FALL 2013
AUGUST ISSUE
TIP PARENTS NETWORK
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
Welcome to the TIP Parents Network! I write to welcome you to the Texas Interdisciplinary Plan family. Your son or daughter has cleared many hurdles to become a UT Austin student and a TIP Scholar. They are to be congratulated and so are you! We know that you have pushed, pulled, encouraged and supported him/her and if your son or daughter hasn’t thanked you by now – soon they will. As they begin to transition from a high school student to a college student, they will also begin to realize the importance of their support system at We are also pleased and excited to home. continue the TIP Giving Fund. This fund will accumulate contributions We know that a student does better when until we can endow it and ultimately they have support from their college, their provide funds for students in the TIP peers and their family. I think of it as a Family to experience education triangle of support surrounding the outside of the classroom in such ways student. For too long, we have not utilized as internships, study abroad or one of the main parts of the triangle – undergraduate research. In a few parents or guardians. We know parents short weeks, your son or daughter and guardians are anxious to help their will begin learning about the son or daughter succeed. Thus, we are importance of teamwork – we think pleased that we continue our efforts to the Giving Fund will also be an create the TIP Parents Network. Each example of teamwork. Most of us are term, we will communicate with you about not in a position to give thousands of dates and events of interest to you and dollars back to the program that will your son or daughter and suggest ways start your son or daughter on a road you can help them.
2013 TIP SCHOLARS ACADEMIC FALL MEETING OF THE MINDS PRESENTATIONS RECOGNITION DINNER
to excellence at UT but many of us may be able to contribute something. Genie Bustos, our Development Coordinator and Academic Advisor has taken the lead on establishing the TIP Parent’s Network and the TIP Giving Fund. You will soon be hearing from her about both of these programs. Again, we are anxious to get to know your son or daughter and in turn, delighted to have you as part of the TIP family. Warm regards, Sue Harkins, Assistant Dean, TIP
TIP COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENT
HELPFUL
Their first semester at UT... A Monthly Guide August /September
DATES 8/14 Tuition deadline 5PM for students who registered by July 19th 8/27 Tuition deadline 5PM for students who registered after July 20th 8/28 Classes Begin
Homesickness Making New Friends & New Living Situations Financial Challenges Time Management
October First Test Results & Academic Challenges Midterm Grades Maintaining Health & Proper Diet Stay tuned for November, December and January updates in the 2nd Issue of the TIP Parents Network Newsletter.
9/2 Labor Day Holiday 9/3 Last day of official add/ drop period 9/13 (12th class day) Payment for added classes due by 5pm 9/27 2nd tuition payment due for those that selected 3-payment plan 10/25 Final Tuition payment due for 3-payment plan option September/October/ November Academic Advising & Registration for Spring. Encourage your son or daughter to make an appointment with their advisor.
COMMON STUDENT ISSUES & ADVICE FOR PARENTS: HOMESICKNESS: Be prepared to see a mix of emotions and signals from your student this month. They will face many ups and downs as they transition from high school to college. MAKING NEW FRIENDS and NEW LIVING SITUATIONS: Encourage your student to stay on campus/in Austin most weekends. The best way to make social and academic adjustments is to remain on campus and to become involved in new activities. Visit your student; let them know that your visit is a nice alternative to their returning home each weekend. Remember that email and regular letters are important reminders to students that they have support in their new endeavors. FINANCIAL CHALLENGES and TIME MANAGEMENT: Each student is different. Parents should go over finances and how to use time wisely with their student, as well as encourage them to use UT’s resources. (i..e The Sanger Learning and Career Center) FIRST TEST RESULTS and ACADEMIC CHALLENGES: Let your student have their space…September is a busy month. Encourage them to maintain focus. MIDTERM GRADES: Be supportive even if midterm grades are not what you or your student had expected. Remind them to use the library, meet with professors and TA’s during office hours, & attend TIP tutoring. Help your student start thinking about spring registration. MAINTAINING HEALTH AND PROPER DIET: Encourage your student to visit University Health Services if problems arise, or to simply take advantage of their many services.
Become a member of the TIP Parents Network With the support of the TIP Parents Network, we can aid
1. Access to TIP Newsletter
you in the direction that is best
2. Resources for Parents
for you when it comes to these
3. Helpful UT information
questions. Providing support, community, feedback, and
4. Access to TIP Forum
Did you ever wonder about.... ••• How to help your son/daughter
finding the positive in every situation are just some of the
5. TIP Scholars updates
with college assimilation?
membership.
Scholarships & Internships?
THE PARENTS NETWORK MISSION In Summer 2012 the TIP
How to prepare when your student comes home from college for a visit? How to communicate with your son/daughter about college? How your role as a parent can impact your student?
benefits you can expect from
6. Tuition reminders
TIP Parents Network
7. FAFSA deadlines 8. TIP Activities
Parents Network was founded with one mission. To engage & involve parents by: Providing a networking opportunity between the parents of the organization & Enhancing the communication between the parents & The
BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR I hope you enjoy our first issue! I am personally lookin g forward to being able to get to kn ow our TIP Parents. This 2013-20 14 academic year be on the looko ut for more interesting & inform ational newsletters. If you ha ve a newsletter suggestion , I would love to read it (please send to the contact information below). Until next time, have a grea t 1st semester!
University of Texas at Austin.
TIP Site: http://tip.cns.utexas.edu/scholars/parents-network Become a Founding Member and Donate to the TIP Giving Fund: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/utgiving/online/nlogon/?menu1=NSTI&source=TIP Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/TIP-Parents-Network/118572154997160 Parent Network Coordinator (Genie Bustos) Contact information: Phone: 512.232.6269 Email: gbustos@austin.utexas.edu
Remember... Parents can always serve as an endless supply of motivation.
Texas Interdisciplinary Plan The University of Texas at Austin Flawn Academic Center (FAC 334) 2400 Inner Campus Drive, G2550 Austin, Texas 78712
Meet the TIP Staff SUE HARKINS , ED.D. Sue has the best job in the world! Supportive bosses, fabulous staff and amazing students make coming to work a pleasure. Sue graduated from the Ohio State University, Troy University and the University of Pittsburgh but did so over 35 years which is not the usual educational path. Both of her sons are in the US Army and have served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
C A S S A N D R A D E LGA D O R EYE S , PH.D. Cassandra (AKA Dr. D-‐R) is Assistant Director for TIP, Course Coordinator for the TIP Signature Course in critical thinking, and teaches multiple sections of the research methods version of this course. McAllen, Texas, she received her B.S. in Chemistry and Biology at the University of Texas at Pan American in Edinburg and her Ph.D. in Nutritional Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana-‐ Champaign.
VIRGINIA BUSTOS , M.ED. Genie coordinates the Parents Network & serves as a TIP Natural Sciences advisor. Both of her degrees are in the education Aield, completed at The University of Texas at El Paso. Her Airst degree allowed her to become a certiAied teacher in the state of Texas and her graduate degree in Higher Education Administration has allowed her to come work at The University of Texas at Austin!
DIANE LARSON, B .S .
Diane has worked for the University of Texas at Austin for 30 years. She joined the College of Natural Science 15 years ago, and in summer of 2013, we welcomed her into the TIP program. Diane now serves as a TIP Natural Sciences advisor.
Lauren received her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology with a minor in Latin American Studies from Southwestern University. After serving as an AmeriCorps member at a college access non-‐proAit organization, she went on to receive her Master's Degree in Higher Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining the UT staff, she worked as an advisor at Our Lady of the Lake University.
Jenny coordinates the Academic Peer Mentor program for TIP, the Peer Leader Academy for the College of Natural Sciences and the University Leadership Network. She completed her BA in Psychology at Texas A&M, her M.Ed. at UT Austin, and is currently working on her PhD in Higher Education Administration here at UT. Her research areas include mentoring, leadership, & student professional development.
DAVID ROMERO M.S . David is a Student Affairs Administrator and one of the TIP advisors for students in the College of Natural Sciences. He received a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Master's degree in Interdisciplinary studies (areas: Higher Education, Business administration, & Public Administration) from Iowa State University.
DENISE FURMAN, B .S .
JO H N N E WTON, B .A .
Denise serves as an Administrative Assistant for the University Leadership Network. She graduated with a Business degree from Indiana University, and has held various sales and retail management positions, including a buying position with Macy’s in New York City. Denise lived in New York for 20 years before moving to Austin in 2002.
John graduated with a B.A. in International Relations from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA but is a native Texan from San Antonio. After exploring many career paths, from a Project Manager for a Fortune 500 company to a CertiAied Massage Therapist for a physical therapy ofAice, he decided to stay with what he enjoys most – working in higher education. He has over 14 years of university experience and soon hopes to obtain his M.Ed. at UT.
LAU REN CONTRERAS , M.ED.
J EN N Y S M IT H, M. E D.
Welcome to the TIP Family! Have you heard the news? The TIP Scholars program has been selected to provide Academic Excellence Awards as part of the Provost’s initiative to support students graduating in four years. The Academic Excellence Award is to be provided to students in the TIP Scholars academic community who achieve established academic goals during their first 12 months. TIP Scholars who earn at least 30 hours of course credit (24 hours in-residence at UT), have provided and discussed a four-year academic plan with their TIP advisor by the end of spring 2014, and maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA at the end of those 30 hours will earn $1,000. Those who fulfill the credit hour and four-year plan requirements and earn a 3.5 GPA or higher will earn $1,500. Students should see their TIP academic advisor for details.
HELPFUL WEBSITES TIP Site:http://www.utexas.edu/tip ACADEMICS Credit By Exam (CBE) Sign-up for or claim your credit by exam: http://ctl.utexas.edu/programs-and-services/student-testing-services/ Libraries Get to the Library! Or access library resources online: http://www.lib.utexas.edu What Should I Do With My Life? Explore more options than you knew were out there: http://www.utexas.edu/student/cec/ http://cns.utexas.edu/careers/health-professions/ http://www.utexas.edu/cola/lacs/ Degrees Check your status on completing your degree: http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/ida Registrar Get information on registration, course schedules, transcripts and see the academic calendar: http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar Extra Help with Classes http://lifelearning.utexas.edu/ http://www.uwc.utexas.edu http://cns.utexas.edu/community/resident-hall-study-groups CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES A place where all students can feel welcome and interact with other cultures: http://www.utexas.edu/student/mic/MIC_10-11/mic_main.php Expand your horizons by studying abroad: http://www.utexas.edu/student/abroad Learning English as a second language? http://www.utexas.edu/student/esl $$$ Financial Aid http://finaid.utexas.edu Scholarships http://finaid.utexas.edu/sources/scholarships What are Bevo Bucks? http://www.utexas.edu/student/bevobucks/ Bevonomics http://www.bevonomics.org/
Jobs: Find a job on or off-campus: http://www.hirealonghorn.org http://accessut.utexas.edu http://cns.utexas.edu/careers Banks Near Campus University Federal Credit Union http://www.ufcu.org Wells Fargo http://www.wellsfargo.com
Sick? Need a Prescription? http://www.utexas.edu/student/health
HEALTH & LIFESTYLE Security Campus security websites that make you feel safe on campus http://www.utexas.edu/safety/preparedness/
Feeling Out of Sorts? Housing and Food The Counseling & Mental Health Center is here for you: For all your questions about on-campus living and eating: http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc http://www.utexas.edu/student/housing Exercise Work out at one of the nicest recreational facilities in the nation: Gender and Sexuality http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/gsc http://www.utrecsports.org Healthy Lifestyles Disabilities Info on nutrition, smoking, weight management and sexual health: Services for Students with Disabilities: http://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/HT/ http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/ssd TRANSITIONING TO COLLEGE Transitioning to College: Computers and Software http://www.computerstore.utexas.edu/ UT Austin Lingo http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/newtodos/utlingo.php Get involved around campus: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sald Feel like a fish out of water? Find resources for new students: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/nss Help others while having fun! Check out volunteer opportunities: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/vslc The on-campus hangouts—great places to study, eat or just have fun: http://www.utexas.edu/student/txunion (the Union and Student Activity Center) Disagreement? The Ombudsman is a neutral third party who investigates grievances: http://www.utexas.edu/student/ombuds Parking Permits and other Transportation: Parking Permits http://www.utexas.edu/parking/parking/student/ Bus Routes http://www.capmetro.org Weekly Rides to Dallas and Houston http://www.utexas.edu/parking/transportation/texasexpress/ Campus Maps http://www.utexas.edu/maps/ Austin Area Get to know Austin and find out what’s going on around town: http://www.austin360.com Local Hotels http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/nss/hotels.php Biking on campus http://www.utexas.edu/parking/bike/ MEDIA The university radio station: http://www.kvrx.org The university TV network: http://www.texasstudenttv.com/
Read the daily Texan online: http://www.dailytexanonline.com Or check out the university’s humor paper: http://www.texastravesty.com