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September 2009, Vol. 33, No. 9 Inside This Issue:-- Datebook: fall 2009 Datebook: fall 2009SeptemberTuesday, September 15
—Last day to receive a 75% refund on canceled classes for fall semester OctoberThursday, October 1
—Last day to receive a 75% refund on canceled classes for fall semester Office of Classroom Management Web site redesignThe Office of Classroom Management's (OCM) Web site had a face lift over the summer. The OCM Web site has a new look, designed to give users an improved experience. The new site features:
If you have questions or comments about the new site, please e-mail ocmhelp@umn.edu. Scheduling University 2009OCM's scheduling unit will be hosting Scheduling University 2009, starting Monday, October 26 through Friday, November 13. Some topics to be discussed include how to use reports to improve course scheduling; using the Web viewer; and classrooms of the future. Scheduling University is open to any University staff member. Please look for more details in the October issue of The Record. If you have questions, please e-mail classrm@umn.edu. Controlling the cost of education through timely graduationHigher education comes at an ever-higher cost. Today's students must understand that, with no end in sight to tuition rate hikes, the best way to control their cost of education is to graduate on time. Specifically, within four years. A timely graduation can save a student $20,000 a year in tuition and fees. Starting her career on time also boosts earning potential, as much as $250,000 over a working lifetime. And while the economic benefits of four-year graduation are wonderful, other factors make it critical to student success. Financial aid eligibility Most likely, that means borrowing. Students who take more than four years to graduate have greater loan debt. Fifty-eight percent of students who graduate in four years borrowed student loans, with an average debt of $21,674. By the sixth year, more than 70 percent had borrowed, with an average debt of $24,625. Loan limits Consider the implications of rising tuition: According to the Office of Student Finance (OSF), for every $3 increase in tuition the majority of undergraduate students borrow $2 more. Students are at increasing risk as they run out of gift aid and approach loan caps. Timely graduation is not just an advantage—it's a must. To improve outcomes for the University and for our students, OSF urges students and staff to make timely graduation an academic priority. There is no better method within a student's power to control education costs. For more information on four-year graduation, visit http://onestop.umn.edu/degree_planning/graduate_in_four_years.html. One Stop on Facebook and TwitterOn September 14, One Stop will go live on Facebook and Twitter. You can become a fan of One Stop and keep up to date on important dates, deadlines, helpful tips, and fun happenings or events related to One Stop. A formal announcement will appear in Brief and users can join at that time. Search for "One Stop Student Services" to become a fan. We hope this social networking tool will give students one more way to keep up-to-date on all their important student business, as well as learn a few things they may have not looked for in the past. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for future updates. And help us spread the word to students! Text messages and data requestsMany of us have become accustomed to communicating with students via text messaging. As a reminder, private student data must not be included in text messages. If you are texting students, please delete the message from your phone. The Office of Records and Information Management has created a list of guidelines for the use of smart phones for University business. More information can also be found by visiting the Records and Information Management Web site. New retention schedule availableThe Office of Records and Information Management has posted a new retention schedule on its Web site. Please visit this site to find the retention regulations for files you may have in your possession. This schedule applies to all formats of information. Questions about the retention schedule should be directed to Susan McKinney. Please discard old Regents Scholarship formsThe Regents Scholarship forms have been updated in order to comply with the recent change in the regents scholarship policy. Please discard any old forms you have in your offices. Beginning spring 2010, old Regents Scholarship forms will not be accepted. The new form has a revision date of 07/09. Questions about this form should be directed to Julie Selander. Classroom updates over the summerFor fall 2009, 98 percent of all general purpose classrooms are projection capable. Projection capability was added to several classrooms, including space in Vincent Hall and newly acquired general purpose classrooms in Appleby Hall, Wulling Hall, and Social Sciences Building. OCM also worked throughout the summer to update and refresh many general purpose classrooms, including rooms in Burton Hall, Humphrey Center, Vincent Hall, and Carlson School of Management. Many classrooms received a fresh coat of paint, new carpet, and furniture. To learn more about OCM projects, please visit OCM's new project Web page. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail classrm@umn.edu. Academic Support Resources| Ferpa Tutorial | ©2009 University of Minnesota The Record is published monthly for colleges and departments at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, by the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. Back issues are on the Web in PDF format at http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Services/News_Events_and_Activities/Record.html Ingrid Nuttall, editor Academic Support Resources 160 Williamson Hall 231 Pillsbury Drive S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55455
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