PFA Newsletter - October 2026 - Parent and Family Association

UTC Parents and Families,

The Fall 2026 semester is in full swing! As midterms approach, many students experience lots of stress and pressure. Balancing exams, papers, and assignments can be overwhelming and it is normal for your student to feel the pressure of the semester. This month we are here to support you as you support your students in this stressful time.

At UTC, we are deeply committed to supporting our students’ mental health. We encourage you to remind your student about the UTC Counseling Center. They offer free, confidential services, including one-on-one counseling sessions and group workshops tailored to handling the stress of college life. In addition, the Center for Wellbeing is a fantastic resource for promoting holistic health, offering resources and tools to build a well-balanced lifestyle.

We also find that creating a strong community on campus helps alleviate stressors. October is a great time for your student to get involved! They may be more accustomed to campus life and it is time to expand their horizons. UTC offers 150+ student organizations where students can find community and belonging. We encourage you to remind your student about MocSync, our one-stop-shop for student organizations and events. They can explore what organizations are available for them to join on campus, events happening throughout the semester, and the latest news at UTC! Involvement on campus creates a stronger community for students and many of them focus on academic excellence.

We are here to support you and your student ever step of the way! If you have any questions please reach out at [email protected]. Together, we can help our students navigate all of the challenging, fun and celebratory aspects of the college journey.

Go Mocs!

Fall Family Weekend!

Fall Family Weekend was a success! We want to share a deep thank you to everyone who was able to attend. We hope you enjoyed spending time with your student on campus! For those that attended, be sure to check your email for our Fall Family Weekend survey. Your opinion is valuable to us and we would love to hear how we can improve for next year.

October 12-13: Fall Break – No Classes
November 12: Spring Registration Opens
November 26-28: Thanksgiving Break
December 1: Last day of classes for Fall semester
December 1: Last day to withdraw from the university with grades of W
December 2: Reading Day
December 3-9: Final Exams

View the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar Here!

Dolly Day at UTC: Campus community celebrates the life and legacy of Dolly Parton on 9/25

Support Your College Student’s Health and Well-Being

The road to UTC starts here: Power C Tour set to visit four Tennessee cities

How Parents Can Support College Students’ Mental Health

Conversation starters, What to ask my student?

How have you gotten involved outside of the classroom?
How much time do you devote to studying each week?
What study strategies work best for you?
Have you scheduled an appointment with your advisor?
When do you register for spring classes?
What are your plans for Fall Break?

Greetings from Janice Cosey, Bursar

As we reach the sixth week of classes at the University, the semester continues to move forward, with Part of Term II beginning October 8. We recognize that a successful college experience extends beyond the classroom, and we remain committed to supporting your students throughout their educational journey by providing guidance and resources to help them remain informed, prepared, and financially positioned for success.

To ensure that parents, guardians, or other designated individuals can receive account-related information, students are encouraged to establish access through the MyMocsPass feature within their MyMocsNet account. This authorization allows the Bursar Office Team to discuss specific student account information with those the students have designated. We also encourage you to remind students to monitor their university email regularly, as important communications regarding registration, billing, payments, refunds, and other time-sensitive matters are shared through their UTC email account.

Refunds are processed throughout the semester, and there is still time for students to establish an ACH/Direct Deposit account. Direct deposit is a secure and convenient option and, when a refund is due, is the quickest way to receive those funds. Students who elect to receive a paper check should ensure that their permanent mailing address is current, as checks are mailed through USPS and may take 5–10+ business days to arrive.

For students who utilized the Tuition Installment Payment Plan (TIPP) for the Fall Semester, the second scheduled payment was due October 1. A $50 late fee will be assessed on the 4th of the month if the scheduled payment has not been received. We encourage students and families to review their accounts and payment schedules regularly to help avoid unnecessary fees and ensure that financial responsibilities remain on track.

In the Bursar’s Office, we understand that managing the financial aspects of college can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our goal is not simply to process payments and maintain accounts, but to serve as a resource and partner for our students and families. Through communication, education, and personalized assistance, we are committed to helping our students navigate the financial responsibilities of their university experience with confidence.

If you have general questions or need assistance, please contact the Bursar’s Office at 423-425-4781 or [email protected]. Our office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your student’s journey. We appreciate your partnership and remain dedicated to helping every student move forward toward their educational goals.

Warm regards,Janice

Future Dates to Remember:

November 1: Final TIPP payment due

November 2: Account holds placed for Outstanding Balances/Parking

December 10: First E-Mocs Statement for Spring 2027

January 7: Fee Payment Deadline for Spring 2027

January 11: Class cancellation for non-payment for Spring 2027 (12:00 noon EST)

FAFSA Friday. Questions? The Financial Wellness is here to help!

FAFSA Fridays!

With the 2027-28 FAFSA opening Oct. 1, students can stop by the Financial Aid Office for free, in-person FAFSA support during FAFSA Fridays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9; Friday, Oct. 23; and Friday, Oct. 30. No appointment is needed.

Staff can help with questions, troubleshooting and figuring out next steps. Virtual FAFSA appointments are also available through the Financial Wellness Center. For more information, click here.

The marching mocs walk down vine street in the homecoming day parade

UTC Homecoming Parade

The UTC Homecoming Parade of years’ past is back in a new format! On Friday, November 6^th, community members are invited to line Vine Street to watch the parade, then follow the parade to Chamberlain Pavilion for an exciting pep rally featuring the UTC Marching Mocs, Spirit Squads, campus leadership, and more. The parade will begin at 5pm, and guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot. Vendors will be available with food and drinks for purchase on Chamberlain Field. Join us to start your Homecoming weekend off in blue and gold style!

RSVP here to attend the event, and register here to participate in the parade.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Center for Academic Support and Advisement

One Conversation Can Change a Semester: Peer Academic Coaching at UTC

If your student has called home lately with a rough exam grade or the frustrated, “I studied for hours and it still didn’t work”, there’s a resource on campus built for exactly that moment, and it’s easier to access than most parents realize.

UTC’s Peer Academic Coaching program pairs students with trained peer coaches for free, one-on-one, 45-minute appointments. Unlike tutoring, which focuses on mastering the content of a specific course, coaching focuses on the skills that make studying most effective: navigating Canvas, building a realistic study plan, learning active study strategies, or managing time across a hard week. It’s the kind of practical, “why didn’t anyone teach me this” guidance that can be hard for students to ask a professor for and easy for parents to feel powerless to give from a distance.

The coaches themselves are a huge part of what make the program work. UTC currently employs 27 Peer Academic Coaches, who complete nearly 16 hours of training before the semester starts and meet weekly throughout the year to keep sharpening their approach. They are current students, not far removed from the exact challenges your student is facing. Challenges like an 8am class after a late night, figuring out how to organize huge quantities of notes, or the moment three assignments are due in the same week. Many students find it easier to be honest about their struggles with a peer than with an advisor or professor and this is what makes the coaching conversation more useful than it might sound on paper.

Appointments are simple to set up. Students can book directly through their MyMocsNet portal, with availability Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. There’s no cost, and no long-term commitment required. A student can come in once to deal with a specific problem, or schedule recurring appointments throughout the semester for ongoing support. We encourage the latter for students who are still finding their footing; a coach who sees a student regularly can catch small problems before they become big ones.

Many students simply aren’t aware that this service exists until a friend mentions it or a professor or advisor points them there. If your student is struggling and hasn’t found their footing yet, this is worth putting on their radar now, before the next round of exams.

For students who want this kind of support built into their schedule, the same coaching model is also available as a credit-bearing course, USTU 1252, which pairs students with a coach for regular meetings across the semester. But the one-on-one appointments are open to any student, at any point in the semester, and that flexibility is really the point.

Want to find out more? Find information on Peer Academic Coaching, Peer Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction on the Center for Academic Support and Advisement’s website. You can also email us at [email protected].

Mocs Dining

Scrappy’s Market returns on October 6th and 21st from 2pm -4pm. Students can enjoy the opportunity to bag 10 items of fresh produce FREE!

Fall Break hours begin Thursday, October 8th. Hours may vary by location throughout Fall Break weekend. Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates, or visit mocsdining.mydininghub.com to view location hours and dining options.

Mocs Bucks Reload, October 12th – October 25th: Mark your calendars for our Mocs Bucks Reload event from October 12th – October 25th. For every $100 of Mocs Bucks you reload, we’re adding an extra $15 for FREE! To reload your Mocs Bucks, simply visit mocsdining.mydininghub.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)!

It takes a village. We know it takes a village, and college is no exception. Parents and guardians can be set up to support students throughout their UTC experience. Follow the links below to grant access. Financial support through MyMocsNet. If someone other than the student wants to make a payment, the student needs to set up an "Authorized User" through MyMocsNet. Academic Support through MyMocsPass. If someone other than the student wants to view information like student grades, financial aid or account statement the student must grant access and provide consent for the individuals through MyMocsNet. A passphrase must be established and shared with the authorized user. MyMocsPASS does not authorize users to make payments on the student accounts.

The Student Experience Survey is administered to all 54,000 students across the UT system to collect information about the student experience. The Student Experience Survey opens on October 5, and we need everyone’s help to encourage our students to complete the survey. Our student feedback informs us about the MOCS experience and helps us identify opportunities for the future.

Encourage your student to take this short survey to share feedback and lead real change on campus.

College of Nursing Fall Festival

The UTC College of Nursing invites all to celebrate fall with us on Wednesday, October 7, from 4–6 pm! Everyone is welcome to attend…faculty, staff, students, friends, family, and community members! Enjoy an afternoon of fall festivities, including popcorn, pumpkin painting, crafts, games, and a costume contest with a prize for the winner! This event is also a great opportunity to make connections and explore the many possibilities in nursing and healthcare. Learn more about UTC Nursing programs and network with representatives from local healthcare organizations, including Erlanger, Siskin, CommonSpirit, and the Hamilton County Health Department. Come for the fall fun, stay for the connections! We look forward to seeing you on the lawn of the Metropolitan building at 518 Oak Street. Link to full flyer HERE.

A Moc’s First Year

A Moc’s First Year is a UTC initiative where first-year students have the opportunity to network with faculty and staff while building connections and friendships across campus. Incoming students enroll in two paired courses connected to their interests or major creating a learning community.

A Moc’s First Year gives students something special from day one: a built-in community. Students not only discover helpful campus resources and learn how to navigate college, but they also have opportunities to connect with the greater Chattanooga community and experience all that the city has to offer. There’s a community for almost every interest. A few examples include: The Cuisines of Latin America, Digital Storytelling and Outdoor Adventure, Mocs in STEM, and MEDIC: A Healthy Start to the Healthcare Profession.

As students embark on this new journey, be sure they take that first step toward being a great Moc by learning more about A Moc’s First Year.

Helping first-year students Learn, Connect, and Belong

Get Ready to Rewind!

UTC Homecoming 2026 is bringing all the Y2K vibes with this year’s theme, Mocs2K.

Join fellow Mocs for a nostalgic celebration inspired by the early 2000s, featuring favorite Homecoming traditions, spirited campus events, and opportunities to reconnect with classmates and friends. Whether you’re returning to campus or celebrating for the first time, there’s something for every Moc during this unforgettable week:

– Thursday, Nov. 5th: GOLD Tap Party at Southside Social
– Friday, Nov. 6th: Parade and Pep Rally
– Saturday, Nov. 7th: Mocs vs Mercer Tailgate

Get ready for Homecoming with our exclusive 2026 T-shirt! This $28 long sleeve Comfort Colors shirt in Butter features fun Y2K Scrappy on a bean bag on the front and the vibrant Mocs2K logo on the back. It’s perfect for showing your Mocs pride all season long!

For every shirt purchase, $6 is a tax-deductible gift to support the Student Retention Grant Fund. These grants assist students who are just short of the funds needed to stay in school. Click here for more information!

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Housing and Residence Life

“College is more than an academic experience… . Living on campus maximized our son’s opportunities to build relationships, find community, utilize campus resources, and study efficiently.” —mom of a UTC Moc

Spring Housing

Don’t miss out! The Spring 2027 housing application is now open. To see all of our housing options on campus, check out our 3D tours: https://www.utc.edu/residence-hall-tours. If you would like more info about available buildings, please email [email protected] or call 423-425-4304. Students can apply through Manage My Housing. Visit utc.edu/housing and apply today!

Housing applications for 2027-2028 will open later this fall.

The 2027-2028 Housing Application

“Get Egg-cited about Housing” will be Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m. in Lupton Hall and will provide helpful information about the housing application/assignment process. Housing applications for the 2027-2028 academic year will open on November 16 for current students.

Residential Tutoring

Housing and Residence Life offers FREE Residential Tutoring for a variety of courses. The fall schedule is posted on our Instagram/Facebook: @utchousing.

Fall Break

Fall Break is October 12-13. Residence halls will remain open during the duration of the break.

Housing Concerns

Please encourage your students to contact their RA or RD with any questions or concerns—they are there to help. If your student has a maintenance issue, have them fill out a maintenance request in Manage My Housing. If it is an emergency, have them contact their complex office or RA On Call. Please also have them check out the Housing Student Handbook that contains information on how to live in our residence halls.