Generations Newsletter December 2022
Dear UArts families,
As the university’s winter break quickly approaches and we celebrate an incredibly successful fall semester, I wish you a joyous holiday season and a very happy new year. I am also pleased to update you on several of UArts’ critical endeavors aimed at reframing and reinforcing our mission: to advance human creativity.
Our campus continues to flourish, and the student experience at UArts has been greatly enhanced by innovative spaces such as the Center for Immersive Media and Lightbox Film Center. That positive trend continues as we look forward to the opening of our brand-new student center, which will centralize all student services in Gershman Hall, in February. This important project—the first student center in our campus’ long history—has been generously supported by private donors and $5 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This fall brought with it a full slate of opportunities for our community to gather together in celebration of our common language of art. I have truly been impressed by the caliber of student work in the past month’s performances and exhibitions. This has been an incredibly rich semester in our classrooms and studios, and it’s wonderful to be together in person to delight in the creativity of our community.
In just the past two months, we also welcomed the first cohort of our Inspiration Lab (iLAB) artists in residence, celebrated the tremendous gifts of our scholarship donors and dedicated a new mural—created by an alum with Mural Arts Philadelphia—on Spruce Hall. Plus, our exhibitions team continues to fill the Philadelphia Art Alliance and Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery with compelling work by important contemporary artists, many showing their work in Philadelphia for the very first time. Whenever you next visit our campus, I am certain you will be intrigued by all you discover.
Thank you again for your continued support. However you celebrate the holiday season, I wish you comfort, joy and continued good health in the coming year.
Warmly,
David Yager
President and CEO
Final Grades
Final grades are posted by the Office of the Registrar at the end of each term, in accordance with the dates published on the academic calendar. Parents and guardians do not get a notification of their students’ final grades or academic standing and progress.
Your student can access their grades in Student Self-Service. Once they are logged in, they can click Grades and select the term they wish to view. If your student does not agree with their final grade, they should file an academic grievance. Academic standing is calculated once the semester’s grading is complete.
Your student will also receive an email from their academic advisor, which will outline their progress toward degree completion. If your student withdrew from or failed any courses, they should contact their academic advisor to discuss.
Contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@uarts.edu with any questions you might have about final grading.
How to Reach Us
All university offices are closed for winter break from Friday, Dec. 16, at 5 p.m. until Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 9 a.m. During this time, if you or your student are experiencing an emergency and need to speak with someone from the university, call 215-717-6666. Otherwise, we encourage you to email the office you need to contact using the information listed at the bottom of this message, and the appropriate department will get back to you in the new year.
Leaving the residence halls for winter break
As we approach the end of the semester, students are required to vacate their residence halls any time after they finish their academic requirements but no later than Saturday, Dec. 17, at 3 p.m. Guests are permitted to assist students in preparing to leave. All guests must sign in at the Public Safety desk and stay with their resident for the duration of their time on campus.
Students will not be able to access their residence hall after we close on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 3 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 22, when the residence halls reopen for the spring semester. Students should ensure they take any personal belongings they might need during that time period, but they do not need to move all their belongings out of their space, unless they are not living on campus in the spring semester.
As students leave their residence halls for winter break, it is important that they prepare their space to be closed while they are away. We ask that residents complete the following tasks.
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Unplug all personal appliances (except the fridge and the microwave).
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Take home or lock up all valuables (i.e., cash, laptop, jewelry).
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Remove all belongings from the floor (put clothes and items away or on the bed, etc.).
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Take out all trash to dumpsters, trash cans, recycling bins or trash rooms.
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Empty the fridge and/or discard perishables.
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Discard all non-refrigerated, perishable food items, including fruit, decorative pumpkins, etc.
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Place any non-refrigerated, nonperishable open food items in sealable containers, like Tupperware or plastic bags (i.e., chip bags, cereal bags, etc.).
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Wash all dirty dishes and put them away.
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Wipe down and clean all counters and surfaces.
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Move items away from the heater and remove any items on top of the heater.
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Close all windows, turn off all lights and lock the apartment door.
Students will be required to go to a floor meeting led by their RA, during which this information will be communicated with them in detail and they’ll have the opportunity to ask questions.
For any questions about residence hall closings, encourage your student to contact their RA or email reslife@uarts.edu.
Reminder: FAFSA Now Available
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2023–2024 was available as of Oct. 1, 2022! Completing the FAFSA determines your student’s eligibility for loans, grants and work-study opportunities. We encourage students, and their families, to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to receive the most consideration for need-based financial aid.
Student Financial Services can help your student file the FAFSA quickly and accurately. Student Financial Services staff are available for virtual or in-person meetings to help guide you and your student through the application process. To set up an appointment, please have your student reach out to Student Financial Services at finaid@uarts.edu.
What to have available
- Your students FSA ID and password; available at fsaid.ed.gov.
- Student 2021 tax return (or W-2, if they did not file).
- Parent or guardian’s 2021 tax return(s).
If you need any assistance completing the FAFSA, want to schedule an appointment for another day or have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Student Financial Services at 215-717-6170 or finaid@uarts.edu.
UArts Faculty Spotlight: Sheryl Oring
Sheryl Oring, a renowned artist, educator, activist and advocate for the arts, has been named dean of UArts’ School of Art. Oring joins UArts from Detroit’s Wayne State University, where since 2019 she has served as professor and chair of the James Pearson Duffy Department of Art and Art History. She will assume her new role at UArts on Jan. 30.
learn more about Sheryl Oring.
Save the Date: Day of Giving 2023
In March 2022, 921 members of the UArts community came together and raised $253,290 in support of students. This marked an increase of 44.36% over 2021’s totals in the number of donors and an additional $105,313 in funds raised to support students. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of young artists!
Mark your calendars for the fourth annual UArtist Day of Giving, which will be held Feb. 28, 2023. More information will be shared via email leading up to the event. There are several surprises in store for you this year!
School of Dance: Winter Dance Series
The School of Dance presents the Winter Dance Series, featuring choreographic works created by an incredible roster of guest artists and faculty members. Performances will be held in the Zellerbach Theater at the Annenberg Center and also in the YGym Dance Theater in Gershman Hall. Virtual broadcasts of all programs will also be shared via Zoom on Thursday, Dec. 15.
Winter Dance Series at the YGym Dance Theater
Includes work by Fana Fraser, Katie Vickers + Albert Quesada, Loni Landon, Shayla-Vie Jenkins + Jesse Zaritt, and Sidra Bell + Sara Procopio
Friday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Ticket reservations are not required for the YGym program.
Winter Dance Series virtual broadcasts
Thursday, Dec. 15
Program A: 4 p.m.
Program B: 6 p.m.
YGym program: 8 p.m.
Ira Brind School of Theater: ‘Alchemic Oddities’
Dec. 8–10
Various times
Caplan Studio Theater
Terra Hall, 16th floor
211 S. Broad St.
The Ira Brind School of Theater Arts presents three performances of Alchemic Oddities.
Thursday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 10, 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 10, 8:00 p.m.
School of Music Concerts
This month, the School of Music has a roster of student ensemble performances. These events are free and open to the public. Many will be available for livestream, and registration is encouraged. Visit the link below for more information on how to experience the artistry of these talented musicians.
School of Music: Transfusion Ensemble & “Z” Big Band Concert
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.
Caplan Recital Hall
211 S. Broad St.
RSVP
School of Music: Composition Department Concert & Vocal Session Ensemble Concert
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
Caplan Recital Hall
211 S. Broad St.
RSVP
School of Music: Rock Ensemble Concert
Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.
Caplan Recital Hall
211 S. Broad St.
RSVP
School of Music: Femme Ensemble Live Studio Concert
Thursday, Dec. 8, 8 p.m.
Laurie Wagman Studio A
Terra Hall 1134, 11th floor
211 S. Broad St.
RSVP