Generations October 2022
Letter from the Editor
I hope everyone enjoyed the fabulous events and festivities of UArts weekend and, most of all, reuniting with your student! Although Mother Nature had different plans for the weekend, she certainly did not dampen the spirits of the UArts community! Whether attending an exciting performance, a fascinating exhibit or a family-centered activity, the energy on UArts’ campus was definitely dynamic.
For some families, this was the first time seeing their student since Move-In Day in August. I am sure your students had plenty to share with you about classes, student life and campus activities. I hope they are all adjusting well and finding this phase of their college journey exciting and fun! If, however, your student is not acclimating or is feeling down, homesick or having roommate conflict issues, have them contact Campus Life or the Counseling Center. Those resources and more are available on campus to all students. To learn more, visit the Campus Resources section at uarts.edu/parents.
As we continue to help our students navigate their college years, be sure to scroll through this newsletter and sign up for the different alerts and notifications that will keep you up to date with the UArts community. Also, we are happy to announce that Generations will now be archived. You can find past issues of the newsletter on the Get & Stay Informed section of the UArts website under Catch up on the latest issues of Generations.
Through October, may the vibrance of fall inspire your students with creativity as they continue to bring their artistic visions to life!
Respectfully,
Marian Maier
UArts Day Recap
We had a successful day of community and relaxation for this year’s UArts Day! Students had the day off from classes and were invited to attend our Self-Care Fair. There, massage therapists available, therapy animals and activities led by art therapists were available. Students could also paint on canvas, make glitter jars, color, use DIY face masks and more. We ended the day with an Open Mic Night and had over 20 students sign up to perform and 200-plus students in attendance.
Meal Plan Navigation
All University of the Arts meal plans are declining balance plans, providing a dollar-for-dollar value and the flexibility to use them freely for à la carte meals, snacks and drinks at both of our UArts campus dining locations, Terra Market and Mangia Cafe. It’s like a debit account just for dining throughout the semester. Meal plan Dining Dollars are not transferable to other outlets or facilities on or off campus. Additional Dining Dollars can be added at any time throughout the year, in any amount, through eAccounts, which is available via a student’s UArts portal account.
Dining FAQ
Who is required to have a meal plan?
All residential students are required to have a meal plan.
Is there all-you-care-to-eat dining on campus?
Terra Market has transitioned from an all-you-care-to-eat dining hall to more of a retail food hall experience. This change better suits our students’ lifestyles, provide a better value and offer a more modern dining experience with the convenience of mobile ordering!
Do unused Dining Dollars rollover?
Meal plan Dining Dollars do not rollover from semester to semester. Any funds left in a student’s account at the end of the semester are forfeited.
Can I use Dining Dollars in the vending machines?
Dining Dollars cannot be used in campus vending machines. Both dining locations have a robust variety of retail snacks and drinks available to purchase with Dining Dollars.
I have special dietary needs or restrictions. Is there anything for me to eat?
Yes! We understand the diverse needs of our campus community and offer a variety of diet-conscious alternatives, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free options and more at every location. We encourage your student to talk with our dining team for more information by emailing diningservices@uarts.edu.
Navigating Conflict in Roommate Relationships
Transitioning to living on campus can be a challenging time for many students. Sharing a residential space means managing schedules, personalities, emotions, expectations and conflicts that may arise throughout the academic year. Even the best roommate relationships may experience some turbulence as they navigate sharing a space. As a member of your UArtist’s support system, we encourage you to remind them of these tips if they express difficulties with their roommate.
- Start communicating early. It’s important to have clear, direct communication when small issues arise, instead of allowing them to fester into a larger conflict. This can alleviate stress quickly, and eliminate future problems before they start to form.
- Use UArts resources. Asking for a resident assistant (RA) or a Campus Life staff member to help mediate the situation is always an option. RAs and Campus Life staff are trained in mediation and are here to support students as they navigate this new chapter in their lives. They are always ready to provide a safe, guided environment for students who may feel overwhelmed by tackling conflict alone.
- Revise the roommate agreement. Students living in campus housing were asked to create a roommate agreement at the beginning of the semester. The roommate agreement walks roommates through coming up with a plan for cleaning, hosting guests, sharing items, quiet time and more. When conflict arises, encourage your student to take another look at their roommate agreement. Perhaps it needs to be revised to meet new needs. Encouraging them to revise it with their roommate can provide a great template for having conversations about issues in the room and ways to navigate them.
- Be patient, open-minded and reflective. Conflict allows room for growth and is a natural part of transitioning into a new environment. Having differences is normal, but finding and establishing common ground, mutual respect and clear communication are essential to work through conflict in a healthy manner. Make sure your UArtist tries to see the conflict from all perspectives and avoids responding emotionally to feedback from their roommates on the conflict they are experiencing. We encourage students to use “I” statements, which helps them talk about the issues they are experiencing from their perspective and voice their needs.
- Minimize third-party involvement. For many students, their first reaction to conflict is to reach out to others to discuss the issue, instead of speaking directly to the person involved. If your student confides in you regarding disagreements with their roommate, remind them to keep the conversation contained to themselves and their roommates. This allows your student to grow and develop their communication skills and minimizes gossip and misinformation.
If you have questions or concerns regarding your UArtist and their current housing situation, encourage your student to reach out to Campus Life at reslife@uarts.edu, so we can provide them with tools, resources and support to tackle the issue and continue growing within the University of the Arts community.
UArts Students Elect First-Ever Student Union
Students have a new method of working with faculty and staff to help shape their UArts experience with the recent election of our first Student Union. The Student Union functions like a student government but is designed by and for UArts students. The first election took place Friday, Sept. 23, and the first group of elected officers were sworn in Friday, Sept. 30, at the Student Union Induction Ceremony.
The Student Union began the important work of closely reviewing their draft Constitution and Bylaws shortly after and will spend the next handful of months refining it. This process will include meetings and other types of feedback-gathering sessions to help spread the word about the Student Union, as well as ensure that the soon-to-be-ratified Constitution and Bylaws are truly representative of all students. Students can look forward to the Student Union hosting meetings and other types of programs as they advocate for pressing issues at the university.
Midterm Grades & Advising
All UArts undergraduate students receive midterm grades. Midterm grades are a great opportunity for your student to know how they are doing in their classes and to get help in successfully completing the semester if their midterm grades are not what they expected.
This year, midterm grades will be available beginning Oct. 10. All midterm grades must be submitted by faculty by Oct. 16. Midterm grades are visible to students immediately upon being entered, so your student may not see all their midterm grades posted on the same day. To access their midterm grades, students can log in to Student Self Services using their portal username and password and click Grades.
Midterm grades do not factor into a student’s term or cumulative GPA. Each course syllabus includes a clear description of how the midterm grade and final grade are determined. For a midterm grade to be meaningful, the midterm grade should be based on completed and graded assignments, tests, papers or projects that comprise 30 to 50% of the final course grade. Student participation might also be graded at midterm. If your student has any questions about their midterm grade, they should contact the instructor of that course.
Academic support is available to students, and tutoring is free for all students and is offered both virtually and in person. Students can receive tutoring for general writing and study skills and for many courses, including Critical Studies, and studio, production and performance classes. Students schedule tutoring appointments at penjiapp.com, where they can select their course and find a UArts faculty–recommended tutor. Students can email tutoring@uarts.edu with any questions. For more information about tutoring, visit Tutoring at UArts. Students may also work with their academic advisor if they have any questions about their midterm grades and options for support or possible course withdrawal. They can contact advising@uarts.edu for more information.
Academic advising for the fall semester begins Oct. 24, 2022, and registration begins Nov. 14. Your student will be contacted by their academic advisor prior to registration to schedule a time to discuss their registration for spring 2023. If your student has questions about registration, they should contact the Advising Center at advising@uarts.edu or their academic advisor.
Honors Program
The University of the Arts Honors Program is a vibrant hub of engaging coursework, rich student life, community collaboration and co-curricular programming. The Honors Program is intended to provide academically exceptional and creatively gifted students with a rigorous and enriching intellectual and artistic experience while pursuing their undergraduate degree. Coursework leading to the fulfillment of the Honors Program challenges students to expand the limits of their intellect, artistry and imagination. This year, we are excited to have 46 students active in UArts’ Honors Program.
Is your student looking for deeper engagement in their academic experience at UArts? They might be interested in applying to the program. UArts students who achieve a 3.75 or higher GPA in their first semester are invited to apply. Transfer students are eligible to apply to be Honors Scholars if their cumulative GPA from their previous college or university is 3.75 or higher.
The Honors Program comprises a total of 15 credits throughout a student’s tenure at UArts. Scholars complete one honors-enriched course in each of the following: one in their major field of study or discipline, one from Critical Studies and one course in a major or discipline outside their own field. Scholars also complete the Honors Thesis Tutorial and Colloquia, in which scholars complete an Honors Thesis related to the capstone work in their major.
Honors Scholars are also invited to special events, networking opportunities and seminars to enhance their academic experience. Read more about the Honors Program.
If your student is interested in applying for the Honors Program, encourage them to complete the online interest form by Jan. 1, 2023. Applicants will be notified if they are accepted by Jan. 6, 2023.
Access the Honors Scholars Interest Form.
If your student is interested in the Honors Program, they can contact Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Honors Program Director Sara Pyle at spyle@uarts.edu.
Free Flu Shots Available for Students
Influenza (Flu) season is upon us! The contagious disease spreads around the U.S. every year, but typically between the months of October and May (flu season). Flu can cause fever and chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache and a runny or stuffy nose. Anyone can get the flu, but it is more dangerous for the immunocompromised, children and infants, pregnant people, and those aged 65 and older.
The flu is a very common ailment, so it is important to protect yourself by getting your flu shot. Flu vaccines/shots are recommended annually for everyone six months and older. Flu viruses are always changing, and each year, a new vaccine is created to protect against the influenza viruses believed to be in circulation for the year. Influenza vaccines do not cause the flu and may be given in tandem with other vaccines.
Flu shots are available for all UArts students, free of charge, while supplies last. Flu shots are administered in our office, Gershman Hall, Room 306, during office hours. Students can make appointments online by visiting uarts-flu.youcanbook.me.
For more information on vaccines, prevention and treatment information, visit the CDC website for up-to-date and direct flu information.
Share Your UArts Stories
We want to hear about your University of the Arts experiences! Use the form linked below to share your positive stories with fellow parents and guardians. Selected stories will be included in upcoming editions of the Generations newsletter and in other parent/family communications. Thank you!