Volume 13, Issue 2
October 2011
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Students Can Achieve Academic Goals
Fall Into the UNCW Career Center
Midnite Madness
The Myth and Reality of College Drinking
Bite the Bug Before It Bites You
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Paving the Way with C.A.R.E.
UNCW Presents
Teal Pay
Seahawk Salute/Grad Fair
Orientation Leader Applications Now
Being Accepted
Students Can Successfully Achieve Academic Goals by
Utilizing Services at the University Learning Center (ULC)
By: Tom Kuntz, Supplemental Instruction Coordinator
The University Learning Center, located in DePaolo Hall, is committed to being a vital
part of UNCW students' education. Our academic support services are based on the
principle that quality learning takes place when peers work collaboratively to develop
knowledge and build skills. The University Learning Center provides students a
learning environment and experience that differs from the classroom; we focus on
high-quality individual, small-group and large-group student-centered and studentlead learning.
As we cross over the semester’s halfway point, it is important for students to be aware
of their academic progress (doing a self-assessment of grades post midterms, and then
setting goals for final exams). Students must take responsibility for their personal
learning goals. Utilizing our services at the ULC will help students understand and
maximize their overall potential.
All services are free to students and include:
Learning Services
Learning Services provides content tutoring for most University Studies courses. At
Learning Services, qualified UNCW students are trained to work effectively with other
UNCW students and support them in achieving their academic goals. We like to say
that our goal is to tutor ourselves out of a job. This philosophy translates into a
tutoring practice that integrates what to study with how to study, thereby fostering
independent learning and developing skills that will transfer to other courses.
Math Services
The Math Lab supports students by providing tutoring for all Math and Statistics
courses (such as MAT 151 & STT 215), as well as any course with a math or statistics
component. In addition, students who visit the Math Lab can get help with math study
skills and math anxiety. Math tutors help students make the transition to college
mathematics as well as supporting students in upper division math and statistics
courses. Math Services also offers one-on-one appointments for selected courses.
Study Skills
The ULC provides support for students seeking to develop their academic skills,
strategies, and goals. This support is offered individually and can focus on any
relevant issue identified by the student or through a diagnostic inventory. Study skills
assistance is free and available to any UNCW student at any level.
Brought to you by the Office of Transition Programs
In this issue:
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of peer-led group review sessions designed to
help students succeed in historically difficult courses. In the SI session, the SI Leader
facilitates students as they collaborate on reviewing lecture notes, discussing textbook
reading assignments, and reviewing for tests. SI Leaders attend class regularly, are
available as a resource to students, and can update the class about schedule changes,
etc. As a group they strengthen learning skills, build community, network with other
students, develop good study habits, and master content.
Writing Services
All writers need readers, and the more readers you have while drafting a paper, the
better your paper can become. Writing Services provides experienced peer readers for
all UNCW students as they develop and improve their writing skills. Writing Services
are not remedial, but designed for all student writers who want to improve their
papers. Students can get help with their writing in three ways. The Writing Center
provides one-on-one writing consultations led by faculty recommended peer writing
tutors. Students can also receive electronic responses to their developing papers
through our Online Writing & Learning (OWL) program. Students can drop-in at our
Writing Lab for help with quick questions about their developing papers.
We can be contacted at 910-962-7857, or please see our web site for a detailed list of
hours and instructions on how to make an appointment: http://www.uncw.edu/ulc
Fall Into the UNCW Career Center!
By: Leslie Wright, Assistant Director Career Center
Job searching can feel a little scary to students these days. No need for them to shiver
and shake! They’ve got the killer team at the UNCW Career Center and SeaWork jobs
database in their corner. The Career Center team can help with resume and cover
letter writing, assessing your student’s interests, skills, and values to match them to
that perfect job that fits like a glove, and even offer them InterviewStream (web
accessible practice interviews) to take the fear out of interviewing! Also check out the
colossal job postings in SeaWork at www.myseawork.com.
No matter your student’s major, they have a unique Career Center team member who
can walk them through their own job search strategy. Encourage your student to
schedule one-on-one meetings by calling 962-3174. We can also address those “quick
questions” during our Drop-In times in the Career Center Monday – Friday between
2:00 and 4:30 p.m. and a team member will assist your student right away!
Here are some events in October we recommend for UNCW students that are right
around the corner –
EdNet – Networking Reception for Education Majors
Oct. 10, 3-5 pm, Warwick Center Ballroom
The Art of Networking for Career Success
Oct. 12, 5-7 pm, Azalea Coast Room, FUU
Resume Coach
Oct 13, 10 am – 3 pm, Randall Library Lobby
Connect 2011 – Networking Reception for Seniors and Grad Students
Oct. 26, 6-8 pm, Burney Center (30+ companies participating)
Graduate and Law School Day
Oct. 31, 12 noon – 3 pm (40+ schools participating)
Soar Once More – Midnite Madness
By: Megan Mackie, VP ACE Programs
One of the first large UNCW traditions that students are able to participate in every
year is Midnite Madness. This event brings out the entire students body to celebrate
the kickoff to the basketball season. Starting with a “Trask Trek” across campus to
Trask Stadium, student paint up in teal, wave pom-poms, and follow Sammy the
Seahawk into the basketball stadium. Inside the newly renovated Trask Coliseum will
be school spirit groups, games, give-aways, and most importantly the UNCW Men and
Women’s Basketball teams! Once the inside celebration is over students get to meet
and cheer on our basketball teams then file outside to continue celebrating on
Hoggard Lawn for Fan Jam. At Fan Jam, students listen to music, play carnival
games, and are eligible for school spirit give-aways. The night ends with a countdown
to midnight which marks the first day of the official basketball season. The event is
always a favorite and something that students look forward to attending every year.
This year’s Midnite Madness will be one to remember and will remind students to
“Soar Once More.”
The Myth and Reality of College Drinking
By Jordan DuBreuil, CROSSROADS Peer Educator
The first semester of college can be an exciting time for both parents and students.
While students are thrilled to finally be on their own, it is common for parents to
stress over what will happen when they are not around. There are a lot of negative
expectations people have about college and the bad decisions students make while
they are there.
The fact is that UNCW students drink much less than people think they do. If you’re
worried that your student will party too hard and study too little, keep in mind that
most UNCW students go out two times a week or less. About 76% of UNCW students
have fewer than five drinks when they party, including one in five students who don’t
drink at all. These statistics may seem surprising, but how the average student acts is
much different than how college students are portrayed in the media. Movies like Old
School and Animal House, as well as television shows such as Greek, all demonstrate
excessive drinking behaviors and not the reality of most college campuses.
Something that makes UNCW unique is its commitment to substance abuse
prevention and education. Crossroads is a program designed to educate students
about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. This program uses peer educators who are
UNCW students to teach students healthy habits in a non-judgmental way. Our
approach is to help students understand the legal and health risks of alcohol use and
learn strategies to avoid those consequences. In particular, we work to educate
freshman on facts that they may not have known entering school as well as dispelling
common myths. Many freshmen will see Crossroads in their freshman seminar (UNI)
class and at fun, educational programs in their residence hall. We try to make all the
information relevant and approachable so students will learn as much as possible.
Though you may not be comfortable with the idea of your student drinking, continuing
to have thoughtful conversations about drinking and their experiences can help them
to make better decisions. Ask questions about their new friends and the social scene
that they are experiencing. What negative consequences are they seeing other
students deal with? Remind your son or daughter about the penalties for breaking
campus policies and for being arrested in Wilmington for underage consumption,
carrying a fake I.D., and D.W.I. Demonstrate that you trust them to make safe and
healthy decisions. Encourage your son or daughter to get involved on campus in
student organizations, community service, or student government. Involvement can
help your student build a strong connection to the campus community, make healthy
friendships, and even learn to manage their time.
To put your mind at ease, educate yourself on these topics and discuss them openly
with your child. You can find links to helpful online resources for parents on the
Crossroads website: www.uncw.edu/crossroads. Knowledge is the key to success, and
when you know that they know safe behaviors, everyone can enjoy the UNCW
experience more.
Bite the Bug Before it Bites You!
By: Logan Rhea, Health Promotion Peer Educator
Every fall approximately 20% of Americans contract a cold or flu, accounting for more
visits to the doctor than any other condition! It only takes one of the over 200 different
strands of cold and flu to get you sick, and healthy adults can spread germs about one
day before any symptoms arise. Here are ten ways to Bite the Bug Before it Bites You!
1. Wash Your Hands – Sing the ABC’s while washing your hands with warm, soapy
water to kill those nasty germs!
2. No Touching – Cold and flu viruses will find any way to enter your body! Avoid
touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
3. Stay Away – The closer and longer you stay around someone who is infected, the
more likely you will become infected.
4. Clean – Disinfect shared surfaces such as phones, keyboards, and kitchen and
bathroom surfaces.
5. Eat Right – Maintain a healthy immune system by fueling your body with a
balanced diet. Incorporate foods like whole grains, fruits, veggies and protein
into your diet while avoiding sugar, caffeine, unhealthy fats and alcohol!
6. Sleep – Shoot for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night! Not getting
adequate rest will leave you more susceptible to colds, flu and other illnesses.
7. Exercise – Regular exercisers may catch a cold, but they will have less severe
symptoms and recover more quickly compared to sedentary people.
8. Avoid Dry Air – Dry air makes the nasal passages more vulnerable to colds and
flu.
9. Don’t Smoke – People who smoke have more colds more often
10. Get a Flu Shot – The flu virus mutates which is why a new vaccine is created
every year and why you should be vaccinated every year too! Students can get a
flu shot at the Student Health Center between 8-11am Monday-Friday (except
Thursday, 9-11am.) Cost is $20 while supplies last. If you have the Student
Health Insurance, you will be reimbursed 100%.
Remember to stay cautious this fall and educate yourself and your student about cold
and flu to stay healthy all semester!
Paving the way with C.A.R.E.
By: Vickilyn Gill, CARE Peer Education Coordinator
Statistically one in four college aged woman will experience a sexual assault. Such a
daunting number raises the question, what’s being done? Here at UNCW, a lot
actually. The UNCW CARE office, created a two part department in response to this
need. The first part involves a peer group that provides presentations and tabling
activities to the student body. Some examples of these programs include: I CARE, Got
Consent, and Looking for Happily Ever After. I CARE helps friends of victims of rape,
sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and harassment know how to respond and
informs students of the amazing resources available to them on campus. Got Consent
explores what consent looks like in the context of sexual related activities. Providing
information on the physiology of response, offering helpful tips on how to get a friend
out of an unwanted sexual situation, and establishing tangible measures of consent;
this program is extensive and very helpful. Another program along with many others
that we are excited about is Looking for Happily Ever After; which examines the media’s
influence on gender roles in relationships. The program also works to deconstruct the
idea of prince charming in hopes of fostering healthy mutually beneficial intimate
relationships.
The second part of the UNCW CARE office’s response is providing an on-call advocate.
This advocate works closely with the legal system, police department, and dean of
students. She is an ally for victims and will be there for them in every aspect possible.
Apart from the wonderful programs and services the UNCW CARE office provides,
there are many local organizations and events within the city. The city of Wilmington is
a forerunner in violence prevention and education. There are amazing event like “Take
Back the Night” and “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” which focus on community
involvement and activism. We are so excited to be on the front lines in this state, in
this city, and on this campus.
UNCW Presents!
By Lee Ann Adams
UNCW Presents has some exciting upcoming opportunities for students, faculty and
the community to attend the Arts in Action Performance Series and Leadership Lecture
Series. Morgan Spurlock will be giving his lecture, “The Greatest Lecture Ever Told!”
as a part of the Leadership Lecture Series on Monday, October 17, 2011 at 7 p.m. in
Kenan Auditorium. Spurlock is best known for his documentaries, Super Size Me and
Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden. His lecture is based on his latest film, The
Greatest Film Ever Sold, which Spurlock uses cutting-edge tools of comic exploration
and total exploitation, as he dissects the world of advertising and marketing by using
his personal integrity as currency to sell out to the highest bidder. Scathingly funny,
subversive and deeply smart, Spurlock’s newest lecture sheds light on our branded
future.
Celebrated for its exuberant, gorgeous and delightfully eccentric style, David Dorfman
Dance is sure to light up the stage at Kenan Auditorium. The company’s newest
project relives the rhythm and groove of the 1970’s with Prophets of Funk, a dynamic
engagement of movement driven by the popular and populist funk sounds of Sly and
the Family Stone. The company has garnered an impressive list of critical honors,
including eight Bessie Awards. This program will be taking place on Saturday,
October 29, 2011 at 8 p.m.
In addition to the company’s performance, David Dorfman Dance will be in residence
at UNCW for three days offering a movement workshop, an informal dance showing
and a master class, as a part of UNCW Presents Above and Beyond Series. Dobet
Gnahore, a remarkable singer from the Ivory Coast, performs with a group of
instrumentalists offering unique sounds, ancient traditions and beautiful music.
From Mandingue melodies to Congolese rumba, Gnahore’s pan-African palette blends
colorful compositions, jazz-inflected vocals and unparalleled charisma. Singing about
love, life and loss in present-day Africa, she is widely hailed as one of the freshest
talents in new African music. Join in on the performance on Thursday, November 3,
2011 at 8 p.m.
Please visit www.uncw.edu/presents for more information regarding UNCW Presents
entire season schedule. Tickets may be purchased at www.etix.com or at Kenan Box
Office (910.962.3500).
UNCW Presents serves as the major arts-presenting unit for UNCW providing a
comprehensive program of activities that represents the finest in the performing arts,
visual arts, and humanities. The Arts in Action Performance Series and Leadership
Lecture Series annually features an eclectic mix of world-class performances and
thought-provoking speakers to address the increasingly broad cultural demands and
needs of our campus and community.
TealPay
By: Nadine Flint, Director Student Account Services
TealPay is an in-house tuition payment plan that UNCW offers to assist with managing
college expenses. There are two payment plans offered for Spring 2012:
TealPay 5 Spring 2012
Available starting November 23rd through December 14th
20% plus $25.00 non-refundable Enrollment Fee Due at Sign Up
First Installment due January 1st
Second Installment due February 1st
Third Installment due March 1st
Fourth and final Installment due April 1st
TealPay 4 Spring 2012
Available starting December 20th through January 19th
25% plus $25.00 non-refundable Enrollment Fee Due at Sign Up
First Installment due February 1st
Second Installment due March 1st
Third and final Installment due April 1st
The Fall Seahawk Salute/Grad Fair
By: Craig Hewett, UNCW Bookstore
On Thursday, October 27, from 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. graduating students will be able to
pick up their free cap and gown at the event as well as get information about the
following:
 Ordering class rings and Graduation Announcements from Balfour
 Diploma frames from Framing Success
 Joining the UNCW Alumni Association
 Important job search guides from Career Services
 Supporting UNCW through the Annual Giving program
 Commencement information from Transition Programs
 Information from CLES
 Graduation Portraits from Photo Specialties
(Sit for a photo in your cap & gown and get a free proof, there is no commitment to buy
anything. It is recommended that you wear dress attire under your cap & gown. )
Tickets are not required to attend Commencement, seating will be available on a first
come, first served basis.
Cap & gowns will also be available beginning November 1st through Graduation
weekend on the 2nd floor of the UNCW Bookstore for students who cannot attend the
Grad Fair.
You must have a valid UNCW Student ID card to pick up your cap & gown.
If you cannot attend Seahawk Salute and will be away from campus up until
Graduation Day please call the UNCW Bookstore at 910-962-3188 any time after
November 1st to arrange having your cap & gown mailed to you.
If you have any questions regarding Seahawk Salute please e-mail hewettc@uncw.edu
Student Leadership Opportunity
By: Andrea Dorow, Director Transition Programs
Over the years many parents and family members at orientation ask “how does my son
or daughter become an orientation leader.” We are currently entering the selection
process for the 2012 orientation leader team. It is a highly competitive process and
your student can learn more about the position and selection process by attending an
information session on October 13 at 6 pm in the Azalea Coast Room in the University
Union. We are looking for open minded students who will be a leader in and out of the
classroom. To be an orientation leader you must have and maintain a 2.5 GPA and be
in good standing with the university. Often students and parents think we are only
looking for outgoing students and they would be partially correct. We are looking for
all types of students who are willing to commit themselves to leadership training and
service to the University. Applications are due by October 27, 2011. Applications and
information sheets are available at www.uncw.edu/orientation.
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.