA email.

If your student is not familiar with the residence halls, please invite them to check us out at any of the following spring semester open houses:

  • Saturday, Jan. 21, 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Monday, Feb. 20, 3 to 5 p.m.
  • Friday, March 10, 3 to 5 p.m.
For more information, please contact Residence Life and Housing at 330-972-7800 or reslife@uakron.edu.



Student Recreation and Wellness Services

Offering a wide range of programs, services and facilities, Student Recreation and Wellness Services (SRWS) intentionally engages students early during their recruitment and continues through their graduation by providing them with opportunities to develop leadership, social and physical skills, along with healthy lifestyle behaviors and attitudes that will benefit them for a lifetime. SRWS also provides similar opportunities to other members of the University community, including faculty, staff, alumni and retirees.

SRWS is committed to providing students with a variety of co-curricular opportunities in a safe, accessible, diverse and inclusive environment which fosters not only student learning, leadership development and engagement, but also institutional pride and sense of tradition. SRWS operates four facilities — Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Ocasek Natatorium, Central Hower South Gym and Buchtel Field. The department’s unique structure allows students the flexibility of being active on campus as well as in the broader Akron community and beyond. SRWS is committed to enhancing the success and engagement of our students through physical activity, increased health and wellness, experiential learning, leadership development and employment opportunities.

Not a student?  No worries!  Memberships are available to faculty, staff, alumni and the community. Keep an eye out for some exciting changes to our community memberships.

Membership information can be found at: uakron.edu/rec/membership

Intramural Sports – offers opportunities for students, faculty and staff of The University of Akron to participate in organized sports experiences. By offering a wide spectrum of recreational sports in an organized atmosphere, we hope that participants will build a sense of community with their peers, and expand on their Akron Experience via co-curricular learning outside the classroom. While basketball and volleyball are the largest spring semester sports, many others are also available. For complete details, please visit: uakron.edu/rec/intramural-sports/

Fitness and Wellness – The fitness floor features 15,000 square feet with cardiovascular and strength equipment, including adaptive exercise equipment, a 1/10 mile jogging track and a wellness suite offering many services. In addition, group exercise classes and personal training is available and led by nationally certified instructors and trainers. uakron.edu/rec/fitness/

Outdoor Adventure - The Outdoor Adventure Program offers a break from the rigors of daily life by experiencing vertical excitement on the indoor climbing wall or participating in a wide variety of outdoor adventures. Outdoor seminars, clinics and programs — such as indoor kayaking, paddle boarding, crate stacking, mountain biking and backpacking —provide the University community with all of their outdoor needs. Individuals who can’t join us on an adventure can create their own. Our outdoor adventure equipment rental is available to meet all needs. Visit uakron.edu/rec/adventure/.

Aquatics - The facilities consist of the Oliver R. Ocasek Natatorium (ONAT) and the Leisure Pool in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. The ONAT houses the University's Olympic-sized swimming pool with deck seating for more than 400 athletes and spectator seating for more than 900 people.

The leisure pool houses a 29-person spa, a warm water current channel, vortex pool and multiple bubblers. It is a place where students can gather to unwind from the stresses of classes. The leisure pool is ranked #12 on the list "The Best College Pools" as ranked by CollegeRank.com. Visit uakron.edu/rec/aquatics/.

Club Sports – Thirty-six club sports comprised of recreational, competitive and instructional clubs are available to fit the interests of almost any student. Each club is an officially recognized student organization, while at the same time encouraging faculty and staff interaction.

Clubs are formed, developed, governed and administered by the student membership of that particular club with the guidance of the club advisor. uakron.edu/rec/club-sports/