KU PARENT ASSOCIATION ENEWS
February 2008

In this issue:
Etiquette Dinner  
Outdoor Pursuits at Recreation Services
February is Financial Aid Awareness Month
Take a Professor to Lunch
Rock Chalk Revue
Spring Career Fairs
Spring Break Housing Information
Upcoming Events
Selected Dates

KU Parent Assistance Telephone Number 785-864-5872
To view this newsletter on line: www.parentassociation.ku.edu
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Spring Etiquette Dinner
The University Career Center cordially invites all students to participate in the Spring Etiquette Dinner to be held March 5th at 6:30 p.m.  An etiquette dinner provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn how to navigate successfully through one of the most difficult social encounters in the professional world: Fine Dining with Strangers!
The meal begins with an overview of the table setting, and each course provides an opportunity to discuss topics ranging from which direction to pass the food to what to do if you drop your silverware. Communication skills and social savvy can set students apart during the job search process and help them be more successful in their professional careers.
Student tickets are $12 and may be purchased at the University Career Center, 110 Burge Union.  Dress for the event is professional business attire. For additional information, visit www.KUcareerhawk.com or call 785-864-3624.
February is Financial Aid Awareness Month
Now is the time to file the 2008-2009 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The website is www.fafsa.ed.gov/ .  Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA filing process as soon as possible since aid will not be awarded until all required additional information is received, processed, and the student’s financial aid file is complete. Priority consideration for limited funded aid programs, including the KU Tuition Grant, will be given to applications received by the federal processor by March 1, 2008.   The KU Office of Student Financial Aid website is www.financialaid.ku.edu .

If you would like free, one-on-one help from a financial aid professional, plan to attend a College Goal Sunday event at a site near you. College Goal Sunday is February 10, 2008, from 2-4 p.m. There will be 19 site locations throughout Kansas. To find a site closest to you visit, http://www.collegegoal.org /. Each site will give away four $500 scholarships to any college or trade school in the country (students must be a first semester freshman in the fall of 2008).

The Lawrence Location is:
University of Kansas Eaton Hall
Room 1005 Computer Commons
1520 W. 15th Street

Outdoor Pursuits at Recreation Services
The Outdoor Pursuits program at KU Recreation Services offers a variety of equipment and services.  There is a self-service bike repair shop that offers an assortment of basic (park) tools that may be used to maintain and repair your bike.  They rent camping equipment as well as provide information about local, state and national campsites.  The Outdoor Pursuits program is much more than the rock climbing wall! 

For more information visit: www.ku.edu/~recserv/cgi-bin/drupal/index.php/?q=node/15 .

Take A Professor to Lunch
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (the College) sponsors the Take A Professor to Lunch program for students in the College.  This program promotes personal interaction between professor and student.  Research shows that those students who have an educational relationship with a faculty member outside of the classroom are more successful. 

Encourage your College student to take advantage of this program.  To learn more visit: www.clas.ku.edu/students/professorlunchcombined.pdf

Spring Career Fairs
Students at any level will not want to miss this opportunity to connect with employers at the annual Spring 2008 University Career Fair sponsored by the University Career Center and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.  The career fair operates from 12:30 to 5p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, February 12 and 13th in the Kansas Union.  There is a career fair meet and greet reception scheduled for Tuesday at 5:30p.m. All students are welcome to attend.  For complete information regarding upcoming University Career Center events, visit: www.KUcareerhawk.com  or call 785.864.3624.
KU Student Housing Information
KU Card Access to Residence Halls
The Department of Student Housing has begun installation of an access system in the residence halls that enables residents to use their KU Card to open the main door. Once installation is completed, the residence halls are secured 24-7. The Desk Assistant is available to assist guests who arrive at the hall to visit a resident. The next time you visit your student in a residence hall, we recommend that you call your student to have him/her meet you at the entrance to the hall. The Department is pleased to provide this additional level of security and service for our residents.

Spring Break Housing 
The Residence Halls and Scholarship Halls close for Spring Break at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2008.  The halls will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2008.  Full meal service resumes on campus on Monday, March 24, 2008.

The Department of Student Housing offers housing during Spring Break in McCollum Hall for students who live in the residence halls or scholarship halls.

McCollum Hall residents intending to reside in their rooms during the break should sign up at the McCollum front desk beginning March 1, 2008. There is no additional charge for McCollum residents who register for the break in advance. 

Other residence hall and scholarship hall residents may request to stay in McCollum Hall during the break for $118 .  Interested residents should complete a break housing reservation request.  This form is available at http://www.housing.ku.edu under "Applications & Forms", or at the Department of Student Housing office in Corbin Hall.  Reservations received after the March 7th deadline will include an additional $15.00 late fee. These residents will be assigned to McCollum Hall rooms according to available space.  Spring Break Housing runs from March 15th – March 23rd.

Upcoming Events
There is always something happening on the KU campus that supplements the class room experience.  Below are a few of the upcoming events students might enjoy.
Rock Chalk Revue
Rock Chalk Revue is an annual campus wide variety show that features student talent and raises funds for the United Way of Douglas County.  This year’s show, “Better Left Unsaid”, will be presented March 6th, 7th, and 8th at the Lied Center.   To learn more about Rock Chalk Revue or to purchase tickets online, visit: www.ku.edu/~rcr/

Selected Important KU Dates
February 29                 Last Day to elect the Course Repeat Policy
March 17 – 23             Spring Break (No classes, University offices open)
April 17                        Last Day to withdraw from a class
May 18                        Commencement 2008
June 3                          First day of Summer Term
July 25                         Last day of Summer Term
August 21                     First day of Fall 2008

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Helpful Links:
KU Parent Association:  www.parentassociation.ku.edu/
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KU Alumni Association:  www.kualumni.org/
KU Endowment Association: www.kuendowment.org/
KU News:  KU news releases are available online at www.news.ku.edu.