KU PARENT ASSOCIATION ENEWS
January 2008
Links to individual articles in this issue:
Commencement 2008 is May 18th
Extended Hours (Student Service related offices)
Financial Aid Information - 2008 FAFSA
Fitness Assessment at Recreation Services
Inclement Weather Policy
Information about Illegal Downloading
Last Semester's Grades
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
New Class on Information Mgmt & Research Skills
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Selected Dates
KU Parent Assistance Telephone Number (785) 864-5872
To view this newsletter on line: www.parentassociation.ku.edu
To be removed from this list, visit: www.vpss.ku.edu/KUPA/listserv_remove.shtml
Offices with extended hours include:
Residence halls and scholarship halls reopen for the spring semester January 14th 8 a.m. and classes begin January 17th.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
If KU cancels classes due to weather, students may check the KU web site for information or call the KU Info Center (785) 864-3506 or the Snow Line, (785) 864-7669. Additionally, those signed up for the emergency messaging system will receive a text message with class cancellation information. To learn more about inclement weather practices at KU, visit: www.oread.ku.edu/2007/december/10/weather.shtml.
LAST SEMESTER'S GRADES
Some first year students find that their grades were not what they expected. Some students who are living off campus for the first time find that they were not successful at managing the responsibilities that come with apartment living and their academics. Now is the time to resolve to take advantage of the resources that are available to students. Visiting with an academic advisor is the best way to explore the many resources available. The University Advising Center web site has information to help students be successful. http://www.advising.ku.edu/.
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION: Prepare to File the 2008-2009 FAFSA
Now is the time for students and parents to start preparing to file the 2008-09 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Priority consideration for limited funded aid programs, including the KU Tuition Grant, will be given to students who have a complete financial aid file by March 1, 2008.
Below is a checklist to help you and your student prepare to file the 2008-09 FAFSA:
* Obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN): Prior to applying for federal financial aid, you and your student should obtain a PIN online at www.pin.ed.gov. This number serves as your electronic signature on the student’s FAFSA. A PIN may also be used to electronically sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN) for a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS).
* Ensure that you and your student’s past and present employer(s) have your correct mailing address(es). Your employer(s) should send a copy of your W-2 to you sometime in January. Gather all applicable tax documents so you and your student can complete your Income Tax Returns in a timely manner. If possible, utilize your completed tax information on the FAFSA and submit the FAFSA by the priority deadline. Your student may complete the FAFSA if you have not yet completed your Income Tax Returns by estimating your income. As soon as you receive your Income Tax Returns, however, your student should update the FAFSA accordingly.
* Complete the 2008-09 FAFSA: The Department of Education recommends that students file the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, but a paper version of the application is acceptable. Indicate KU as the school of choice on the FAFSA. KU’s Federal School Code is 001948. Priority Date: March 1, 2008.
* If your student is a Kansas resident and meets the eligibility criteria for the State of Kansas Scholarship, the Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship, or the Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship, your student should complete the State of Kansas Student Aid Application. Additional information is available at www.kansasregents.org . Note: A $10 application fee is required. Priority Date: May 1, 2008.
* Review the complete 2008-2009 Application Process Checklist online at www.financialaid.ku.edu/publications.shtml .
If you have questions about filing the FAFSA, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 785-864-4700 or financialaid@ku.edu .
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER
Some students can suffer some symptoms of depression as the weather gets colder and daylight lessens. The symptoms go away with the arrival of spring: warmer weather and longer daylight. This is referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Encourage your student to take advantage of the sunny albeit cold days of winter by taking a walk in the sunshine and getting help if the symptoms of depression persist. To learn more about SAD visit: www.caps.ku.edu/~caps/selfhelp/sads.shtml.
COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION INCLUDING CAP AND GOWN INFORMATION
The KU Bookstores are pleased to announce this year’s Grad Finale to be held February 19, 20 and 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Kansas Union Ballroom on the fifth floor of the Kansas Union. Grad Finale is designed to offer everything your son or daughter would need for graduation and more.
Caps, gowns and other regalia will be available for fitting, and representatives will be on hand to assist with ordering personalized announcements. Balfour Rings will offer a display of official KU class rings and aid in fitting. Other organizations will be present to provide assistance with life after graduation, such as career and financial assistance.
If you have questions, please call the KU Bookstores at (785) 864-4640 or (800) 4KU-1111. For more information about Commencement, visit: www.commencement.ku.edu/.
FITNESS ASSESSMENT AT RECREATION SERVICES
The new year often brings about a commitment to become more fit and healthy. The KU Recreation Services offers a fitness assessment for students for only $15. The assessment includes: resting heart rate, blood pressure, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, body fat measurement, and muscular strength and endurance. An exercise specialist will design a flexibility, cardiovascular & resistance training program especially for your student and they will perform a follow-up assessment to measure progress. To learn more visit: www.ku.edu/~recserv/cgi-bin/drupal/index.php/?q=node/32.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATION
The Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Multicultural Resource Center will host the annual MLK program on Thursday, January 31st. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. in front of Strong Hall, with a candle-light walk to the Kansas Union. The program at the Kansas Union will begin at 7 p.m. in Woodruff Auditorium. The keynote speaker is Dr. Joseph Seabrooks. For more information visit, www.mrc.ku.edu/
NEW CLASS ON INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH SKILLS
LA&S 292: Research Methods and Information Literacy is an eight week class that is designed to improve the quality of and ability of students to do their work. The class is for one credit hour and will be offered twice during the Spring 2008 semester. One class begins on January 22nd and the other on February 21st. To learn more visit www.lib.ku.edu/news/libraryCourse.shtml.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DOWNLOADING
It’s a digital age and students are accustomed to having quick access to information and entertainment. Did you know that:
If your student uses KaZaA, Gnutella, Morpheus, DC++, Limewire or other file-sharing software to collect or share music, movies, games or software, your student might be violating copyright law. KU acts quickly to respond to complaints of copyright violation we receive from copyright owners and their representatives, such as the Motion Picture Association of America, the Recording Industry Association of America, the Interactive Digital Software Association and the Business Software Alliance.
Copyright infringing activity violates U.S. copyright law, the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, the University of Kansas Policy on the Acceptable Use of Electronic Information Resources, and the ResNet Responsible Use Agreement.
You may wish to advise your student search his or her hard drive for illegally downloaded materials and delete the material before returning to KU. Any copyright infringement notice to KU, no matter when the material was downloaded, will result in termination of the internet connection with the right to an appeal.
If you have not watched the 13-minute informal video “What do you think”, we encourage you and your student to do so. You can find the video at www.technology.ku.edu/dmca . This video presents an informative conversation about intellectual property and file-sharing to encourage you to think about these issues for yourself. (Brought to you by The University of Richmond Intellectual Property Institute and its National CyberEducation Project.)
For complete information on how KU handles illegally downloaded materials, visit: www.dmca.ku.edu/.
Sincerely,
Jane A. Tuttle, Ed.D.
Assistant to the Vice Provost for Student Success
The University of Kansas
www.vpss.ku.edu
____________________________________________________________________
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