Generations - October 2023
Welcome from Parent and Family Council
Dear UArts families,
UArts Weekend, which took place Oct. 6–8, was filled with exciting events for all. Attendees participated in walking tours of the city, a brunch with deans and faculty members, fall activities, listened to student bands while enjoying a beer garden from Yards Brewing Co., attended a community BBQ, listened to a fantastic conversation with our distinguished alumni, and had the opportunity to hear from President Walk on her vision for the future of the university.
UArts is also planning a brand-new event on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Grandparents and Family Day will give students, grandparents, extended family members, or a special person in a student’s life the opportunity to spend time together over a light breakfast during students’ free time. Attendees will hear from the deans and President Kerry Walk and create a joint project in the Makerspace. Register now! Note: Everyone is welcome and encouraged to visit campus for events, exhibitions, and performances all year.
You can also find out about important academic dates online. Each year, we hear questions from students and families seeking clarification on the academic calendar. If you are unsure when classes start or when residence halls open, visit the online calendar. Review the latest events facilitated by the Office of Campus Life or student leaders, who are designed to help students get more involved as part of their overall experience. There are more than 25 active student clubs and organizations on campus, and they range from identity-based groups like the Black Student Union, to recreational organizations like UArts Game Club, and arts-specific clubs like the Animation Club and the UArts Ballet Ensemble.
Lastly, do you have a positive experience or story about UArts that you would like to share? If so, share it with us. We would love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
The Parent and Family Council
UArts Weekend Recap
We had a wonderful UArts weekend! Thank you to our students, families, alumni, faculty, and staff for coming together to celebrate UArts’ creative spirit and community. Here are some photos from an amazing weekend of reconnection. If you weren’t able to attend this year, we hope you’ll join us in 2024!
Grandparents and Family Day
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 11:00 a.m.–2 p.m.
Students, grandparents, extended family members, or other special people in your student’s life are invited to join us for a new UArts experience! Enjoy a light breakfast during students’ free time, hear from the deans and President Kerry Walk, and create a joint project with your student or grandchild in the UArts Makerspace.
Midterm Grades and Tutoring
Every semester, UArts undergraduate students receive midterm grades. Faculty enter midterm grades each term in accordance with the dates on the academic calendar (about the seventh week of the semester). Midterm grades are visible to students immediately upon being entered, so your student might not see all of their midterm grades posted the same day. To access grades, students 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. But they do help students determine their progress in their courses. Each course syllabus includes a clear description of how the midterm and final grades will be determined. Midterm grades are based on completed and graded assignments, tests, papers, or projects that comprise 30 to 50% of the final course grade. Student participation may also be graded at midterm. If your student has any questions about their midterm grades, they should contact the instructor of the course they have questions about. They may also contact their academic advisor or advising@uarts.edu.
The Advising Center will follow up with all students who receive D or F midterm grades, to offer guidance and support from their academic advisor and let them know that academic support is available to them.
Additionally, tutoring is free for all students. They can receive tutoring for general writing and study skills and for many courses, including Critical Studies, studio, production, and performance classes. Tutoring can also help students catch up on assignments and improve their skills and grades. If they are interested in tutoring, they may schedule appointments at web.penjiapp.com, where they sign in and select the course, time, and tutor. Students may also contact the Tutoring program anytime with questions or for scheduling at tutoring@uarts.edu. For more information about tutoring, visit Tutoring at UArts online.
Staying Healthy
As the seasons change, it’s essential for students to prioritize health and well-being.
Maintaining healthy eating habits, washing their hands often, staying hydrated, getting enough rest, and managing stress are all surefire ways to keep their health in check! Creating a routine is a great way for students to stay on track and feel more in control. Developing and maintaining a regular self-care practice is essential in managing stress and can help students feel their physical, mental, and emotional best.
COVID-19 is here to stay, but UArts is doing a great job in keeping it at bay! Since arriving back on campus in 2021, all COVID-19 cases have been mild, with no hospitalizations, and our case numbers have remained low. Over 90% of the UArts community is vaccinated, and the general population has developed helpful antibodies to prevent severe illness. If a student does test positive for COVID-19, we follow isolation guidelines from the CDC, with students returning to class after a five-day isolation period.
Flu season is also approaching. Getting vaccinated against the flu is also a crucial step in maintaining good health during the fall and winter. Health Services will be offering flu vaccines to students at no cost, beginning in October. Students should keep an eye out for more information on Health Services’ Instagram and around campus.
The fall semester is one of excitement and new experiences, whether students are new to UArts or returning. There are new classes to dive into, new friends to meet, and for many, a new sense of independence and responsibility to navigate. All this newness can be exhilarating, but also quite stressful. If your student shares that they are feeling stressed, remind them that this is normal and they’re not alone.
Maintaining healthy habits like eating well, exercising, and getting good sleep is a great foundation, and developing a good self-care routine can also make stress easier to manage. Self-care looks different for everyone, so encourage your student to try different things until they find what works best for them. For some, spending time with friends works best to help them unwind, so they may need to make a special effort to maintain a healthy social life, even when schoolwork starts to pile up. Others may need to make time for quiet and self-reflection. Meditation, yoga, going for walks, and making time for hobbies can also help students manage stress and feel their best. Counseling is always there to help students develop a self-care routine that works for them.
If your student has any questions or concerns about health and wellness, Health Services is located in the Student Center, Room 306, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday. The office can be reached via email at healthservices@uarts.edu. Counseling is also located in the Student Center, directly below Health Services in Room 205. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday, and can be reached via email at counseling@uarts.edu. We also have walk-in hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every weekday, when students can come in without an appointment.
Students with injuries may schedule an evaluation with our physical therapist at our office in Terra Hall, Room 401.
More health information can be found on the Health Services webpage, which includes links to appointment scheduling and information on local providers, and on the Counseling webpage. You and your student can follow Health Services on Instagram for updates, tips, and public health notices. And encourage your student to join us for our health and wellness events!
Please encourage your student to contact Health Services or Counseling if they need help or assistance! A healthy student is a healthy artist!
Understanding the Academic Calendar
Each year, we get questions from students and families seeking clarification on our academic calendar. We do our best to clarify what each of the dates mean, but if you still find yourself asking questions about when classes start or when residence halls open, click below to see the full academic calendar online.
Navigating the Meal Plan
All UArts meal plans are declining balance plans (like a debit account for dining), providing a dollar-for-dollar value and the flexibility to use them freely for à la carte meals, snacks, and drinks at all UArts campus dining locations: Terra Market, Mangia Cafe, and Saxbys. 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 in the UArts portal.
Here are some frequently asked questions about dining and meal plans at UArts.
Dining FAQ
Who is required to have a meal plan?
All UArts residential students are required to have a meal plan.
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.
My student has special dietary needs or restrictions. Is there anything for them 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, and more at Terra Market and Mangia. Your student can contact Dining Services at diningservices@uarts.edu for more information.
On average, how much should my student plan to spend daily?
Platinum meal plan holders should budget to spend approximately $10 per meal for an average of three meals a day.
Gold meal plan holders should budget to spend approximately $8.70 per meal for an average of three meals per day.
Students can check the balance of their meal plan on their receipt after each purchase, so they can more accurately budget their Dining Dollars for the remainder of the semester.