January 20, 2010

Spring Family Weekend Registration Begins TODAY Online

The 2010 Spring Family Weekend event will be February 26-28. Registration for Spring Family Weekend begins today, Wednesday, January 20, 2010. In order to register online, you will need your family's Member ID. Only a limited number of tickets are available, and packages are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to log on and register today, so you and your family don't miss out on this fun-filled weekend!

Family Weekend programming will include a Family Weekend Brunch with the Provost, SEC showdown with the UT vs. Kentucky men's basketball game on Saturday and the UT Lady Vols vs. Ole Miss women's basketball game on Sunday, the Family Weekend Dinner at Calhoun's on the River, and a Knoxville Ice Bears hockey game, a play at Clarence Brown Theatre and so much more!

For more information and a schedule of events, please visit the Spring Family Weekend information page.

Returning and Transfer Student Scholarships

The University of Tennessee offers several campus-wide academic and need-based scholarships each year to current students. It is a way to recognize students who achieve academic success or have unforeseen or exceptional financial needs. To apply for these opportunities, your student must submit the Continuing and Transfer Student Scholarship Application by February 1 each year. This application is available from the UT Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships website.

Student Alumni Associates Recruitment Underway

The Student Alumni Associates (SAA) is a campus group dedicated to enriching the relationship between UT students and alumni. This month is SAA's annual membership drive. Interest meetings will be held Thursday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 27 at the Tyson Alumni House (across from the library) at 5:00 PM. Applications are also available at the Tyson House and are due by noon on Friday, January 29, where applicants can sign up for an interview time. Click here for more information.

Study Abroad Fair

Encourage your student to learn about how to get started with the study abroad process by attending the Programs Abroad Office's Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM in the University Center Ballroom. Your student can find out about semester, academic year, summer and mini-term programs, explore summer internship options, meet students who have studied abroad and international students from around the world, speak with UTK faculty leading summer and mini-term programs abroad, and get information on scholarships, financial aid, and money matters. Students will also have the chance to talk to representatives from UTK advising centers about studying abroad in their college. Click here for more information.

Tennessee Apprentice Program

In 2009, the Office of Alumni Affairs began a new Tennessee tradition with the establishment of the Tennessee Apprentice Program. The program is a job shadowing opportunity that connects alumni with students who wish to learn more about a specific career field. The Program enables students to shadow alumni in Knoxville, in their hometowns, or in another city of their choice during March and April. Encourage your student to visit the website for application information. Applications are due by January 29, 2010.

Baker Scholars Applications Available

The Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy is seeking high-achieving, rising juniors and seniors interested in public policy, politics, government and public service. Exceptional rising sophomores will be considered on a case by case basis with a very strong recommendation from a UT faculty member. Baker Scholars attend Baker Center events throughout the year and assist with promotion of these events to peers and faculty. The scholars also complete a project, prepare an end-of-the-year summary of the project and participate in the end-of-the-year Baker Scholar Symposium and celebration dinner. All applications are due at the Baker Center, 1640 Cumberland Ave., by 5 Pm on Monday, February 1. Applications are available on the Baker Center website. For more information, students should contact Gavin Luter at [log in to unmask] or by calling (865) 974-1462.

Campus Entertainment Board Seeking New Members

If your student would like to be involved in a diverse and involved group of students who plan and execute all kinds of campus events and entertainment, encourage him or her to apply to the Campus Entertainment Board. Applications are available online and are due by 5:00 PM on Monday, February 1 in the Student Activities Office.

Haiti Relief

Numerous UT students, faculty, and staff are raising money for humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti after last week's devastating earthquake. There will be a Red Cross Club fundraiser on Wednesday, January 20 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM in the University Center. On Friday, January 22, Delta Sigma Theta sorority will hold a fundraiser from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM on the Pedestrian Mall. The College of Nursing will be holding fundraisers throughout February.

Ambassadorial Lecture Series: Victor Ashe

On Tuesday, January 26, the Howard H. Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy will continue its Ambassadorial Lecture Series by hosting Victor Ashe, former Knoxville Mayor and Ambassador to Poland. The event is free and open to the public and will take place from 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM in the Baker Center's Toyota Auditorium and is titled "Eastern Europe's Role in the 21st Century." For more information, click here.

La Bottine Souriante

The Cultural Attractions Committee will present La Bottine Souriante on Tuesday, January 26. First appearing on the Quebec music scene in 1976, La Bottine Souriante is a living legend of French North American roots music. In over twenty five years, this remarkable group has released twelve albums, four of which are certified Gold and three certified Platinum. The group has developed a distinctive sound that successfully allies its homage to tradition with a dash of jazz, salsa and pure folk, while at the same time perfectly representing the symbol of vitality and pride of its mother culture. This event is from 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM in the Alumni Memorial Building. Admission is $5 for UT Students, $20 Faculty/Staff, and $25 for members of the community. For more information, click here.

Encourage Your Friends to Join the Parents Association

Do you have a friend or family member who has a freshman who will be attending UT in the fall? If so, encourage him or her to join the Parents Association. Parents and guardians can join the Parents Association online as part of Orientation registration now or by visiting our website at http://parents.utk.edu.

Next Parents Association Online Chat Scheduled

The Parents Association will be hosting an online chat for Parents AND students with the Programs Abroad Office to provide information about opportunities to study abroad. The online chat will take place Tuesday, February 2, 2010 from 6:00-7:30 PM. You (and your student) may access the chat from the News & Announcements section of the Undergraduate Admissions webpage at http://admissions.utk.edu. This chat will give you and your student a great opportunity to learn more about studying, travelling, or interning abroad. Information will also be available on Parents Association International Scholarships.

What You Should Know About FERPA

The method with which the University of Tennessee governs the distribution of student information is based on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, or FERPA. This Act established the requirements governing the privacy of student educational records in regards to the release of and access to those records. Education records covered under FERPA include, but are not limited to, transcripts, Degree Audit Reports, schedules of classes, class rolls, Academic History Reports, grades and rolls.

Recently, we have had several emails from parents with questions about FERPA. In short, FERPA provides for confidentiality of student records; therefore, parents of students may NOT have access to personally identifiable student records without the written consent of the student. UT has developed a website to help students, faculty, staff, and parents understand FERPA. Consent forms can also be downloaded by visiting the University's FERPA website. For more information, visit http://ferpa.utk.edu.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE PARENTS ASSOCIATION
412 STUDENT SERVICES BUILDING, KNOXVILLE, TN 37996
http://parents.utk.edu  ::  [log in to unmask]

Important Dates

January 20: Direct Deposit of Any Excess Financial Aid Sent to Students' Designated Bank Account

January 22: Last Day to Add, Change Grading Options, or Drop without a Grade of "W" (Full Term Spring Courses)

February 1: Parents Association International Scholarship Application Available Online

February 1: Priority Application Date for Academic Scholarships for Returning and Transfer Students (Fall 2010)

February 1: First Day to Apply for Summer 2010 Financial Aid

February 11: Last Day to Drop with a Grade of "W" (First Session Spring Courses)

February 19: Last Day to Drop with a Grade of "WP/WF" (First Session Courses)

February 26-27: Parents Association Spring Family Weekend

Address or email change?

Please let us know if you have recently changed, or are planning to change your mailing and/or email address. Just email us at [log in to unmask].

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