2023 FAMILY NEWSLETTER
December 2021
Hello Class of 2023 Families!
As another eventful and educational semester at William & Mary ends, an exciting season begins! Between campus and community traditions like Yule Log and the Grand Illumination, the fall semester is ending on a festive note.

The last day of classes is December 10 and final exams will be held from December 13th to the 21st. Learn more about Winter Break Residence Hall closings here. We wish all students the best of luck on their exams, and hope you will enjoy lots of family time with your student over break.

Due to winter break, there will be no January newsletter, so on behalf of William & Mary, we wish you a happy and healthy New Year!
 
Sincerely,
Lin Chen P ’23 and Robin Lau P ’23
Dates & Deadlines
Due December 1: W&M Faculty-Led Summer Study Abroad Programs priority deadline for applications and scholarships
December 7 – February 4: Students will be able to select a meal plan for the Spring Semester on mealplan.wm.edu
December 8: W&M Spirit Shop and Bookstore Grand Opening 5PM-8PM EST
December 10: Last Day of Classes
December 13-17, 20-21: Final Exams
December 16: Family Webinar on Housing Selection led by Residence Life at 7PM EST
December 18: Yule Log Celebration and live stream at 5:30PM EST
January 3: Deadline for Spring 2022 Tuition
fire hearth tradition christmas winter holiday celebration holly sprig twig student tribe pride fireplace burn
Resources for You
Parent & Family Calendar
We are excited to share our Parent & Family Calendar for the 2021-2022 Academic Year! This calendar contains important academic dates, highlighted resources, and William & Mary
traditions.

We hope you will use this calendar as a resource to connect with your student and support their W&M experience.
Parent & Family Resource Guide
The William & Mary Parent & Family Resource Guide is designed to be an interactive overview of frequently referenced resources.

The digital pdf will be updated once per year and posted for those who wish to print out our Resource Guide. For the most up-to-date information contained in this guide, revisit this website.
Family Webinar: Housing Selection
Come learn about the Housing Selection process. Join members of the Residence Life staff as they talk walk you through the Housing Selection Process. Though this is a process your student will engage in, they will offer tips and conversations to have with your student over the Winter Break.

Join us on December 16th at 7PM EST.
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Supporting Your Student - A William & Mary Parent & Family Blog
This month, Parent & Family Programs partnered with members of the Parent & Family Council to create a post surrounding the transition back home for winter break. Check out the Supporting Your Student blog to hear about their experiences and advice for the upcoming break.
Winter Break Updates
COVID-19 Updates: Spring Semester Pre-Arrival Testing for Students
The Public Health Advisory Team has also developed the following pre-arrival COVID-19 testing plan for returning to campus for the Spring 2022 semester:

  • All students living in campus housing, who plan to attend in-person instruction or use university facilities, will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test before returning to campus. Students within a 30-mile radius of campus will also need to test negative.
  • W&M will provide each student a free COVID-19 PCR saliva test, mailed in advance of returning. It’s important to note that the COVID-19 testing group will contact students by email to coordinate test registration and shipments based on students’ anticipated arrival dates.

More information about spring semester pre-arrival testing can be found at the link below.
Residence Hall Closing Information for Winter Break
All undergraduate halls except Tribe Square & Graduate Complex close at 10:00am on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 and reopen in January based on the phased move in schedule:
  • January 21: new students (transfer & freshmen), international students
  • January 22: Returning students from fall semester 

Tribe Square and the Graduate Complex will remain open during the break. International students can contact the Reves Center regarding Winter Break options.
student housing skyline summer sun
Van Shuttle Service
Parking & Transportation operates van shuttle service to and from nearby airports for scheduled breaks in the academic year. Visit Airport and Out of Town Travel for more info.
Campus Announcements
Student Account Updates
Tuition Payment Plans for the spring semester (2022) will be available on Dec. 13, 2021. The deadline for Spring 2022 Tuition is Jan. 3, 2022.

Refunds: Are you expecting a financial aid refund? Direct deposit refunds are sent electronically to the bank account designated in eServices.

eServices: Check with your student to be sure you are set up as an Authorized User in eServices. This will allow you to receive eStatement notifications, have access to view, and pay, the bill, as well as be able to enroll in the monthly Tuition Payment Plan.

For step-by-step instructions on how to have your student grant you authorized user status, please feel free to use the guidelines set forth by W&M Financial Operations HERE.
2022-2023 Housing Selection
Residence Life will share out 2022-2023 room selection information later this month and will host information sessions for students and parents along with information shared online and via student email.

The 2022-2023 Housing Application & Contract will go live in January when students return from winter break. Reminder that social class 2025 will be required to live on campus for their second year.
Resources for Final Exams from Academic Enrichment
As your student begins to prepare for final exams, Academic Enrichment has compiled a list of resources to help your student manage their academic work and help them get the most out of their experience at William & Mary.

From weekly time management schedules to general academic resources, be sure to check out all of the tools available for your student.
Supporting Your Student During Finals
Finals can be a stressful time for students so here are some things you can do to help!

  • Encourage Self Care: Remind your student to get regular sleep, take breaks, get outside, socialize, and eat regular meals.
  • Work Smart Not Hard: Break large projects/studying for exams exams up into sections, attend study sessions, & go to office hours. Don't be afraid to ask for help!
  • Moral Support: Call your student and offer words of encouragement, make sure they know you are there for them, and reassure them of their efforts.
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Encourage your student to apply to the Spring 2022 Student Leadership Foundation
Student Leadership Foundation is a program for freshman and sophomore leaders that allows participants the opportunity to learn about themselves, to deepen their understanding of leadership, and how to apply a variety of leadership concepts to impact positive change. Additionally, it will introduce them to a wide range of resources on campus, including other leaders! Following the SLF Kick-Off on Saturday, February 12th, participants will meet weekly through mid-April.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday, January 31st and students selected to participate will be notified by Friday, February 4th.
Spring Funded Community Internships
Sponsored by the Parents Fund
Partnering with area community-organizations, OCE will offer funded internships this spring. Students will develop their professional competencies while supporting capacity projects for area non-profits.
Fall 2022 Orientation Aide Application
In preparation for Fall 2022, Orientation Aide (OA) Applications are now LIVE! Encourage your students to apply now through Februrary 2nd for an opportunity to be a part of the student leadership team that welcomes incoming members into the Tribe next Fall!
Case Interview Prep Program
Is your student interested in Consulting? The Case Interview Prep Program is a 6-session program geared to prepare students to succeed at case interviews and strategy consulting jobs. Students will learn why companies use case interviews and how to prepare for this style of interview. Encourage your student to sign up in Tribe Careers!
Upcoming STEP Events
The Office of Student Transition Engagement Programs (STEP) has a few exciting events and opportunities on the horizon for students to connect with each other and our office before heading home for Winter Break! The STEP team will be hosting a Finals Fun event for our student leaders in Lambert House on December 8th to give students a opportunity to de-stress and connect heading into finals. Our Initiative Directors are hosting a Superhero Movie Night in early December and on December 11th will be hosting a William & Mary themed gingerbread decorating event for ten teams of five students each.
W&M Faculty-Led Summer Study Abroad Programs
Applications now open for W&M Summer Faculty-led study abroad programs. Join W&M faculty going to nearly 20 different locations this summer and receive W&M credits and fulfill COLL 300! Priority deadline December 1st for applications and scholarships. More information on our website.
Study in D.C. with the W&M Washington Center
Has your student wanted to spend live in a city during their collegiate years? Are they hoping to earn academic credit during winter or summer break? Does your student want to learn more about their professional interests and what life after W&M could look like? The Washington Center is the place for ALL students! At the Washington Center, we offer courses all year for students to explore different academic interests with professors from a variety of majors, get internship experience across dozens of industries, and explore D.C. while connecting with W&M alumni.

We are currently accepting student portfolios to participate in all our programs and scholarships are available so every student who wants to study in D.C. can. Learn more in the link below.
Auxiliary Services
W&M Dining
  • Visit dining.wm.edu for End of Semester hours of operation.
  • Meal plans end for the fall semester on December 22; Unused meal swipes will expire at that time and Dining Dollar balances will roll by February 8 with an active spring meal plan.
  • Students looking to make an eligible change to their spring meal plan may do so from December 7 – February 4 on mealplan.wm.edu. Spring meal plans will begin January 21 at 3:30 pm
  • Please join us in welcoming Lamar Patterson as the new W&M Dining General Manager. Lamar brings his years of industry experience to campus as he assumes responsibility for the day-to-day operations of W&M Dining.
  • Follow @wmdining on social media for the latest updates
W&M Bookstore
  • The Grand Opening of the new W&M Bookstore & Spirit Shop will be on December 8 from 5 – 8 pm. The new store is located at 601 Prince George St (Triangle Building). The event will feature an official ribbon cutting, live entertainment, giveaways – including Textbook Scholarships, merchandise customization, numerous photo opportunities and a scavenger hunt with local businesses.
  • Rental textbooks may be returned to Unity Hall from December 13 – December 22
  • Textbooks must now be purchased or rented online at bookstore.wm.edu; students can either ship orders to an off-campus address or select on-campus pick-up.
  • Follow @wmbookstore on social media for the latest updates
Transportation & Parking Services
  • Visitors parking on-campus from Monday at 7:00 am through Friday at 5:00 pm should park in designated visitor parking lots and use the Passport app to establish a pay-by-phone session:
  • End of Semester airport shuttle registration closes on December 13 with shuttles running December 18, 20, 21 and 22nd only.  
  • Transportation is conducting a survey on Electric Vehicle (EV) usage to gauge interest in charging stations on campus. Complete the survey prior to the end of the semester.
  • Is your student studying abroad in the spring semester? Remind them to remove their bike (or put it in storage) prior to their departure. For storage information, contact transport@wm.edu.
Print Shop
  • Does your student have an end of semester project due? Remind them to visit the on-campus Print Shop for all their small and large format printing needs. Jobs can be submitted online at printshop.wm.edu and picked up at the Print Shop, located on the ground floor of Swem Library.
Families, subscribe to Campus Corner, the monthly Auxiliary Services newsletter created for students: https://tinyurl.com/auxnewsletters

Follow @wmauxiliaries on social media for the latest updates
The Parents Fund
A gift to the Parents Fund has the power to enhance the experience of every student at William & Mary. Among the many resources made possible by the Parents Fund are:
 
  • After-hours counselors available by phone
  • Alma Mater Productions’ speakers and events
  • Counseling Center co-payments
  • Enrollment Services’ Answer-On-The-Go
  • Funding for unpaid internships
  • Grief Care Packages
  • Harm reduction programming for Fraternity & Sorority Community
  • Mental Health Fair
  • Neurodiversity Summer Bridge Program
  • New Student Orientation leader development
  • Preparing for Life as a University Student (Center for Student Diversity)
  • Professional Development Academy
  • Suicide Prevention Coalition
  • The Haven
  • Travel funds for Cohen Career Center immersion trips
  • TutorZone scholarships
  • Volunteer programs in the local community

Please include the William & Mary Parents Fund in your year-end charitable giving plans. If you would like additional information, please contact Anna Sease, Director of Parent & Family Giving and Student Affairs Philanthropy.
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795