Texas Tech University

March 2016 Parent & Family eNewsletter

Vol. 15 Issue 3

In this issue...

General News

Financial Tips/Info

Scholarships/Job Opportunities

Academic

Housing

Graduation

Important Dates

Extracurricular Activities

Texas Tech Parents Association

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Save the Date for Family Weekend 2016

The wait is over and we have set the date for Family Weekend 2016 and the Texas Tech Parents Association 60th Anniversary Celebration!

Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 29th - Sunday, October 2nd for this year's Family Weekend at Texas Tech University. Registration information will be available during summer 2016. More details to come in the Parent & Family eNewsletter and online at www.parent.ttu.edu.

You will want to make your hotel reservations soon as rooms will fill up quickly. Click HERE for a complete listing of Lubbock hotels.

The Texas Tech Parents Association will be Celebrating 60 Years during Family Weekend 2016. Various events will be hosted to celebrate this milestone anniversary. Serving and supporting parents, students, and Texas Tech University, your Parents Association was founded in October 1956 and begins celebrating 60 years of serving and supporting Red Raider parents, their students and Texas Tech University. Learn more and join the Texas Tech Parents Association at www.texastechparents.org.

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Tickets Still Available for Spring Break Bus Trip

Does your student need a ride home for Spring 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 Spring Break 2016. Break Shuttle is the largest break/event transportation service for colleges and universities in the country.

Charter buses will transport students to/from Lubbock for Spring Break. Destinations are Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio/Austin. Buses depart Lubbock on Saturday, March 12th and return to Lubbock on Sunday, March 20th. Seating is based on availability and is sold on a first come, first served basis. Prices vary by destination. More information about this trip and the online registration link can be found below.

Bus trips are provided by Break Shuttle, a separate entity from Texas Tech University. Parent and Family Relations at Texas Tech University works with Break Shuttle to ensure these trips are possible.

For more information and the registration link, visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/parentrelations/bustrips.php.

Questions about registration or anything connected to the bus trip should be directed to Break Shuttle, http://www.breakshuttle.com/, information@BreakShuttle.com, or (855) 620-1924.

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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 Parent Pulse Poll.

For past poll results visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/parentrelations/polls.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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Save the Date for Tech to Town: April 9th

The Texas Tech Student Government Association and The Office of the President are excited to host our first ever Tech to Town!

Tech to Town was designed by our students as a one day service day seeking to give a big "thank you" to the City of Lubbock for all they do for us. There are many different opportunities for your student to be involved and is a great opportunity to make a difference in their community. Registration is FREE and includes a free meal and T-Shirt.

For questions or concerns regarding the event, please contact Caleb Fisher, SGA External Vice President.
caleb.fisher@ttu.edu | 806.742.3631

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Free Car Clinic on Wednesday, March 2

Join Transportation and Parking Services for the spring Free Car Clinic March 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the C16 lot in Commuter West! Professional mechanics will be on hand to top off basic vehicle fluids and alert drivers to problematic areas they see. All attendees receive a free hot dog, drink, prize, and entry to win a free parking permit!

For more information, contact Transportation and Parking Services at parking@ttu.edu or (806) 742-PARK.

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Spring Break Outdoor Pursuits Trips

Easter Weekend is the end of March, but the Outdoor Pursuits Center still has spots available for the Intro to Kayaking Trip March 25-28 which will be held in San Marcos, Tx. Trip cost of $125 includes all gear, most food (except when travelling), instruction, camping equipment and loads of fun.

For information on all the OPC trips, go to http://www.depts.ttu.edu/recsports/opc/trips.php. The OPC also rents skis, snowboards and camping equipment.

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Rec Center Massages and Fitness Classes

The 2nd session of Group Fitness Raider X2 classes will begin after Spring Break. The X2 classes have a small individual fee but include classes such as Country Dance, Bachata, Salsa, Muscles and Mascara and many more.

Did you know we have a CrossFit box in the Rec Center with classes? There is a "free" week March 21-25 so students can try a class before buying the 6 week session. We also have almost 70 free classes on the Raider X schedule. Info can be found at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/recsports/fitwell/raiderxgroup.php


We have had many student enjoy a relaxing massage provided by our licensed therapists. You can get a gift card delivered to your student by calling (806) 742-3828. The cost of a one hour massage is $40.

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University Career Center: Companies are looking to #HireRedRaiders!

The Spring Job Fair is March 2nd in the Student Union Building Ballroom. There will be fifty employers looking for all majors to fill part-time, full-time and internship positions.

The University Career Center (UCC) is partnering with Tech Activities Board, (TAB) to provide students with free professional headshots during the job fair. Please encourage your student to dress professionally and come to the fair to take advantage of this service. Professional headshots can be used for LinkedIn, Facebook, or any other online image.

Webinars are another service that can be utilized by students. Whether your student is a freshman or a senior, webinars are an effective way to gain information about career development. Webinars can be viewed from the student's personal computer, which makes it convenient to watch from home, the library or a coffee shop.

Webinars typically last from twenty to thirty minutes and include time at the end for students to ask questions. Topics ranging from Writing Your Resume and Cover Letter to Managing Anxiety in the Job Search Process will help students to gain valuable information without having a face-to-face appointment.

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

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Feed Your Inner Red Raider!

Hospitality Services wants your Red Raider to get the most out of their Dining Bucks, so we're providing them with numerous options when it comes to Dining Plans!

Do Dining Bucks rollover? Students can roll unused Dining Bucks to their next on-campus living contract. Dining Bucks do not roll to an off-campus/commuter Dining Plan and they are non-refundable and non-transferable.

For more information about on-campus dining options or Dining Plans visit hospitality.ttu.edu or call 806.742.1360. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @EatAtTexasTech

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Parent & Family Bumper Sticker Contest

Parent and Family Relations is sponsoring a bumper sticker design contest. This bumper sticker will be distributed to all parents and family members during Red Raider Orientation.

Design your bumper sticker in graphics software (preferred: Vectorized Artwork in an EPS or Adobe Illustrator File) or draw a detailed sketch. Include your name, contact info, and PDF of artwork. Submissions can be sent via email to parent@ttu.edu or dropped off at Parent and Family Relations in 201Q Student Union (2nd floor of the SUB). Include your name and contact information.

Design criteria: colors must be red, black, and/or white, size must be 7"Wx 2"H (with full bleeds), and the words "Red Raider Family" are the only words to be used.

If you use the Double T logo, be sure to follow guidelines on the use of the Double T. Information on proper use can be found at: http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/text/graphics/t-standards.gif.

Submission deadline is Monday, March 28th at 5:00PM.

Winner will be notified after April 4th. The prize is a Red Raider prize pack.

Call 806-742-3630 or email parent@ttu.edu for more information.

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1098T 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
  4. 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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2016 Lubbock Visitor's Guide

When you make plans to visit your student be sure to check out the interactive visitor guide provided by Visit Lubbock.

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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 2016 Budget Payment Plan and Emergency Payment Plan due March 25th

March 25 – Budget Payment Plan and Emergency Payment Plan installment payment date. For more information visit www.sbs.ttu.edu.

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Red to Black: Peer-to-Peer Financial Coaching

Hi, Parents! With Spring Break just around the corner, it may seem like it is too early to already be thinking about summer, but now is the perfect time. Whether your student is staying in Lubbock to take classes, taking advantage of Study Abroad, or coming back home to work over the summer, it is important to talk about how they will be funding these experiences. If your student is receiving financial aid, will they have enough to last over the summer? If not, what are their income plans?

If your student has questions about how to make ends meet this summer or about creating a summer spending plan, please have them come talk to a Red to Black Peer Financial Coach. We are here to answer all your students' money questions! Give us a call at 806-745-9781, send as an email at redtoblack@ttu.edu, or visit our website at www.r2b.ttu.edu to schedule an appointment.

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Division Of Institutional Diversity Scholarships

The following type of scholarships are available to eligible students:

  • Multicultural Faculty and Staff Association Endowed Scholarship - $500
  • Bidal Aguero Endowed Scholarship - $500
  • Institutional Diversity Success Scholarship - $500

Applications may be found at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/diversity/funding.php.

Deadline is Monday, March 28, 2016.

For more information contact Avelina Padilla at 742-7025 or send an email to diversity@ttu.edu.

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Barnes and Noble Leadership Scholarship

The Student Union & Activities department is accepting applications for the 2016-2017 Barnes & Noble Leadership Scholarship. The Barnes & Noble Leadership Scholarship will be awarded to (2) currently enrolled full-time Texas Tech University students who have demonstrated leadership at Texas Tech University and have maintained a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Applicant Criteria:

  1. Be a fulltime student at Texas Tech University. Texas Tech University Health Science Center students are not eligible for the scholarship.
  2. Must have demonstrated leadership and service to, for, or in the name of Texas Tech University.
  3. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 at time of application for the scholarship and receipt of the scholarship.
  4. The annual scholarship is awarded twice, once in the fall and once again in the spring to the recipient as long as she/he remains enrolled as a TTU student. Recipients may reapply annually.

Applications may be picked up in person from the Student Union Main office, Room 203, located on the second floor of the Student Union or online at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/sub/

Applications are due by 5:00 PM on Friday, March 4, 2016.

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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.

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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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Save the Date for the Ready.Set.Register. Fair

Wednesday, March 23, 2016
11 am - 1 pm
McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center

The purpose of the Ready.Set.Register. Fair is to help students overcome any obstacles to registering and help them prepare for their next academic term. These obstacles may include not only registration holds, but also academic difficulties, financial aid problems, and uncertainty about their academic goals and plans. The fair provides an opportunity for students to prepare for advance registration by taking care of holds, meeting with an advisor, and receiving information about campus services – all in one convenient location.

For more information about the Ready.Set.Register. Fair contact Transition & Engagement at 806-742-5433.

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University Writing Center

The University Writing Center offers undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff 30-minute, one-on-one tutorials on any type of writing, including resumes, personal statements, research papers, and articles for publication. We believe that writing serves as one of the primary means for learning and communicating, and that every good writer needs a good reader.

The UWC is open for the spring term. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. We are located in RM.175 of the English/Philosophy Building.

To set up an appointment, call (806) 742-2476 or visit them online at http://uwc.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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Student Legal Services-Lease Reviews

Student Legal Services is able to offer a wide variety of legal services to students of Texas Tech. Their services are freely available to all registered Texas Tech students.

If your student is looking to move off campus encourage them to visit Student Legal Services for a FREE Lease Review so they understand the process of renting an apartment/house.

For more information visit Student Legal Services online at https://www.depts.ttu.edu/sls/.

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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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Grad Fair – March 8-10

Is your student graduating in May? Make sure they stop by the Grad Fair from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., March 8-10 at the McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center to get everything they need for graduation.

At the Grad Fair, students have the opportunity to try on and purchase the Official Texas Tech Class Ring, purchase diploma frames, graduation announcements, pick up their cap and gowns, as well as take senior portraits right on site.

The Official Texas Tech Class Ring symbolizes a significant achievement in a student's academic career. Students only need 75 hours to purchase a class ring. If purchased before March 11, students will be able to participate in the Official Ring Ceremony tradition this spring. For more information on the Official Texas Tech Class Ring, visit the Texas Tech Alumni Association online at www.texastechalumni.org/ring.

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Spring Commencement Dates

If your student is graduating in May, congratulations! Below is the Spring 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, May 20, 2016

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

Saturday, May 21, 2016

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

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

Law School Hooding (Saturday, May 21, 2016)
3:30 p.m. Reception in the Law School Forum
6:00 p.m. Ceremony in the United Supermarkets Arena

Texas Tech has a Commencement web site, 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:

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/commencement/

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Career Center Events

University Career Center Events

All Majors Job Fair
March 2nd | 12pm – 4pm
SUB Ballroom

Teacher Job Fair
March 22nd | 9am – 12pm
Lubbock Memorial Civic Center

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

March 11, Friday

Last day for most dining locations until after spring vacation (www.depts.ttu.edu/hospitality).

March 12 – 20, Saturday – Sunday

Spring vacation. Classes dismissed at noon Saturday. Student holiday only; university employees on duty except for holiday on Friday, March 18.

March 21, Monday

Classes resume. Hospitality Services dining locations open for service (www.depts.ttu.edu/hospitality).

March 23, 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 28, Monday

No classes. University employees on duty.

Select dining locations open for service.

March 31, Thursday

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 declare pass/fail intentions.

For the Texas Tech event calendar, please CLICK HERE.

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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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Road Raiders: Have a peace of mind when your student is traveling during spring break

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.texastechparents.org.

Drive Safely. Stay Alert. Be Prepared.

For more information, visit www.texastechparents.org.

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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 community calendar of events.

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