Volume 14, Issue 1
February, 2012
Returning Student Room Selection Process
Having Difficult Conversations
Is Your Student Stressing?
Homecoming 2012
Upcoming Spring Events
UNCW Week Captured on Blog
Sharky’s Game Room Memberships
Boseman Gallery
UNCW Presents – Hot New Season!
Student Leadership Opportunity
Returning Student Room Selection Process
Nate Miner, Assistant Director for Business Operations
The Office of Housing and Residence Life is excited to provide students with
information regarding upcoming housing opportunities for students.
In an effort to meet the needs of all residential students, our office has carefully
analyzed our room selection process, and after review of housing availability, we are
pleased to offer students who are currently living on campus the opportunity to
participate in our Returning Student Room Selection process. With the exception of
some special interest groups that will be communicated with individually, students will
have the opportunity to choose from available bed spaces in Seahawk Village, Seahawk
Landing, Seahawk Crossing, and the University Suites.
In an effort to avoid tripling students in our traditional halls, we have limited space for
students who do not wish to live in our upperclassman housing for the 2012-2013
academic year. The University Suites and Seahawk Crossing 1 & 3 are academic year
housing options with only a fall and spring financial obligation.
For more information concerning this process, please visit the Housing and Residence
Life website: http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/housing. Click current student and room
selection process. Here you will find important dates, times and process information
that will allow students to successfully participate in their room selection process.
As students consider their housing options for the 2012-2013 academic year, we
encourage them to review the housing contract and lease agreement information on
our website and in the Guide for On-Campus Living:
http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/housing/rulesandregs/guide.html
We would like to highlight two important components in these documents. First,
Seahawk Village, Seahawk Landing and Seahawk Crossing (buildings 2 & 4) require a
three term commitment, and rates for each term can be found on the Housing website.
Second, in an effort to minimize the long term increase in housing rates, any student
who is released from their housing contract/lease agreement for the 2012-2013
academic year in Seahawk Village, Seahawk Landing, and Seahawk Crossing 2 & 4
will be subject to a $250 lease termination fee. This fee will apply to students released
from their housing contract/lease agreement for any reason including, but not limited
to, graduation, study abroad, or internships.
Additionally, in an effort to be more cognizant of the financial concerns for the summer
portion of the leasing obligation in Seahawk Village and Seahawk Landing, we have
Brought to you by the Office of Transition Programs
In this issue:
restructured the fall, spring, and summer charges. This will allow for a more
affordable summer housing option for those students who do not receive financial aid
during the summer and are depending on summer jobs to augment expenditures.
As you review this information, please feel free to contact our office with any questions.
We look forward to your student‟s participation in the Returning Student Room
Selection process!
Having Difficult Conversations
Jim Dolan, Ph.D., Counseling Center
A frequent topic of conversation on campus is how the current economic conditions
may be affecting students. Worries about how to meet school expenses, angst about
worsening economic conditions, and concerns about future employment prospects
affect not only students, but their families as well. Avoiding difficult conversations
about money matters can be an added stressor. Following are some tips for having
difficult conversations.
Don’t put it off. Avoiding a matter doesn‟t make it better or go away. If you expect a
conversation to go badly, it likely will. Check your expectations and focus on the
positive outcomes.
Have a clear idea of why you want to have a conversation. Know ahead of time if the
conversation is strictly to convey information or is it to discuss perspectives or seek
solutions.
Set some rules. Pick a time for meeting that works for everyone involved. Allow people
to feel prepared. Set a time limit and make a plan for following up on the discussion.
Start the conversation on the right foot. Broaching a topic with “I‟d like to talk about…”
is a lot less loaded than saying “We need to talk.” Be direct, but diplomatic.
Know that feelings will be part of the mix. Discussing difficult topics can make people
defensive and uncomfortable. Acknowledge people‟s reactions to the subject and be
careful not to take those reactions personally.
Don’t leave things unresolved. It‟s important for everyone involved to feel like they have
said what they need to say. If you run out of time or someone needs time to think
things over, then make plans for a future conversation.
Taking time to talk about difficult topics will deepen the channels of open
communication between you and your students.
Is Your Student Stressing?
Elizabeth J. McLawhorn, Health Promotion Peer Educator
For most students, the month of January is pretty relaxed as students are getting back
into the swing of things and starting new classes. Unfortunately, everything changes
towards the end of the month as assignments begin to pile up, deadlines are fast
approaching, and midterms are only weeks away. With all of these pressures and
more, your student is bound to get a little stressed out throughout the year. Lucky for
them, we‟ve found some great de-stressors for college students. Share the following
tips with your student to ensure they are staying happy and healthy this spring!
Get enough sleep. Being in college means that most students‟ sleep schedule is far
from ideal. College students are recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night to feel
recharged and stress-free. Remind your student that getting enough rest is the key to
being a successful scholar!
Eat a balanced diet. If your student isn‟t fueling their body correctly, they could start
to feel lethargic and unhealthy, which just adds to the pile of stress. A balanced diet
consists of fruits, veggies, protein, and whole grains. All of these foods are nutritious
and will give your student the energy they need to get through the day. If your son or
daughter is having a hard time with their diet, refer him/her to the UNCW Campus
Dietitian (910-962-4135).
Exercise! 20-30 minutes of exercise per day can make a drastic change in the way we
feel. Exercising reduces stress and releases endorphins to make your student feel good
and look good!
Take a break. Quiet time is essential to reducing stress. With all of the activities going
on it‟s sometimes hard for students to just stop and rest for a minute. Reading a book,
going to the beach, or just hanging out can work wonders on your student‟s stress
level.
Prioritize. Putting first things first is often hard in college when there are so many fun
things to do. Not procrastinating and getting work done early has been proven to keep
stress levels down. Remind your student: work then play.
Enjoy College! Don‟t let your student get so bogged down that they aren‟t enjoying their
time at UNCW. Remind them it‟s okay to be a little stressed, but not to stress about
stress. Take care of issues as they arise and don‟t let small problems escalate into big
ones.
With these few simple steps, your Seahawk is on the road to academic and personal
success!
Homecoming 2012 and Upcoming Spring Events
Arianne Beros, ACE Graduate Marketing Assistant
The Association for Campus Entertainment (ACE) has had a busy and productive start
to the new semester. On top of preparations for Homecoming 2012, ACE has also
produced several entertaining events. The Comedy, Concerts, and Voice committees
teamed up to bring MTV‟s The Buried Life to the Warwick Center on January 18th. The
free event drew a huge crowd. You can read more about it, as well as see some
pictures, on ACE‟s newly re-launched blog: uncwace.wordpress.com. Films has also
resumed its regular weekend schedule of blockbuster and spotlight films in Lumina
Theater.
Homecoming officially kicks off on Monday, January 30, with comedian Alvin Mitchell
at 7pm in Burney and a late night breakfast beginning at 10pm in Wagoner. Both
events are free for students. The full homecoming schedule can be found at
uncw.edu/ace.
The Association for Campus Entertainment is a student-run organization serving the
UNCW campus and the larger Wilmington community by providing entertainment
through diverse programming in concerts, comedy, film, lectures and spirit.
UNCW Week on Our Blog
Jessica Dowell, Holiday Inn Express® & Suites
In conjunction with UNCW's 2012 Homecoming, the Holiday Inn Express® & Suites
Wilmington - University Center has planned a "UNCW Week" for their hotel's blog.
Between Sunday, January 29 and Sunday, February 5, you‟ll see some very neat
changes on their blog. The blog‟s colors will be UNCW's and their posts will be solely
about the University. The hotel plans to share information including basic tidbits of
knowledge about UNCW, academic honors that we hold, why it is that students (and
parents!) tend to fall in love at first sight with the University, what Wilmington has to
offer the school, and what kind of activities are held on the campus that are available
to community members. The Holiday Inn Express® & Suites will have great images for
you to check out – which will be a huge asset if you know a student who is beginning
to think about UNCW as a college choice. So please join the hotel this week on their
blog as they feature our very favorite University! Go to the following link to view the
blog: http://hiexwilmington.wordpress.com/our-blog/
Sharky’s Game Room Memberships
Shane Fernando, Assistant Director UNCW Presents
Sharky‟s Game Room now offers memberships! Memberships can be purchased for
only $20, allowing an entire semester of unlimited gameplay for any of our games,
including DDR, Wii, Xbox360, billiards, ping pong, board games, and more! The game
room‟s features include a projection screen, four pool tables, and two ping pong tables.
Sharky‟s also hosts tournaments and special events for members, and, because
Sharky‟s is the one-stop location for Lumina Theater movie tickets and concessions,
members are sometimes eligible to receive free movie tickets or popcorn. Plus, Sharky‟s
offers a variety of snacks and drinks every day, making it a convenient stop between
classes or during down time.
Sharky‟s is located in the Fisher Student Center, across from Einstein‟s. For more
information please visit our website: www.uncw.edu/gameroom.
Boseman Gallery—All Student Show
Shane Fernando, Assistant Director UNCW Presents
The Ann Flack Boseman Gallery is UNCW‟s only student-run art gallery. The Boseman
Gallery showcases a variety of shows relevant to students every year, from studentmade paintings and sculptures to educational exhibits, to less traditional multi-media
exhibits that invite the viewer to participate. In the Spring 2012 semester, the
Boseman Gallery traditionally features its largest show, the All-Student Show, which
runs this year from February 23 to April 3. The artwork for this show is carefully
selected by a juror from generally more than 100 pieces submitted for consideration.
The show will feature, but is not limited to: paintings, photography, sculpture,
installation art, printmaking and ceramics. Any student may submit up to 3 pieces.
The piece judged Best of Show will be selected by the juror and purchased for the
University Union Permanent Art Collection, and another piece will be selected as the
UNCW Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Choice Award winner. The gallery will host a
reception and awards ceremony on opening night, on Thursday, February 23, 6-
7:30pm.
The Boseman Gallery is located on the second floor of the Fisher University Union, and
is open from 10am–8pm, Monday through Saturday. For more information, or to
become involved with the gallery as an intern or student volunteer, please visit our
website: www.uncw.edu/boseman/
UNCW Presents - Arts in Action Performance Series
Shane Fernando, Assistant Director UNCW Presents
Aquila Theatre‟s production of Oscar Wilde‟s The Importance of Being Earnest will be
gracing Kenan Auditorium‟s theatre on Valentine‟s Day, as a part of UNCW Presents
Arts in Action Series. The highly acclaimed British-American touring company
elegantly weaves the witty masterpiece through one hysterical act after another. This
classic tale, first performed in 1895, details the escapades of two members of the
British upper crust who present unforgettable and entertaining characters.
In addition to the performance, Aquila Theatre performers will be hosting a reading
event and master classes February 13 and 14, which is exclusively offered to students.
For more details, visit www.uncw.edu/presents.
The Arts in Action Performance Series seeks to culturally enrich, educate and
entertain both students and the general public through the presentation of diverse
programs featuring professional, high-quality performing artists. Performances are
held at 8pm in Kenan Auditorium.
UNCW Presents - Leadership Lecture Series
Shane Fernando, Assistant Director UNCW Presents
UNCW Presents Leadership Lecture Series presents food activist and eco chef, Bryant
Terry on Monday, February 20. Terry‟s passion is to “raise awareness, develop policies
and make fresh, healthy, and culturally appropriate food affordable to community
members.” His lecture examines the concept of food activism as he sheds light on how
poverty, racism and classism impacts‟ his or her ability to gain access to healthy foods.
The Leadership Lecture Series serves as a forum for intellectual inquiry and discussion
offering the campus and community opportunities to discuss and explore the political,
cultural and economic trends and issues that shape and affect our communities
today. By inviting a speaker to the campus, the university does not endorse any
particular position. Expect to be enlightened, challenged and inspired. Lectures are
held on Mondays at 7pm in Kenan Auditorium. Student Leadership Opportunity
Emily Schroeder, Assistant Director Transition Programs
College student success in the classroom is highly correlated with on-campus student
involvement. First-year students are encouraged to get involved as soon as they arrive
to UNCW. As there are hundreds of opportunities for students to find their niche on
campus, one specific position provides a multitude of benefits and incentives that will
enhance students‟ leadership skills and overall college experience.
The Office of Transition Programs is currently entering the selection process for the
2012 Seahawk Links. A Seahawk Link is a peer mentor who serves as a role model and
resource for approximately 25 freshmen in a First-Year Seminar course. There are
many incentives for students who are selected as Seahawk Links. Throughout the
semester, they will develop meaningful relationships with their first-year students, as
well as with the instructor. Through facilitating classroom presentations and activities
on a weekly basis, Seahawk Links develop excellent public speaking and group
discussion facilitation skills.
Arie Gee, a senior Elementary Education major, describes her experience as a
Seahawk Link as „essential to her success as a UNCW student.‟ She says, „I have made
some of my best friends and become extremely involved on campus because of the
program. As a freshman, my Seahawk Link encouraged me to get involved and when I
became a Seahawk Link, I passed on the same message. It is extremely rewarding to
see how involved my freshmen have become on campus. They are the future of UNCW,
and I take pride in knowing that I had a hand in their success.‟
We are looking for open minded students who will be a leader in and outside of the
classroom. We are in need of all types of students who must have and maintain a 2.5
GPA and be in good standing with the university. Applications will be available on
February 20, 2012 at http://uncw.edu/transitions/seahawklinks.html. Interested
students are highly encouraged to attend the information sessions held on Tuesday,
February 21 from 5 to 6pm or on Monday, February 27 from 7 to 8pm, both in CIS
1008. Applications will be due by March 1, 2012.
Transition Programs
Division of Student Affairs
Creating Experiences for Life
601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5997
Phone: 910-962-3089
Fax: 910-962-4265
E-mail: transitions@uncw.edu
www.uncw.edu/transitions
The Office of Transition Programs provides a comprehensive array of programs designed
to meet the unique needs of undergraduate students and parents from orientation
through graduation. Programs generate an intentional connection for the students
through engaging interactions with other students, faculty and staff. Ultimately, through
this community participation each student is provided the opportunity to improve critical
thinking, problem solving, academic achievement, interpersonal and intrapersonal
growth and civic responsibility.