November 2007
The monthly e-newsletter for members of the UNCG Parent/Family Association
UNCG and other campuses in the University of North Carolina system took part in a statewide tabletop exercise during September to gauge the effectiveness of campus plans.
Coordinated by Dr. Cheryl Callahan, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, numerous committees have examined the potential impact on the campus in the event of an avian flu pandemic. Other members of the core planning committee are Dr. Alan Boyette, Vice Provost; Bruce Griffin, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Environmental Safety; and Dr. Tresa Saxton, Director, and Keith McCrary, Associate Director, both of Student Health Services.
UNCG officials are continuing to monitor the disease through reports from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. Although random cases have been reported elsewhere in the world, there is no present danger in the United States
If a situation develops, information on plans and developments at UNCG will be sent to the UNCG community by email and voicemail, and will be on the university’s emergency web site, www.uncg-campus.info.
Information about protective measures that can be taken to avoid infection during the flu and cold season are available on the Student Health Services website, http://www.uncg.edu/ure/flu/.
“Hopefully this threat will not materialize,” Callahan said. “The University, however, is taking the prospect of a flu pandemic very seriously. If it does become reality, students, faculty, and staff should take all possible measures to stay well and to guarantee their own health and safety. Information is available on the Student Health Services website referenced above.”
The University has spent more than a year developing a plan to deal with a possible avian flu pandemic in North Carolina. Representatives from across the campus worked on how the University would respond at three different levels of alert. These levels are based on the World Health Organization’s pandemic phases and the top level for UNCG would be suspending classes and/or closing the University for a period of 4-8 weeks. For more information, visit the websites of the:
~ Steve Gilliam, Assistant Vice Chancellor of University Relations
Nearly 20 percent of Americans get the flu each year. Health care professionals recommend getting a flu shot annually, especially if you are part of a high-risk group. Those at high-risk include young children, older people, and those with underlying medical conditions. Members of these groups are much more likely to suffer serious complications from the flu.
Flu shots will be available to students beginning Thursday, November 1st. The cost is $18 for those students who have paid the student health fee and $21 for those who have not. Students do not have to make an appointment and can walk-in Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, at the Immunization Clinic, located on the 2nd floor of the Anna M. Gove Student Health Center. Please visit the Student Health Services website at http://www.uncg.edu/shs/ or call the Immunization clinic at (336) 334-5340 for more information.
As your student settles into his or her first, second, third, or fourth year at UNCG, it may be likely that he or she is ready to embark on a new challenge: a part-time job. Many UNCG students work part-time as they earn their degree. In fact, as of the Spring 2007 semester, 72 percent of UNCG students worked part-time while attending school. Working part-time while taking classes may appear to be a distraction from studies and academic life. However, research has shown that students who work between ten and fifteen hours a week graduate in a timelier manner, have a higher GPA, and feel more connected to their university and community.
Of course, there are other obvious benefits to working while going school. For example, many employers are now looking for students who have a four-year degree and work experience. Working part-time is a great way for students to enhance their employment skills, increasing their marketability when they begin looking for a full-time, professional career. As one student stated, “Student employment has allowed me to be part of this campus as well as contribute to it. At the same time, it has allowed me to get a head start on my graphic arts career.”
Luckily, UNCG offers many great resources for your student when he or she is trying to find that part-time opportunity. The Student Employment Office (SEO), located in #1 Elliott University Center in the Career Services Center, is a great place for your student to visit during his or her job search.
Of the 72 percent working UNCG students, 17 percent work on-campus and 55 percent work off-campus. In fact, there are more than 800 jobs available each year in various UNCG offices and departments. Many of these on-campus jobs are found by directly contacting UNCG offices and departments. Some departments that accept applications on a continuing basis include: The Office of Elliott University Center and Aycock Auditorium, Campus Recreation, The Jackson Library, UNCG Dining Services (ARAMARK), Child Care Center, and IT Services. One of the best ways your student can learn about on-campus jobs and get the “inside track’ on openings is to network with other students, faculty, and staff members. Positions are quickly filled when students and staff recommend potential candidates.
Although 800 on-campus opportunities sounds like a lot, there are many more than 800 students looking for part-time employment. For this reason, the SEO also recommends looking at local employers who post positions. These employers contact the SEO, looking for UNCG students, and understand that students often have varying and rigorous class schedules. These jobs (as well as on-campus job postings) can be found on SpartanCareers, a new, comprehensive, on-line job posting system. Students are able to search jobs using key words, as well as have jobs emailed to them as they get posted. To utilize this great web-based system, students need to visit www.myinterfase.com/uncg/student and follow the log-in instructions.
In addition to SpartanCareers, the SEO and the Career Services Center coordinate two part-time job fairs, one in August and one in February. These events allow students to interact one-on-one with local employers who are hiring for part-time and summer positions. The last part-time job fair featured approximately 40 Triad employers who met with nearly 700 students. The next part-time fair is scheduled for Monday, February 25, 2008 from 12:30-4pm and will feature employers looking to fill both part-time and summer opportunities. Your student will be able to check SpartanCareers to view registered employers and the types of jobs they are looking to fill as the date approaches.
Whether your student is in need of some extra cash, wants to enhance their transferable skills, or is just looking to make some friends, a part-time job could be the answer and the SEO is a great place to start looking. SEO staff members are also available to help your student with their resume or interviewing skills; students simply need to call and schedule an appointment. Your student can stop in anytime Monday thru Friday, from 8am-5pm (#1 Elliott University Center), call (336) 256-0403, or email seo@uncg.edu if he or she has any questions about finding a part-time job.
~ Rachel Becklin, Student Employment Advisor, Career Services Center
It is hard to believe that the Fall 2007 semester is more than half over. Before you know it, your son or daughter will be registered for Spring 2008 courses, be home for the holidays, and be back in school to do it all over again in January.
Since my daughter is now a sophomore, there are some tips I would like to share with parents (especially those who have freshman) that I found helpful during that first year:
Communication. Even though your son or daughter is not at home everyday, it is still very important to keep in touch with him or her. They may not admit it, but they like to hear from home. Cell phones and instant messaging are wonderful technology tools, but dropping a card in the mail will really brighten their day. And besides, we all like to get mail.
How are they doing? By now, students have had a few quizzes, maybe a major test, and probably even a couple of papers due. Have you asked how they are doing? Are they struggling or feeling overwhelmed? Remind them that UNCG offers numerous resources on campus to help them. There is tutoring available, a writing center, and other resources right at their fingertips. All they have to do is check out the UNCG website and follow up.
Be prepared. There is nothing like having a term paper due and running out of printer ink, especially in the middle of the night. Encourage your son or daughter to have an extra ink cartridge on hand. Even if they do not run out of ink, you never know when a cartridge can be bad. Also, suggest that they have an extra stash of paper.
Be ready for allergies, colds, and possibly the flu. This unusual weather we are having - hot, cool, and then hot, all in the same day - will play havoc on your immune system. Also, since your son or daughter is likely sharing a dorm room or apartment, it is a very good possibility that if one person gets sick, the others will, too. Remind your student to wash his or her hands often, which is the best prevention for spreading germs. Also, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and eat properly (fruits and vegetables). A few cans of chicken noodle soup can be good to have on hand for those times you don’t feel like going out for food.
Get winterized. Not only do students need to be ready for the winter weather, so do the vehicles they brought to campus, if they brought one. Now that students are no longer at home, their vehicles may not get serviced. Encourage your son or daughter to get the antifreeze and tire pressure checked. Also, if they drive a lot, make sure they keep the oil changed. A little prevention now will go a long way in costly repair bills later.
I hope you find these tips helpful. Good luck and enjoy your time at UNCG!
~ Debbie Bowman is a member of UNCG’s Parent/Family Advisory Council.
All residence halls will close on Thursday, December 20th at 5pm for winter break. They will remain closed until 9am on Tuesday, January 8th. Residents will not be able to obtain access to residence halls between these dates. There is limited winter break housing for students that cannot leave during the University holiday; those interested should contact hrl@uncg.edu or visit the Housing & Residence Life website at http://hrl.uncg.edu. Additional information about winter residence hall closing procedures is available on the Housing & Residence Life website listed above and will be included in the December issue of this newsletter..
November 2007 Academic Calendar 10/17 - 11/16
10/31 - 11/16
11/20
11/26
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Please see the University Registrar’s Office website for additional information, http://www.uncg.edu/reg/.
Interested in becoming more involved at UNCG? Consider applying to become a member of UNCG’s Parent/Family Advisory Council (PFAC). PFAC serves as the board for the Parent/Family Association and meets bi-annually on campus to discuss current ideas and topics impacting the UNCG community, as well as assists with SOAR, Family Weekend, fundraising, and other events. For more information on PFAC, please visit http://ori.dept.uncg.edu/families/council/ or you can link directly to the application by visiting http://ori.dept.uncg.edu/families/council/pfac.html.
We are here to serve you, the parents and family members of UNCG students. If you have ideas for future articles in Family Connections or any general suggestions, comments, or concerns, please email us at families@uncg.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!
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