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Spring Break is supposed to be time for college students to relax and recharge. Not all college students choose rowdy escapes. More and more campuses are promoting alternative spring break activities such as drug-and alcohol-free parties and sporting events and “service” vacations.
That being said, parents and family members should be aware of the risks and temptations college students face when vacationing with their peers.
Drinking
According to a University of Wisconsin study, 75 percent of college males and 43.6 percent of females reported being intoxicated on a daily basis during spring break. Nearly half of the males and more than 40 percent of the females also reported being drunk to the point of vomiting or passing out at least once during break. This kind of binge drinking is the major culprit in alcohol poisoning. It also increases the risk of car accidents and arrests for such violations as drunk driving, public intoxication and property destruction.
Tips to pass along to students: Don’t drink, but if you are of legal drinking age and you do decide to drink:
- Decide in advance what and how much you will drink.
- Plan how you will refuse once you reach your limit.
- Know what will happen if you violate state or local laws
- Use a designated driver or choose public transportation.
Sex and Violence
According to the same University of Wisconsin study, few students who had sex during spring break used condoms, even if a condom was available. Among women, those with higher alcohol consumption were more likely to have been the victim of a sexual assault. Tips for parents to pass along to students:
- Drinking makes it easier for a person to become either the victim or the perpetrator of a sexual assault. Be aware of your consumption!
- Don’t allow yourself to be taken to an isolated location.
- Use the buddy system. Don’t walk alone. Attend large parties with friends and plan to leave with the same friends.
- Don’t leave a drink unattended. Don’t accept open drinks from strangers. If you start feeling odd, put the buddy system into action.
Hotel/Motel and General Safety
In general, students should rely on traveler’s checks and credit cards. They should write down the numbers and keep them in a safe place. In addition to the obvious—lock your door and don’t leave valuables in your hotel or motel room—pass on these tips to your child:
- Don’t flash cash; limit visits to ATM machines.
- Look through the peephole before answering the door. Don’t open it for a stranger. If someone claims to be hotel staff, call the front desk for verification.
- Never agree to meet someone who has “found” your lost/stolen purse or wallet: Notify police.
Traveling Abroad
Mexico and some Caribbean islands are popular spring break destinations. When traveling abroad, students should remember that foreign nations have different laws and customs and that drug trafficking can mean long prison sentences. Contact the country’s consular office or visit the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Web site.
Tips for parents to pass along to students:
- Check the country’s entry and exit requirements. Take extra copies of travel documents (driver’s license, passport, birth certificate).
- Review State Department travel warnings, which detail crime and health risks.
Travel Scams
According to the American Society of Travel Agents and the College Parents of America, charter flight delays, hotel over-bookings and non-delivery of services are common problems.
Tips for students:
- Be skeptical about solicitations that sound too good to be true.
- Research the travel company and don’t give out credit card numbers until you’re sure the business is reputable.
- Receive complete details in writing about any trip prior to payment.
Adapted from:
Fries, A. (2018, October 08). A Parent's Guide to Spring Break. Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/lib/a-parents-guide-to-spring-break/
Is your student getting ready to apply for and internship, graduate school, or entering the workforce? Or maybe your student is just wanting to get a jumpstart on their career development. UAB has tailored resources to help your student do just that! It is an exciting and nerve wracking time for both students and their parents. UAB has resources to help prepare your student every step of the way.
- Resume Building and reviews (available by appointment, during drop-in hours and online)
- Curriculum vitae (CV) building and review
- 1 on 1 Mock Interviews
- InterviewStream
- Allows you to practice your interviewing skills anywhere. It is available through Hire-A-Blazer
- Career Closet
- The Career Closet houses a variety clothing that students can borrow for interviews, career fairs, and other business and job-related purposes.
- Diversity Career Resources
- Career Course
- UNIV 200- Job Search Essentials
- UNIV 300- Career Mapping: Navigating for Success
- A Compressive Career Guide (available online and in print)
- HireABlazer for job and internship listings
- Help writing personal statements, letters of intent, or personal essays
- Help with writing samples
Individual Departments
- Each department has its own unique set of resources available to students. It is important that every student learns what those things are and how they can be tailored to fit their needs.
This October, SYE is addressing the mid-term madness by hosting a Control the Controllables event in the SYE Office in the Upper RLC off Blazer Hall at 2 different times: Wednesday, October 24th from 4-5pm OR Monday, October 29th from 2:30-3:30pm. At the event, students will hear from the Counseling Center on ways to manage stress and perform mindfulness. Next, free materials will be provided for all to make their own SEN GARDENS as a keep-sake and way to stay positive this season.
Next, SYE is wrapping up Internship Readiness Month with the Business Internship Workshop on Thursday, October 25th from 4:30-6pm. Students will meet in the lobby of the new Collat School of Business! The event will kick-off with an upper-class student panel on internships. Next, students will network with UAB Collat Business Alumni and enjoy free pizza and appetizers. The evening will wrap up with a behind-the-scenes tour of the new Collat School and resource room. You won’t want to miss!
Gear up for November for the SYE Medical School Panel on Tuesday, November 13th from 5-6pm in the HSC Ballroom A. Current advisors and medical school students will share their experiences and advice as you are thinking of applying to medical school. You will have time to ask your own questions and meet and greet with current students!
Lastly, conclude the Fall semester with the SYE End of the Semester Social on Thursday, November 29th from 5-6pm at World of Wings (WOW). Students will have ½ off all appetizers and will enjoy a fun semester celebration with music and games!
Graduation! What an exciting time for your student and family! Every student has calculated an estimated time for their college graduation since the beginning of freshman year. Having to obtain so many credit hours including prerequisites, core classes, internships, electives, etc., can be difficult to keep track of at times. Contemplating when a student should or can apply for graduation can be overwhelming when trying to add up all of those hours. UAB’S Graduation Planning System (GPS) is available to provide your student with guidance to navigate their road to walking across that stage. GPS is a web-based tool to help students and advisors monitor progress toward degree completion and plan for future coursework.
GPS compares the degree requirements of the UAB Undergraduate Catalog and the coursework completed on the student’s record to produce an easy-to-read audit. If your student is close to graduating but may be considering adding a minor or possibly changing their major, GPS provides a “What If” feature allowing them to view the remaining course work that would need to be completed. GPS also features a “Plans” ability that indicates when and what ordered classes should be taken. This feature allows the student and their advisor to create a semester by semester road-map.
GPS can be accessed by your student through logging on to their BlazerNet account and selecting the GPS icon on the right side of the page. A student's GPS consists of a series of sections, which are called "blocks." These blocks are programmed to check the degree requirements for each school. The blocks contain an easy-to-use color code:
- A green box indicates that a requirement has been completed.
- A blue box indicates that a requirement is in the process of being completed. Most often this means that a student is currently enrolled in a course that will satisfy the requirement.
- A red box indicates that a requirement still needs to be completed.
- A yellow box indicates that a student should talk with an advisor about that requirement. Students will rarely see a yellow box, as it is reserved for particularly complex situations that require a conversation with an advisor
SYE began the year with our annual Welcome Back Bash in the HSC Ballroom on August 30th from 11am-1pm. We had 15+ tables representing School Programs such as the College of Nursing and the College of Engineering. We also had departments showcasing their offerings for second-year students such as Education Abroad and Student Involvement and Leadership. All enjoyed a catered lunch and many opportunities to learn more about the UAB community.
SYE also had our Mentoring Dinner Kick-off this past week, and we have 80 Junior Mentors and 80 Second-year Mentees. The primary goal of the SYE Mentoring Program is to provide mentoring support and a sustaining relationship to achieve the following:
- Assist second-year students in successfully navigating their second year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
- Assist in increasing the retention of second-year students by providing a consistent and stable contact to serve as a resource.
- Stay connected with students to encourage them to improve their academic performance by seeking out and utilizing available academic support services and resources.
- Maintain a stable support system for students to avoid the “sophomore slump.” Offer encouragement for student’s personal growth and development in college.
The program will have our Mentor/Mentee social this month and will work on continuously improving to better the second-year student experience at UAB.
Upcoming September and October events include:
- Education Abroad
- Tuesday, September 18, 2018
- 5:00 – 6:00PM
- Hill Student Center, Ballroom A
- How to Get Involved Your Second Year
- Monday, September 24, 2018
- 5:00 - 6:00 PM
- Upper RLC SYE Office
- LEAD - What makes a great leader?
- Thursday, September 27, 2018
- 5:30 - 6:30 PM
- Upper RLC SYE Office
- Engineering Internship Workshop
- Thursday, October 4, 2018
- 5:00PM - 6:00PM
- Hill Student Center, Room 316
- Control the Controllables Your Second Year Option 1
- Wednesday, October 24th 2018
- 4:00PM - 5:00PM
- SYE Office in the Blazer Upper level RLC
- Business Internship Workshop
- Thursday, October 25, 2018
- 5:00PM - 6:00PM
- New Collat School of Business
- Control the Controllables Your Second Year Option 2
- Monday, October 29th 2018
- 2:30PM - 3:30PM
- SYE Office in the Blazer Upper level RLC
On behalf of the UAB VMASC, your students’ academic success center, I wish to thank you for the support that you provide to your students. The goal of the VMASC team is to provide academic support services to undergraduate students in a welcoming learning environment. Located in the Education Building, the VMASC offers tutoring, supplemental instruction (SI), exploratory advising, and academic success advising to all students. Tutoring sessions are facilitated by near peer tutors, students who have successfully completed the course that they are tutoring, have received recommendations from UAB faculty, and earn CRLA certification for tutoring. In other words, we invest time and resources into the tutors to ensure that they are prepared to provide your students with meaningful and productive tutoring and SI experiences. You are most likely the first people that will know if your student is struggling with a class, unsure about their choice of major, or experiencing stress associated with their transition to the college environment. Please know that our team is here for your students, encourage them to reach out to the VMASC as a place to receive support and encouragement related to their academic support. For more information regarding the VMASC, our team members, and the services we provide, please visit us online at UAB.edu/success.
Once again – welcome to the UAB family!
The Office of Career Services is excited to announce the new “Suit Up for Success” event this fall and need your help to ensure it is a success! The Suit Up event is a special night of shopping at JCPenney exclusively for UAB students on Sunday, January 27th from 6:00-9:00 PM at the Riverchase Galleria. The goal is to help students become “professional ready” with their wardrobe – which can mean for a job interview, a presentation to a class, a networking event, and many more occasions. So, we want to target all students!
The store will be closed to the public, but parents may accompany their student to assist with purchases if desired. The event will include:
- A 40% discount on top of whatever the lowest sales price is at the time on all career related items (suits, shirts, ties, dress shoes, pants, blazers, dresses, intimates, etc.)
- Giveaways, prizes and refreshments
- The discount will include at least 50% of the clothing areas – however, students can purchase other items, such as jeans, if desired at the current price
- Associates will be available to: measure all male students and supply them with a card of their measurements , demonstrate appropriate interview makeup and hair styles from their beauty and salon areas, show how to tie a tie, and much more
- If desired/needed, transportation from the Hill Student Center to the Riverchase Galleria store will be provided by a UAB shuttle
That time of year has returned! With all the excitement of your student returning to school, students and family members may forget to renew the Parent/Guest Access. Parent/Guest Access is only valid for one academic year and has to be renewed by the student at the beginning of the school year. The University of Alabama at Birmingham understands how important it is for family members to “stay in the loop” with what’s going on while your student is in college, which is why the Parent/Guest Access is important.
Through the Parent/Guest Access, your student can grant up to five individuals access to their UAB records. This access will grant you permission to view what is considered Non-Directory Information. This information includes:
- Student’s ID Picture
- Current Class Schedule
- Courses Taken
- Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Final Semester Grades
- View Current Charges (can also make payments towards student’s account)
- View Estimated Charges for Upcoming Term
- Financial Aid Awards
To renew Parent/Guest Access have your student log into uab.edu/blazernet and select the Links/Forms tab. Under the Links column, click Parent/Guest Authorization Agreement. The student will enter your email address then create your unique password to grant you access. If a family member wishes to have access to other records such as medical, certain disciplinary actions, etc., individual departments would need to be contacted by the student to determine if access can be granted.
Freshman Move-in Day is August 25! There will be hundreds of students moving in that day, so in order to make everything run as smoothly as possible, your student should have received an assigned time for move-in. Students should arrive for move-in during that specified time slot. There will be a move-in team ready to help you and your student through the process. Your student needs to make sure to bring their One-Card, as they will needed to check in and receive their key. Also, make sure that your student’s boxes and items are clearly marked with their name, residence hall, and room number.
Items included in the Residence Halls, incoming freshmen will be placed in double occupancy rooms, include twin XL beds with mattress, a closet, dressers and a desk (with built-in desk lamp) and a chair. If your student is assigned to the New Freshman Residence Hall, they will share a kitchen space with the other roommate. It is equipped with a sink, microwave, cabinets and a mini refrigerator. The bathrooms include a toilet and a shower with shower curtains and two shelves.
If your student is placed in Blazer Hall, the common space area/kitchen will be shared among four or six students. They will also have access to a sink, cabinets and a full size refrigerator. Blazer hall does not provide microwaves. The bathrooms are equipped with a toilet and a bathtub, shower curtain not included. All dorms have laundry rooms, with washing machines and dryers, where students can do six loads (three washer and three dryer) of laundry a week free of charge.
Items to bring:
- Twin XL sheet set
- Towels
- Bathroom rug
- Shower curtains and rings (Blazer)
- Toiletries
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Garbage bin
- Laundry baskets and detergent
- Cleaning supplies
- Dishes and cutlery
With hundreds of students and family members converging onto campus, a Move-In Day map has been provided for your viewing in hopes of helping with the flow of traffic. Please enter the line from University Blvd. Students moving into Blazer Hall and Camp Hall will turn on 16th Street South while students moving into New Freshman Residence Hall will turn on 18th Street South. Volunteers will be standing by to assist with unloading items from the vehicle before proceeding to the 16th Street South Parking Deck. To ensure traffic continues to move vehicles will not be allowed to park in front of the residence halls. In efforts to reduce intersections from be blocked, please enter the line from University Blvd and not side streets.
As your student begins to embrace a new University and explore ways to connect interpersonally with other students through organizational involvement and leadership roles, encourage them to enhance their UAB experience through Engage. Engage is the official UAB online community for connecting students to meaningful involvement opportunities. From freshman year until graduation, students can use Engage to learn about upcoming UAB events, create student organizations, connect with existing organizations (UAB has around 250 organizations!), and discover opportunities tailored to interests. Students can access Engage by visiting www.uab.edu/uabengage. You can check it out, too! While students will have more opportunities to interact with the online community by logging in, Engage does have a public view, as well. You can see upcoming events and news post that are relevant for your UAB student! For questions regarding Engage, please direct your student to The Office of Student Involvement and Leadership located in the Hill Student Center 230. Students can walk-in to meet with a UAB Pathfinder, a peer mentorship program, which will assist them with navigating Engage and exploring available engagement opportunities.
Blazers Serve: Sign Your Student’s Waiver
“We cultivate progress, strive for excellence through innovation and service.” This statement is from the Blazer Way, the UAB Creed. At UAB, Blazers serve. It is a part of the University’s mission and a powerful part of the student experience. A traditional UAB service event is Into the Streets. Into the Streets is a bi-annual program sponsored by the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership designed to connect UAB students to the Birmingham community through a day of service. Each fall and spring semester, UAB students come together to help the university accomplish its mission of encouraging partnerships that improve education, health, economic prosperity and quality of life. In order for students to participate, the University requires completion of an event waiver. However, in the state of Alabama, the legal age of consent is 19 years old. This becomes problematic for new students wanting to serve. In an effort to support students’ eagerness to serve, regardless of age, we would like to provide you with an opportunity to pre-sign your student’s Into the Streets Waiver. Please click here to access the waiver. The waiver should be signed and submitted using the Waiver Submission Form. Waivers must be signed and submitted by October 5, 2018 at 12:00p.m.
Second Year Experience (SYE) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is designed to support and empower second year students to become more involved and engaged with the UAB campus community, enhance their academic and professional success, engage with faculty, and develop a personal identity and purpose. During the second year of college, students begin to take on added responsibilities and make decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. It is during the second year that students struggle with major selection, academic self-efficacy, career development, faculty connections, motivation, financial viability, social integration/involvement, and developing purpose/identity.
SYE @ UAB seeks to assist second-year students as they navigate this pivotal year in their college career by offering a variety of resources, events, and opportunities. SYE serves all students (both on-campus and off-campus) who identify in their second year either in college or at UAB. The SYE office is located in the Upper-Level RLC off Blazer Hall. Paton Roden is the SYE Coordinator and is a Birmingham, AL native returning after spending 8 years learning how to best serve students. All second-year students are welcome to attend SYE Events (full schedule on our website) and to reach out to Paton to set up an appointment to learn how to get more involved (proden@uab.edu).
SECOND YEAR STUDENTS:
- Follow us on Instagram: @UAB_SYE and go to our website – www.uab.edu/students/housing/second-year-experience
- Email us with any questions: secondyear@uab.edu
- 1st Event of the Year: Welcome Back Bash/ Thursday, August 30, 2018
- Come out for free food and to learn about resources here for you as second-year students! Meet the academic colleges, offices and people here to serve you!
- Hill Student Center | Ballroom A/B from 11:00AM - 1:00PM
SYE Engagement activities include:
- SYE Street Team: The Second-year Experience Street Team assists in the marketing and promotion of SYE programs, activities, and events to second-year students at UAB. Much of the success of our events can be attributed to word of mouth; therefore, students are essential in helping to advertise the programmatic offerings of the Second-Year Experience office to second-year students. This year, 17 students meet bi-weekly as a group and monthly as a one-on-one with the SYE Coordinator to continuously develop and best serve the needs of the department.
- SYE Council: The Second-year Experience Council represents and serves as the voice of all second-year students at UAB. Council members make recommendations and act as a liaison to the Second-Year Experience office; this includes advocating for student needs and providing feedback on a regular basis. Additionally, the SYE Council assists in the development and execution of SYE programs, activities, and events throughout the academic year. This year, 11 student meet bi-weekly as a group and monthly as a one-on-one with the SYE Coordinator to continuously develop and best serve the needs of the class.
- SYE Global Learning Initiative: The Second-year Global Learning Initiative is designed to provide UAB second-year undergraduate students with the opportunity to gain experience enacting techniques and concepts in a global workforce. Created and implemented as a partnership between Residence Life and Career & Professional Development, a team of 5-7 UAB students and a team of students from The University of the Free State in South Africa will work on a relevant and timely global social problem. Focusing on the political climates in both countries and how those climates impact higher education, as a result of participating in the program student participants will: explore each other’s culture and teach it to one another, analyse and prepare a report on teamwork, and report out on the identified problem and how to solve it.
- SYE Mentoring Initiative: The primary focus of the SYE mentoring initiative is to support second-year students as they matriculate into their second-year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Supporting second-year students on their road to independence and personal growth is essential. The purpose of this program is to empower students to seek assistance and to understand better the intricacies of being a second-year college student. Second-Year students who feel more connected to campus resources are much more likely to successfully transition and eventually graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Family members up until this point you have had the right to access all of your student’s school records and communicate with school personal to ensure your student maintains satisfactory academic achievement and appropriate conduct. Now that your student in entering a post-secondary institution, those rights have now been transferred to the student. UAB understands your desire as a family member to continue “stay in the loop” with what’s going on with your student while they are in college. Although the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits the University from divulging student information to anyone other than the student, family members can still gain access to vital information through the Parent/Guest Access.
Through the Parent/Guest Access, your student can grant up to five individuals access to their UAB records.This access will grant you permission to view what is considered Non-Directory Information. This information includes:
- Student’s ID Picture
- Current Class Schedule
- Courses Taken
- Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Final Semester Grades
- View Current Charges (can also make payments towards student’s account)
- View Estimated Charges for Upcoming Term
- Financial Aid Awards
To gain Parent/Guest Access have your student log into uab.edu/blazernet and select the Links/Forms tab. Under the Links column, click Parent/Guest Authorization Agreement. The student will enter your email address then create your unique password to grant you access. If a family member wishes to have access to other records such as medical, certain disciplinary actions, etc.,individual departments would need to be contacted by the student to determine if access can be granted. Parent/Guest Access must be renewed annually by the student.
Welcome home Blazers!
The start of freshmen year can be an exciting yet scary time for students and family members. To help students integrate into the UAB campus and community, the Division of Student Affairs will host Blazer Welcome. Blazer Welcome is a six-week programing series to help new students get acclimated and connected to campus. Blazer Welcome is designed to assist new students in their transition to UAB by offering programs and opportunities that covers a multitude of topics and activities. The first 6 weeks of college is an imperative time for students to find their niche and become engaged with all campus has to offer.
Throughout Blazer Welcome different departments and organizations across campus will host events that are free to students. All events that take place during Blazer Welcome will target at least one of five specific areas such as: academic engagement, civic engagement, campus connections, healthy living, and diversity and inclusion. UAB understands the transition to college and being in a new environment can be an overwhelming experience for some students. While transitioning to college life can be a stressful experience for students, Blazer Welcome aims to provide students with the support and resources they need to be successful at UAB.
Faculty and staff are well versed in the programs and offerings provided throughout Blazer Welcome and will be able to assist in guiding your student through their first six weeks. Feeling homesick, isolated, and anxious can be an overwhelming feeling not only for the student but overwhelming for the parent as well. Blazer Welcome hopes to combat those feelings through all the opportunities, but also through Student Affairs’ Pathfinder program. Pathfinders are peer involvement mentors that have been in the student's shoes. They know what it is like to be a new student on campus and hope to be a resource for new students. Pathfinders are a diverse group of students that range in classification and majors that will allow new students to connect and provide peer to peer encouragement.
All events are optional, and students can choose which events they would like to participate in. A comprehensive schedule of events, campus map and campus resources can all be found on the Blazer Welcome website (uab.edu/blazerwelcome) as well as on the UAB mobile application available in the App Store and Google Play.
Protect your student’s iPhone and laptop from cracked screens and drops. In addition to your mobile devices, you can protect all of the personal property that is in your student’s residence hall from theft, accidents d flooding.
Deductibles as low as $25
Premiums as low as $72/year
Unlimited claims
Coverage starting up to $2,000 per accident
College Plus Protection is a clear advantage over your typical homeowners coverage that contains high deductibles and does not cover small electronics and accidental damages. We offer a comprehensive policy that is designed specifically for the college student. Please visit the easy on-line enrollment link listed below.
www.nssi.com/individual-quote.
Throughout the summer months, the Office of Parent & Family Services will present webinars on key topic areas to ensure you and your student start off the fall semester on the right foot. We understand the transition process can be overwhelming, leaving you with questions concerning your student's education and life while at UAB. Our Summer Webinar Series is meant to build upon your knowledge of UAB, provide you with much needed information, and address your specific questions and concerns. All webinars are free and allow family members to interact with representatives from key campus departments. If you are unable to participate in the live webinar, the entire webinar series can be found online on the Parent & Family Services page under communications. Registration information will be sent by email and posted on our social media pages prior to each webinar session.
June 5 -Student Health Insurance
June 12- Greek 101
July 24- Financing your Student's Education
August 7- On-Campus Living & Dining
To ensure students have access to the best health care, UAB students must have health insurance. Ensure you submit an insurance Waiver for Fall 2018 for your student if they have valid Insurance Coverage! Students who do not have valid coverage will be automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan if they are enrolled in a degree seeking program and meet the following criteria:
- Undergraduate registered for 9+ hours
- Graduate – determined by program
- International
- Clinical regardless of credit hours
If your student has health insurance, it must comply with UAB's comparable care standards found on the Student Health Services website. .
If your student’s insurance meets the standards, they must submit an Insurance Waiver through the Patient Portal on the Student Health Services website. If the waiver is approved, the student is compliant and will not be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan. If your student does not have health insurance that meets the standards, they will be enrolled in the UAB Student Health Insurance Plan, and the premium will be charged to their student account.
To ensure the student is not charged for the Student Health Insurance Plan prior to their tuition due date, it is important that students submit a waiver prior to July 1, 2018. However, waiver will be accepted until September 6, 2018. For more information, click HERE
With the Spring semester nearing an end, finals week is rapidly approaching. Once again, we are offering a way to send your student a personalized note along with some goodies to help give them energy and encouragement to focus on their studying.
The Residence Life Team, Vulcan Materials for Academic Success Center, and the office of Parent and Family Services are joining together to deliver messages and packages to students across campus. Those who live on campus will receive their Blazer Exam Package directly in their residence hall. Those who live off-campus will be able to get their package in the new Off-Campus Student Lounge. All exam packs will be delivered on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.
The package costs $18 and includes a helium balloon with a "Good Luck on Exams" message, a special UAB care package bag (pictured) filled with goodies to keep them energized, and a personalized message from you!
Click HERE to order. Please place orders by Monday, April 16, 2018.
Skip the lines at the 2018 UAB Spring Commencement and place your order online today!
Choose from a variety of flowers, as well as the popular Class of 2018 t-shirt that includes the names of all UAB April graduates! Pre-orders can be picked up at the Commencement Flowers sales tables at the graduation ceremony.
By purchasing graduation gifts through the UAB National Alumni Society, you give back to the University that gave to your student!
The UAB National Alumni Society is proud to partner with our schools and colleges in raising over one million dollars from alumni to provide student scholarships.
UAB needs Social Ambassadors to support I Heart UAB Giving Day on April 12!
UAB is proud to announce the creation of Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS) an office designed to serve as the leader for information and resources to the UAB off-campus student population. Off- Campus Student Services will:
- Connect off-campus students to campus events, activities, and organizations
- Assist students with finding off-campus housing options, including overseeing the off-campus housing website
- Host events for off- campus students
- Serve as home for the Off-Campus Student Council
To keep UAB off-campus students more connected to the campus OCSS is creating an Off-Campus Student Council. This council of students will work with University administration to ensure the needs of off-campus students are being met (living options, safety, transportation, involvement, etc). The council of students will also develop programming for off-campus students during their bi-weekly meetings. Students who are interested in applying to be on the Off-Campus Student Council should email their resume to Dori Weldon (dweldon1@uab.edu), the Assistant Director of Off-Campus Student Services, by February 28, 2018. Students will interview and be selected during the first week of March 2018.
Is you student thinking about housing for Fall 2018/Spring 2019? Reapplication for Spring 2018 housing residents is coming soon! A $250 prepayment by credit/debit card is required at the time of application.
During November/December, Student Housing invited first-time freshmen who lived on campus to let Student Housing know if they were considering on campus housing for Fall 2018/Spring 2019. Residents who completed that survey have access to the Fall 2018/Spring 2019 reapplication ahead of other Spring 2018 residents. Their early access to Fall 2018/Spring 2019 reapplication begins Monday, February 12th at noon and ends Friday, February 16th at noon.
To apply, go to http://www.uab.edu/students/housing/myhousing and click on “MyHousing Login”. Student logs in with Blazer ID and password, enters BlazerNet, clicks on “Click here to go to MyHousing”, then clicks on “Survey Participants Apply for Fall 2018 Housing”. If they are not able to access the application, contact us at 205.996.0400 or studenthousing@uab.edu for assistance.
Fall 2018/Spring 2019 housing reapplication opens for ALL Spring 2018 housing residents on Wednesday, February 21st at noon and ends Wednesday, March 7th at 5:00 p.m. Freshmen who apply during the week of February 12th do not need to apply again. To access the application, follow the directions from above, but click on “Current Housing Residents Apply for Fall 2018 Housing”.
Important Notes:
- If student is under the age of 19 on the day the application is submitted, a parent/guardian must review and electronically sign the housing contract. The parent/guardian will get an email with instructions on where to view and sign the contract. This signature must be complete before the student is eligible to be assigned.
- Because of the increasing demand for on-campus housing, Student Housing may not be able to reopen the upperclassmen application after these reapplication windows. If at any point during the summer we anticipate having additional space available, we will reopen the application at that time and accept as many applications as we expect to accommodate before closing it again. However, because there is no guarantee the application will reopen for upperclassmen, we strongly encourage everyone who is considering living on campus next year to apply during priority reapplication.
If housing plans change after submitting an application, the deadline to cancel a Fall 2018/Spring 2019 housing contract and receive a prepayment refund is June 1st. The cancellation must be submitted in writing, and can be sent via email at studenthousing@uab.edu. Housing will still accept cancellations after this date, but the prepayment will be forfeited.
Students who want assistance completing their application are welcome to stop by the housing office during the reapplication period, call us at 205.996.0400, or email studenthousing@uab.edu.
As UAB’s enrollment increases, so does the demand to live on campus. Even though not required, many first-time freshmen within the 7 county area applied for Fall 2017 housing, and UAB Housing received our largest number of applications ever. In an effort to accommodate every freshman, we delayed making assignments for some of the returning housing residents. This was frustrating for these students because they wanted to know for sure they would have housing – and where. Historically, UAB Housing receives a steady number of cancellations all summer; however, this past year, we did not. Most of our upperclassmen cancellations were received after all assignments had been made – and most students who had inquired earlier in the summer had secured other housing.
Knowing that demand will continue to increase, UAB Housing wants to improve the application process by encouraging students who no longer need housing to notify our office sooner so that we can successfully assign those spaces to other students. Students who cancel late in the summer have an impact on the entire process. It affects the assignments of students who could have been assigned to a more desired building or type of room had those spaces been available sooner. Also, students waiting for housing have often already found other housing when late vacancies occur. With this in mind, we are evaluating our application cancellation policy.
If a student cancels their housing application after June 1st, they forfeit their prepayment. After that date passes, there has been no incentive for a student to notify us that they no longer needed their space until after fall housing charges were placed on their student account. To encourage earlier notification, UAB Housing is implementing a tiered cancellation penalty. While we do not wish to charge additional fees, it is necessary to provide a motivation for students to notify us of their change in plans so we are able to more effectively assign other students to these vacancies.
Fall 2018 Upperclassmen Cancellation Policy
Due to the demand for on-campus housing during the fall term, if student cancels after May 15, 2018, they will be assessed a cancellation penalty in addition to forfeiting 250.00 prepayment. Penalty amounts are based on date of cancellation, and outlined below.
Cancellation Deadline Dates |
Prepayment Status |
Cancellation Penalty Assessed to Student Account |
On or before April 15, 2018 |
Refunded to student |
None |
April 16 – May 15, 2018 |
Retained by UAB |
None |
May 16 – June 15, 2018 |
Retained by UAB |
500.00 |
June 16 – July 15, 2018 |
Retained by UAB |
750.00 |
July 15 until August 15, 2018 |
Retained by UAB |
1250.00 |
August 16 – Fall Term |
Retained by UAB |
Full semester’s fees |
UAB Housing is also evaluating our current resident reapplication process. In order to better estimate demand, we have emailed all current first-time freshmen residents to find out how many are considering living on campus for Fall 2018. We have asked them to go to the UAB Housing website, log into MyHousing, and complete the Fall 2018 Interest Survey. It takes less than 3 minutes - there is no commitment, and no money is required to complete the survey. Freshmen who submit this survey will have the opportunity to apply for Fall 2018 first in February 2018. The deadline to complete this survey is Wednesday, November 29th at 5pm.
Before implementing the tiered contract cancellation structure noted above, we would like to get feedback from parents about the proposed structure and other aspects of housing operations. While this only applies to less than 3% of our student population, we value feedback from parents. Please click the link below to access the survey.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at studenthousing@uab.edu.
The Office of Parent & Family Services is excited to announce the development of the UAB Family Council, and we hope you will consider applying to be a part of this exciting new initiative. This council will serve as an advocate for you – family members and students – with the goal of keeping you informed and communicating your needs and concerns to the University. The UAB Family Council is free and open to all family members of UAB undergraduate students.
Members of the Family Council will participate in occasional University recruiting events, assist in the development and implementation of programs for family members and students and support the growth of the UAB Family Fund, a fundraising campaign designed to support UAB students and university programs. Members will be expected to attend at least two of the three annual meetings that will take place during the spring (January), summer (May), and fall (October, during Fall Family Weekend) semesters; the council will also participate in at least one University recruitment event or orientation program. Stay tuned, as the dates of these events will be shared during the spring semester meeting.
The Office of Parent & Family Programs is looking to establish the inaugural Family Council with 12-15 families; each family can be represented by one individual or a couple. The first meeting of the Family Council will convene during the weekend of January 6 – 7, 2018, immediately before spring semester 2018 begins.
Interested parties are encouraged to apply by submitting an application here. Applications are due by Wednesday, November 22 at noon. All applicants must be able to attend the inaugural Family Council meeting during the weekend of January 6 -7, 2018. Individuals will be notified no later than Friday, December 1, 2017 regarding the status of their application.
Parent and Family Services hosted their second annual Family Weekend on Oct 13-15. More than 749 family members of UAB students gathered during the three-day weekend and enjoyed a full schedule of fun activities on and off campus.
UAB is proud to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Kaleidoscope. The student run paper is older than the University itself and has been an asset for students receiving local new surrounding the University, as well as worldwide news. Every Tuesday, while your student is in classes, the staff of the Kaleidoscope delivers their beautiful broadsheet to drop off on campus and in surrounding areas. They feature stories from The Return of UAB Football, attending concerts, eating healthy, even a students experience in Charlottesville. The Kaleidoscope’s staff is dedicated to giving students the news, the truth about what is happening on your student’s campus.
The Kaleidoscope, or “The Scope”, is older than the University itself and has provided a key educational tool for aspiring journalists and editors. The newspaper has even been a creative outlet for students who may not have an interest in journalism beyond the collegiate level. The students who do work for the newspaper, however, learn about AP style, how to accurately produce a story, interviewing techniques, and even go behind the scenes of some of Birmingham’s most popular events. It is an experience like no other, and any student of faculty member who picks up their broadsheet knows how passionate the newsroom of Student Media is.
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Kaleidoscope, the Student Media office will be celebrating throughout Homecoming Week before heading to Legion Field on Saturday for the game. To celebrate the anniversary of a newspaper that is for the students and by the students is an event that is truly special here at UAB. It is an event that your student will not want to miss out on, either participating in the publication of the Kaleidoscope or picking up a copy on the way to class. For more information be sure to stop by the Student Media Office located across from the elevators in the Hill Student Center.
Student Housing and Residence Life is partnering with the Vulcan Materials Academic Success Center (VMASC) in order to bring tutoring to the residence halls. Beginning on September 17th the class of 2021 will be able to attend free educational assistance sessions in the comforts of their residence hall. This partnership will bring residence life and the tutoring lab together in order to increase academic success in a safe and comfortable space. This partnership is accommodating to all students who are overwhelmed with the schedules of their busy college life.
Beginning on September 17th and continuing throughout the fall semester, students and tutors will be able to meet in the Cahaba Room of the New Freshman Residence Hall. This innovative way of studying will make a great impact on your student who may find it hard to stop by the VSMAC in-between classes. The subjects provided for are common amongst freshman as well as other undergraduate students.
Various subjects and times will be available for your student to receive free academic assistance. Between 6:00pm-9:00pm on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday subjects such as Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and Physics will be available. Students will be required to sign in and out of the front desk of New Freshman Residence Hall and into the tutoring Space. Students who are visiting the residence hall for tutoring will not be permitted to access any other area of the building without the proper sign in.
This experience is for the student who may be a little nervous going to the tutoring lab for the first time. It can be for a student who just has not found the time to ask for help, either way this partnership between Student Housing and Residence Life and the Vulcan Materials Academic Success Center will positively impact the students on campus. It will allow for them to find the educational assistance they need within the privacy and comforts of their residence hall.
UAB Student Outreach Food & Supply Pantry-No UAB Student Should Go Hungry
The Student Outreach Food & Supply Pantry provides all of UAB students experiencing financial need and/or food insecurity with non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, and school supplies. Our mission is to ensure that any UAB student who needs food has access to it. The Student Outreach Food & Supply Pantry has been committed to eliminating food insecurity at UAB since 2013.
We serve as a year-round resource for students to receive nutritional and supply assistance.
The Student Outreach Food & Supply Pantry is maintained by donations made from individuals, and campus and community organizations/partners. Please consider donating items or helping us financially to keep our pantry well stocked. Items can be dropped off in our office in the Hill Student Center, Suite 303, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm. Please be sure items are in good condition and have not expired.
Financial Donations
All of the funds for the Student Outreach Food & Supply Pantry expenses are raised through charitable donations from individuals, organizations, and community members like you! We use the donations to alleviate food insecurity, hunger, and poverty among UAB students.
Checks can be made payable to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, please add Student Outreach Food and Supply Pantry on the memo line. You may mail your check to us at:
UAB Student Outreach
HILL 303, 1720 2nd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-1150
Amazon Wish List
We also have an Amazon Wish List. Just visit the Amazon website, search the Wish List section for UAB Student Outreach Food and Supply Pantry and you’ll see a list of items that we need. You can buy any quantity you wish and ship directly to our office.
Food Items Needed:
- Multigrain and low sugar cereal
- Fruit canned in its own juices
- Canned tuna, chicken, salmon
- Nuts and nut butters
- Canned low-sodium vegetables
- Applesauce
- Honey, Syrup
- Shelf Milk-(powdered, evaporated, almond, coconut, soy)
- Oatmeal or Grits
- Pasta and pasta sauce
School Supplies Needed:
- College Ruled paper
- Index cards
- Mechanical pencils, pencils, pens
- Highlighters
- Dividers
- Calculators
Personal Hygiene Items Needed:
- Body, Hand Soap
- Deodorant
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Shaving cream and razors
- Feminine hygiene items
- Mouth wash
- Body and Hand Lotion
- Toilet paper
- Tissue
- Laundry detergent
Please contact us at 205.975.9509 or studentoutreach@uab.edu if you have any questions about the Student Outreach Food & Supply Pantry. Together we can end hunger at UAB.
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Did You Know?
In August 2017, the Student Outreach Food & Supply Pantry distributed 486.4 lbs of food and supplies to students? That’s 405 meals provided!
Date | Time | Event |
Thursday, August 24 | ||
9 a.m. - noon | Blazing Start Move-In | |
4 - 5 p.m. | Family Send Off* | |
5 -6 p.m. | Blazing Start Dinner | |
6 - 9 p.m. | Movie Night | |
Friday, August 25 | ||
8 a.m - 5 p.m. | Blazing Start Sessions (Lunch Provided) | |
5 - 6 p.m. | Blazing Start Dinner | |
6 - 9 p.m. | Trivia Night | |
Saturday, August 26 | ||
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Blazing Start Sessions (Lunch NOT Provided) | |
Sunday, August 27 | ||
3:45 - 5 p.m. | Class of 2021 Photo | |
Monday, August 29 | ||
8 a.m. | Classes Begin | |
Tuesday, August 30 | ||
6:30 p.m. | UAB First Year Convocation |
First Year Student Move-in Freshman move-in day is August 26. There will be many students moving in that day, so in order to make everything pass as smoothly as possible, your student will receive an assigned time during which they are expected to arrive. There will be a move-in team ready to help you and your student through the process as well. Your student needs to make sure to bring their One-Card, as they will need it to check in and receive their key. Also, make sure that your student’s boxes and items are clearly marked with their name, residence hall and room number.
Blazers are friendly and helpful folks. If your student is new to UAB, they will learn that quickly. Even though your student has attended orientation this summer, navigating campus on thier first days of classes can be overwhelming.
UAB is a big campus with many opportunities, activities and resources available for students to explore. The Blazer Welcome is a program meant to help students connect and become more informed about everything UAB has to offer. During a six-week period, there will be a number of social events and fun activities at various locations around the campus that students, especially incoming freshmen, are highly encouraged to participate in.
The summer is coming to an end and your student’s college adventure is about to start. Although college is supposed to be a fun and exciting change, some incoming freshmen may experience stress, homesickness and other hard emotions during the transition.
Read more: What to expect the first year: Do's and don'ts according to UAB sophomores
Knowing what classes to register for can be a stressful and confusing experience for many students. The Graduation Planning System (GPS) is a feature within Blazernet that provides undergraduate students with a simple and clear overlook of their academic plan towards graduation. It displays the classes that need to be passed, the academic standing and the amount of credit hours the student is required to have in order to graduate. It is a tool that helps students navigate and plan their academic journey at UAB.
Read more: GPS (Graduation Planning System) Help your student find their way to success
Join all of UAB’s family—alumni, friends, parents, and students—as we come together to make an impact on the area(s!) that matter the most on May 11-12, UAB’s That One Time at UAB… Giving Day.
Read more: Student Affairs seeks charitable gifts during campus-wide giving day on May 11-12
It seems like just yesterday when we had over 1000 UAB volunteers here to help your student move into the residence halls. Now, it’s time to think about moving out. We are committed to making sure that your student has the best move-out experience possible. The information below will help you know exactly what’s going on.
It is hard to believe; however, another academic year is coming to an end. UAB’s campus is a-buzz with end of the year activities to recognize the successes and advancements among students during the past 8 months. Amidst all of the celebrations, it is important for students to keep their focus on finishing the semester healthy so that they complete all of their courses to the best of their abilities.
Hands-on learning has long been a priority for the UAB School of Engineering, but for one group of 2017 undergraduates, education and experience are just two parts of a bigger picture.
This year, the School of Engineering is partnering for the first time with the Academic Small Business Alliance (ASBA) to pair engineering interns with local diverse business enterprises (DBEs). These enterprises include a wide variety of small businesses—from non-profits to entrepreneurial start-ups—and those settings add an element of community involvement that might not always exist in a traditional internship.
Read more: ASBA Partners Offer Engineering Students a Different Kind of Internship Experience
The Collat School of Business has invested heavily in the success of its students, and those investments are paying off.
Read more: Collat Tutoring Lab Offers Free Help for Business Classes