May 2015 Parent & Family eNewsletter
Vol. 14 Issue 5
In this issue...
General News
- Parent Pulse Poll
- Rec Center offers great stress reliever massages
- Rest & Relaxation Night hosted by TAB
- Severe Weather Tips
- Lubbock 2015 Visitor Guide
- For your complete Texas Tech news, visit Texas Tech Today
Parents of Incoming Freshman
Financial Tips/Info
- Is your student getting scholarships from groups other than Texas Tech for 2015/2016?
- Summer I & II Paying the Bill Checklist
- Red to Black: Peer-to-Peer Financial Coaching
Academic
Housing
- Spring Move-Out: May 13th
- Consider renters insurance for your student whether they are living on or off campus
- Responsible off campus living
Graduation
Important Dates
Extracurricular Activities
Texas Tech Parents Association
- Road Raiders: Have a piece of mind when your student is traveling home for the summer
- Looking for ways to get involved?
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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 parents' and family members' concerns going into the summer months: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/H3GCWCY
This poll will be open through the month of May. Results will be posted at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/parentrelations/polls.php in June.
Last month's poll about career readiness revealed that many respondents' students have declared a major based on their career interests and have begun attending job fairs. For the complete results of the poll and tips on how to encourage your student to prepare for his or her career, visit www.depts.ttu.edu/parentrelations/resources/resultsapril2015.pdf.
Rec Center offers great stress reliever massages
Does your student need stress-relief from studying and finals? One great stress-reliever can be a massage which are available on campus in the Student Rec Center through May 17th. All massages are done by licensed therapists. You can purchase a gift certificate for your student by calling (806) 742-3828. Prices are $40 for an hour or $25 for a half hour. We will mail the certificate to your student and they can call to make an appointment.
Rest & Relaxation Night hosted by TAB
Finals are coming up quickly and your student might need a time to rest and relax. What better way than at the Rest and Relaxation Night!
Tuesday, May 5th
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
SUB Courtyard and Red Raider Lounge
For more information contact TAB
Website: www.tab.ttu.edu
E-mail: tab@ttu.edu
Phone: 806-742-4708
Severe Weather Tips
The most common months for severe weather, including tornadoes, in the Lubbock area are May and June. Make sure your student is prepared for severe weather. Here are some tips provided by Texas Tech's Emergency Communications department: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/communications/emergency/tornadoes.php/
Make sure your student has his or her contact information updated in the TechAlert! system. Students can update their information here: https://appserv.itts.ttu.edu/EmergencyAlert/.
Lubbock 2015 Visitor Guide
When you make plans to visit your student be sure to check out the visitor guide provided by Visit Lubbock.
http://www.visitlubbock.org/2015-ivg/index.html
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.
Raider Ready: IS 1100 Course
RaiderReady: IS 1100 is a course designed to bridge the gap between high school and collegiate success. Students who enroll in this one-hour class can expect to learn and further develop note, studying, and test taking skills, academic professionalism, as well as stress management.
RaiderReady is an invaluable resource not only for the quality of skills our students learn, but also the relationships built while doing so. Allowing the students a place and faculty member to navigate freshman year creates success, and is evident in higher numbers of students returning for a second year in comparison to the university average.
Is your student getting scholarships from groups other than Texas Tech for 2015/2016?
If your student is receiving scholarships from external groups, please have them complete the Estimated External Scholarship Notification Form and email it to scholarships@ttu.edu. Have scholarship checks sent to the TTU Scholarship Office Box 45011 Lubbock, TX 79409. Be sure to provide the donor with this address and the student's R# to expedite processing!
Summer I & II Paying the Bill Checklist
View the Summer I & II 2015 Paying the Bill Checklist for bill availability dates, deadlines, and payment plan information: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/PayingBill/payBillChecklist.php
Red to Black: Peer-to-Peer Financial Coaching
Texas Tech University's Red to Black program hosts its annual Financial Education Week. The week-long event is free to Texas Tech students to become educated about various financial topics.
The event will include credit report reviews, financial fitness at the rec, and Don't Go For Broke game.
For more information about the event, visit www.orgs.ttu.edu/r2b.
Residential Tutoring Program
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.
Subjects Offered:
- 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 regarding location and scheduled please visit http://housing.ttu.edu/reslife/restutor.
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 9am-8pm and Friday 9am-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.
Spring Move-Out: May 13th
Do you need information regarding spring move-out? Visit http://housing.ttu.edu/moveout for more information, tips, and reminders for parents.
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.
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.
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 15, 2015
3:00 p.m. Art & Sciences
7:00 p.m. Graduate School
Saturday, May 16, 2015
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
Wind Energy
Law School Hooding (Saturday, May 16, 2015)
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/
Save the date for Family Weekend 2015: September 25-26
The wait is over and we have set the date for Family Weekend 2015. Save the date for September 25-26 when Texas Tech football takes on TCU. More details and registration will become available during the summer 2015.
Be sure and reserve hotels early as these fill up very quickly. For a list of hotels click HERE.
This month's academic and event calendar
May 1, Friday
Last day for undergraduate degree candidates to remove grades of I and PR.
May 4, Monday
Raiderlink available for grading (degree candidate grades due at noon May 13).
May 5, Tuesday
Last day of classes.
May 6, Wednesday
Individual study day.
Late night breakfast available for residents living on campus.
May 7 – 12, Thursday – Saturday / Monday – Tuesday
Final examinations.
May 12, Tuesday
Spring semester ends.
May 13, Wednesday
Last day for most dining locations (www.depts.ttu.edu/hospitality).
10 a.m., residence halls close. Degree candidates may occupy residence hall rooms
until 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16 (housing.ttu.edu/moveout).
Noon, grades due for graduating students via Raiderlink.
May 15 – 16, Friday – Saturday
Commencement. Schedule of ceremonies can be found at www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/commencement/index.php.
May 16, Saturday
Degree candidates may occupy residence hall rooms until 10 a.m.
May 18, Monday
Noon, Final grades due via Raiderlink.
May 13 – 28
May Intersession
May 27, Wednesday
95% payment of mandatory tuition and fees or enrollment in a payment plan due for Summer I. Registrations after this date require immediate payment or enrollment in a payment plan.
May 31, Sunday
10 a.m., Residence halls open for occupancy.
For the complete 2014-2015 Academic Calendar, please visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/calendar/14-15_cal_detailed.php
For the Texas Tech event calendar, please CLICK HERE.
Have your student check out Orgsyc 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 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.
Road Raiders: Have a piece of mind when your student travels home for the summer
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.
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.
Parent and Family Relations
-
Address
Drane Hall 2515 15th St., Box 45020, Lubbock, Texas 79409-5020 -
Phone
806.742.3630 -
Email
parent@ttu.edu