Building Stronger Communi-ties via Housing Programs

Know the facts about Drug and Alcohol Abuse

OCTOBER 2018

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S T U D E N T A F F A I R S

Students Supporting Students

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University

Cinema

Admission

Brock Hall

Student Life

Student Union

Registrar

Webb Hall

Counseling &

Career Services

Foust Hall

Upward Bound

Foust Hall

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Domestic

Violence

Awareness

Student

Support

Services

Foust Hall

Red

Ribbon Week

Financial Aid

Webb Hall

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NEWSLETTERPUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Will AtkinsonAsst. to VP for Student AffairsStation #56(205) 652-3581watkinson@uwa.edu

DIRECTORS ADMISSIONSMrs. Libba BakerCAREER SERVICES & COUNSELING Ms. Tammy WhiteFINANCIAL AIDMr. Steve SmithHOUSINGMr. Luther GremmelsREGISTRARMrs. Susan SparkmanSTUDENT ACTIVITIESMr. Jason GardnerSTUDENT ACTIVITIESMr. Byron ThetfordSTUDENT SUPPORT SERVICESMs. Andrea FarquharUPWARD BOUNDMs. Vickie Pullum

UPCOMING MEETINGSOctober 3, 2018November 7, 2018December 5, 2018

DATES TO REMEMBERPREVIEW DAYOctober 13, 2018HOMECOMINGOctober 27, 2018 PREVIEW DAYNovember 10, 2018

The Fall semester is well underway and hints of the actual fall season are becoming more apparent despite the summer-like temps still lingering in the area. Halloween decorations are scattered throughout campus, the leaves are starting to change color, and before you know it we will be welcoming our alumni back to campus to enjoy all of the excitement associated with Homecoming. Our division is in full swing with admissions counselors on the road making visits, finan-cial aid preparing for a new year of awarding, and the final touches be-ing added to the homecoming plan are just a few of the many contribu-tions we are making to the university. This is always an exciting time of year around campus and I encourage you all to join in the fun.

Sincerely,

Inside This

Issue

VP for Student Affairs:MR. RICHARD HESTER

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Student

Activities

Student Union

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Housing

Brock Hall

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HOUSINGMR. LUTHER GREMMELS

Housing Operations:

• The Housing Office is now located in Brock Hall, room 123.

• Maxient training continues, as Ms. Angela Ward met with Dr.

Jane Coleman and Ms. Morgan Shelton (CARES), to discuss

how to better utilize the software in their areas.

• New study room tables were delivered for Gilbert Hall and

Stickney Hall.

• A new Housing application is being developed within the

Housing software. The housing applications currently on the

UWA website are valid for the remainder of the fall semester.

Residence Life:

• Staff members have been dealing with a number of roommate

conflicts.

• UWA Housing’s Annual “Best Room on Campus” contest is

currently underway.

• Based on staff and student feedback, a portion of the lobby on

the first floor of Selden Hall has been turned into a study room.

The study room includes a dry erase board and study desks.

In addition, the Information Technology Office has installed

computers and a print station in the Selden Hall lobby.

• Tiger Talks, one-on-one conversations between resident

assistants (RAs) and their residents, are underway and have

been well received.

Programming Highlights:

• Matt Heard hosted Team Tower Tumble in the Gilbert Hall lobby to get residents interacting, communicating, and building a stronger community. (pictured)

• Erica Johnson and Trezha Ruiz, co-RAs for the Health and Healing Professions Living-Learning Community at Gilbert Hall, hosted Donut Stress. Dr. Jane Coleman spoke with their residents about the different stressors experienced by college students and ways to cope with them.

• Darnell Milton facilitated Body and Soul at Hoover Apartments, where he discussed health, wellness, and study tips.

• Tay’la Robinson and Brodrick Williams planned and facilitated Diversity Explosion for the residents of Reed Hall, with guest speaker, Ms. Andrea Farquhar. The program included a powder-paint dodge ball game.

• Leah Allison invited former housing staff member and current adjunct faculty member, Erika Buckley, to speak with her Stickney Hall residents about money management and budgeting.

• Laken Reid discussed healthy eating, and provided nutritious and delicious recipes during her “Hunger Is Not a Game” program at Selden Hall.

Residence Hall Association (RHA)• The 2018 – 2019 RHA Executive Board has been announced:

• President: Alyssa Parris• Vice President of Administration: Ashia Winston• Vice President of Public Relations: Charletha Fuqua• Vice President of Programming: Haley Norris

• RHA is sending three students and an advisor to North Carolina State University, October 19 – 21, for the regional RHA conference (SACURHH).

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Student Involvement• The SGA...

• Continues to distribute pompoms to the students in the Student Section at home football games. The intent is it increase the overall UWA spirit at the game and build an exciting game day experience.

• President, Terrell Malone, presented a check to the UWA Rodeo coaches as part of a continuing collaboration that allows UWA students to attend the annual rodeo free of charge. (pictured)

• Will be meeting with Dr. Ken Tucker later in October for a formal dinner to discuss campus issues with the administration.

• Will be co-hosting a Voter Registration Drive with the County Board of Registrars on October 9, 2018.

• Helped sponsor three different groups as

they prepare for leadership conferences this year: RHA, IMC, and Blue Key.

• Celebrated Constitution Day on September 17, 2018. The event included reading the historic document and a discussion about what the Constitution means to them.

• Cafeteria Committee is now meeting regu-larly with a representative from Aramark to discuss student ideas and concerns as they relate to dining services on campus.

Greek Life• Order of Omega is currently accepting ap-

plications and will introduce a new class of initiates in early November.

• The various Greek organizations are pleased with tailgating so far this football season and continue to enjoy having electrical power supply at their tents.

STUDENT LIFEMR. BYRON THETFORD

Staff Notes:

• The Admissions Counselors attended over 40 private visits in addition to 40 college fairs during the month of September. The counselors shared information about up-coming Preview Days, answered questions about the university, and offered countless other examples of why UWA is the perfect fit to further their education.

Scholarships: • Freshman

• Awarded- 31• Accepted- 3

• Transfer • Awarded- 2• Accepted- 0

Upcoming• Preview Day (October 13, 2018)

• 86 students and 139 guests preregistered

• Preview Day (November 10, 2018) • 34 students and 55 guests preregistered

Enrollment Comparison:• Fall 2019 Applications: 1,984 (572 admits)

• Transfer - 20 applications with 5 admits• Freshman - 1964 applications with 567 admits

• Fall 2018 Applications: 1,983 (272 admits)• Transfer applications - 29 applications with 2 admits• Freshman applications - 1954 applications with 270 admits

• Spring 2019 Applications: 196 (60 admits)• Transfer - 63 applications with 26 admits• Freshman - 133 applications with 34 admits

• Spring 2018 Applications: 131 (25 admits)• Transfer applications - 78 applications with 18 admits • Freshman applications- 53 applications with 7 admits

• Summer 2019 Applications: 77 (15 admits)• Transfer - 1 application with 1 admit• Freshman - 76 applications with 14 admits

• Summer 2018 Applications: 109 (9 admits)• Transfer applications - 3 applications with 0 admits • Freshman applications - 106 applications with 9 admits

ADMISSIONSMRS. LIBBA BAKER

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• Individual Student Contacts (Counsel-

ing):

• Student Intakes – 8

• Counseling Sessions – 49

• Events/Meetings/Other (Counseling):

• Active Minds Interest Meeting - 13 in atten-

dance

• City Council Meeting in Demopolis for Chil-

dren’s Policy Council for the Community

That Cares Initiative

• Completed the QPR Suicide Prevention Gate-

keeper Training and is certified as an instruc-

tor

• Suicide Awareness Information dissemina-

tion outside of the Caf – Over 250 pieces of

information and ribbons disseminated

• Active Minds Officers’ Meeting

• Student Conduct Meeting

• Small Group for SSS students

• Supervising a CMH Practicum student

• Presentations (Counseling):

• Stress Management Program presented for

Stickney Hall – 9 students present

• Stress Management Program - Gilbert Hall –

over 20 students present

• UWA 101 – Suicide Awareness Prevention

Program (Mills section) – 36 students pres-

ent

• RA Training for Suicide Awareness Preven-

tion – 37 present

Upcoming/ongoing (Counseling):

• Red Ribbon Week

• Domestic Violence Prevention Month

• Level I and Level II Substance Abuse Educa-

tion Groups

• Suicide Awareness Prevention to the rest of

the UWA 101 classes

• Mental health presentation to Patterson

Residence Hall students

• Bullying presentation to Alpha Sigma Alpha

Sorority

• Class Presentations (Career Services):• All UWA 101 Classes (10 sections approx. 380

students) – Essential Skills, Career Mapping, and Career Expo

• 3 Business Professional Development Classes – Personality Assessment and Interpretation/Application, Micro internships, Dress for Success, Job Shadowing, Career Services & Events (including Expo)

• 3 Management Classes – Internship and graduate school application, resources and events

• 1 Speech Class – Basic resume writing and Interview Preparation

• Recruiting Activities (Career Services): • Dress for Success Fashion Show – 6 student

models displayed professional clothing to over 80 student attendees. Afterward, attendees were able to shop for clothing from the Career Closet (distributed over 60 articles of clothing).

• Resume Writing and LinkedIn Session – 40 students attended

• Chart Your Path Career Expo was held on September 26 with 33 employers participating. • Initially 40 employers were scheduled to

attend, however, 7 cancelled. • The unofficial count of students who

attended is 447 (based on registration cards).

• For the 2nd year, IMC Faculty provided headshots for student for professional profiles (e.g. LinkedIn).

• State Farm Aspirant Program: Three agents from State Farm Insurance came to campus to speak to us about this new program to give incentive to new graduates to consider insurance and State Farm for a career. Plans are being made to provide them an opportunity to promote this on campus and for possible job shadowing experiences.

• Attended EMSI/EQUIFAX Partnership webinar (UNCF CPI Project) to learn about an opportunity to receive 15 years of alumni outcomes information and participated in budget meeting and gauged all attendees for interest/feedback.

• Marketing assistant has strongly advertised events through social media and fliers and researched ways to engage freshmen more in Career Services events.

• Individual Student Contacts : 56• Resume advice/critiques: 35• Mock Interviews: 17• Other: 4

• Events/Other:• Alabama Connection Statewide Graduate

and Professional School Fair – Help with West Alabama Connection (at Stillman College) and provide limited transportation for students

• Provide Informative sessions on Graduate School Application and Resume Writing (October 4) and Micro-Internships/Internships (October 9)

• Host Accounting and Finance Day (along with COBT) on October 17

CAREER SERVICES & COUNSELING CENTERMS. TAMMY WHITE

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By the numbers (Tutoring Center):• 20 tutors and 102 tutees that attend 173

individual tutorial sessions per week

• Tutoring for 41 different courses

• 81% attendance rate in September

• SSS...• Completed recruiting for Fall 2018.

• 70 new students have been added to the roster

• 66% of those students are both first-gen-eration and low-income eligible students

• 37% of those students are conditionally admitted students

• Conducted more than 170 individual meet-ings with new and returning students in September, providing a variety of support services including:• Setting academic goals

• Discussing career goals, majors, and graduate school application processes

• Scheduling tutoring as needed or re-quired

• Assisting with understanding federal financial aid packages and developing a semester budget

• Assistance with completing the Verifica-tion process

• Instructions on how to apply for Parent PLUS loans

• Assisting students in deciding whether to add or drop courses for the semester

• Connecting students to campus organi-zations and clubs

• Presented a Stress Management Workshop• Led by UWA Counselor, Dr. Jane Cole-

man

• 18 SSS students attended

• The “SSS FLi Society” Student Club• Now recognized as an official student club at

UWA

• Starting to plan a campus wide 1st Genera-tion Student celebration for November

• Two (2) fundraising efforts planned for this fall

• Charleston Wrap fundraiser – Septem-ber 21 - October 26

• Baking for Books bake sale – October 3, 2018

• Focused its first 1st Gen spotlight on Mrs. Rhonda Gonzalez

Upcoming: • Continue to review course progress reports

from professors with students

• Begin to assist students in completing the 2019-20 FAFSA

• Offer a Study Abroad workshop presented by Mrs. Connie Marine – October 3rd

• Offer a Financial Literacy workshop presented by Dr. Jane Coleman – October 24th

• Take SSS students to the Alabama Connections Graduate School Fair, Oct. 2nd at Stillman Col-lege

• Continue to compile data to prepare for sub-mitting the 2017-18 APR

• August 29 – The University of West Alabama’s Upward Bound Program received the Grant Award Notification and can proudly report the program award has been increased to accommodate 81 students from Sumter Central High School and Demopolis High School. This is an increase of three (3) students.

• September 6 – Ms. Diana Pullum met with Principal Simmons of Sumter Central High School.

• September 10 - Upward Bound Program Applications for 2018 were delivered to Sumter Central High School (Applications are due Monday, October 15, 2018).

• September 13 – Upward Bound Staff met with Principal Handcock along with the 9th and 10th Grade Counselor, Mr. Barley, at Demopolis High School.• Discussed Upward Bound requirements• Arranged Upward Bound Recruiting

Meeting for Wednesday, September 19, 2918 at 1:30 p.m.

• September 17 – After-School Tutoring began at Sumter Central High School.

• September 19 - Upward Bound Program Applications for 2018 were delivered to Demopolis High School (Applications are due Monday, October 15, 2018).

• September 19 – Ms. Diana Pullum attended and completed WEAVE Training.

• Upward Bound Staff contacted Ms. Danielle Miller about Saturday Session dates and plans.

UPWARD BOUNDMS. VICKIE PULLUM

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES MS. ANDREA FARQUHAR

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REGISTRARMRS. SUSAN SPARKMAN

• September 10 - Mrs. Christi George and Mrs. Emily McInnis posted an official name change policy on the website. The policy can be found on the website under the heading “Updating and Amending Student Records.”

• October 5 - 2018 Fall One Online Session ends. Grades are due by 5:00 p.m. on October 12.

• October 11 - Deregistration for the Fall Two Session. • October 15 - 2018 Fall Two Online Session begins. • Currently completing the 2018 Spring Class Schedule. • 361 transcripts were processed during the month of September 2018.

Red Ribbon Week

Drug and Alcohol Awareness at UWAThe National Red Ribbon Week Campaign - October 23-31, 2018

Statistics of Substance Abuse among College Students

31 %Approximately 31 percent of U.S. college students report symptoms of

alcohol abuse.

80 %Approximately 80 percent of U.S. college students have abused alcohol.

450 %Between 1993 and 2005, the proportion of students who abused tranquilizers like Xanax and Valium increased by 450 percent.

110,000An estimated 110,000 students between the ages of 18-24 are arrested

every year for an alcohol-related violation, such as public drunkenness or driving under the influence.

Statistics Source: www.addictioncenter.com (reported by Dr. Jane Coleman)

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• 2018-2019 Financial Aid Processing:

• As of September 27, 2018

• Downloaded 9,584 ISIRs (367 since last month)

• Packaged 6,826 awards (240 since last month)

• 1,731 selected for verification (14 since last month)

• 783 verifications completed (85 since last month)

• Delinquent Loans Activity:

• The following delinquency emails were sent in August 2018:

• 498 emails to those who are 31-134 days delinquent

• 74 emails to those who are 75-115 days delinquent

• 159 emails to those who are 135-239 days delinquent

• 94 emails to those who are 240+ days delinquent

• 816 TOTAL emails

• These students are at risk of defaulting on federal student loans.

• 33 letters/emails were sent from the period August 16, 2018

through September 13, 2018 advising those that are in default

to contact their student loan servicer to resolve their defaulted

loan(s).

Upcoming:

• October is the beginning of the 2018-19 Federal Student Aid

training cycle. Six staff members will travel to Montgomery on

the October 17-19 for federal aid training, national credentialing,

and federal updates.

• The FAFSA for 2019-2020 will be available on October 1, 2018.

Several changes in Colleague, as well as a final academic calen-

dar, must be in place before we can begin processing.

FINANCIAL AIDMR. STEVE SMITH

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UNIVERSITY CIN EMA

OCTOBER is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month• According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, about six in every 1,000 students will be sexually

assaulted on college campuses.

• College-aged women (between ages 16-24) have the highest per capita rate of intimate partner

violence.

• 21% of college students report having experienced dating violence by a current partner.

• 32% of college students report experiencing dating violence by a previous partner.

• Peer pressure, the presence of drugs and alcohol, stressful schedules, tight-knit friend groups, and

social media contribute to higher rates of abuse, sexual assault, and stalking for students. Young

people also have limited relationship experience, and often if a high school relationship was at all

violent or unhealthy, it is likely that future college relationships will be unhealthy too. While 70%

of young victims don’t realize they’re being abused by their partner, those who do know they’re

experiencing abuse resist reporting it because the intersecting social networks of a college campus

can make victims feel trapped by their circumstances. Being away from home and from previous

support networks can also make victims feel particularly alone and unable to access help in their

struggle. Students experiencing abuse may also resist reporting their experiences because they may

be afraid of getting in trouble with their abuser, their parents, their friend group, and their school.

• Students who recognize that their friends are being abused experience similar hesitations when

it comes to reporting the situation. Studies show that of people who have known someone

experiencing abuse, 52% believe it is not appropriate to get involved and fear that by reporting the

abuse, they may harm their own friendship with the victim or abuser.

• If you or someone you know who is a student at UWA and is experiencing abuse,

please consider contacting Counseling Services at (205) 652-3651, Turning

Point (A local domestic violence agency) at (205) 758-0808, or call the National

Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Statistics Source: www.hawcdv.org

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESSDR. JANE COLEMAN

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STUDENT ACTIVITIESMR. JASON GARDNER

By the numbers:

• UWA Mobile App “Guide” Downloads• UWA Guide 665• Student Activities 1,340• Student Life 564• Admissions 564• University Police 408

• The UWA app is a one-stop-shop for all UWA events. Download the app by searching UWA Tigers in the app store or google play.

• Intramurals• Trash Pong: 9 teams (18 total participants)• Wiffleball: 2 teams (9 total participants)• Super Smash Bros.: 4 participants• Disc Golf: Rescheduled due to rain• Flag Football: 16 teams (10 men’s, 3 wom-

en’s, 3 co-rec) • 207 Total participants

• Rec Center• 595 check-ins at the rec center as of 9/26.

Campus Activities Board• Hosted Emotion Matrix Virtual Reality on Sep-

tember 26. • 226 students participated in the event.

• Planning homecoming activities• Continue working on the Homecoming Concert

featuring Thompson Square.• Tickets can be purchased at cab.uwa.edu

Band• Performed in three (3) home football games this

month• Hosted the 2nd Annual Bash at the Border

• Four (4) bands from Alabama participated with several students expressing interest in UWA after high school.

• Performed an exhibition performance at De-mopolis High School’s band contest on Septem-ber 29.

• The pep band performed at two (2) home vol-leyball games.

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