USC Aiken Parent and Family News-February, 2020

Volume 2 - Issue 4 - February, 2020

In This Issue:

Facebook Live

Housing and Residential Life

Sandy Talbott, parent and family relations coordinator, and Kevin Kerr, director of housing and residential life, will host a Facebook Live session on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. EST. The casual discussion will feature USC Aiken housing and engagement opportunities and answers to your general questions. Viewers will also get a virtual tour of a Pacer Crossings suite.

Join the live stream by logging into Facebook and searching for USC Aiken. Don't have a Facebook account? No worries! The program will be recorded and available on the USC Aiken Parent and Family and Housing websites.

Parent and Family Relations Release Videos

Parent and Family Relations - SGA President

We are pleased to share the first of several videos which are designed to be a resource for parents and families.

Additional videos will be added to the parent and family website in the coming weeks and will include:

Residential and commuter resources and safety
Advising and academic assistance
Welcome from Aiken's mayor
Testimonials from USC Aiken parents

Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Student Ombuds Announced

As the USC Aiken ombuds, I will provide confidential and informal assistance to students in the resolution of university-related concerns, especially those not being addressed adequately through normal procedures. I serve as an impartial and independent resource to address student interpersonal issues openly without fear of reprisal and can help students identify strategies for resolutions.

For additional information regarding the Ombuds office, click here.

Dr. Melencia Johnson

Associate Professor of Sociology

Student Ombuds

Talk With Students Before Spring Break

Whether students are travelling during spring break or plan to relax at home, it's best to talk with them in advance about your expectations.

If your student will be travelling, consider discussing:

Who they're travelling with
How they're getting to their destinations and that address
How long they plan to stay
Funds
Cell phone reliability
Designated times and methods for communication
Car and health Insurance cards

If your student will spend spring break at home absolutely welcome them back, but consider discussing:

Expectations for students to spend time with family
Help with chores
Their plans to visit friends and when
Overnight visitors
Quiet hours and curfews (or not)
Family car usage and availability
Who will do their laundry

USC Aiken Housing will remain open for students who choose to stay on campus. However, campus meal plans do not include spring break week, so students should not plan on eating in the Pacer Cafe. If your student will remain on campus during spring break, please consider talking with them about alternate meal arrangements.

Spring Break is March 9 - 13.

Student Handbook

To help parents and families better understand university policies and students' rights and responsibilities, we are sharing the Student Handbook . Students receive this information at orientation, by email, and on the above website, and they are responsible for knowing and abiding by handbook policies and procedures.

Career Fair

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, approximately 80 employers and graduate schools will be on campus to recruit students for part-time and full-time employment, and internship positions. Students from all majors and academic years are strongly encouraged to attend and bring a current resume.

A list of employers is on this website. The site also includes information on other USC Aiken career services offered including resume assistance.

Students who need appropriate professional clothing to wear to the career fair or any career event, should investigate the Career Closet in the Career Services office, Penland Building.

Homecoming

Join students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university as we celebrate Homecoming 2020 on Feb. 22. Committees have worked hard to provide fun activities beginning with a public dedication to recently-retired alumni relations director, Randy Duckett, followed by the traditional homecoming walk across the Pedestrian Bridge to the convocation center.

USC Aiken's Men and Women's Basketball Teams will take on Clayton State, alumni will be recognized, and a new homecoming king and queen will be crowned.

Find times and details here and plan on joining us. Continue festivities and fun at Mardi Gras in downtown Aiken that night.

Family Day 2020

Mark your calendars to attend Family Day on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Plan to enjoy brunch with your student and spend time on the beautiful USC Aiken campus. A schedule of activities and online registration will be available in the coming months.

Pacer Athletics

During Faculty-Staff Appreciation Night, senior student-athletes recognized USC Aiken faculty and staff who have impacted their lives.

Be sure to come out and support Pacer Athletics! Spring season is just beginning!

Photo by: Artie Walker Jr.

Temporary Office Moves

Due to renovations in the Penland Building, several offices including Business Services, Financial Aid, and Admissions have temporarily moved to the Business and Education (B&E) building, Room 200.

If you or your student need to see representatives from any of the offices listed in the sign above, please go to the Business and Education Building which is adjacent to the Student Activities Center in the quad. Look for these directional signs. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Financial Aid Priority Deadline is March 1

The 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now!

Both the student and parent will need their FSA ID and 2018 tax information (as applicable) on hand. We highly recommend using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA to easily and accurately provide tax information.

If you have any general financial aid questions, please call the USC Aiken Financial Aid office at 803-641-3476. If you are calling with specific questions regarding an individual student's aid, you will need the student's VIP or USC ID.

Priority deadline to submit is March 1.

Newsletter Survey

Thank you for reading these newsletters and for your feedback which helps us improve this effort. You may see some of your ideas incorporated into future newsletters.

Please complete this six-question survey regarding this newsletter. We appreciate your time and thoughts.

Parent and Family Relations Assistance

While it is our goal to develop independent, self-sufficient Pacers, we know that sometimes parents or guardians may need guidance. Please feel free to contact me for assistance.

You can email [email protected] or call 803-641-2825 during office hours, Monday –Thursday,

8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. I am happy to serve as a resource person for parents and families of USC Aiken students.

Sandy Talbott

Parent and Family Relations Coordinator

[email protected]