Vol. 13  Issue 8                                                               Parent and Family eNews - August 2014

In this issue...

General News and Important Dates

• Transportation and Parking Services Bike Sale
• Limited Family Weekend Football Tickets!!!
• Parent Pulse Poll for August
• Raider Welcome: August 17-30
• Fall 2014 Paying the Bill Checklist
• RaiderJobs available for parents
• 2014-2015 Student Handbook now available
• University Advising: What is Discovery?
• National Parent Survey: Parenting Styles
• Make plans to join us for Family Weekend 2014
• Remind your student to update emergency alert information
• Design the official Texas Tech holiday card
• Save the Date for Carol of Lights: December 2nd
• For your complete Texas Tech news, visit Texas Tech Today
• This month's academic and event calendar

Financial Tips/Info

• Red to Black Money Management Series: Goal Setting

Texas Tech Parents Association

• Road Raiders Safe Travel Network
• Looking for more ways to get involved?

Information for Parents and Family Members of FRESHMEN

• Raider Welcome: August 17-30
• AlcoholEdu for College
• Fall 2014 Move-In Information
• Move-In Tips from Parent & Family Relations Student Assistants
• Texas Tech Parents Association Chapter Send Off Parties
• Did you miss Red Raider Orientation?
• Does your student need health insurance? Academic health plans are available for Texas Tech students
• Students planning to work on campus need original social security card
• Consider renters insurance for your student whether they are living on or off campus

Information for Parents and Family Members of SOPHOMORES

• Does your student need health insurance? Academic health plans are available for Texas Tech students
• Consider renters insurance for your student whether they are living on or off campus
• Students planning to work on campus need original social security card
• Responsible off campus living

Information for Parents and Family Members of JUNIORS

• Does your student need health insurance? Academic health plans are available for Texas Tech students
• Consider renters insurance for your student whether they are living on or off campus
• Students planning to work on campus need original social security card
• Responsible off campus living

Information for Parents and Family Members of SENIORS

• Does your student need health insurance? Academic health plans are available for Texas Tech students
• Consider renters insurance for your student whether they are living on or off campus
• Students planning to work on campus need original social security card
• Responsible off campus living

Extracurricular Activities

• Student Union and Activities Calendar

Like us on Facebook!

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 Transportation and Parking Services Bike Sale

Starting the Monday of Raider Welcome, Transportation and Parking Services will be selling bicycles to students at a low cost. The bicycles are the highest quality or functioning bicycles from summer abandoned bike collections. Each bicycle comes with a U-lock and costs roughly $40 to cover the cost of the U-lock. The department will have a small number of bikes for sale around the SUB during the week before classes, and students may choose from all available bicycles at the Transportation and Parking Services office in suite 145 of the Administrative Support Center located on the southeast corner of 4th Street and Flint Avenue. (Limit 1 bicycle per student, sold in as-is condition, and first-come, first-served.)

Please contact bikes.parking@ttu.edu or (806) 742-PARK with any questions.

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 Limited Family Weekend Football Tickets!!!

Family Weekend is October 10-11th and football tickets are going fast! Be sure to order yours now and see Texas Tech take on West Virginia University!!

Use promo code FAMILYWEEKEND to purchase discounted tickets at www.texastech.com/promocode.

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 Parent Pulse Poll for August

Each month, Parent & Family Relations will conduct a Parent & Family Pulse Poll—a brief poll about Texas Tech parent and family experiences. We will share our poll results each month online.

This month's poll is the same from July regarding move-in 2014. If you have not had a chance to complete this survey please visit this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6RVSWHJ

This poll will be open through the month of August. Results will be posted at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/parentrelations/polls.php in September.

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 Raider Welcome: August 17-30

Raider Welcome is a two-week series of FUN and FREE events designed to welcome new and returning students to the Texas Tech campus. Raider Welcome occurs the week before (after Residence Hall move-in) and throughout the first week of classes.

By the end of the two weeks of activities, students will have all the tools they need to start their first semester and make Texas Tech University their own. Among the activities are a few major events, some old-standing traditions, and some exciting new opportunities that they just cannot afford to miss!

Some of the events include:

Sand Volleyball Tournament
Habitat for Humanity Service Projects
$.99 Steak Night
Night at the Union and Food Fest
Target Back to College Shopping Event
University Career Center Ice Cream Social
A Night at Barnes and Noble
Lubbock Hot Sports Tour
Collegiate 100 Annual Fish Fry
Casino Night
Dive-In Movie
And so much more!!!

For more information and a complete list of events visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentengagement/raiderwelcome/index.php

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 Fall 2014 Paying the Bill Checklist

Click here to view the Fall 2014 Paying the Bill Checklist for bill availability dates, deadlines, and payment plan information.

For information about paying the bill, tuition and fees, account balances, and more please contact Student Business Services at 806-742-3272 or sbs@ttu.edu

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 RaiderJobs available for parents

RaiderJobs is an online career database provided for all Texas Tech University students. From RaiderJobs, students have the ability to update their student information, such as their major, expected graduation date, and GPA.  Once a student has updated his or her information on RaiderJobs, it is visible to employers.  Students are encouraged to upload a resume so that they can apply for open positions as they browse through the job postings available through RaiderJobs.

The University Career Center has made it available for parents to view RaiderJobs as a user. Visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/careercenter/Pages/RaiderJobsParentAccess.php for more information and guest access.

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 2014-2015 Student Handbook now available

Students are expected to abide by policies and procedures in the Student Handbook. Please review the 2014-2015 Student Handbook via this link:

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/dos/handbook/

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 University Advising: What is Discovery?

This interactive session will explain TTUA’s Discovery! process, model possible
exploration activities, and guide students toward necessary resources to find the best-fit major. As a plus, there will be free food and giveaways! 

Tuesday, August 26th

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Red Raider Lounge-Student Union Building

Visit their website for more details regarding this event.

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 National Parent Survey: Parenting Styles

Colleges and universities recognize parents as a valued constituency and strive to provide communications and programming to parents of current students. We know that parents and family members use information in many different ways, but we do not know how we can successfully reach all types of parents. In order to strengthen programming and communication for families of college students, we hope to learn more about how different parenting styles impact the ways parents' access and use information provided by the college/university their students attend.

The survey at http://goo.gl/09OUWg includes questions about parenting and your involvement and satisfaction with your student’s college/university. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary and will not affect your current or future relationship with associated institutions. The research team will not be able to identify you individually nor the institution your student attends. Your information will be kept private and stored securely.

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 Make plans to join us for Family Weekend 2014

Mark your calendars for October 10-11, 2014 when Texas Tech takes on West Virginia. Registration information will be posted at www.parent.ttu.edu later this summer.

Make your hotel reservations early, as rooms will fill up quick! Click HERE for a complete listing of Lubbock hotels.

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 Remind your student to update emergency alert information

Texas Tech's Emergency Communications Center is intended to inform the Texas Tech University community about what to do in advance of, during and after an emergency.

If your student has not already done so, remind him or her to update cell phone, home phone or text message information at www.ttu.edu/emergencyalert. Up to four phone numbers can be entered, with TTY/TDD for hearing impaired and text messaging options. The system is used to alert the university community of emergency situations and class cancellations or delays.

Students will need their eRaider login to update their information at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/communications/emergency/.

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 Design the official Texas Tech holiday card

The Office of the President is looking for the next design of the official Texas Tech University Holiday Card and Holiday Open House invite. The first place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship and their design will be used for the official holiday card. The second place winner will receive a $500 scholarship and their design will be used as the electronic invite to the Holiday Open House.

Any Texas Tech student in good academic and judicial standing may submit artwork (limited to one entry per person).

Artwork may not make reference to specific religious holidays and should not contain images related to specific holidays. Past cards have depicted winter scenes, general illustrations and campus photography. The contest is to determine artwork only; words or copy are not to be included in final submissions.

Designs must be submitted by 5 p.m. September 12, 2014.

For rules, regulations and an entry form, please visit www.ttu.edu/administration/president/cardcontest.php.

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 Save the Date for Carol of Lights: December 2nd

The 2014-2015 Academic calendar only provides three class days between the Thanksgiving recess and the beginning of final exams.  In accordance with university operating procedures, and to ensure continued focus on student academic success, the 56th Annual Carol of Lights has been scheduled on Tuesday. December 2, 2014.  

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 For your complete Texas Tech news, visit Texas Tech Today

Keep up-to-date about everything Texas Tech by visiting Texas Tech Today, a complete news source for Texas Tech University.

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 This month's academic and event calendar

August 4, Monday

• Last day to withdraw from the university. Although withdrawal can be processed until this date, all tuition and fees related to the registration are due in full and no refunds will be issued.
• Last day for undergraduate degree candidates to remove grades of I and PR.

August 5, Tuesday

• Raiderlink available for grading. 
  

August 6, Wednesday

• Last day of classes.

August 7 – 8, Thursday – Friday

• Final examinations for second term.
• Friday, August 8 – Second summer term ends.

August 9, Saturday

• Commencement. Schedule of ceremonies can be found at www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/commencement/index.php.
• Last day for most summer dining locations (www.depts.ttu.edu/hospitality).
• Students without room reservations for fall 2014 must vacate residence hall rooms by 10 a.m.

August 11, Monday

• Noon, Final grades due via Raiderlink.

August 17, Sunday

• 10 a.m., Residence halls open for occupancy (housing.ttu.edu/movein).
• Select dining locations open for service (www.depts.ttu.edu/hospitality).

August 18, Monday

• 95% payment of mandatory tuition and fees or enrollment in a payment plan due for fall. Registrations after this date
  require immediate payment or enrollment in a payment plan.

August 20, Wednesday

• Faculty on duty.
• All dining locations open for service (www.depts.ttu.edu/hospitality).

August 22, Friday

• Last day to register or withdraw from the university without financial penalty. For more information see 
  www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/withdraw.php.

August 25, Monday

• Classes begin.

August 28, Thursday

• Last day for student-initiated addition of a course on MyTech. Course may be added until September 10 with advisor permission.

For the complete 2014-2015 Academic Calendar, please visit
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/calendar/14-15calendar/14-15detailed.php

For the Texas Tech event calendar, please CLICK HERE.

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 Red to Black Money Management Series: Goal Setting

Red to Black® offers free and confidential peer-to-peer financial coaching to Texas Tech students. We provide individual coaching sessions and group presentations on topics such as creating spending plans, the importance of starting to save early, maximizing financial aid (including student loans), how to choose employee benefits and establishing and wisely using credit. Over the next few months, Red to Black will have a series discussing money management topics that you can then, in turn, discuss with your student! Students are more likely to have good money management practices if their parents and family members engage them in those activities.

• August: Goal Setting
• September: Building a Budget
• October: Credit Reports
• November: Building Good Credit
• December: Giving a Lifetime Gift

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20? What activities will you be doing? What kind of house will you live in? How much will those things cost? Ask your student to think about these questions.  To help clarify goals, consider making them SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reasonable, and Timely. To illustrate how to use SMART goals, let’s consider saving for an emergency fund. Ask yourself these questions:

• How much do I need in the account? (Typically 3-6 months of expenses, but it’s really up to you!)
• What kind of account will it be in? (Make sure the account is liquid, or easily transferred to cash.)
• How much is realistic for me to save each month or each paycheck to help me meet my goal?
• Is having an emergency fund a reasonable option for me in my current financial situation?
• Can I do this in now and continue to sustain it for the future?

Once you have answered all the questions, you should have a really SMART goal and at least the beginning of a plan to reach it. Red to Black is here to help, so have your student call us at 742-9781, send us an email at redtoblack@ttu.edu or come by our office in the SUB East Basement room 24. More information is available at www.r2b.ttu.edu.

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 Road Raiders Safe Travel Network

Don't forget Road Raiders when traveling to Texas Tech in August. Road Raiders are Texas Tech Parents Association members who have volunteered to help Texas Tech students with car trouble, directions, or a place to rest while traveling.

The Road Raiders list is available for students online. They can search by city from a wireless phone or computer at www.texastechparents.org .

Drive Safely. Stay Alert. Be Prepared.

For more information, visit www.texastechparents.org.

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 Looking for more ways to get involved?

For more ways to get involved as a parent or family member of a Texas Tech student, join the Texas Tech Parents Association at www.texastechparents.org. Your membership dues support programs such as scholarships for Texas Tech students, the Road Raiders Safe Travel Network, and local chapters all over Texas.

You can also get involved in various chapter activities throughout the year. Come enjoy a fun time with other Texas Tech parents and family members. Click HERE to view community calendar of events.

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 AlcoholEdu for College

AlcoholEdu® for College became available July 24, 2014 and includes three surveys that will assist your first-year freshman student in measuring his or her alcohol-related attitudes and behaviors. All survey responses are strictly confidential; Texas Tech will only receive information about the student body as a whole and will never see individual student answers. You have an opportunity to log on to the parent course: http://parents.alcoholedu.com. Please use the following user ID to create an account, P229115PARENT.

Part one of the course is due by August 14, 2014. We encourage you to talk with your first-year freshman student about the decisions they may be making concerning alcohol and drug use and we support your efforts to have these conversations. We value your contribution toward helping us maintain a safe and healthy campus community. If you have any further questions, please contact Kyle Galyean, Alcohol & Drug Prevention Specialist, Student Health Services, at 806-743-7286 or alcoholedu@ttuhsc.edu.

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 Fall 2014 Move-In Information

Residence Halls officially open on Sunday, August 17th at 10:00 a.m. For information about what to do when you arrive, what to bring, what not to bring, room dimensions, and other information, visit http://housing.ttu.edu/movein/.

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 Move-In Tips from Parent & Family Relations Student Assistants

Move-In Tips:
• Bring any tools you may need to hang items (hammer, screwdriver, etc.)
• Clean/wipe down your room before unpacking
• Unpack your clothes last
• Delegate different duties to family members so everyone is doing something.

Anthony Ramirez
Hometown: Winters, Texas
Residence Halls lived in: Weymouth Hall, Murray Hall, and Murdough Hall
Off Campus Apartments: University Pointe

Move-In Tips:
• Try to carry as many of your small items as you can up the stairs to avoid a long wait at the elevator.
• Leave valuables at home. Yes, that jewelry looks nice, but it’s risky to have it sitting out. If you find you can’t live without it, buy a lock box or small safe that only you have access to.
• Ask yourself if you really need everything you are brining. You can lighten your load by only trying to bring things you absolutely need. For example, bedding is necessary, your whole closet it not. Remember your space is limited. If there is something you can’t live without, it would be easier to purchase it after move in to avoid more clutter in the car.
• Be sure to purchase necessary items such as Ethernet cords, extension cords, and things of that nature before getting here because they will be sold out in Lubbock.

Brittni MacLeod
Hometown: Mineral Wells, Texas
Residence Halls lived in: Knapp Hall, Chitwood Hall, and Murray Hall
Off campus Apartments: University Courtyard, University Trails, Centre at Overton Park

Move-In Tips:
• Make note of any preexisting damages to the unit, take pictures if you want to.
• Make your room (or side of your room) “yours”. This is your home away from home, so it should feel comfortable.
•Get to know your surroundings (people AND places).
• Parents: Visit Lubbock whenever you get the chance!

Hailey Buster
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Residence Hall lived in: Gordon Hall, Murray Hall

Move-In Tips:
• Make sure to coordinate with your roommate(s) about who will be bringing a refrigerator/microwave/television/etc. ahead of time, you definitely won’t need more than one of each!
• Try to stagger the time at which you and your roommate(s) will move in; that way, there won’t be nearly as many unpacked boxes in the way.
• If possible, try to use stackable, plastic bins to move your stuff into your residence hall; they are MUCH sturdier than cardboard boxes, easy to store, and reusable throughout your entire college career!
• Because it is back-to-school season, make a trip to your local office supply store and purchase organizers, organizers, organizers! They are on sale this time of year, and you will be amazed on how much more you can fit into a residence hall room when you truly utilize all of the space.

Bobby Gonzales
Hometown: Midland, Texas
Off campus Apartment: Ashton Pointe Apartments

Tips for new students:
• Bring a big calendar for your wall or fridge! It’s good to have a planner for day to day but it’s also really helpful to have a monthly reference especially with long term assignments.
• Keep a mini stapler in your bag. When turning in daily assignments, most professors don’t keep these things handy.
• If you are planning on taking notes on your computer make sure to charge your computer every evening. Some of the buildings are equipped with outlets, but not all. It can be quite frustrating to have to go from typing to handwriting.

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 Texas Tech Parents Association Chapter Send Off Parties

School is just around the corner and the Texas Tech Parents Association would like to invite you and your student to their annual send-off parties. Come enjoy a fun time of celebrating students as we send them off to Texas Tech for an exciting school year. Click HERE for more information regarding locations and times.

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 Did you miss Red Raider Orientation?

Parent and Family Relations has provided information for parents and family members who might have missed Red Raider Orientation. Visit our website for handouts, presentations, and more: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/parentrelations/rropresentations.php.

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 Does your student need health insurance? Academic health plans are available for Texas Tech students

If your student needs his or her own health insurance policy, there are Academic Health Plans available. Visit http://ttu.myahpcare.com/ for more information.

 Students planning to work on campus need original social security card

Is your student planning to get a new job on campus? Students who work on campus must bring their original Social Security Cards for human resources processing due to federal I-9 requirements. Remind your student to keep his or her social security card in a safe place.

 Consider renters insurance for your student whether they are living on or off campus

Most landlords do not require the tenant to have renters insurance. All landlords deny liability for any damages to your personal property caused by water, smoke, or fire. Student Legal Services highly recommends any student, living off campus or on-campus, to obtain renters insurance. Renters insurance is a cost effective way to replace damaged property. Speak with your insurance representative to discuss your options.

If you or your student has any other questions about renters insurance please call 806-742-3289 or visit www.depts.ttu.edu/sls/.

College Renters Insurance offers coverage starting at $5,000 with a $100 deductible. Coverage for your personal property starts as low as $12 per month.
Visit www.CollegeRentersPlan.com/ttu to see all of the coverage options available or call (866) 572-1617.

 Responsible off campus living

If your Red Raider lives off campus, make sure he or she is a good neighbor. Students choosing to live in single-family houses sometimes need reminders that they are not necessarily living among other students. Families with small children and working professionals may not appreciate loud noises during late hours.

For tips about responsible off-campus living, CLICK HERE.

 Student Union and Activities Calendar

Student Union and Activities always makes sure there is plenty for your Tech students to do! If your student complains that he or she can't find any fun activities or meet many people on campus, tell him or her about these exciting, FREE activities.

Click HERE for the complete Activities Calendar.

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