Vol. 13  Issue 7                                                                 Parent and Family eNews - July 2014

In this issue...

General News and Important Dates

• Parent Pulse Poll for July
• Fall 2014 Paying the Bill Checklist
• Remind your student to update emergency alert information
• Family Weekend football tickets on sale
• Design the official Texas Tech holiday card
• Save the Date for Carol of Lights: December 2nd
• Parent and Family Relations is on YouTube!
• Save the Date for Family Weekend 2014!
• The Learning Center-Summer Tutoring
• For your complete Texas Tech news, visit Texas Tech Today
• This month's academic and event calendar

Extracurricular Activities

• Student Union and Activities Calendar

Information for Parents and Family Members of FRESHMEN

• Did you miss Red Raider Orientation?
• Are you coming to Red Raider Orientation this summer?
• Academic Testing for incoming 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

Texas Tech Parents Association

• Looking for more ways to get involved?

Like us on Facebook!

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 Parent Pulse Poll for July

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. Here is the link to this month’s poll about move-in 2014: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6RVSWHJ

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

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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.

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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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 Family Weekend football tickets on sale

Family Weekend 2014 is October 10-11 when Texas Tech football takes on West Virginia University.

Tickets for this game are now available online only. Use promo code FAMILYWEEKEND to purchase discounted tickets at www.texastech.com/promocode.

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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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 Parent and Family Relations is on YouTube!

Parent and Family Relations is happy to announce that we have a YouTube channel. Check out our page for helpful how-to videos, campus department videos, and more.

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 Save the Date for Family Weekend 2014!

The wait is over and we have set the date 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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 The Learning Center-Summer Tutoring

Is your student taking any of the following courses this Summer?

-CHEM 1307
-POLS 1301, 2302
-ACCT 2300
-MATH 1451, 1452
-CS 1411

If so, the Learning Center will have tutors on hand!

The LC provides FREE tutoring in many subjects and courses this Summer...don't miss out.

Located in Holden Hall, room 80. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm (tutors arrive at 9am).

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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

July 1, Tuesday

• Last day of classes.
• 95% payment of mandatory tuition and fees or enrollment in a payment plan due for Summer II. Registrations after
  this date require immediate payment or enrollment in a payment plan.

July 2 – 3, Wednesday – Thursday

• Final examinations.
• Thursday, July 3 – First summer term ends.

July 4, Friday

• University Holiday; Offices closed
• Students without room reservations for the second term must vacate residence hall rooms by 10 a.m.
• Minimal dining locations open (www.depts.ttu.edu/hospitality).

July 6, Sunday

• 10 a.m., Residence halls open for Summer II occupancy.

July 7, Monday

• Noon, Final grades due via Raiderlink.
• Faculty on duty.
• Last day to register or withdraw from the university without financial penalty. For more information see 
  www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/withdraw.php.
• Select dining locations open for summer (www.depts.ttu.edu/hospitality).

July 8, Tuesday

• Classes begin.

July 9, Wednesday

• Last day to add a course.

July 11, Friday

• Last day for student-initiated drop on MyTech without academic penalty (drop does not count against drop limit). All drops are the responsibility of the student.
• Last day to drop a course and have course charges removed. Students who drop to 0 hours are considered to be a withdrawal. Financial penalties apply for withdrawals after July 7.

July 12, Saturday

• Student-initiated drop made on or after this date counts against drop limit. All drops are the responsibility of the student.

July 28, Monday.

• Last day for student-initiated drop on MyTech with academic penalty (counts against drop limit). All drops are the responsibility of the student.
• Last day to transfer between colleges.
• Last day to declare pass/fail intentions.

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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 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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 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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 Are you coming to Red Raider Orientation this summer?

Are you attending Red Raider Orientation this summer? Parent & Family Relations will be on hand to help you check in, provide you with a copy of the Parent & Family Guide, conduct a parent and family orientation presentation, and show you how to get involved. We look forward to seeing you this summer!

Visit www.redraiderorientation.ttu.edu or call the Center for Campus Life at 806-742-5433 for information about Red Raider Orientation.

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 Academic Testing for incoming students

TESTING…Who needs it? Your student!

Academic Testing Services can help you meet your testing needs!
With summer just around the corner, testing is normally the last thing on your student's mind.

Summer however, is the ideal time for testing. Students have more free time to prepare for testing during summer months, keeping the information fresh on their minds. Understanding testing requirements and options are beneficial at all stages of your student’s academic career, but they can be especially important if you are the parent of an incoming freshman.

Prior to Red Raider Orientation, you will want to understand state testing requirements (TSI), placement exams and additional testing options that may impact your student.

Credit by Exam:

Credit by examination is an option for students to earn college credit for knowledge they’ve already acquired. If your student took AP or IB courses in high school, Texas Tech awards credit for many of these courses. If your student took other advanced studies or missed their AP or IB exams, CLEP testing may be an option for your student to prove their proficiency and earn college credit. CLEP exams are available in a variety of subjects. For a complete list, view the credit table at www.depts.ttu.edu/testing. Testing times are available during Red Raider Orientation and throughout the year in Academic Testing Services located in 214 West Hall. (Fees apply to CLEP)

Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation (GSP):

Students enrolling in the College of Media & Communication may need this exam in order to enroll in some upper level classes. Testing times are available during Red Raider Orientation and throughout the year in Academic Testing Services located in 214 West Hall. (Fees apply)

TSI Compliance:

If your student has been notified by the Registrar that they are not TSI compliant, Texas Tech offers the TSI exam to fulfill the TSI requirement. The TSI exam is computer-based and available in Academic Testing Services located in 214 West Hall. (Fees apply)
For a complete list of all of ATS services, visit our website at www.depts.ttu.edu/testing .

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 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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