Parent and Family Relations

Vol. 10  Issue 3                                                Parent and Family eNews March, 2011

In this issue...

News and Important Dates

Extra-Curricular Activities and Campus Events

Texas Tech Parents Association

 

If you are having difficulties with the links in this newsletter, view the online version here.

 Don't Let Your Student Get Stranded During Spring Break: Road Raiders Can Help

The Texas Tech Parents Association is here to help all Texas Tech students while they are traveling with the Road Raiders Safe Travel Network.

Road Raiders are Tech Parents members who can help if your student needs directions, a rest stop, or help with car trouble while traveling.

The Road Raiders list is available for students online. They can search by city from a wireless phone or computer at www.roadraiders.ttu.edu (eraider login required to access the site). A complete list is also available for download and printing at www.parent.ttu.edu.

Drive Safely. Stay Alert. Be Prepared.

For more information, call 806-742-3630 or visit www.parent.ttu.edu.

 

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 March Articles of Interest: Safe Spring Break

Read and share the following articles from around the web with your student to ensure he or she has a safe spring break this year:

Hitting the road for spring break? Tips to keep safe and sound

Tips for Staying safe on Spring Break

 

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 The Texas Tech Police Department Offers Sightseeing, Travel, and Driving Safety Tips

The Texas Tech Police Department offers travel safety and sightseeing tips on its crime prevention website located at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ttpd/cp_tips.php#sightseeing. Important numbers they want your student to have while traveling in Texas: Department of Public Safety, 24-hour emergency line: 1-800-555-5555. To check road conditions: 1-800-452-9292.š

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 Free Car Clinic and Bike Check Set For March 2nd

Tell your student to stop by the C-17 parking lot west of the Law School on Wednesday, March 2nd for the FREE Car Clinic and Bike Check. This is a great time to get that car or bike checked out before Spring Break and warm, bicycling weather.

You can Win a Free Parking Permit! Come to the FREE Car Clinic - and bike check - to see what's lurking under your hood? Make sure you know your car - and bike - are up to speed before you go home from the break by stopping the FREE Car Clinic click

Date: March 2nd
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: C17 parking lot, west of the Law School

Mechanics from Scott's Complete Car Care will be on hand to check fluids, belts, tires, and other car essentials free of charge. Broadway Bikes and Bike Tech will provide free bike inspections, brake adjustments, lubrication, and tire sealant for slow leaks. University Parking Services will be on hand giving out freebies, hot dogs, and cokes too! For more information contact: University Parking Services at 806-742-PARK

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 Seats Still Available on the Dallas/Fort Worth Spring Break Bus Trip

Does your student need to come home to the Dallas/Fort Worth area for Spring Break, but is unsure how to get there? Is the popularity of flights during Spring Break making flying home too expensive for your student? The Texas Tech Parents Association is sponsoring a bus trip to assist Texas Tech students in traveling home during Spring Break 2011.

Tech Parents has reserved charter buses to transport students to/from Lubbock during Spring Break. The Dallas/Fort Worth bus will depart Lubbock on Friday, March 11th and will return to Lubbock on Sunday, March 20th. The cost is $100.00 to/from Lubbock. Exact routes will be determined after registration is finalized. The seats are nonrefundable, so make sure you and your student are on the same page about Spring Break plans before registering at www.parent.ttu.edu.

Texas Tech Parent Association chaperones will be riding to/from Lubbock to assist students. Seating is based on availability and is sold on a first come, first served basis. More information about this trip and the online registration form can be found at www.parent.ttu.edu. Deadline for registration is March 1, 2011 at 5 p.m. unless seats sell out before that time.

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 Is Your Student Unsure About His or Her Academic Major?

Texas Tech's Student Life Council is hosting an Academic Majors fair on March 7th to provide students with information about academic majors available at Texas Tech, to assist students in making informed decisions about affirming or changing their academic major, and to provide guidance as to steps necessary to formally declare or change their academic major.
The event will be held Monday, March 7th in the Red Raider Ballroom from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

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 Texas Tech Graduation Fair Scheduled March 1st - 3rd

Every semester the Texas Tech Alumni Association hosts the Graduation Fair. The event is held at the Frazier Alumni Pavilion and is a "one-stop shop" for seniors and all of their graduation needs.

The Student Alumni Association Board of Directors assists by providing information about Alumni Association membership, alumni chapter information, diploma displays and other benefits offered by the Alumni Association.

The Graduation Fair also is the primary time to order the Official TTAA Class Ring before each semester's Ring Ceremony. Seniors can also order regalia and graduation announcements, as well as receiving information from the Career Center, Texas Tech graduate school and Kaplan test prep services.

Spring 2011 Graduation Fairs will take place: March 1 - 3

For more information on the Graduation Fair, please contact Mandy Wiley at mandy.wiley@ttu.edu or 806.742.3641.

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 Lubbock Drivers Now Subject to Towing for Lack of Insurance

Lubbock drivers, including students at Texas Tech University, are now subject to the potential towing of their vehicle if they are driving without automobile insurance. Drivers will not be stopped only for lack of viable insurance in the new state registry. Once the traffic stop is initiated, however, if it is determined the driver does not have coverage, the vehicle can be towed. The driver will then be responsible for the towing, notification, impoundment and storage costs for the vehicle. Proof of insurance will be required to retrieve the car from the impound lot. Similar ordinances have already been passed throughout the state. Lubbock's ordinance went into effect in late February. It is unclear whether local law enforcement will have a duty to search the driver's vehicle in the state registry if proof of insurance is not available.

To help your student avoid this unwanted expense and inconvenience, please advise them to follow these steps:

1. Always have a current insurance card in your car.
2. Do not loan your car to anyone unless they know where the insurance card is located.
3. Because purchasing insurance is dependent on having a valid driver's license, make sure the driver's license is current and does not have unpaid items attached to it. Such items can result in suspension (i.e. unpaid surcharges, tickets, and the like).

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 Texas Tech University Ethics Center to Host Responsible Conduct of Research Conference March 28th

Monday, March 28 9:30am-2:30pm
The Helen DeVitt Jones Auditorium
at the Museum of Texas Tech University
Click here to register

Join us for our first annual Responsible Conduct of Research Conference. This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Frederick Grinnell. Grinnell possesses an insider's knowledge of biomedical research based on more than thirty-five years of experience. Throughout much of that period, he has lectured on philosophical and ethical issues in science. Dr. Grinnell will be speaking on Ethical Dilemmas in Research and Informed Consent and Risk.

For more informaiton, visit http://www.tltc.ttu.edu/content/asp/conferences/rcr/index.asp

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 Strive for Honor Week is April 4th - 8th

Strive for Honor Week is April 4th - 8th. There will be activities each day of the week for students to participate in, including movies, bone marrow drive, Raiders Who Rock reception, free t-shirts, and more.

For more information, contact the Dean of Students Office at 806-742-2984.

This event is sponsored by the Strive for Honor Committee (Center for Campus Life, TTU Ethics Center, Tech Activities Board, Student Health Services, Student Government Association, and Staff Senate).

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 May 2011 Commencement Details

If your student is graduating in May 2011, congratulations! Below is the Spring 2011 Commencement schedule:

United Spirit Arena

Friday, May 13, 2011
4:00 p.m. Art & Sciences
7:00 p.m. Graduate School

Saturday, May 14, 2011
9:00 a.m. Architecture
Education
Engineering
Human Sciences
Visual & Performing Arts

1:30 p.m. Agriculture
Business Administration
Honors (NHH and HAL Majors ONLY)
Mass Communications
University College

The Law School Hooding Ceremony will be at 6:00 pm on May 14, 2011 in the United Spirit Arena.

For more information about commencement, visit Texas Tech's commencement web site at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/commencement/

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 Student Legal Services Offers Lease Reviews for Students Moving Off Campus

Is your student moving off campus at the end of the semester? Student Legal Services offers individual lease reviews for students moving off campus. Students can ask questions and discuss concerns with the landlord/tenant attorney. Topics include reviewing lease terms, move-in procedures, renter's insurance and other ways to protect yourself while living off campus. Please call 742-3289 to set up your appointment.

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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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 March 2011 Academic And Event Calendar

March 1, Tuesday
Applicable Payment Plan due date - Required payment must be received by the due date or the account will incur late fees.

March 9, Wednesday
5 p.m., mid-semester grades due via Raiderlink.
Last day for degree candidates and faculty to order invitations and academic regalia at the bookstore.

March 11, Friday
Last meal (dinner) served in residence halls until after spring vacation.
March 12 - 20, Saturday - Sunday
Spring vacation. Classes dismissed at noon Saturday. Student holiday only.

March 21, Monday
Classes resume. First meal (breakfast) in residence halls.

March 23, Wednesday
Last day for student-initiated drop on MyTech with penalty (counts against drop limit). All drops are the responsibility of the student.
Last day to declare pass/fail intentions.
Last day for graduate degree candidates to defend theses/dissertations.
Last day for graduate degree candidates to pay thesis-dissertation fee posted to Banner account.

March 24, Thursday
Last day for graduate degree candidates to submit final defense reports to the Graduate School.

For the complete 2010-2011 Academic Calendar, please visit
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/calendar/10-11calendar/10-11detailed.php

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 Outdoor Pursuits Center Offers Spring Break Trips and Wilderness Trips During Red Raider Orientation

Are you looking for a safe, but enjoyable alternative for your student over spring break? The Outdoor Pursuits Center has trips for your student they will love!

Big Bend Canoeing March 12-19:
The Lower Canyons are renowned for thier remarkable beauty. Spend this Spring Break canoeing 84 miles in this beautiful and remote canyons with others that love the outdoors. We'll enjoy beautiful scenery, great meals, and starry nights! No Experience Necessary!!

Arizona Rock Climbing Excursion March 11-16:
Join us on this adventure and tour of Arizona's world class rock climbing and camping locations! We will visit many of the popular cragging destinations around Arizona and get to enjoy some beautiful early spring weather in the Southwest. No Experience Necessary!!

For more information, check out our website at: www.recsports.ttu.edu/OPC/trips.php

For New Tech Parents that are getting ready to send your student to Red Raider Orientation:
The Outdoor Pursuits Center offers a wilderness orientation program for your student in conjunction with Red Raider Orientation. This program is specifically designed to give your student a memorable first experience in their transition to college life, and to learn more about what they can expect as a Red Raider! For more information or to register visit: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/recsports/opc/rra.php

 

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 Student Union and Activities Schedule - March

The Student Union and Activities office and the Tech Activities Board always make 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 for March.


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 Sibling Weekend 2011 was a Great Success

Sibling Weekend 2011 just wrapped up on Sauturday, February 26th. There were over 350 participants this year! Thank you to all of our wonderful Texas Tech students who brought their little brothers and sisters to Texas Tech so spend a great weekend learing about college life.

Special thanks to: Texas Tech Athletics, Texas Tech Cheer and Pom, TTU Libraries 3-D Animation Lab, Tech Activities Board, Dr. Albert Sacco, Jr., Dr. Dominic Casadonte, Recreational Sports, Womens Service Organization, and the Texas Tech Parents Association.

The date for Sibling Weekend 2012 will be announced in Fall 2011 in the Parent and Family eNewsletter and at www.parent.ttu.edu.

 

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 Thank You to Texas Tech Parents Association Scholarship Selection Committee

The Texas Tech Parents Association would like to thank Don Peterson, the TTPA Scholarship Chairperson, and the Scholarship Selection Committee for volunteering their time on Saturday, February 26th to review scholarship applications.

Thanks goes out to Don Peterson, Kathy Bruner, Steve Burres, Judy Strawmyer, Leigh Lowe, Melissa Cortez, Kim Davis, Pauline DeVos, Brenda Holter, Joe Leavengood, Mary Anne Lisbona, Deanna Looney, Brad Looney, Zoe Metcalf, Denise Rothermel, Daniel Vasquez, Frank Vaughn, Carmen Vela, David Wilhite, and Thomas Zachman.

The recipients of the TTPA Scholarships will be announced in April 2011.

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 Advertise Your Business in the 2011-2012 Parent and Family Guide

Remember receiving your copy of the Parent and Family Guide at Red Raider Orientation? Help the Texas Tech Parents Association keep publishing the Guide for new parents and family members of Texas Tech students and promote your business at the same time! The Parent and Family Guide is handed out to more than 5,000 families at Red Raider Orientation and is placed online at www.parent.ttu.edu.

You can purchase an ad in the Parent and Family Guide by filling out the ad reservation form here. Remember, parents and families of Texas Tech students come from all over the state of Texas, so your ad will reach a lot of people.

If you have questions about advertising in the Parent and Family Guide, please email parent@ttu.edu or call Christine Self at 806-742-3630.

 

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