ACSS September Newsletter 2010

 ACSS’ S O PENING WEEK ………………….. 2

IS SU E 1

EVENTS

 A DULT S CHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS N AMED….…. 3

 FALL 2010 CALENDAR

AND IMPORTANT INFO…… 6

THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS ADULT & COMMUTER STUDENT SERVICES

V OL UM E 8

SE P T 2010

Adult & Commuter Connection

Change is Good!

As summer moves into fall, classes go into session, and the university campus bustles with welcome activities, students can feel the positive energy of transition all around them!

Adult and Commuter Student Services would like to help you, the non -traditional (25 years or older) and commuter (living off campus) student, embrace what may be new and succeed in your educational endeavors. We assist you by providing an abundance of information and services.

Additionally, we have welcomed a few modifications of our own.

Now located in the University Center’s Student Involvement Zone, our office boasts added perks as well as some familiar amenities to better serve you.

Students can utilize our lounge space to relax in between classes, study quietly, keep their food fresh in our refrigerator, or grab a complimentary hot beverage while meeting new people.

Our office also houses a computer lab with six computers and a printer. To continue to enrich your academic experience, we provide seminars, newsletters, tutoring referrals, and adult scholarships.

Need information about the local community? Our staff will direct you to campus childcare services, provide transportation schedules, and answer questions about off campus housing.

Best of all, we have extended our hours to 8am-7pm, Monday-Thursday. We are open 8am-4:30pm on Fridays.

So what are you waiting on?

Stop by our offices in RM 243 in the UC’s Student Involvement Zone.

Also stay connected with us virtually by visiting our website at memphis.edu/ acss, becoming our fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/umadultcommuter, and following us on twitter @uofmemphis_acss.

We look forward to meeting you!

Adult Scholarship Recipients Honored Adult and Commuter Student Services honored 2010-2011 Adult Scholarship recipients at a reception on August 26 in the University Center. The Adult Scholarship program is designed to assist students ages 25 and older, pursing their undergraduate education. This highly competitive, need-based scholarship is awarded to a select group of matriculating students annually. The scholarship is valued at $5,500 per year for full-time students and $3,300 a year for part-time students. This school term, eighteen students received the Adult Scholarship and three students received privately funded scholarships. For the names of the scholarship recipients see page 3.

Cont. on pg 3

Start Your Day with Us!

Adult and Commuter Student Services (ACSS) rose early and kicked off the first week of classes with the “Start Your Day with Us” campaign.

ACSS has been delighting the campus with the event since 2005.The idea behind the campaign is to give students a chance to fellowship with faculty and other scholars while learning more about ACSS. In the beginning of the week, students arriving early to Walker Ave. were greeted with refreshing bottles of water. Mid-week, individuals near Cen-

Living

tral Avenue were served breakfast sandwiches and juice. ACSS staff also took time to help freshman commuters find classes and answer their questions.

On Wednesday, Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Rosie Bingham, joined in on the fun. The Vice President took time to shake hands and formally welcome all the friendly faces. There is nothing like starting your day with a hot breakfast and well wishes!

Add the ACSS channel to your MyMemphis Portal and receive cheap gas prices locations and updates. Go to MyMemphis Portal and click on Content Layout > New Channel > News > Adult and Commuter Student Services Twitter and you are done!

Commuter Chill-Out: A Sweet Treat to Beat the Heat On September 3, ACSS invited commuter students to take a break from the summer heat with delicious ice cream sundaes.

With a line out the door, ACSS served students three flavors of ice cream along with an array of toppings. From cookie toppings to strawberry ice cream, there was something for everyone! Students attending also had an opportunity to check out ACSS’s student lounge.

“This is the first year we’ve had an ice cream social,” said Heather Hampton, ACSS’s Office Coordinator. “Students seemed to really enjoy the free ice cream and now they know where we are located.”

The event closed out ACSS’s opening week activities.

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Adult Scholarship Recipients Honored

From page 1

The Honorees for Fall 2010 include: Marlon Jones, Dianna Duerkes, Jackie Hicks, Darrin Mellinger, Dawn Myers, Dan Schultz, Kelley Swims, Justin Epih, Elena Gheorghiu-Polk, Angel Shiels, Jamie Smith, Heather Bridgers, Scott Brothers, Sheila Koonce, Robert Slemp, Cicely Crawford, Lisa Dale, and Pamela Bergsmith Privately funded scholarship honorees include: Brian Tague, Portia Jefferies, and Gregory Johnson Dawn Myers, a junior in the Teaching All Learners program, was pleased to be acknowledged. In addition to being a student, she is a single mother of three girls and works as a Special Education teacher’s assistant. With her other responsibilities, financing her education was a bit of a challenge. She shared, “The scholarship means a lot because I didn’t know how I was going to finance school. For me, my scholarship is a testament that if you work really hard at getting an education it will pay off.” Adult students are encourage to apply for the scholarship each spring. Congrats to the scholarship recipients!

THE SPOTLIGHT

Students and Faculty Shining Brightly

Betty Huff is the force behind University of Memphis’s enrollment services. Serving as Vice Provost, she is the go-to person for information about undergraduate admissions, recruitment, undergraduate scholarships, and financial aid. Yet to her, the position is more than just a career. It is an avenue to make college a possibility for others, regardless of their personal hardships or educational background.

Behind a mahogany desk, Huff answers admissions’ calls and conducts an interview with the greatest ease. Handling tasks simultaneously and balancing a load of responsibility regarding students is not rare to her. When she was only a college student worker, she was trusted with developing a program for and advising adult learners.

find ways within the university structure to assist these students and direct them towards services meeting their needs. This is one reason she feels Adult and Commuter Student Services is an asset to the university. “Depending on your educational program and where you are in life, you need different services,” she states.

“The office paves the way for a non-traditional student to feel comfortable returning into a university environment and helps infuse them into the general student population.” She makes students aware of the office through digital media, publications, and recruitment staff trainings.

Additionally, Huff works closely with ACSS’s Direc“As a senior, I developed a college re-entry program tor, Joy Stout, on a city-wide educational initiative called the for older women who were experiencing divorce or empty Memphis Talent Dividend. The initiative allows the two nest,” Huff shares. “Some of the women were extremely women and other community leaders to express the imporafraid to enter a university because they weren’t right out of tance of higher education at any age. The overall goal of the high school. The program I helped establish provided an op- program is to increase the number of Memphians possessing portunity for these women to take courses from faculty sensi- a college degree. tive to their needs and bond with women like themselves.”

Huff’s office phone gently rings again. This time she Her experience with re-entry programs became her must answer a student’s important question. In her eyes, bemotivation to work with institutions that supported students ing able to point a student in the right direction is why she is with unique challenges. She says when choosing the Univer- here. “There is a great sense of satisfaction in helping stusity of Memphis, “it was an opportunity to work with various dents who have a goal,” she says, “and when they have diffistudent groups including ones whom going to a university culty achieving that goal, being able to help them ease could be a bit of a hurdle.” Her role at U of M allows her to through is a rewarding role.”

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ON AND OFF CAMPUS

Students will receive information about staying safe on campus and learn how to protect themselves while off campus Presenter: Marco Anderson, U of M Police Department

A Moment with the Director

Let’s celebrate a new school year!

Greetings!

In closing, I would like to extend my gratitude and say congratulations. Special thanks to New Student Orientation Adult and Commuter Student Ser- for providing ACSS with an opportunity to present to vices is looking forward to a won- freshman commuter students. We appreciate each new studerful 2010-2011 school year. Throughout the summer we dent and parent who attended the “You’re in the Driver’s prepared for your arrival, planning exciting events and Seat” information session. Congratulations to session attenseminars to enhance your academic, social, and personal dee, Nathan Rodriguez, for being the winner of our free development. priority parking pass giveaway. Another well done goes to our 2010-2011 Adult Scholarship recipients. We hope you The semester has already gotten off to a great start. Our enjoyed the fall scholarship reception and we are proud of opening week events were a success. From the “Start Your your accomplishments.

Day with Us” event to the “Commuter Chill-Out” we were thrilled to meet many adult learners and commuter stuWhether you are a new student, a returning student, an dents. These events are just a glimpse into how ACSS adult learner, or a commuter, I welcome you. Remember, plans to keep you motivated and evolve into a U of M the Adult and Commuter Student office is your home away dreamer, thinker, and doer. from home. See you this semester!

Contact Information This year, we encourage you to take advantage of the trainJoy Rogers Stout Sincerely, ing seminars and connect with students by joining the Director, Adult and Commuter Commuter Student Association or the Adult Student Asso- Joy Stout Student Services ciation. Most importantly, we are here to meet your needs, The University of Memphis so feel free stop by the office with suggestions about how 243 University Center Voice: (901) 678-2644 to make your university experience better.

E-mail: jstout@memphis.edu

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Fine Arts Events: USAF Band Mid-America Sept 17 from 7:30p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Buckman Performing Arts Center at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (off-campus)

H OME G AMES

University of Memphis Wind Ensemble Sept 30 from 7:30p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the Rose Theatre

Go Tigers, Go!

The Art Museum at University of Memphis Visit Mon-Sat from 9:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to view various ongoing collections and exhibits

SEPT 10 Women’s Soccer

Student Health Center Hours Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays: 8am - 6:00pm & Tuesdays from 9am - 6:00pm

Women’s Volleyball

Around Campus:

1:00 PM - Fieldhouse 7:00 PM - Fieldhouse

Friday Film Series Every Friday from 7:00p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the UC Theatre Study Aboard Fair Sept 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Student Activities Plaza Benjamin L. Hooks Institute, Tribute to Dr. Hooks Sept 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30p.m. in the Rose Theatre Career Services Lunch and Learn Sept 15 at 12:30p.m. in the Bluff Room UC304 FAM Comedy Show Sept 23 from 8:00p.m. to 11:00p.m. in the Rose Theatre Service on Saturday Sept 25 from 8:00p.m. to 2:00p.m. in the River Room UC 300

Men’s Soccer

vs. Alabama 7:00 PM - Mike Rose Complex 7:00PM - Mike Rose Complex SEPT 11

SEPT 17 Women’s Soccer

vs. TCU 7:00 PM - Mike Rose Complex Women’s Tennis

Women’s Tennis

Invitational - All Day Memphis, TN SEPT 25 Women’s Volleyball

1:00 PM - Fieldhouse Track and Field

Cross Country Classic Memphis, TN

Invitational - All Day Memphis, TN

SEPT 26

SEPT 18

vs. Tulsa 1:00 PM - Fieldhouse

Football

Women’s Volleyball

vs. MTSU 6:00 PM - Memphis, TN

Recreation Center Hours Monday– Thursday: 6:30am- 10:30pm Friday 6:30am-9:30pm Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday 1pm-6pm

5 THINGS ABOUT ASA and CSA ASA: Adult Student Association 1. We’re devoted to helping non-traditional students excel at university life.

2. The association is run entirely by a group of student volunteers.

3. ASA is an advocacy group. We seek changes within the university to benefit adult learners.

4. ASA is connected to the Pinnacle NonTraditional Honor Society, a society that recognizes non-traditional students for their high scholastic achievements.

5. Visit us at: Memphis.edu/adultstudents

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CSA: Commuter Student Association 1. CSA was started to represent and address the concerns of nearly 20,000 commuting students at the university.

2. We provide programming and events geared toward helping commuter students become an essential part of the campus.

3. Last year, CSA participated in New Student Orientation and hosted “Commuter Mondays” group lunches.

4. Becoming an active member is low in cost and allows your voice to be heard.

5. Visit us at : Memphis.edu/commuterstudents

FALL 2010 CALENDAR

Attention Commuters!

Parking along Southern Ave. will no longer be available due to a new bike path. Find out about the city’s Bike and Pedestrian plan at www.memphistn.gov.

CSA’s Upcoming Events

ASA’s Upcoming Events

Meeting: Sept 9 UC Ballroom C Lobby 3:00PM-4:00PM

Meeting: Sept 8 UC 243 3:00PM-4:00PM

Connect: What would you like to see featured in the next Adult & Commuter Connection?

E-mail us at: acss@memphis.edu

MISSION

CONTACT AND GENERAL INFORMATION

The mission of the Adult & Commuter Student Services office is to provide a supportive environment for nontraditional and commuter students that promotes intellectual, social and academic growth and development through services and programs that foster lifelong learning.

The Adult and Commuter Student Services office is located on The University of Memphis campus in the University Center, Room 243. Our regular hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday. If you need after hours help, please call us to make arrangements.

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We welcome comments, questions, or suggestions. We can be reached by phone at 901-678-2644 during our regular business hours or after hours leave us a message on voice mail. You may also reach us through e-mail at acss@memphis.edu.