Parent Pride Newsletter Spring 2015 Highlights: SGA President
May Commencement
Academic Alert
Athletics
Civility Week
DegreeWorks
Current ETSU News
Updated ETSU App
BLUE Weekend Health Summit
Spring 2015
A Note from the SGA President Buccaneer families, My name is Doretha Benn, and I currently serve as the 2014-2015 Student Body President. I would first like to thank all of you for everything that you do to aid in your student’s success here. Whether we like to admit it or not, encouragement from back home means the world to us. Currently, I am majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Political Science. Other than the Student Government Association, I am involved in the Diversity Educators program, chair our Relay for Life event, and I am also a Preview and Orientation leader. Getting involved on campus has opened so many doors for me and shown me the true beauty of college. ETSU has allowed me the opportunity to meet people from numerous walks of life. The faculty and staff here at ETSU have been nothing short of amazing. They go out of their ways to help us find jobs, internships, help us with our homework, or just take a moment to listen to us. Your students are in good hands here. ETSU has become my home away from home. I have and will continue to find myself here. With the return of football and the opening of the parking garage, ETSU is experiencing some major changes. These changes are setting us up for a future that our campus is excited to experience. I invite you all to join us as we create new traditions and embark on these new journeys. Without you all, we would never be where we are. My journey here only has a few more semesters left. Your students may have more or less than that. I encourage you all to help your students make the most of this experience. Remember that you are vital part of the Buccaneer Family and we appreciate everything that you do for the students and the ETSU community as a whole. Hope to see you all at the Family Weekend events in October! GO BUCS! Doretha Benn Doretha along with Secretary, Taylor Dunn & Vice President , Zackary Sholes
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Academic Alert
How the Buc Path Academic Alert Program Can Help Your Student Succeed Academic Alert is a student performance monitoring system that helps with early identification of students who have been identified by a faculty member as at-risk in a class so advisors and counselors can offer assistance when it’s needed most. Faculty can send an “alert”, at any point in the semester, to your student’s academic advisor who will in turn notify your student that he/she has received a Buc Path Academic Alert. If your student receives an Academic Alert, they should immediately contact the advisor identified in the message. At the point of contact, students will receive consultation and referral to appropriate resources to aid in their academic success. Buc Path Academic Alert is one of numerous strategies the university is focusing on to increase student success. Top reasons why faculty send an Academic Alert to a student:
Not attending class or excessive absences Low grades on tests and/or assignments Student does not own a textbook and is not keeping up with assigned reading Not turning in assignments Poor grammar and writing skills Coming to class unprepared Not participating in class or other issues with classroom behavior
What we do to help students who receive an Academic Alert? Meet or talk with the student on the phone, in person, or via email Counsel with the student regarding the identified issues and refer to appropriate campus resources; i.e., the Center for Academic Achievement, Financial Aid, the Registrar’s Office, Counseling Center, University Career Services, Peer Career Services, etc. What Can Parents Do? Ask your student if they have received an Academic Alert ( the process begins in the second week of February and continues all semester). Talk with your students about their classes – do they know their assignment due dates other course expectations (like attending class). Make sure that your student’s contact information is correct in Goldlink. Incorrect contact information decreases our ability to reach out to your student. Many times we find that we do not have a student’s cell phone number in Goldlink. It is the responsibility of the student to keep this information updated and correct in Goldlink and we appreciate you asking your student to keep us current. Note: Academic Alerts do not become a permanent part of a student’s record. They are protected under the Federal Educational Privacy Rights and Policy Act.
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Civility Week
2015 Civility Week - April 19-24 For the past several years, the annual Civility Week at ETSU has been an opportunity for all of the campus community to join together in making a conscious effort to ensure that civility and protection of human dignity is central to the campus culture. This theme, "Be Different, Be One" , has been created to reflect the original purpose of Civility Week, which was to provide individuals at ETSU exposure to and understanding of cultures, customs, beliefs and general ways of life that may be different from their own. In addition, the title aims to connect “diversity” with “unity” --- with a message emphasizing that diversity should empower justice and peace over conflict, that individual uniqueness should be embraced and celebrated as much as community unity, that diverse perspectives, projects, and actions can get committed, connected, and converged into a common ground of understanding. - Kammy Kuang (SGA Secretary of State) “Civility is about more than just politeness, although politeness is a necessary first step. It is about disagreeing without disrespect, seeking common ground, listening past one's preconceptions, and teaching others to do the same. Civility is the hard work of staying present even with those with whom we have deep-rooted and fierce disagreements. “ -ETSU SGA
(Pride Walk Painting-Civility Week 2014)
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Current Campus News
April 15 is getting near: ETSU Students Offer Free Tax Prep Assistance East Tennessee State University business student volunteers, under the guidance of accountancy faculty member Dr. Anthony Masino, will offer free tax preparation assistance at a final three sessions on March 7 and 21, and April 4, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., in the third floor computer lab, room 318, in Sam Wilson Hall, located on campus at 200 Ross Drive. The sessions are part of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. As an approved VITA location, the ETSU group will assist taxpayers who had $53,000 or less in income during tax year 2014 and who need assistance in preparing their tax returns. ETSU students, staff, faculty and the general public are invited to participate. In addition to free basic income tax return preparation and electronic filing, volunteers will inform taxpayers about special tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. Also, those who do not have access to a computer can visit the ETSU VITA site during the session and an IRScertified volunteer will guide them through the tax return process. Those who wish to have their tax return prepared at the ETSU VITA site should bring with them:
Proof of identification – government issued picture ID
Social Security Cards for the taxpayer, spouse and any dependents on the tax return
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents
Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN
Birth dates for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents on the tax return
Wage and earning statement(s) from all employers, including any W-2, W-2G 1099-R, 1099-Misc.
Interest and dividend statements from banks (Form 1099)
A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
Proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit, such as a blank check
Total paid to daycare provider(s) and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number (the provider’s Social Security Number or business Employer Identification Number), if appropriate
To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. Report from etsu.edu 3/2/2015
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Current Campus News
High school students considering a health-related career are invited to apply to take part in East Tennessee State University’s first-ever BLUE Weekend. BLUE (Bucs Live University Experience) Weekend will take place March 27-28 and aims to introduce students to the many health degree programs offered at ETSU while also providing them an opportunity to experience life on campus as a whole. During the immersion weekend, students will be paired with peer mentors who are current pre-health students at ETSU. They will stay in the residence halls with their mentors and take part in student activities on campus that weekend, including meals at the student union, a showing of “The Hunger Games” movie and a bonfire. Participants will even get to attend a class in one of three areas – literature, psychology or biology. In addition, students will be able to attend informational sessions presented by the five colleges that comprise the ETSU Academic Health Sciences Center as well as information from Medical Professions Advisement. All meals and activities will be provided at no cost to the participants. BLUE Weekend is limited to 60 participants. To be eligible to participate students must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, a minimum score of 22 on the ACTs or 1020 on the SATs, and have not made a final decision about where they want to attend college. Deadline to apply is March 13. To apply, please contact Dr. Lynn Williams at williamL@etsu.edu or 423-4397469. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346. Interests in any of the following fields of study can are included: Clinical & Rehabilitative
Medicine
Nursing
Pharmacy
Public Health
Allied Health – Respiratory Therapy, Dental Hygiene, Nutrition and Foods, and Radiography Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Medicine
BSN
PrePharmacy
Public Health – Community Health, Health Administration Environmental
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Chiropractic Medicine
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Pre-Optometry
Pre-Speech-Language Pathology Pre-Audiology
Pre-Podiatry
(MD and DO) Pre-Physician Assistant
Health Sciences – Human Health, Microbiology
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
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Current ETSU News
Health Careers Leadership Summit The East Tennessee State University Academic Health Sciences Center will host its annual Health Careers Leadership Summit for regional high school students on Tuesday, April 7, from 5-8 p.m. at the ETSU James H. Quillen College of Medicine. There is no cost to attend, and dinner will be provided. All participants will receive a T-shirt and a certificate of completion, signed by Dr. Wilsie Bishop, the vice president of Health Affairs at ETSU. This event will provide participants with the opportunity to interact with and learn from students currently attending the ETSU colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, and Clinical and Rehabilitative Sciences. Small group activities will include running medical simulations in the College of Medicine’s Human Patient Simulator Lab and gaining hands-on experience with various organ systems in the Human Gross Anatomy Lab. All high school students aspiring to pursue a career in a health-related field or those who wish to explore the opportunities available at ETSU are invited to apply. Positions are limited. Older students and first-time applicants will be given priority. The application form for the summit will be available at http://goo.gl/r7hVAU (case sensitive) until March 9. For additional information, contact Apoorwa Thati at QHOP.ETSU@gmail.com . For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346.
May 2015 Commencement Ceremonies Ceremony times are assigned by college. The graduation ceremony for Spring 2015 graduates will take place Saturday, May 9, 2015 in the Mountain States Health Alliance Athletic Center (Minidome), at the following times: 10:00 A.M. Ceremony
2:00 P.M. Ceremony
Business & Technology
Arts & Sciences
Education
Nursing
Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences
Public Health
Continuing Studies & Academic Outreach
New Media Studio (Graduate Level)
Biomedical Sciences (Graduate Level)
Information about the upcoming commencement ceremony click here!
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Athletics
Torbush announces addition of Goss to coaching staff ETSU head football coach Carl Torbush announced Friday addition of Antonio Goss to the Buccaneers’ coaching staff. Goss, who played collegiately at the University of North Carolina while Torbush was there as defensive coordinator, enjoyed a successful NFL playing career with two Super Bowl championships with the San Francisco 49ers. He has since accumulated a great deal of experience in both the NFL and college coaching ranks. He will join the Bucs as outside linebackers and special teams coach. “Antonio played for me at North Carolina and I’ve known him since 1987,” Torbush said. “He’s an outstanding football coach and his career obviously speaks for itself. Not only is he an outstanding position coach, but he will do an outstanding job leading our special teams.” Goss said it will be a pleasure to once again roam the sidelines with Torbush. “To finally work for my mentor and one of the best individuals and defensive minds in the game is a dream come true,” Goss said. “I have truly been blessed to have this opportunity at ETSU.” Goss spent seven years in the National Football League with the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams, and most recently spent four seasons at Furman. He coaches the squad¹s special teams and nickel backs. Before coming to Furman, he served as safeties coach and special teams coordinator at Louisville (2009). Prior to his stint at Louisville, he directed cornerbacks and special teams at Middle Tennessee State (2006-08) and served as both linebackers and cornerbacks coach at the University of Buffalo for five seasons (2001-05). He began his collegiate coaching career as linebackers and special teams coach at North Carolina Central (2000) after working three years as a prep coach in the Chapel Hill, N.C. area. A 1989 graduate of North Carolina with a degree in sociology, he starred as a linebacker and safety with the Tar Heels under coach Dick Crum and former University of Texas head coach Mack Brown. Following his Tar Heel career, he was drafted in the 12th round by San Francisco and was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams (XXIV and XXIX), seeing action as a backup linebacker and captain of special teams. He was chosen by his teammates to represent the 49ers as special teams captain along with defensive captain Tim McDonald and Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice in Super Bowl XXIX. He played the 1996 season with the St. Louis Rams, where he started five games and was a key special teams performer. After concluding his NFL career he took his first coaching assignment as linebacker and strength and conditioning coach at East Chapel Hill (N.C.) High School, where he served for two seasons. In 2005 ,Goss entered the NFL internship program with the Buffalo Bills under coach Mike Malarkey. He was tutored by Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray and linebacker coach Don Blackmon, while also assisting special teams coach Bobby April. He was a member of the Detroit Lions coaching staff in 2004. A native of Randleman, N.C., and product of Randelman High School, he and his wife, Marvine, have two daughters, Antoinette and Alexandria.
Report by etsubucs.com (2/20/2015)
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Athletics
Buccaneer slugger helped guide ETSU to series win over BIG EAST foe Butler SPARTANBURG, S.C. (March 2, 2015) – For the second time this season, ETSU junior infielder Trey York (Knoxville, Tenn.) was named Southern Conference Player of the Week as the league office released its weekly awards on Monday. York, who was named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week and SoCon Player of the Week following his three home run performance in the season-opening weekend versus Eastern Kentucky, has continued his offensive outburst at the plate. The Buccaneer infielder hit safely in all three games this past weekend as the Bucs took two of three from BIG EAST foe Butler. For the weekend, York hit .455 (5-11) with two doubles, one home run, three runs scored, two stolen bases and six RBI. York began the series going 2 for 3 with two doubles, two RBI, one walk and a stolen base in the 4-1 win in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader, while finishing 1 for 4 with a run scored in game two. On Sunday, York helped ignite a late comeback as his two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh pulled ETSU within a run of the Bulldogs, while the Bucs followed with a 7-run eighth to cap off a 12-6 series win. To go with his monstrous blast (fourth home run of the season), York finished 2 for 4 and tied a career high with four RBI. The Knoxville native also scored two runs and stole a base. Overall, York leads the Bucs in batting average (.500), hits (15), runs (13), triples (2), and RBI (14). York, who has hit safely in all eight games this season, also tops the club with an astonishing 1.100 slugging and .515 on-base percentage.
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DegreeWorks
Degree Works is an academic advising and degree audit tool that helps advisors and students track their degree progress in realtime! Fully integrated with GoldLink, Degree Works gives students an upto-date, play-by-play of courses taken and courses needed to help them plan and complete their degree(s) on time! "What If..." scenarios, allow students to experiment with changing majors or degree plans.
Benefits and Features Provides real-time degree audit, history and information and allows for improved course and degree planning Provides planning scenarios if you change majors, concentrations or plans Improves Advisor communication for courses and requirements GPA calculator - See how final grades may affect the overall GPA Still Need Courses- Hyperlinks to information about the course, proficiency intensives etc.
15 To Finish Initiative.... Plan to earn your Degree Now, Not Later 15 to Finish Initiative encourages students to take 15 credits per semester. The initiative is geared towards helping students graduate within a reasonable time. Use the plan function in Degree Works to see how 15 credits per semester will affect your graduation date. Watch the video below for more information on 15 to Finish. 120 credits/15 credits per semester = 8 semesters. This translates to 4 years for a freshman to earn a degree. PLAN for 15 to finish with Degree Works
**ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO STAY ON TRACK** Visit http://www.etsu.edu/reg/degreeworks/ for all information & resources!
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ETSU App The ETSU app delivers content, services, and features in a mobile friendly format for your iPhone or Android mobile device. On the spring board, you will find modules that with a click help you find your way around campus, link to mobile friendly ETSU services such as library catalogs, D2L and ETSU Live! It can also be utilized to keep you informed about campus events and more! The following is a list of current modules in the ETSU App: Athletics Stay up to date on all the ETSU Bucs sports teams' schedules, scores, and news! BucShot If you're having trouble navigating campus ride the bucshot. This module gives you times, routes and more. Courses Use this module to look up and access important contact information for your classes! D2L Interact with your classes on the go, check grades, due dates, and more! Directory Search by name, e-mail address, or phone number to find contact information for faculty, staff, and students. Emergency Now includes ETSU's latest campus security report. ETSU Live This module will give you quick access to any general audience live video stream events on campus. When no live streams are in progress click this module to live stream ETSU's radio station The EDGE and see a list of upcoming events. (iOS only)
Library The library mobile web has been completely updated to highlight ETSU's libraries. Find out how many computers are currently available in real time! Maps This module will help you find your way around campus, or locate that building you've never heard of. If you're using an Android device this module will give you access to Places and Tours as well. News Stay up on all ETSU’s breaking news. Parking Find student parking locations and availability before you leave the house with this module. Social This module now includes a link to ETSU's Instagram account . Videos Click this module button to get quick access to ETSU's YouTube channel.
Events Browse events and see what is going on around campus. Images Browse ETSU image galleries such as Athletic events, Archives of Appalachia, Campus Scenes and more. iTunesU This module button takes you to ETSU's mobile friendly iTunesU library where you can find videos and lectures produced by ETSU's world class faculty and staff!
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Contact us: New Student & Family Programs Division of Student Affairs http://www.etsu.edu/family (423) 439-4210 family@etsu.edu
Stay connected—look for the Fall Parent Pride Newsletter in October