December 2016 Parent & Family eNewsletter
Volume 15, Issue 12
In this issue...
General News
- Semester Break Bus Trip Tickets on Sale
- Save the Date for Sibling Saturday 2017
- Parent Pulse Poll
- Does your student have an unpaid parking citation? Get it dismissed with Toys for Tickets!
- Student Rec Center offers stress relief for students during finals
- University Career Center resources
- Red Raider Orientation 2017 registration is open
- The 2016 Texas Tech Ornament
- Student Counseling Center Crisis Helpline
- For your complete Texas Tech news, visit Texas Tech Today
Financial Tips/Info
Scholarships/Job Opportunities
- Red Raider Orientation, Transfer Connection, and Red Raider Camp are hiring
- Searching for Scholarships
- Students planning to work on campus need original social security card
Academic
- Fall 2016 final examination schedule and information
- The Learning Center offers Final Examination tips
- Residential Tutoring
- SOAR Learning Center empowers students in pursuits of success
Housing
- Winter break residence hall information
- Living Off Campus - Common Pitfalls
- Consider renters insurance for your student whether they are living on or off campus
Graduation
Important Dates
- Semester break campus closure
- Career Center Events
- Save the date for Carol of Lights: December 2nd
- This month's academic and event calendar
Extracurricular Activities
Texas Tech Parents Association
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!
Semester Break Bus Trip Tickets on Sale
Does your student need a ride home for the Semester Break? Parent and Family Relations is pleased to announce that Break Shuttle will provide bus trips to assist Texas Tech students in traveling home for Semester Break 2016.
Destinations include: Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and 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 the Semester Break.
Visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/parentrelations/bustrips.php for bus schedule, pricing, and to purchase tickets.
Save the Date for Sibling Saturday 2017: February 18th
Enjoy a day 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 Saturday invites Texas Tech students to spend time with their brothers or sisters in a day filled with great activities just for them. Siblings between the ages of 8 and 15 are invited to attend. Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 18, 2017!
Online registration and the full schedule will be available online at www.parent.ttu.edu in December.
Parent Pulse Poll
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 final exams: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VCHLD56
For past poll results visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/parentrelations/polls.php.
Does your student have an unpaid parking citation? Get it dismissed with Toys for Tickets!
Transportation and Parking Services' Toys for Tickets program allows those who received a Texas Tech parking citation to bring in a new, unwrapped toy or toys of at least the value of the unpaid citation for the citation's dismissal. A receipt is required to verify value. All toys go to the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots program. Toys for Tickets runs Monday, November 28 through Monday, December 12 during TPS business hours (weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.). For questions, please contact TPS at (806) 742-PARK, parking@ttu.edu, http://www.facebook.com/TTUParking.
Student Rec Center offers stress relief for students during finals
Finals and the winter break are right around the corner! The gift of a massage—either to relieve finals stress or as a stocking stuffer—is a positive stress reliever. Licensed massage therapists give ½ hour ($25) and hour ($40) massages. We will mail the gift card to your student or your home address. Please call (806) 742-3828 to purchase.
Make sure your student knows that exercise is a very healthy stress reliever. The Student Rec Center is open during finals—some hours do change as the week proceeds. For more information, visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/recsports/.
University Career Center resources
Unsure of a major? Not yet declared a major? The University Career Center (UCC) has resources to help students discover their best fit. Counselors are available to help students make informed choices about majors, careers, and graduate schools. Whether they are curious about majors, investigating career paths, or need help planning a career development checklist, the UCC is here to help! Resources available to current students and alumni include:
- Career Assessments
- Strong Interest Inventory, Focus, and StrengthsQuest
- Career Events
- Career Fairs, Etiquette Dinners, Mocktail Parties, Informational Sessions
- Resume & Cover Letter Critiques
- Mock Interviews and Panel Mock Interviews
- Hire Red Raiders, our online internship & job board www.hireredraiders.ttu.edu, careershift, and Vault
- Raider Mentor Network
- Webinars
Visit the University Career Center's online resources at www.careercenter.ttu.edu.
Review the website, look at upcoming events, and feel free to have your student set up an appointment with us by calling 806-742-2210. UCC hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
For more information about the University Career Center visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/careercenter/.
Red Raider Orientation 2017 Registration is Open
Do you know students planning to enroll at Texas Tech University for Spring, Summer, or Fall 2017? Red Raider Orientation registration is now available! Please encourage them to reserve their spot now. Red Raider Camp registration will open in December 2016.
The 2016 Texas Tech Ornament
The 2016 Texas Tech Ornament is now available! This year's ornament features one of the most iconic symbols on campus, as it has a single Victory Bell surrounded by a tower of the Administration Building.
The bottom features a Double T with the words from the beloved Red Raider fight song "And the victory bells will ring out!" inscribed beside it.
Pricing for the 2016 ornament is $36 and includes shipping and sales tax.
Don't wait, these ornaments are sure to go fast. These make a great gift for that special Red Raider in your life, or turn your ordinary Christmas tree into a Texas Tech one! Purchase yours today.
Student Counseling Center Crisis Helpline
A new 24-hour telephone helpline service is available to assist Texas Tech students who are experiencing a mental health or interpersonal violence crisis. The TTU Crisis HelpLine number is (806) 742-5555. Students can call the helpline and speak immediately with a mental health counselor.
Parents who are helping a student in distress can also call the helpline for assistance. In addition to assisting with immediate crises, the helpline counselors will be familiar with Texas Tech and Lubbock community resources and will be able to direct the caller to the appropriate resource.
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.
Credit card service fee to be implemented beginning December 12, 2016
Texas Tech is committed to providing students and their families a range of options for paying their educational expenses. For many years, we have accepted credit cards as a form of payment, and as a result, have paid the associated processing charges imposed by credit card companies on those transactions. As the use of credit cards for making payment has increased, the transaction fees assessed have become extremely expensive for the university. Therefore, beginning December 12, 2016, a service fee on credit card transactions in the amount of 2.00% ($3.00 minimum service fee) of the credit card payment will be charged by Texas Tech's third party processor, Touchnet PayPath®.
For more information, please visit this comprehensive page regarding the service fee:
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/payment-and-fees/cc-service-fee.php
FAFSA® Changes for 2017–18
Students will be able to submit a FAFSA® earlier. Students will be able to file a 2017–18 FAFSA as early as Oct. 1, 2016, rather than beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as October 1 every year. (There is NO CHANGE to the 2016–17 schedule. The FAFSA became available January 1 as in previous years.)
Students will use earlier income information. Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, students will be required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017–18 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2015 income information, rather than their 2016 income information.
Learn More https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/about/announcements/fafsa-changes
Red Raider Orientation, Transfer Connection, and Red Raider Camp are hiring
Red Raider Orientation, Transfer Connection, and Red Raider Camp are all in need of student employees for 2017. These are great opportunities to serve Texas Tech, develop leadership and communication skills, and make a little bit of money. More information about each program's employment opportunities can be found by clicking the links below:
Searching for Scholarships
The Scholarship Office recently developed a new search tool for external scholarships. Most of the scholarships listed are scholarships that students at Texas Tech have actually received.
Learn More http://www.depts.ttu.edu/scholarships/ExternalScholarships/ScholarshipSearch.php
Is your student looking for a job?
Encourage your student to visit Texas Tech Human Resources and University Career Center for on-campus and off-campus employment.
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.
Fall 2016 final examination information and schedule
Visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/class_schedule/final_exams.php to learn more about the Fall 2016 final examination schedule as well as official university policies related to final exams.
The Learning Center offers final examination study tips
Finals are just around the corner. Is your Red Raider ready? Share these Top 10 Finals Survival Strategies with your student.
Residential Tutoring
The Residential Tutoring program is designed to provide academic services for students living in the residence halls at Texas Tech University. Residential Tutoring is a completely free service provided for all on-campus students during convenient hours and close to home.
Residential Tutors (RTs) provide peer tutoring in subjects that residence hall students struggle with the most frequently, according to campus data. These areas of study are:
- Chemistry (1307 and 1308)
- Math (1351 and 1352)
- Writing (in any subject area)
- Political Science (1301)
- History (2300 and 2301)
- Biology (1403)
- Physics (1403 and 1408)
For more information and Fall 2016 schedule visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/housing/tutoring/index.php
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 through 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.
Winter break residence hall information
Please read this important information about hall closure dates, how students should prepare their rooms for the break, and other housing reminders: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/housing/winterbreak.php
Living Off Campus - Common Pitfalls
Is your student living off campus or considering living off campus? Be sure to read Common Pitfalls when it comes to living off campus.
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.
Commencement Dates
If your student is graduating in December, congratulations! Below is the Fall 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 16, 2016
3:00 p.m.Arts and Sciences
7:00 p.m.
Graduate School
Saturday, December 17, 2016
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
Wind Energy
Texas Tech has a Commencement website, which is your one-stop-shop for all things related to Commencement, including the schedule for upcoming ceremonies, lists of hotels (which sell out quickly!), parking information, and information about ordering invitations and photos of the big day.
Bookmark this site for all of your Commencement needs:
https://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/commencement/
Semester break campus closure
Texas Tech University will be closed for the semester break beginning Friday, December 23rd. Campus offices will reopen on Monday, January 2nd, 2017.
Career Center Events
Webinars
Webinars are 30-45 minute live informational sessions focused on career growth and
development. Topics include resume and cover letter writing, job fair preparation,
and industry insights! Visit the UCC website for a complete listing of upcoming webinars.
(http://www.depts.ttu.edu/careercenter/webinars/index.php ).
For a full list of upcoming events and webinars, please visit the University Career Center Events page.
Save the date for Carol of Lights: December 2nd
With the flip of a switch, more than 25,000 colored lights illuminate 18 buildings around Memorial Circle, the Engineering Key and the Broadway Entrance to the campus during Texas Tech University's Carol of Lights®. The 58th Annual Carol of Lights will be on Friday, December 2nd, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
For more details visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/housing/caroloflights/.
This month's academic and event calendar
December 2, Friday
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.
December 2 – 8, Friday – Thursday
Period of no examinations except for makeup exams or scheduled lab exams.
December 5, Monday
Raiderlink available for grading (degree candidate grades due at noon December 19).
December 7, Wednesday
Last day of classes.
December 8, Thursday
Individual study day.
Late night breakfast available for residents living on campus.
December 9 – 14, Friday – Saturday / Monday – Wednesday
Final examinations.
December 14, Wednesday
Fall semester ends.
December 15, Thursday
Last day for most dining locations (hospitality.ttu.edu).
Noon, grades due for graduating students via Raiderlink.
10 a.m., Residence halls close. Degree candidates may occupy residence hall rooms
until 10 a.m. Saturday, December 17 (housing.ttu.edu/winterbreak).
December 16 – 17, Friday – Saturday
Commencement. Schedule of ceremonies can be found at www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/commencement/index.php.
Degree candidates may occupy residence hall rooms until 10 a.m. Saturday.
December 19, Monday
Noon, Final grades due via Raiderlink.
Complete calendar information:
Have your student check out Orgsync for ways to get involved
Is your student involved in student organizations? If not, have him or her visit http://ttu.orgsync.com for a list of and contact information for all registered student organizations. It is especially important for students living on and off campus to get involved and stay connected to campus.
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.
Looking for 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 the chapter parents page.
Parent and Family Relations
-
Address
Drane Hall 2515 15th St., Box 45020, Lubbock, Texas 79409-5020 -
Phone
806.742.3630 -
Email
parent@ttu.edu