August 2006

Contents

• Greetings from OUS

• UCARE Fall Kick-off

• National Scholarship Deadlines

• Scholarship Information Seminar

• What's in Your Student's Wallet?

OUS Newsletter Archives

Special Announcement

Warm Greetings! for the 2006-07 Academic Year. It feels as though we skipped from the end of Spring semester over summer (except for the heat!) and right into Fall semester! We have many exciting events happening at UNL this fall semester and we will try to keep you abreast of them. Please visit the OUS website for information and links to these events.

Retention of our undergraduate students continues to be top priority for all of us at UNL. Our communications campaign focusing on aspects of retention and best practices will continue throughout this year. Dr. Nancy Meyer, UNL Human Resources, and Dr. Tom Workman, Student Involvement, have expanded the Serving Students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln training program. You will learn more about their opportunities for participation in a workshop early this fall.

Please encourage first year and entering transfer students to attend UNL's third annual Mid Semester: Checking It Out! September 25, 26, 27 or 28 from 7:00PM to 8:30PM at the Nebraska Union. Last year over 1500 students attended the event and evaluations indicated the students found the event to be very helpful, as well as enjoyable. There will be free snacks and Pepsi products again this year, as well as skits by the NSE leaders and sessions led by UNL faculty and staff. Pat McBride, Director of New Student Enrollment, is providing great leadership again this year and you will be hearing from both Pat and me about the event.

The Multicultural Student Welcome will be held Friday, August 25 from 5:30 to 9:00PM at the Culture Center. Please stop by and welcome our new students, enjoy the entertainment and delicious food.

The UCARE Fall Kickoff will be held in the Nebraska Union on August 30 from 5:00PM to 6:00PM. Please encourage all UCARE students and faculty to attend. There will be a brief program to orient faculty/students to the UCARE program.

I hope your fall semester is a good one - full of many positive and exciting experiences that will contribute to the success of our undergraduate students. Please don't hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and ideas <rkean1@unl.edu> as to how we as an institution can improve our undergraduates' experience!

Thank you.
Rita Kean, Dean of Undergraduate Studies

UCARE Fall Kick-off

UCARE students and faculty mentors participating in UCARE for the academic year 2006-07 are invited to attend the UCARE Fall Kick-off on August 30, 2006 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the City Union's Centennial Room. This is for new and returning UCARE students and their faculty mentors.

National Scholarship Deadlines

The campus deadline for the Churchill, Marshall, Rhodes and Mitchell national scholarships is September 6. The campus deadline for the Fulbright is September 8. Students pursuing the Fulbright should have spoken with Dr. Bob Stoddard and Dr. Laura Damuth and have registered on the Fulbright website. Contact Dr. Damuth for more information on these scholarships (Ldamuth1@unl.edu). National scholarship information is available at http://www.unl.edu/ous/opportunities/scholarships_info.shtml.

Scholarship Information Seminar

Students may register for a 5-week mini-course on national scholarships for Fall 2006. This is intended for freshmen or sophomores that are interested in pursuing national scholarships. Register for this course on WAM: UHON 198H, Scholarship Information Seminar: call #: 7372 Section: 951. The course begins October 23 and will meet on Mondays from 4:00-4:50 p.m. Contact Dr. Laura Damuth for additional information (Ldamuth1@unl.edu).

What's in Your Student's Wallet?  

Financial experts advise college students to use debit cards rather than credit cards. College students with limited budgets may not pay credit card balances in full each month. Interest and finance charges increase debt and continue the cycle. Debit cards only allow students to spend money in their accounts and do not incur interest or finance charges.

Students who need money for educational expenses, including living expenses, should see the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid http://www.unl.edu/scholfa/ for student loan information. Terms for student loans are usually better than those for credit cards. For students who still want or need a credit card here are Six Simple Rules for Student Credit Card Use

1. One is enough. Multiple cards simply mean multiple bills and payments that add up even faster. How many times do you pay for that "free T-shirt" in interest and fees?
2. Read the fine print. Look for and understand grace periods, finance charges, late or missed payment charges, two-cycle billing, and annual fees. Is the interest rate fixed or variable and how does it change after late or missed payments, or exceeding your credit limit? Watch for changes in terms.
3. Do not carry the credit card with you. It is less likely to be lost or to be used for impulse purchases. Do you really want to pay interest on lattes or pizza?
4. If you use it, try to pay the balance in full and on time. You avoid interest and fees and build your good credit.
5. If you cannot pay in full ALWAYS pay more than the minimum. The minimum balance is designed to make the credit card company maximum profit.
6. Keep good records. Notify the company of any change of address. File all statements with a record of your payments. Keep the card number and the phone number to call if the card is ever lost or stolen.

Parents are encouraged to discuss finances with their students, including the student's use of debit cards, credit cards, and the University NCard. If your student has a credit card for emergency use, make sure you agree on what does and does not constitute an emergency.

Many families help pay charges to the student's consolidated bill, such as tuition, fees, and housing. Since NCard purchases around campus are also charged to that account, it is a good idea to discuss who will be responsible for which charges, such as copying or printing, books and supplies, or vending machines and food in the Union. Charges appear on the student's consolidated bill and must be paid in full each month. For information about UNL student accounts including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), visit this web page http://stuaccts.unl.edu/.

The NCard can also be connected to a Wells Fargo account and be used as a debit card. For information about services and policies regarding the NCard see, http://ncard.unl.edu/.

For information on credit cards, debit cards and other consumer banking resources visit this website from the U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission: http://www.mymoney.gov/.

-- JoAnn Moseman, Academic Transfer Coordinator

Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
201 Seaton Hall
Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0683
(402) 472-1185
unlous@unlnotes.unl.edu

Dr. Rita Kean, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Professor of Textiles, Clothing and Design
Jamar Banks, Director of OASIS
Dr. Patrice Berger, Director of NU Honors Program and Professor of History
Dr. Laura Damuth, Director of Undergraduate Research and Fellowship Advisor
Dr. Donald Gregory, Director of General Studies and Associate Professor of English
Gail Hackwith, Administrative Assistant
Dr. Jessica Jonson, University-wide Assessment Coordinator
Jennifer Lantz, Administrative Technician I
JoAnn Moseman, Academic Transfer Coordinator
AnnMarie Williams, Academic Learning Communities Coordinator

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not discriminate based on gender, age, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran's status, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.