Dragon Family Newsletter NOVEMBER 2017 TU TO TEXAS
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
With the current devastation that resulted from the most recent hurricanes, Tiffin University students, faculty and staff responded to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Two students, Sarah Giles and Kim Grogg, led the efforts for this initiative. Throughout the month of September, students collected a variety of goods such as non-perishable items, clothes, school supplies, blankets and other personal items. The first-year seminar classes participated in a coin collection competition and raised $540. Another $500 was donated by campus and community members. On October 14 - 17, over TU’s fall break, nine students, Dean of Students Mike Herdlick, and Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Chair of the MBA program Dr. Wendy ZiemsMueller made the trip to Texas to deliver the donations.
There have been a variety of fun activities sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement to get students involved on campus. What a great way to kick off the year with our annual Foam Party, that over 250 students attended. That led to our Family Weekend with FamilyFest, when guests enjoyed snacks, bouncy houses and coloring. Games and face painting followed the Fest as our families joined the Dragons at the football stadium, with Jolly’s Root Beer stand; all sponsored by First-Year Experience. Homecoming came quickly, when students participated at our ThinkFast trivia night, and one lucky student walked away with a $200 cash prize. Our Dragons took the fire into the next night for the pep rally, showing our dragon pride, and announced our homecoming court. Voted by our students earlier that week, Homecoming King Brandon Utley and Queen Ruby Santiago were announced as winners at the game. Students enjoyed some relaxing activities during midterm week including brain food, DIY Stress Balls and other small treats from the Office of Student Engagement.
“This service trip to the Houston area was a perfect example of how Tiffin University always answers the call when there are crises and people are in need of help. For 11 TU representatives to make this trip with hundreds of pounds of goods and products and over $1,000 of donations, speaks volumes to our commitment to our fellow human beings. This truly represents transforming lives as the mission and purpose of our great university and more than anything, it was just the right thing to do,” Herdlick said. Once in Texas, the students and staff made their first stop at a local church in Cypress, TX to deliver the donated goods. The group used the over $1000 raised and raided Walmart, buying school supplies, personal hygiene items, sports equipment and much more. The next morning, the team visited two elementary schools devastated by the hurricane damage to deliver the supplies. The TU students spent the day playing with the school kids who were affected by the storm. “After spending almost 40 hours in a TU van with some amazing people, I can honestly say, the Tiffin community truly made an impact in many lives throughout the Houston area,” stated senior marketing major Wyatt Edwards, “It’s not the car ride’s karaoke, or the fast food comas, or the gas station activities that made the trip memorable. It was seeing the children laugh and smile, knowing that people love them thousands of miles away. It was a humbling experience to represent Tiffin University on this trip.” Tiffin University’s trip to Texas has ignited a fire in the Dragon community, as the planning of an additional relief trip is in the works for winter break. It is Tiffin University’s mission to transform lives, and it was beautifully exhibited in this trip, and will continue to be demonstrated in forms of outreach.
Happy fall, Tiffin family! Those of us in the Office of Residence Life here at TU are enjoying the time we have with your student, and getting to know each of them as they become more and more comfortable on our campus. We truly value community here at TU and, hopefully, your student has shared with you the many opportunities they have to become a member of our TU family. Residence Life is committed to helping your student be successful, both in and out of the classroom, and we hope that you will partner with us in helping your student become active in their campus community. Our resident assistants (RAs) continue to support your students through hosting programs and providing assistance for day-to-day concerns. Has your student gotten to know their RA? Speaking of RAs, we will be beginning the recruitment process in the next few weeks. The 2017-2018 school year is quickly approaching, and we will be sending out information to your student about upcoming information sessions that will be held in the next few months. Please encourage your student to talk to their RA if they have questions or refer them to Residence Life, located in the Gillmor Student Center within the Office of Student Affairs. The RA position offers incredible tangible skill sets that help make resumes shine. As we approach the end of the semester, Thanksgiving and winter break approach as well.
Below are the break and closing dates for this semester, so please plan accordingly. Thanksgiving Break Halls, houses and apartments will remain open, but students who plan to stay on campus from November 23-26 must register to do so. They can fill out the break-stay form which is due, November 11, 2017. The dining hall will offer brunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and dinner from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on November 23, 25, 26 and 27. The dining hall will not be open on Thanksgiving Day, however a traditional Thanksgiving meal will be provided for students who are registered to stay. Winter Break • Campus housing closes Friday, December 15 at 9 a.m. • Campus housing reopens Sunday, January 14 at 9 a.m. Before winter break, the last meal will be dinner on Thursday, December 14. The Cole Dining Hall will then reopen for dinner on Sunday, January 14. It is our pleasure to work with your student, so if they are in need of anything, please encourage them to talk to the RAs and area coordinators, as well as utilize the available campus resources. Should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Jacob Simon, director of residence life, at simonja@tiffin.edu
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Every Wednesday, Tiffin University offers a free TU Taxi shuttle service around Tiffin, and is a chance for students to run errands or meet up with some friends for lunch off campus. Your student can schedule a ride with the TU Taxi in the Student Affairs Office in the Gillmor Student Center, or by sending an email to Jill Earl earlj@tiffin.edu by Tuesday afternoon. Tiffin University provides transportation to and from the Detroit (DTW) airport. Shuttle request forms, including flight and contact information, must be submitted by the deadlines, and can be picked up in the Student Affairs Office. Flights must be arranged with the shuttle availability kept in mind. Students will be responsible for their own transportation if their flights cannot be accommodated by the shuttle. Submit forms to the Office of Student Affairs located in Gillmor or by email at earlj@tiffin.edu.
Fall Semester End Spring Semester Start Spring Break Spring Semester End
Ongoing Greek Life recruitment activities allows students to get to know our six fraternities and sororities in preparation for spring pledging. Greek Life at Tiffin University stresses academics and community service, as well as brotherhood and sisterhood. There is always something going on, so continue encouraging your student to get involved by visiting the portal at mytu.tiffin. edu where campus activities are posted.
REGISTRATION AND RECORDS Spring 2018 Registration
RESIDENCE LIFE
Description Thanksgiving Break
Our Student Government kicked off the school year with their annual Casino Night, with many students enjoying the atmosphere of winning the prizes. Student Government is now working on senate elections, and continues to work with our student organizations to implement the necessary event processing.
Airports DTW DTW DTW DTW DTW DTW DTW
Shuttle Request Deadline Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Dec. 12 Feb. 13 April 7
Shuttle Date(s) Nov. 22 Nov. 26 Nov. 14-15 Jan. 13-14 Mar. 2 Mar. 11 May 2-3
Based on current class standing (credit hours earned), first-year registration opened online on Monday, November 13. Students must meet with their advisor in order to be authorized to register. Midterm and Final Grades Students can view midterm grades in Self Service at https://selfservice.tiffin.edu/ selfservice/Home.aspx • • • •
Student must login using username and password Click on “Grades” tab Click on “Grade Report” Select “Fall 2017”
The Grade Report currently shows midterm grades. Final grades will appear on the Grade Report once they have been submitted by faculty on December 19, 2017. Midterm Registration Holds If at midterm your student receives a grade of “F” they will be placed on registration hold. Students must meet with the professor(s) of the class(es) to discuss an action plan to improve their grade or withdraw from the class. A Midterm Consultation Form must be signed by the student’s professor(s) and their first-year advisor in order to be released from hold and be allowed to schedule for spring 2018.
FINANCIAL AND BILLING In mid-October, students with fall semester account balances over $1,000 were placed on registration hold, preventing them from scheduling for the upcoming semester. The Bursar and Financial Aid Offices are happy to work individually with students to overcome financial constraints and help provide information about other options on paying on the account. If your student’s account balance is over $1,000 at the time of registration, he or she will not be able to schedule spring 2018 courses.
SPRING SEMESTER 2018 Shuttle Times Leave TU @ 8 a.m. Leave airports @ 6 p.m. Leave TU @ 8 a.m. Leave airports @ 6 p.m. Leave TU @ 8 a.m. Leave airports @ 6 p.m. Leave TU @ 8 a.m.
FINALS PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE Fall finals are right around the corner. You can support your student during this important event by sending a care package. There are many wonderful option to choose from at swaku.com/ tiffin. Deadline to order is November 21, but please try to order before then to ensure package availability. This program is offered by Tiffin Resident Council, a student run organization that provides programming to all on campus residents. We thank you for your support. *Visibility on website indicates a particular package that is still available for purchase.
Classes Begin: Monday, January 15 Last Day to Add a Class to an Existing Schedule: January 17 Midterm: Week of February 26 Midterm Grades Due: March 12 Spring Break (No Classes): March 5-9 Classes Resume: March 12 Last Day to Withdraw Without a Failing Grade: March 26 Good Friday (No classes): March 30 REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER AND FALL 2018 BEGINS: March 26: Seniors & Juniors April 2: Sophomores April 9: Freshmen Last Day of Class: April 27 Final Examination Period: April 30-May 3 Commencement: Saturday, May 5, 2018 Final Grades Due: May 8
MURPHY ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER Fall semester is coming to a close and the holidays are right around the corner. If your student is struggling in class and not sure where to start, then the Murphy Academic Support Center is an ideal place to go. Tutoring appointments are available six days a week, with plenty of time slots available for your student to receive help and boost his or her grade. Peer undergraduate tutors are available as a free service for all students that attend Tiffin University, so please promote the Murphy Center to your student. It just takes a little motivation and a quick walk or phone call to get your student’s grades back on track. The Murphy Center has multiple computers, laptops, printing at no additional cost and rooms for quiet space to study and do homework. The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to midnight; Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday noon to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to midnight. To make a tutoring appointment please call 419.448.3324, email tutor@tiffin.edu or stop by the Murphy Center. MEET THE FIRST-YEAR ADVISORS: Melissa Waire School of Criminal Justice, Social Sciences 419.448.3398 | wairemk@tiffin.edu Office: Seitz Hall
Chris Caldwell School of Arts and Sciences, Psychology 567.268.6021 | caldwellchl@tiffin.edu Office: Seitz Hall
Kristyn Wilkins School of Business, Undecided academicadvising@tiffin.edu Office: Seitz Hall
Melissa: I work with first-year students as their main point of contact within the School of CJSS. I assist students with the planning and registration of courses, all kinds of paperwork and any questions they may have throughout their first year. I enjoy getting to know the students and helping them through their first year. It is such an exciting and changing time for them, and I love being a part of that!
Chris: As the first-year advisor, lead, I get to foster the growth of the students in arts and sciences, as well as work with the team to solidify the way we engage with students across the University. I love what I do because I am able to relate my skills and experience to young folks facing the new challenges of higher education.
Kristyn: In my position at TU I have the opportunity to work with first-year students as an advisor for the School of Business, and those students who have not yet selected their major. My favorite thing about my role is having the opportunity to really get to know students and watch them grow from their first year on campus to graduation!