bulldog families summer 2012

housing.uga.edu

Bulldog Familiesis written and published by

University Housing at the University of Georgia

Russell Hall, Athens, GA 30602-5575

Bulldog Familiesis distributed free of charge to

families of University of Georgia residencehall students. Comments or questions

about articles should be directed toShay Little

706-542-1421

Email: [email protected] suggestions and ideas for

articles are welcomed.•

©2012 The University of Georgia•

The University of Georgia is committedto principles of equal opportunity and

affirmative action.

EditorsGreg Meeler

Larry Correll-HughesCarla Dennis

ContributorsKay AndersonMathew BraunTamara Burke

Larry Correll-HughesDiana Fruth

Melissa GarberRick Gibson

Laura HeilmanGerard Kowalski

Richard MullendoreJessica Pense

Mallory Whitfield

Design

Greg Meeler

Ronda WynveenUGA Printing

Our Mission: University Housing provides comfortable, affordable and secure

on-campus housing options in residential communities where the academic

success and personal growth of residents are encouraged and supported.

Do you want to… Register for housing? Tour the residence halls? Learn about our academic initiatives? Review our rates and policies? Apply for a job with University Housing? Contact us?

C O N T E N T SWelcome from the Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

It’s Time to Hunker Down with Housing! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Who’s Who in Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Security within the Residence Halls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Frequently Asked Technology Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

What You Need to Know to Protect Your Student’s Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

What to Bring & What to Leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

Get Involved Through the Residence Hall Association (RHA) . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

A Place to Make Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

An Environment of Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Get On Track with Academic Enhancement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Important Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Keeping Your Sense of Humor: Advice for Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Understanding what FERPA Means for Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Residence Hall Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back cover

S U M M E R 2 0 1 2

BulldogFamilies

Like Follow Watch Go!

Security within the Residence Halls

Visit us online!http://housing.uga.edu

2 b u l l d o g f a m i l i e s

housing.uga.edu

Dear Families,

Living on campus is an important part of the UGA experience for first-year students. We know that the transition to college is a big step for your student and you. Hopefully, you will find this edition

of Bulldog Families helpful as you prepare for your student’s transition to UGA and Athens.

Students may encounter all kinds of challenges during the initial adjustment from living with family to residence hall life. Many students are excited about trying a more independent lifestyle and experiencing new freedoms and responsibilities. There are also apprehension and questions about the unknown: Will I get along with my roommate? How well prepared am I for college academically? Will I make the right decisions about studying, time management, friends, peer pressure, sexual activity, spending money, alcoholic beverages and taking care of myself? University Housing staff members genuinely care about the well-being of each student and can be a resource for new students finding their individual answers to these questions in order to have a successful transition to college and residence life.

Living on campus may be the first time your son or daughter has had to share a bedroom or bathroom with other individuals. Sharing space with a roommate will require good communication, compromise and a mutual understanding of roommate rights and responsibilities. Students may also experience new interactions with individuals who are different from them – having diverse backgrounds, ethnic identities, physical abilities, sexual orientations or religious affiliations. Developing the specific skills and awareness to be successful in our diverse living and learning environments may also lead to the development of lifelong friendships through making positive connections with roommates and members of the residence hall and UGA communities.

University Housing provides comfortable, affordable and secure places where the academic success and personal growth of residents are encouraged and supported. There are many resources available in the residence halls and larger university community designed to help your student transition both personally and academically. This issue of Bulldog Families lists some of the resources available. Our full-time and student housing staff members are also knowledgeable about campus resources, so please encourage your student to contact staff within the residence halls whenever questions or concerns arise.

We look forward to being your partner in assisting with your student’s transition to UGA. We are excited about meeting your student this fall and hope he or she will have a positive and enjoyable on-campus experience.

Sincerely,

Gerard J. Kowalski, Ph.D.Executive Director of University Housing

Community Phone Numbers

Brumby

Office 706-542-8250

Desk 706-542-8357

Creswell

Office 706-542-8344

Desk 706-542-8289

East Campus Village (McWhorter, Rooker and Vandiver Halls;Building 1512)

Office 706-542-2041

Desk 706-542-1780

Family and Graduate Housing

Office 706-542-1473

Desk same

Health Sciences Campus

Office 706-369-6047

Hill (Boggs, Church, Hill, Lipscomb and Mell Halls; Oglethorpe House)

Office 706-542-5934

Desk 706-542-9424

Myers (Mary Lyndon, Myers, Rutherford and Soule Halls)

Office 706-542-5217

Desk 706-542-8271

Reed (Building 1516, Morris, Payneand Reed Halls)

Office 706-542-3753

Desk same

Russell

Office 706-542-8331

Desk 706-542-1694

housing.uga.edu


Welcome from the Executive Director

b u l l d o g f a m i l i e s 3

housing.uga.edu


It’s Time to Hunker Down with Housing!

Entrance to the Brumby unloading zones will not be permitted without an approved pass issued by a Hunker Down volunteer in the staging area. After this one hour time period expires, vehicles must be moved to long-term parking areas such as the West Campus Parking Deck or other nearby lots. Unloading zones will be strictly enforced and towing will occur if vehicles are left unattended for longer than one hour. Brumby residents moving in on or after August 7, 2012, may drive directly to Brumby Hall to check in. However, the one hour time limit will still be enforced.

Creswell Community Several lots adjacent to Creswell Hall will be designated as unloading zones. Residents assigned to Creswell may drive directly to these zones. Unloading will be permitted in these areas for one hour. Vehicles left unattended after one hour will be towed. After unloading, all vehicles will be directed to nearby lots where long-term parking will be permitted.

East Campus Village (McWhorter, Rooker and Vandiver Hall; Building 1512) While no unloading zone time limit will be enforced, University Housing asks that you move your vehicle after unloading to the section of the lot furthest from the building. Vehicles may not park on River Road to unload. Any vehicles parked on River Road will be towed.

Hill Community (Boggs, Church, Hill, Lipscomb & Mell Halls; Oglethorpe House) Unloading zones will be designated in the following areas: the lots by Hill Hall and Legion Pool off of Lumpkin Street, Church Hall lot off of Lumpkin Street , and a portion of the Boggs Hall lot.

Vehicles will be permitted in these areas for one hour. After unloading, all vehicles will be directed to long term parking in nearby lots. Any vehicle left unattended in the unloading zone after the designated one hour period will be towed.

Myers Community (Mary Lyndon, Myers, Rutherford and Soule Halls) The unloading zone will be designated at the S03 parking lot. Vehicles will be permitted in this area for one hour. After unloading, all vehicles will be directed to long-term parking in nearby lots. Any vehicle left unattended in the unloading zone after the designated one hour period will be towed.

Each year, the University of Georgia community welcomes more than 7,000 students into the many residence halls in a very condensed time period. The Hunker Down with Housing program serves to streamline the

move-in process and address resident and family feedback concerning traffic congestion, parking lot availability and elevator service. Hunker Down with Housing volunteers work diligently to ensure that the initial days of move-in will run smoothly and serve first-year students. Hundreds of Hunker Down with Housing volunteers will be located throughout campus on August 7 – 8 to greet new students and parents, give directions to area parking lots, direct traffic and generally serve as a resource for residents and their families. Since the first Hunker Down with Housing in 1998, volunteers have successfully moved in over 70,000 students and helped them begin to call UGA home; 2012 will be no exception!

UGA Residence Halls officially open Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 8 a.m.

Check-In Process

Early Check-In: Those participating in Sorority/Fraternity Recruitment may check into their residence hall on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 @ 8 a.m. for an additional fee of $20. Early check-in fees will be charged to the resident’s student account to be paid at a later date. No registration is required to participate in early check-in.

General Check-In: All students may check in starting on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 @ 8 a.m. for no additional fee.

General Parking Procedures: Parents, families, and students may drive to their designated halls on the day of move-in for short-term unloading. Once you have unloaded, you are expected to move your car to a long-term parking lot so that others may unload their cars. More details will be provided this summer.

Brumby Community All Brumby residents arriving on campus Tuesday, August 7, 2012 must first drive to the designated parking lot staging area. Signs on Baxter and Hull Streets will direct you to the staging area. This area is for the Brumby Community only. All vehicles will wait in the staging area until space is available in the designated unloading zones surrounding Brumby Hall. Vehicles will be directed to the Brumby Hall unloading zones by Hunker Down volunteers as space becomes available in these parking lots. Lots adjacent to Brumby Hall will be designated as unloading zones and parking will be permitted for one hour in these areas.

2012 Residence Hall Move-In Information

by Tamara Burke


housing.uga.edu


Parking Lot Usage Plan

The following parking lots will be closed at 5 p.m. on Monday, August 6. The lots will be used as unloading zones adjacent or near the residence halls from 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 7, to 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8.

Parking lot information and maps can be located atwww.parking.uga.edu.

W02 - Lot adjacent to Morris Hall

W03 - Both lots on the east side of Hull Street.

W06 - The small lots at Mell, Lipscomb, Church and Hill Halls. Also the Legion Pool lot, with the provision that pool users will be able to park there while the pool is open. The lot on the corner of Baxter and Lumpkin Streets is not included.

W07 - The Brumby circle lot and all three lots around Creswell, but not the Bolton Hall lot.

W08 - Lots on Church street and adjacent to Brumby Hall

W10 - The north half of the lot nearest Russell Hall

W11 - Approximately half of the lot adjacent to Boggs Hall

S03 - The lots north of Myers and Rutherford Halls off Cedar Street, and the “heads-in” parking spots along Sanford Drive at the east end of Myers Quad.

Final details have yet to be confirmed. Residents may expect to receive additional parking instructions and a detailed map in mid-July.

For additional parking information, please visit the UGA Parking Services website at www.parking.uga.edu

Reed Community

• Payne and Reed Halls The unloading zone will be designated at the N10 parking lot. Vehicles will be permitted in this area for one hour. After unloading, all vehicles will be directed to long-term parking in nearby lots. Any vehicle left unattended in the unloading zone after the designated one hour period will be towed.

• Morris Hall The unloading zone will be designated at the W02 parking lot. While no unloading zone time limit will be enforced, University Housing asks that you move your vehicle after unloading to the section of the lot furthest from the building.

• Building 1516 While no unloading zone time limit will be enforced, University Housing asks that you move your vehicle after unloading to the section of the lot furthest from the building. Vehicles may not park on River Road to unload. Any vehicles parked on River Road will be towed. Vehicles should be parked in long-term parking areas such as the East Village Deck or other nearby lots.

Russell Community A portion of the large lot behind Russell Hall will be designated as an unloading zone. Vehicles will be permitted in this area for one hour. After unloading, all vehicles will be directed to long-term parking in nearby lots. Any vehicle left unattended in the unloading zone after the designated one hour period will be towed.

Thank you in advance for making Hunker Down with Housing Move-In 2012 a success!

Who’s Who in HousingThe following are some of the University Housing staff members you might meet in the residence halls:

Area Coordinator (AC): a full-time, professional staff member who manages the day-to-day operations of one of the seven residential communities. This individual also coordinates educational programs and activities spanning the halls and the university community.

C.L.A.S.S. Advocate (CA): Continuing the Legacy of African-American Student Success (C.L.A.S.S.) Advocate Program provides multicultural programming to all residents.

Community Secretary: a full-time administrative assistant who supervises the community office, coordinates room/hall changes for his or her community, and is the first stop for information about a community.

Desk Assistant (DA): an undergraduate student worker who staffs the 24-hour desks in one of the seven residential communities. They are responsible for checking the ID cards of residents, checking out temporary keys and answering phone calls.

Graduate Resident (GR): a graduate student who provides advising and personal/disciplinary counseling for individuals and groups of students, as well as assist in student development programming, facilities management, multicultural awareness efforts, and other special projects.

Resident Assistant (RA): an undergraduate student who lives with the residents on most floors. These student staff members are selected for their skills, interests, and campus activities, which enable them to help other students get the most from their UGA experience. RAs are trained to assist and/or refer students with academic and personal concerns and to help maintain an academically supportive environment in the halls.

Residence Hall Director (RHD): a full-time, live-in professional staff member who manages a residential area of approximately 500 students. The RHD coordinates educational programs and activities, supervises an RA staff, and is the primary day-to-day administrator of the residence hall. RHDs supervise the front desk, desk assistants, and C.L.A.S.S. advocates, as well as advise the community council. They also assist in the development of academic initiatives for first-year students.


housing.uga.edu

Frequently Asked Technology Questions

Moving away from home and into a residence hall is a significant change for most college students, and understandably, a common concern among students and their families is safety.

UGA Housing is also concerned about resident safety, which is why the provision of secure on-campus housing options is a core element of our mission statement.

Access: The UGACard is the official University of Georgia identification card for students and plays an important role in maintaining a secure environment in every residence hall on campus. Upon moving into a residence hall, each student is given a holographic sticker to affix to the front of their UGACard to provide a quick and easy way for housing staff to identify the authorized residents of each residential community. In addition to providing a form of identification, the UGACard is necessary to enter the residential areas of residence halls in conjunction with biometric hand readers that control the doors to residential areas of all UGA residential communities. Security at some entry points is enhanced through the use of surveillance camera systems. Also, in the event of lost keys, doors to resident rooms are rekeyed.

Security Personnel: University Housing also supports safety with employment of its own team of uniformed security personnel,

who assist with the monitoring of residence halls between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. every night of the week. Responding to emergency situations, identifying safety and/or security problems and checking access to residence hall entrances and exits are just a few of the nightly duties of these security personnel.

UGA Alert: Every resident is encouraged to participate in UGAAlert, the emergency mass notification system

employed by the University of Georgia Office of Security & Emergency Preparedness, to contact students, faculty and staff. Participants may submit up to three telephone numbers and two email addresses that will be automatically contacted in the event that a severe threat to public safety and the health of the entire campus is identified. A valid UGA MyID is required to activate this service. For more information and to sign up to participate, please go to: www.ugaalert.uga.edu

Resident Responsibility: But our most important resource for residence hall security lies in the hands of our residents. Students must remain diligent in complying with all of University Housing’s security policies, including not holding doors for persons who may be seeking to sneak in past a secure checkpoint, not allowing unescorted visitors to circulate in living areas, and never propping open exterior doors. Safety is part of our departmental mission, and it is also every resident’s responsibility!

housing.uga.edu

by Rick Gibson

Should my student be concerned about downloading music and movies?Yes. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) actively monitor file-sharing networks and have filed suits against individuals for sharing copyrighted materials. You can find out more about downloading music from www.musicunited.org

Is it dangerous for my student to use social-networking websites?Most students have already used social-networking sites like Facebook, and Twitter well before they arrive on campus. The dangers in using these sites are really no different than the dangers of using anything on the Internet. It is important not to assume privacy, to understand that anything you post could be copied or cached elsewhere, and to be wary of any individuals or resources that you do not already know and trust.

Is there wireless Internet access in every room?Yes. All undergraduate residence halls will have UGA-provided PAWS wireless access. Visit the Connection Guide at www.sts.uga.edu for more information on Internet access and connecting to the network in your room.

Can my student bring a personal wireless router?No. Because personal wireless routers interfere with the UGA-provided wireless, all wireless routers are banned from the residence halls. However, routers without wireless connectivity or with the wireless turned off are permissible. Student Technology Support is available to help configure any such devices. Visit the Connection Guide at www.sts.uga.edu for more information on Internet access and connecting to the network in your room.

Should my student bring his/her own printer?Having your own printer can be very convenient. However, a student can save a lot of personal space by choosing not to bring one. Printing in computer labs does cost money but can be paid for using Bulldog Bucks.

Where are computer labs located?Computer labs are located within Brumby Hall, Building 1516, Creswell Hall, Russell Hall, Oglethorpe House, and Rooker Hall. There are many other labs on campus including several in the Miller Student Learning Center and in the libraries. Visit www.eits.uga.edu/sites for more information.

May my student physically secure his/her laptop in the room?Yes. Students may use a notebook security lock or cable. However, students are prohibited from attaching adhesive anchors or mounts to university furniture.




by Mathew Braun


housing.uga.edu

Connecting to the Internet on campus is different from connecting at home. Your student’s computer will generally be more open to the thousands of other computers connected to the UGA net-work. Consequently, the potential for getting infected with com-

puter malicious software (like computer viruses) is much greater at college.

Virus and spyware infections can be a real nightmare. They can easily cause the loss of important data such as papers and homework, and can degrade basic computer functions like connecting to the Internet. Criminals can even use viruses and spyware to gather personal information and commit identity theft.

Fortunately, there are four easy steps you can take to protect a computer on the UGA network. It is highly recommend that all students:

1) Run anti-virus software2) Enable automatic computer updates3) Use a firewall4) Use a strong system password

All four steps can be completed even before your student moves to campus.

Anti-Virus Software Getting anti-virus software is easy because most new computers come with some form of anti-virus software, such as McAfee or Norton, already installed. However, both of these programs have a subscription fee for up-to-date protection. Make sure to purchase a subscription that will last at least through the school year, or the computer will remain at risk for infection. Alternatively, UGA’s Information Security department recommends that students download Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) for free. You can download MSE from http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials but you should never install more than one anti-virus program on your computer at one time. Students who use Macs may wish to download ClamXav a free virus scanner for Mac OS X. ClamXav is available at http://www.clamxav.com/ and has the ability to detect both Windows and Mac threats.

Automatic Computer Updates Your student’s computer should also be configured to automatically download updates that fix security holes that viruses and spyware can exploit. Fortunately, all new computers will be configured for automatic updates by default. Windows users should visit www.windowsupdate.com to make sure automatic updates are enabled. If your student’s computer is not already set to receive updates automatically, click the button on the right-hand side of the page that says “Turn on Automatic Updates.”

Firewall A firewall allows your computer to connect to the Internet, but prevents other computers from connecting to you without permission. Most computers already have a built-in software firewall, and McAfee or Norton will come with their own software firewall as well. Your student’s computer will be protected from most network attacks as long as the built-in firewall or anti-virus program’s firewall is not disabled.

by Mathew Braun and Laura Heilman

Strong Password A last recommendation is to secure your student’s computer with a strong password. Attackers can easily guess blank or weak system passwords to gain access to a computer. Students should select a strong password. It is recommended to use a pass-phrase with several random words strung together: “HeuristicLeapSun” demonstrates a password that is easy to remember and difficult for malicious persons to decrypt.

If you follow these four easy steps, your student will be much safer on the UGA network. You or your student should feel free to call 706-542-3106, visit www.sts.uga.edu or www.infosec.uga.edu, or e-mail us at [email protected] with any questions or concerns you have about computer security and protection. Also, be on the lookout for our Computer Health and Security Fair in October.

Security within the Residence Halls Security within the Residence Halls

What You Need to Know to Protect Your Student’s Computer


housing.uga.edu

What to Bring...

laptop

poWER CoRD

suRgE pRotECtoR

postER mounts

tRash Can linERs

DEsk aCCEssoRiEs(pen caddies, stapler, portable desk lamp, thumb tacks)

lEavE: CanDlEs(no open flame apparatus)

tElEvision

favoRitE moviEs

aREa Rug

• Linens: Bed sheets and pillow cases, pillows, comforter, mattress pad, towels, hand towels and washcloths. Check our website under “Amenities” for mattress sizes or the back page of Bulldog Families.

• Bathroom supplies: Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc., for the shower and the sink. Bring a shower basket if you will have community showers.

• Laundry supplies: Basket, laundry detergent, fabric softener, etc.• Clothes hangers• Storage containers and the five-pant hanger: Organize your room and

closet and make the best use of space by storing items under your bed. • Shoe holder: A shoe organizer with pockets that hooks over your closet

door can save a lot of floor space in your room. • Iron and ironing board • Refrigerator: Store your favorite foods and leftovers. You have no idea how

much you’ll use it. Must be ENERGY STAR® compliant: may not exceed 118 volts (+/- 5%) and 60 Hz, and not draw more than 1.5 amps or 180 watts of additional power.

• Compact microwave: Must be 1.0 cubic feet maximum capacity and 700 watts maximum power.

• Earplugs: Your neighbors or roommate might have a different interpretation of “quiet hours.”

• Headphones: You might have a different interpretation of “quiet hours” than your roommate.

• Foam egg crate mattress pads • Laptop or computer: There are lots of computer labs on campus, but it’s

nice to have your own computer in your room.• High-Speed Internet cable: Wireless Internet is ubiquitous in all halls;

however, you may prefer to use the Ethernet connection.• Television and coaxial cables: Each room is cable-television ready. But

don’t wait until you’re in Athens to get your cables, because many stores will already have sold all of them to the other 33,000 college students.

• Surge protector: To protect your electronics.• Broom and/or vacuum cleaner: Your room will be gross by the end of

the year without one, and you’ll be the most popular person on the hall because no one else will have thought to bring one.

• Area rug: For halls that do not have carpet in the rooms. • Alarm clock• Small fan: This is useful, especially if you can’t control your own air.• Desk lamp or portable lamp: A lamp may come in handy if you have your

first all-nighter and your roommate is ready to go to sleep. • Stapler: This may sound obvious, but it’s nice to have one instead of

desperately scrambling to find one five minutes before a paper is due. • Poster mounts• Trash can liners• Bicycle and helmet: A bicycle is great exercise and transportation in one!

Don’t forget a helmet equipped with a light if you plan to ride at night. • Umbrella• Small tool kit: Just in case of… you never know.• Air Freshener: You’ll definitely need this!• Printer• Gaming System• Fouton


Hunker Down with Housing!



housing.uga.edu

What to Leave...

Buyer Beware

bED linEns

vaCuum ClEanER (or handivac/broom)

lEavE: nails, sCREWs oR pERmanEnt aDhEsivEs

CoffEE makER(no exposed heating elements)

CompaCt miCRoWavE(1.0 cubic ft./700 watts max.)

CompaCt REfRigERatoR(118 volts/60 Hz/1.5 amps)

stoRagE oRganizERs

As the start of fall semester draws closer, you can expect to receive a number of commercial solicitations from futon companies, refrigerator rental companies, and other businesses that provide various products and services targeted to our student population. As you review this information, keep a few things in mind.

First, Georgia’s open records laws require the University of Georgia, as well as University Housing, to provide mailing addresses to any outside party that submits a request for the information. While information on items such as student grades and health records are protected from such a request, unless you have restricted the information, student addresses are not protected.

Although you may receive mailings regarding products which look to be official from the university, UGA does not endorse, solicit on behalf of, or in partnership with, any outside vendors or manufacturer. The department does not certify that any products or appliances meet our specifications or abide by our policies. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that products and services used in the residence halls are permitted and adhere to housing guidelines and policies. Further, should a product or service be defective or fail to meet University Housing guidelines, recourse through the university is not an option. If you choose to do business with one of these vendors, we urge you to contact your chosen company well in advance of opening day to insure timely delivery and installation, for which you must be present.

Orders placed during hectic move-in days are often riddled with mistakes, ranging from the wrong product being delivered, a lack of parts or delayed installation. Be sure to shop around, and most importantly, DO NOT PAY IN CASH! A cancelled check or credit card statement may be your only proof of payment. Above all, be a wise consumer!

• Space heaters

• Appliances with exposed heating elements: Electric stoves with heating coils, grills.

• Halogen lamps

• Pets: Except for fish in properly maintained aquariums of 20 gallons or less.

• Candles or any open flame apparatus

• Lofts: Adjustable beds that can be raised to save space are provided by University Housing.

• Trash cans: University Housing provides each resident with a flame retardant trash can.

• Nails, screws, permanent adhesives: Anything that could damage walls.

aREa Rug

Security within the Residence Halls Security within the Residence Halls

See You in August!


housing.uga.edu


The RHA Executive Board would like to formally welcome new students to the Residence Hall Association (RHA), University Housing and the Bulldog family. The Residence Hall Association is the second largest student organization

at UGA, consisting of the nearly 7,500 residents living in University Housing. For more than 40 years, RHA has sought to give residents of housing a unified voice in policies and programs that affect our students and life in the halls. RHA offers a number of services and programs to residents in an effort to make living on campus one of the greatest aspects of a college career. One of the most important ways RHA impacts residents is through the community councils. Every fall, residents of the residential communities on campus elect a council of students to represent them, and to act as stewards of the housing activity fee each resident pays. These representatives work throughout the year to organize and implement programs and pursue initiatives important to the residents of their community or hall. The councils hold weekly or bi-weekly general body meetings that all residents are welcome to attend. Representatives from each council also attend the RHA General Body meetings held every Tuesday during the academic year. In addition to community and hall councils, residents can get involved in RHA in a number of ways. RHA has several active committees in which residents are encouraged to get involved. These include: Sustainability, DAWG Days, Constitution and Policy Book Review, Auditing, Homecoming/Scrapbooking, Advertising, and others. Residents interested in event planning are also invited to assist with our events. These are large-scale programs targeted at all residents on campus, so help is always needed! Students in housing are also welcome to join the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) after living on campus for more than one semester. NRHH represents the top 1% of on-campus students and is built upon the pillars of leadership, service and recognition. More information about NRHH can be found at www.uga.edu/nrhh. Students interested in media and television production can get involved in Residence Hall Studios (RHS) that produces original programming to be placed on housing’s television station, Housing 12. More information and examples of work can be found at www.youtube.com/user/UGA12RHS. The RHA Executive Board also coordinates a number of traditional programs throughout the year for our residents. Our programs are known for having awesome t-shirts and delicious

food, all of which are free. Students can look out for great programs this year including First Fling/Welcome Week, Cosmic Bowling, Kiss Me I’m Sustainable, RezFest, and many more! The Residence Hall Association has been recognized on the campus, state, regional and national level as an outstanding and influential organization. Its leaders, programs and services have received numerous awards over the past year that we are incredibly proud of. We hope that your student will want to be a part of the award winning efforts of RHA next year. We are anticipating an exceptional year full of opportunities for your students to get involved and make memories that will stay with them long after graduation. If you would like more information about RHA and the organizations and programs that fall under its purview, please go to www.uga.edu/rha.

Leadership Experience That Pays

Is your student looking for a way to increase his or her income while building a track record of leadership success in real-world business operations? They should consider a position with University Housing!

Student employees play an essential role in the success of University Housing by supporting maintenance, administrative and customer service operations in all residence halls and business offices. Student positions include office assistants, desk assistants, mail clerks and maintenance team members, with flexible scheduling that is supportive of student academics. Resident Assistants and C.L.A.S.S. Advocates capture invaluable leadership skills while supporting hall residents. To apply online or for more information about a student position with University Housing, please visit the “Work for UGA Housing” section of the website at:housing.uga.edu/work

by Mallory Whitfield


Get Involved through the Residence Hall Association (RHA)


housing.uga.edu


If I Could Tell Them ONE THING…

University Housing’s Resident Assistants and C.L.A.S.S. Advocates share pearls of wisdom with new college students and their families.

Making Friends• Don’t come in with expectations about how people

will act, who you’ll be friends with, or even what your roommate will be like. If you keep an open mind, most surprises will be good ones!

• On the first day of moving into the residence hall, go around to the other rooms where people are moving in - they are new too and being that outgoing person will make you a lot of friends fast.

• Don’t limit yourself to your high school crowd. Even if you have a group of friends from high school who came to college with you, it’s important to expand that group of friends.

• Leave your door open in the residence hall when you’re there, especially in the first few weeks. You’ll meet a lot of people just by leaving that door open.

• Think of your residence hall as home. This is where you live now, and you’re going to spend most of your time here. Bring more than just the essentials! Grab your musical instrument, a few board games, that show you have every episode of on DVD - any of those little things that allow you to be you or bond with other people.

• Don’t go home every weekend. There are productive things to do in Athens. Join clubs and organizations to get you out and about.

For over a century, the powerful impact of peer relationships and friendships on a student’s learning in college has been known, and decades of research tells us that student involvement plays a key role in their likelihood of being

successful in college. We also know that making new friends can be difficult, especially when you add social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter into the mix. More than ever before, students are connected to the world through their computers, iPads and phones, and yet sometimes disconnected from the world immediately around them. While technology helps students keep in touch with you and friends back home, it can sometimes keep them from taking the initiative to make new friends, get involved and really experience what UGA has to offer.College is a time to discover who you are and what you want to be, meet new friends and learn about new cultures and ideas. Living on campus in a residence hall provides students with the perfect opportunity to experience all of these things and more. Simply living in close proximity to so many other students affords the opportunity to meet students from different cultures, beliefs and walks of life. There are also many opportunities to get involved within the residence halls. One-time events such as programs put on by the community staff allow students to learn something new or form friendships with others that live in the same community. Program topics range from community service, to health and wellness and events with faculty. Other opportunities, like Community Council, is a great way for students who want an ongoing experience; students will meet others from their community, plan programs, propose and make improvements to the hall, and gain valuable leadership experience. How can I help as a parent? Encourage your student to step outside their comfort zone. After all, they are not alone in not knowing very many other people; there are 5,000 other new first-year students all looking to make friends. Living on-campus provides countless opportunities to meet new friends on a daily basis. Asking someone to go grab a bite to eat, to play a game of frisbee, join an intramural team, or attend a program or event in their community or on campus can be a great way for your students get to know someone they have only met in passing in their residence hall Saying “hi” to someone while brushing their teeth in the morning, sitting with someone they don’t know in the dining commons, or stopping by an open door on the hallway can introduce them to new friends, cultures and ideas to which they may have not been exposed. Students can actually use social media to help get to know people they meet in college, but there is still real-life effort required. They need to put themselves out there and find out someone’s first and last name so that they can actually friend them on Facebook, because “Jennifer in Brumby Hall” won’t narrow it down too far! If your student is on the shy side, ask them to try going to a program, talking to their RA about their interests, or joining Community Council. Outside of the residence halls, UGA’s Center for Student Organizations has more than 500 groups in which students can get involved. No matter your student’s interests, the opportunities to get involved and meet new people are seemingly endless when you live on campus.

by Jessica A. Pense


A Place to Make Friends


housing.uga.edu

Students decide to attend the University of Georgia for many reasons, but the main reason is to further their education. University Housing also promotes their

academic success by supporting special academic programs based in the halls. These programs create an environment oflearning both inside and outside of the classroom. Below is a listing of the residential programs University Housing and their university partners offer to first-year students:

American Sign Language Multicultural Experience (ASLME) - Reed Hall [email protected] after the French and Spanish Language Communities, members of the American Sign Language Community will only use non-verbal methods (mainly American Sign Language) to communicate. Participants will also learn and be immersed in the Deaf culture.

Franklin Residential College (FRC) – Building 1516http://frc.uga.eduThe Franklin Residential College consists of 150 first-year and upper division students enrolled in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. These students participate in various student-run activities including cultural events and trips.

Freshman College Summer Experience(FCSE) - Creswell Hallhttp://freshmancollege.uga.edu/Students take part in this month-long summer experience to earn six hours of academic credit prior to the traditional fall term start.

Honors Magnet Program – Myers Hallhttp://honors.uga.edu/This residential program creates a community living environment for approximately 220 first year UGA Honors participants to share ideas and views from different disciplines.

Language Communities (French & Spanish) –Mary Lyndon Hallhttp://www.rom.uga.edu/langcomm/Home.htmlEighteen students per language are selected through an application and interview process and commit to only speak the chosen language while in common spaces within their residence hall creating an immersed language experience .

Learning Communities – Creswell Hallhttp://learningcommunities.uga.eduTwenty students in each community register for three classes together for the fall semester and one service-learning for the spring semester.

by Diana Fruth


An Environment of Learning


housing.uga.edu

For many students, the transition from high school to college can be quite challenging, as new ways of studying and learning must be cultivated to ensure success in the fast-paced university environment.

Fortunately, students living in the residence halls do not have to look very far to get the help they need. With an office conveniently located in the Brumby Hall rotunda, the Division of Academic Enhancement provides easy access to a wide variety of academic support services, which includes peer tutoring in math and chemistry, as well as academic workshops and individual skill building assistance in study strategies, time management, test preparation, and note taking. Academic Enhancement also works with the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Advising offices located in Brumby, Russell and Creswell Halls, along with University Housing to plan and host cultural and academic events in the residence halls each year. This includes the Get Smart Month academic workshop

series in the fall and the Majors Fair each spring semester.The Division of Academic Enhancement is dedicated to helping all students improve their academic performance. All residents of University Housing are encouraged to take advantage of the many academic resources available to them through the Milledge Hall Academic Resource Center, the Brumby office, and other campus locations. For more information, please contact Keith Allen ([email protected]) or visit the Division of Academic Enhancement’s website (http://dae.uga.edu).

FALL 2012

EARLY CHECK-IN AUGUST 7 @ 8 a.m.

MOVE-IN BEGINS AUGUST 8 @ 8 a.m.

THANKSGIVING BREAK (CLOSE)* NOVEMBER 18 @ NOON

THANKSGIVING BREAK (OPEN)* NOVEMBER 24 @ 9 a.m.

FINALS END DECEMBER 12

HALLS CLOSE - WINTER BREAK* DECEMBER 14 @ NOON

COMMENCEMENT DECEMBER 14

SPRING 2013

HALLS OPEN JANUARY 2 @ 9 a.m.

SPRING BREAK (CLOSE)* MARCH 9 @ NOON

SPRING BREAK (OPEN)* MARCH 17 @ 9 a.m.

FINALS END MAY 7

COMMENCEMENT MAY 10 @ 7 p.m.

HALLS CLOSE MAY 11 @ NOON

*ALL RESIDENCE HALLS CLOSE FOR THE DESIGNATED BREAK PERIODS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF EAST CAMPUS VILLAGE, REED HALL, AND PAYNE HALL.

by Melissa Garber

Important Dates


Get on Track with Academic Enhancement


housing.uga.edu

1. Understand that parenting a college student can be exciting, frustrating, rewarding, anxiety-producing, fulfilling, and traumatic…all in the same day!

2. Attend your student’s parent orientation program. Orientation helps you understand how the college functions, what resources are available to you and your student, and how the student-parent relationship may change.

3. Obtain contact information for college staff members who can address first-year student issues, but understand that there are legal limitations about the information that colleges may share with parents.

4. Learn about the college’s billing process, including timing (when, how often), format (electronic or paper), and forms of payment (online, credit card, check).

5. Become familiar with the academic calendar of important dates for advising, registration, and bill payment. Encourage your student to share information sent by the college, so that important tasks are completed in a timely fashion.

6. The cell phone has changed the way parents and students communicate, and you may be accustomed to daily communication with your student. Try to allow your student to initiate most text messages and calls. This sends a message of confidence and trust.

7. When concerns, difficulties, and/or issues arise, your job is to listen and advise, not to intervene, rescue or fix. Help your student learn to resolve his or her problems.

8. Recognize that all college students, especially those in the first year, make a bad decision or choice now and then. It is part of the developmental process. Affirm the good decisions and help your student learn from the poor ones.

9. If your first-year student is going to live in a campus residence hall, move-in day will be a stressful, emotional experience for everyone. Try to consistently send a message of support, belief, and love throughout this day.

10. College is a time of personal exploration. Be patient as your student decides upon a major and a career…and let your student make these important decisions.

11. Money issues cause the greatest stress on the student-parent relationship. Build a budget together and negotiate who will pay for what.

12. If you want to give your student some great academic advice, make sure you tell him or her to:

• Go to class despite the temptation to skip now and then.

• Meet each faculty member during scheduled office hours in order to become a name and a face, not just a number.

• Seek help early in the term if he or she is struggling in a course. College classes move too fast to wait.

• Get involved in a club or activity outside the classroom. Involved students get better grades and graduate at a higher rate than non-involved students.

• Master time-management skills. This is often the difference between success and failure.

• Stay healthy by eating well and getting plenty of sleep and exercise. It is easy to get away from good habits in college.

• Know when to seek medical attention for an illness or injury. Many college students have never been to a doctor without a parent before.

• Be aware of personal safety issues. Colleges are not immune from crime.

13. Keep your sense of humor! You’ll need it!

Richard Mullendore is a professor of College Student Affairs Administration at the University of Georgia. Dr. Mullendore served as a college administrator for 30 years before moving to the classroom. He has two daughters who have successfully completed college. He is the co-author of Empowering Parents of First-Year College Students: A Guide for Success, which is available in English and Spanish from the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.

by Dr. Richard Mullendore

Here are a few guidelines to help your student succeed in college:

As your student begins college, you may wonder what you can do to support him or her in this new environment. How can you encourage your student to make good decisions? What messages can you send to show your trust?

How can you help your student become an independent, responsible adult? How do you keep your sense of humor through the trials and tribulations of parenting a college student?


Keeping Your Sense of Humor: Advice for Parents



housing.uga.edu


One of the major transitions that you will face as parents will be the way you will be able to receive information about your student’s educational experience and what you are able to do on behalf of your student. For most of your student’s life,

you’ve probably been able to call up one of his or her teachers whenever you had a concern, or log in to an online account to see his or her daily class grades. But as your son or daughter graduates high school and goes to college, the rules about how schools and parents exchange this type of information also change. This is because of a specific federal law: the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, or FERPA, which was established to protect the privacy of your son or daughter’s academic records and personal information. FERPA is an acronym that you may have heard before. This law applies to all students, whether they are in elementary, middle, high school, or college, but FERPA’s rules change depending on the student’s level of schooling. Up through a student’s graduation from high school, parents and students share access to the student’s records. Again, this meant that you could get information from your student’s school whenever you wanted it. But, when a student enrolls at a college or university, the rights to receive and release this type of information transfer exclusively to the student.

What does this mean for me as a parent? This means that while you naturally have an interest in your son or daughter’s progress, you will no longer automatically have access to her education records in the same way you did when she was in high school. Now you are probably thinking, “But I’m paying the bill!” It’s not that we don’t recognize that, but the federal law considers college students to be responsible adults, and it allows them to determine who will receive information from their education records. This impacts University Housing staff’s ability to discuss some issues with you because the policy restricts others’ access to personally identifiable information about the student. Therefore, we are often unable to discuss matters specifically relating to a situation involving your son or daughter. Additionally, you may be unable to do things on behalf of your son or daughter because doing so would involve our releasing personally identifiable information and information that is likely part of their education record, as defined by FERPA.

How can I get information to advise my son or daughter? This doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get information when you need to advise your son or daughter on how to make a decision. There are a number of ways you can receive information about your student’s situation. The fastest, easiest way is to have your son or daughter provide that information to you. You can visit the Registrar’s website for more information on the university’s FERPA policies and submitting a “Prior Consent for Release.” It is very important that you know that even though many school officials might not have your student’s permission to speak with you about a specific matter, we are always happy to answer general questions about our policies and procedures and to discuss matters hypothetically. In fact, we have found that in most cases, we can fully assist the vast majority of parent concerns in this way.

What if there’s a situation concerning the health or safety of my student or other individuals? FERPA allows institutions to

release information, without consent, in connection with an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals. In emergency situations, when a student’s health or well-being is seriously at risk, please call the UGA Police Department at (706) 542-2200. In non-emergency situations, the Office of Student Support Services is the main contact for parents and can be contacted at (706) 542-8220 during regular business hours.

What should my student and I discuss now that will help in the future? One of the most helpful things you can do before your arrival this fall is to talk about this issue with your student, and

discuss how you’d like to handle sharing information as a family. There are many good reasons to put the responsibility to share information directly in the hands of your student. Remember that a student venting about a situation is different from a request to intervene in the situation. It can also be helpful to discuss with your student how they can tell you when they want to handle something on their own or if they just need a little space. As a family, you’ll know how to the make the decision that’s best for you.

Educational records arebroader than a transcript

Educational records for undergraduates include, but are not limited, to the following: routine information, such as address and room number; admissions records; completion of requirements and progress towards the degree; advising reports and evaluations; letters of recommendation; various statements, forms and cards filed by the student; and any other official correspondence with or concerning the student.

by A. Kay Anderson and Larry R. Correll-Hughes


Understanding what FERPA Means for Parents


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bulldog families summer 2012

Documents

families of university

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new students

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year students