Greetings from University Housing,

The 2012 fall semester is underway here at the University of Idaho and University Housing is excited to have to opportunity to provide you information about what your student has and will be experiencing this semester. The first few weeks of school can be an adjustment for students and families alike and we want to make sure that our parents are kept up to date during this transitional time. Please visit our website at www.uidaho.edu/housing for continued up to date information about the residence halls during this coming year.

MAP-Works:
MAP-Works began for first-year students on September 10, 2012. If you have a first-year student living with us in the residence halls, please encourage them to take their MAP-Works assessment. Students will be able to complete the survey from September 10-21, 2012. This assessment is vital in determining your students academic and social success here at the University of Idaho. To learn more about the MAP-Works assessment and program, please visit: http://www.uidaho.edu/universityhousing/current-students/academic-success/map-works

Paint The Palouse

Encourage your student to give back! This Saturday, September 15, students can volunteer for our annual Paint the Palouse community service project. Paint the Palouse is University Housing and Moscow Community sponsored program that provides community member who are unable to paint their homes, due to financial or health/age barriers, the opportunity to have their home painted free of charge by student volunteers. This program is open to any of our students that are interested in giving back to the Moscow community. Encourage them to learn more at: http://www.uidaho.edu/universityhousing/currentstudents/connecting-with-others/events

Student Success Tips:

A good start to the year can set the pace for how your student will do academically and socially during the entire school year. We encourage you to be active participants in your students life

here at the University of Idaho. Below we have listed some important resources and reminders that will help you to help your student succeed. Payment and Account Reminders o Student Accounts would like to remind students that all payments to the University were due on the first day of classes. Students who still have remaining balances need to visit the Student Accounts office and make sure they have balanced their accounts or worked out payment plans in order to proceed through the semester. Encourage students to visit the Student Accounts office in the Student Union Building if they have any questions about their accounts. Academic Success o Is your student struggling in any courses? Make sure your student is utilizing the many resources available to them if they are having a difficult time with classes. Students can visit the Tutoring and Academic Assistance Program office in the Idaho Commons Room 306 or view their programs at http://www.uidaho.edu/studentaffairs/taap or visit the Counseling and Testing Center in the Mary E. Forney Hall Room 306 or view their programs at http://www.uidaho.edu/CTC. Roommates o Is your student getting along with their roommate or suitemates? Make sure your student visits with their Resident Assistant if they need assistance with living situations or visits the University Housing office on the 2nd floor of Wallace Residence Center. Get Involved o Is your student getting involved on campus and in their living community? There are endless opportunities for students to become involved with on-campus activities. Encourage them to attend their weekly hall meetings, become part of our Residence Hall Association or join a club or activity that fits their interest. It is important for our students to become involved and participate, it helps them not only make new friends but make connections around the campus. They can visit some of the following websites to learn more about on-campus activities:

Residence Hall Association Associated Students of the University Of Idaho Intramural Sports Important Dates to Remember
September 19 Sept. 30- Oct. 7 October 8-12 Early warning grades due Homecoming Week Midterm Exam Week

October 15

Midterm grades due Spring academic advising begins Winter Intersession registration opens Deadline to withdraw from a class, change to audit, or withdraw from the Deadline to add full-term classes

October 26 semester

Parents, I am continually looking for feedback on how we are doing as a department and always welcome your input which you can send to me directly or through our website at: http://www.uidaho.edu/universityhousing/contacts/administrative-staff Our goal is to retain your business for next year so please let me know how we can do that. We appreciate your input.

Have a wonderful September,

Ray Gasser, Ph.D.

Director, University Housing