Parent and Family Relations

Vol. 13  Issue 11                                                 Parent and Family eNews - November 2014

In this issue...

General News and Important Dates

Financial Tips/Info

Parent and Family Member Spotlight

Texas Tech Parents Association

Information for Parents and Family Members of FRESHMEN

Information for Parents and Family Members of SOPHOMORES

Information for Parents and Family Members of JUNIORS

Information for Parents and Family Members of SENIORS

Extracurricular Activities

 

 

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  What should you do if your student is stressed or homesick?

Has your student called home feeling stressed or homesick? Below are some tips that can help you and your student:

My student is stressed out….What do I do?

  • This is a great time to remind your student about campus resources such as:
    • Student Counseling Center- Services offered include individual counseling, couples counseling, and group counseling. Located on the 2nd floor of the Student Wellness Center in room 201 (on the corner of Flint Ave and Main St).
    • The Mind Spa- Offers Relaxation Room with tools for stress management including zero-gravity massage chair, stress management audio-video library and biofeedback software which teaches breathing and imagery techniques for managing stress. Mind and Body Room provides recliner and Xbox 360 with games to assist in full body relaxation.
    • Rec Center Massages- Purchase a gift card for your student to receive a massage during those high stress time. Gift certificates can be ordered over the phone with a credit card.
  • Share Tips for Managing Stress provided by SOAR (Support Operations for Academic Retention) goo.gl/S3OmR2
  • Encourage your student to join an intramural team sport. Intramurals are the way to relieve stress in a fun environment. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/recsports/intramurals/team.php
  • Buy your student dinner. Many places in Lubbock offer online ordering and will deliver to your student. Make sure to make arrangements with your student for delivery. Here is a list of dining options in Lubbock: http://www.visitlubbock.org/business/Dining
  • Keep in mind that students are often worried about problems at home. Parents sometimes do not realize the burden they are placing on their students which can cause them to feel guilty for coming to school or the opposite – to avoid going home because of the problems at home.

My student is homesick….What do I do?

  • Missing home is normal for college students so as parents it is important to be supportive and positive for your student.
  • Encourage your student to stay on campus rather than making frequent visits home. It is more difficult for students to experience college life and make connections and friends on campus if they are going home too often.
  • Try to limit the number of times you call your student. This can cause the student to be anxious about their adjustment and could place doubts in their mind.
  • Discuss at the beginning of the semester dates for student to come home so the student and family look forward to these dates.
  • Consider sending a care package to let your student know you are thinking about them
    • Include items that are only found in your town
    • Handwritten note
    • Favorite snacks, candy, drinks, etc.
    • Baked Goods!
  • Encourage student to get involved with a student organization.
  • Let your student know about Tech Activities Board (TAB) for fun free events held on campus just for Texas Tech students. Here is a link to their events calendar: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/sub/StudentActivities/Calendar/index.php
  • Initiate times when you can Skype/FaceTime your student to help student not feel so far away from home. 

 

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  Sibling Weekend Save the Date: February 27-28, 2015

Enjoy a weekend filled with fun, educational, and spirited events sure to get siblings of Texas Tech students excited about college and share in the traditions of Raiderland. Sibling Weekend invites Texas Tech students to spend time with their brothers or sisters in a weekend filled with great activities just for them. Siblings between the ages of 8 and 15 are invited to attend. Mark your calendars for the weekend of February 27-28, 2015!

Online registration and the full schedule will be available online at www.parent.ttu.edu in December.

 

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  Parent Pulse Poll for November

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 resources that your student uses: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FD7WMDT

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

 

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  New Parent & Family Relations Website Design

Parent and Family Relations has a new website design and we want you to check it out. Check it out at www.parent.ttu.edu.

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  TechAlert! Test Scheduled November 6th

Texas Tech University will test its TechAlert! Emergency Communications System at 10:50 a.m. Nov. 6.

All faculty, staff and students should update cell phone, home phone or text message information at emergency.ttu.edu. The system is used to alert the university community of emergency situations or class cancellations or delays.

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  Advance Registration for currently enrolled students begins November 6th

Spring 2015 Advance Registration General Information

  • Only students currently enrolled for the fall 2015 semester may participate in advance registration November 6-24. Graduate School students may register anytime beginning November 6.
  • Students will register according to classification. Students will not be permitted to register prior to their assigned date. Registration materials will be distributed through the student's major department. Each student should see an advisor before attempting to register.
  • To ensure reasonable spacing of final exams, students should consider the final examination schedule while planning their registration.
  • On their assigned day, students can register on MyTech (beginning at 3:00 p.m.). Classifications for registration are based on hours completed at the end of the summer 2015 semester (90 or more hours, senior; 60-89 hours, junior; 30-59 hours, sophomore; 0-29 hours, freshman).
  • If a student's TSI scores indicate a need to enroll in TSI remediation, the student must visit the TSI Skills Development Office (72 Holden Hall, 806 742-3242) before registration.

Advance Registration Schedule (Currently Enrolled Students Only)

Classification Date

Registration begins at 3:00 p.m. on the dates noted below.
Graduates and Seniors Thursday, November 6, 2014
Juniors

Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Wednesday, November 12, 2014      
Thursday, November 13, 2014

Sophomores Friday, November 14, 2014
Monday, November 17, 2014      
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Freshmen Wednesday, November 19, 2014               
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014      
Open Registration

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

 

Procedure: Students enrolled during fall 2014 should contact their major department office.

 

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  Save the Date for Carol of Lights: December 2, 2014

With the flip of a switch, more than 25,000 colored lights will illuminate 13 buildings around Memorial Circle, The Engineering Key and the Broadway Entrance to the campus during Texas Tech University's Carol of Lights.

The 55th Annual Carol of Lights will be held on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014. The Ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a Carillon Concert at 7:00 p.m., the Masked Rider and Horse, Saddle Tramps Torch Light Processional and High Riders will begin at the University Seal at the Broadway Entrance and follow the Luminaria Lighted Route around Memorial Circle to the Science Quadrangle.

 

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  Thanksgiving and Semester Break Bus Trip Tickets on Sale

Does your student need a ride home for Thanksgiving or the Semester Break? Parent and Family Relations is pleased to announce that Campus Connector will provide bus trips to assist Texas Tech students in traveling home for Thanksgiving and the Semester Break 2014.

Thanksgiving Bus Trip Destinations include: Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso.

Semester Break Bus Trip Destinations include: Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin/San Antonio.

This trip is organized to help students travel home at a lower cost who might not otherwise be able to make it home for Thanksgiving.

Tickets are selling fast so be sure and purchase soon!

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/parentrelations/bustrips.php

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  Order the 2014 Official Texas Tech Ornament

The 2014 Commemorative Texas Tech Ornament features the rose window, located on the west side of the Kent R. Hance Chapel above the doors of the main entrance. This is a beautiful replica of the stained glass inside the chapel. 

Price: $29 (includes shipping and handling) Purchase now

Contact Mandy Wiley at the Texas Tech Alumni Association to pre-order yours today! 806-742-3641 ext. 243 | mandy.wiley@ttu.edu

 

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  Texas Tech Sponsors Student Health Insurance by Blue Cross & Blue Shield

What happened to student health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act?

Did you know Texas Tech University (TTU) sponsors a student health insurance plan offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas known as AcademicBlue?

Student health insurance plans are not new. In fact, many states require coverage for college students, and the federal government requires some international students to carry health insurance coverage while attending college in the United States. As you would expect, most domestic students are covered as dependents under a parent’s plan until age 26, and most will stay on their parent’s plan -but should they? The following information is brought to you by AcademicBlue to help you make decisions about how best to insure your Red Raider.

As a result of the Affordable Care Act, student health insurance plans are required to provide the same health benefits as individual health insurance plans.

Before the Affordable Care Act, many student health insurance plans were not required to provide certain basic health benefits, such as preventive care, nor did they have out-of-pocket maximums, which provide a financial limit on the total dollar amount a student would be required to pay during a specified policy period.

The good news is that today’s student plans must provide federally mandated essential health benefits. TTU students enrolled in AcademicBlue now have the same health benefits as individual plans, such as important preventive care that includes women’s preventive services with no cost sharing. Students in AcademicBlue have access to a broad network of providers through the BCBSTX Blue Choice PPO network so they are covered at home, at school or while traveling.

For some students, the student health insurance plan may be a better choice than remaining on their parent’s plan. Most student health insurance plans have lower premiums compared to individual plans or even dependent coverage under a parent’s plan.

Student Health Services offers 100 percent coverage for eligible services on the TTU campus.

Student Health Services (SHS) is a large on-campus heathcare facility that offers a range of services to support the health and well-being of TTU students. Go to www.ttuhsc.edu/studenthealth to see what SHS has to offer.

Do the math and see if the AcademicBlue student health insurance plan is a smart move for your student!

Open enrollment for the Spring Semester starts November 17th, 2014 and is through February 15th, 2015.

Go to ttu.myahpcare.com or call (877) 357-0241 for more information.

AcademicBlueSM is offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

 

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  Texas Tech Ring Savings Program

The Texas Tech Alumni Association is proud to offer the Official Texas Tech Class Ring Savings Program, which allows students to save over time for the ultimate symbol of college success.

For more details please click HERE

 

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  Campus Departments and How-To Videos

Click HERE to watch videos from Student Health Services and Student Counseling Center and learn about various services for your student.

We have also provided how-to videos to help you navigate on various topics such as:

Adding dining bucks and Raider cash to students account
Adding authorized users to eBill
Sending a package to your student
Updating emergency information

 

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  Career Center Events

University Career Center will host various events this months for your student. Encourage your Red Raider to attend these workshops, seminars, and fairs.

11/04 - Networking 101: How to Conquer the After-Hours Business Party

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center

Registration and Professional Dress Required www.careercenter.ttu.edu

11/04 - How to Convert a CV to a Resume

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. University Career Center

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. University Career Center

11/06 - Webinar: Cultivating Productive Relationships in Professional Settings

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. www.careercenter.ttu.edu

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. www.careercenter.ttu.edu

11/11 - Teacher Job Fair

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center

 

For more information about the University Career Center visit www.careercenter.ttu.edu

 

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  SOAR Learning Center empowers students in pursuits of success

The SOAR Learning Center’s mission is to empower students in their pursuit towards academic success while providing an encouraging and safe learning environment. The Learning Center works to enhance the academic endeavors of all currently enrolled Texas Tech students by offering a variety of free services such as Peer & online tutoring, Academic mentoring, and Supplemental Instruction. Tutoring and Academic Mentoring is available Monday thru Thursday from 8am-8pm and Friday 8am-5pm. 

An additional resource available to students at the Learning Center is access to a licensed professional counselor with over 25 years in education. Stacy Elliot, M.Ed., LPC is a LEARNING SPECIALIST/SENIOR COUNSELOR available to work holistically with students striving to be successful in college. As a counselor, she works to help students resolve personal issues that may hinder their academic success. The Learning Specialist is available Monday through Friday 8am-5pm by appointments and accepts walk-ins. 

The SOAR Learning Center is located in Holden Hall Room 80 and our office number is (806)742-3664. Visit us at www.lc.soar.ttu.edu

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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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  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

November 6, Thursday

  • 3 p.m., First day of spring semester advance registration for currently enrolled students (continues through November 24).

November 24, Monday

  • Last day of advance registration.

November 25, Tuesday

  • Open registration begins.
  • Last day to transfer between colleges.

November 24 – December 3, Monday – Wednesday

  • Period of no examinations except for makeup exams or scheduled lab exams.

November 26 – 30, Wednesday – Sunday

  • Thanksgiving holiday. No meals available at any Hospitality Services location. University employees on duty November 26.

November 26, Wednesday

  • 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.

November 28, Friday

  • Last day for undergraduate degree candidates to remove grades of I and PR.

 

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: Building Good Credit

RED TO BLACK MONEY MANAGEMENT SERIES: BUILDING GOOD CREDIT
Last month we talked about the importance of credit reports and scores and why having a high score is a good thing. We didn’t really talk about how to build credit and thus build a good credit report and score.
This video is fun way to learn about building credit and increasing your credit score: http://bit.ly/buildcreditvideo. To build a good credit and have a higher credit score, you will need to:

  • Pay your bills on time
  • Keep your total debt lower than your debt limit
  • Your credit history is important, so keep older accounts open, if possible
  • Have a good mix of credit
  • Don’t open all those store credit cards to save 15%

Knowing how to play the credit score game can save you (and your student) money on future loans, so it is worth figuring it out! For more information on how to build your credit, check out the book The Road to 850 by Al Bingham, available on Amazon http://amzn.to/1ryNyH4.
Your student can start building good credit while they are still in school! Unfortunately it is not uncommon for us to see students who have a lack of credit when they graduate are either unable to get loans without a cosigner or are subject to subprime interest rates (i.e. really high ones!). 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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  Fourth-Generation Red Raider: Featherston Family

Emilie Featherston, junior Honor Student Majoring in Computer Engineering, is a sixth generation Texan with family ties back to the Republic of Texas and she is a proud fourth generation Red Raider. Charles Featherston, Emilie's Great Grandfather, graduated from Tech in 1932. Charles paid for his tuition by picking cotton on the college's farm and milking cows in the school's dairy barn... READ MORE

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  Four-Generation Texas Tech Family: Shipman Family

Four generations of the Shipman family have attended Texas Tech University, an accomplishment not many families reach! The Shipman and Lynskey families moved to west Texas over a century ago.  Farming and oil speculating brought the original family members west.  Due to the depression, the Shipman family left oil speculating to become grocers, while the Lynskey family remained farmers.... READ MORE 

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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

The deadline for completion of Part 2 of the online AlcoholEdu® for College course was October 20, 2014. Every Texas Tech first-year freshman is required to complete Part 1 and Part 2 of AlcoholEdu® for College. This ensures that every member of the Texas Tech community has an appropriate and accurate understanding of alcohol and alcohol abuse. I urge you to ensure your first-year freshman student completes AlcoholEdu® for College as soon as possible.

If your first-year freshman student does not complete Part 2 of the course, a hold will be placed on his or her ability to view final grades.

If your first-year freshman student has questions about how to complete the course, please direct him or her to visit http://alcoholedu.ttu.edu or contact Kyle Galyean, Alcohol & Drug Prevention Specialist, Student Health Services, at 806-743-7286 or alcoholedu@ttuhsc.eduThank you for your contribution toward helping us maintain a safe and healthy campus community.

 

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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.

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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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  December 2014 Commencement

If your student is graduating in December, congratulations! Below is the December Commencement schedule for Texas Tech University.

PLEASE NOTE: The colleges are listed below in alphabetical order and NOT necessarily in the order in which they will be recognized.

Friday, December 12, 2014

3:00 p.m. Art & Sciences
7:00 p.m. Graduate School

Saturday, December 13, 2014

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

1:30 p.m. Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Business Administration, Media and Communication, Honors College (EVHM and HAL Majors Only), University Programs

For more information regarding Commencement, including ordering invitations, photos, and videos, guest seating, lodging, and future commencement dates visit:http://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/commencement/schedules.php

 

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  Texas Tech Ring Ceremony

The Official Ring Ceremony is not to be missed! Much like a commencement ceremony, family and friends are invited to attend this special tradition that serves to honor each ring recipient and to pass on the importance of all that the Official Class Ring symbolizes: loyalty, tradition, service, honor, and lifelong relationships.

The ceremony will be held on November 17th and 18th.
*Please note: Rings must be ordered between August 15 and October 3 for eligible students.

Find your college below to determine which fall ring ceremony you will need to attend to receive your ring.

 Monday, November 17

  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • College of Human Sciences
  • College of Media & Communication
  • College of Visual & Performing Arts
  • Honors College
  • Interdisciplinary
  • Provost Office

 Tuesday, November 18

  • College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
  • College of Architecture
  • College of Education
  • Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering
  • Graduate School
  • Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration

For more details please visit the Alumni Associate webpage. 

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  Regalia Rentals now available

Regalia purchases and rentals are now available through the Texas Tech Barnes and Noble Bookstore. For more details about deadlines and cost CLICK HERE.

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  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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Parent and Family Relations


       

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Aug 15, 2023