December 20, 2010

Happy Holidays from the Parents Association!

The Parents Association thanks our members for your continued inVOLvement as valued members of the UT family. This is the last email from the Parents Association prior to the University's closure during Winter Break. Thank you for allowing us to serve you. Regular weekly emails will resume on Wednesday, January 5, 2011. We look forward to continuing to serve the parents, families, and friends of the University of Tennessee in 2011.

Convert Your Annual Membership for a Discounted Rate

Annual Members, there's still time to convert your membership to a Career Membership at a discounted rate of $85. Conversion will be $100 after Dec. 31, 2010. Call the office of the Parents Association now to convert your membership over the phone with a credit card with one of our staff members. If you prefer, you may also visit http://parents.utk.edu and click on "Discounted Membership Conversion" section to print the mailable conversion form. Mailed forms must be postmarked by December 31, 2010. Conversion is an efficient way to continue receiving the benefits and services of membership as long as your student is enrolled as an undergraduate at UT.

Still Time to Make a Tax-deductible Gift

In 2010, parents just like you have given nearly $80,000 to support student scholarships and programs for students and parents. Thank you! There is still time to get 2010 tax credit by supporting the University of Tennessee and the Parents & Families Fund. Call our office at (865) 974-4546 now to give over the phone, or click here for more information and to give online.

Spring 2011 Payment and Confirmation Deadline

The payment and confirmation of attendance due date for Spring Semester is Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 4:30 PM. All students are required to set their Confirmation of Attendance to "YES" and make a 50% payment by the due date or their schedule will be canceled. Even if the fees are discounted or fully paid by a fee waiver, your student is still responsible for setting their Confirmation of Attendance to "YES"; otherwise their schedule will be canceled.

Weekly emails from the Parents Association

Recently, our office staff have received a number of calls and emails with questions on campus policies and procedures as the fall semester ended. In an effort to be proactive, the Parents Association includes information in weekly emails about policies, procedures, safety information, etc. Over the past eight weeks, Parents Association weekly emails have covered a wide range of important topics relating to academics, grading, policies, events, and campus news. Since November 1, 2010 Parents Association communications have covered the following:

• Spring 2011 payment and confirmation of attendance deadline (Dec. 1, 15)
• Residence halls and meal plan information for spring semester (Dec. 1, 15)
• Spring 2011 VolXpress E-statements (Statements of student charges and fees) (Nov. 17)
• Academic concerns & the Student Success Center (Dec. 15)
• Circle Park Online and the switch to Banner (student grades and registration) (Nov. 10, Dec. 8)
• Spring course registration information (Nov. 10)
• Final exam schedule (Nov. 17; Dec. 1)
• Library hours & tutoring options during exams (Dec. 1)
• Course grading options (CNC, A-F, SNC, etc.) (Dec. 1, 8)
• Registration deadlines for fall and spring semester (Nov. 3, 10, 17, 23; Dec. 15)
• Numerous internship, involvement, support, and engagement opportunities for students (Nov. 3, 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8)

If you have any questions about information above, contact our office at (865) 974-4546 or email [log in to unmask] or reference one of the emails above.

Looking Ahead: Spring Semester Course Grading Options

Each course at the University of Tennessee is graded on a scale specified by the grading option selected at the beginning of each semester. When students register for courses, each course specifies a grading option: A-F, CNC, or SNC. Grading options like CNC and SNC are available primarily in entry-level courses and are designed to help students build a strong GPA in their first college courses.

• Courses with the grading option of A-F are traditionally graded, and each possible grade will impact the GPA.
• Courses with the "CNC" grading option are graded such that a grade of "C" or better will impact the GPA, and will count as class credit. A grade below "C" will count as a "No Credit", and will not impact the GPA.
• Courses with the "SNC" grading option are graded such that a grade of "C" or better will count as credit for the course, and will be reflected as "S". A grade below "C" will count as "No Credit". Neither "S", nor "NC" will impact a student's GPA.

For a full explanation of grading options, grades, and course marks, click here.

50 Years of African American Achievement Kick-Off Event

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is proud to announce that it will begin a yearlong celebration of African American Achievement Campus Wide! On January 4, 1961, Theotis Robinson, Charles Edgar Blair, and Willie Mae Gillespie, gained admittance and began classes. Please join the University Community on January 11, 2011, at 10:30 AM at the Volunteer Statue (Torchbearer) for the beginning of the celebration. The event will begin with a march from the Volunteer Statue to the newly renovated Ayres Hall. The keynote speaker will be UT Graduate and Olympic Gold Medalist, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley. For more information, email [log in to unmask].

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

Important Dates

December 24-31: University Closed for Winter Break

January 1: First Day to Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for Fall 2011

January 9: Residence Halls Open at 1:00 PM

January 10: Campus Dining Spring Meal Plan Begins

January 11: Spring 2011 Payment and Schedule Confirmation Due at 4:30 PM

January 12: Full and First Session Spring 2011 Semester Classes Begin

January 17: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (No Classes)

January 18: Last Day to Add, Change Grading Options, or Drop without a Grade of "W" (First Session Spring Courses)

January 19: Direct Deposit of Excess Financial Aid Sent to Students' Designated Bank Accounts

January 21: Last Day to Add, Change Grading Options, or Drop without a "W" (Full Session Spring Courses)

February 1: Priority Application Date for Academic Scholarships for Returning and Transfer Students (Fall 2011)

February 1: First Day to Apply for Summer 2011 Financial Aid

February 1: Parents Association International Scholarship Applications Available Online