Textbooks

by TU Parent & Family Association

We all know just how expensive collegiate textbooks can be—and how many courses require more than one!

The textbooks for one semester can easily exceed $500 if purchased directly through the bookstore on campus. Plus, at the end of the semester, the bookstore buys them back for pennies on the dollar.

One way to mitigate this cost is through early action and a little bit of comparison shopping.

How do I know what books I need?

This is a very typical question. Most students are not aware of the books they need before the first day of class when professors pass out the syllabus, making online shopping almost a non-option due to shipping delays. Well, professors must inform the bookstore of what course materials are required so they can be ordered and stocked before school starts. Have your student pull up his or her course schedule (found on WebAdvisor) write down the course number. The course number is usually in the form of “ABC-1233-01″ with “ABC” being the Department, “1233″ being the Course Number, and “01″ being the Section Number—all of these components are necessary to ensure that you have the correct course selected!

Once your student has written down all of the information (or printed the screen on WebAdvisor, if a printer is handy), then go to the Bookstore Website. Click the link for “Books” in the top left-hand corner, then select “Textbooks”. For each course, put in the information and record the books that are needed (printing the screen for each course is usually the easiest way to do this). Now you know what books and materials are needed for each course.

OK, I know what I need, now where do I comparison shop?

There are many different websites that sell textbooks, which can be daunting, especially when you don’t know which ones are trustworthy. Below is a list of websites that I have personally used to purchase textbooks.

Textbook Websites

Of course there are many more textbook websites out there, but these are the major ones. Encourage your student to ask others about their experiences with buying textbooks online.

Tips

Electronic versions of textbooks can be a great option to save money, but there are professors who do not like the use of electronic devices in class. Many times, if the professor is opposed to laptops, an e-reader is considered acceptable as long as the student is using the device purely for class purposes. Encourage your student to email the professor to see his or her policy on devices in class.

The international version of a textbook can also be a huge money saver, and it usually is identical to the US textbook. This is a case where it is important to do a little bit of research and if you feel uncomfortable with it, seek the next cheapest option.

Renting books can really save money, even compared to international and electronic versions, but it is important that the student picks an appropriate rental period, does not order the book too far in advance (part of the saving is being able to rent for the shortest time possible), and keeps the book in the best condition possible. Many sites that offer rentals include paid shipping, all the student has to do is get packing materials and drop it off at the correct shipping location. The bookstore also has a rental option on many materials.

Questions? Comments? Send us an email at: tuparents@gmail.com

UPDATE: Another option for saving some money on textbooks is by purchasing the book from a student who has already completed the course. If your student has friends who have taken this course, encourage them to ask about purchasing or borrowing the book—you will save money and the other student will get more back for the book than the bookstore will pay. Don’t know anyone who has already taken the course? Some students email the professor to contact last semester’s students about purchasing a book.

Weather Procedures

by TU Parent & Family Association

Tornadoes / Severe Storms

Oklahoma is a beautiful state, but unfortunately we are also home to a fair share of tornados. It is important to be prepared in case one of these storms heads towards Tulsa. When these storms come a tornado siren usually precedes them. To hear what the siren sounds like, go outside any Wednesday at noon, that is when they are tested. You can also hear the sirens at many of the Golden Hurricane football games.

Watches vs. Warnings

So you’re watching TV and county names start scrolling across the bottom of the screen and are labeled
watch or warning, and you are wondering just what this means. First it is important to know we are located in Tulsa County. It’s highlighted in red on the map located on this page. It is important to know the difference between a watch and a warning so you know whether or not to take cover.

Tornado Watch

This means there is a chance of tornado forming

Tornado Warning

This means a tornado has been seen or detected by radar.

Safety Procedures

If a tornado warning is issued, it is important for you to move from your room to a place of greater safety, away from the top floors of the halls and apartments and away from windows or glass. Most injuries and deaths from tornadoes are due to flying debris. Generally, interior hallways, bathrooms, and basements are best. Take a blanket to shield yourself from potential flying or falling debris, and remain calm until staff gives the “all clear”. Those wishing to risk their lives by viewing the tornado are asked to leave University property.

If A Tornado Siren Sounds

  • Remain calm
  • You MUST proceed to the designated Tornado Safety Area in your
  • building
  • Remain in shelter until University staff has given the “ALL CLEAR” signal. Housing staff members will let you know when it is safe to leave the shelter
  • Do not go outside

Storm Shelters

Fisher South, 7th Street House, 5th Place House, LaFortune House, & Sorority Row residents are to evacuate to the ground floor hallway with room doors closed.

Fisher West Suites, John Mabee Hall, & Lottie Jane Mabee Hall residents evacuate to the basement area.

Apartment residents are to evacuate to any Residence Hall (in the designated area), the Reynolds Center,
Keplinger Hall, or Collins Fitness Center (during normal operating hours)

Adapted from The 2012-2013 Guide to Campus Living

TU Bricks

by TU Parent & Family Association

A few years ago, the TU Annual Fund started offering personalized bricks for a $100 donation.

Graduating from college is such a special time for everyone involved—from students and their family members, to teachers past and present. This program is a wonderful way to make that day a part of TU forever.

Bricks are engraved and laid in the Bayless Plaza, plus a photo of your brick is sent to you. Since the order is on a rolling basis, the bricks are laid in batches, so the brick you order now will not be at Bayless for graduation.

The most interesting part of this program is that it is open to TU alumni and friends as well, so you can honor a loved one or a student’s favorite professor as well!

As a TU alumna myself, it was such an honor for my parents to purchase a brick for me to celebrate my undergraduate graduation. Now, as a TU graduate student, I get to talk by Bayless Plaza and find my name among many of my classmates and am reminded of the wonderful years I have had at TU and that I am part of this university’s legacy long after graduation.

Please consider purchasing a brick in honor your student or loved one, it is such a special gift.

TU Brick Program

Bricks

Campus Housing Information

by TU Parent & Family Association

While many of us have already helped to move a student into campus housing once, I thought it would be a good time to discuss some things for moving on campus.

Requirements

New students are required to live on campus except under certain circumstances:

All first/second year students at TU live on campus.  The University established the 1st/2nd year residency requirement because students clearly benefit from living in environment designed with your needs in mind.  Living on campus is an important part of the TU experience. (http://www.utulsa.edu/student-life/living-and-dining-on-campus/Housing-and-Dining-Requirement.aspx)

Housing Waiver

First and second year students are also required to have a meal plan: http://www.utulsa.edu/student-life/living-and-dining-on-campus/dining/Meal-Plans.aspx

Certain immunizations are required to live on campus, barring certain medical, religious and personal reasons which require a waiver: http://www.utulsa.edu/student-life/Health-and-Wellness/Immunization-Information.aspx

Residence Halls

TU suggests bringing these things to campus if you are living in a dorm:

  • Twin XL Sheets (39″ X 80″)
  • Pillows & Comforter
  • Plants
  • 3M Command Adhesive
  • Pictures, Posters
  • Laundry bag/basket
  • Laundry supplies
  • Shower bucket/tote
  • Bath robe, towels
  • Multiple outlet strip (w/surge protector)
  • Sewing Kit
  • Iron/ Ironing Board
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Kitchen Supplies
  • Alarm Clock
  • Computer w/ Ethernet card
  • School Supplies
  • Stamps
  • 1 or 2 storage bins
  • X-Box, Playstation, Wii
  • TV and Stereo
  • Bike
  • Snack Food

Each of the TU residence halls offer:

  • Air-conditioning
  • An evening reception/security/service desk and electronic card access on outside doors
  • In-room Ethernet ports to connect to the TU computer network
  • In-room expanded cable (premium channels extra) plus TU’s own Residence Life TV (RLTV) Channel 24 with premium movies each month
  • Room furnishings: desk, chair, bunkable bed, closet (or‑wardrobe), dresser, and wastebasket
  • Study lounge(s)
  • Big-screen television with cable and DVD players
  • Free washer and dryers connected to On-line Laundry Alert service
  • Vending machines
  • Microwaves and ice machines

On-Campus Apartments

The TU on-campus apartments are not furnished, so it is important to remember that you must bring your own furniture.

Before a student can pick up his or her key, TU must see proof that the student has initiated electric service through PSO. This can be done online through PSO’s website: www.psoklahoma.com

Apartment rates include internet, basic cable and water—if the student wants premium cable, telephone, or other services, he or she must make those arrangements with a provider in the Tulsa-area, such as Cox Cable: http://www.utulsa.edu/student-life/living-and-dining-on-campus/University-Apartments/Benefits-and-Amenities.aspx

Unlike residence halls, apartments are not closed over school breaks, meaning that students do not have to check out for Thanksgiving Break, Christmas/Winter Break, or Spring Break. Students also have the ability to store their items at their apartments during the summer break for a fee: http://www.utulsa.edu/student-life/living-and-dining-on-campus/University-Apartments/Copy-of-Rates.aspx

 Mail Services

For students in residence halls, there are mailboxes near the front desk. When a student checks in, he or she will receive the mailbox key.

Apartment dwellers have mailboxes located in a common area—this is usually near a clubhouse. Upon check-in, the student should be informed where his or her mailbox is located.

Packages will be picked up at Mail Services in ACAC. Students receive email notifications that a package has arrived, instructing them to bring their Student ID to the Mail Services window.

Students LOVE receiving letters and packages, but it can be confusing to figure out the correct mailing address, so here is a handy PDF to help with that: Mailing Addresses

New Student Orientation – August 18th & 19th

by TU Parent & Family Association

This semester is winding down and we are about to send our new graduates out into the world—Congratulations Class of 2013!

Looking ahead, we are ecstatic to greet our new students and families who will be joining our TU family shortly.

Every fall, TU holds an orientation program for new students and their families the week before classes begin (August 26th, mark your calendars!). This is a very exciting and emotional time as these students and their families begin their TU experience.

This is where you come in!

We work very hard to make sure the students and family members are greeted with a kind “Hello” and some information to help make this a smooth transition into college life. Every year, TUPFA volunteers man tables filled with information packets for parents that include helpful phone numbers and other useful information.

We need you!

There are five dorms to move new students into: Fisher South, Fisher West, LaFortune, Lottie Jane Mabee and John Mabee. That means we need volunteers at each dorm, on both days.

Please consider being the face of TU for these newcomers, sign up to volunteer!

HELPFUL LINKS

 

Don’t forget to check out our pictures from last year!

CaneLink

by TU Parent & Family Association

This semester, TU launched a new online Housing Portal, called “CaneLink”.

CaneLink is a student’s link to campus! It features the ability to sign up for on-campus jobs, select housing, find roommates, send in maintenance requests for apartments, report a security incident and more.

One of the most important features of CaneLink is the ability to submit the FERPA form electronically.

FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, an act that allows students 18 and older to restrict what information is shared and who it is shared with.

Yes, the FERPA has to do with allowing parents/guardians to inquire about grades and other information, but one of the most critical things is that it actually allows the university to contact designated people in case of illness or hospitalization.

Please, encourage your student to fill out the FERPA form on CaneLink—especially to contact you in case of emergency!

CaneLink is located here: https://canelink.utulsa.edu

Local Events with TU Alumni Association

by TU Parent & Family Association

The Alumni Association is chartering 2 new chapters in Phoenix and Los Angeles.

All parents are invited to attend:

Phoenix on April 25: http://bit.ly/10OOdDx

Los Angeles on April 27: http://bit.ly/10OOma7

We’re also working on an event in St. Louis on May 30. More information coming soon.

Thanks!

Amy Freiberger
Executive Director of Alumni Relations
www.TUAlumni.com
amy-freiberger@utulsa.edu

TUPFA Meeting Friday, April 12 @ 1PM

by Punky Dahl

Good Morning!  This is just a reminder that we will be having our meeting at 1:00 p.m. at Holmes Student Center in the conference room.

We have a lot to talk about: Reading Days, Graduation, and starting to plan for Move in days for next year, also Silent Auction baskets for Homecoming.  I hope all of you will plan to be there as this is an important planning meeting.

Have a wonderful day and I hope to see you all Friday at 1:00.

Punky Dahl, President

Gluten-Free Finals Care Packages

by TU Parent & Family Association

As many of you may know, it’s time for Finals Care Packages—a fundraiser we do each Spring and Fall semester.

We have had questions in the past about Gluten-Free options and we are pleased to share that there is, in fact, a Gluten-Free basket for $40+tax.

If you have any questions about special packages or the Finals Care Packages in general, please contact Diane Jessup at diane-jessup@utulsa.edu or 918-631-2707.

Finals Care Packages

Graduation Information

by TU Parent & Family Association

It’s that time of the school year again–time for Spring Commencement!

Graduating college (both as a student or a family member with an  upcoming graduate) can be a whirlwind of excitement, fear, uncertainty and joy. With that in mind, here is some information to help with this huge milestone.

Caps & Gowns

This week is the “Senior Salute“, a time  when graduating seniors (and graduate students) can go over to ACAC and pick up their caps and gowns, meet with representatives from the Business Office, Registrar, Financial Aid, and Graduate School in one convenient location. A student’s cap and gown is provided at no cost, however, announcements, class rings and pictures will be available for a price.

Josten’s partners with TU for all of the regalia, announcements, and rings, so you may order online as well. Students who are unable to attend the Senior Salute this week are able to make arrangements to pick up caps and gowns by contacting the Office of Student Affairs at 631-2327.

The Big Day – May 11th @ 10AM

There are many different activities unique to the various schools and departments, so your student is encouraged to check his/her email or contact an adviser to inquire about special activities outside of the commencement ceremony.

A schedule for the event is available online, however it is always best to contact the various schools and departments directly for more information.

The University of Tulsa has a single commencement ceremony for all students graduating this semester–some universities split up graduation ceremonies by college or degree. The ceremony takes place in the Reynold’s Center (#82 on this campus map).

 

These are just some of the things that we have had questions about in the past, please feel free to comment on this post or email us at tuparents@gmail.com if you have any other questions or concerns.