Niner nation Parent guide 2019
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Table of Contents 5
Letter from the Editor
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Out-of-State Advice
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UNC Charlotte History
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All About the Student Health Center
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Move-In Tips
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Counseling and Psychological Services
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Adjusting to having a child in college
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Parking at UNC Charlotte
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Safety on Campus
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Oh the Places You’ll Go
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Meet the Student Union
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Photo by Chris Crews
Letter from the Editor
To the future 49er parents,
Congratulations! Your child is choosing to pursue higher education. Not only that, but your child is pursuing higher education at one of the best universities in North Carolina that will soon be their new home away from home. Your child is now a 49er; you are a 49er family! As a 49er family, you have reason to have a lot of pride. This university is going to give your child a lot of opportunities, memories, friends and experiences. This university is going to be the place for your child to flourish academically, emotionally and individually. Your 49er student is going to learn new things about themselves, the world and the academic path they choose to pursue. In their new educational endeavors, they may face many challenges, like being on their own for the first time, making new friends and adjusting to the college course load. We at the Niner Times have made this Parent Guide as well as a separate Student Guide to help your 49er’s adjustment to Niner Nation. Before you proceed to all the tips and tricks we have to offer, I have some pieces of advice for you and your 49er: Visit your 49er. Now don’t get me wrong, not every student wants their parent to come visit for Family Weekend. However, without seeming overbearing, try to attend events or take part in visits with your new 49er. SOAR is a good start. If they don’t want to take part in the Family Weekend festivities, that’s understandable; they’re not for everybody. But try to come to a football game, basketball game or even just visiting and them showing you around the city. It makes it clear you are being supportive, and makes this experience feel like one the family is sharing.
Don’t be afraid if they don’t call every day. Moving out for the first time is scary and new students often don’t know quite how much they’re supposed to call home, visit home or just how much they’re supposed to miss home in the first place. If your 49er is calling home only once a week, that doesn’t mean they’re unsafe, being irresponsible or don’t miss you. It just means they’re figuring out just how frequently they’re supposed to call home. If it’s been a few months, talk to them about it. But for the first few weeks, don’t put a lot of pressure on them to call a certain amount of times.
Wear your green with pride. This may seem small, but the amount of pride I had when I saw my brother wear a UNC Charlotte hat for the first time was immense. A student wearing UNC Charlotte gear is a given, but family wearing UNC Charlotte gear? That’s a sign of pride in your 49er, and it means a lot, even if you just wear it around the house. Wear it with pride and it’ll mean something to your 49er.
Mail them things. I’m not saying you have to mail them energy drinks around finals time or send them money, but sending your child a card telling them you love and miss them would mean a lot to them. My mom sent me a couple cards during my first year at UNC Charlotte and I hung them up in my dorm because they reminded me of her.
Your student is going to grow into campus one way or another, but these tips, along with more in this guide, are set up to not only help your 49er, but to help you 49er parents transition into Niner Nation. We welcome you with open arms and energetic pickaxes.
Go Niners!
Best wishes,
Madison Dobrzenski Editor-in-Chief
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UNC CHARLOTTE HISTORY HOW UNC CHARLOTTE CAME TO BE
by Megan Bird News Editor
The beginning of your family’s journey with UNC Charlotte will no doubt be marked by ceaseless information sessions, marathon tours through the relentless heat, and a whole lot of UNC Charlotte pride. You might be asked to join in on a couple of rallying songs or throw up the famous pickaxe. One thing is for sure: you will hear the phrases “49ers,” “Bonnie Cone” and “Norm,” and you will definitely have no idea what any of them mean. Here is a quick guide to the history of UNC Charlotte to meet all of your confused University family needs: Our Founding UNC Charlotte was founded as the Charlotte Center on September 23, 1946. It served as one of 14 North Carolina institutions that met the surge of educational demands after World War II. The Charlotte Center offered evening classes to 278 freshmen and sophomore men and women -- many of them veterans -- in Charlotte’s Central High School. In 1949, the state moved to close the center, arguing that other North Carolina campus facilities were sufficient. Leaders like Bonnie Cone recognized how important the Charlotte Center was to local higher education and fought to save the institution. Their campaign was successful and the center was taken over by the city school district to become Charlotte College. In 1962, the North Carolina legislature made Charlotte College a four-year, state-supported college after the school moved to its current campus 10 miles from downtown Charlotte. The next year, Charlotte College took the name we all know today as it became the fourth 6
campus to join the UNC system. UNC Charlotte was preceded by UNC Chapel Hill, NC State and UNC Greensboro. UNC Charlotte was established as a commuter school (and you will probably still hear people refer to it this way), but its first residence halls opened in 1968. The school began offering masters degrees in 1969 and doctoral degrees in 1993. In August 2000, the Board of Governors designated UNC Charlotte as a doctoral/research university, and it continues to live up to this title. Our Founder Bonnie Cone is certainly a founder to be proud of. Miss Bonnie, as she was commonly known, not only saved UNC Charlotte from closing, but also encouraged thousands of students to stay in school and never give up on their dreams. Even in retirement, Cone continued to work for UNC Charlotte and lived only a few blocks from campus until age 94. Now, Cone rests close to her heart in the Botanical Gardens. Education was always at the forefront of Bonnie Cone’s life. In 1907, she was born into a family of teachers in Lodge, South Carolina. Cone developed a talent for mathematics and attended Coker College, a women’s institution in Hartsville, South Carolina. She graduated magna cum laude in 1928 and immediately began teaching high school math, science and French. Cone attended Duke University during the summer and earned her masters in mathematics in 1941. In 1943, she began teaching in the Navy V-12 program at Duke as the only woman employed on the all-
male campus. Cone’s next step, thankfully for us, was working at the Charlotte Center that would eventually become Charlotte College. In 1954, when the school seemed out of hope, she led a campaign for a two-cent property tax to support the school, and four years later, that tax was expanded to include property in all of Mecklenburg County. Cone recruited faculty, inspired students and worked tirelessly for the betterment of our institution. Our Name So, why the 49ers? Is it something to do with the Gold Rush, or maybe even because of the nearby North Carolina Highway 49? None of the above, but these are common guesses. 1949 was the year that Bonnie Cone and her students saved the Charlotte Center to create Charlotte College. But…what about Norm? Who is this random white guy appearing on all of your T-shirts, cups and who knows what else? Our mascot is a miner to acknowledge the first documented gold that was found in 1799 at Reed Gold Mine in nearby Concord. The name Norm arose from a student vote. As your child goes through orientation, you may question some of the cheers or traditions that they learn, but try to put them into the context of our history and the hard work of Bonnie Cone. Try to also consider all the people and hard work that came together for your family to be able to awkwardly throw up your pickaxe and call this place home.
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MOVE-IN TIPS
HOW TO MAKE THE MOVE-IN PROCESS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE by Brandon Mitchell Managing Editor
If you have a student moving into a residence hall this fall, you probably are a mixture of excited and terrified. They will most likely be living in their own space for the first time, and I am certain you have some fears about letting them go. You may have everything planned. You may have nothing planned. Either way, you want them to succeed in this new chapter of their life. Hopefully, these tips will help you both through the beginning stages of this thrilling transition. Packing If your student has a roommate, encourage them to communicate with the roommate prior to move-in on what both of them are planning on bringing. Space is limited in dorm rooms, so you want to make the most of the space provided. Even if they only have suitemates, they should communicate with them beforehand so that they can make the most out of their shared space. Encourage your student not to bring too much at the start of the year. It is much easier to get more stuff later than bring stuff from home. Depending on the size of their wardrobe, they might not even want to bring all of their clothes immediately. It is typically better to just bring summer and fall clothes at the start of the year and grab their winter clothes later. If they are interested in pursuing on-campus employment, remind them to pack important identification documents, like their passport and social security card. The campus cannot hire any students unless they have those things with them. Residence Rules Before move-in, familiarize yourself with the residence hall rules. During move-in, make sure your student follows the residence hall rules regarding move-in to prevent damage to the rooms. Any damage to the rooms can result in fines, and you do not want to pay any unnecessary fees for college. Especially pay attention to the rules about hanging things and cooking things. You do not want to be charged
for peeling paint off the walls and you do not want to be responsible for setting off the fire alarm. Everyone in the building will be annoyed, and your student will probably have to speak to the police. It is an easily avoided nuisance and yet it happens way too often. Preparation Make sure you are properly dressed and packed for move-in day. It is in mid-August; it almost certainly is going to be awfully hot, and you are going to be carrying a lot of stuff to your student’s room. Bring a hand truck if you have one, and if you do not have one, I highly recommend you try to get one before move-in. They are extremely useful and you will not be able to get one on campus. Also, bring plenty of water. The move-in process is not particularly difficult, but it is easier to overheat than you may think. Take your time moving in and stay hydrated. Decoration Encourage your student to decorate their room. It is going to be their new home for the next few months,
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if not longer, and they might as well make it feel like home. Again, make the best of the space and avoid clutter, but a few simple decorations can really make them more comfortable in their room. Posters are a great, cheap way to make the room feel more personalized and are a great way for your student to express themselves. I also recommend getting some lights for their room. Fairy lights are very popular and affordable. I personally recommend getting some source of warm light for your room. There are many cheap options online and can make the room feel much more welcoming. Organization Encourage your student to get their room organized before classes start. It is much easier to stay organized if they set up a system early on in the semester. College life will get busy faster than one would expect, and they might not have time later in the year to reorganize everything. Organization looks different for everyone. Help them find their system and stick to it. It also feels so much better to come home to a clean room after a long day of classes. Keeping their room organized and clean is definitely worth it for the sake of their mental health. This is not an extensive guide for moving into college, these are just a few of the lessons I learned last year when I moved into my dorm. There will be other challenges both of you will face and you will be able to overcome them together. Just keep these tips in mind and remember to use the University’s resources if you have any other questions about the move-in process. If they contact their orientation counselor or residence advisor, they will help them or put them in contact with someone who can. The move-in process is scary, but it is also a lot of fun. Your student is going to experience a lot of things you never have before, but I assure you that they can handle anything college throws at them.
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Adjusting to having a child in college ADVICE FOR LETTING YOUR CHILD TRANSITION INTO COLLEGE IN THEIR OWN WAY AND AT THEIR OWN PACE by Maria Solano Video Producer
As someone that is an only child, my parents were used to Now let’s tackle the friendhaving me home after school ship concern. Not being able every single day. When I moved to make friends is a big fear away to college, they jokingly of many college students. told me how “bored” they were Even though we all have without having me around. heard incredible stories from While the school year proour family members, we’re gressed, I noticed how my parstill unsure about how we ents grew from this experience. will be able to manage these This important life transition new acquaintances. I’m quite not only affects the student at a shy person when it comes school, but also the parents that to meeting new people, see how their child is growing and my parents were really up. scared of my own isolation. I asked my mother how I Everyone feels like that at should write this article since first, but I think that this I’m not a parent and I wanted to campus is the most welcomknow what worried her when I ing environment I have ever moved to UNC Charlotte. She encountered. I’m so grateful told me that her main concerns for how open everyone is. It’s were: how my social life was so easy to meet people that going to broaden in this new share your own interests; environment, and how I had to getting involved in a team or wash my own clothes in the resa club on campus will make NT File Photo idence hall washing machines it even easier. UNC Charlotte (she pointed out that this was is the best place to start new one major thing that the other parents were concerned about in the SOAR session friendships that could last after graduation. As a parent, the best way to support that we attended, so I thought about including it, even though it sounds a bit funyour child is not to overwhelm them and to ease their minds about how everyone ny). Luckily, I have grown enough this year to put these wandering minds at ease. is able to find their place here. I have to admit, I didn’t do any chores at my house and I’m an extraordinary lazy College is such an amazing experience that will give your child independence human being when it comes to taking care of myself. Going to college made me re- while growing up on our campus. They will also appreciate you as a parent even alize how I have to do these tasks like doing my own laundry because nobody else more since we are used to being able to rely on you as much as we can. Even is going to do it for me. Learning how to use the washing machines in my building though letting go of them will be difficult, I hope that this article has eased your was easier than I thought, and if someone like me has managed to use them, every- mind about how your 49er will be able to survive in UNC Charlotte, and how one can. Your child will be able to learn how to use to them in no time. However, choosing this campus was the right decision. if they have some trouble, just know that you can always go to the laundry room with them to help them figure it out; remember--we will go back home if we don’t have any more clean clothes. 8
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OH, THE PLACE
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO GETTING TO KNOW THE CITY OF C by Elissa Miller Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor
Welcome to UNC Charlotte! As it says on our website, we are the state’s “urban research university.” Our location -- just a 20-minute drive away from Uptown Charlotte -- provides a number of opportunities for students in the form of jobs, internships and research opportunities. However, it also provides students with a chance to explore everything the city has to offer. The good news: parents can also take advantage of these places, whether you are here to help your student move in or to visit for a long weekend! Getting to know your student’s new home can help you envision what their life here at UNC Charlotte will be like (and is also just fun). This article features some of my favorite places, as well as iconic visits in the area, but don’t be afraid to get out and explore the city to find your own!
Charlotte Symphony: Founded in 1932, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra prides itself on its role in the community. You can expect to find your classical offerings (Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Chopin), however, the Symphony also performs more modern offerings with its “pops” series. These can include things like “Video Games Live,” “The Best of James Bond,” and its annual Christmas concert. The symphony has also started to offer live movie screenings, such as Harry Potter and Star Wars, in which the symphony provides the score. Fun fact: the music director Christopher Warren-Green
also conducted the orchestra at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. Mint Museum Uptown: While this is just one of many art museums in the area, it is probably the largest. It has hosted everything from classic paintings to experimental modern art; it also has a sister location in Randolph. There is definitely something for everyone here.
Outdoor Recreation The US National Whitewater Center: The USNWC is the best
in outdoor recreation Charlotte has to offer. Opened in 2006, the Center has grown to include a plethora of activities. This includes zip lines, ropes courses, flatwater kayaking and standup paddle boarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, and its main attraction, whitewater rafting in the world’s largest artificial whitewater river. If you aren’t one for high adventure, the Center has a great restaurant with a view of the whitewater river. It is a great day trip! Crowders Mountain: The closest mountain is only about 45 minutes from Charlotte in Gastonia. It
Arts Blumenthal Performing Arts Center: This six-theater-large performing arts company is the most wellknown part of Charlotte’s arts scene. This is largely due to its role as the host of the Broadway Lights series, which brings the National Tours of a number of Broadway shows to Charlotte. This season, the series will be home to “My Fair Lady,” “Aladdin,” “The Color Purple,” “Once on This Island” and “The Play That Goes Wrong” (among others). However, the Center also hosts festivals, improv and stand-up comedy, concerts, speakers, and dance. If you’re visiting for a weekend, catching a show here is a great night out! Charlotte city skyline. Photo courtesy of GoodFreePhotos
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CES YOU’LL GO
OF CHARLOTTE, FROM OUTDOOR RECREATION TO SHOPPING has a number of hiking trails of varying length and difficulty, including one frequented by runners made of only stairs. Camping and boating are also available. If you want a real challenge, you can attempt to hike the trail from Crowders Mountain to Kings Mountain. Freedom Park: This beautiful Charlotte park is also incredibly large: 98 acres. Centered around a lake, this park features 2 playgrounds, outdoor shelters and grills, a performance space, gardens and a number of sports complexes and fields. It is also connected to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, which helps connect it to Uptown Charlotte.
Museums Levine Museum of the New South: This incredible museum in Uptown features a permanent exhibit on Charlotte history, entitled Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers. It’d be a great way to get a new and thorough perspective on your student’s new home. It also features a rotating spectrum of special exhibits. Currently, this includes #HomeCLT, which highlights the history of Charlotte neighborhoods through augmented reality, and Legacy of Lynching, which discusses the history and legacy of lynching with a special focus on two lynchings in Charlotte.
NASCAR Hall of Fame: While I personally know very little about NASCAR, it’d be impossible to ignore this Charlotte landmark. NASCAR has a strong history in this city (Charlotte Motorspeedway -- located in Concord -- is a short drive from campus). This museum gets hands-on and features simulations, do-it-yourself pit stops, and a hall of retired cars. Even if you don’t know the sport, it is pretty impressive.
Shopping Concord Mills: There are many malls in Charlotte, from Southpark to Northlake. Concord Mills is in this article due to its close proximity to the University and the sheer amount of stores and things to do. Concord Mills is home to over 200 stores, from mall staples to more unique offerings. It also hosts entertainment options, such as an AMC movie theater, Sea Life Aquarium, Dave and Busters, and the NASCAR Speedpark. Birkdale Village: About 20 minutes from the University in the suburb of Huntersville is Birkdale Village. It is a mixed-use, outdoor space with shopping, restaurants, a park fountain, and living areas. The shopping there tends to be a bit more on the higher-end of things. However, the food options there are by far the best of any shopping area. Heading into the area for dinner, window shopping and a movie is a fun night out.
Sports
Nascar Hall of Fame. Photo courtesy of Tad Caudill
Niner nation Parent guide 2019
Beyond traveling in to root for our college sports and football tailgates, there are a number of local teams to root for in Charlotte! We are home to the NFL team the Carolina Panthers and the NBA team the Charlotte Hornets. Our major league lacrosse team, the Charlotte Hounds, recently folded due to restructuring but will return in 2021. On the minor league side of things, we are also home to the Charlotte Knights (baseball) and the Charlotte Checkers (hockey). Come out to a game! 13
Meet the Student Union
by Natasha Morehouse Layout Editor The Popp Martin Student Union serves as a hub for UNC Charlotte students. There is a lot to offer in this single building, whether it’s getting a bite to eat, catching a movie or hanging with friends. The Union is located along Craver Road and is just a short walk from North Village and many of the academic buildings. Additionally, all three UNC Charlotte bus routes have stops near the union, making it easy to get to from any part of campus. There are a wide range of eateries in Popp Martin Student Union, making it the perfect stop for any meal. Crown Commons is one of the two dining halls on campus. The dining halls are buffet-style, meaning you only have to pay once to get in and then you can eat as much as you want. The menus change every day, so be sure to check out dineoncampus.com/unccharlotte to see what is currently being served. Outtakes is a convenience store that is open until late at night, which is good for a midnight snack. They sell prepackaged food, frozen goods, snacks, and made-to-order sandwiches. Additionally, they have toiletries, dishware and cleaning supplies. This is a great place to spend any remaining DB you may have at the end of the semester. If you’re looking for a morning pick-me-up, be sure to check out Starbucks and Einstein’s Bros. Bagels. For more typical fast food fare, there are Bojangles and Wendy’s. The final place, Bistro 49, is unique in that it is the only table service restaurant
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on campus. Their seasonal menus offer food that you cannot find anywhere else on campus, like apricot glazed roast chicken and pistachio crusted salmon. With such extensive options in one place, you are sure to find something to satisfy your cravings. The Popp Martin Student Union is also home to a variety of entertainment options, one being a movie theater. Movie selections are changed each week and you can see showtimes at studentunion.uncc.edu/movies. Be sure to bring your student ID -- admission is free for students and only $2 for non-students. Norm’s Lounge is a great place to have fun with some friends. There are multiple TVs and pool tables throughout the space. Above the lounge is Norm’s Loft, which has a large TV and video games. Another draw to the union is the art gallery. Be sure to visit it often, as art shows are constantly being changed out. Here you can see the talents of UNC Charlotte’s own art students and faculty, as well as visiting artists. The space is peaceful and full of natural light and is a great place to relax and admire some beautiful artwork. Right outside the gallery is a grand piano, which anyone is welcome to use. If you’re in need of gear to show your school spirit, check out the Union’s Barnes and Noble. The top floor has all the UNC Charlotte merchandise you could ever want, from shirts to mugs to hats and much more. There is also a section of books and magazines, like a miniature Barnes and
Noble. If you are in search of textbooks, they are located on the lower level. This is where you buy or rent books from class, as well as pick up online orders. School supplies are also sold here so you can make sure you have everything you need for your first day of classes. For electronic goods, stop by the NinerTech store. They sell everything from phone chargers to laptops. Deals on laptops are held every once in a while so be sure to keep an eye out, you may end up saving a lot of money. Believe it or not, there are still more things available in the Popp Martin Student Union. The Campus Salon allows students to get some primping or change up their style without leaving campus. Services range from beard trims to updos to typical haircuts, all at reasonable prices. Appointments can be made over the phone, in person, or at thecampussalon.com. Right next door to the salon is Union Station. Here students can mail packages, get passports, print documents, purchase balloons, and more. It is clear that there is a lot to see and do in the Union. Even if you just want somewhere to relax, there is an abundance of comfortable seating. The Rotunda is the central part of the union and is a great place to socialize. For more information about the Popp Martin Student Union, visit studentunion.uncc.edu.
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OUT-OF -STATE ADVICE HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TRANSITION TO CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA by Olivia Lawless Lifestyle Editor
Watching your child go off to college is hard enough, but watching them go to school out-of-state can be even harder. Letting go, moving in and keeping in contact can all seem more complex when your child is a state away. Even if that state is just a few hours drive, it still feels much longer than before. It’s too long to make multiple trips when moving in. It’s too long for them to drive home every other weekend (or for you to make the trip). You can’t get there quickly if something serious happens. The transition is daunting at first, but adjusting to the change becomes easier as you go. Since I’m from South Louisiana, my family and I had to learn the best way to make everything work. The first challenge was moving everything in the 12 hour drive. Move-in day is chaotic whether you live six hours or 30 minutes away, so don’t feel bad if it all seems like a mess. To help the process go more smoothly, bring only personal objects from home and wait to go shopping for any dorm needs. Towels, toiletries, bathroom mats, extra drawers, bowls, snacks and other miscellaneous items can be bought at the nearest store (among Best Buy, Walmart and Target, you should be able to find everything you need). If you can, it would be best to take an extra day off of work to go shopping the day after move-in. If you’re looking for a slightly quicker method, Bed Bath & Beyond allows you to shop at one location and pick up your purchases at a different location. That means you can shop for everything
you want at your nearest Bed Bath & Beyond and then pick up all of it at a store near the University. It’s usually a little pricier than stores like Walmart or Best Buy, but their store pickup and coupons for college students can really help bring down the price and make the whole process more convenient. It only took one trip from Concord Mills to pick up my list and finish moving in. My parents stayed for the rest of the weekend before driving back home. I settled in well, but I still felt weird staying so far away from home for the first time. I could tell my parents felt antsy too because of the frequent phone calls and texts. It probably didn’t help that two weeks into school I had to visit the nearest
emergency room. Earlier in the evening, my entire body had broken out in itching, burning hives for no discernable reason. My parents were probably more worried about it than I was. Since I didn’t have my car on campus, I took an Uber to the hospital around 3 a.m. Nobody knew for sure why the reaction was happening. The hours seemed to feverishly skip ahead while I sat in the hospital bed and chatted with a member of my extended family, who generously accompanied me throughout the whole visit. My parents also stayed on a phone call for hours so they could hear all the information from the nurses and doctor. The sun came up and I eventually received a few injections that made the hives go down. I left sore and tired, and I had to skip some classes to rest. Ultimately, though, I was fine.
The moral of the story is that, despite going through a painful and exhausting ordeal without my parents, I survived. Your child will too. When they’re sick or going through some sort of emergency, it’s natural to want to be there and panic when you can’t. Hopefully nothing like this happens to your child, but there will probably be a time when they’re sick or in pain and you’ll be hours away. It’ll really suck, but in the end, it’ll be okay. Not everything is as dramatic as all that, though. The small things are important too. Keeping in contact should be really easy with texting and video chatting. However, the reality is that both you and your child are busy and you’ll probably chat less than you’d like. That’s why small texts are important. Even a simple “Good morning” or “How was class today?” a few times a week helps make the distance feel a little smaller. If the video calls keep slipping away, set a day of the week where you’re both usually free and can talk. I usually chat with my family on Saturday and Sunday mornings, since there’s no telling what we’ll all be doing on weeknights. Above all, remember that going to a college out-of-state doesn’t mean goodbye forever. It’s just a new chapter in both yours and your child’s lives.
Photo via State Archives of North Carolina Raleigh, NC
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All about the Student Health Center Services, resources and opportunities by Madison Dobrzenski Editor-in-Chief
Our campus is ultimately designed so that the students almost never have to leave. There are multiple eateries, convenience stores, a hair salon and even a health center so that you can be seen for non-emergency medical issues. Located on the corner of Cameron Boulevard and Mary Alexander Road, the Student Health Center provides many services to students including “primary medical care, disease prevention, health education, wellness promotion and various specialty services to all registered UNC Charlotte students, regardless of the type of health insurance they carry,” according to the Student Health Center website. These “various specialty services” include psychiatry, gynecological services, physical therapy, STI testing, immunizations and so much more. In order to be seen for a non-urgent medical condition, an appointment must be scheduled. The Student Health Center’s hours are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. Students are able to schedule an appointment by calling 704-687-7400 or they may schedule appointments for some services through the Student Health Center portal in their my.uncc.edu account. Through the Student Health Center portal, students may also view their upcoming appointments, immunization records and any incoming messages from the Student Health Center.
If students don’t live on campus, they may park in the gated Student Health Center’s parking lot. Patients and visitors must write their vehicle license number on the parking log at the Front Desk and then when leaving the Student Health Center, the Front Desk will provide an exit ticket to permit driving out of the gated lot. Regarding costs, it is included in tuition fees to see a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, nurse, physical therapist or health educator. However, there are charges for the pharmacy, laboratory tests, x-rays, allergy shots, specialty clinics and some other procedures. Students are required to have health insurance to be enrolled at UNC Charlotte, whether it’s private or the University’s health insurance. If a student has the University health insurance plan, charges will be billed to the student health insurance, but any costs not covered by the insurance will be charged to the student’s account. If a student has private insurance, their insurance may be used at the pharmacy for filling prescriptions, but it is not processed at the actual clinic, those services they will need to pay for by charging it to their student account, paying in cash or paying with a debit or credit card. As a frequent user of the Student Health Center, I can tell you that its staff and services
are extremely helpful to have on campus. If you are ever unsure about what kind of services your 49er may receive at the Student Health Center, just call 704-687-7400 and ask. The staff is always willing to answer questions. We all would like to be fortunate enough to never need health services. However, sometimes it happens. We get sick, we need to see a doctor or we need medical advice. Luckily, we have a place on campus to appease any non-emergency medical needs. I hope you advise your 49er to utilize it to stay healthy during your first year on campus.
Office Hours Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone: 704-687-7400 You can access the Student Health Center portal at: https://studenthealth.uncc. edu/
The Student Health Center as seen from Mary Alexander Road and Cameron Blvd. Photo by Chris Crews.
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Counseling and Psychological Services Information about a very important campus resource by Madison Dobrzenski Editor-in-Chief
Photo by Nikolai Mather
College can be a stressful and challenging time for anyone. During those times when classes are just too much, your student feels alone or they just think they could grow as a person from seeing someone, the Christine F. Price Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is there for all students. CAPS is located behind the Student Health Center on the corner of Cameron Boulevard and Mary Alexander Road. From the view from Mary Alexander Road, it is quite hidden, so be sure to walk behind the Student Health Center to find it. Counseling is intended to provide an opportunity for people to “improve decision making, develop coping skills, increase confidence, overcome blocks to personal effectiveness, and acquire greater self-awareness,” according to the CAPS website. CAPS offers multiple kinds of counseling to best provide opportunities to the UNC Charlotte student body; this includes individual counseling, group counseling and relationship counseling. CAPS also hosts workshops to provide a place for students to develop new skills for handling issues like anxiety, depression and relationship disputes. Individual counseling typically begins with an initial assessment, in which the counselor will then either make a next appointment for the student, refer them to a psychiatrist for medical evaluation or to other campus and community resources. If a student is to proceed to see their on-campus counselor, there are six visits per semester included in a students’ tuition or 12 visits in a school year. The school year begins in May, so if a student has been seeing a counselor for a school year and wants to proceed during the summer, that is allowed, it is just part of their 12 visits during the “school” year. Sometimes, students need to be seen more frequently than this, in which case off-campus resources are recommended. However, it’s definitely beneficial to know that if you need to see a counselor this school year, you have 12 guaranteed visits. Group counseling is done by offering general counsel to groups as well as focused ones. This allows groups of students to strive to understand their emotions better through talking with one another and supporting each other. Groups are announced on the CAPS website and membership for some groups is limited, so be sure to inquire about them with your counselor as soon as possible if you are interested. Workshops are more structured than group counseling but ultimately have a similar goal. They allow students to develop new skills to deal with common issues like anxiety or depression.
CAPS even offers couples counseling for partners that want to better their relationship. Both students are required to be enrolled at UNC Charlotte. As I said in the beginning, college can be stressful. Because of this, CAPS is often booking appointments very far in advance because they are in high demand. In order to make an appointment, your 49er may call 704-687-0311 or stop by CAPS. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If your student feels as if they need to be seen immediately, whether they’re having a panic attack, delusions or fear they’re going to hurt themselves or others, they may call CAPS during their office hours at 704-687-0311 to find out the best time to come in that day and get same-day counseling, or they may stop by. In-crisis counseling is mainly offered between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students are advised to call first if they are able to hear options about the best time to come in. For after-hours phone consultations, call CAPS at 704-687-0311 to be connected to a counselor. CAPS utilizes ProtoCall which provides free after-hours support. ProtoCall counselors help you handle your current problem and how to proceed. CAPS is an excellent resource that I have used for quite some time now, and I can honestly say it has changed my college experience for the better. Of course, some people need more than they are able to offer, but it’s a good place to start to get help for whatever you may need. This school year, please encourage your student not to be ashamed to call CAPS. A lot of students put academics before their mental health and it eventually leads to burnout. Don’t let that happen to your 49er.
CAPS is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 704-687-0311 For more information: https://caps.uncc.edu/
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Parking at UNC Charlotte A crash course in all that your student needs to know about campus parking by Noah Howell Arts & Entertainment Editor
It is no secret that UNC Charlotte’s parking, especially given its size, is one of the school’s biggest obstacles for students, faculty and visitors alike. Forgetting any horror stories you might have heard, the process of parking on campus is not at all difficult if you know what you’re doing. This guide will give you the basics on parking, including all that your student may need to know as they begin their time at UNC Charlotte. The first thing to get across is parking is not free. There are two main passes you’ll be looking at with Resident and Commuter. If your student is living in on-campus housing and plan on bringing their car, then the resident permit is the right choice. If your student will be living off-campus and plans on commuting to school, they’ll need the commuter pass. That brings us to where you can actually get the pass. The primary option most take is buying it online through the Parking and Transportation Services (PaTS) website at pats. uncc.edu. Here, you can pick from resident or commuter, both of which go for $465 for the full year. To buy the pass online, you’re going to need your student’s NinerNet login, license plate number and their vehicle’s information (basically the make/model and some other information on the car they plan on parking on campus). If they’re buying it in person, then they will need their 49er ID Card, vehicle registration card and, if the car is registered in another state, proof of insurance. It is also important to note that if your student likes to back in when they park, meaning the back license plate isn’t in clear view, then you will need to buy an alternative license plate for the front of their vehicle from PaTS for $20. Now that you know how to get a pass, you’re probably wondering where on earth your student will park on a campus this big. Thankfully, it is a fairly easy process to figure out. Each parking lot and deck should have a sign posted outside their respective entrance indicating who can park there. If your student wants to plan ahead, they can find the map to campus parking on PaTS’ website once again. 20
At the time of this guide being written, residents can park in the blue and orange spaces on the map and commuters can park in the yellow and orange zones. Looking at the resident permit specifically, if your student is living in South Village, their best bet to park is either Lot 8 or the adjacent South Village Deck. If they are in North Village, it is a similar situation where the best options are Lot 25 or the nearby North Deck. For those in East Village, Lot 6 or Lot 13 are probably the safest options. If your student is commuting, then they are more then likely going to have to settle with the major parking decks in North Deck, Union Deck, West Deck or two of the three East Decks that are not limited to Faculty/Staff. While North Deck is a bit of a hike from everything, it is the spot PaTS advises for those struggling to find nearby parking and thankfully has a stop of the Green Line bus to get you to the main campus easier. As a parent, you will also need to know where exactly you can park when visiting your student. The main locations are the rooftop of Cone Deck, levels four through six in the
Union Deck, East Deck One, CRI Deck and the first floor of South Village Deck. Parking. Any of these locations will cost you $5 for the first hour with $2 added on for every additional hour. The max you’ll pay for a day is $15, though if you lose your ticket that you use to get out, it’ll cost you $20. For some extra information to throw in at the end provided by the PaTS website, the peak parking demand occurs between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Your student may find it difficult to find parking during the first couple weeks of the semester, but fret not, this usually subsides after people become settled in. When they’re coming and going from campus, your student will probably want to avoid doing so between the times of 7:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., which PaTS claims to be the busiest traffic times on campus. Hopefully, after sharing all this information with your student, you will be able to at least rest easy knowing that parking won’t be one of the issues facing your student on their first day of college.
Parking on UNC Charlotte campus. Photo by Chris Crews
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SAFETY ON CAMPUS RESOURCES TO ENSURE YOUR STUDENT’S SAFETY ON CAMPUS by Olivia Lawless Lifestyle Editor
UNC Charlotte has a sprawling, beautiful campus of hills and trees. It’s a great place to find yourself away from home for the first time or to drive through on a daily commute. You’ll want to know that your students are being smart about safety on campus. Here are some things to think about as they experience all that campus has to offer. LiveSafe LiveSafe is a free app designed to ensure student safety. It comes equipped with a resources button, a method of reporting non-emergency incidents on campus (such as vandalism or theft) and a quick line to campus police. It also contains a “safe walking” feature where one person can share their location and allow someone to “watch them walk” via the app. This is great for walking late nights or long distances alone. Even if they think they’ll never need such safety precautions, the notifications alone are worth it. The app sends immediate alerts of events, like severe weather or crime, which are useful for knowing where the event occurred, when the event occurred or the condition of the campus. Parents can download the app to use the same features in being available to their student to “watch them walk” as well, and would have access to same safety notifications and resources on the app. Campus Police UNC Charlotte campus police provide campus-wide patrol and support services 24/7. Because of the numerous residents that live on and around campus, they are also certified to work in adjacent residential areas. They can be contacted at the emergency number 704-687-2200 or through the LiveSafe app. For non-emergencies, they can be reached at 704‑687‑8300 or in the Police Building on 9151 Cameron Blvd. 22
Blue Lights The Blue Lights are a system of emergency phones that can be used to report crimes. There are over 300 emergency phones located across campus, each marked with a distinct blue light. These phones are monitored 24/7/365 and generally have a large red button for calling. Surroundings It can be really tempting for students to just autopilot their way to class, especially if they’re on the way to an 8 a.m., but there are ways that they can try to be mindful of what’s going on around them. The size of the campus prompts many skateboarders, and the collisions that happen when someone — usually the person walking — isn’t paying attention are nasty. If they hear someone on a skateboard, they can stay to one side of the path and the skateboarder will be able to go around. It’s also not uncommon for students who stare at their phones while going down the stairs to slip and almost crash. Being aware of one’s surroundings can be especially important for a student walking through a busy campus. Personal Belongings It’s important to keep track of personal belongings such as your laptop, phone, wallet and other valuable possessions. It’s often that these sort of belongings are safe in certain areas like the library or a study room in a residence hall, but they should never be left unattended or without a trusted acquaintance paying attention if you have to leave momentarily. Though there have been many measures put in place to assure campus safety, the campus is public and open to anyone who wants to walk in. UNC Charlotte is not responsible for stolen items. If you’re wondering, “What about laundry? Should they sit nearby
and wait for it to be done?” Some people do, but most don’t. I wouldn’t worry too much about this one. Drivers and pedestrians Traffic is frequent on campus during peak class times. Drivers become impatient when trying to avoid long streams of students crossing the street, so they may speed up or roll through stop signs. Students should pay attention and use their best judgment when walking in high-traffic areas. If they are the driver, they should try to remember that plenty of people will cross the streets regardless of what traffic looks like or will walk into the street staring down at their phone. It’s frustrating to have to wait, but it’s necessary for safety. Many resources are available to help ensure student safety. However, a combination of these resources and your student’s own smart decisions will be best in keeping yourself safe on campus.
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