Orientation KickStart

Transcription

1 Spring 2019

2 Welcome to UIS! As a new student enrolled in the spring 2019 semester, you will be participating in two mandatory orientation programs: January KickStart and Semester Launch. The first program will be our two-day KickStart orientation session, January During KickStart you will learn more about UIS academic expectations, meet with an advisor, register for classes, meet faculty, staff and current students, and learn about resources that will support your success during your collegiate career. The second program, Semester Launch, will start immediately after KickStart concludes. You will learn about tools for success that you will need during your first year at UIS and beyond.

3 Orientation KickStart Who Attends KickStart? All first-time, first-year students and freshmen transfer students (transferring in less than 30 credit hours) are required to attend KickStart. Parents and Family Members will attend some sessions with their students and some sessions just with other parents on our Parent/Family track. Why is Orientation Mandatory? We want our students to be successful and see them graduate from UIS. Our Spring KickStart and Semester Launch programs have been carefully developed by UIS faculty and staff members to include sessions and information that lay a foundation for that success. How Much Does Orientation Cost? The Orientation Fee: There is a $175 Orientation fee that is assessed to each student and covers expenses for the student and up to two family members or guests during KickStart. While you are completing the KickStart Orientation Registration you they will be given the option to pay the Orientation Fee by credit card, mailing a check or money order, or deferring the payment to your student account (due February 28). You will see the Orientation Fee is due on your Admissions Status page after you complete the online form. Follow the directions on our website: go.uis.edu/o-fee to make the online payment or mail it. The Orientation Fee is mandatory and non-refundable. The Orientation Fee is not calculated into the cost of attendance formula that the Office of Financial Assistance uses. Financial assistance awards may not be enough to cover the Orientation Fees. Students must be prepared to pay for this by the February 28 due date. Placement Testing Math/Reading Placement Tests Entering students may have to take Math, Reading, and/or Foreign Language placement exams based on the ACT or SAT scores. You can check requirements by reviewing the tables on the Testing Services website at go.uis.edu/testing If you are unclear about the major requirements for ACT/SAT scores or what tests they need to take, please encourage them to contact an academic advisor: The Office of Advising Services, Information and Support (OASIS) by advising@uis.edu or phone (217)

4 Placement Tests Before KickStart It is strongly encouraged students take English and Math placement testing before their KickStart session by going to one of our remote sites (see more information below). If you live near Springfield, make an appointment at the UIS Testing Services office here on campus. Taking tests before your KickStart date will shorten your first KickStart day. On Campus Placement testing is scheduled at UIS throughout the year. Contact Testing Services to request an appointment. Phone: (217) or by There is no charge to take placement tests at UIS. Remote Sites Testing can be scheduled at remote testing locations throughout Illinois and the United States. You should complete the remote testing form online at go.uis.edu/remote_test. The Testing Services office will contact you about remote site options. There is a small fee to test at remote sites make sure you save the payment receipt and brings it to KickStart. You can turn it in to the OASIS advising staff on Day 2 for a reimbursement credited to your UIS account. Foreign Language Placement Testing Depending on your major, program of study, TOEFL, or ACT/SAT scores you may need to take a placement test before you can register for a foreign language course. You can contact the Modern Languages Department by aroble9@uis.edu, for questions about foreign language placement. Parents, Family, and Guests Parents/Families and Guests Orientation Program Our orientation program has a track for families designed to help them understand the transition that you will be making. Sessions will help familiarize with resources our campus has to support students. Some sessions students will be with parents/family, and other sessions have been designed specifically for parents/family only. We do have a full program for our parent orientation. Parents will have their own Orientation Leader (OL) who will be with them, and take them to each group session. The parent program is optional. While we want to make sure parents and family members learn about our campus resources, we understand if they can not attend some sessions. They can visit the bookstore or relax in one of our lounges just note they can not attend students-only sessions. What if My Parents Cannot Attend KickStart with Me? Students can bring close family friends or mentors over the age of 18 if parents/family members are not available. It is expected that these guests will follow the Parent/ Family Orientation Program, take notes, and collect information for the student. Guests will also be expected to stay at one of the local hotels. 2

5 Additional Guests The Orientation Fee covers expenses for the student and up to two (2) parents, family members, or guests to attend KickStart with the student. If you would like to bring additional guests there will be a fee of $25/person to cover meals and refreshments. You can pay for additional guests when you register for KickStart but please be aware the guest fee for any guests who do not come to KickStart will not be refunded. If you are unsure of a guests attendance you can wait until you check-in for KickStart and pay those additional guest fees on site. Children While we encourage students to share their orientation experience with family members, we have found the littlest family members get bored very easily since there are no play facilities or activities available for them. They might have a better time if they stay at home with family members or friends and among their favorite playthings. Where Students Will Stay Students who have sent in deposits and completed housing applications will be moving into their spring 2019 housing assignments. Students will be able to move-in on Tuesday, January 8, allowing plenty of time to unpack and shop for last minute necessities before KickStart starts on Wednesday. Students who are going to be commuting to campus during the school year (living at home) will come to campus each day for the mandatory programming. Driving Directions and Parking You will be able to find driving directions, a printable map of campus, and parking lot information on our website at go.uis.edu/maps. Here are GPS addresses that may be useful for Springfield, IL There is a complete listing online at go.us.edu/gps Student Union: 2251 Richard Wright Drive Testing Services (Human Resources Building): 2415 Nelson Algren Lane Residence Life Office (Homer Butler Commons): 2325 Richard Wright Drive Founders Residence Hall: 4800 Eliza Farnham Drive Lincoln Residence Hall: 2160 Vachel Lindsay Drive Parking for KickStart and Semester Launch Our programming will mostly be in the Student Center on Wednesday and Thursday. We suggest parking in Lot J behind the Student Center, or Lot D near the residence halls and the Public Affairs Center. If you are living on campus, you will need to purchase a residential student hangtag. Overnight Accommodations at One of Our Area Hotels Because students living on campus are sharing a room with another student, family members and guests are not allowed to stay in the residence hall and must make accommodations at an area hotel. We have identified a number of hotels on our website with different price points and amenities. Several hotels are offering special rates. Call the Springfield phone number (area code 217) to make reservations and get the UIS Orientation rate. Please view the list at go.uis.edu/travelandhotels. 3

6 4

7 UIS Campus PAC Public Affairs Center BSB Business Services Building HRB Human Resources Building HBC Homer Butler Housing Commons TRAC The Recreation and Athletic Center 5

8 Students or Family Members With Disabilities Students who need accommodations during KickStart and Semester Launch please indicate this on the online registration form. We need at least three weeks before the orientation session to make arrangements with our Office of Disability Services staff who will need time to contact sign language interpreters or take print material like our program and handouts and modify them for students who are blind or have a visual impairment. Interpreters for Parents Who Are Spanish-speaking We have students to serve as interpreters at KickStart if requested in the reservation. Student interpreters have been approved by our Spanish Language instructor for their Spanish language abilities. Student interpreters will work with families during both days. They will meet the family at check-in, review the schedule, and identify things the family wants to attend or participate in. Student interpreters will be available for the Financial Assistance consultation with the family if needed to help ask questions. Request an interpreter when you register online for KickStart. Registering for KickStart Step 1: Review the Schedules online Schedule: go.uis.edu/myfirstyear Spring KickStart: Wed., January 9 Thurs., January 10 Semester Launch: January Step 2: Register for Orientation Go to our website go.uis.edu/orientation click on the First-Year Student link, then scroll to find Registration for Spring 2019 KickStart is now open and click Here to Complete the Registration form take your time to read it carefully. Step 3: Pay Orientation Fee You can pay the Orientation Fee online: go.uis.edu/o-fee by credit card, or mail a check or money order after you register. Step 4: Print Confirmation & Put It in Your Calendar A confirmation of your KickStart registration will be sent to the account you listed in your admissions application. Please make sure you read the confirmation. Share your KickStart confirmation with your parents/family members and guests who will be attending with you. You will receive reminders about KickStart about a week before your session. Step 5: Review & Print the First-Year Checklist The New Student Orientation check-list on our website: go.uis.edu/myfirstyear has more information than what we are able to share in this booklet. Please print this and work through the items that need to be accomplished before your KickStart session. Make sure you are also working through your admitted student checklist. 6

9 KickStart Schedule Overview This schedule is subject to change; a more detailed schedule is available online. Day One 9 Noon Orientation Help Desk, Student Union, 1st Floor Lobby 9 11 a.m. Placement Testing, Human Resources Building (HRB), room a.m. Noon Lunch On Your Own Visit our Student Union Food Studio. They accept major credit cards and cash. 11:15 a.m. Noon KickStart Check-in, Student Union, 3rd Floor 11:15 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Campus Opportunity Fair, Student Union, Ballroom 12:15 p.m. Welcome Students and Families 2 5:45 p.m. Family Track: Parent Panel Understanding Your Student s Transition Student Track: Academics and Advising 5:50 6:30 p.m. Students Dine with Orientation Team 6:35 8 p.m. Student Session 9 11 p.m. Evening Fun: Students Join us for board games and snacks Day Two 8:15 a.m. Students: Orientation Group and Breakfast Meeting 9 9:40 a.m. Financial Assistance Consultations 9:45 11:40 a.m. Students, parents, families and guests: Information Sessions 11:45 3 p.m. Student Track: Getting It Done: Advising, Registration, i-card, Lunch Parent/Family/Guests: Parent and Family Information Sessions, Lunch 3:05 p.m. Closing Hugs & Kisses Goodbye Parents and Family members depart 3:30 p.m. Launch Week begins for new students 7

10 8 Orientation Checklist Things to do before KickStart o Make Arrangements for Travel and Accommodations. See our Travel and Accommodations page: go.uis.edu/travelandhotels for train information, ground transportation, and driving directions to campus. Parents/Family Members/Guests should make reservations at a local hotel for their overnight stay. We have information from a number of hotels on the website above. January Orientation session: only students living on-campus will be staying on campus. They will check into their rooms. Commuter students will be coming to KickStart and Semester Launch each day directly from home. Things to bring to KickStart For Students Full checklist at go.uis.edu/myfirstyear o Government Issued ID: Passport, Driver s License, or State ID (if you do not have a driver s license), you will need this to get your i-card and take Placement Exams o Your Financial Aid award letter if you want to meet with a counselor from the Office of Financial Assistance o Bank account and routing information to set up your Direct Deposit and parent/ guardian address for authorized payer enrollment with USFSCO Customer Service Office on Day 2 of your Orientation session o Your UIN, NetID and password (save them in your smart phone so you don t forget you will be using them during advising sessions and registration) o Appropriate gear for the Central Illinois weather (62703 zip code) o Sweater or jacket (meeting rooms can get a little chilly) o Spending money for snacks or the UIS Bookstore, which has great UIS gear (Meals that are included in your orientation fees are the refreshment break, dinner and breakfast on day 1, and a $10 meal card towards lunch on day 2.) o Students living on campus will move directly into their housing assignment before Orientation begins, so you will need to be prepared to bring things for move-in For Parents o Sweater or jacket (meeting rooms can get a little chilly) o A good book (you will have time to relax in the evening) o Spending money for snacks or to by UIS gear at the UIS Bookstore (meals that are included in your orientation fees are the refreshment break on day 1 of KickStart and coffee and a $10 meal card towards lunch on day 2 you may want to bring additional money in case your order is more than $10) o Clothes, toiletries, etc.

11 Semester Launch January Move-in Residential Student Move-in, For First-Year Students Living on Campus If you are living on-campus, your first-year move-in date is Tuesday, January 8. Residence Life will you directions Commuter Students/Students Living at Home If you will be driving to campus, make sure you go online to purchase your parking permit during the first week of January. Bring your drivers license with you to the Parking Services Office in the Public Affairs Center (PAC) 119. You will be parking in the commuter lots during KickStart and Semester Launch Lot D and J (behind the Student Union. If you are taking the bus or using other modes of transportation, make sure you arrive on campus before the program starts. Have your parents or family members follow you on Wednesday & Thursday to share KickStart programming. Students will be staying later on Wednesday and Thursday. Family members will be done at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday and 3:20 p.m. on Thursday. January Semester Launch Schedule * Subject to change if there is inclement weather We have been able to fit all of the mandatory Semester Launch programming into late Thursday from 3:30-5:45 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If you have to work, make sure you let your supervisor know your limited availability. Thursday, January 10 3:20 p.m. KickStart Finishes 3:30 5:45 p.m. Semester Launch programming Friday, January 11 9:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m. Mandatory sessions Saturday, January 12 There is no Semester Launch programming Sunday, January 13 There is no Semester Launch programming Monday, January 14 First Day of Classes Printed by Authority of the State of Illinois

12 Get Connected & Stay Informed Like the Office of New Student Orientation & Family Programs on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest KickStart and Semester Launch information. Parents/Family members Like the UIS Prairie Stars Family Association (PSFA) Facebook page to connect with other parents and learn more about the PSFA and its activities. Like the University of Illinois Springfield page for updates and news about the UIS campus and our students. Follow on Twitter for updates or use the #UISOrientation?s handle for questions while you are on campus for KickStart and Semester Launch. Follow uisedu and post your pics to the UIS Instagram account by using the hashtags #UISOrientation and #MyUISLife to document your Orientation and UIS experience! Questions about orientation programming? Contact our office by or while on-campus for KickStart tweet your questions by using the hashtag #UISOrientation?s. Contact Office of New Student Orientation & Parent Relations Student Affairs Building, Room 60 Office Hours: M F 8:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m. * Please note, NSOPR will be closed for winter break December 21-January 1. We will not be monitoring our or phones. (217) UISOrientation@uis.edu go.uis.edu/orientation UIS is a TOBACCO-FREE CAMPUS