UC San Diego Triton Family Connection

Greetings parents and family members,

Thank you once again for coming to review the Triton Family Connection e-Newsletter. Winter quarter is at times described as the "weird quarter." Even in La Jolla it seems to turn a little dank, a little cloudier, a little more "winter" than many would prefer in Southern California. It is, however, a time for proactive planning — financial aid deadlines are on the horizon, planning for summer, and commencement preparation is in full swing. In this edition we provide information on these important decisions.

This month, Parent & Family Programs welcomes a new staff member, Belinda Zamacona. Belinda will be another voice on the other end of the Parent Helpline or answering messages sent to the parent/family e-mail address. Belinda, a San Diego native, comes to UC San Diego from a local charter school where she worked with parents and family members of enrolled children. For our bilingual parents and family members, Belinda is fluent in Spanish as well as English.

Even as the "weird quarter" rolls along, great things are happening at UC San Diego. Read on and please contact us with any questions. Enjoy!

Information for Parents/Family Members

Commencement 2009 Information
SAVE THE DATE: LGBT Family Day
Black History Month Events
Reapply for Financial Aid for 2009-2010
Top 10 Reasons to Consider Summer Session
NY, NJ, CT Parents & Families: UCSD Near You, the Science of Baseball with NY Mets Statistician

College News

DATE CHANGE: Revelle College Parents' Day
Making of the Modern World Short Version Lecture Series: Free to the Public
Marshall College Welcomes Nobel Laureate Playwright Wole Soyinka

Campus News and Updates

Safer California Universities Grant: UCSD an Intervention Site
Why Darwin Matters Contest
Student Referendum Vote
Clarion Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers' Workshop
@UCSD Alumni Magazine: January Edition
Brilliant Ideas: Submit an Idea
Recylemania 2009
Global Seminars: Applications Due March 2, 2009
UCSD Tritonman Triathlon

Spotlights

College Spotlight: Sixth College
Student Spotlight: Sarah Martin-Hall, Senior
Staff Spotlight: Tricia Bertram-Gallant, Ph.D., Academic Integrity Coordinator
Alumni Spotlight: Pamela Frugè, BA
Program Spotlight: Express to Success

Athletic Events and Updates

Spirit Night: February 20, 2009
Great Success for Women's and Men's Triton Basketball

Your Donation Matters

The Day Tuition Ends: Who Pays for Your Student's Education?

Contact Us

Parent & Family Programs Is Here to Help!


Information for Parents/Family Members

Commencement 2009 Information

Commencement ceremonies for UC San Diego students graduating in Spring 2009 will take place Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, according to the following schedule:

Also, come to UC San Diego early to celebrate your student's graduation at the All Campus Graduation Ceremony (ACGC), which will take place Friday, June 12. More information on commencement is available from individual Colleges or on the Commencement Web pages on TritonLink.

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SAVE THE DATE: LGBT Family Day

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center will host Family Day on Saturday, May 16, 1:30–4:30 p.m. It will be a fun-filled day that gives families of LGBT students a chance to see the Resource Center and meet students' UC San Diego LGBT Family. More information on LGBT Family Day to come, and for more information on the LGBT Resource Center please see the Center's Web site.

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Black History Month Events

To recognize Black History Month, UC San Diego will be organizing many programs and events. See the full calendar of events on the Black History Month Web site.

One featured event brought to the community by the UC San Diego UJIMA Network, the 2009 Black History Month Planning Committee, and key campus sponsors is: "A New Dawn: Redefining the Future." The program will feature speaker Farai Chideya — author, journalist, and political analyst. Performances will include local community choirs and the original UC San Diego Gospel Choir with former Provost of Thurgood Marshall College, Cecil Lytle. There will also be a silent auction with all proceeds benefiting undergraduate scholarships at UC San Diego.

"A New Dawn: Redefining the Future" will take place Saturday, February 28, 2009, 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the UC San Diego Faculty Club.

Ticket information is available on the Black History Month Web site.

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Reapply for Financial Aid for 2009-2010

UC San Diego's priority deadline for filing the 2009–2010 FAFSA is MARCH 2, 2009! To ensure parents and family members are informed about the process, the Financial Aid Office offers the following guidance:

May 1, 2009 is the deadline to provide additional required documents (if requested) such as verification worksheets and income tax returns or to resolve processing holds. If verification information is submitted or holds are resolved after May 1, 2009 funding is limited (based on eligibility) to loans, Federal Pell Grant, Academic Competition Grants (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) grants, and Cal Grants only.

More information about filing the FAFSA is available on the UCSD's FAFSA Web page.

More information on UC San Diego's financial aid programs can be found on the Financial Aid Office Web site.

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Top 10 Reasons to Consider Summer Session

While there are many reasons to attend Summer Session at UC San Diego, here are the Top 10:

  1. Learn a new subject
  2. Accelerate progress toward your degree
  3. Enroll in courses that close quickly in Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters
  4. For newly admitted students – get an early start on your college career
  5. Fulfill one year of language requirements in only 6 weeks!
  6. Prepare for Fall Quarter
  7. Reduce your course load for future quarters
  8. Focus all of your time on one complex subject
  9. Enhance career prospects
  10. Enrich your cultural and intellectual knowledge

Summer Session is a great way to focus on challenging subjects, get ahead with graduation requirements, or take courses that just do not fit into the regular academic year. Summer Session includes two 5-week sessions and one special session which include courses of varying lengths. Students can participate in one, two, or all three sessions.

Summer Session is not just for current UC San Diego students — students from other universities and community members may enroll as well!

A preview of course offerings will be available in March 2009. For more information, see the Summer Session Web site.

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NY, NJ, CT Parents & Families: UCSD Near You, the Science of Baseball with NY Mets Statistician

Tuesday, March 3, 2009 — Join UC San Diego alumnus and New York Mets statistician Ben Baumer '03 for a discussion about the science of baseball. Enjoy a discussion about how the distinctive nature of one of America's favorite pastimes makes it an ideal setting for probability models, and how correlations of certain statistics can help us discern skill from luck. For more information or to RSVP, contact Amelia Cortina or 858/246-0327. More information about the event and other events taking place can be found on the Alumni Association UCSD Near You Web site.

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College News

DATE CHANGE: Revelle College Parents' Day

The Revelle College Parents' Day Brunch will be held Sunday, March 1, 2009, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the Faculty Club. This is a date change, as the event was previously announced to be held February 22, 2009. Please save the date of March 1, 2009 to attend. Questions regarding the event should be directed to Revelle College Dean of Student Affairs Office, 858/534-3493.

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Making of the Modern World Short Version Lecture Series: Free to the Public

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, UC San Diego's Eleanor Roosevelt College is pleased to announce this year's MMW Short Version Lecture series entitled "A Global Perspective on Human Rights from the Middle Ages to the Present." There will be a lecture each Wednesday, 7:00–8:30 p.m., from February 4 to March 4, 2009. Lectures are presented by distinguished UC San Diego faculty and are held in the Great Hall at the International House on the ERC Campus. The lectures are free and open to the public. MMW is ERC's core course sequence. If you want to learn more about what your student is learning (in a shorter format!), consider attending! See the list of lectures below and for more information on Making of the Modern World, see the MMW Web site. For more information about the lecture series contact the ERC MMW program.

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Marshall College Welcomes Nobel Laureate Playwright Wole Soyinka

Join Thurgood Marshall College in welcoming Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka for a keynote address on Thursday, February 26, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. in the Price Center Ballroom. The first African to win the Nobel Prize, Mr. Soyinka received the honor in Literature in 1986. This event is free for all those who would like to attend. To learn more about Wole Soyinka, visit his biography on the Nobel Prize Web site.

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Campus News and Updates

Safer California Universities Grant: UCSD an Intervention Site

UC San Diego has recently been chosen as an intervention site for the Safer California Universities Grant, a project which seeks to decrease alcohol consumption leading to intoxication. The initiative's focus is to create safer party environments by building a close sense of community between students and neighbors, promoting safety at parties, and increasing enforcement of alcohol-related laws and policies. Lupe Samaniego-Kraus from Student Health Services is leading the UC San Diego effort and thought it would be helpful for our parents and family members to know about the project.

This comprehensive initiative arose from a five-year, $6.9 million study of alcohol-related problems at 14 California universities, funded by the National Institute for Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA). UC San Diego was one of the participating UC and CSU campuses asked by the Prevention Research Center of Berkeley to develop a coordinated campus community strategy for reducing high-risk alcohol consumption and thus reducing incidents that result from such high-risk consumption. The research project seeks to reduce violence, property damage, injury and car crashes that result from high-risk drinking and out-of-control social events.

UC San Diego will now be an active intervention site with project planning and initiatives taking place throughout 2009 and with increased enforcement components focused for Fall 2009. We will continue to update parents and family members about the project so family members can encourage responsible alcohol use with their students. For more information regarding the initiatives being undertaken at UC San Diego, contact Lupe Samaniego-Kraus.

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Why Darwin Matters Contest

Students can take up the challenge by showing "Why Darwin Matters" and win $500! The Division of Biological Sciences, along with the Biological Sciences Student Association and the Saltman Quarterly, is excited to challenge undergraduate students to put their most creative foot forward in illuminating the theme of "Why Darwin Matters." Students are encouraged to be creative when submitting their entries. Entries will be judged on broad public appeal, creativity, and how well the theme of "Why Darwin Matters" is incorporated, with cash prizes going to the top three winners! More information and challenge criteria can be found at the Darwin Matters Web site.

For more information on activities associated with "Why Darwin Matters," see the Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebrations Web site.

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Student Referendum Vote

Undergraduate students voted January 12–16 on an Associated Students Activity Fee referendum. The referendum passed, increasing the Campus Activity fee by $19.82 per student, per quarter, beginning Spring Quarter 2009. The increase will go to support programming, student organizations, services, operations, and sustainability efforts on the part of Associated Students, the student government of UC San Diego. Of the 6046 students who voted, 57% voted to approve the increased fee. For more about Associated Students see the AS Web site.

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Clarion Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers' Workshop

Clarion is a residential short story workshop for writers of all ages and backgrounds. Clarion is widely recognized as the premier training ground for aspiring writers of speculative fiction. Each year 18–20 adults are selected from applicants who have the potential for highly successful writing careers. Many graduates have become well-known writers. Clarion instructors are among the most respected writers and editors working in the field today.

Applicants must submit two stories with their application. Workshop dates are June 28 to August 8, 2009, and scholarships are available for participation. Instructors and students reside together in UC San Diego apartments throughout the six-week program. The 2009 writers in residence are Holly Black, Larissa Lai, Robert Crais, Kim Stanley Robinson, Elizabeth Hand, and Paul Park. For more information on Clarion contact clarion@ucsd.edu or see the Clarion Web site, sponsored by the UC San Diego Literature Department.

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@UCSD Alumni Magazine: January Edition

The UC San Diego Alumni Association publishes "@ucsd" Alumni Magazine three times a year. View the January edition on the Alumni Association Web site. Also, consider purchasing your student a student membership with the Alumni Association — there are great benefits for only $25!

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Brilliant Ideas: Submit an Idea

Brilliant Ideas logo

Do you have a brilliant idea for UC San Diego? In recognition of UC San Diego's 50th Anniversary, ideas to make the campus more creative, innovative, and brilliant are being accepted. Once the ideas are reviewed, some will be implemented during the year. Send your Brilliant Idea to parents@ucsd.edu. All idea proposals will be sent to the review committee for consideration.

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Recylemania 2009

Every Spring, college and university campus communities across the nation compete in Recyclemania to see which campus can collect the largest amount of recyclables, thereby, producing the least amount of trash. This year, UC San Diego will be competing in the competition for the 4th time. Last year, the community finished 3rd in the state and 13th overall. Participation in Recyclemania is documented to increase long term recycling behaviors on the part of the campus community.

Every week through April 15, 2009 UC San Diego will be reporting the total tons of both trash and recycled items. Want to see how UC San Diego is doing in the competition? See the UC San Diego information on Recyclemania. To learn more about Recyclemania, see the program's Web site.

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Global Seminars: Applications Due March 2, 2009

Jim Galvin of the Programs Abroad Office submitted some information on the UC San Diego Global Seminar Program. In its second year, the program provides opportunities for students to study abroad led by a UC San Diego faculty member. During summer 2008, the pilot year for the program, 136 students participated in eight study abroad programs. Students took two UC San Diego courses for a total of eight units during a five-week program. Sites included Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Sorrento, Cadiz, and Costa Rica. The faculty involved developed rigorous courses and syllabi, crafted course materials to take advantage of the sites, and led academic excursions that made the course content come alive!

The Programs Abroad Office is currently accepting applications on a rolling basis. The priority application deadline is March 2, 2009 or until the program is full. A limited pool of scholarship money is available to assist some Global Seminar students. Students who receive financial aid can apply for summer financial aid to defray the cost of the program.

To learn more about the Global Seminar Program, see the Programs Abroad Office Web site.

Global Seminars are not just an experience for students; the program can also offer faculty new teaching experiences. If you, or somebody you know would like more information about teaching a Global Seminar for summer 2010, please contact the program director Jim Galvin, Opportunities Aboard and Faculty-Led Program Director.

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UCSD Tritonman Triathlon

The UC San Diego Triathlon Team is proud to present the third annual Tritonman Triathlon on February 21, 2009 at Fiesta Island in Mission Bay. This fun, yet competitive, sprint distance triathlon will cover approximately one-tenth of the distance of the famous Ironman races. For more information on registration or volunteering at the event, see the UCSD Tritonman Triathlon Web site.

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Spotlights

College Spotlight: Sixth College

Sixth College logo

Sixth College is celebrating its sixth year as part of the UC San Diego community. In 1998, a College planning committee was convened to consider the addition of a sixth college to the UC San Diego campus community. One year later, it was determined that a sixth residential college would be added to the campus with the theme Culture, Art, and Technology and the College would strive to develop students who were innovative, interconnected, and aware global citizens.

To learn more about the history and vision of Sixth College I met with Naomi Oreskes, Provost of Sixth College. Provost Oreskes is in the sixth month of her current position as Provost. Before becoming Provost, she was a full-time faculty member for 10 years in the Department of History, specializing in History of Science. To begin our conversation I asked her to discuss the theme of the College, culture, art, and technology. While the three areas may sound distinct, she actually finds the thematic structure slightly redundant.

Sixth College students

"Art and technology are expressions of culture, and culture encompasses everything," Provost Oreskes explained. The three areas are fully interconnected and "true toolkits to negotiate and navigate the world." This interdisciplinary way of thinking is continually impressed upon Sixth College students — and is an important complement to the disciplinary thinking students will receive through their eventual majors.

This integrated thinking is expressed tangibly by students in the Sixth College Practicum Program, what the Practicum Program Director Ebonee Williams calls "education in action." As described by Dr. Williams, practicum is a service-learning experience by way of a formal project, research, or internship. Practicum projects for students take place within the university community and in the greater San Diego community. For instance, students learn through Educational Studies the fundamentals of teaching, then take on tutoring responsibilities at a local school. Students participate in TIES: Teams in Engineering Service, working on engineering solutions for non-profit organizations. Practicum projects have taken many forms, including judicial clerkships, sustainability projects, and intergroup dialogue participation. All students are required to take part in Practicum and students gain four credits of academic credit for participation.

Sixth College art presentation

To enable students to have a broad array of options and provide Sixth College with a community of partners, Provost Oreskes and Dr. Williams encourage parents and family members who might be able to provide practicum experiences to students to contact Dr. Williams for more information. These partnerships provide valuable learning experiences to students and help to prepare a generation of leaders.

 

Sixth College Flying Man practicum

In addition to the staple program of Practicum, the traditions of Sixth College make it a unique community of its own. Events such as C.H.A.O.S. (Cultures Having An Outrageous Scene) and Kuncocshun (an event supporting student creativity and expression) are student-led and reinforce the importance of innovation when creating events and programs. Other events such as the Sixth College Film Festival, Sixth Idol, and Let it Flow!: A Soulful Night at Sixth are recent events which have taken hold in the community and are becoming traditions to express the thematic integration of Sixth College.

For more information about Sixth College, visit the College Web site.

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Student Spotlight: Sarah Martin-Hall, Senior

Sarah Martin-Hall, UCSD senior

Meet Sarah Martin-Hall, a graduating Senior from Sixth College. Sarah is a Visual Arts major, specializing in Art History, while completing a minor in Theatre. As Sarah approaches graduation we took time in our discussion to reflect on her time at UC San Diego.

Sarah is originally from the San Bernardino area and admitted her transition to UC San Diego was made a bit easier given that her brother was also a student at Sixth College when she arrived on campus. She therefore worked hard to find her own niche in the life of the campus. While a student Sarah has taken time to engage herself across the spectrum on campus – she is a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, studied abroad in Rome, costume designed for a student theatre production, and is currently a Student Involvement Leadership Consultant with the Center for Student Involvement. As a member of Alpha Chi Omega for the last three years, Sarah has taken on progressively more challenging leadership roles, rising to Vice President of Intellectual Development. As she reflects on her experience in the chapter, she realizes that she has gained a new set of skills to multi-task and has been challenged to work with a diverse group of individuals who are some of her best friends. Sarah's study abroad experience was also a significant time during her undergraduate career. She went to Rome but travelled across Europe and other countries to meet new people and experience new cultures. Her study abroad experience was "life changing." As an Art History major she was seeing the architecture and art work she studied in books, in real life. Sarah's experience abroad was so influential that she has obtained a one year work visa and will be moving to Ireland in July. After her time in Ireland she plans to apply to graduate school.

As a graduating Senior I asked Sarah about her relationship with her parents during her time as a student. She said the transition was easy since her parents were "broken in" when her brother left for college. One thing her family values is traditions, and Halloween was one important tradition. When Halloween was approaching, Sarah's mother mailed her a care package of decorations and candy so they could share the tradition long distance. I asked Sarah what she would recommend to families while a student is at UC San Diego. Her advice was two-fold: "give your student space, but don't lose contact," and "get involved with what they are, ask what their student is doing, and come to campus when they are doing something."

Sarah likes to spend her free time on campus in the Tree House Lounge in the original Student Center. The lounge is surrounded by trees and is always quiet, helping her focus on her studies. As a UC San Diego traditionalist, her favorite campus tradition is the Sun God festival. A close second was Spirit Night, especially the first one she attended, "I felt a feeling of solidarity on campus."

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Staff Spotlight: Tricia Bertram-Gallant, Ph.D., Academic Integrity Coordinator

Tricia Bertram Gallant

Meet Tricia Bertram Gallant, Academic Integrity Coordinator for the UC San Diego campus community. Tricia, originally from Canada, graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Education. After relocating to San Diego, Tricia completed her doctoral degree at the University of San Diego in Leadership Studies/Higher Education.

Flyer from Academic Integrity campaign Having integrity in academic pursuits is a UC San Diego value and therefore, Tricia's position was created in 2005. As part of Academic Affairs, Tricia works within the central administration of UC San Diego to promote integrity and facilitate the administrative processing of accusations involving academic misconduct. Tricia explained that she sees her role to "change the campus climate where academic integrity is the norm." To shift the campus climate to a culture of integrity, Tricia works with students to promote integrity. As a proactive measure, students working with the office have created an educational campaign to endorse a culture of honesty (see insert picture of the integrity campaign). When students are found responsible for academic dishonesty, Tricia holds Academic Integrity Seminars to engage students on why having integrity is important and to critically reflect on their actions so not to repeat the behavior.

Being accused of cheating, plagiarism, or another forms of academic dishonesty is a painful experience for both students and family members. Therefore, I asked Tricia what advice she could give parents and family members based on her experiences with students who are accused, are found responsible, or who are rehabilitating back into the community.

To learn more about the integrity movement at UC San Diego, the official policy guarding academic integrity, or the process when a student is accused, see the Academic Integrity Office Web site.

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Alumni Spotlight: Pamela Frugè, BA

UCSD alumnus Pamela Fruge

Meet Pamela Frugè, Alumna of Earl Warren College. Pamela graduated from UC San Diego with a Bachelors Degree in Urban Planning and Public Health and a minor in Contemporary Black Studies and Sociology. Though not at UC San Diego, Pamela also completed her Masters in Business Administration (MBA). She currently works at UC San Diego in Education Studies as the Management Services Officer.

Pamela has been working at UC San Diego for many years. She graduated from the university and spent five years working in the corporate sector of San Diego in urban planning. Since her return to the university, Pamela has taken on a number of different roles — processing admissions applications, undergraduate coordinator in Cognitive Science, and manager at The Guardian student newspaper. In her current position, Pamela is the global, administrative contact for Education Studies; she works with human resources issues, facilities, fiscal management, and curriculum and course structure for the Education Studies programs. She said she "wears lots of hats," but finds the position keeps her "engaged" in the life of the campus. In addition to her work in Education Studies, Pamela is also Chair of UJIMA, an alliance for the Black students, staff, and faculty at UC San Diego. UJIMA serves as a network for information exchange, identifying barriers, and working with other constituents on campus to create change in the face of inequity.

While a student at UC San Diego Pamela had what she described as "extraordinary" developmental experiences. To start her undergraduate experience, Pamela was part of the Summer Bridge program and found that the program helped her acclimate to a new environment, form close relationships, and instilled a passion in her to assist other students in their own transitions. She continued to volunteer with Summer Bridge as a mentor and peer counselor during her UC San Diego undergraduate career. Pamela was the Editor of the People's Voice, an African-American newspaper, which helped her find community not only with other students of color but with journalists across campus. She lived on campus in Camp Snoopy and she is still friends with her roommates from that time. Finally, she found great mentors in faculty members. After she "got over the fear" of approaching faculty, she found individuals that were accessible and truly cared about her being successful. She still remembers when a past faculty member, Dr. Charles Thomas called her mother to let her know Pamela was doing well in class!

As a result of these wonderful experiences, Pamela is a committed member of the UC San Diego community. I asked Pamela to tell me what she still carries with her from her undergraduate experience. She quickly explained that she gained the "ability to move at a quick pace and produce high quality work." Taking classes on the schedule and pace of the quarter system and being engaged in the life of the campus heighted her skills in this area. Pamela also said that from her undergraduate experience she came to know herself and others better along lines of diversity. She developed the skills to debate and have disagreement around issues of social justice but maintain friends and work through conflict.

Finally, I asked Pamela what advice she would have for current parents and family members. Her advice was simple:

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Program Spotlight: Express to Success

Students interact at an ETS function

Express to Success (ETS) is a campus-wide program designed to help students enhance their self-confidence in interpersonal communication, social interaction, public speaking, and leadership skills. The objective of ETS is to give participants the necessary skills to be successful UC San Diego students and to continue that success in graduate/professional school, full-time employment and/or any other personal endeavors they choose to pursue beyond their college years. Communication and social interaction skills continue to be expertise employers and graduate/professional schools are seeking and simultaneously students report they are not gaining the abilities desired at UC San Diego.

ETS offers an eclectic variety of co-curricular programs and services to help students strengthen their interpersonal skills. Students can choose to participate in the following:

ETS Interpersonal Communication Seminars

This 9-week seminar focusing on the development of social self-confidence, conversation skills, nonverbal behaviors, assertiveness, conflict management, group dynamics, gender and cross-cultural communication, networking and interviewing, and listening and self-disclosure skills. All seminars contain theory and application of skills.

ETS Public Speaking Seminars

This 9-week seminar focuses on the development of confidence in public speaking and presentation skills, including body language and nonverbal skills, audience analysis, speech preparation, and overcoming stage fright and speech anxiety. Students deliver speeches in a variety of styles and formats.

Triton Success Program

This program combines the interpersonal communication and public speaking curriculum with leadership development in a year-long program designed for first- and second-year students. Students attend an overnight leadership retreat, participate in community service, and coordinate a year-end social action theatre project that serves to educate the campus community about issues related to hate and discrimination.

CommunicateUCSD!

This program offers a variety of workshops and seminars in interpersonal communication and public speaking in a flexible, drop-in format for students unable to commit by the quarter or by the academic year.

ADVANCE! Leadership at the Next Level

Students with previous leadership training or involvement at UC San Diego or in the community are encouraged to participate in this innovative year-long program that engages students in knowledge and application of advanced leadership and communication concepts. Participants design and implement a capstone project that promotes social change in the community.

FriendExpress

This is a unique opportunity for students to meet and mingle with other UC San Diego students in a fun, fast-paced event with an educational twist!

PRONTO: Professional Communication Training for College Students

Scheduled for Spring 2010, this two-day conference is a perfect chance for your student to enhance their professional communication, interpersonal and social skills, and public speaking ability prior to internships, graduate school, or post-college professional opportunities.

Parents and family members are encouraged to support your student in supplementing their academic coursework with programs offered by ETS. Participating students report feeling increased self-confidence and a stronger ability to connect with others, speak publicly in a variety of settings, and a deeper understanding of the critical importance of communication skills to their overall success.

For further information, or to support ETS as a volunteer speaker or through a donation, please visit the ETS Web site or call 858/822-0181.

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Athletic Events and Updates

Spirit Night: February 20, 2009

Spirit Night

Spirit Night 2009, featuring a basketball doubleheader at RIMAC Arena against San Francisco State, is scheduled for Friday, February 20, 2009. The UC San Diego Women play at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men at 7:30 p.m. The evening will also feature the conclusion of the annual College spirit competition and presentation of the Spirit Night Trophy after the Men's game. Revelle College is the defending Spirit Night champion. There will also be a postgame fireworks show on RIMAC Field.

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Great Success for Women's and Men's Triton Basketball

The 17th-ranked Triton Women's Basketball team is currently 19-2 overall and is undefeated in CCAA play. The Women are in first place and own a three-game lead in the conference standings. The Triton Men are 11-7, 8-4 in league action and are tied for third, just one game out of first place.

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Your Donation Matters

The Day Tuition Ends: Who Pays for Your Student's Education?

Student Foundation logo

If you want to know what your UC San Diego student thinks of the tuition and fees that are paid for his or her UC San Diego education, here's an opportunity to "eavesdrop" on a student-to-student conversation and learn about a new student-based fundraising initiative. Sarah Chang, President of the UCSD Student Foundation, recently wrote this essay:

Too often, students at the University of California, San Diego find themselves knee-deep in details. Midterms, paper due dates and finals rule our calendars; student organization meetings swallow time that could be spent at the beach; checkbooks are (somewhat) balanced, with at least one regular withdrawal — roughly $3,000 from our account to the UC Regents every three months.

Ask any undergraduate the value they put on their education and most will answer with the total amount of their student fees, but we know our UC San Diego education is worth so much more than $9,000. And the UCSD Student Foundation has the numbers to prove it.

Those quarterly checks add up to about 9 percent of the cost of educating one student at the UC San Diego. But with higher education's share of state revenue declining each year (only 12 percent of the university's total budget is from the state of California), UC San Diego must increasingly rely on financial support from generous alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends. While we're busy lobbying the state legislature to use more tax dollars for education, we sometimes forget how much the university and donors support students.

But the numbers are not all that matter. Numbers cannot quantify the amazing internship you landed in your second year, or the relationship you've built with professors. Numbers don't have anything to do with a truly inspiring lecture, a free concert put on by the AS, a great run at RIMAC, or the rows of 18th Century British plays on the 7th floor of Geisel. That 9 percent has very little to do with study breaks in the dorms, or the amazing friendships you've made over coffee at the Grove.

The Student Foundation, an organization sponsored by the UC San Diego Alumni Association and the UC San Diego Foundation, is raising awareness about the "big picture" — what it takes to educate a student, dollar for dollar, and who contributes to the full value of our degrees. It is not just about the quarterly tuition check. It is about taking in an experience both inside and outside of the classroom that rivals the best private institutions in the country. It is about community and connections. It's about spirit, service and leadership.

"The Day Tuition Ends 2009" is a Student Foundation campaign to encourage students to appreciate the full value of their education—beyond expenses. In early January, a two-day kick-off included visual displays and information on Library Walk, and culminated in an event for students, alumni and UC San Diego community members to watch the premiere of the "Day Tuition Ends" campaign video and hear personal stories from UCSD alumni and scholarship recipients.

The big picture of life at UC San Diego is worth so much more than numbers on a check. The goal of this campaign is to help students understand the full value of their academic careers at UCSD and encourage them to one day give back to the university as much as they have received. Be a part of the picture!

UC San Diego has been successful in creating unique strategies and opportunities to inspire philanthropy, even in 20-year-olds. In 1999, the university launched an innovative program that teaches students the importance of private support and how to run a private foundation. The UCSD Student Foundation is not only managed and supported by students —it is helping to develop the next generation of philanthropists.

Parents and families can also help in establishing a tradition of philanthropy. In recognition of the stellar education that UC San Diego offers, please consider giving to the Parents Fund to maintain and strengthen the university's overall academic program and provide a pool of flexible dollars for our six Colleges. For more information on giving to the Parents Fund, please visit the Parents Fund Web site or contact Parent Giving Director Toni Tschann or 858/822-3867.

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Contact Us

Parent & Family Programs

Parent & Family Programs is available to answer questions, assist with concerns, or just lend a supportive ear. Please call the Parent Helpline at 858/534-7273, or e-mail parents@ucsd.edu.

Interested in Triton Family Connection e-Newsletter archives? See http://vcsa.ucsd.edu/parents.

 

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