UMparents :: UMparents E-news: February 2012 Edition

The semester is now midway through and this is often a very exciting and busy time for students. Many plan to go away for spring break. Parents should remind students to be safe while having fun. Keep in touch with those they travel with and keep in mind that classes will resume after break

Remind your student that, while spring is a time for much social activity, balance is also important

Calendar and Dates

Below are a few of the important upcoming dates and deadlines. To stay up to date on all dates, deadlines, and University events, please check out our UMparents Calendar. Below are a few other calendars that we think you might find helpful.

March 11: Daylight Savings Time Begins/100% Tuition Refund Deadline (2nd Session Only)

Administrator Spotlight: Lonnie Latham

Mr. Lonnie Latham is a native of Memphis,TN, where he attended Lester High School in the Binghampton Community. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in History from Tennessee State University in 1967. Upon the completion of college, he taught one year before entering the Armed Services, where he received the Purple Heart medal and a nomination for the Bronze Star for his acts of bravery during the Vietnam conflict. After returning home, he once again entered the field of education in the Jersey City, NJ school system, where he taught Social Studies in high school.

In 1971, he returned to Memphis and later received his Masters in Education from then Memphis State University in 1975. He began his tenure in higher education at Shelby State Community College. During his 10 years there, he served as Academic Counselor, Job Placement Coordinator, and Student Activities Coordinator.

In 1985, he joined the Memphis State family as Coordinator of the University Center and served in this capacity for seventeen years. In March 2003, he accepted the position of Associate Dean of Minority Affairs. In 2010, the Office of Minority Affairs became the Office of Multicultural Affairs to better identify with the “Cultures” prevailing on campus.

Mr. Latham believes that his mission is to promote and advance personal development in the academic, social and cultural success of minority students. He has a good feel for students, multicultural affairs, and diversity. Since his inception, student involvement, programming and services have increased; which has enhanced student learning, sense of belonging and enjoyment of the U of M experience. He has been honored with one of the most prestigious awards in the Division of Student Affairs, the Pyramid Award. He has also received the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award and many more student awards and accolades.

Student Spotlight: Caitlin Alysse Fisher

A native of Drummonds, TN, Caitlin Alysse Fisher is the daughter of Dr. Charlotte and Andrew Fisher. Currently a senior Integrative Studies major at the University of Memphis, she plans to become a middle school teacher and administrator. Since joining the university community, Caitlin serves as an Emerging Leader (2008-2012), NAACP President (2012), and co-chair of the 2012 Black History Month Committee. As a recipient of the Junior Emerging Leader of the Year Award (2011) and the Dr. Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award (2011), Caitlin demonstrates the importance of service to her campus and community. In addition to devoting time to campus involvement, she remains dedicated to her studies. Caitlin will graduate with cum laude honors designation. Her commitment to scholastic achievement is made evident by her invitation to become a Minority Teaching Fellow (2010-2012) and receiving the Emerging Leader Scholarship (2008) as well as the Memphis Area Teachers Credit Union Scholarship (2008). Caitlin’s favorite things about the U of M are the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Emerging Leader Programs, because each are sources of encouragement and motivation for student success.

General News

Save the Date for the University of Memphis Alumni Association Centennial Reunion Weekend Friday, April 20 - Sunday, April 22, 2012. Click here for more information.

U of M Will Showcase Wonders of Ancient Egypt at Family Day on Feb. 25. Travel back in time and explore the wonders of ancient Egypt during the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology's Ancient Egyptian Family Day at the Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM) on Saturday, February 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Read more...

U of M Nonprofit Leaders Student Association Wins National Excellence Award. The Nonprofit Leaders Student Association (NLSA) at the University of Memphis has received the Program Excellence Award, sponsored by the Sprint Foundation, from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (formerly American Humanics). Read more...

University of Memphis Uses New Tech Tool to Help Students Choose Courses and Majors. College students use tech tools for everything from ordering pizza to playing games. The same technology software will soon be used to help University of Memphis students decide which courses will help them graduate faster, which courses will result in better grades, and even what subject to choose for a major. Read more...

Parent Giving. Fundraising efforts recently began for our 2011-12 Parent and Family Fund campaign, and – if you have not already – you will be receiving a phone call or mailing asking for your support. We hope you will make a gift in honor of your student to a meaningful area of the University. Your gifts provide increased opportunities for students and make our University greater, propelling us – and our entire U of M Community – to an ever brighter future! If you are interested in giving, please click here for more information.

We would like to know...

Please help us improve the Parent Programs by giving us your feedback! We want to know what you like and what we could improve upon to help you help your student.The survey will be open until March 31, 2012. Click here to participate in the survey!

As a way to thank you for participating, one of the last questions on the survey invites you to enter a drawing for prizes. We will be giving away two $50 Dining Dollar certificates for your students to use at on-campus dining facilities and a $50 gift certificate from the University of Memphis Bookstore.

Bursar's Office

1098-T tax forms were sent out from the University of Memphis during January 2012 for use in filing 2011 taxes. This statement reports the amount of qualified tuition and related expenses that were billed during the 2011 calendar year.Students now have the option of enrolling to receive electronic form. However, if your student prefers to continue receiving a paper form they need not do anything.

if your student's address has changed, they may log into the ECSI Services website as indicated below to print their 1098-T form after they have been mailed. Our office is unable to give any advice about filing taxes; please contact the IRS or your tax preparer for those questions.

Financial Aid

If your student plans to attend the Summer 2012 semester, you can still complete the 2011-2012 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available on-line at www.fafsa.gov. Listing The University of Memphis’ 6-digit federal school code, 003509, will allow our office to receive an electronic copy of the FAFSA results. If you have already completed the 2011-2012 FAFSA for another school, you can go back to your application and add our school code. Be reminded that your student also needs to be admitted as degree-seeking to receive any type of federal financial aid, including student loans.

Because Summer is an optional semester, we will have a separate form available on our website and in our office around the first week in March. For most federal aid programs, students must be enrolled at least half time at The University of Memphis to qualify. Remaining Summer eligibility is determined on aid awarded during the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 semesters.

We encourage EARLY APPLICATION for the 2012-2013 year, so please go on-line to renew your student’s FAFSA using your 2011 income information. Students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant and who are Tennessee residents may also qualify for the state grant. You can estimate your 2011 income for now, but it is highly recommended that you go back to your student’s FAFSA later to update this information. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is now “linking” your income tax data with FAFSA.

There are a LOT of new federal regulation changes for 2012-2013. Stay informed by visiting our website at www.memphis.edu/financialaid.

If your student has any questions or concerns, please have him/her call our office at (901) 678-4825 or visit us at Room 103 in Wilder Tower.

If you have a scholarship inquiry, including the HOPE Lottery Scholarship, please contact the Scholarship Office directly at (901) 678-3213 or go to Room 107 in Wilder Tower.

Residence Life

The University of Memphis residence halls, with the exception of the Living Learning Complex and Carpenter Complex will close at 12 Noon on Saturday, March 3 and will reopen on Sunday, March 11 at 1 PM. NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN, OR BE READMITTED TO THE RESIDENCE HALLS DURING THIS TIME. Residents are not required to move their belongings out of the halls; however, residents should take all valuables with them when they leave.

The housing portal is now open to apply for housing. In order to apply for housing, a $45 application fee is required when completing the application online.

For priority assignment, current residents have the ability to request a room for the Fall 2012/Spring 2013 semesters through February 24. Current residents may apply after February 24; however, assignments are made on bases of availability and date of application.

If there is a financial or judicial hold on the student’s account, the student will not be able to request a room until these holds are cleared.

Requesting a room is a binding agreement. The student is responsible for any and all deadlines and rental prepayments associate with the room request. The student will be receiving information via e-mail and at the permanent address, with specific room assignment information and the prepayment deadline. Cancellations for the Fall 2012/Spring 2013 Semester housing reservation, must be made by June 1, 2012, in order to not be responsible for the $200 rental prepayment. Students canceling after June 1 will still be responsible for the $200 rental prepayment. By neglecting to make the $200 rental prepayment by the designated deadline, the room may be administratively canceled and the student will still be responsible for the $200 rental prepayment.

Summer housing will be available in Carpenter Complex. Current residents may request Summer 2012 housing beginning March 19. For assignment priority, current residents should submit the application for housing by April 1, 2012.

Opportunities for Science,Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Students

Parents of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) majors – encourage your students to participate in MemphiSTEM! MemphiSTEM is a National Science Foundation-funded project designed to increase the number of students graduating with STEM degrees at the University of Memphis. Increasing the number of students pursuing and graduating with STEM degrees is an issue of local, regional, and national importance. Within the state of Tennessee alone, it is anticipated that more than 100,000 STEM related jobs will need to be filled within the next 6 years. MemphiSTEM is a five-year project (2008-2013) offering a range of opportunities for undergraduates pursuing STEM majors. There are activities for all levels of students (freshmen to seniors), designed to increase persistence to graduation in STEM. MemphiSTEM hosts a Mathematics Bridge Bootcamp each August, which is ideal for freshmen students wanting to refresh mathematics skills. The Bootcamp also encourages student networking and provides information about STEM courses and careers. MemphiSTEM also offers learning communities for incoming freshmen where STEM students take a number of core classes together. There are general networking events (e.g., lunch and learn events and field trips) and paid research fellowships for students of all levels. Finally, the project offers mini-grants for on-campus professional student STEM organizations and travel awards for students to present work at STEM conferences. Please visit our website for further details (http://www.memphis.edu/memphistem/).

Evaluations of MemphiSTEM indicate that undergraduate students benefit from participating in the project activities. As well as enjoying the activities, research findings show that students pursuing STEM degrees who participate in MemphiSTEM activities are more likely to be retained in their majors and attain higher GPAs than non-participating STEM students at the University of Memphis. We encourage you to share information about MemphiSTEM with your STEM student!

MemphiSTEM Networking students at the "behind the scenes" tour of The Memphis Zoo

Athletics

Our student athletes are always doing great things on and off the field. During the Fall 2011 semester, they completed over 1,300 hours of community service.

The University of Memphis will be hosting this year's Men's and Women's Basketball Conference USA Championships at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse and the FedEx Forum - March 7-10. Please come out and support our Tigers and remember GO TIGERS GO!!!

The U of M's student-athletes are sponsoring a campus-wide book drive for the Spring 2012 semester. New and used books are currently being accepted for elementary aged children. Donations can be dropped off at Wilder Tower 6th Floor and at the Athletics Building room 107.

For more information please contact Kristin Hopkins Rusboldt at (901) 678-2388 or khopkins@memphis.edu

University of Memphis President Dr. Shirley C. Raines and BIG EAST Commissioner John M. Marinatto announced on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 that Memphis had accepted a formal invitation to join the BIG EAST Conference as an all-sports member beginning in July of 2013. Read more and view the video of the announcement...

Fun Fact and Quote

Fun Fact: The undergraduate business program at the University of Memphis was named among the nation's top 100 business programs by U.S. News & World Report. The publication ranked 382 undergraduate business programs.

Quote: Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done without hope and confidence. -Helen Keller