Parent Newsletter – January 2013
• Welcome
• Important Dates
• Be in the Know: Campus Information
• Offices of Strengths and Vocation
• Important Student Financial Information
• Send Some Sweet Treats
• Study Skills from the Tutorial Center
Welcome
Hello PLNU Parents!
The spring semester is already in full swing here at PLNU! We have so many exciting things planned for your student this semester. From the Seminar by the Sea to the many Network 9’s and Chapel services that are scheduled, our goal is to do everything we can to help your student achieve a well balanced education where academics and faith converge.
Please be sure to read through the full eNewsletter so that you can be in the know about all of the opportunities we have for your student! If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact us. We are here to serve you!
Sincerely,
Cristy Booher
Parent Connection Manager
Important Dates
January 6 | Residence Halls Open
January 7 | New Student Orientation
January 8 | CLASSES BEGIN
January 15 | Perspectives on Science with Dr. J. William Schopf
January 18-21 | Encuentro
January 21 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day (NO CLASSES)
January 24 | Network 9: Music, Art, and Design
January 26 | Superfest 2013
January 28-February 1 | Spiritual Renewal Week
Looking Ahead:
February 4-7 | Seminar by the Sea: Making the Journey to Easter
February 7 | Network 9: Kinesiology
February 23-24 | Storyline Conference with Donald Miller
March 2 | Residence Halls Close (Noon)
March 4-8 | Spring Break Week (No classes)
March 10 | Residence Halls Open (Noon)
Full PLNU event calendar
Full PLNU academic calendar
Be in the Know
*Below are campus offerings for your student*
Senior Women’s Retreat. Sign-Ups for the Senior Women’s Retreat are Here! It’s January 25 – 27, 2013 at Camp Stevens in Julian, CA. Senior Women are invited to sign-up online, or e-mail NicoleFountas@pointloma.edu. Space is limited!
ASB 2013/14 Informational Meetings. Does your student want to be involved in making change happen on campus? Do they want to plan or publicize events? Maybe they’d like to work with clubs on campus, help plan homecoming or work with the ASB budget? If any of that sounds interesting, they are invited to come to the Informational ASB Election Meeting on Tuesday, January 15 at 7 p.m. in Robinson or Wednesday, January 16 at 7 p.m. in Barton Conference Room (3rd floor Nicholson Commons, back Northeast corner).
80’s Skate Night. Dress in your finest 80’s outfit and get ready to skate the night away! So grab your pastels, your neons, your sparkles and big hair and ride on over to Skateworld. Free with Lomativities, $3 without. Busses leave at 7:45 p.m. in front of Brown. Event takes place on Thursday, January 24 from 8 – 11 p.m.
Sleepless Pacific's Debut Album Release Party. Come see Sleepless Pacific perform on Friday, January 11 at 7 p.m. in the ARC! Join in as they celebrate the release of their debut album, “Breaking Ground.” Admission is FREE and there will be raffle prizes, cake, and a live performance by James Spaite. This event is sponsored by PLNU's Invisible Children Club who will also be fundraising with some goodies. Be sure to check it out on Facebook or for more info contact: jmgonzalez1992@pointloma.edu.
ARC’s ACUI Tournament. Come play your best game of billiards and/or table tennis in the ARC! The winners will represent PLNU in the ACUI Tournament in Fresno, California on February 1-2, 2013. We need one boy and one girl for each sport!
Encuentro 2013. The Admissions Outreach Office is hosting the 15th annual Encuentro, an event for Nazarene Latino churches from the Southwest Region, January 18-21 (MLK weekend). Please welcome 200 youth and leaders to our campus. They will be staying in resident hall lounges and using PLNU facilities. Some may be future PLNU students. For more information contact Dale Hudson, dhudson@pointloma.edu.
PLNU 5th Year MBA Information Sessions. What are your student’s plans after graduation? Do they know they could earn their MBA in just one year? Your student is invited to attend an Information Session to learn more about PLNU’s new 5th Year MBA program beginning Fall 2013. All majors welcome and lunch will be provided.
Join us on either:
Wednesday, January 23, 12:45-1:25 p.m. at the Fermanian Conference Center or
Thursday, January 24, 11:45-12:25 p.m. in the Fermanian School of Business Board Room (110)
To RSVP, please e-mail clairebuckley@pointloma.edu or call 619-563-2846. Or click here.
• The 5th Year MBA is designed to better prepare new graduates for the challenges and complexities of the modern business world. You will further develop your ability to think analytically and strategically; as well as improve your quantitative, communicative and problem solving skills.
• Complete the program in just three semesters (twelve months). Courses offered Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., at Liberty Station. One required elective is offered in the evening and the capstone course is taught two Saturdays per month.
Con-current Enrollment. If your student plans on taking a class off-campus next semester, be sure they stop by the Records Office and fill out a “con-current enrollment” petition.
Last Day to Add Classes. January 13- last day to add Quad I classes; January 18 - last day to add 15 week classes; March 12 - Last day to add Quad II classes.
Study Abroad in 2013! It’s not too late to make one more resolution for this year! Students are invited to come by the Study Abroad Office in Bond Academic Center this week to find their perfect overseas program. Info Sessions are held every Monday - Friday at 4 p.m. and Scholarship Workshops are every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Also, save the date for the Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, January 23 from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Caf Lane. Questions? Click here.
Intramural Spring Leagues Now Forming. Intramural spring leagues are now forming. Students can pick up a sign-up sheet in front of the cafeteria at lunch time, check out the Intramural board in the gymnasium, or e-mail AlisaWard@pointloma.edu for more information. Students MUST attend the captain's meeting if they wish to participate (captains and free agents only). Spring sports: soccer, basketball, women's volleyball, and tennis. Spring activities: yoga, aerobics, ultimate Frisbee tournament and dodge ball tournament.
Rugby Season is Approaching! Join Now! The Point Loma Rugby Club has started prepping for a playoff run this spring. Come out, join us, and learn the great sport of rugby. Practices are Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 – 8 p.m. at Robb Field. Rides are available! Don’t miss out on the fun! Contact Sam Bravo - sbravo@pointloma.edu; Jordan Latter - jlatter100@pointloma.edu; or David Xu - dxu0401@pointloma.edu for more information.
Have you got SEALION spirit?
Home games this week. Go Sea Lions!
Saturday, January 12 at 1 p.m. – Women’s Basketball vs. Cal Baptist – Golden Gym
Saturday, January 12 at 4 p.m. – Men’s Basketball vs. Cal Baptist – Golden Gym
Miss Playing Your Wind or Percussion Instrument? The PLNU Concert Band and Jazz Band have spots available for your student! Concert Band meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 – 6 p.m. and performs a variety of wind literature. Jazz Band has a couple wind spots open and meets on Mondays from 6-8 p.m. (starting Tuesday, January 8). We have instruments available and a seat waiting for them! Contact Prof. Dally (johndally@pointloma.edu) with any questions.
The Mellotones Play the Music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Friday, January 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Crill Performance Hall. Admission is free. Did you ever wish that you could time-travel back to the days of the Big Bands? That's what you will be able to do on Friday when you hear the Mellotones play the music of Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington. The Mellotones are professional musicians who have worked with some of the best musicians of the genre and they are devoted to bringing the big band sound to new audiences. Come, listen and enjoy! For more information, visit us online or send us an e-mail music@pointloma.edu.
Offices of Strengths and Vocation
Happy 2013!!
We hope your time with family and friends was full of thankfulness and thoughtful conversations.
Some of the conversations we are having over here in OSV are very specifically around our desire to help each student approach their career search with the right information. The message we want everyone to know is not only do we want to meet one-on-one to help, but that the time is NOW.
When asked when the job search should start, the answer is always going to be NOW, because there are so many important steps to take before even starting the application process.
The first thing to do is to meet with your career advisor. They will get you set up with the following steps:
1. Identify what is most important to you in a job and a company you work for and write these down- ie. Intellectual challenge, creativity, structured work schedule or flexible work schedule, faith based, small or large organization etc. Spend some quality time on this because it can help you weed out options that are not right for you in the long run.
2. Begin a list of position titles/departments you would like to pursue as well as a list of companies that align with your values and interests.
3. Look on LinkedIn.com to see if there are any PLNU grads that work for those organizations and reach out to them to ask them for coffee and an informational interview. Ask for referrals for who else you should talk to.
4. Keep track of all the work you do and follow up with thank you cards to everyone you meet with and get referred to. Who you know can be the determining factor of whether or not your resume gets to the top of the stack.
To jump start their career, encourage your student to come to OSV and we can help begin this plan and hold them accountable to it by setting up regular meetings.
We are the managers of our own career! So let’s commit to take control of it today!!
Follow Us!
Student Financial Services
Don’t forget these important dates!
January 3 Spring 2013 Payment Due
January 18 Deadline to make changes to on-campus meal plan
Through the student portal, students can change their meal plan during the first two weeks of school. Keep in mind that this might affect the balance owing, and that after January 18th, no changes can be made until the following semester.
January 22 Financial Aid posted to Student Accounts
Financial Aid will post to student accounts the week of January 22nd. If there is pending aid remaining on your student’s account after that date, there is likely some further action required by your student.
January 31 1098-T tax forms will be available through student portal
February 1 Deadline to waive health insurance
Every PLNU undergraduate student is automatically covered by PLNU’s health insurance. If your student is covered by another plan, please have him/her waive PLNU’s health insurance via the student portal. This will remove the $458.50 charge from your student’s account. If the health insurance plan is not waived prior to February 1st, it cannot be waived until the following semester, even if the student has other coverage. If health insurance was waived in the fall, the waiver will carry-over into spring and no action is necessary.
February 4 5% Late Fee Applied to all unpaid balances
If there is still a balance owing on February 4th, a 5% late fee will be applied to your student’s account. Any pending financial aid that has been awarded will not be subject to the late fee. Please be sure to take care of any balance prior to this date.
Spring 2013 Statement of Account
If your student is registered for the spring semester, s/he should already have received a statement of account in the mail. If you have not seen the spring statement, please contact your student or visit the parent portal to view the statement. All future bills for the spring semester will be made available on the student and parent portals. Payment for Spring 2013 was due January 3, 2013. Amounts showing as Pending aid are considered payment, even if they haven’t yet posted.
Have you set up your parent portal?
First, your student must give you permission to have access to his/her statement of account. (This is due to federal law (FERPA) which states that college students are responsible for their own records and forbids educational institutions from divulging information without the student’s permission.)
Your student can grant you permission through the Profile Update>Update Information Releases section of his/her student portal, and will need to make note of your parent ID number.
Once your student has granted you information releases, you can set up a parent portal. Simply go to my.pointloma.edu and click on “Create Account” on the left-hand side of the page. Enter your parent ID number and your zip code and follow the directions to set up a portal.
You can access your student’s statement of account online
Once your portal is set up (about 15 minutes after creating the account), you can log in to your portal and choose Financial Services and then Statement of Account. To see the most recent statement generated by our office, click on View Bills and then click the bill link with the most current date. Bills are generated around the 15th of each month, if there is a balance owing. If your student has granted you financial information releases, you will receive a postcard notification in the mail when bills are generated. If you would prefer to receive notification by email, click on Change my bill notification preferences at the top of the Statement of Account page. Please be sure that you have provided us with your email address.
NOTE: You will need a PDF viewer to view the statement. You likely already have this on your computer, but you will be able to install a free Adobe Reader from our website if necessary.
If you have any difficulties in viewing the statement, please contact our support staff at 619-849-2222 or helpdesk@pointloma.edu.
Credit Refund
If financial aid creates an overage (credit) on the account, your student can contact SFS for a credit refund after aid posts the week of January 22nd. If an advance is needed, we can authorize up to $600 to be used towards books or other educational expenses during the first two weeks of school (as long as the financial aid covers this amount).
Potential Changes to Accounts
Be sure to keep an eye on your student’s account, because the balance on the account may fluctuate throughout the course of each semester. For example:
• Registration Changes
o Some classes have associated fees. If your student adds a music or science class, there may be additional course or lab fees.
o If your student adds courses beyond block tuition (12-17 units), additional courses will be charged at $965/unit.
o If your student drops courses that brings him/her below block tuition (12-17 units) there will likely be a refund of tuition costs, but this may jeopardize the student’s financial aid eligibility.
o Part-time registration: Students registered for less than 12 units are not eligible for some forms of financial aid, including all institutional aid and Nazarene district grants. In order to allow for changes in registration, financial aid will not be adjusted until after the first two weeks of school.
• Manual Adjustments
o Audit courses are charged at 50% the regular unit cost if the student is taking more than 17 or less than 12 units, but are not charged until after the first two weeks of classes.
o Fines and fees are placed on student accounts when SFS is notified by the Library, Residential Life, Chapel Attendance, Public Safety/Parking, or the Wellness Center. These fines might occur at any time during the semester, and many of them will post after the end of a semester (such as chapel and dorm fines). NOTE: Fall 2012 chapel and dorm fines were recently placed on students accounts.
• Housing and Meal Plans
o Your student has the option to change his/her meal plan during the first two weeks of school. This may have an effect on the balance owing on the account, so generate a new statement once the change is made to see if the change creates an owing balance. No changes can be made after January 18th.
1098-T Tax Forms
We will be reporting to the IRS the amount of tuition and mandatory fees that PLNU charged your student in 2012. This information will be included on a 1098-T tax form which will be available through the student portal by January 31st. Please have your student print this form and provide it to your tax preparer.
Tuition Installment Plan
If you are paying your student account through PLNU’s Tuition Installment Plan (TIP), you will receive an email 3 days before your payment due date, letting you know that your next installment is due. However, please be sure to keep an eye on your PLNU statement of account as well, to make sure that your TIP contract covers your school bill. Your TIP contract will not automatically adjust to match the balance owing on your student account.
If you have any questions regarding your student’s statement of account, please feel free to contact the Student Financial Services Office at (619)849-2538 Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM and 8:30- 4:30 on Friday or email us at sfs@pointloma.edu. We are here to serve you!
HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!!
Send a Celebration Treat!
Point Loma Nazarene University Women’s Auxiliary
Would you like to send your student some homemade desserts? For a $25 donation, the Women’s Auxiliary of PLNU will lovingly bake homemade cakes, cookies, or brownies and have them delivered right to your student’s residence hall!
You can order and pay online.
Proceeds from this fundraiser are going toward Women’s Auxiliary’s fundraising efforts to fulfill the wish lists of each residence hall. They will be working on projects like putting in bike racks, kitchen upgrades, purchasing printers, adding dehumidifiers, and so much more. So, it is a double benefit for your student!
Please note: Two weeks advanced notice is appreciated.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Mary De Luca at 858-461-1640.
Study Skills: Tutorial Center
Hours: MONDAY-THURSDAY 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. and 6 - 9 p.m., FRIDAY 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Tutorial Center is located in Bond Academic Center next to Study Abroad Office. Stop by and make a FREE tutoring appointment today. Or call us at X2593 or e-mail us at tutorialservices@pointloma.edu for more information!
PLNU’s chief economist, Dr. Lynn Reaser, joined State of California Controller John Chiang on Thursday, Nov. 15, at PLNU’s Economic Outlook 2013 to discuss “Will the fiscal fog clear?” This timely forum discussed jobs, housing, recovery, recession, and sequestration. Invaluable insights were provided through analysis of the local, state, national, and global economies in the year ahead, with a special focus on technology, military, and tourism. 
In her new book, Framing Sarah Palin: Pit Bulls, Puritans, and Politics, co-authored with Rhonda Kinney Longworth, PLNU political science professor Linda Beail looks at what the frames applied to Palin during her campaign tell us about the state of American politics—and about the status of American women in politics in particular.
