The halfway mark
In this issue:
- Scheduling for spring classes begins this month
- Social media awareness
- Thanksgiving Recess
- Upcoming campus events for students
- E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall Forum Series
Scheduling for spring classes begins this month
Believe it or not, the 16-week semester is already half over! That means it is time to begin scheduling classes for spring. Here are some things for your student to keep in mind:
- Students should meet with their academic advisors to discuss scheduling classes for spring semester. Running a DARS report is also a good resource to track progress toward degree completion.
- Students who schedule classes early get the most convenient times and days to fit their life and work schedules. Check My Akron for the enrollment appointment day and time.
- Enroll in at least 15-16 credits per semester to “Finish In Time,” which is designed to help students graduate on time with the least amount of debt.
- Graduating on time can save money in many ways. Students who graduate on time pay less for tuition and begin earning a first-year salary sooner. When academic advisors meet with students this fall, they will encourage students to take as many classes as can be successfully completed.
We recommend that students focus on academics and on the overarching goal of graduating on time. Those who can focus more on academics typically come out ahead financially, compared to those who work full time while taking courses, thus delaying graduation by months or years.
- If other responsibilities will limit your student’s ability to take 15-16 credits each semester, encourage them to take summer classes to achieve 30-32 credits per calendar year, which will keep your student on track to graduate on time.
Social media awareness
Is your student on social media? Facebook, Twitter and other sites can be great tools for sharing information, making connections and having fun (Shameless plug: Join The Parents & Family Association on Facebook).
But it’s also important that your student is responsible on these sites. Questionable photos and status updates could reflect negatively when it’s time to find a campus job or when starting a career after graduation. Make sure your student understands how privacy settings work and who is able to view the content they post (even your “friends" can screenshot and share your content with others). Privacy settings won’t replace good judgment, so don’t post anything on the Internet that you wouldn’t want the world to see, such as a class schedule, campus address, or personal information like phone numbers and birthdates, and especially illegal activity.
Using anonymous sites, such as Yik Yak, can also cause damage to the campus community. If you are unfamiliar with Yik Yak, Boston College students recently made a video addressing some of the bullying and harassment that has occurred on their campus by usage of this app. Please encourage your students to use good judgment when presenting themselves to the world on social media.
Thanksgiving Recess
The University will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26. Classes and University offices will resume at their normal times on Monday, Dec. 1. Additional information will be available in the November newsletter.
Upcoming campus events for students
E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall Forum Series
In its 20th season, the E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall Forum Series works to inform the University and Northeast Ohio communities with engaging speakers. This year’s Forum welcomes:
- Jane Pauley, broadcast journalist and best-selling author. Monday, Nov. 3
- Melissa Harris-Perry, writer, professor, television host and political commentator. Monday, Feb. 2
- Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, religious and cultural studies scholar, university professor, best-selling author and public intellectual. Friday, April 10
- Jack Hanna, animal expert, will bring his audience into the wild to see some of the world's most spectacular animals. Thursday, April 30
- Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, author and science communicator. Wednesday, May 6
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