Winthrop is committed to supporting student success, and one way to do that is to
communicate with students in an intentional way about their class progress. In about
a month, most students will be receiving interim grades (also known as "mid-term"
grades). These grades are a guideline to assist students and advisors in assessing
where the student is at that particular point in the semester. Students at-risk can
be referred to the Academic Success Center (ASC) while high-performing students can be steered towards the Honors Program.
Students can access their interim grades for classes that meet the whole semester
through the online portal, Wingspan, beginning February 29. Interim grades do not appear on a transcript (unofficial
or official), and students should keep in mind that their grade is only reflective
of the amount of graded work done in the class up to that point. Most often, there
is plenty of time to bring up a low grade. If not, students have time to consult with
the instructor, advisor, or other support unit about whether to withdraw from the
class. The last day to withdraw with a N from a class and/or elect the S/U option
is March 9.
Students with questions about their interim grades should confer directly with their
instructors. The ASC can also assist students with academic questions or concerns.
Roll the dice and encourage your student to sign up to attend the Game of L.I.F.T. on February 20, Winthrop's Annual Leadership Conference. Planned by students for students, this one-day leadership conference held on campus is open to any Winthrop student to attend. All students interested in attending must register by February 5 online at www.winthrop.edu/student-engagement-and-diversity. The conference is free as long as students register and show up. Highlights of the conference include national keynote speaker Pete Mockaitis, who will speak on "Why Must I Be Surrounded by Idiots" and "Student Leader Frustrations". Students will then be able to pick from 15 other sessions. The 15 other sessions are presented by a mix of student life staff, faculty, student leaders and community members. Students have the opportunity to choose what they want to learn more about for them to improve their leadership.
If your student can't make it to the L.I.F.T. Conference, the Office of Student Engagement & Diversity will be offering a Charge Up Your Leadership Series Monday nights at 5:30 p.m. in the DiGiorgio Campus Center during the month of February. Charge Up Your Leadership allows students a weekly opportunity to improve their leadership skills. If a student attends three out of five sessions, they will be eligible to win a backup battery pack for their mobile device. Topics presented in the series include team building, communication, event planning, conflict management and being an ethical leader. If you or your student have any questions about leadership development opportunities please contact Patricia Riley, assistant director of student activities at rileyp@winthrop.edu.
Winthrop University has a strong history and tradition of embracing the ideals of
Martin Luther King Jr. Since 2000, Winthrop University has reserved MLK Day as a day
of celebration, remembrance, and service. It has evolved into a campuswide event sponsored
by various departments and organizations. Without a doubt, the university's values
of service, excellence, diversity, community and leadership are fostered and developed
through this initiative. Every year we have a great turnout of students, faculty and
staff for the MLK Day service projects. Within the last three years we have had an
average of 230 students participating, contributing around five hundred service hours
annually to various old and new community partners. Last year the MLK Day of Service
groups were comprised of individuals across a multitude of organizations on campus.
Students commented that one aspect they liked about the event was that it enabled
them to meet new people and serve with other students they otherwise may not interact
with. To further embrace diversity within our community, we collaborate with other
institutions of education, including Clinton Junior College and York Technical College.
This is another way for us to embrace diversity, promote service and create a sense
of community within the Rock Hill area.
All of the volunteers participating in our 2016 day of service were randomly assigned
to one of four projects. Through this exercise, students addressed local community
needs while engaging with people who come from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
Students learned new ways of problem solving as they navigated the service with their
teams. By asking students to step outside of their comfort zones, we hope to increase
awareness and encourage students to see their community and fellow students in a new
light. Thus, Winthrop and our participating community partners have become an active
part of a national movement that aims to empower individuals to overcome barriers
and build strong, healthy futures.
On behalf of our objective to always spread unity and tolerance, we have made an effort
to advertise for both volunteers and student leader positions in all areas of campus.
This especially includes the Center for Disability Services, which is adjacent to our Center for Career Development and Internships Office. All of our project sites had components that allow for students of all abilities
to actively participate.
It is apparent that our students and their enthusiasm are what make MLK Day of Service
so successful every year. However, they are much more than just volunteers. About
30 student leaders were selected this year to recruit participants, help with planning,
lead their groups in service and reflection, and spread morale. This MLK Day of Service
is an extension of our office where we firmly believe in the power of service. By
extending new partnerships and continuing to support community organizations, as well
as fostering volunteer opportunities full of tolerance and learning, Winthrop University's
legacy of service will continue to hold strong.
Recreational Services is housed in the Louis Rhame West Center. The West Center contains a 36- foot climbing wall, four racquetball courts, 25-yard pool, four basketball courts, an 8,000 square foot weight room, 2,000 square feet of cardio space, and two aerobic/activity rooms. Recreational Services is known for diverse programs, such as, fitness, aquatics, intramurals, and club sports, that accommodates students, faculty/staff, and West Center members.
The fitness program incorporates something for everyone that meets your needs; whether you enjoy working out in a group setting or working out individually. If you enjoy comradery, group fitness gives that "team" feeling. We offer 31 group fitness classes with various formats that accommodate all fitness levels. An example of some classes we offer include, Yoga + Zen, WU FIT, Aqua Tone, and Tabata n' Box. If you enjoy working out individually but don't know where to begin your fitness journey, a certified Personal Trainer will help design a personalized workout to help you reach your fitness goals.
The Aquatics program offers private swim lessons year round for all ages, as well as summer swim lessons for children ages 3-15. Recreational lap swimming and Group Fitness classes such as Aqua Tone, which is a low impact class that features a heart-pounding cardiovascular and strengthening workout, are popular with our West Center members. The pool offers eight lanes and ranges from four feet to 13 feet.
There are approximately 1,100 students that participate in intramural sports throughout
the year at least one time. We offer most of the major sports here at Winthrop including
flag football, soccer, basketball, and softball; we also offer volleyball, dodge ball,
racquetball, and kickball. These sports are played a maximum of two times per week
Monday through Thursday after 6 p.m. Intramural sports are intended to be played as
a recreational sport for all playing levels. Intramurals allows students to interact
with others on campus as well as compete in friendly competition with friends.
For those students who have more of an investment in the sports they played while
in high school, Winthrop offers a variety of club sports that are student-run organizations.
These clubs have regularly scheduled practice times (or meetings for clubs that don't
practice; i.e. skydiving club) that require more of a commitment from the students.
Anybody can join a club sport and all are encouraged if they desire to learn a sport.
Above all, intramural and club sports encourage participation and sportsmanship as
they are key values within our department here at Winthrop University.
For more information check out the links below:
Facebook Page; Website
You have made it to the spring semester! We have lots of exciting things going on
this semester!
We have added a To Go option in Thomson Caf! This option helps students with busy
schedules get the most out of their meal plan by allowing them to use their meals
whenever it is most convenient for them.
It's a new semester and commuter students still have time to purchase a meal plan!
We still have six meal plans commuters may choose from — two being created specifically
for commuters. To purchase, your student can log onto to his or her Wingspan account
and choose the Meal Plan of his or her choice — this will be charged to the student's
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.
As an extra incentive, we are running a Welcome Back Commuter special! From January 11 to February 11 we will add an extra $100 when you upgrade to Commuter Ultimate,
Gold, Silver or Eagle meal plans or we will add an extra $50 of Caf Cash when you
purchase a Commuter 50 meal plan. For more information please check our website www.winthrop.edu/dining and click on "Meal Plans" — if you have any questions, please feel free to contact
Dining Services at 803/323-2119.
Hope to see you dining on campus this spring!
Sunday, February 7
Superbowl Watch Party 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. in DiGiorgio Campus Center (Richardson Ballroom B)
Monday, February 29
Interim grades become available through Wingspan
