Updates
Keep up with our monthly updates!
Hannah will send out hall updates via email at the start of each month about what our students in residence have been up to on hall, and to share what's coming in the near future on the hall and on campus! Check your inbox to stay on top of all things 4th West, and visit this page for monthly updates as well as some highlights in pictures!
May 2023 Final Hall Update!
Enjoy a video of all of this year's shenanigans in photo form below:
(Note: this video is unlisted and can only be viewed with a direct link!
May 2023
In the wise words of young Justin Timberlake:
Wait... May? Already?!? Where has the time gone??
We didn’t have time for too many things in April since Spring Break occupied much of April, but we did squeak in another Cookies and Conversations and multiple Target runs. The night before Prom we did some spa-night pampering with face masks, coloring books, and some very heated Mario Party. During the game night we had lots of Jenga blocks falling and some very beat-up spaceships in Galaxy Trucker.
Our first Saturday back was the lovely Milky Way soirée! Our second Saturday back was both Welcome Day, for the incoming class of 2025, and Africa Fest! After such a busy Saturday, we settled in on the hall for a Sunday Trash the Movie Night featuring the unanimously-voted movie, The VelociPastor. I've included a screenshot to the left which will probably give you plenty of detail as to why I personally give the movie a solid 2/10 which is not bad considering it's entire budget was only $36,000. To end a busy, yet shortened, month we played Hide and Seek with multiple halls after check!
Some of you may be looking forward to the end of May quite a bit but for those of you who are going to be a little sad about it being May, let's take a look back at April!
Fourth West Looking extra spiffy at the Milky Way Soirée Prom!
Some Fourth West-ers Participated in or Attended a Fantastic Africa Fest!
Face Masks and Mario Party pre-Prom Pampering
Senior Sports Nights
Multiple sports had senior recognition night before the extended weekend. Shout out to all of the 4W Uni Athletes!
End of Year Activities
Students who remain on campus on May 26 & 27 are invited to enjoy a two day end-of-year celebration that will feature an outdoor field day, inflatable water slides, Senior Dessert, Time Under the Tents with your favorite NCSSM employees, one last Hill Street block party, as well as food trucks, sweet treats, and more!
Commencement
Please join us as we graduate our 42nd class of residential students on Saturday, May 27th at 10:00am on Watts Lawn. The ceremony is open to NCSSM seniors and their families. For the first time since 2019, we welcome the junior class to participate in Commencement, though junior attendance is not mandatory. No tickets are required UNLESS inclement weather necessitates moving indoors. If Commencement is moved indoors, each senior will receive 4 tickets: 2 tickets for the NCSSM Eilber Physical Education Center (PEC), and 2 tickets to livestream locations around campus: the Auditorium, Lecture Hall, and Music Suite. If the ceremony is moved indoors, juniors will not participate in the ceremony and will not receive tickets to the PEC or reserved livestream locations. Juniors and their families will be invited to livestream the event from other locations. As a reminder, all students must move out of their residence hall rooms and check out with their CC no later than 2pm on Commencement day. The entire event will be livestreamed on the NCSSM YouTube Channel. For more information about Commencement please visit: https://www.ncssm.edu/commencement
Move Out
Juniors, if you do NOT wish to participate in Commencement, then you must move out of your residence hall and check out with your CC between 12:00pm and 5:00pm on Thursday, May 25. If you wish to remain on campus after exams to participate in end-of-year activities and Commencement, then you must move out of your residence hall and check out with your CC prior to 2:00pm on Saturday, May 27. You should have completed this form by May 1 indicating your plans. Seniors, you must move out of your residence hall and check out with your CC prior to 2:00pm on Saturday, May 27.
The week leading up to move out students will have specific tasks to complete in their room to ensure they are preparing for move out. This Final Week Checklist will be posted by each room on hall and will be checked nightly by your CC. Please note that you will NOT be permitted to attend hall or campus events until your CC confirms that all tasks have been completed.
Once you are ready to move out, your CC will stop by your room and confirm that you have properly followed all Checkout Procedures. The resident and legal guardian will need to be present at this moment to sign the Room Condition Report. Once you have moved out, you should leave campus. Students may not stay in other students’ rooms or in lounges. You may only return for Commencement if you choose to do so.
Please review these documents to prepare for move out and consider taking items home to make this process even easier. I also advise that you return with boxes to pack your belongings. CCs will share specific information about move-out procedures for their halls, so be on the lookout for that soon.
Check out the hall calendar for the rest of this months events:
April 2023
Penny's Bend Hike!
S'mores Night!
A March Recap...
We started off March with an Open Gym with 1st Beall, Board Games / Sem-IVIZ with 1C2C1D, and a massive s’mores event after the previous one was rained out.
We also celebrated Pi(e) Day Celebration, had some loops to get groceries, food, and hang out downtown, and Tuesday Talks made a comeback!
Shout out to Garrett, Onur, Keith, and Mark for leading some Tuesday Talks this month! Sign up to give a Tuesday talk next month here.
We finished off March with an Open Gym night with 2E and a long awaited Hike and Ice Cream which had to get rescheduled TWICE because of the weather. (Pro-tip: if you ever want snow to fall in March, you just need to schedule an outdoor activity with a bunch of people).
In March, we also had multiple ‘madness’ competitions going on, and the winners will be announced in April once the tournaments are over! (Both championship games will be happening over spring break).
Holi Before
Holi After
Captain Sonar and WII Sports with 1C2C1D
Hall Sweatshirts arrived!
Shout out to Garrett for the design!
April Showers Bring...
Spring Break!
All classes are suspended.
Residence Halls will close on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 5:00pm and will reopen on Monday, April 10, 2023 at noon. Since this is a long break, residents must unplug all items in their room, including fridges and fish tanks. Residents should properly defrost their fridge to avoid puddles or mold growth over the break. This is also one of the last breaks of the year, so residents are encouraged to move out as many items as possible to make moving out in May much easier. Signing out for this break is handled similarly to an extended weekend:
Students will sign an Extended Sheet on hall during hall meeting. On this form they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their location.
If a student is not departing early and their final destination is home or they are being picked-up by a parent/guardian, they do not need to fill out any other forms other than the Extended Sheet on hall, including their LiveSafe app.
If a student is departing before the day the break begins they will need to have a parent/guardian sign them out at Bryan desk or complete the Student Travel Permission Form if someone other than a legal guardian is picking them up. They will also need to sign out on the LiveSafe App.
If a student's final destination is not home and they are not being collected by a parent/guardian, or if they are taking the train or GreyHound bus, they will need to complete a Student Travel Permission Form, sign out on LiveSafe, and sign out at the Bryan desk.
Prom!
April 15th from 8PM - Midnight enjoy the Milky Way Soiree at the Museum of Life and Sciences and then come back to campus for an after prom pizza party in the PEC!
Senior Leadership Campus Service Update
The Senior Leadership Campus Service process is coming to a close. Senior Leadership announcements will be sent out on Monday, April 17 at 4:00pm and applicants will have until Thursday, April 20 to submit their decisions to program coordinators. Please note that the SLSC process does not account for every senior campus service assignment. Juniors should reach out to any employees that they may be interested in working with next year if they chose not to participate in the SLCS process.
Africa Fest!
The Black Student Union (BSU) is thrilled to announce the last cultural fest of the year, AFRICAFEST: Love in Between! Please join us as we highlight different cultural experiences across the African diaspora by exploring our theme, Black Joy is an Act of Resistance, which celebrates the richness of our cultures and the reclamation of Black Humanity. We can not wait to showcase the uniqueness of what makes us whole, happy, and tells our stories!
All are welcome to attend the event, but due to limited seating, tickets (at no cost) will be required for admittance. Please be on the lookout for ticketing information coming soon!
Extended Weekend
Friday, April 27: Residents halls close at 5PM and reopen April 30th at 12PM
March 2023
Merry March From Hannah!
(And Mr. Worldwide)
February was our first month with me as your official-no-longer-in-training CC!
As a quick recap, on hall we had:
one GIANT SuperBowl party
TWO types of trivia games
several questionably palatable sodas
one impromptu, scenic trip to Harris Teeter.
an absolutely *brilliant* tea party with 3rd Beall and all of the stuffed animals.
one Open Gym night with 4th East.
And we ended our month off with an all-seniors Target run!
Also, *insert drumroll here* our hall sweatshirts have officially been ordered! So look forward to seeing those, hopefully, sometime in March!
~CC Out~
Past Month Pictures
Super Bowl Party
Half Time Show
Soda Competition
Tea Party
Prom
The Prom Committee is excited to extend an invitation to all residential students to attend NCSSM's annual formal event. This year, NCSSM's Prom will occur on April 15th at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. Click HERE for details about the event, how to purchase tickets, transportation options, family volunteer opportunities, and more!
Each year, the Prom Committee invites NCSSM families to participate in the festivities by volunteering the night of Prom at the Museum of Life and Science. There are many opportunities to be involved, from helping out with set up, to organizing the coat check, serving appetizers, desserts, and drinks, directing students throughout the museum, and of course the dash to clean everything up and pack it away in record time at the end of the night. For more information about volunteering at Prom, check out this link. This year, the Prom Coordinators would also like to provide families who are unable to volunteer with an opportunity to purchase desserts for students to enjoy. More information about how to contribute will be available soon!
In keeping with tradition, Student Life will also host an After Prom event for students to enjoy late night pizza in the PEC after prom ends. Additional details about the event and how to participate will be shared with students after the extended.
As you and your student make plans for Prom 2023, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Prom Coordinators at prom@ncssm.edu with any questions.
Spring Break
Residence halls will close on Friday, March 31st at 5:00pm and will reopen on Monday, April 10th at 12:00pm. Since this is a long break students must unplug all items in their room, including fridges and fish tanks. Students should properly defrost their fridge to avoid puddles or mold growth over the break. This is also the last break of the year, so students are encouraged to move out as many items as possible to make move out in May much easier.
We now have an Amazon wish list! Check it out below:
Move Out
Juniors and Seniors will receive an email with information concerning move-out in the next week or two. In the meantime, best practice is to start evaluating which items you may be able to take home over the upcoming spring break. The more items you can get home over spring break and our final extended weekend of the year, the easier move out will be for you!
February 2023
Happy February Everyone!
This month we bid farewell to J-term and return to our regularly scheduled programming.
BUT, before we say goodbye, let's look back at some of the fun events we had.
February Hall Pictures
We went ice skating, had a hall Olympic week, participated in a day of service for MLK, Jr. day, sang some beautiful karaoke with Royall, and had an open gym night.
February Events:
Start looking forward to a jam-packed February full of trivia games, Super Bowl snacks, and a multitude of inter-hall activities. ALSO, I intend to leave Sign-Up Genius behind in February and have opted to use the spreadsheet below to sign up for events, as it is much more editable and easy to find!
February Campus Events and Important Dates:
Pow Wow, February 4th.
JUNIORS: Applications for senior leadership positions are due on February 8th!
Application recommendations are due by February 15th.
Student Philanthropy fair hosted by NCSSM Foundation and Foundation Attachés on February 16th.
UniHacks Hackathon 2023: February 18th-19th. Register Here.
Residence Halls will close on February 23rd at 5 p.m. and reopen on February 26th at noon.
Don't forget to complete the extended weekend sign-out sheet before you leave!
Asia Fest
The Asian Student Association (ASA) is excited to announce that NCSSM's second cultural fest of the year is AsiaFest! Enjoy amazing performances as we explore our theme, Our Reign Reborn, to examine traditional Asian cultures and understand contemporary AAPI issues along the way. Join us to build a new dynasty on February 11 at 7:00pm in the ETC Auditorium!
All are welcome to attend the event, but due to limited seating, tickets (at no cost) will be required. Please be on the lookout for ticketing information coming soon!
Senior Leadership Campus Service
The Senior Leadership Campus Service (SLCS) selection process is underway! Almost twenty different assignments participate in this process so that juniors can apply for several positions with just one application. An overview of the process and the various positions can be found on the site. Please note that the SLCS process does not account for every senior campus service assignment. There are many opportunities for leadership in campus service to consider. Juniors should reach out to any employees that they may be interested in working with next year.
Res Hall Opening and Closing
Just a quick reminder that there are several extended breaks scheduled over the next couple of months. In each instance, halls will close at 5pm on the closure date and reopen at noon on the opening date:
Closed Thursday, February 23rd - Sunday, February 26th
Students will complete an electronic Extended Sign-Out Form during hall meeting. On this form, they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their destination. If students have specific questions about checkout procedures for Extended Weekends, they should speak to me.
Minor Violation Clarification
The beginning of our 2nd Semester is a great opportunity to remind you about some of our rules and guidelines. As always, a great resource for students and families is the Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook. Student Services wanted to share some reminders and add clarity to a few frequently asked questions.
Minor violations do not stack, meaning that multiple minor violations of the code of conduct (even of the same policy) do not combine into a major violation. However, repeated violations of the code may be evaluated when determining consequences for a violation, and could result in different, greater, or more expansive consequences.
We also want to make sure that students understand that minor violations are just that, minor. That said, the policies and rules we have in place are there to protect student safety and ensure a healthy living-learning environment for all students. When a student is found responsible for a minor violation the accompanying consequences and conversations are meant to help restore a student’s safety and help them understand how their actions impact themselves, others, and the community as a whole.
Some potential violations of the code of conduct can be either a minor or major violation based on specific circumstances. For instance, if a student is in another building after inbuilding check, that is a major violation because the safety risk is greater. Once students sign check, we assume they are in the building and would direct firefighters to rescue a student if we have to evacuate.
These reminders are not exhaustive so if you have a specific question, feel free to reach out to your CC or the Conduct Response Team at conduct@ncssm.edu. You can also find more details on minor violations beginning on page 4 of the Code of Student Conduct.
January 2023
Hello from jennifer
January marks the time for juniors to start thinking about the Senior Leadership process. We will have seniors talk about their leadership roles on campus during hall meetings with time to ask questions. The application starts in January so juniors should pay attention to their email. We have a full slate of activities this month, beginning with New Year's Resolutions and ending with an open gym. We are going to participate in MLK day activities and follow up with a hall activity aimed at increasing our understanding of each other.
Welcome Hannah Davis
I am excited to announce that we hired a Community Coordinator for 4W. Our new CC, Hannah Davis, moved in over the weekend and will start training on Tuesday, 1/3. I (Jennifer) will continue to be the main point of contact until the end of January. Students will see Hannah at hall events and have a chance to get to know her as soon as they return to campus. Here is a little bit more about Hannah:
"Hannah graduated from Catawba College in 2017 with a B.A. in Communications and a double minor in Environmental Studies and Creative Writing. While in school, she was the editor in chief of her school newspaper and is always happy to give writing tips and edits! After college, Hannah worked in the IT and Environmental Education fields. Notably, she works as a contractor for the Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh for their large event days like Bugfest!
Her hobbies include whittling, video games, herping, baking, and identifying what weird critter my family member saw from the grainy photo they send.
Hannah's life-long goal is to be a part of the first colony on Mars."
J-Term
January Term (J Term) is a special session during which NCSSM provides significant opportunities for students to engage in unique educational experiences. These experiences include both regular coursework, offered in a different format, and unique learning opportunities beyond the standard curriculum, both in and out of the traditional classroom context. J Term aims to engage students in a rigorous exploration of a subject area of great interest in a way that contributes to their academic and personal growth and serves them well in their future academic aspirations.
J-Term On Hall
J-Term in the classroom is an exciting opportunity to take a deep dive into a variety of topics. It is also a great time outside the classroom to take advantage of the extra free time and try new activities, participate in hall events, make new friends, and more. On hall, we will have our second annual Hall Olympics organized by the RLAs. Nightly activities involving quick skill based competitions will conclude with the crowning of the 4th West "King." Other planned activities include ice skating, an invite event to welcome friends on hall for a games and a snack, and more. While travel tends to be a popular option (and is a great adventure) J-Term on campus is such a unique time to enjoy campus without the academic stress common during the semester.
MLK Day of Service
On Monday, January 16th, NCSSM will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy by having a day dedicated to community service, education, and unity. The day is considered part of the academic calendar and the expectation is that students participate fully in the day’s activities and events.
Residence Hall Opening & Closing
Just a quick reminder that the Residence Halls will be closing on Thursday, January 26th at 5:00pm. Halls will reopen on Sunday, January 29th at noon.
Students will complete an electronic Extended Sign-Out Form during hall meeting. On this form they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their destination. If students have specific questions about checkout procedures for Extended Weekends, they should speak to me.
December 2022
Hello from jennifer
The three weeks we enjoyed together in November flew by with a mix of fun and lots of school work! 4W fit in regular inter-hall and after-check activities along with a food run and a target trip. We spent a little time this week expressing our appreciation for each other in our hall meeting. The month finished with two birthday celebrations complete with pizza!
Stress Break
All of our hall activities in December are designed to be quick and easy ways to de-stress and laugh a little. We will have nightly options in the lounge that residents can choose to participate in whenever they have time. Thanks to all the families who sent in items for the hall food pantry, if you would like to send in something following the break, please feel free. I will stock the alcove with snacks for residents to grab as needed.
J-Term
J-term is a special time on campus because the pace is slower and students have more of the most precious of NCSSM commodities - time. I am looking forward to offering some trips off campus for various activities and the RLAs are already planning the return of Hall Olympics! Stay tuned for more details of the games and fun we have planned.
Latin America Fest
The Latiné Student Union (LSU) would like to invite the NCSSM community to attend Latin America Fest on December 2nd at 7:00pm in the ETC Auditorium. Through a showcase of diverse talents, we hope to examine the meaning of our theme, Cruzando Fronteras (Crossing Borders), as we explore migration across nations and the journey into the spirit world.
All are welcome to attend the event, but due to limited seating, tickets (at no cost) will be required. Reserve your ticket here! If you are unable to attend, don’t worry! We will be live streaming the event. The livestream link will be shared closer to the date.
J-term
Throughout January of each year, students take a break from regular coursework during J-Term to engage in employee-led educational opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Examples of J-Term experiences include Capes and Culture, Introduction to Aviation, the Science of Breadmaking, Fantastic Fungi, and extended travel to Costa Rica or the American West. J-Term begins on January 4th and ends on January 26th. You can view your student’s assigned J-Term class or classes on Blackbaud.
January Term (J-Term) is an essential part of the NCSSM Academic Program. Since class meeting patterns are different during J-Term, attendance is calculated differently. One unexcused hour of missed class will be recorded as one unexcused absence. J-Term is considered its own term for attendance purposes. The number of accumulated absences reverts to zero at the beginning of spring semester.
Pit Bull, 4W Unofficial Mascot
Winter Break
Can you believe that we have reached the halfway point for the year? With winter break beginning Friday, December 10th I wanted to provide a breakdown of how students should prepare for these longer breaks. Residence Halls close on December 9th at 5:00pm. Halls will reopen on Tuesday, January 3rd at noon. Because this is a long break we require that students unplug all items in their room, including fridges and fish tanks. During room inspections this week I will check that students have properly defrosted their fridges, so that we can avoid any puddles or mold growth over the break. Signing out for this break is handled similarly to an extended weekend:
Students will sign an Extended Sheet on hall during hall meeting. On this form they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their location.
If a student is not departing early and their final destination is home or they are being picked-up by a parent/guardian, they do not need to fill out any other forms other than the Extended Sheet on hall, including their LiveSafe app.
Students are free to leave campus for the break once they have completed their final exam of the week. If a student is departing before the day the break begins they will need to have a parent/guardian sign them out at Bryan desk or complete the Student Travel Permission Form. They will also need to sign out on the LiveSafe App.
If a student's final destination is not home and they are not being collected by a parent/guardian, or if they are taking the train or GreyHound bus, they will need to complete a Student Travel Permission Form, sign out on LiveSafe, and sign out at the Bryan desk.
November 2022
Hello from Jennifer
October was a busy month on hall and around campus. Starting the month off with fall break benefited everyone, especially since the pace has not slowed down since we arrived back on campus. This month, we enjoyed a variety of inter-hall activities like open gym, improv, karaoke, and star-gazing. We're spending time getting to know each other with cookies and conversation. Pizza was a huge hit for hall snack but really all sorts of food is welcome! Hall continues to be noisy especially between 11:30 pm and 1 am. I've asked on duty CCs to walk the hall more frequently at night and address noise issues as quickly as possible.
Progress Reports
Don’t forget that the second set of progress reports for your students will be released on November 4th. To view your student’s progress report you will need to log into blackbaud and select the “progress” tab. Then click where it says “report cards” to open all the progress reports for this year. Select either “Semester 1 - Durham” or “Semester 1 - Durham (no comments),” depending on whether you want to view grades and teacher feedback, or just grades.
If you have concerns about your student’s performance, please let me know. I will meet with students who have multiple Cs or a D to help develop a plan for improvement, but will be happy to meet with anyone if there are concerns. It is also important that your student reach out to their individual teachers, guidance counselor, and the Center for Advising and Academic Success for advice on how to improve. This is also a good time for students to evaluate whether they should be attending tutorials more often.
Semi-Formal
Semi-Formal, NCSSM’s annual winter dance, is Saturday, December 3rd from 9:00 – 10:55 PM in the PEC Gymnasium. All students are invited to enjoy the evening with friends and hallmates! There will be festive winter decorations, music, snacks, a photo booth, and dancing!
Students planning to attend are encouraged to bring semi-formal dress clothes back to campus after the break. Appropriate attire includes a dressy skirt, shirt and tie (jacket optional), dress pants, a dress, and dress shoes.
In past years we have extended an invitation to parents and families to be involved with Semi. If you are interested in helping out this year, families are encouraged to contribute financially to the Student Activities Board in support of the event. More information about how to provide support will be shared next week.
Extended Reminders
Just a quick reminder that there are several extended breaks scheduled over the next couple of months. In each instance, halls will close at 5pm on the closure date and reopen at noon on the opening date:
Closed Friday, November 18th - Sunday, November 27th
Closed Friday, December 9th - Tuesday, January 3rd
For the Thanksgiving and Winter breaks we ask that students unplug all items in the room. This includes fridges and fish tanks. Students should defrost their fridges completely and clean out excess water before they leave for the break. They should also make sure that they take any houseplants or fish home.
Hall Food Request
I'd love to stock a mini-pantry of quick snacks and microwavable meal options for December, if you are able to help us stock the pantry, please mail items to me, Jennifer Ashe, 1219 Broad St. Durham NC, 27704.
Suggestions include:
mac and cheese
ramen
individual chip bags
individual cookie/treats
cereal bars
any shelf stable microwavable item
The week before exams tends to be one of the most stressful of the semester and I think 4W would love to have some grab and go options.
October 2022
Hello from Jennifer
Hello 4W families and residents! September was a busy month across campus and on hall. We worked on our hall agreements - spending time talking about noise, cleanliness, and community. After check activities continue to be very popular - open gym, gaga, s'mores, and an impromptu trip outside to check out Jupiter. I'm frequently asked what surprises me about being on 4W and my answer is the amount of time and specificity of our discussions about bathroom cleanliness and the care with which snacks are portioned out. The other entirely pleasant surprise I've had is how clean everyone keeps their rooms, we have not had anyone fail room inspections! Thank you to everyone who donated hall snack this month. The 24th is the only day still open for hall snack in October - please let me know if you would like to provide a treat.
Over the next few weeks your students and I will schedule 1-on-1 meetings. These meetings give me a chance to get to know your students better, respond to any issues they are having on hall or campus, get ideas about things they would like to see on hall, and just generally check in on how they are enjoying their time at NCSSM. 1:1s typically last between 15 and 20 minutes. We will have these meetings every semester.
In terms of hiring a new Community Coordinator, we have the position posted but unfortunately did not have enough qualified candidates apply. I extended the posting until late next week and hope to interview after fall break. I know it is challenging not to have a CC living on hall and I appreciate your patience.
Student Activities
As students adjust to the rigors of NCSSM it is also important for them to make time to have fun, relax, and enjoy all parts of the Science and Math experience. To that end, it is important that you and they know about the NCSSM Student Activities Board and all the amazing opportunities that it offers students.
SAB is made up of student and employee volunteers from across campus. Under the supervision of Taylor Parsons, the Student Activities Coordinator, SAB meets every other Thursday throughout the year to plan activities and events for the student body. Meetings are open to all students.
Some popular SAB events, outside of major campus-wide events like the Halloween Carnival & Costume Contest, Winter Semi-Formal Dance, Prom, and End-of-Year Celebrations, include:
Friday Fun Day activities like grocery bingo and giant Twister
Thursday Night Trivia in the Courtyard
Weekend Movies Nights on the Lawn and in the Lecture Hall
Block Parties on Hill Street
You can find out more about SAB and see upcoming events on their website.
PSAT & Senior Breakfast
NCSSM will be administering the PSAT to the entire junior class on Wednesday, October 12th. You do not need to do anything to register nor do you need to make a payment as that was part of the security deposit. If you think your student might qualify for a fee waiver, please email financial.assistance@ncssm.edu to get the information you need ASAP. Hard copies of the student guide were available in the PEC during the college fair and many of your students picked up a copy. If they did not get one, they can come to Counseling Services, second Royall, to pick one up. They can also access PSAT student guide electronically. If students would like to prepare further for this exam, they can do some practice problems through Khan Academy.
In preparation for Wednesday’s PSAT administration, we will follow a regular Wednesday schedule during the day on Monday, Oct. 10 to preserve all lab blocks. Evening classes and Online webinars will meet on their normal Monday schedule. All juniors will take the PSAT in the morning on Wednesday; we will then follow an abbreviated Monday schedule that afternoon. Evening classes and Online webinars will meet on their normal Monday schedule.
While Juniors are taking the PSAT, Seniors will enjoy a special breakfast followed by the traditional yearbook senior photo with seniors forming their graduation year and the picture taken from above - more details will be shared after the break.
Progress Reports
Students just received their first progress report of the semester. While seniors will be focusing on college applications during fall break, if juniors are missing assignments or would like to catch up, next week is a great opportunity.
As October draws to a close, faculty across campus will be completing grading assignments so that we can release second progress reports for your students on November 4th. To view your student’s progress report you will need to log into blackbaud and select the “progress” tab. Then click where it says “report cards” to open all the progress reports for this year. Select either “Semester 1 - Durham” or “Semester 1 - Durham (no comments),” depending on whether you want to view grades and teacher feedback, or just grades.
If you have concerns about your student’s performance, please let me know. I always meet with students who have multiple Cs or a D to help develop a plan for improvement, but will be happy to meet with anyone if there are concerns. It is also important that your student reach out to their individual teachers, guidance counselor, and the Center for Advising and Academic Success for advice on how to improve. This is also a good time for students to evaluate whether they should be attending tutorials more often.”
September 2022
Hello from Jennifer
Thank you to 4W residents and their families! I appreciate your patience as we move forward with the hiring process for a 4W CC. While I do not have an update yet, I do hope to have one by the end of September. August was a busy month as everyone moved in, got to know each other and the campus, and started classes. We did many ice breakers and getting to know you activities in the first week. The lounge is a busy spot on hall with many people eating, hanging out, and playing games. We've made and flown paper airplanes, started to create our group agreements, shared time management advice, and talked about our highs and lows. Hall trips to fast food and target were popular and will be continued on a regular basis.
Thanks to Garrett's and Onur's families for providing hall study break, if you are interested in supplying a study break, please add your name to this form.
Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions. If one of your suggestions is more pictures, I agree! I am more of a live in the moment person not a take a picture of the moment but I am trying to remember to take more photos on hall and during activities. I will try to increase the quantity of photos but make no promises about the quality!
First Extended
As students prepare for the first extended weekend it is important to understand that we use a special sign out for these weekends away from NCSSM:
Halls close at 5pm on Friday, September 2nd and reopen at noon on Monday, September 5th.
Students will sign a virtual Extended Sheet during hall meeting. On this form they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their location.
If a student is not departing early and their final destination is home or they are being picked-up by a parent/guardian, they do not need to fill out any forms other than the virtual Extended Sheet, including their LiveSafe app.
If a student is departing before the day the Extended Weekend begins they will need to have a parent/guardian sign them out at Bryan desk or complete the Student Travel Permission Form and sign out at Bryan desk with whomever is picking them up. They will also need to sign out on the LiveSafe App.
If a student's final destination is not home and they are not being picked up by a parent/guardian, or if they are taking the train or Greyhound bus, they will need to submit the Student Travel Permission Form, sign out on LiveSafe, and sign out at the Bryan desk.
Just a quick reminder that the Residence Halls will be closing twice during September.
Closed Friday, September 2nd at 5:00pm. Opens Monday, September 5th at noon.
Closed Friday, September 30th at 5:00pm. Opens Sunday, October 9th at noon
Family DAy
Family Day is an opportunity for students and families to participate in activities that share aspects of living and learning at NCSSM. Come meet your student’s instructors, counselors, and other members of the campus community, while getting a first-person feel for your student’s schedule. This year Family Day is on Saturday, September 17.
The Tentative Family Day Schedule is now available, but please keep an eye out for a finalized version and more details as Family Day approaches. A copy of your student’s schedule will be released electronically the week before Family Day, and paper copies will be available at the registration desk.
If you would like to meet with me during family day, please let me know, I am happy to schedule time,
email ashe@ncssm.edu
College Fair
The NCSSM Community is excited to host college day on our Durham campus on Friday, September 16, at the end of the academic day from 3:30 to 5:30pm. This is an amazing opportunity for juniors and seniors to learn more about colleges across the country and explore what school might be right for them in the future.
In the past representatives from more than 70 schools from around the country have been available to talk with students and families about their schools, the college admissions process, financial aid, and scholarships. More information about the schools represented at the college fair this year and student requirements for attendance will be shared in the coming weeks.
Workload Increasing
Now that we have made it to the first extended weekend, students should be getting into the swing of things with classes and life at NCSSM. Around this time students will also notice their workload increasing. It is imperative for them to develop strong time management skills and learn to seek out help as they begin to face these new challenges. Students can reach out to their CC and/or any of the following resources:
Center for Advising and Academic Success (CAAS): CAAS serves all residential and online students during their time here at NCSSM. The purpose and function of the Center is to provide individual, ongoing and real-time academic support and guidance for all students. Some of the CAAS services include:
providing guidance and advice for students on course choices and placement
providing academic consultation for students
developing and managing academic support plans
communicating directly with student support teams
communicating/collaborating with Counseling on academic support
providing administrative support for Enrollment Services/Registrar
Tutorials: Most classes and departments offer formal tutorials for students. These tutorial sessions are led by both faculty and student TAs. You can find tutorial sessions or resources on each department’s website.
Residential Education Classes: All juniors take RE102; during the fourth week of class they will be learning about academic success strategies. The skills they develop and the resources provided by their instructor will be helpful to revisit as they face challenges throughout the year.
Progress Reports
As September draws to a close, faculty across campus will be completing grading assignments so that we can release progress reports for your students on September 23rd. To view your student’s progress report you will need to log into Blackbaud and select the “progress” tab. Then click where it says “report cards” to open all the progress reports for this year. Select either “Semester 1 - Durham” or “Semester 1 - Durham (no comments),” depending on whether you want to view grades and teacher feedback, or just grades.
If you have concerns about your student’s performance, please let me know. I always meet with students who have multiple Cs or a D to help develop a plan for improvement, but will be happy to meet with anyone if there are concerns. It is also important that your student reach out to their individual teachers, guidance counselor, and the Center for Advising and Academic Success for advice on how to improve. This is also a good time for students to evaluate whether they should be attending tutorials more often.
Noise
Noise on hall has been an issue so far this year. Everyone agrees that we need to be quieter after midnight in particular. As part of our Group Agreements, everyone agreed to ask each other directly to be quiet if needed, if anyone is asked to be quiet, they will accept the request and quiet down. If someone is not comfortable directly reaching out, they can text any of the 3 RLAs and they will ask the noisy party to be quiet. Seniors may notice that it is louder on hall this year than last, I think that while it is possible that people are just more expressive, allowing students into each other's rooms is probably also impacting the general noise level.
We will continue to monitor the issue and hope that the steps we've taken will have a positive impact.
Room Inspections
Big shout-out to every single student on hall. We have a 100% pass rate on room inspections so far this year.
Every week, rooms are inspected and the following areas are evaluated:
room is tidy overall
Trash and recycling taken out
No unauthorized appliances or overloaded outlets
Furniture dusted
Desk clean and organized
Beds made
Dresser clean and organized
No clothes or items on the floor
Floor swept and tidy
No dirty dishes lying around
Wardrobes are organized
Food is properly stored
I really appreciate everyone taking care of their personal space!
August 2022
4W Residents attending Prom on Saturday, April 02, 2022
Welcome to 4W!
August is an exciting month at NCSSM. I love the new beginnings and endless possibilities of a new school year! Here are a few tips for students as you begin the year:
Set up ways and times when you will communicate with your family - life is busy and knowing in advance when to expect a text can alleviate worry
Students - fully participate in orientation - both the required sessions and all of the social events, this is a great time to meet a variety of people and learn a lot about NCSSM
This is not a vacation from real life, this is your new real life and you need to maintain your own healthy habits (or try a new one) - get regular sleep, eat, exercise, and take some time to yourself as needed
Ask for help - this is a huge transition, please allow your community to help you make NCSSM home!
Stay at NCSSM until the 1st weekend unless there is something happening at home you absolutely cannot miss. The weekends at NCSSM are a lot of fun as students will head to 9th Street, participate in SAB (Student Activities Board) activities, and just get to know folks. Those who go home during the first weeks before the extended miss out on this time to get to know others and experience life at NCSSM. I highly recommend that you stay on campus, hang out and meet new friends, attend the various events (including the SG Club Fair), and more!
Families - Join me for a zoom meeting on Wednesday, 8/10 at 6 pm to learn more about NCSSM and 4W
What to Expect from Monthly Updates
Hannah will post an update on the 1st of the month to the updates section of the hall site and send an email alerting you that the update is live. These posts will include recaps of the past few weeks on hall, updates on major hall and campus events, reminders about upcoming events and deadlines, and photos of the student experience on campus. Please bookmark the site and check back regularly.
How to Contact Me
If you need to get in touch with Hannah, please email me at hannah.davis@ncssm.edu. I check my email often and will respond quickly. I can also be reached by phone or text message at 919-416-2812.
Important Housing Links:
Be sure to check out the links to the right as they explain what is/is not allowed in the residence halls and provide a list of suggested items.
First Extended Weekend:
September 2-5
September 2-5
After you move in, the first extended weekend will be here before you know it! It begins after classes end on Friday, September 2nd. Residence halls close at 5pm, though if your classes end earlier in the day, you are welcome to leave at that time. Anyone not picked up by 5pm will need to take their belongings to the Bryan Lobby to wait for their ride. The extended weekend ends on Monday, September 5th. There are no classes this day and the residence halls open at 12pm.
** What your student will be doing on extended weekends!