The start of a new semester is always an exciting time of new goals, opportunities, growth, and challenges. As your students settle into their classes and new routines, we know this is an excellent time for them to build momentum and set the foundation for an academically successful spring semester.
We understand that every student’s academic journey is unique, and we have so many staff members here to help them navigate it. The Center for Academic Support and Advisement (CASA) offers a range of resources to ensure students can excel in their coursework and beyond (best of all, at no cost!). From tutoring, supplemental instruction and peer academic coaching to personalized advisement and workshops, our dedicated CASA staff is ready to support your student at every turn of this academic journey.
As parents and family members, you play an important role in your student’s success. It’s important to recognize early indicators that your student might need assistance—whether it’s struggling with coursework, time management, or feeling overwhelmed. These challenges are common and addressing them early is key. Encourage your student to take advantage of these resources early and remind them that asking for help is a sign of strength. Making a plan now can prevent challenges from piling up later in the semester.
The UTC Parent and Family Association is here to support you, too. If you have questions or need guidance, reach out to us at UTCParents@utc.edu or follow us on Facebook or Instagram @UTCParents. Together, we can help your student make this spring semester a great one!
Wishing you and your student all the best this spring!
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- Feb 21: Summer 2025 class schedule available to view online
- Feb 24: Summer 2025 registration begins for currently enrolled students
- Mar 4: Undergraduate mid-term grades due from faculty by 10:00 am
- Mar 10-16: Spring Break- No classes
View the 2024-2025 Academic Calendar Here!
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The Importance of Professors and Advisors
8 Steps for Parents Completing the FAFSA Form
The people of UTC: Get to know Jana Cox
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Engaging in meaningful conversation about timely topics is a great way to better understand what support your student may need. Try out some suggested conversation starters to learn more about what your student is facing while away at UTC.
- How are you feeling about your classes this semester?
- What is something interesting you learned in one of your classes this week?
- How are the classes you’re taking now helping you think about your major/future career choice?
- What have you been doing for fun and to decompress lately?
- What are you thinking you may do for Spring Break?
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Greetings from Janice Cosey, Bursar
We are in the fifth week of the Spring 2025 Semester. This may the last semester for your student, and we want to acknowledge the accomplishment. Congratulations!!!
The Bursar Office Team is prepared to assist in the educational journey of your student! As we progress through the semester students are encouraged to set up ACH/Direct Deposit for refunds through the student’s MyMocsNet account. Paper checks are mailed to the permanent address on file, it can take 5-10+ days via USPS. The Office of the Bursar advocates ACH/Direct Deposit because it is a vital step to ensure the funds expected can be delivered as quickly and securely as possible. If assistance is needed on adding the refund account information, please visit the Bursar Office website at www.utc.edu/bursar.
If the Tuition Installment Payment Plan (TIPP) was utilized for the Spring Semester the next payment is due February 1 followed by subsequent due dates of March 1 and April 1. A late fee is applied on the 4th of each month if the scheduled payment is not received.
If you have any general questions, please contact our office at 423.425.4781 or email us at Bursars-Office@utc.edu. The office is open Monday – Friday beginning at 8:30 am until 5:00 pm.
Note: A MyMocsPass Passphrase is required to receive specific information about a student’s account.
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Help your student prepare for their future by connecting with us!
Here are some upcoming career development opportunities:
- College of Engineering & Computer Science Lunch & Learn – Evia Solutions | 2.7.25 | 12p
- Rollins College of Business Resume Week | Feb. 10-12th
- Career Connections All Majors Career Fair | 2.12.25 | 11a-3p
- This is your chance to connect with amazing employers, learn about exciting opportunities, and land that dream job (or internship!). Whether you are in the market for a position, or just wanting to browse, we have some really great companies that are eager to meet YOU!
- Teacher Recruitment Day Career Fair | 2.25.25 | 10a-11:30a
- Rollins College of Business Career Fair | 3.3.25 | 9a-12p
- College of Engineering & Computer Science Lunch & Learn – Hoffman | 2.26.25 | 12p
- Rollins College of Business Moc Interviewer Week | Feb. 27-29th
- College of Engineering & Computer Science Career Fair | 3.5.25 | 10a-2p
- Graduate Student Professional Development Workshop: Connecting Experiences to Jobs | 3.5.25 | 12-1:30p
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New Office, New Coordinator, Same Great UTC Service
Dean Topodas has started as the new Off-Campus Student Services Coordinator in the newly created Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS) office. OCSS is designed to further help students become educated and informed about the off-campus housing process, become prepared to make the transition to (or successfully sustain) positive off-campus housing situations, gain access to the resources needed to find the best fit off-campus housing, and navigate the complexities of searches, leases, roommates, and more. OCSS meets students where they are, no matter what experience or support they have, and, through collaborations with on-campus partners, provides them with perspectives, resources, and tools which ultimately help students develop self-sufficiency and self-advocacy. Encourage your student to check out how Off-Campus Student Services can help…Pfeiffer 207, ocss@utc.edu, or utc.edu/ocss.
A great upcoming opportunity not to miss is the Housing Fair on February 26th from 11a-2pm in the Tennessee Room in the University Center. By bringing properties and partners together, everything a student could possibly need for the off-campus housing journey will be in one room.
Encourage your student to come to the Fair (to eat free food) and talk with properties and partners to ace off-campus living!
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UTC Counseling Center
A new semester marks the perfect time to check in on overall wellness, and mental health is one significant wellness indicator that often gets overlooked! Here are some research-based tips to help students feel more grounded, connected, and successful this semester:
- Foster friendships. Whether your student invest more time with established friends or focus on growing their social network, research consistently shows that positive relationships contribute to our ability to cope in stressful situations and help alleviate feelings of depression and isolation.
- Take a scroll break. Spending more than one hour on digital media each day is correlated with increased levels of unhappiness and 3+ hours is associated with higher risk of suicidality. Try taking a 5-minute break for every 15 minutes of social media use to improve mental health.
- Catch some (sun)light. We are in the midst of “low light” season. With decreased daylight hours in the winter, people are more prone to lethargy and depression. Take advantage of the daylight we have by getting outside mid-day or by using a light box to simulate the sun. Students can try out a light box for free at the Center for Wellbeing.
- Create a sleep routine. A consistent sleep routine can support stress tolerance, mood regulation, and learning, among many other benefits. Practice winding down for the day with relaxing activities such as reading or listening to music. Use an alarm to help achieve and maintain seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
- Check your symptoms. Students can improve their mental health literacy by reading up on wellness topics from the National Institute for Mental Health. Students can also check in on their own wellness by taking free surveys online, like the PHQ-9 for depression and the GAD-7 for anxiety. Note: These are not diagnostic assessments. Follow up with a healthcare provider if the scores reveal a ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ concern.
- Add more movement. Studies have shown that regular movement can improve mood, alleviate stress, and increase self-esteem. Physical activity can take a number of forms, and you don’t have to sweat to feel its benefits! Some low-impact movement ideas include walking, riding a bike, swimming, or simply stretching.
- Meet with a professional. One of the most direct ways of monitoring and improving mental health is to meet with a mental health professional. Students do not need to be experiencing distress to benefit from therapy or a support group. Best of all, on-campus counseling services are free for all UTC students!
The Counseling Center offers individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication management, and community referrals. The CC is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Call or visit us to schedule an appointment: (423) 425-4438. For after-hours support, call (423) 425-CARE.
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Mocs Dining Updates
Scrappy’s Market returns on February 4 and 19 from 2pm -4pm. Students can enjoy the opportunity to bag 10 items of fresh produce FREE!
Mocs Bucks Reload, February 24 – March 9, 2025: Mark your calendars for our Mocs Bucks
Reload event from February 24 – March 9, 2025. For every $100 of Mocs Bucks you reload,
we’re adding an extra $15 for FREE! To reload your Mocs Bucks, simply visit mocsdining.campusdish.com. From there, select ‘Mocs Bucks,’ and then choose either resident or non-resident Mocs Bucks reload.
Stay up to date with Mocs Dining by following us on Instagram and Facebook @mocsdining!
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Housing and Residence Life Updates
Housing will begin incoming freshmen student assignments for the ’25-’26 academic year.
The Housing Lottery for current students will take place Feb. 11. Students who completed their applications prior to February 3 at 8 a.m. EST will be eligible. On February 5, those students will receive an email with their lottery time slot OR their waitlist number. This email will include additional information about the process.
Summer school housing applications will open March 14. Visit utc.edu/housing for more details.
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Scrappy’s Cupboard Updates
We are happy to see your students back on campus for the Spring 2025 term! As a reminder, Scrappy’s Cupboard Food Pantry is open and available to all UTC Community Members experiencing food insecurity. Students need to be enrolled in at least 1-credit hour to utilize the food pantry, located in the Dean of Students Suite, UC Room 399. Scrappy’s Cupboard is open 9 am – 4:30 pm, no appointments needed, and walk-ins welcome!
To support our campus community, please consider donating to Scrappy’s Cupboard Food Pantry this semester! We have seen an increase in use and need donations to continue to support our community, so no UTC Community Member goes to class hungry. Scrappy’s Cupboard accepts all non-perishable, unopened, unexpired food and personal care items. Donations can be dropped off to the UC Room 399 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Scrappy’s Cupboard is currently most in need of can openers, canned/boxed milk and milk alternatives, toilet paper, paper towel, sports drinks, cooking oils, canned fruit, canned meats, rice, breakfast bars and instant mashed potatoes. We also accept clothing items and with the winter season are in need of gloves, hats, scarves and lightly-used winter coats.
Donate via our Amazon Wishlist: www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3CJVP5K0QA4R1?ref_=wl_share
Donate financially online: UTC Advancement
Does your student receive the UT Promise Scholarship? Volunteer Hours to maintain the scholarship are due June 1, 2025. Students can acquire their scholarship hours on-campus by volunteering in Scrappy’s Cupboard. Students interested in volunteering should email scrappy’scupboard@utc.edu. Hours are provided on a first come first serve basis.
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Sexual Violence Support Group
The Counseling Center and Title IX are partnering to host a support group for survivors of sexual assault. The support group will be run by counselors Akeyla Madison and Carisha Northcutt and will be run in a workshop format, including components of psychoeducation as well as emotional processing. The support group will be hosted every Friday in February from 1:30-2:30pm. Snacks and light refreshments will be provided. This is a closed group to protect the confidentiality of survivors, so the location of the support group will not be disclosed publicly.
If your student is interested in joining, please have them call the Counseling Center at 423-425-4438 starting Wednesday, January 29 to fill out a basic application and sign an informed consent form. If your student meets the basic criteria, the Counseling Center staff will contact them directly to disclose the location. UTC works to promote a culture of consent on campus and provide support and resources to survivors as they move through their healing journey.
As always, to students looking to receive support from the university regarding an incident of sexual violence or due to experiencing pregnancy and related conditions, please have them contact the Office of Title IX Compliance, Survivor Advocacy Services, and/or the Counseling Center for information about rights and resources on and off campus.
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Come visit the Tennessee Aquarium during College Days!
College Days is an amazing opportunity that gives students, faculty and staff, along with their friends and family, a chance to visit the Tennessee Aquarium and 45-minute IMAX films at ½ price! This discount is ONLY here for a limited time!
Sunday-Friday, February 2—20, 2025
Discount not available on Saturdays.
Tickets must be purchased onsite.
To receive the ½ price discount, students and personnel must present their school ID, transcript, or paystub on-site at the Aquarium ticketing center Sunday through Friday. The discount applies to everyone in the paying party and includes tickets to the Tennessee Aquarium and 45-minute IMAX 3D films. Don’t forget to ask about special membership discounts, too!
Please note, in order to monitor guest capacity, the Aquarium is on timed-entry and wait times may apply. College Days discount is not available on Saturdays.
Visit tnaqua.org/college-days for pricing, member discounts, and additional information.
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