Texas Tech University

May 2017 Parent & Family eNewsletter

Volume 16, Issue 5

In this issue...

General News

Financial Tips/Info

Scholarships/Job Opportunities 

Academic

Housing  

Important Dates

Extracurricular Activities

Texas Tech Parents Association

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

facebook icon

Save the date for Family Weekend 2017

Family Weekend 2017 will be September 29-30, 2017, as Texas Tech football takes on the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Activities will begin on Friday evening of the weekend. Stay tuned to familyweekend.ttu.edu and the Texas Tech Family Weekend Facebook page for more information as the date gets closer. Football and event tickets will go on sale in June 2017.

Book hotel rooms quickly, as they will fill up for the weekend.  Visit www.texastechparents.org for information about discounted hotel rooms.

A tradition at Texas Tech since 1936, Family Weekend is a wonderful time to visit campus and reconnect with your student! The Texas Tech campus is beautiful in the fall, and there are many activities for families to enjoy during the weekend. We hope you and your family will join us!

return to top


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 the Career Center and Graduation: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/maypulsepoll

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

return to top


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: www.emergencyalert.ttu.edu.

return to top


Relieve Stress at the Rec Center

Finals are just days away and students have a lot of stress from studying, writing papers and finalizing the semester. A healthy stress-reliever is a massage performed by licensed massage therapists—and they are available on campus at the Student Rec Center. You can call (806) 742-3828 to get a gift certificate which we will mail to your student. Your student can then call and make an appointment. Charges are $40/hour or $25/half hour. All the info is available at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/recsports/fitwell/massage.php

As the semester comes to a close, the Rec Center goes on the interim hour schedule. We are open during finals but make sure your student looks online at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/recsports/ to check the daily hours. 

return to top


Arbor Day 2017

Friday, April 28, 2017
Memorial Circle
11am-3pm

Arbor Day is an annual event that provides an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to join together to beautify the Tech campus, build a sense of community, and receive recognition. Live music, free food and t-shirts, and planting alongside other Red Raiders makes this one of the most anticipated events each spring.

For more information visit https://www.depts.ttu.edu/sub/Activities/arborday.php.

return to top


R & R 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 9th
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
SUB Courtyard

For more information contact TAB

Website: www.tab.ttu.edu
E-mail: tab@ttu.edu
Phone: 806-742-4708

return to top


Student Counseling Center Crisis Helpline

The 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.

return to top


Make Plans to Tailgate with Your Student this Fall!

Parents and students can tailgate together at all home football games at the Frazier Alumni Pavilion!

Parents: Join at just $50 per year (spouse included at no additional cost)

Students: Join at our $25 student level per year

Benefits at Frazier:

  • Across from Jones AT&T Stadium
  • Each membership can bring in one free guest
  • Networking with the largest Red Raider network
  • Climate controlled facility
  • Clean restrooms
  • Food & drinks
  • Watch premier games on multiple big screens

For more information or to sign up visit https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1422/alumni/index.aspx?sid=1422&gid=1&pgid=465&cid=1208.

return to top


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.

return to top


Student Business Services important dates and deadlines

May 30, Tuesday

  • 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.
  • Budget/Emergency Payment Plan due date – Required payment must be received by the due date or the account will incur late fees

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

return to top


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.

return to top


 Is your student receiving scholarships from sources other than Texas Tech?

If your student is receiving scholarships from a source other than Texas Tech, for example, their high school, a civic organization, etc? Be sure they report them by going to http://www.depts.ttu.edu/scholarships/ and clicking on the trophy icon (report external awards).

Is your student receiving a scholarship for 1718 from Texas Tech University? Please be sure to get those thank you letters in ASAP!

You can follow TTU Financial Aid on Facebook and Twitter to get reminders and external scholarship information –new posts daily!

return to top


Spring 2017 Commencement schedule

Congratulations to all Red Raiders graduating in May, and to the parents and family members who supported them!  Please visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/commencement/ for the complete Commencement schedule, information about guests and seating, as well as how to purchase invitations and regalia. 

return to top


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.

return to top


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.

return to top


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.

return to top


Residence Hall Spring Move Out

 Texas Tech residence halls will close for the spring semester at 10:00am on Wednesday, May 17th. All students currently living on campus will be expected to vacate their room by that time. Charges may apply for students that have not vacated their rooms by 10:00am. University Student Housing staff has provided information directly to students that will be living on campus for the first summer session about the move to their summer room. Students that are graduating this May, and that need a move-out extension, must submit an online Stay Late request. Parents are encouraged to remind their students of the move-out date, and to plan accordingly. Because of many summer construction projects, and the arrival of summer camp guests, requests to stay late because of parents work schedules or alternate travel arrangements are not generally able to be approved. Additional information about move-out can be found online at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/housing/moveout.php

return to top


This month's academic and event calendar

May 4 – 10, Thursday – Wednesday

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

May 4, Thursday

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.

May 5, Friday

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

May 8, Monday

Raiderlink available for grading (degree candidate grades due at noon May 22).

May 9, Tuesday

Last day of classes.

May 10, Wednesday

Individual study day.
Late night breakfast available for residents living on campus.

May 11 – 16, Thursday – Saturday / Monday – Tuesday

Final examinations.

May 16, Tuesday

Spring semester ends.

May 17, Wednesday

Last day for most dining locations (hospitality.ttu.edu).
10 a.m., residence halls close. Degree candidates may occupy residence hall rooms until 10 a.m. Saturday, May 20 (housing.ttu.edu/moveout).
Noon, grades due for graduating students via Raiderlink.

May 19 – 20, 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.

May 22, Monday

Noon, Final grades due via Raiderlink.

Complete calendar information:

Texas Tech Academic Calendar
Texas Tech Events Calendar

return to top


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.

return to top


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.

return to top


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.

return to top


Texas Tech Parents Association invites you to CONNECT WITH STUDENT SUCCESS!

Tech Parents has great programs, fun activities, informative sessions, all available in your community!

Our Tips & Tidbits newsletter provides relevant information for YOU!

For New Parents:

  • What to expect at Red Raider Orientation
  • Celebrate your student's new phase with a Send Off
  • New Parent Receptions
  • On-line Seminars

For All Parents:

  • Sneak Preview of Family Weekend 2017
  • Group Seating Discount Football Tickets
  • Summer Programs
  • Get Ready for Fall 2017!

Click the link to our newsletter: http://www.texastechparents.org/?page=TipsTidbitsApr2017

return to top