University of New Mexico Parent Guide

October 2009

President's Message

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Graduate and Professional School Fair : Our undergraduates should start thinking now about getting graduate or professional degrees. Alumni, parents and community members may already be thinking about going back to school for another degree. It's a good plan because educational attainment directly impacts your earning power and the array of jobs open to you. This Thursday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., more than 80 schools and colleges from across the country will send recruiters to the SUB ballrooms to talk to you about their graduate and professional programs. Go by to get the information that could influence your future.

Laurie's Letter

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It's nearly mid-semester, which in Albuquerque means the hot-air balloons are aloft. Your student, however, probably has one eye on the sky and the other on upcoming mid-terms. Karen Olson, director for UNM's Center of Academic Program Support (CAPS), our campus' premiere tutoring service, says nearly 80 percent of students will seek tutoring during the course of their studies at UNM. Your student may turn to you first if the academic pressure mounts and you will be armed and ready with advice if you attend our upcoming Parent Talk Oct. 7. Olson is a featured speaker and she will discuss the many ways CAPS can serve your student throughout the year.

Big changes made to student housing

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By Bobby Childers
Now that students have returned for fall classes, Residence Life and Student Housing continue to make positive changes to their on-campus homes.  

"Lots of interior projects, combined with exterior landscaping initiatives, are virtually changing the face of student housing," said Patrick Call, director of Residence Life and Student Housing. 

Residence Life plans to spend $4.8 million this year to expand the quality and visual appeal of various residence hall facilities for students living on main and south campuses. The department plans to focus spending on building renovations and landscaping initiatives specifically selected to enhance life-safety and increase student satisfaction.

Family Weekend, a "New Mexico Adventure," Set for Oct. 23-24

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UNM's 2nd annual Family Weekend, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 - 24, is an opportunity for parents to connect with and support their student's experience at UNM mid semester.

This year's theme, "A New Mexico Adventure," was developed by a campus‐wide committee with input from parents and students. Most events are free, but registration is required.

Important Dates and Deadlines

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Monday, Oct. 19: Second eight-week term courses began.
Thursday and Friday, Oct. 15-16: Fall break, no classes.
Friday, Oct. 23: Last day to add or change classes for the second eight-week term (pink card and $10 fee required after this date).
Friday, Oct 30: Last day to drop a second eight-week term course without a grade (must drop by Oct. 31 to receive full refund).
Monday, Nov. 30: Registration for Spring Semester begins (based on credit hours completed).
Friday, Nov. 14: Last day to drop from a course without dean's approval, a withdraw pass or withdraw fail will be noted on transcript. Drop date for first eight week term, Oct. 2, second eight week term is Friday, Dec. 4.
Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 26-29: Thanksgiving Holiday, no classes/UNM closed.
Friday, Dec. 18: Fall 2009 Commencement
Saturday, Dec. 19: Fall Semester ends

Events of Interest

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Wednesday, Oct. 7: Parent Talk, 6-7 p.m. Dean of Students Conference Room, free. Midterms are coming! UNM's premiere tutoring service, the Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS), and a University College representative will provide information on services to aid student success. View previous talks on unm.live.edu.
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24: Family Weekend 2009! Come to the main campus to visit your student and experience "A New Mexico Adventure," filled with fun, food, and friendship. Visit familyweekend.unm.edu, many events are free, but registration is required.
Friday, Oct. 30: Renowned Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes will speak in the UNM Student Union Building Ballroom. Fuentes' talk is titled "Mexico in a Nutshell" and offers a panoramic vision of Mexican history and culture from the pre-Hispanic epoch to the present. Fuentes' talk is the final of a three-part series hosted by the UNM Provost's Office with a theme of Mexican relations and immigration. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Just Do It: Active students get in the groove

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"College is more than going to class," says Ryan Lindquist, associate director of the UNM Student Activities Center. "Today's employer isn't necessarily looking at only GPAs." At the September Parent Talk, three stellar students with Lindquist's philosophy joined him to relay their experiences outside of the classroom.

Sevy Gurule, active on campus since freshman year, climbed the student employment ladder. She worked her way up from residence hall advisor (RA) to a student director position overseeing all hall advisors. She also chaired Relay for Life, which raises funds for cancer and provides experience managing human and financial resources...