Texas Tech University

January 2017 Parent & Family eNewsletter

Volume 16, Issue 1

In this issue...

General News

Financial Tips/Info

Scholarships/Job Opportunities 

Academic

Housing  

Important Dates

Extracurricular Activities

Texas Tech Parents Association

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Sibling Saturday 2017 registration is open now

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 is available online at www.parent.ttu.edu.

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Winter Raider Welcome offers students fun start to spring semester

Encourage your Red Raider to participate in Winter Raider Welcome - a week or so of activities to get your students involved and excited for the spring semester.  From hot chocolate socials to game show night, there is sure to be something your students will enjoy.  View the entire schedule of events here: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentengagement/raiderwelcome/schedule.php

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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 how your student shares his/her academic progress with you: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B576G7N

For past poll results visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/parentrelations/polls.php. 

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Student Rec Center offers ways for your Red Raider to keep those New Years resolutions

Finals There are lots of New Year's Resolutions in the making at the Rec Center in January. Make sure your student checks out the Raider X Group Fitness Schedule which begins January 17. There are over 70 free, drop-in classes happening from 6:30 am until 9 pm. We also have Instructional Classes such as Cross-Fit, Escape Small Group, Dance classes including Bachata, Ballet, Boxing and TRX. These classes have a small additional fee because of the equipment and progressive instruction and require registration. The FREE WEEK for these classes is January 23-29. All schedules will be available at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/recsports/fitwell/raiderxgroup.php.

Did you know our Outdoor Pursuits Shop rents skis, snowboards, boots, poles and helmets at very reasonable prices? If your student is headed to the slopes, tell them to check out the OPC before they go.

If your student would like to start an exercise program and wants some individualized help, the Rec Center has certified Personal Trainers and a brand new Raider Escape Room in which to work out. Information on the trainers and the program are available at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/recsports/fitwell/personaltraining.php

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Volunteering: A win-win opportunity

College students are busy! Between going to classes, studying, doing projects and socializing, there is little time left over. What they do with this pint-sized amount of time can make a huge impact on others! By becoming a volunteer, students have the opportunity to help others while building their marketable skills and bolstering their resumes.
Many organizations welcome college students as volunteers: Big Brothers, Big Sisters; the Humane Society; Meals on Wheels; and many more.

By becoming a volunteer, college students develop professional experience, expand their network, and promote personal growth and self-esteem. Just as important, they make a real difference by supporting, improving and beautifying their community.
For a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities in the Lubbock area, visit Volunteer Center of Lubbock, https://www.volunteerlubbock.org/.

Another great resource for finding volunteer opportunities is he University Career Center's Non Profit Fair this spring. Non Profits from various local agencies will be in attendance to recruit students for full-time, part-time, internships, and volunteer positions. Visit the UCC website this spring for date, time and attending organizations.
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.

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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 is also open at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentengagement/redraidercamp/register.php

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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.

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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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Spring 2017 paying the bill checklist

Click here to view the Spring 2017 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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1098-T Information

Texas Tech University has made it even easier for students to access and view or print 1098-T tax forms when they become available each year. Students that have accepted the Global Electronic Consent during registration or have completed the paper Electronic Consent form may access their 1098-T from the Raiderlink portal and completing the steps below:

  1. Click on the TTU MyTech tab in Raiderlink
  2. Click on the Student Business Services link in the Action Items box
  3. Click on the 1098T - View and Print link

A new window will open your personal 1098-T page
For additional information visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/feeInfo/1098T.php.

Note: Students that have not completed the Electronic Consent form will receive a paper copy of the 1098-T by mail. Student Business Services will mail 1098-T forms no later than January 31st to the permanent address that is on file in Raiderlink.

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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

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Student Business Services important dates and deadlines

January 4, Wednesday through February 14, Tuesday
Book loans available – must be re-paid by February 25, Saturday

January 9, Monday
Emergency Payment Plan available for enrollment
Financial Aid Disbursed for Spring
Financial Aid refunds begin

January 12, Thursday
TTU - payment deadline. Registration changes made after this date could affect the student's account balance, and must be paid immediately unless the student is enrolled in a Spring Payment Plan

January 16, Monday
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. University holiday

January 18, Wednesday
Last day to withdraw in the Registrar's Office for a full refund. See below for the full schedule of withdrawal dates and refund percentages

January 19, Thursday
TTU Classes begin

For more information, please visit Student Business Services at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/

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Parent & Family Relations is hiring a student assistant

Does your Red Raider need a part-time job on campus? Parent & Family Relations is hiring a part-time Student Assistant for Spring and Summer 2017 (and possibly beyond).  Requirements include: 

  • Must be a full-time Texas Tech undergraduate student
  • Must have completed at least one full semester of undergraduate coursework at Texas Tech
  • 2.75 institutional GPA

For more information about the position, visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/parentrelations/studentassistant.php

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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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Tips for parents & families of students placed on academic suspension or probation

The semester has come to an end and your student faced unforeseen struggles in the classroom due to out-of-the-classroom events or habits. The result? Scholastic probation or suspension. While many react negatively initially, it is important to remember that there are ways to make it through this and come out as a stronger student for it.

Different academic colleges and majors within Texas Tech have varying grade point average (GPA) requirements for their students to maintain to be considered in "Good Academic Standing". Only students whose GPA's fall below the college specific cut off in their FIRST semester at Texas Tech are placed on scholastic probation and required to enroll in a major-specific course through our Programs for Academic Development & Retention (PADR) for the following semester. (PLEASE NOTE: some colleges may have exceptions to this rule).  All students returning from academic suspension (who have not already taken and passed PADR) are required to enroll regardless of college. The coursework is carefully planned and implemented in a way that teaches students time management skills, better study habits, and habits for collegiate success. When a student's GPA falls below the requirement a second time, he or she is placed on scholastic suspension and will need to reapply to Texas Tech after at least one (or two-you will be notified) semester of suspension. The process is not as daunting as it sounds. Many students successfully complete the PADR course, continue to excel in their courses, and graduate.

So, what can you do to help your student with probation or suspension? First, take a deep breath. It is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed and disappointed (your student is feeling these things as well). Sit down with your student and if you aren't sure what went wrong during his or her semester, ask and talk through it. Next, your student will need to refer to the scholastic probation/suspension notification letter from Texas Tech for the next steps. Make a checklist and familiarize yourself with the entire process and the coursework your student takes on during the following semester. If any offices on campus need paperwork filled out, they will reach out to your student. Above all, remember that your student is more than capable of overcoming this obstacle and Texas Tech wants to do everything we can to help your student get back on track. Even from here, it's possible.

PADR website: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/padr/index.php

2016-2017 Academic Catalog: http://catalog.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 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.

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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.

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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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Career Center Events

University Career Center Events, Spring 2017

Feb 2 Resume Critique Day
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
University Career Center, Wiggins Complex

Feb 7 Etiquette Dinner
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center

Feb 8 Summer Camp Job Fair
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
SUB Ballroom

Feb 15 Engineering Career Fair
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Lubbock Memorial Civic Center

Feb 22 Business Career Expo *
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Lubbock Memorial Center

*ONLY BUSINESS MAJORS

For a full list of upcoming events and webinars, please visit the University Career Center Events page.

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This month's academic and event calendar

January 12, Thursday
95% payment of mandatory tuition and fees or enrollment in a payment plan due for spring. Registrations after this date require immediate payment or enrollment in a payment plan.

January 15, Sunday
10 a.m., Residence halls open for occupancy (housing.ttu.edu/movein).
Select dining locations open for service (hospitality.ttu.edu).

January 17, Tuesday
Faculty on duty.

January 18, Wednesday
Last day to withdraw from the university without financial penalty. For more information visit www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/calendar/withdrawDates.php.

January 19, Thursday
Classes begin.

January 24, Tuesday
Last day for student-initiated addition of a course on MyTech. Course may be added until February 3 with advisor permission.

Complete calendar information:

Texas Tech Academic Calendar 

Texas Tech event calendar

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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.

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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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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.

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Parent and Family Relations

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