October 5, 2011

October Question of the Month

The Parents Council wants to hear from you! The UT Parents Council is meeting on October 15-16 to discuss Parents Association communications, events, and fundraising efforts. Additionally, we would like to address any issues, topics or concerns related to students. Please click here to answer the Question of the Month for October!

Unexpected UTK Network Interruption

On Tuesday, October 4, at approximately 3:30 PM, an unexpected power outage in a campus office building caused a temporary network outage on the UTK campus. Systems such as UT email, Internet, wireless access and MyUTK were unavailable for a short time. Blackboard may continue to experience intermittent delays. For more information, visit http://oit.utk.edu/tc.

CASNR Career Fair

The Annual Career Fair for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) will be held today, October 5, from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM in the Hollingsworth Auditorium on UT's Agricultural Campus. This event offers a tremendous opportunity for students to make contacts and interview with companies. Dress is professional and students are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resumes. Click here to view a comprehensive list of employers attending the fair.

Annual VolAware Street Fair

All students are invited to attend the 6th Annual VolAware Street Fair today, October 5, at the UC Plaza from 10:00 AM-4:30 PM. Students can participate in a range of fun activities and have the opportunity to visit informational booths from campus and local mental health and wellness representatives. This is also a great opportunity for students to learn about local internships and career opportunities in the helping professions. Click here for more information on VolAware and the Street Fair.

Remind Your Student About Academic Advising and Spring Course Registration!

Registration for Spring 2012 courses begins next week, and if your student needs to be advised prior to registration, encourage him or her to schedule an advising appointment now! Students should check their MYUTK portal to get their registration date and time. Click here for more information about course registration, including the undergraduate catalog. Click here for more information about academic advising.

First Session Classes End Friday

Each semester (fall, spring and summer) is divided into two sessions, each lasting approximately half the semester. First session fall classes end Friday, October 7. Second session fall classes begin October 10. The last day for students to add, change the grading option, or drop without a "W" for second session courses is Friday, October 14.

Flu Shots Available on Campus Soon

The UT Student Health Service, UT School of Nursing, and The Knoxville News Sentinel Charities will be sponsoring this year's Flu Clinic. The cost will be $25 per injection, with proceeds going to the News Sentinel Charities "Empty Stocking Fund" which provides food and toys for needy families during the winter holidays. The Flu Clinic will be on Wednesday, October 19 in the University Center Ballroom from 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Students can pay for flu shots via cash, check, or credit card. For more information, please contact the Student Health Service at (865) 974-3135.

Meal Plan Change Dates and Deadlines

If your student would like to change their meal plan for the Spring 2012 semester, they can do so when classes begin on January 11, 2012. Students will have up to 28 calendar days after the first day of classes to change their meal plan. Click here for more information on UT Dining meal plans.

SGA Traditions Week

This week, the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Student Services Traditions Committee is hosting its annual Dog Eat Dawg Week leading up to the UT vs. Georgia game. Encourage your student to support campus organizations and help boost school spirit before Saturday's game.

Other events include:

• Wednesday, October 5: SGA will team up with UniTe and Teach for America at the Tyson Alumni House from 4:00-6:00 PM for a cookout. Wednesday's cookout is UniTe members only, but students can sign up at the door.
• Thursday, October 6: Freshman Council will host a cookout in Presidential Courtyard from 7:00-9:00 PM.
• Friday, October 7: SGA and BCPC will host a cookout from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Black Cultural Center
• Before kickoff on Saturday, October 8: SGA will co-host a cookout with the United Residence Hall Council from 1:00-5:00 PM in the Greve Horseshoe.

Student Orientation & Leadership Development

The Office of Student Orientation & Leadership Development (SOLD) is looking for a new group of student leaders to serve as Leadership Guides, Ignite Team Leaders, Orientation Leaders, and Transfer Orientation Assistants for 2012. Applications are now available at http://sold.utk.edu. Students can apply for all four positions using one application, and will go through a group interview process in late October. An interest session will be held on Tuesday, October 11 from 3:00-4:00 PM in the University Center room 226. Encourage your student to apply for one of these leadership opportunities! The deadline to apply is 5:00 PM on October 17.

Dance Marathon

Applications are now available for Dance Marathon Morale Team Members to learn and help teach the Dance Marathon dances to the participants. Dancing skills are not required! If your student is interested in planning and facilitating entertainment throughout the night for Dance Marathon 2012, providing morale and support for fellow dancers, and having a lot of fun raising money for East Tennessee Children's Hospital, encourage them to sign up today! Click here for the application and more information.

Panhellenic Applications Available

If your daughter is a sophomore or junior in a sorority, encourage them to apply for a position on Panhellenic Executive Board. There are a variety of positions to be filled for 2012 including Panhellenic President, Vice President of Chapter Relations and Judicial Affairs, Vice President of Correspondence, Vice President of Communications, and Vice President of Finance. Some positions require previous Council experience, but some do not, so encourage your student to apply! Applications are available in the Panhellenic Office and are due Friday, October 21 by 5:00 PM. Click here for more information or contact [log in to unmask].

2011 Security Booklet Now Available Online

W. Timothy Rogers, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, sent an email to all students, faculty, and staff providing formal notification regarding the reporting of crime statistics and policies by the University of Tennessee. The Security Booklet for the Knoxville campus is available, in its entirety, in an electronic format here. Click here for more information on campus security, crime prevention tips and programming needs.

Surprise your Student with the Big Orange Birthday Bash

The UT Student Alumni Associates (SAA) would like to help you surprise your student by delivering a personalized cake or giant chocolate chip cookie for a birthday or special occasion to your student's campus residence hall! For order information, click here.

UT Power Challenge

Starting this week, students living in residence halls can participate in the Make Orange Green POWER (Programs of Water, Energy, and Recycling) Challenge. The POWER Challenge is a month-long program in October where residence halls compete to see which hall can use the least power and water, reduce the most waste, and promote sustainability through creative events and programs. Residence halls will earn points each week to compete for the grand prize: A catered party for the residence hall and the POWER Challenge trophy. Students should talk to their Residence Assistant or Hall representative for information on participating.

Life of the Mind Creative Response Finalists Announced

Life of the Mind is a common reading experience that gives first-year students an initial taste of academic life at UT Knoxville. This year, for the first time, Life of the Mind is part of First Year Studies 100 course for all first-year students. To satisfactorily complete the course, students had to read the book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, participate in a discussion session, and submit a creative response related to the book's themes. Click here to view the article on this year's finalists.

New Campus Smoking Policy

Earlier this week, students received an email regarding the University's new statewide safety policy on smoking. The policy is being implemented in compliance with the Tennessee Non-Smoker Protection Act. Key provisions of the policy include prohibitions on smoking in all buildings owned and operated by the University and smoking within 25 feet from all entrances, doorways, windows and ventilation systems of all University buildings. For more information, 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

October 5: CASNR Career Fair

October 5: VolAware Street Fair

October 7: First Session Fall Classes End

October 10: Second Session Fall Classes Begin

October 14: Last Day to Add, Change Grading Options, or Drop Without a Grade of "W" (Second Session Fall Courses)

October 26: Career Services Communication Job and Internship Fair

November 8: Last Day to Drop with a Grade of "W" (Full Term Courses)

November 16: Last Day to Drop with a Grade of "W" (Second Term Courses)

November 24-25: Thanksgiving Break (No Classes)

November 29: Fall Classes End

November 29: Summer 2012 Graduation Application Deadline

November 29: Total Withdrawal from the University Deadline

November 30: Study Day

December 1, 2, 5-8: Final Exams

December 8: Campus Dining Fall Mean Plan Ends

December 9: Residence Halls Close at 5:00 PM for Non-Graduating Students, 8:00 PM for Graduating Students

January 8: Residence Halls Open at 1:00 PM

January 11: Spring Classes Begin