Volume 4, Issue 1

parents.sdes.ucf.edu

Welcome to the University of Central Florida! Were glad youve joined our community. As your student moves into the residence halls and begins his/her next adventure, you are also beginning your own journey. As UCF staff, we understand that you want to be a part of your sons or daughters experience and assist them in this transition. The Pegasus Parent Newsletter is a resource designed to aid you in this process. As a parent of an incoming student, you may ask how can I participate in my students experience at UCF? You can think of yourself as a partner - understand the resources for success in and out of the classroom; communicate regularly with your student; share your perspectives and experiences; encourage self-advocacy. From time to time, you may even be called upon for some extra money!

Table of Contents:

At some point during the move-in process and first year, you will most likely have questions. You will be in good company with other parents of our newest Knights on campus. Questions may include: how will my student pay for classes? How will my student stay healthy? Where and what will my student eat? Will my student be safe? How can my student get involved on campus? Who is my students advisor and what can s/he expect from the advisor. This newsletter aims to provide information to point you in the right direction to find answers to these questions, as well as help your student in finding answers to these questions. It is produced monthly through April and will hopefully serve as a guide for the first year. Staff members across the University are willing and able to assist you in this significant milestone in your and your students life. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Once again, welcome to the University of Central Florida! Sincerely, Corey Esquenazi Graduate Student Pegasus Parent Program ucfparents@ucf.edu

Housing and Residence Life........................4 Get Smart...............................8 Get Involved.........................12 Get Healthy..........................20 Get Savvy..............................26 Campus Safety......................30

ST

NT ESIDEATION R ITEDASSOCI UN T UDEN

The United Resident Student Association (URSA) is the student government body for residents who live on-campus, at the Rosen College, or in Knight Circle. URSA provides many opportunities for residents to get involved. URSA hosts several leadership events and participates in Homecoming and Family Weekend. URSA also works with area councils to provide programming and leadership opportunities geared to specific community needs.

ucfursa@gmail.com

AV DURALIABLE ING GRAM AND SPRFALL RO ING DAY P RTH BI

The Birthday program runs from September to November for Fall semesters, and January to April for Spring Semesters. This program delivers balloons and cake to help your student celebrate their special day. Birthday deliveries are made Monday-Friday between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. If your students birthday falls on a weekend, please indicate a weekday delivery date on the message card. To assist in the planning, we must receive your order at least 2 weeks prior to your students birthday.

reslife.housing.ucf.edu/families

S! LLOW U FO

@UCFHOUSING

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Have your student clearly define how they want to deal with their concerns, disagreements, and related issues. Help your student treat their roommate with courtesty and respect. Talk about respecting others privacy, asking permission to borrow their roommates personl items, and giving their roommate space when needed. Help your student understand their roommate may not be their best friend or constant companion. Also, that spending too much time together can strain even the closest of friendships. Remind your student that if they cannot resolve issues with their roommate or are unsure on how to approach certain situations, their Resident Assistant is trained on mediation and can provide adivce or help facilitate a reolution.

ROO SURV MMAT IVAL E TIPS

ON QUESTI

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PROBLEMS ?

If your student has a Maintenance issue call... FACILITIES OPERATIONS: 407.823.5223 If your student is having a comptuer/internet issue call... COMPUTER HELP DESK: 407.823.5117 If you have general questions or conerns call... MAIN HOUSING: 407.823.4663

GET SMART
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THE ADVISING CORNER

G The mission of First Year Advising and Exploration is to contribute to successful college transitions and positive university experiences by providing quality advising programs to first year students in order to facilitate student success and enhance student retention.
Our mission is accomplished by providing individual advising services, innovative major exploration, technology-based advising and collaborative outreach services.

ST YEAR ADVI SI FIR

Students should visit their First Year Advisor early and often. Have your student contact First Year Advising to set up their appointment.
The summer withdrawal deadline is

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July 19th.
Prior to this deadline, encourage your student to talk with their advisor if they are unsure about staying in a class.

fyae.sdes.ucf.edu

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students are advised by the college HA of their major, but Transfer Students who and Transition Services can start the semester with help answer any questions if your thirty or more credits will be student is not finding a answer. Your advised by the Sophomore and student can contact Transfer and Second Year Center. Have your Tansition Services at student contact the office to schedule 407-823-5959 or stop by Howard Phillips Hall, their advising appointment. Your Room 221. student can contact them at

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407-823-3375 or stop by their office in Howard Phillips Hall, Room 215.

ssyc.sdes.ucf.edu transfer.sdes.ucf.edu

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GET INVOLVED
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The Learning and Interacting with New Knights, or LINK program, sponsors hundreds of exciting events each semester to help first year students transition to UCF, meet their peers, and learn about academic and personal resources available.

O WH E? EW AR
HOW DOES MY STUDENT TRACK THEIR LINK LOOT?

Have your students swipe their UCF ID card at every LINK sponsered event. They then can log-on to LINK.UCF.EDU to track their semester LINK Loot.
WHY SHOULD MY

During the Summer B term, there are over 75 events for students to attend. Throughout Summer B, students can earn LINK Loot points at each event to use at the Summer B LINK Lottery to win prizes such as a flat-screen HDTV, UCF spirit gear, residence hall furniture, gift certificates, and much more!

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ER B Y! M SUM PART K LOC B

ACADEMIC VILLAGE JUNE 26TH 4:00PM

At this event, students will have the opportunity to visit with campus resources, play games, meet other students, and get free food.

WHERE DOES THE SUMMER B FUN START?

WHAT SHOULD MY STUDENT DO AT THE BLOCK PARTY?

LINK ACE THEING R MAZ A

6:00PM
Students will have to create a team of four to six to travel around campus solving challenges while learning about campus resources. There will be tons of prizes and fun for students at this event!

WHAT IS MY STUDENT SUPPOSED TO DO THE REST OF THE SUMMER?

NOT ENOUGH? DO NOT WORRY THERE ARE MORE PROGRAMS.

SUMMER B BLOCK PARTY--06.26 Come find out about campus resources and meet some fellow knights! Also, sign up for the LINK Amazing Race, which will kick off at the Academic Village Courtyard! Academic Village Courtyard, 4-6PM

CLASSROOM AND CAMPUS ETIQUETTE--07.05 Learn tips and proper ways to conduct yourself on campus and in class through non-verbal communication techniques. Nike Programming Center, 4:30-5:30PM

MISSING HOME, MAKING FRIENDS, AND CONNECTING TO CAMPUS--06.27 This program will address common issues that all students face being away from home or on their own for the first time. Nike Programming Center, 6-7PM

MENTORS IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION--07.12 This interactive workshop discusses bystander intervention, ways to get involved, and how the smallest steps to action can make all the difference in the world. Lake Claire Community Center, 4PM

WHAT CAN MASS DO FOR YOU?--O6.28 Come and learn what MASS (Multicultural Academic and Support Services) is all about. We will discuss our services, programs, and the support we provide our First Generation and Multicultural Knights throughout their time at UCF. Nike Programming Center, 3-4PM

SAFER SEX 101--07.13 Talking about sex in this fun, interactive program will help you make healthy decisions that are right for you. Nike Programming Center, 11AM Lake Claire Community Center, 3PM

YOUR VIPS PASS: EXPLORING MAJOR AND CARER OPTIONS--07.03 Learn how to explore academic and career options relative to your Values, Interest, Personality, and Skills. The steps for creating your own personal action plan will also be discussed along with helpful resources to make the process smoother. Career Services and Experiential Learning, 11AM-12PM

ECONOMIC BLUES--07.18 Tips on how to adapt to the bad economic climate. Hercules Programming Center, 3-4PM

OUR Y INDNT TO REMUDE THE T! ST OME IGH BECATE KN M ULTI

WHAT DOES MY STUDENT DO WITH ALL THEIR LINK LOOT?

ER B Y! UMM TTER S LO LINK

JULY 31ST 6:00PM KEY WEST BALLROOM

Students will have the opportunity to cash in their Summer B LINK Loot at the annual LINK Lottery. Students can win prizes ranging from TVs to Laptops. Remind students that LINK Loot does not roll over to the fall semester.

GET HEALTHY
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ter en C

The UCF Dental Clinic can assist your student with all of their dental needs from cleanings and fillings to teeth whitening and more. The prices are about 20% less than Orlando area dentists.

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Health Services has a registered dietician who can help guide your student down a path of healthy eating, even on a students budget. Visits are $10 each and a referral from your provider is needed.

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Need a prescription filled? The UCF pharmacy offers reduced prices on a variety of the most common prescriptions. Most insurance plans are accepted as well.

Two Locations: Health Center: 407-823-6337 Knights Plaza: 407-882-0600

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Individual Counseling, Group Counseling, Career Counseling, Research, and much more...

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Need Someone to talk to after hours?

407-823-2811

hs.sdes.ucf.edu

counseling.sdes.ucf.edu

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Recrea tio n

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The RWC Fitness Program is comprised of six areas: Assisted Workout, Assessment, Fitness Orientation, Group Exercise, Personal Training, and Fitness Programs. All of these areas are designed to help UCF students achieve their fitness goals.

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Outdoor Adventure is a program compromised of five main areas: Adventure Trips, the Challenge Course, Equipment Rentals, Climbing Tower and Lake Claire. The program is housed in the Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC) on the first floor of the RWC.

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The Recreation and Wellness Center has two pools: a leisure pool and an outdoor lap pool. The Aquatics program offers swim lessons, lifeguard tryouts, and SCUBA certifications. The Aquatics program also hosts two Splashdown events a year.

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wellness.sdes.ucf.edu rec.sdes.ucf.edu

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Intramural Sports (IM Sports) offers all Activity and Service Fee paying UCF Students the opportunity to participate in a variety of team, dual, and individual sports. Participating is a great chance to get involved. Several divisions of play are offered for most activities to accommodate various skill levels for both recreational and competitive participation.

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In recognition of the health risks caused by smoking, the University of Central Florida will provide a smoke-free environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors beginning Fall 2012. The policy is the result of a grassroots effort started by a UCF student more than two years ago. There are now at least 639 smoke-free campuses in the United States, up from about 400 a year ago, according to the American Nonsmokers Rights Association. There are at least 13 in Florida, including UF, FIU, Valencia College, and Miami-Dade College. Even small amounts of secondhand smoke have proven to be harmful to people, said Michael Deichen, M.D., director of Health Services. The smoke-free policy supports everyones right to breathe clean air. To help those who want to stop smoking, the university is providing cessation services and resources, including individual and group classes, support groups, telephone and online counseling, self-help materials and medications. For more information about the smoke-free policy, please visit www.ucf.edu/smokefree.

All of the menu selections are developed and evaluated by our culinary experts just for you. Thats why Just4U nutrition information (for individual serving sizes) and color coded descriptive icons for easy identification of healthy options are provided at each food station. A few of the Just4U icons you might see are: organic, under 500 calories, whole wheat, low sodium . . . and more! We provide this information to help you make easy selections that fit your personal preferences.

THISB NEWMER SUM Create

your own customized, healthy entree at the Peace of Mind food station. While all our stations offer at least one vegetarian option, this station was created specifically with special dietary needs and environmental sustainability in mind. At this new whole foods station choose from a selection of gluten-free grains, vegan proteins, and fresh, Florida produce and then watch as our chefs will saut your made-to-order meal in a different sauce daily--right in front of you! Go nuts about this station--but no meat, nuts, dairy, or wheat served here!

Marketplace and Knightros are the premiere restaurant-style dining concepts at UCF. A meal plan gives you access to over 8 different food stations.

GET SAVVY
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FAFS A
The 2011-2012 FAFSA is required to receive financial aid for summer 2012. The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Note: The 2011-12 FAFSA must be submitted no later than June 30, 2012.

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Financial aid is awarded after students are enrolled in the minimum hours required for the aid program. Please see Program Eligibility Charts at www.finaid.ucf.edu/receiving/pec. html. Most financial aid programs require a minimum of 6 credit hours.

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Students should review their To Do List on myUCF to insure that there are not any outstanding items listed. Any requests for information/documentation on the To Do List should be responded to as quickly as possible. Failure to take action will delay or prevent receipt of aid.

There are two programs to assist financial aid recipients with purchasing their textbooks. Students must select to use one or the other of the two programs, not both, during any given semester. Students who apply late for financial aid or have incomplete files should be prepared to cover their textbook expenses out-of-pocket.

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Deferments allow students to extend the payment beyond the published due date for tuition & fees and on campus housing. Once the student is enrolled in the minimum hours for the aid program, and the aid has been awarded, the amount of estimated financial aid awarded for deferment can be found on the fee invoice as Estimated Financial Aid Deferment or on the students account on myUCF as Anticipated Aid. If the amount of the Estimated Financial Aid Deferment on the fee invoice is equal to or greater than the amount due, the students tuition & fees are automatically deferred until the aid disburse. If the amount is less than the amount due, student must pay the balance by the fee payment deadline.

SHORT-T ER
Applications are available on the Office of Student Financial Assistance Web site, 2011-12 Forms: www.finaid.ucf.edu.

Repayment is due July 25.

O K PU RC TBO X

The opt-in period for the TPP for summer B is June 20 - 27. The first day purchases can be made is June 21. Students who have successfully opted in and have been granted an allowance will have through June 29 to utilize the program in the UCF Bookstore.

ADVANCE
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Timing of disbursements is contingent upon students meeting all conditions for receiving aid. Disbursement of financial aid begins the second week of the semester and continues each week thereafter. For students who have an award program that requires 6 credit hours, disbursement of their financial aid will not occur until classes have begun for all 6 hours.

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EN Students may register T their personal property online with the UCF Police Department. Items such as computers, bikes, iPods, cameras, and other valuables can be entered. Why would you want to do this? Theft is the number one crime that affects college students across America.
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HAVE

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The police enter your serial number into the national and state databases. Law enforcement agencies are now able to retrieve the information so that stolen item may be recovered and returned to you. The information is kept for 4 years and is kept confidential and is only accessible to law enforcement officers. This program is available 24 hours a day throughout the year and just takes minutes to do. For further information about Property Registration Program, stop by the Crime Prevention Office at the John T. Washington Center or contact the Community Relations Unit at

TH ER ST GI RE
EIR PROP E RT Y

407-823-2165 or 407-823-6576 www.police.ucf.edu

CAMPUS SAFETY
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