Dear Winthrop Parents & Families:
Winthrop University is a high quality university that embraces high impact practices
and the rigorous reviews associated with specialized academic accreditation. We are
proud of our safe campus environment, our integrated student services, and our award-winning
student programming. Through our residential life experiences and the hundreds of
leadership development opportunities that abound through student organizations, Greek
Life, student media, and the Council of Student Leaders, we have a campus culture
in which students demonstrate-inside and outside of the classroom-what it means to
be engaged in our democratic society. In doing so, we know they will develop the integrity
that makes them stand out as leaders in their communities and in their chosen professions.
Along with our dedicated faculty and staff, it is my privilege to welcome you into
the Winthrop University community at the start of your student's Winthrop experience.
We look forward to the journey ahead.
Sincerely,
Dr. Debra C. Boyd
Acting President
Welcome to a new academic year at Winthrop! The faculty and staff are excited to welcome
new and returning students back to our beautiful campus. For those family members
of continuing students, you may notice that our office name has changed from "Parent
Programs" to "Family Programs." We facilitated this name change over the summer to
better identify the population we serve and the programs our office supports throughout
the year. Due to this name change, please note that our e-mail address is now familyprograms@winthrop.edu.
At Winthrop, we understand that parents and family members are vital to their students'
academic and co-curricular success during their college career. You are valued members
of the Winthrop community. We are devoted to creating a culture of care in our University
community where everyone is dedicated to the well-being, education, and growth of
your student. We look forward to working with you through this academic year, keeping
you connected to the University, and informed of opportunities for your student.
Our office is here to be your connection to the University. We are happy to serve
as a point of connection for you through answering your questions or putting you in
touch with those who can. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions
you may have by e-mailing us at familyprograms@winthrop.edu or calling 803/323-2387.
All the best to you and your students as we begin the 2014-15 academic year. Go Eagles!
Carrie Whiteside
Director, New Student & Family Programs
In the fall of 1964 the first African American students came to Winthrop University. Fifty years later the University community will commemorate this milestone October 6 — 12, 2014. Campus and community partners have been working all summer to craft events and programs for the week. The signature event, Fulfilling the Promise Banquet, will be on Saturday, October 11. Tickets for the event will be available soon. Proceeds will go to the Cynthia P. Roddey Scholarship. Dr. Roddey was the first African American student to graduate from Winthrop University, and she continues to participate in University activities. Parents and families are welcome to attend the Fulfilling the Promise Banquet.
For more information, on the banquet and other events during this week, contact Kinyata Adams Brown at brownka@winthrop.edu.
Winthrop University and the Office of New Student and Family Programs is excited to invite you to attend Family Day 2014 on October 4, 2014! This weekend provides you the opportunity to visit with your student and take part in numerous activities and events planned for your enjoyment.
The registration fee for Family Day 2014 is $40 per person (children 6 and under are free). Your registration fee covers registration, the Family Day Lunch with the Symphonic Band, all other Winthrop sponsored activities, a Family Day giveaway, a Family Day t-shirt, and administrative costs.
Family Day 2014 registration is now available! You will need to enter your student's
last name and birth date to access the system. Once in the system, you will enter
information for each family member you are registering.
Please note that the last day to register or cancel for a refund is Friday, September
19, 2014.
We hope you will join us on October 4! Please do not hesitate to contact our office
at any time if you have any questions at 803/323-2387 or via e-mail at familyprograms@winthrop.edu.
Winthrop University Dining Services would like to extend a warm South Carolina welcome
to all new Winthrop Eagles! Dining Services is about providing a venue where the student
body comes together for socializing, being healthy, learning and eating great food!
Whether you are a new or returning student, parent, or guest, we are anxious to provide
you with an exceptional dining experience!
Meal Plans are available for everyone. Commuter Meal Plans offer a lower buy-in amount,
with fewer meals and more Cafe Cash. Commuters still have the option to choose one
of our traditional meal plans. To purchase, log on to your Winthrop Wingspan account
— this will be charged back to your student account (for a limited time only). If
you are a parent of a Commuter please refer to our website for current meal plan specials.
*Specials will run through September 5.
Caf Cash is a declining balance account on your Student ID card, same concept as a
bank debit card. Once you add Cafe Cash to your account, you can make purchases at
any of the Dining Services locations by presenting your ID card to the cashier at
the time of purchase. Cafe Cash can be used at all dining locations on campus, as
well as Eagle Express - our convenience store located in Thomson Hall and the Papa
Johns on Cherry Road. You can purchase Caf Cash through Winthrop Wingspan (for a limited
time only) or the Winthrop Dining Services website (throughout the entire year).
Caf Cash Special: Any student that purchases $200 or more of Caf Cash will receive
an additional 10% of their Caf Cash purchase FREE! (Ex. Buy $200 Caf Cash Receive
an additional $20 of Caf Cash free) *Special will run through September 5.
Bookstore Bucks are a declining balance account on your Student ID card as well, same
concept as the Caf Cash. However, Bookstore Bucks can only be used in the Bookstore.
They cannot be rolled over to Caf Cash or refunded. You can purchase this through
Winthrop Wingspan (for a limited time only) or the Winthrop Dining Services website
(throughout the entire year).
Please visit our dining website or follow us on Twitter and/or Instagram @winthropdining to learn more about the
great services we offer! We are excited to have you join the Winthrop Family! Hope
to see you dining on campus sometime soon.
Multicultural Student Life is now the Office of Diversity & Student Engagement
Winthrop has always been a place that welcomes and values diversity in all forms.
This past summer, the Office of Multicultural Student Life changed its name with the
idea in mind to reach more people. Now, when students, faculty, and staff see the
Office of Diversity and Student Engagement we hope that they see themselves. Regardless
of your ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ability, nationality,
or socioeconomics you are valued and respected. As our mission states: "we strongly
believe diversity enhances the Winthrop experience for students, faculty, and staff;
it is integral to the academic mission and prepares students for global citizenship.
Because of this, we enhance awareness, knowledge, and skills of all students through
diversity education, celebrating cultures, and promoting difference perspectives."
Our doors are always open. To learn more about what we do, visit us our website. Students will have the opportunity to join the Multicultural Student Council in
the beginning of the year. They can also visit the Multicultural Student Resource
Center in 247 DiGiorgio Campus Center to get connected.
Knowing what Winthrop University has to offer and getting involved will be a very
important factor in your student's success. With so much going on the first few weeks
of school, knowing where to start can seem impossible. However, Winthrop has many
involvement fairs going on in September to let your student know exactly what we have
to offer.
Our first fair in September is the Club Sports fair. The Club Sports Fair is an opportunity
for clubs to recruit new members, have demonstrations and talk about their related
club to new and current students on campus. The Club Sports Fair is on September 4,
2014. For more information about Winthrop's Club Sports, please visit www.winthrop.edu/recservices.
The next fair is the Student Involvement Fair. The Student Involvement Fair is the
perfect opportunity to see many of our clubs and organizations that are active on
campus. It is a one stop shop if your student want to get involved. The Student Involvement
Fair is on September 11, 2014. For more information about our clubs and organizations,
please visit the Student Engagement & Diversity website.
If your student is looking for any volunteer opportunities, encourage them to visit
the Volunteer Fair on September 16, 2014. The Volunteer Fair is the perfect opportunity
for any student wanting to give their time to better campus and the community. For
more information about volunteer opportunities, please visit www.winthrop.edu/cdi/volunteerdirectory.
Our last involvement fair for September is the Study Abroad Fair on September 25,
2014. It is never too early to start planning to study abroad. This fair is a great
opportunity whether your student wants to do a whole semester abroad or learn about
classes that take week-long trips abroad. For more information, please visit www.winthrop.edu/international.
We hope you will encourage your student to go to as many of these fairs as possible.
He or she may just find the perfect opportunity!
