August 3, 2011

Family Weekend Registration Now Underway

Join more than 1800 people who are already registered for Family Weekend! For a complete schedule of events and for more information about Family Weekend, visit http://parents.utk.edu/weekend/. To register for Family Weekend, click here.

Family Weekend Silent Auction

The Parents Association is counting on support of Parents Association members just like you to make this year's Silent Auction a success! Items such as original art, gift baskets, sports memorabilia, and vacation packages at hotels and condominiums have already been donated by members. Remember, nothing is too big or small! We ask that you contact our office at either [log in to unmask] or (865) 974-4546 to let us know if you're willing to donate an item. Then, bring the item(s) with you to campus during move-in weekend August 13 and 14. Click here for more information on the 2011 Family Weekend Silent Auction.

Hotel Discounts for Members

One of the many benefits of being a Parents Association member is being eligible for exclusive local hotel discounts. Whether you are coming to Knoxville Move-in Weekend, Family Weekend, or just a visit, hotel discounts are a great way to save money. Participating hotels are listed on the Parents Association website. Please view the website and details for each property and how to get the discount.

Parents Association at Move-In Weekend

The Parents Association will be available on Saturday, August 13 in Presidential Courtyard from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM to assist parents and families during Move-In Weekend. Stop by the Parents Association tent for answers to questions and information about move-in, getting situated on campus, and Welcome Week activities.

Upcoming Summer Send-Offs

UT Summer Send-Off events are great ways for all students, especially incoming freshmen, to meet classmates and other students attending the University of Tennessee. Send-Off events are also a way to meet local alumni who can be a resource for students during and after college. Visit http://parents.utk.edu/sendoff for more information. This weekend's Send-Offs include:

• Louisville, KY - Thursday, August 4 from 7:00-9:00 PM
• Sullivan County, TN - Thursday, August 4 from 6:00-7:30 PM
• Raleigh/Durham, NC - Saturday, August 6 at 12:30 PM
• Atlanta, GA area - Saturday, August 6 from 4:00-6:00 PM
• Lawrence County, TN - Saturday, August 6 from 5:00-7:00 PM
• Chattanooga, TN area - Sunday, August 7 from 6:00-8:00 PM

Up-to-Date Move-in Information

Move-in for freshmen students who will be living in campus residence halls will begin on Saturday, August 13. Halls will open to Freshmen Women at 8:00 AM and to Freshmen Men at 2:00 PM. Upperclassmen may move into Apartment Residence Hall, Volunteer Hall, and Laurel Hall (non-Greek floors) between 2:00 & 10:00 PM on Wednesday & Thursday, August 10 & 11. Greek women can move into Laurel Hall beginning Thursday, August 11 (move-in times depend on individual sorority). Click here for more information. On Move-in day, proceed to your student's residence hall where staff and police will direct you to unloading and parking. If you have a dolly or pull cart for opening day and basic hand tools (screwdrivers, wrench, etc.), having them on hand for move-in can be very beneficial.

Reminder: Fall 2011 Fee Payment Deadline Approaching

The Fall 2011 Fee Payment and Confirmation of Attendance deadline is 4:30 PM on Monday, August 15, 2011. On August 2, the Bursar's Office notified students who priority registered via email that Fall 2011 VolXpress E-Statements were available. Your student can print a copy of his or her VolXpress E-Statement or forward the statement to you or a third party.

The UT Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is currently renewing HOPE Scholarships for the Fall 2011 semester, and awards for eligible students should be posted to student accounts prior to the August 15, 2011 payment due date.  Please check your account on the MYUTK Portal for updates. If your student did not receive his or her E-Statement, he or she may click here to log in and view the statement online. For the most up to date information on your student's charges and fees, students can log in and view their VolXpress Statement on MyUTK. Also, click here to visit the Bursar's Office website for more information on bill pay and student charges and fees.

The ABC's of Packing for College

Do you have questions about what your student should bring to campus for move-in weekend? The Parents Association has developed "The ABC's of Packing" to help you and your student know what exactly to bring. Click here to view the list.

Spring 2012 Graduation Application Deadline

If your student plans to graduate in May (Spring) or August (Summer) 2012, he or she can now apply for graduation online by visiting the "UTK Student Academic Links" in MyUTK. The deadline for students to apply to graduate in Spring 2012 is August 9, 2011, and in Summer 2012 is November 29, 2011. It is very important that your student's profile information is up-to-date before he or she submits a graduation application. Direct questions to the Office of the University Registrar at (865) 974-1111.

First Year Studies Life of the Mind Book Program

First Year Studies (FYS) 100 and Life of the Mind, UT's common reading program, gives incoming freshmen their first shared academic experience with the UT Community. This year's selection, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, tells of an African-American woman in the 1950s whose cervical cancer cells were taken during a biopsy and cultured without her knowledge or permission.

All First-Year students will read the book and submit a creative response to Blackboard, which is due August 5 before classes begin. During Welcome Week they will attend a presentation by the author and then have a small group discussion. How can you help prepare your student? Remind them to visit Blackboard and check out the FYS 100 site. There they will be able to complete other FYS 100 activities and find out their Welcome Week Group number.

Ignite Teams for Incoming Freshmen

Each fall, the Student Orientation and Leadership Development (SOLD) office hosts the Ignite Teams program for incoming freshmen. Ignite Teams is an 8-week program to help freshman students network with each other, as well as learn about UT, its involvement opportunities, and its traditions. The Ignite Teams program has become an invaluable asset to students in their first semester at UT, helping students to explore different opportunities at UT, further their leadership potential, and meet new people each week. For more information on Ignite Teams, click here.

Student Employment Opportunities

The Office of Disability Services is looking for qualified individuals to take classroom notes. If your student is interested in becoming a note taker, he or she can earn $8.25 an hour. Interested students should email [log in to unmask].

Parking Permits and Information

Fall parking permits are on sale now. Permits are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have questions about which permit to buy, click here to view parking FAQs or contact Parking and Transit services. Parking Permits will also be on sale in the University Center August 13-17. Parking and Transit Services will be open for parking permit sales August 12, 15, 16, and 17 from 8:00 AM-4:00 PM and on Saturday, August 13, from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM and on Sunday, August 14, from 1:00-4:00 PM in the University Center Ballroom. Please note: Fraternity tags parking passes will be available at the above hours in room 24 of the University Center. Click here to view a map of campus parking areas.

UT and ESSEC Host Global Supply Chain Forum in Europe

The Global Supply Chain Institute at UT Knoxville and the ESSEC Business School are two of the world's supply chain academic powerhouses. The two co-founded a groundbreaking event in the European Union (EU) supply chain community. In June the two groups hosted Europe's first Global Supply Chain Forum for supply chain executives and academics in Paris, France. To view the full article, click here.

UT Knoxville Hosts Emergency Management Conference

Emergency personnel from Southeastern Conference universities met on the UT Knoxville campus last week for the Police Chief and Emergency Manager Conference. The two-day conference was the first of its kind, and brought together thirty emergency management professionals from all twelve of the SEC schools. To view the full article, click here.

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

August 3: Fall 2011 VolXpress E-statements Available Online

August 9: Full and Second Session Summer 2011 Classes End

August 9: Spring 2012 Graduation Application Deadline

August 10: Volunteer Hall, Apartment Residence Hall, & Laurel Hall (non-Greek floors) open for upperclass students (2:00-10:00 PM)

August 11-12: Sorority Women Move-in to Laurel Hall (time dependent on individual sorority)

August 12: Learning Communities Move-in

August 13: Sorority Recruitment Begins

August 13-14: University Housing General Move-In Weekend

August 15: Fall 2011 Payment and Schedule Confirmation Due at 4:30 PM

August 15: Campus Dining Fall Meal Plan Begins

August 15-20: Welcome Week Activities

August 17: Summer Graduation Date

August 17: Fall 2011 Semester Classes Begin

August 21: Interfraternity Council Recruitment Begins

August 22: Last Day to Add, Change Grading Options, or Drop Without a Grade of "W" (First Session Fall Courses)

August 23: Direct Deposit of Excess Financial Aid sent to Students' Designated Bank Accounts

August 24: Career Services Part-time Job Fair

August 26: Last Day to Final Register, Add, Change Grading Options or Drop Without a Grade of "W" (Full Term Fall Courses)

September 9-11: 2011 Fall Family Weekend

September 29-30: Fall Break