Generations - November 2023
Welcome from Parent and Family Council
Dear UArts families,
In case you missed it, UArts is planning a new event on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Grandparents and Family Day gives grandparents, extended family members, or other special people in students’ lives an opportunity to spend time together on campus. Attendees will enjoy a light lunch, hear from President Kerry Walk, and create a joint project in the Makerspace.
The UArts Parent and Family Council recently met with Stephen Cirino, assistant vice president of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), and DEIA and Student Union chair Khenadi Christmas ’24 (Musical Theater). Stephen shared UArts’ inclusion and diversity statement, provided an overview of the executive board and committee, and highlighted several DEIA-specific projects and goals that ensure diversity remains embedded in all facets of the university. To learn more, visit the DEIA page online. Khenadi spoke about ongoing student initiatives to assist other students and the broader community. The Student Union—which includes many student leaders—facilitates town halls and events, and allows students to collaborate and address specific issues that matter most to them.
UArts remains committed to programs that involve students in the total campus experience and provides learning resources that can help them thrive academically and artistically. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of support, programs, and facilities to help them study, stay healthy and safe, and make steady progress toward Commencement and life beyond UArts.
Winter break is also on the horizon. Below, information about the move-out process is included, to assist with any planning or scheduling for your family or student later this year.
Sincerely,
The Parent and Family Council
Student Leader Application Timeline
Is your student interested in being hired as a student leader? Soon, Campus Life will begin accepting applications for resident assistants and first-year guides for next academic year! These positions are a great way to get involved in the UArts community, learn invaluable leadership skills, and build friendships and connections with fellow student leaders.
Resident assistant position information: The resident assistant (RA) position is an on-campus leadership opportunity that lasts one year. RAs encourage and support residential students in their academic, social and personal growth, while working to facilitate a safe, caring, and inclusive learning community. RAs gain experience in community building, marketing, administrative responsibilities, event planning, and more, all with support from Campus Life staff. Not only do our RAs find a lot of value in the skills they learn through the position, but they also enjoy being part of the RA team. They also often say that they’ve made some of their best friends at UArts through their RA position. To learn more about it, including compensation details and application instructions, view the position online.
Students can also learn more by attending Campus Life’s RA info sessions. Dates and times will be advertised via Campus Life’s weekly email, Keepin’ Up with Campus Life. Applications are available beginning Nov. 27 and close Feb. 11.
First-year guide position information: First-year guides (FYGs) are responsible for helping to welcome our new students every year at Orientation. They are assigned a group of new students at the start of Orientation, and it is the FYGs’ role to help ensure that new students feel welcomed and get connected on campus. They reach out to their group throughout the semester and participate in first-year student programming!
Students can also learn more by attending Campus Life’s FYG info sessions. Dates and times will be advertised via Campus Life’s weekly email, Keepin’ Up with Campus Life. Applications open in January.
Fall Break: Residence Hall & Dining Details
Fall break is Nov. 22–26, and no classes will be held during this time. The university offices will close at 3 p.m. on Nov. 22 and remain closed through Nov. 25 for fall break. However, residence halls will remain open 24/7, and students may reside in their assigned residence hall over the break. Dining services are closed for the break. Here are the adjusted dining hours.
- Terra Market: closes Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. and reopens Nov. 26 at 4 p.m.
- Mangia: closed Nov. 22–26
Since campus dining locations are closed, students who are staying on campus are encouraged to order extra prepared food or purchase groceries from Terra Market prior to its Nov. 22 closing. Terra Market plans to have more prepared items and groceries available before break, so students may purchase these items in advance.
If your student chooses to stay on campus over break, Campus Life will host events each day of fall break in the residence halls for students who stay. Those events will be advertised via email to students, and fliers will be posted in the residence halls.
Many of our residents also like to have guests stay with them over break. All residential students will receive a detailed email reminder of the guest policy, but a few highlights include
- Minor guests: Any resident wishing to host a guest who is under the age of 18 without the accompaniment of a parent or legal guardian is only permitted to do so with prior consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian and approval by Campus Life. To receive approval, parents or guardians must complete the guest application a minimum of two business days before the guest’s arrival and respond to any follow up email correspondence from Campus Life staff. Please note that no minor under the age of 13 will be permitted to stay on campus overnight.
- Overnight guests: Overnight guests are not to exceed two consecutive nights and not more than three nights in a seven-day period on a rolling calendar basis.
Winter Break: Move-Out Information
Winter break is fast approaching. In our next edition of Generations, we’ll share more specific details about how to help your student prepare to leave their residence hall for the break. However, here are a few important things to keep in mind as you begin planning.
Important dates
- Residence halls close Saturday, Dec. 16, at 1 p.m.
- Residence halls reopen Sunday, Jan. 21, at 8 a.m.
Preparing for winter break
When students vacate their residence halls, they may leave their personal belongings behind, but we encourage them to take home or lock up any valuables (i.e., cash, laptop, jewelry). They should bring home any items they might need over break (i.e., medications, chargers, etc.), as they will not be able to access the residence hall again until Jan. 21.
Students are also required to leave their spaces clean and should make plans to dispose of any perishable items and wipe crumbs from countertops, dispose of trash, etc. A full list of cleaning requirements will be shared with students in December.
Faculty Spotlight: Donna Faye Burchfield
Donna Faye Burchfield, professor and dean of the School of Dance, arrived at UArts in 2010. Before her arrival, she served as dean of the American Dance Festival (ADF), Durham, North Carolina (2000–2010), and professor of dance at Hollins University, Roanoke, Virginia (1993–2010). In 2022, she was named a Chevalier de L’Ordre Des Arts Des Lettres by the French government.
Upcoming Campus Events
For a comprehensive, actively updated list of events in the UArts community, check out our calendar!