Hello Winthrop Parents and Family Members!
April is a very exciting time here at Winthrop! With the spring semester coming to
a close, we have included many essential articles in this edition of the Eagle Family
Connection. The Department of Residence Life has provided important information and
tips as you and your student prepare to pack and move out of the residence halls.
We have also included an article about Winthrop's Summer Session if your student is
interested in taking advantage of our summer courses. Additionally, the May Commencement
Ceremonies are right around the corner! If your student is graduating, we have included
an article below outlining all of the information that you need to know about these
monumental ceremonies. Even with the end of the semester in sight, there are still
opportunities for you and your student to give back to the community; check out the
WUCycle article included below to learn how to get involved. To get exciting updates
about Dining Services and meal plan options, check out our Dining Services article.
Be sure to mark your calendars for October 1, 2016 and save the date for our Family
Day 2016 event! More Family Day information will be available in July on our website . Don't forget to like the Office of New Student and Family Programs Facebook page for updates and information about what is going on in our office and at Winthrop.
As always, the Office of New Student and Family Programs is here to keep you connected
and informed. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Go Eagles!
The Office of New Student and Family Programs
248 DiGiorgio Campus Center
803/323-2387
familyprograms@winthrop.edu
www.winthrop.edu/familyprograms
Save the date! Winthrop University and the Office of New Student and Family Programs is excited to invite you to attend Family Day 2016 on October 1, 2016. This event will provide you the opportunity to visit with your student and take part in numerous activities and experiences planned for your enjoyment. We hope you are able to attend, and we look forward to seeing you!
Before we all know it, your students will be packing up their belongings and moving
out of their residence hall space. Here is some information from the Department of Residence Life to make this process easier, and to help your students avoid fines at the end of
the semester.
Residence halls close for undergraduates and those not participating in graduation
(including band, marshals, etc.) on Wednesday, May 4 at 9 a.m. Students must be out
of their room by this time unless permission is granted to stay.
Residence halls close for those participating in graduation on Saturday, May 7 at
7 p.m.
All students must check-out of their room with an RA or go through the proper procedures
for an "Express Check-Out" (where permitted). Please note that students that choose
the Express Check-Out option do not have the option to appeal any damage/cleaning
charges.
Before a student checks out, all belongings must be removed from the room and hallway
and the room and bathroom (where applicable) must be cleaned. Note that cleaning supplies
are the student's responsibility, though some may be available at the hall office.
Dirty rooms/floors/bathrooms/trash cans/microfriges, etc tend to be the #1 reason
students are charged at the end of the semester.
All buildings will host floor meetings and will post information regarding building
closure and how to properly check-out. Please encourage your student to attend this
meeting and read the information given as "not knowing" will not be an acceptable
excuse.
All students will turn in their key before they leave to avoid a lock re-core.
Students that choose a regular check-out and get fined will receive a letter via mail
or e-mail and will have an opportunity to appeal these charges. All appeals must come
in writing and must come from the student only.
Other notes:
We ask that any student not returning to Winthrop or the residence halls in the fall
to inform us immediately and fill out proper paperwork. Fall room cancellation fees
will begin May 15.
If students are interested in taking summer school classes and living on campus for
summer, please go to Residence Life immediately to secure your space!
If students often make weekend trips home, we encourage them to begin taking unnecessary
items home now, instead of stressing about getting everything at the end of the semester.
If you have any questions, you may contact the Residential Learning Coordinator of
your student's building or the Department of Residence Life at 803/323-2223. Students
are encouraged to ask questions of their RA, RLC, or Residence Life.
Graduate faster, retain the LIFE Scholarship, improve a GPA, save money-These are
just a few reasons why summer school at Winthrop may be right for your student.
More than 70 classes are being offered online, from Accounting to Writing, so students
can be anywhere, from the beach to the mountains. There are more than 100 on-campus
courses as well, from general education to some that are major-specific.
Completing courses during the summer, in addition to fall and spring enrollment, can
help students to graduate on time, graduate early, or retain or regain their LIFE
Scholarship. Taking fewer credit hours during the summer than is typical in fall or
spring enables students to put more time and focus into the work of each course. Additionally,
summer tuition for in-state students, per credit hour/per course, is significantly
reduced from fall/spring tuition rates.
Registration for summer courses began March 23. Students do not have to be advised in order to register. For more information, visit
the Summer Session website.
Winthrop University's May 2016 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony exercises are scheduled
for Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the Winthrop Coliseum. Two Undergraduate Ceremonies will be held to accommodate
all of our graduates and guests.
At 10 a.m. on May 7, degrees will be awarded to candidates from the: College of Visual and Performing
Arts and College of Arts and Sciences. At 3 p.m. on May 7, degrees will be awarded to candidates from the College of Business Administration
and Richard W. Riley College of Education.
Degree candidates should report to the check-in area, located just inside the north
entrance of the Coliseum, in academic cap and gown an hour and a half prior to the
start of the ceremonies. Please note that all students must be in proper graduation attire: black robes, black caps with garnet and gold tassel. (Ladies do not have to wear
the white collar which may come with the gown.) Caps may not be decorated and only
Winthrop-issued honor cords may be worn. Sorority/fraternity stoles may not be worn
over the gown during the ceremony. You may purchase your cap, gown and tassel at the
Winthrop Bookstore.
Family and guests of the degree candidates are invited to enter the Coliseum through
the upper concourse level and be seated 20 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
Parking for the ceremony is available on university property only. Those who park
off of university property may be towed. Guests are asked not to bring balloons into
the coliseum. Balloons obstruct views and make it difficult to see the graduates.
Winthrop University makes every effort to ensure appropriate seating for the graduates' family and friends who may need accessible seating. If accessible seating (wheelchair access, low/no steps, interpreter, etc.) may be needed, please contact the Office of Disability Services to reserve appropriate space by calling 803/323-3290, or via e-mail. The Commencement Ceremonies will be video streamed on the web. There will be a link on the Winthrop University homepage on the day of Commencement with the link to the stream and instructions for optimal viewing. For more information regarding the May 2016 Commencement Ceremonies please visit our website.
If you have any questions please contact:
OFFICE OF RECORDS & REGISTRATION
126 TILLMAN HALL
ROCK HILL, SC 29733, USA
803/323-2194
803/323-4600 (FAX)
RecandReg@winthrop.edu
On Friday, April 8 in the Withers Student Activity Center, the Department of Residence Life's Seventh Annual WUCycle event contributes to the community by hosting a day where people can donate unwanted
(but still useful) items. You can then browse and take home any items you need — free
of charge. There is no obligation to bring something in order to take something, although
what we have to give depends on our donations. This is not just for students — faculty,
staff, family and community members are also welcome!
By bringing items to WUCycle, people are able to clear their home of items that have
no use to them, save money by finding things they do need, and local agencies may
be able to find supplies for the people they serve in the larger community. Student
teachers love WUCycle because of the classroom or craft supplies they might find!
Students in residence halls or apartments preparing to move find this an excellent
way to de-clutter before packing (or pick up kitchen supplies for their new place).
Those of us with garages, basements, and attics filled with "why do we still have
this?" items have a great opportunity to do some good for others while simplifying
our own possessions. (Ridding clutter can make you more focused, relaxed and productive!)
Schedule: Friday, April 8
8 a.m. — Noon
Unwanted items in good condition and not prohibited may be dropped off to the WUCycle
location. We can help you unpack your vehicle!
Noon — 4:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to browse for items they need. Items can still be dropped off
during this time. In the spirit of civility, we ask that you take only items you intend
to use.
5 p.m.
All unwanted items will be packed and donated to representatives of the Rock Hill
Dream Center.
Prohibited Items:
Perishable food (unopened non-perishable is accepted)
Alcohol and Drugs (of any kind including tobacco, all medicines, vitamins, etc.),
Weapons
Live animals (taxidermy is accepted)
Pornography
Undergarments
Items that are broken or unsafe to use
Open cans of house paint
Hazardous substances (flammable/highly combustible liquids and materials, poisons,
pesticides etc)
The end of the semester is quickly approaching, and we can't wait to share all of our exciting April events with your students! Don't miss out on all the great things Dining Services has to offer! Our Eats + Rewards Newsletter is a great way for students to stay informed on all things dining! We encourage both you and your student to sign up to receive these e-mails. To sign up visit our website and click the Eats + Rewards image.
Commuter students can begin choosing their meal plan for the fall 2016 semester on June, 15. We have six meal plans commuters may choose from — two being created specifically for commuters. To purchase, your student can log onto their Wingspan account and choose the meal plan of their choice — this will be charged to his or her student account. If you would like to pay it immediately, you can go to the Cashiers Office and pay — otherwise it will be placed on your next bill from the university. For more information please check our website and click on "Meal Plans" — if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dining Services at 803/323-2119.
We have enjoyed dining with you this Spring!
The Office of New Student and Family Programs is now on Facebook! Check out our Family Programs page for updates and information about what is going on here at Winthrop!
Friday, April 1 Relay for Life Wednesday, April 6 Early registration for fall 2016 classes begins
Saturday, April 9 Worldwide Winthrop Day
Monday, April 25 Last day of spring 2016 classes
Tuesday, April 26 Study Day
Wednesday, April 27 - Tuesday, May 3 Final exams
Thursday, May 5 Graduate Commencement
Saturday, May 7 Undergraduate Commencement
Monday, May 15 Maymester classes begin
Monday, May 30 Memorial Day
