In this Issue:

Winter Intersession 2007
Campus Recreation Opportunities
Housing Announcements
Happy Thanksgiving
Exam Week
What to do in Oxford over the holidays

 

Whitman Smith, Director of Orientation Programs

Hi Parents!

Hope this finds you all doing well and anticipating that Thanksgiving Holiday with your student. I think they are all ready for the break and some of you probably are too. In this issue of the Parents e-newsletter we highlight two great areas for your students about which you may not be familiar. Stepping outside of the Division of Student Life and into the Division of Outreach, Winter Intersession (often referred to as Wintersession by our students) is explained by Dr. Don Howie, Director of Summer School and Intersession Programs. I think it will be of great interest to many of you.  Getting back to another Student Life department, Shannon Baker, our dynamite Coordinator of Ole Miss Outdoors shares some great information about her home, Campus Recreation.

Remember, the purpose of the Division of Student Life and this e-newsletter is to serve. We are here for our students and want to be a source of information for you as well. As always we invite your feedback, ideas and suggestions for improvement. Contact us at stulife@olemiss.edu

back to top

WINTER INTERSESSION 2007
Dr. Donald R. Howie, Director of Summer School and Intersession Programs

Is your student looking to pick up a quick 3 hours credit before the start of the Spring Semester? If so, check out this great information about our Winter Intersession!

What is Winter Intersession?
Winter Intersession is an academic term designed to offer Ole Miss Students the opportunity to earn up to three hours of academic credit toward the completion of their degrees during a portion of the five and a half week break between the fall and spring semesters.

What are the dates of Winter Intersession?
The 2007 Winter Intersession will begin Monday, Jan. 2. The last day of Winter Intersession, will also be the day of the final exam, Saturday, January 13. Spring semester classes will begin the following Tuesday, January 16.

Why do students take a Winter Intersession class?
Students have the opportunity to take a course needed to complete their degrees or to retake a course if necessary. There are opportunities for internships and for studying abroad for course credit. If a student knows that he or she will be taking some particularly demanding courses during the spring, Winter Intersession could be the solution to a lighter course load that term or provide the opportunity to concentrate on only one subject. Taking a course during Winter Intersession can help students get ahead or catch up.
What kind of courses can I take?
On the Winter Intersession web site www.outreach.olemiss.edu/wintersession you can find the academic calendar for Winter Intersession 2007, as well as a list of all of the courses currently scheduled to be offered. Courses are listed by school and department. Because details on a particular course may change, the most current information on courses can be found by consulting the Course Schedule menu on the main Ole Miss web. Winter Intersession 2007 will offer more than 100 courses.
How do Winter Intersession classes work?
The normal Winter Intersession course will meet three hours and thirty minutes each day for ten days (Monday through Friday) during the first two weeks of January, with finals scheduled for Saturday, January 13.
How much do Winter Intersession classes cost?
Tuition for a Winter Intersession course is the same as that of any other comparable course taken during the fall or spring.
How do I sign up for a Winter Intersession class?
You may register for Winter Intersession classes during the Priority Registration period which begins October 27th. The exception to this is Winter Intersession Study Abroad which has an earlier deadline.
What if I have more questions?
The Winter Intersession program is administered by the Office of Summer School within the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. 662-915-7283; drhowie@olemiss.edu

back to top

Campus Recreation Opportunities
By Shannon Baker

Does your student ever complain that there is nothing to do in their spare time? If so, they may want to check in to the many fun, healthful activities, clubs and trips available to them through Campus Recreation. Our offices are located in the Thomas Turner Recreation building across the street from the Martindale Student Services Building. We have a lot of fun and help students keep in shape while also offering them social and teambuilding opportunities. Campus recreation is a wonderful vehicle for making friends and having fun. After reading, if you have questions or need clarification, give me a call and I’d be happy to help!

AQUATICS
If your student wants to be a lifeguard or has been a lifeguard during the summer, they can be certified and/or update their certification at the Turner Center. Lifeguards need to be recertified in CPR every year, and we will be scheduling courses all throughout spring semester 2007, but the class towards the end of the semester fills fast. For more information, call (662) 915-SWIM or stop by the aquatics office adjacent to the pool.

INTRAMURAL SPORTS
Intramurals are winding down as Thanksgiving approaches. 16 inch softball, a new activity, kicked off the season, followed by a record year for flag football with 126 teams!! Despite many rainy days, 7-aside soccer is playing now and will wrap up in December along with Texas Hold'em poker!

SPORT CLUBS
Outdoor Clubs have increased with lacrosse and cricket practicing this year. The rugby club has continued its winning ways by taking home the Governor's Cup trophy in the in-state rivalry tournament. The soccer and ultimate Frisbee clubs have been competing all semester also. The ultimate Frisbee club will host a tournament November 11. Indoor Clubs have been practicing all semester also. Fencing, karate, badminton, Iadio, Jui-Jitsu and Tae Kwon Do have many new members and welcome those interested in learning more! Many of these clubs practice for individual development only and not for competition. Students interested in registering can stop by the Intramural Office, main floor of the Turner Center, room 212.

FITNESS
The Fitness Center has been in full swing since the beginning of the semester; cardio machines are in constant demand, and the new Nautilus strength equipment has been a big hit. Group exercise classes provide a wonderful alternative to individual fitness, and some of the most popular include Yoga, Indoor Cycling, Latin & Ballroom Dance, Hip Hop, and Body Pump. Personal training is at an all-time high, providing students with personalized workouts and motivation for an extremely attractive price. Encourage your student to stop by the Fitness Center, the third floor of the Turner Center, today for a free orientation and to meet the helpful staff.

OUTDOORS
Ole Miss Outdoors launched many exciting adventures this semester,including white water kayaking on the Nantahala River and Fly Fishing in Arkansas. From backpacking the Smokey Mountains toRock Climbing in Southern Illinois, all of our trips this semester have filled to maximum capacity. The upcoming winter ski trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado is getting close to being full! We do have a few slots left, and what a great holiday present it would make for your son or daughter. To register, please call our office at (662) 915-6736 or stop by the Turner Center, room 112.

back to top

Housing Announcements
Residential Halls will close on Saturday, November 18th at 10:00 AM for the Thanksgiving holidays and will reopen on Friday, November 24th at noon for any students returning for the Egg Bowl. Hefley and Deaton will remain open during the holidays for students who are unable to travel home. Residential Halls will again close after finals week on Saturday, December 9th at 10:00 AM and will reopen on Monday, January 1st at noon.

back to top

Happy Thanksgiving!
Although there are no classes during Thanksgiving week, administrative offices will remain open Monday and Tuesday, November 20-21, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Wednesday, November 22nd, from 8:00AM to 1:00PM. The university will reopen on Monday, November 27th at 8:00am.

back to top

Exam Week
Exams begin on Monday, December 4 and end Friday December 8. Exams are typically scheduled at either 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 4:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.  If a student has more than 3 exams scheduled for one day, they are allowed to arrange a different date for one of the exams, usually the one at noon. For more information on exams, contact the office of the Registrar at 662-915-7792 or visit them online at www.olemiss.edu/depts/registrar

back to top

My child is not coming home for Thanksgiving.
Is there anything for them to do in Oxford?
Yes! Students have many opportunities during the Thanksgiving break on campus and in Oxford. Below are only a few of the events happening next week.

For those interested in the arts, there are two great exhibitions on campus. For information on The “Dolls and Fans” exhibition at the University Museums, visit http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/u_museum/. Gallery 130, the Department of Art gallery in Meek Hall is featuring paintings and drawings by artist Pinkney Herbert.  For more information, visit www.olemiss.edu/depts/art. If your student would like to try their hand at making their own artwork, Mark Barnes will teach a weekend art workshop, Saturday, November 18th, on kudzu baskets. For information, contact the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, (662) 236-6429.

For those interested in sports, the women’s basketball team will take on the Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Tuesday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m and Rhode Island on Sunday, November 19th at 2:00 p.m. The men’s basketball team will take on Tennesee tech Wednesday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m. and Nicholls State on Friday, November 24th at 7:00 p.m. The volleyball team plays LSU on Sunday, November 19th at 2:00 p.m. For information or  tickets, call (662) 915-7167. For information on the Egg Bowl, UM vs Mississippi State on Saturday, November 25th visit http://www.olemisssports.com/.

For other great events happening at Ole Miss and in Oxford, check out the online calendar at http://www.olemiss.edu/calendar/.

back to top