October 2009, Issue 1

Parents Day 2009 is just around the corner! Meet other parents and join the UCI family on Sunday, November 8 for a day filled with information, updates and fun.

This second annual event will be kicked off by Chancellor Michael Drake's "State of the University" address followed by a Q&A session with Chancellor Drake and Vice Chancellor Student Affairs Manuel N. Gómez.

Keynote speaker Hans Keirstead, Ph.D., will then talk to the group about his groundbreaking stem cell research. Keirstead is an associate professor for anatomy and neurobiology at the School of Medicine and co-director of the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center at UCI.

ZotPortal is a new Web site that's a central place for students to do all their campus business. It's like iGoogle or My Yahoo for UCI. Launched this past May, ZotPortal allows students to connect to important campus services that they need to use to be successful at UCI.

From freshmen to seniors, each year of the undergraduate experience presents its own set of transitions. Maintaining balance while making adjustments can be challenging for students and a concern for parents and family.

The UC Irvine Counseling Center is committed to helping undergraduates achieve optimal mental health and well-being, personal growth, and the capacity to cope with the stresses of being a university student.

In September, the Irvine City Council approved plans for direct bus service from the Irvine Transportation Center to Los Angeles International Airport. The direct bus transit service, known as FlyAway, is owned and operated by the Los Angeles World Airport. The plan allows for an extension of FlyAway service into Orange County - an important hub of business for LAX.
 This decision further establishes Irvine Station as a regional transportation service center and provides for a reliable, safe, and convenient mode of transport to and from LAX for Irvine and Orange County residents, business travelers, hotel visitors, and students.

UC Irvine and Orange County have countless services to support the success of UCI students. It can be confusing to know where to go, how to get your questions answered, and which place is appropriate to help you with your concerns.