September 12, 2012

Gearing Up for Family Weekend

As the campus community prepares for the Vols football game against Florida, Parents Association staff have been looking ahead to prepare for Family Weekend. Kick-off time for the UT vs. Akron football game has been set for 7:30 PM, allowing our staff to determine times for events on Saturday. Be sure to look over the updated schedule of events! Click here for more information on Family Weekend parking. Please review your confirmation information emailed last week.

2012-13 Parent Calendar

If you have not already done so, now is the perfect time to take advantage of your 2012-13 Parents Association Parent Calendar. All of the important dates and deadlines that you and your student will need can be accessed through your calendar along with other campus events and activities. Information about campus resources for each year of your student's UT career, as well as membership benefits are located in the back portion of the calendar.

Academic Highlight: The General Education Curriculum

The general education curriculum is designed to help your student build basic skills and develop broadened perspectives. By building these skills, the curriculum helps students acquire an understanding of both self and society and thus contributes to their personal enrichment. The Undergraduate Catalog outlines the details and specific requirements of the general education curriculum and is available online at http://catalog.utk.edu.

Test Taking Tips for Students

The Student Success Center offers resources and tips to help your student build test preparation skills and improve test-taking performance. If your student is frustrated with their performance in a course, his or her instructor is the first person to see. If your student has specific concerns about their test-taking abilities, he or she should discuss the ways they are presently preparing for tests, and ask for alternatives or suggestions. For more test taking tips, click here.

Pregame Showcase for the UT vs. Florida Game

Before you head to Neyland Stadium to cheer on the Vols against Florida, don't miss out on the Pregame Showcase. This week's Pregame Showcase will be Saturday, September 15 at 4:00 PM in the University Center Ballroom and is free to the public. Chancellor's Professor Dr. Hap McSween will be examining "Exploring Asteroids with Dawn Spacecraft." For more information about the Pregame Showcase click here.

Harlan Cohen to Speak on Campus

The Issues Committee is hosting Harlan Cohen, a New York Times best-seller and a nationally syndicated advice columnist, on campus to discuss pertinent topics like adjusting to college life and roommate living with a splash of humor within the framework of his books. Cohen will speak tonight, at 7:00 PM in the University Center Auditorium. This event is free for everyone, and seating is first come, first served.

Blood Drive on Campus this Week

Encourage your student to donate blood during the Tennessee-Florida Tailgate competition this week. Donating blood is a great way for your student to show their volunteer spirit! Donors will receive a coupon for a free Snappy Tomato pizza and a UT vs. Florida game day t-shirt. Donation stations will be available for students at the following locations and times:

• Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM in University Center Rooms 223-225
• Wednesday from 12:00-8:00 PM in the Hess Hall lobby
• Thursday from 12:00-8:00 PM in the South Carrick Hall lobby

Football Ticket Request Period for Akron Football Game

As a reminder, if you are attending Family Weekend and purchased your student a ticket to sit with you in Neyland Stadium, your student does not need to request a student football ticket via Big Orange Tix. All football tickets purchased through the Family Weekend registration system will be available at Family Weekend Check-in, from 5:00-9:00 PM on Friday, September 21, in the Black Cultural Center.

If you are not attending Family Weekend, or if your student is not sitting with you at the Family Weekend football game, remind him or her that the ticket request period for the UT vs. Akron game on September 21 will start today, September 12 and continue through September 13. Encourage your student to click here to request a student ticket online.

Senior Leadership Capstone Course

Senior students who are seeking leadership opportunities and training are encouraged to apply for the Senior Leadership Capstone Course which will be offered in spring 2013 through the Center for Leadership and Service. The class will be on Tuesdays from 3:40-5:30 PM. Applications are now available online and are due by September 23. Click here for more information.

Timeline for Spring 2013 Course Registration

The spring 2013 timetable will be available for viewing on September 24. As a reminder, all students must be advised each semester until they have earned 30 hours at UT. Also, any student on academic review is required to be advised prior to registration. Encourage your student to schedule an appointment with his or her advisor early, as appointments with advisors fill quickly later in the semester. The timeline for course registration is:

• Priority Registration: October 8 and 9
• Seniors: October 15, 16
• Juniors: October 22, 23
• Sophomores: November 5, 6
• Freshmen: November 19, 20

Environmental Health and Safety Expo

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety invites all UT students to attend their first Safety Expo - "Safety Begins with You" on Tuesday, September 18 in the University Center Ballroom from 8:30 AM-12:30 PM. This event is free to all students, faculty, and staff and is a great opportunity to receive information about safety. For more information about the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, click here.

Social Impact Fair

The Career Services Center for Impact Careers and the Center for Leadership and Service invite all students to attend the Fourth Annual Social Impact Fair on September 19, from 2:00-5:00 PM in the University Center Ballroom. This is an opportunity for students of all majors and interests to meet with nonprofit government agencies, and other employers to discuss volunteer, intern, and job opportunities. The focus of the Social Impact Fair is to target students with interests in environmental conservation, youth outreach, community and international development, civic engagement, and other similar areas of interest. To view a list of employers that will be attending the fair click here.

Learn More about the International House

The International House, or I-House as it is commonly referred, is a place where all students can meet to learn more about the cultural diversity on campus. The diverse atmosphere welcomes all students by offering cultural events and activities in which everyone can participate. Below is a listing of various events offered by the I-House:

• Cultural Nights - events presented by different international groups that highlight cultural music, language, food, and much more.
• Coffee Houses - cooking demonstrations from various cultures such as Japanese, Chinese, Brazilian and others.
• Language Labs - students that are enrolled in foreign language courses can seek additional tutoring and assistance.

For more information about other resources offered by the I-House visit their website.

VolAware Features Chamique Holdsclaw

VolAware is a campus initiative to encourage wellness and personal safety. Today, September 12, UT Lady Vol Chamique Holdsclaw will discuss her battle with clinical depression in the University Center Auditorium at 2:00 PM. Holdsclaw is an alumni of UT and a three time national champion as a Lady Vol. Learn more at http://volaware.utk.edu.

School of Music Fall Concerts

The School of Music offers more than 150 concerts per year! Generally, these concerts are free and open to the public. Upcoming concerts include the Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band Concert, September 18 at 8:00 PM in the Cox Auditorium of the Alumni Memorial Building and An Evening of English Viola Music on September 19, at 7:00 PM in the Alumni Memorial Building, Performance Hall 32. For a listing of concerts, times, and locations, visit the School of Music's Concert/Event page or call (865) 974-5678.

UT Welcomes Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement

On August 24, Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek announced that Taylor Eighmy has been named Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement. Eighmy currently serves as the Senior Vice President for Research at Texas Tech University. Prior to his position at Texas Tech, he held faculty and administrative positions in research for the University of New Hampshire. He will begin his position as Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement on October 2. Click here for more information.

filler

Important Dates

September 21-23: Fall Family Weekend

September 28: Last Day to Drop with a "W" (First Session Courses)

October 10: First Session Fall Classes End

October 11-12: Fall Break (No Classes)

October 15: Second Session Classes Begin

October 19: Last Day to Register, Add, Change Grading Options or Drop without a "W" (Second Session Courses)

November 13: Last Day to Drop with a "W" (Full Term Courses)

November 21: Last Day to Drop with a "W" (Second Session Courses)

November 22-23: Thanksgiving Break (No Classes)

December 4: Fall Classes End

December 4: Summer 2013 Graduation Application Deadline for Undergraduates

December 6-7, 10-13: Final Exam Period

December 14: Graduate Hooding

December 15: Fall Commencement