For more calendar information see www.parent.umn.edu/calendar.html

Spring semester tuition payment schedule: http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Tuition_Billing/wwhpay/Duespring.html

May/summer term tuition payment schedule: http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Tuition_Billing/wwhpay/Duesummer.html


Finals

Finals can be a stressful time. To lessen the stress it helps to develop good study skills. See the University Counseling & Consulting Services Web site for some good information on study skills.


Spring Commencement

Commencement information is available from the Commencement Web site at www.umn.edu/twincities/commencement.


Honor Societies

One of the "most common" questions right now is related to honor societies. "My kid was invited to join an honorary society. Is it worth it?" For information on honor societies, see www.cla.umn.edu/honors/honmembership.htm.



On-Campus Housing Move-Out

Spring semester finals end on May 17, but it’s a good idea to plan ahead for moving students out of the residence halls and on-campus apartments. The move-out itself tends not to be as hectic as move-in days in the fall. Students leave throughout the week of finals, after they finish their exams, so the activity is spread out through the week.

Please note that parking restrictions are enforced in the areas around the residence halls/apartments during move-out. Also please keep in mind that entry through side or rear doors of the residence halls/apartments is prohibited. As the number of students in the halls/apartments declines throughout the week, safety precautions are all the more important.

As you’re talking with your student about plans for moving out, here are tips and procedures:

• There seems to be a trend that if a student’s belongings filled one car at the beginning of the year, it will take three carloads to move everything home at the end of the year. If your student is coming home for a visit between now and the end of the semester, encourage him or her to bring things home that are no longer needed. Recycling bins are available to recycle a wide variety of household items. Dumpsters are placed near halls/apartments to discard anything the students want to get rid of.



• During the last two weeks of April, CAs (Community Advisers) typically do pre-inspection room/apartment visits with residents to help them know what to expect during move-out.



• Lofts will need to be taken down before finals begin. Each hall will post details for their loft return date and where and how to return the lofts. In the apartment communities and in Frontier and Territorial halls, lofts are stored in the room. Please refer to building-specific information. Parents often ask why lofts must be taken down before finals, and there are a couple of reasons. First, it’s not a quiet process. When students are studying for finals, noise can increase the stress levels. Second, it’s the best way to ensure that the returns are made before students check out for the summer. If one roommate goes home without taking down the loft, it’s an extra burden for the remaining roommate(s).



• Refrigerators rented through Collegiate Services (also known as Bedloft.com) will be picked up on May 9. The company will notify residents in each building about specific pick-up times.



• The weekend before finals begin, residence halls/apartments will start “22-hour quiet hours.” The two-hour courtesy hours are usually 5-7 p.m.



• Residence hall students are not required to leave until Saturday, May 17, but they are strongly encouraged to leave after their last final is over.
  
  
• If your student lives in a University apartment, and they are on a 9 1/2- or 11 1/2-month contract, their move out dates are different. They have received information regarding move-out from Housing & Residential Life.



• Many students search out their own study spot during finals week and spend all their time in that one place. It might be a library, an empty classroom, a coffeeshop, or their residence hall room or apartment. Some students in the seven-county Metro area decide to go home before finals in order to study in their own bedroom. The important thing is that they are comfortable and can concentrate.



• Parents often call during the spring to ask for recommendations on storage companies near campus. We cannot recommend one business over another, but we can give you the names of some facilities near campus. When calling for information about storage space, you’ll want to ask about small storage compartments, month-by-month rentals, and current discount options. Companies near campus include:

Minikahda
651-641-0101
www.minikahda.com

EZ Mini Storage
612-722-1111
http://ezmini.com

SMARTBOX of Minnesota
3900 50th Avenue North, Suite 100
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
1-87-SMARTBOX (1-877-627-8269)
763-535-9202 (phone)
763-535-9419 (fax)

• All rooms are subject to a final room inspection by full-time staff during the week after students move out. Final damage charges are assessed by these staff members. (CAs do the preliminary inspection and do not assess charges.) Any residence hall damage charges will be assessed on the June 14 bill. Apartment complex damage bills are assessed on the next possible University billing date after the end of the contract period.