November 2017 Parent & Family eNewsletter
Volume 16, Issue 11
In this issue...
General News
Parents and Family Members of Incoming Freshmen
Financial Tips/Info
Scholarships/Job Opportunities
Academic
Housing
Important Dates
Extracurricular Activities
Texas Tech Parent Association
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!
Thanksgiving and Semester Break Bus Trip Tickets On Sale Now!
If your student still needs a bus ticket, tickets are still available. Ticket prices will increase on Wednesday, November 8.
BreakShuttle makes it easy for students at Texas Tech University to save time and money and avoid the hassle of getting home by providing direct, safe and affordable transportation to and from Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and El Paso* during academic breaks. Click here to see travel details and to purchase tickets.
*Please note: El Paso bus trips are only offered during Thanksgiving.
BreakShuttle has been offering convenient and reliable college break transportation for Texas Tech University since 2012. In 2017, BreakShuttle was acquired by Wells + Associates, a national transportation consultancy based in the Washington, DC region. For 25 years, W+A has created and implemented sustainable, cost-effective transportation solutions for commercial, residential, governmental, and institutional developments across the United States including university campuses.
BreakShuttle has a full-time staff dedicated to working with universities and coordinating travel arrangements for students around the country. We contract with fully insured and compliant charter companies to provide comfortable vehicles operated by responsible, courteous drivers.
For more information about bus trips, click HERE.
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 Tutoring Services.
For past poll results visit Parent & Family Pulse Polls.
Think About It: Account Holds
Parents and family members, please be aware if your first year Freshman or Transfer Student has not completed the required Think About IT course they do have a hold on their academic account that can prevent them from viewing grades, registering for classes, and more. If your student still needs to complete the course, instruct them to visit rise.ttu.edu and login using their eRaider username/password. Once complete with the course, students can email joseph.s.pfund@ttu.edu with their R number in the subject line.
For additional information, click here.
University Career Center – How you can help!
Students often identify their parents as a primary source of career information and support. As a key resource, there are many ways that you can have a positive impact on your student's career development. Parents, become familiar with the services provided at the University Career Center and encourage your student to visit us today! It is never too early to start thinking about career development. We have a Career Checklist that your student may find helpful, Career Development Checklist.
The earlier students start planning for their career, the more successful they will
be!
You can review the University Career Center's upcoming events and online resources
anytime by visiting www.careercenter.ttu.edu. The University Career Center hosts weekly webinars. Some topics include soft skills,
salary negotiation, resolving conflict and job search. These webinars are thirty minutes
long and have a question and answer session at the end. There are an effective way
to gain good information in a short time.
Have your student set up an appointment by calling 806-742-2210. University Career Center hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
Free Car Clinic
Stop by the Free Car Clinic November 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Join Transportation and Parking Services for the fall Free Car Clinic! Located in the northwest portion of Commuter West near the television tower the Free Car Clinic brings professional mechanics to campus to top off fluids and gives attendees a heads up on any vehicle issues that may cause the driver trouble on their holiday travels. Attendees receive free food, prizes, the free vehicle check, and entry into a drawing for a free ePermit all without having to leave their vehicle. For more details, contact TPS at (806) 742-PARK or parking@ttu.edu or on Facebook and Twitter with the handle TTUParking.
Strategies to Tackle Midterms & Finals
As midterm & final tests, projects, and other assignments are approaching, students may begin to feel overwhelmed by these pressing demands. Multi-step major assignments can carry a heavy weight on overall final grades for courses.
If your student needs help preparing to study for midterm exams, wants to make a weekly study plan, or needs to organize assignments more effectively, they can schedule a FREE appointment with an Academic Coach at the Learning Center!
Academic Coaches can help in various academic skill areas, including:
- General time management
- Creating an individualized weekly study plan
- Discovering personal learning styles
- Exploring study strategies for various subject areas
- Accessing resources across campus for academic success
- and many more!
How do I Make an Appointment?
Students can visit www.lc.soar.ttu.edu and choose 'Academic Coaching' for more information on these services, to make an appointment, or to view study help worksheets on the website! For more information, call our offices at (806) 742-3664 or stop by Holden Hall Room 80.
Signing Up for TechAlert
If you would like to sign up for TechAlert messages, your student needs to log in at www.ttu.edu/emergencyalert using their eRaider username and password. Your number can be added as an alternate phone number, but your student's number should be listed as the primary emergency alert contact number so he or she receives the text messages and calls first. Up to four phone numbers can be added, but your student's number should be the primary number for texting.
Carol of Lights
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 59th Annual Carol of Lights® will be held on Friday, December 1, 2017. The Carillon Concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. before the ceremony, with the Carol of Lights commencing at 7:00 p.m. The Masked Rider, Saddle Tramps Torch Light Processional, and High Riders will begin the ceremony at the University Seal on Broadway and follow the luminaria lighted route around Memorial Circle to the Science Quadrangle.
The lights will be turned on every night from dusk (approximately 6:30 p.m.) until midnight from December 2, 2017 through January 1, 2018.
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.
Student Disability Services
If you have a student that would benefit from support in college through Student Disability Services, please have your student apply for services at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/sds/. Documentation can be uploaded along with the application, and any questions should be directed to sds@ttu.edu or 806-742-2405. If you have questions about the TECHniques Center program, please send an email to techniques.center@ttu.edu.
Prospective Students: Raider Roadshow
Undergraduate Admissions would like to announce the dates of our Spring Raider Roadshow events for prospective students.
For high school juniors and seniors, this is the time to meet deans, professors and staff to discuss your academic goals.
TOUR DATES:
Dallas | Westin Galleria
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Austin | Hyatt Regency
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Houston | Westin Galleria
Sunday, March 4, 2018
San Antonio | Omni Hotel - Colonnade
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Rio Grande Valley | McAllen Convention Center
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
El Paso | Convention Center
Monday, April 16, 2018
Fore more information visit, www.admissions.ttu.edu/roadshow.
Student Business Services important dates and deadlines
November 25, Saturday
- 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/
2 Ways to Get Free Money for College
It's FASFA time! That's right, the FASFA for the 2018-19 school year is now open and we will start awarding funds in December. This federal form is used to determine grant and some scholarship eligibility. Some funds are "first come, first serve" so put your student in the best position to receive the most support by completing it soon.
On to scholarships! The competitive university scholarship application for continuing students is also open for the 2018-19 school year. Students fill out one application and are considered for over 4,000 scholarships at Texas Tech.
Don't let these opportunities for free money pass you by!
Have questions? The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office is here to help!
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.
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!
For more information, visit the website HERE.
Preparing for Spring and Summer 2018 Registration
It's the time of the semester where students begin to plan for the Spring and Summer semesters. Here are some helpful information to aid your student in preparing for registration.
- Only currently enrolled students can register for Spring and Summer 2018 courses - incoming students must attend Red Raider Orientation before they can register
- Students need to meet with their advisor to discuss their degree plan and course selection
- Students can find their registration date on Raiderlink by logging in with their eRaider username/password and viewing their Registration Status
- Once students meet with their advisor, they can use the Schedule Builder to begin planning which courses they will register for - it is helpful to have several options before registering for classes
For more information about Spring and Summer 2018 Registration, click HERE.
Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction at the Learning Center
The Learning Center offers undergraduate students FREE peer tutoring and Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions. We provide tutoring in a wide variety of subjects, and students can drop in anytime, 8 am to 8 pm Monday through Thursday and 8 am to 5 pm on Friday to receive our tutoring services. Our SI sessions are FREE peer-led review sessions for historically difficult courses. Our SI leaders work with the professors to prepare and lead these 1 hour a week review sessions.
Why take advantage of this FREE service?
Tutoring and SI sessions:
- Improve academic performance and retention in the course
- Provide extra support and increase self-esteem
- Provide a more individualized learning experience, and
- Allow the student to become involved in active learning and problem solving
Our tutors and SI leaders are recommended by professors and have made an A in the course they tutor/lead. Stop by the Learning Center in Holden Hall or check out our website www.lc.soar.ttu.edu to learn more about our FREE services or to find our Fall tutoring and SI schedule.
Fall 2017 Commencement Schedule
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 15, 2017
3:00 p.m.
Arts & Sciences
7:00 p.m.
Graduate School
Saturday, December 16, 2017
9:00 a.m.
Business Administration
Media and Communication
University Programs
Visual & Performing Arts
Wind Energy
1:30 p.m.
Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources
Architecture
Education
Engineering
Honors College
Human Sciences
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: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/commencement/
Sending Mail & Packages to Campus
Who doesn't love getting a postcard, letter, or package from a loved one!? Below are several tips and suggestions on how to make sure your student gets all of their mail while they're on campus.
To locate your students on-campus mailing address, visit: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/housing/halls/mail.php
University Student Housing will start receiving mail for fall residents on August 7th. Please do not mail items to your students address before this time, or it may be returned to sender.
Just like at your home, Texas Tech residence hall students receive mail directly in their building. Mail is delivered twice daily Monday- Friday. Residence halls do not receive mail on weekends, holidays, or over university breaks.
When students receive a standard piece of mail, those items are placed in a mailbox that corresponds to their room number. Boxes are available to students 24/7 while the residence halls are in operation. Mail boxes are secured with a combination lock. Your student will receive their combination when they move-in.
While the boxes are secured, it is recommended that valuable items such as checks and plane tickets are mailed using registered mail. It is never recommended that you mail cash or other irreplaceable items.
Packages
When your student receives a package that's larger than their mailbox, the package will be received by the hall staff in the hall office. Packages are tagged and logged into a computer tracking system. After the package is logged, the EZTrackIt computer system will automatically generate an email notification to the student, letting them know they can come claim their package.
Packages are available from the students' residence hall office. They simply need to bring their student ID at the time of pickup.
Students who need to mail packages or items that need to be weighed on campus can take advantage of CopyMail, which serves as a mail center for the Texas Tech community. Students can visit CopyMail at the Student Union Building, room 100, near the Food Court.
Care Packages
Raiders Helping Others, a community service based student organization on campus, has partnered with an off campus vendor to produce pre-made care packages that will automatically be sent to your student periodically throughout the year. If you're interested in learning more about how this program works, or to order a package for your on-campus resident, visit http://ttu.orgsync.com/org/tturho/fundraising
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.
This Month's Academic and Event Calendar
November 2, Thursday
3 p.m., First day of spring 2018 semester and summer 2018 term advance registration for currently enrolled students (continues through November 20).
November 20, Monday
Last day of advance registration for spring and summer 2018.
November 21, Tuesday
Open registration for spring and summer 2018 begins.
Last day to transfer between colleges.
November 22 – 26, Wednesday – Sunday
Thanksgiving holiday. No meals available at any Hospitality Services location November 23-26 (hospitality.ttu.edu). University employees will not be on duty November 23-24.
November 27, Monday
Classes resume.
Complete calendar information:
Texas Tech Academic Calendar
Texas Tech Events Calendar
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.
Military & Veterans Programs
Is your student involved with the Military and Veterans Programs? If so, encourage him or her to view the Upcoming Events & Announcements on the MVP website!
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.
More Parent Opportunities
Join Tech Parents at football games for pregame in Houston, Austin and Arlington. Texas Tech meets the UH Cougars in Houston Saturday Sep. 23 in Houston, Oklahoma State Cowboys in Lubbock during Family Weekend Saturday Sep 30; the Baylor Bears in Arlington (AT&T Stadium) Saturday Nov 11; and UT Longhorns Friday, Nov 24 in Austin. Tickets on sale in our ONLINE STORE
Did you miss Red Raider Family gatherings in your community this summer? Look for more opportunities to get together with your Red Raider neighbors. Looking for special links to important information? Check out our Parent U online. Visit the Texas Tech Parents Association website.
Parent and Family Relations
-
Address
Drane Hall 2515 15th St., Box 45020, Lubbock, Texas 79409-5020 -
Phone
806.742.3630 -
Email
parent@ttu.edu