September 2016 Parents & Family Newsletter
Website: uakron.edu/pfa | On Facebook: Zip Parents
In this issue:
- Welcome
- New Student Convocation
- Family Weekend 2016
- Payment Plan & FERPA
- Residence Hall addresses & mail procedures
- Tips for living off-campus
- Student employment opportunities
- Help your son or daughter having personal or academic difficulties
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Welcome new UA families!
Welcome to all of our new parents and family members of our incoming class! We are excited you are a part of the Zips family. The University of Akron Parent & Family Newsletter is sent out monthly with important and timely information and reminders. It is our goal to help you stay informed and be a support for you as parents and family members. Please feel free to reach out to the Parent & Family Association Board at pfa@uakron.edu. |
New Student Convocation
The official welcome to our incoming class — New Student Convocation — will be held at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall on Friday, Sept. 9, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Encourage your student to attend to celebrate the arrival of the first year class and to formally mark the beginning of his or her academic journey here at The University of Akron.
This year, our new students will be welcomed by Matthew J. Wilson, interim president, after faculty enter Thomas Hall in procession, doning their academic regalia. Our new students will be introduced to the colleges and faculty, and they will receive advice from a faculty representative, alumni and Undergraduate Student Government President Megan Bodenschatz.
Convocation provides the opportunity to introduce new Zips to our UA community and celebrate our rich traditions and Akron pride. It also affirms the University’s commitment to support our students’ academic aspirations as they work toward graduation. Students will receive a Zippy pin as part of their welcome into the UA family.
Our new Zips will conclude Convocation with the singing of the Alma Mater and the UA Fight Song, followed by a reception on the Thomas Hall Plaza, where light refreshments, Zippy cookies and beverages will be provided.
Family Weekend 2016
The University of Akron is excited to invite you to attend Family Weekend 2016, a combination of Sibs Saturday and Parents Weekend. Take this time to bring family members and visit your student, and enjoy numerous activities and events that are planned for you! Register to attend today at uakron.edu/familyweekend.
Payment Plan & FERPA
Students must be signed up for the Installment Payment Plan by Friday, Sept. 2, 2016.
Payment Plan |
eBill Date |
Payment Due Date |
First Payment Plan Installment |
Sept. 5 |
Sept. 27 |
Second Payment Plan Installment |
Oct. 1 |
Oct. 28 |
Third Payment Plan Installment |
Nov. 5 |
Nov. 27 |
Your student has certain privacy rights on campus. The FERPA release allows the University to disclose information in person, or by phone, to individuals authorized by the student. Download the FERPA form. Students must deliver this form IN PERSON to ZipAssist, in the Simmons Hall Lobby, along with photo identification in order to ensure the protection of their information. Otherwise, UA cannot share any unauthorized information, such as amount due, financial aid, etc.
Residence Hall addresses and mail procedures
It is important to use the addresses listed. Otherwise, your mail may be delayed in its delivery or returned to sender by the post office. All U.S. Mail, including packages (e.g. cards, letters, magazines, newspapers):
Address Format:
Student Name Here
The University of Akron Residence Hall and Room Number/Room Letter or Bed Space
P.O. Box 1350
Akron, OH 44309
For vendors who will not send to a P.O. box: Address Format*:
Student Name Here
Residence Hall and Room Number/Room Letter or Bed Space
185 E. Mill St
Akron, OH 44325
*This address should NOT be used for standard U.S. Mail.
Mailing Services will pick up mail from the USPS station that has service responsibility for the University. Each day, mailing services will deliver USPS mail to each residence hall student mailbox. Only United States Postal Service mail that properly fits in a student's mailbox is delivered directly to the halls. Residents will be notified by Mailing Services if they have a package to retrieve. Package pick up is located at the entrance to Rob’s Café. Please note that mail delivery times may vary. If you have any questions or concerns regarding mail delivery or package distribution, please call 330-972-7585.
Tips for living off campus
The relationship your student has with his or her landlord is very important to ensure that they are living in a clean and safe environment.
Students should:
- Always get a copy of the signed lease. Make sure you also have a copy if you co-signed for the apartment. Keep it in a location where you can easily refer to it, if needed.
- Have a contact phone number and email address for the landlord.
- Walk through every inch of the apartment and take pictures of anything that is not working or needs to be repaired. This will also help with documentation in regard to the security deposit at the end of the lease.
- Communicate in writing to the landlord about anything that needs to be fixed or repaired within 24 hours. Make sure to include photos. Email is the fastest way, but snail mail also works.
Student employment opportunities
Students seeking on-campus, Federal Work Study (must be awarded in financial aid package), or off-campus jobs should check the Student Employment website. The site includes job descriptions, responsibilities, hours allowed to work, pay rate, skills needed and much more.
Help if your son or daughter is having personal or academic difficulties
Help-A-Zip: College can be stressful for students as they balance academics with their lives outside of the classroom. Referrals can be made for students who are experience academic, mental health, financial, or personal problems. Learn more or make a referral online.
Counseling Services: Free and confidential personal, career and educational counseling is available for current students through the Counseling & Testing Center.