March 2, 2011

Be on the Lookout, and Save the Date

The spring edition of the TENNESSEE Family magazine will be arriving in the next few days at your home. We hope you will take some time to look through this publication and see all the important information we've prepared for you this spring! Also, the Parents Association will be hosting an online chat on March 29, from 5:30-7:00 PM to provide more information about articles in the spring edition of TENNESSEE Family. Click here for more information on this upcoming chat.

First Session Spring Semester Courses End Today

First session spring courses end today, Wednesday, March 2, and second session spring courses begin tomorrow, Thursday, March 3. This important date only affects first and second session spring courses, and does not affect full term courses.

Spring Job Fair Today

The Spring Job Fair will be held TODAY from 2:00-6:00 PM in Thompson-Boling Arena. This event's primary focus is on graduating seniors seeking full-time employment. Students are encouraged to logon to Hire-A-Vol for a list of employers attending the fair, types of positions available, and desired majors. Students who attend should also dress professionally and bring multiple copies of their resume. Encourage your student to visit the Career Services website for more information and resume assistance.

Spring 2011 Co-op Engineering Fair

The Spring 2011 Co-op Engineering Fair will be held in the University Center on Thursday, March 3, from 4:00-7:00 PM. Engineering students interested in co-op opportunities or internships will be able to meet with company representatives and may have the opportunity to interview with organizations on the fair's Interview Day on March 4. Click here for more information.

New DARS Reports Available on Banner

Last week, students received an email regarding the new Banner Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS). A DARS report shows your student all courses required for graduation and which requirements have been completed, are in-progress, and those yet to be completed for his or her particular major. It is important for your student to check DARS periodically throughout their college career.

The new DARS (offered through Banner) replaces the previous version of DARS (offered through Circle Park Online). Encourage your student to reference a DARS report soon to check his or her progress through their major. Students may reference the MyUTK Portal for more information on the new system. Students should contact their college's advising center or dean's office with questions about the new DARS report or contact the Office of the University Registrar at (865) 974-2101 or [log in to unmask].

Updates from Volunteer Dining

Is your student running low on Dining Dollars? If so, now is a great time to add them! Volunteer Dining is offering a bonus of 10% for every $100 added. This promotion runs now through March 11, 2011! Adding Dining Dollars is easy, just go to www.utdining.com and click on the Dining Dollar logo under the picture. You may also call (865) 974-7873 or email [log in to unmask] for more information.

Volunteer Dining is also introducing new One Swipe Meal Deals for Dinner at Smokey's in the University Center. For example at Tortilla Fresca, anyone on a Meal Plan can get a burrito, chips and queso and a fountain beverage for one meal plan swipe. The a la carte price for this combo is over $8!

Spring Break, March 14-18

Spring Break will be March 14-18, 2011. No classes will be held during Spring Break, and campus residence halls will close at 12:00 PM on Saturday, March 12, and will reopen at 1:00 PM on Sunday, March 20. Also, the last day for Campus Dining meal plans before Spring Break is Friday, March 11; meal plan will resume on Monday, March 21. However, the university will be open during Spring Break with campus offices operating on a normal schedule.

UT to West Tennessee

The Office of the Dean of Students is sponsoring the "UT to West Tennessee," a program designed to provide assistance to students in need of transportation back home to Memphis or Jackson, TN, over Spring Break. Tickets are on sale now for $25 at the UC Ticket Office. Please bring only cash. Ticket sales end Friday, March 4. There will be limited seating and tickets are first come, first served. For more information, please click here.

UT Chancellor's Honors Program

UT Honors Ambassadors help recruit top academic students to the UT Chancellor's Honors program. Rising Honors sophomores can apply to speak at Alumni Network parties, assist with Honors Invitationals, host prospective Honors student tours, work with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and more. Applications are available in the Melrose Honors Lounge and are due on Friday, March 11. For questions, email [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask].

Baker Policy Scholar Application Deadline Extended

The deadline for applying to become a Baker Policy Scholar has been extended to March 11, 2011. Rising UT juniors and seniors from all academic majors are eligible to apply for annual Baker Policy Scholar appointments with the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy. Scholars conduct research and assist the Baker Center in its role as a "think tank" for generating innovative ideas and publishing best practices for application in the world of public policy. Click here for the application and for more information.

UT Issues Committee Membership Drive

The UT Issues Committee is now accepting membership applications. The committee seeks to bring interesting and informative issues to campus, and is the group responsible for bringing Noam Chomsky, Ralph Nader, Jeff Corwin and other speakers to campus. Applications are due to the Office of Student Activities (UC Room 305) by Thursday, March 10 at 5:00 PM. Click here for the application and for more information.

Emergency Notification Information - UT Alert

UT uses a variety of methods to promote a safe campus community. These methods will be highlighted in the coming weekly emails. One method is the UT Alert System, which sends immediate action notifications to your student. This service is provided at no cost; however, your student's cell provider may charge to receive messages via their cell phone. Students must register their mobile phone and/or email to receive the notifications. Messages may be sent through text and/or email depending on what your student indicates when they register. For more information on the UT Alert System and how to sign up, click here.

Iraq's Ambassador to U.S. to Speak at UT

Samir Shakir Mahmood Sumaida'ie, Iraq's ambassador to the U.S. since 2006, will be speaking at UT on March 4, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy. Registration is closed, but the event will be webcast here on March 4.

Ralph Nader to Speak at UT

The Central Program Council Issues Committee presents Ralph Nader at the Cox Auditorium, Alumni Memorial Building on Wednesday, March 9 at 7:30 PM. This event is free and open to the public, and limited seating is available. Doors open at 6:00 PM for students with a UT ID and doors open at 7:10 PM for the public. For information on this event or to arrange for disability accommodations, please call the Office of Student Activities at (865) 974-5455 or click here.

Love Your Libraries Fun Run

The 19th annual "Love Your Libraries" Fun Run is a 5K race and fun walk will take place Saturday, March 5, 2011. The entry fee is $10 for students and registration is from 6:45 to 7:45 AM in Circle Park on the UT campus, and the 5K race and one-mile fun walk begin at 8:00 AM. The event is sponsored by Comcast and hosted by the University of Tennessee Graduate Student Senate. Awards and t-shirts will be available and all proceeds benefit the University of Tennessee Libraries.

The Merry Wives of Windsor at Clarence Brown Theatre

Witness the mayhem as Sir John Falstaff, Shakespeare's saucy womanizer, gets what he deserves at the hands of The Merry Wives of Windsor playing now through March 13 on the main stage of the Clarence Brown Theatre, located on campus. Click here for more information.

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

March 2: First Session Spring Classes End

March 2: Career Services Spring Job Fair

March 3: Second Session Spring Classes Begin

March 3-4: Career Services Co-op Engineering Fair

March 7: Last Day to Add, Change Grading Options or Drop without a "W" (Second Session Courses)

March 7-11: University Housing 2011-2012 Room Selection

March 9: Career Services Education Job Fair

March 11: Last Day for Campus Dining Meal Plans Before Spring Break

March 12: Residence Halls Close at 12:00 PM for Spring Break

March 14-18: Spring Break

March 20: Residence Halls Reopen at 1:00 PM

March 21: Last Day to drop with a "W" (Full Term Courses)

March 21: Campus Dining Meal Plans Resume

April 1: Last Day to drop with a "W" (Second Session Courses)

April 1: Parents Association Academic, Leadership, and Service Scholarships Applications Available

April 5: Last Day to drop with a "WP/WF" grade (Full Term Courses)

April 22: Spring Recess (No Classes)

April 29: Last Day of Spring 2011 Classes (Full and Second Session Courses)

April 29: Deadline for Total Withdraw from the University

April 29: Fall 2011 Undergraduate Graduation Application Deadline

May 2: Study Day (No Classes)

May 3-6, 9-10: Exams

May 11: Mini Session Begins

May 11-13: University College Commencement Ceremonies

May 12: Graduate Hooding