Student Affairs - University of West Alabama (Augus… · • Resume advice/critiques: 2 • Mock Interviews: 0 • Other: 4 Other: • Ms. Tammy White attended the 4th Annual CPI

N E W S L E T T E R

S t u d e n t A f f a i r s

August

2019

A d m i s s i o n s ︳ C o u n s e l i n g & C a r e e r S e r v i c e s ︳ F i n a n c i a l A i d ︳ H o u s i n g ︳ R e g i s t r a r

S t u d e n t A c t i v i t i e s ︳ S t u d e n t L i f e ︳ S t u d e n t S u p p o r t S e r v i c e s ︳ U p w a r d B o u n d

VP for Student Affairs:MR. RICHARD HESTER

The month of August marks the end of the 2018-19 academic year

and the beginning of our official countdown to the start of the 2019-

20 edition. We made it through another cycle, celebrated gradua-

tion, improved plans, counseled, registered, processed tons of forms

and we are getting everything in place to start over again. It was

good to see everyone that attended our annual division-wide break-

fast meeting and thank you for your efforts to make our students

feel welcomed, active, healthy, important, and successful.

Sincerely,

NEWSLETTERPUBLISHED MONTHLY BY

Will AtkinsonAsst. to VP for Student AffairsStation #56(205) [email protected]

DIRECTORS ADMISSIONSMrs. Libba BakerCAREER SERVICES & COUNSELING Ms. Tammy WhiteFINANCIAL AIDMr. Steve SmithHOUSINGMr. Luther GremmelsREGISTRARMrs. Susan SparkmanSTUDENT ACTIVITIESMr. Jason GardnerSTUDENT ACTIVITIESMr. Byron ThetfordSTUDENT SUPPORT SERVICESMs. Andrea FarquharUPWARD BOUNDMs. Vickie Pullum

UPCOMING MEETINGSAugust 7, 2019September 4, 2019October 2, 2019November 6, 2019December 4, 2019

DATES TO REMEMBERAUGUST ORIENTATIONAugust 15, 2019PREVIEW DAY#1October 26, 2019PREVIEW DAY #2November 9, 2019

8

9

Cheerleading

Student Life

Housing

11

Counseling &

Career Services

University Cinema

4

Admissions

10Financial Aid

12Upward Bound

Student Support Services

6

Inside This Issue

Registrar

9

5 5

13

Student Activities

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Band• August 6 - 9 - Band moves onto campus• September 14 - UWA Bands at the Border• October 12 - Alumni Band Day• November 9 - Band Day

• Continuing to plan the half time show

CAB• Preparing for Welcome Back Week. The calen-

dar of events can be found at cab.uwa.edu

Intramurals

• Hired GA for the fall

• Preparing new game room that will include:

pool table, ping pong, 3 gaming stations (2

PlayStation, 1 Xbox), air hockey, Golden Tee,

Street Fighter, 60 n 1 game, and a lounge area.

By the NumbersEnrollment Comparison:• Applications - Fall 2019 vs Fall 2018

• 7,374 (-1,246) applications• 3,024 (-584) admits

• Transfer - 448 applications (-93) with 180 (-47) admits

• Freshman - 6,926 (-1,153) applications with 2,844 (-537) admits

• Applications - Summer 2019 vs Summer 2018• 436 (-46) applications• 105 (-15) admits

• Transfer - 104 applications (+4) with 24 (+9) admits

• Freshman - 332 (-50) applications with 81 (-24) admits

• ECF Payments - Fall 2019 vs Fall 2018: • 454 (-127)

• 339 freshman (-99) and 115 transfer (-28)

Campus Tours:• August 15, 2018 - August 1, 2019: 282 (78%

check-in rate) • August 15, 2017- August 1, 2018: 290 (83%

check-in rate)

Scholarships: • Fall 2019 Freshman

• Reviewed - 1,093• Awarded - 847• FR Accepted - 177

• Fall 2019 Transfer• Reviewed - 101• Awarded - 57• TR Accepted - 42

Orientation By the Numbers: • Summer: 6 attendees• Freshman: 270 attendees (153 parents)• Transfer: 75 attendees• August: 79 registrations

Important Dates to Note: • August 14 - 15 - August Orientation• October 26 - Preview Day #1• November 9 - Preview Day #2Staff Notes:• Ambassadors attended a retreat/training

session, including a presentation from Dr. Mary Hanks on the Division of Nursing. The retreat was held at True Vine in Eutaw, AL. Students were able to go through team building exercises that focused on verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as, par-ticipating in high and low ropes courses.

• Mrs. Juley Rutherford administered the Residual ACT on July 26. Of the thirteen students who tested, the composite scores ranged from 14-22 with many students increasing their scores. This allowed for some students to increase their scholarship awards and others to be admitted to UWA.

• Mrs. Emily Stuart and Mr. Shaw Cornelius attended ALACRAO School Counselor Workshops held in Montgomery, AL and Huntsville, AL respectively. These workshops are for high school counselors to make sure they have the most up-to-date information on the topics of college and career readiness to best prepare their students.

• The Admissions team held six (6) interviews for the new Admissions Counselors positions on July 22-23. Thank you to Dr. Jane Coleman and Mr. Caleb Walters for serving on this interview committee.

ADMISSIONSMRS. LIBBA BAKER

Student Support Services• Summer recruitment is on-going:

• During the summer orientation sessions, Ms. Jessica Lotz and Ms. Tanzie Brown led 33 new SSS Scholars through SSS orientation, familiarizing them with the program and assisting them with tutoring requests and schedule changes.

• Ms. Jessica Lotz and Ms. Andrea Farquhar continue to assist current and new students with the KHEAA verification process, applying for Parent PLUS loans, and budgeting for the coming semester.

• Ms. Tanzie Brown is concluding her course development work and is beginning to schedule academic coaching and tutoring sessions for the new SSS Scholars.

• Ms. Gloria Mayo is preparing for students to return by updating all student folders and preparing new student folders.

• The SSS Student Mentor program kicked off with all 33 new SSS Scholars being connected by email or text to current SSS Students, to

provide assistance in the weeks leading to the start of fall semester.

• The fall SSS workshop schedule has been finalized. Ten workshops will be conducted on topics including, financial literacy, academic skill development, and study abroad.

The “SSS FLi Society” Student Club:• Helping students move in on August 14 and 17.• Accepting donations of textbooks and funds

to help in creating a textbook library that can be utilized by first-generation and low-income eligible students.

Upcoming:• Continue recruiting and interviewing new

students for Fall 2019 • Prepare SSS August orientation for new SSS

Scholars• Continue to assist new and returning students

with verification and budgeting for fall• Reach out to returning students to offer

assistance with Parent PLUS loan applications, and preparations for returning to UWA.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICESMS. ANDREA FARQUHAR

STUDENT ACTIVITIESMR. JASON GARDNER

5S T U D E N T A F F A I R S4 S T U D E N T A F F A I R S

REGISTRARMRS. SUSAN SPARKMAN

• July 9 (Transfer Orientation) and July 11-12 (Freshmen Orientation) - Assisted the C.A.R.E.S Office to enter and adjust incoming students’ schedules.

• August 2 - 2019 Summer Semester and Summer Online Two will end. Grades are due by 5:00 pm on August 3

• August 5 - End of term processing for the summer terms

• August 15 - Deregistration for the Fall Semester and Fall Online One Sessions

• August 19 - Classes will begin for 2019 Fall Semester and Fall One Sessions

• Registration for both Fall Semester on-campus and Fall Online Sessions are open

• Mrs. Susan Sparkman and Mrs. Christi George finalized the catalogue approval process for the Veterans Affairs and State Approving Agency. All catalogues must be submitted to the State Approving Agency with detailed documentation of all changes, additions, and deletions to the VA by August 1, in order to be deemed approved to of-fer VA benefits.

• Continuing to certify all students receiving veteran benefits for the fall term with the VA.

• Mrs. Susan Sparkman has been working closely with Ms. Christi Wade to complete athletic eligibility lists for all fall sports.

6 S T U D E N T A F F A I R S 7S T U D E N T A F F A I R S

Office of Student Life

• Mr. Byron Thetford attended a training session and is now

certified in TIPS University Education, a nationwide strategy

to reduce the tragedies resulting from intoxication, underage

drinking, and drunk driving.

Student Involvement

• SGA met with new students at orientation and begun signing up

members of the freshman class for Senate.

Outdoor Recreation

• September 14 - Whitewater Rafting Trip

Greek Life

• Preparation for the recruitment cycle is in full swing for all

councils.

• Sign up for both IFC and Panhellenic recruitment are now on

line.

Fitness Center

• The fall Fitness Calendar has been finalized and is posted on

social media and the website. JOIN TODAY!

• New flooring is scheduled to be installed, as well as, adding some

new equipment.

STUDENT LIFEMR. BYRON THETFORD

• 2019-2020 Financial Aid Processing:• As of July 27, 2019 • Downloaded 7,059 ISIRs (1,072 since last report)• Packaged 5,272 awards (897 since last report)• 922 selected for verification (78 since last report)• 452 verifications completed (86 since last report)

• Delinquent Loans Activity: • The following delinquency emails were sent in July 2019:

• 377 emails to those who are 31-134 days delinquent• 58 emails to those who are 75-115 days delinquent• 178 emails to those who are 135-239 days delinquent• 80 emails to those who are 240+ days delinquent• 693 TOTAL emails

• These students are at risk of defaulting on federal student loans.• 23 letters/emails were sent from the period June 15, 2019

through July 12, 2019 advising those that are in default to con-tact their student loan servicer to resolve their defaulted loan(s).

FINANCIAL AIDMR. STEVE SMITH

• Attended UCA College Camp at the University of Alabama July 18-21. The squad earned all blue ribbons, as well as, placed 2nd in Sideline and Game Day.

• The UWA Mascots also attended UCA College Camp. Emphasis was on how to create skits and props, perfecting Luie’s “walk”, and his signature. Mascots also performed in a Disney themed skit received Superior trophy for excellent work during evalua-tions.

CHEERLEADINGMS. KYLEE KOCH

98 S T U D E N T A F F A I R S S T U D E N T A F F A I R S

CAREER SERVICES &COUNSELING CENTERMS. TAMMY WHITE

Counseling Services

Individual Student Contacts: 7

• Counseling Sessions – 2

• New Student Intakes - 5

Events/Meetings/Other:

• Summer ADA Accommodations

• ADA Documentation

• Attended the DHR Quality Assurance Meeting

• Assisted the Clinical Mental Health and

School Counseling Programs with their Residency

Program for their Online Students – 10 Present (4

Sessions)

• Assisted with a Sumter County Dept. of

Human Resources Quality Review for a Foster

Child and Foster Family which included a case/

record review, case worker interview, foster home

visit, and submission of results of the review to the

State Dept. of Human Resources.

• Met with Coach Sterling Martin in regards to

meeting with his team to talk about choices and

stress.

• Participated in the interviews for the

Admissions Counselor positions.

Presentations:

• Attended UWA Transfer Orientation

• Attended Freshman Orientation

• Attended Parent Orientation

• “Helping Students in Distress!” – Hall

Directors (5 attended)

Referrals:

• 1 - to West Alabama Mental Health Center

Upcoming:

• ADA Accommodations for Fall

• Completing and compiling 2018-2019

Counseling Services Evaluation results

• July 12 - Summer Program Closing Banquet held in the Bell Conference Center with 90 (students, parents & staff) attending.

• July 28 - August 1 - Upward Bound end of summer Cultural Trip to Atlanta, GA.

• August 31 - Educational trip planned to the NASA Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.

UPWARD BOUNDMS. VICKIE PULLUM

Career Services

Recruiting/Referrals:

• Participated in Tour of Austal in Mobile, AL

during AACE Conference.

• Emailed 12 Education (Spring 2019)

graduates about Kindergarten opening in

Tuscaloosa City Schools.

• Mailed invitations to employers for the Hire

Tigers Career Expo scheduled for September 24.

Individual Student Contacts: 6

• Resume advice/critiques: 2

• Mock Interviews: 0

• Other: 4

Other:

• Ms. Tammy White attended the 4th Annual

CPI Convening in Atlanta, GA from June 30

– July 3.

• Staff spoke at Transfer Orientation

• Mrs. Allie Mills and Ms. Tammy White

attended AACE Annual Summer Conference

in Mobile, AL from July 10 – 12.

• Ms. Sarah Wyatt posted jobs on CCN Job

Board.

• Ms. Paige Miller assisted with planning

graphics for our new Tiger Connect system

and office promotional items.

• Distributed FDS Spring 2019 Follow up

Survey to gain more information on recent

graduates for the Class of 2019 report.

• Received internship information from three

(3) colleges and have begun creating the

university-wide internship database.

Upcoming

• Continued planning for Fall Semester and class

presentations and events

• Finalizing plans to launch UWA 201 Fall 2019

using LinkedIn Learning platform.

• Continued efforts to stock the Career Closet in

Foust Hall

• Compile data for the class of 2019 graduates

• Launch Tiger Connect powered by Purple

Briefcase in August.

• CPI Documentation and monthly reporting

11S T U D E N T A F F A I R S10 S T U D E N T A F F A I R S

Housing Operations:• Housing Application Comparison

• New freshmen 297 (-110 from this time last year)

• Transfers 79 (-10 from this time last year)• Current students 426 (-28 from this time

last year)• Total of 805 students have applied for fall

housing (-145 from this time last year)• Approximately 70% of new freshmen selected

their own roommates through the My Col-lege Roomie roommate matching service. New freshman selected their rooms during two online Room Selection processes during July. Upperclassmen that recently applied for housing selected their rooms July 15-16.

• Online Room Change took place during July for upperclassmen.

• Katie Burrall, a graduate student in the IMC program, has begun working for Housing as the graduate assistant for marketing. She has created logos for the Living Learning and Themed Communities. The new logos provide the Housing Office with a consistent look that will be used in all marketing of the LLCs/TCs. Katie is also developing a social media plan for Housing, to better utilize already established social media platforms.

• Ms. Angela Ward spoke to students about Housing during Transfer Orientation; Mr. Luther Gremmels spoke with parents at Freshmen Orientation and Mr. Jeremy Sheffield spoke with students at Freshmen Orientation.

• Housing co-sponsored a game night with Phi Eta Sigma, Freshman Honor Society, during Freshmen Orientation.

• Assisting Campus Police with their new parking software, MyParking since the

provider is the same company that provides the housing software.

Summer Camps and Conferences:

• Six (6) camps were hosted during July:• Upward Bound Mentors• Volleyball (50 attendees)• Centrikids (330 attendees)• Orientation Students and Parents

Residence Life:

• Door tags have been created to welcome all residents to campus. The door tags include photographs from various locations on campus, both to provide a welcoming environment and to raise awareness of the campus among new students.

• A new Ellison die cut machine was recently purchased, along with additional dies. These tools give RAs the resources needed to promote their programs and to create educational displays in the residence halls.

• Hall Director Training began on July 24. In addition to learning more about the position through sessions with professional staff and campus partners, the hall director team enjoyed staff development activities in Meridian and Birmingham. These included an Escape Room activity and axe throwing. (pictured page 13)

• RA Training began on August 3 and continues until August 17.

HOUSINGMR. LUTHER GREMMELS

University Cinema:

• July Movies – Secret Life of Pets 2, Toy

Story 4, and Spider-Man Far From Home

• 800 in attendance

• Hosted summer campers, Campus School

and local churches

Miss UWA:

• November 14 - 2020 competition to be

held in Bibb Graves Auditorium

Summer Camps/Events:

• Facilitated 26 Camps and Conferences this

Summer

• Approximately 2,177 in attendance

• $244,000 generated revenue

CAMPS & EVENTS/UNIVERSITY CINEMAMS. DANIELLE MILLER

Residence Life (cont.):

• Programming Highlights:

• A community meeting and ice cream social

welcomed new students to Reed Hall that moved

on campus for the second mini-term of the

summer semester.

• Residents were able to “Bake Your Own Cake and

Brownies” during the second week of July.

• During the third week of July, residents enjoyed

pizza and video games.

• A cookout was held the last week of July.

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Thank you! The UWA faculty and staff proved once again just what makes

this place special...our people. Please accept this sincere thanks and pass

it along to those in your area. Without you, freshman orientation would be

near impossible. I hope you enjoy the final days of the summer and look for-

ward to working with you as we welcome the remaining incoming students

during the August orientation session. Thank you again for all that you do.

Go Tigers!

C l a s s o f 2 0 2 3

F R E S H M A N O R I E N T A T I O N14