Homecoming at Winthrop is an important part of the spirit and tradition of the University,
involving students, faculty, staff, alumni and you, as a Winthrop parent or family
member. We are extremely excited for this year's Homecoming week, November 9-14, themed,
HOMECOMING 2015: New York, New York: A Winthrop State of Mind. The Student Homecoming
Committee is constantly working to improve Homecoming events and this year has added
a brand new signature program we would like to highlight. The week will kick off with
Paint the Town Garnet and Gold as we show our Eagle pride around campus, painting
the windows of DIGS and the West Center Garnet and Gold. One of the other highlights
in the Homecoming Concert. The Homecoming concert is scheduled for Friday, November
13. Advance tickets are available for purchase online. You may visit our Homecoming
webpage to view the entire line up of events.
It is through these new initiatives that we hope to generate more student involvement
and promote the importance of school pride. The Homecoming Committee is dedicated
to jolting such an effort, and believes parents and family members have a place in
helping to continue the traditions of Homecoming at Winthrop, and encouraging your
student to take advantage of an important experience in their college lives. We encourage
you as a Winthrop parent or family member to support these events and help to establish
and build those traditions of which we are so fond and proud.
I am pleased to share with you the Fall 2015 Winthrop Magazine. This electronic version complements the printed magazine that you may have received
at your home address. I hope you will enjoy the videos and other interactive elements
that the electronic version makes possible.
In this edition, you will read about individuals who embody the Winthrop experience
— inquisitive undergraduate researchers and their dedicated faculty mentors, a first-generation
graduate who rewrote the educational expectations for his family, an accomplished
student-athlete with record-setting talent, and an outstanding faculty member who
has reinvented herself within and outside of the classroom.
You also will learn about Winthrop's traditions, past and present, as well as find
out more about me, my family and my vision for Winthrop.
I encourage you to explore the magazine by clicking on the link above or graphic below.
Please share the magazine with anyone who may be interested in all that is happening
at Winthrop University today.
Sincerely,
Daniel F. Mahony
President
College is a time when many students begin to experience mental health problems for
the first time. Parents, do not freak out.
A mental health problem is very similar to a physical health problem — it's a medical
state of a person's brain chemistry that leads to an identifiable and common set of
symptoms. Counseling Services exists in partnership with Health Services because
we both contribute to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of whole person health.
At Counseling Services, we're seeing two big themes in recent semesters, Anxiety and
Depression. Now, there are all kinds of subtleties and different diagnoses in each
student's individual experience of anxiety or depression, but as a rule of thumb,
if you're seeing any of these symptoms in your student, it would be a good idea to
help him or her get some relief!
Anxiety:
Excessive worry, racing worried thoughts
Can't control the worry
Feeling restless or keyed up
Easily fatigued
Can't concentrate, mind goes blank
Irritability
Muscle tension — physical aches and pains, headaches
Can't fall asleep or stay asleep, wake up not rested
Depression:
Depressed mood
Little or no interest in enjoyable activities — almost like they can't feel enjoyment
Significant weight loss or gain
Can't sleep or too much sleep
Really agitated and irritable or really slowed down
Tired all the time; no energy
Worthlessness or guilty feelings
Can't concentrate or think clearly
Thoughts about death or suicidal thoughts
Counseling Services is located in the Crawford Building. We're staffed by licensed
staff counselors, psychologists, and social Workers as well as supervised graduate
students in training to be the next generation of mental health professionals. We
offer registered Winthrop students short term counseling (8-12 sessions/academic year)
on an individual, couple, or group basis. Every day, we offer intake appointments
(for new clients) and same day appointments (for new or existing clients in urgent
need) on a first-come, first-serve basis. Even if these appointments are full, a
student in need will at least touch base with a counselor by phone that day.
Feel free to contact me or any of the other counselors on our staff with questions
or concerns about your student. We welcome calls from parents. We may not be able
to offer specific information due to confidentiality laws, but we are more than happy
to share general advice and guidance regarding next steps.
Dr. Gretchen Baldwin
Psychologist, Clinical Coordinator for Counseling Services
Center for Student Wellness
217 Crawford Building
803/323-2206
www.winthrop.edu/csw
It's getting colder here in the South! Wintertime is generally regarded as the time
of year when you are destined to feel under the weather. We want to make sure your
student continues to stay healthy during these winter months. Fruits, vegetables,
complex carbohydrates, and protein give us the necessary fuel to feel well and energetic.
It is vital your student also understands the importance of washing his or her hands.
We have anti-bacterial stations at all dining locations on campus — please stress
to your student the importance of using these stations before and after eating!
It is also important that your student stays healthy for finals! Don't forget the
brain food. Make sure your student eats properly during finals week! A $100 Caf Cash
reload should get them through! You can add Caf Cash immediately to their account
by going to the dining website.
By now your student is getting the flow of things here at Winthrop University — how
everything works, and what they would like to see improved or stay the same! We would
love to have their feedback at our Dining Services Advisory Board meetings, which
take place every month in Thomson Hall. This is a time we like to hear student's feedback
on dining services at Winthrop. We offer free lunch to all students that join the
meeting and a Caf Cash drawing. Our next meeting is November 11 at 11:30 a.m., in
the Upper East Thomson conference room. If your student has any requests, let them
know to stop by!
Happy Holidays from Dining Services!
Winthrop University's December 2015 Commencement Ceremony exercises is scheduled for
Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Winthrop Coliseum. All August 2015
and December 2015 graduates are invited to participate! The procession will begin
promptly at 10:50 a.m.
Degree candidates should report to the check-in area, located just inside the north
entrance of the coliseum, in academic cap and gown by no later than 9:30 a.m. 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 by 10:40 a.m. 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.
The commencement ceremony 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 December 2015 Commencement Ceremony 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
As with every extended break, residence halls will close for the Thanksgiving holiday
promptly at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2 and will reopen at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November
29. Students will not be allowed to enter their residence hall room after the 9 a.m.
closing.
As students depart, residence hall staff will check every room for general health
and safety. These inspections are plain view searches. Staff will be checking for
prohibited items including fire hazards (extension cords, candles, etc.) and will
also check the general cleanliness of the room and suite bathrooms. Residence hall
contracts state that health and safety inspections periodically occur.
Special arrangements for students to stay can be made for those students who are student
teachers, participating in an internship, athletes whose names have been submitted
by the Athletic Department, students with Rock Hill area jobs, and students that live
more than 300 miles from the Winthrop campus.
A Break Stay form, which is passed out to all students with more instructions, must
be returned to Residence Life. Students who are staying for the holiday break must
make their own arrangements to stay in Lee Wicker, Phelps, Richardson, Roddey or The
Courtyard, if not currently assigned. All other halls will be closed.
All approved students will receive a permission form that they must keep throughout
the break. Students are not allowed to have room guests during the break. Students
are able to call their Residential Learning Coordinator (RLC) or Residence Life at
803/323-2223 with further questions.
Wednesday - Sunday, November 25-29
Thanksgiving Holidays (26-27, offices closed)
