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THIS WEEK
Homegrown Alabama Farmers Market, Aug. 7, 3-6 p.m., Canterbury Chapel lawn
Tied with the Tide week, Aug. 9-16
LOOKING AHEAD
International graduate student check-in and orientation, Aug. 12, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Russell Hall auditorium
International undergraduate student check-in and orientation, Aug. 13, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Russell Hall auditorium
Graduate orientation and welcome, Aug. 16, noon-8 p.m., 159 Russell Hall
Week of Welcome kickoff, Aug. 17, 7-11 p.m., Coleman Coliseum
Week of Welcome, Aug. 17-28
Late registration/add/drop, Aug. 18
Ripple Effect, Aug. 19, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Capstone Convocation, Aug. 19, 6-8 p.m., Foster Auditorium
Fall classes begin, Aug. 20
Get on Board Day, Aug. 28, 5-7 p.m., Seventh Avenue near Ferguson Center
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Weather permitting, the University will test UA Alerts, the emergency public address system and digital signage at 11:55 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month. The test will last approximately 30 seconds and should not be disruptive. Immediately following at noon, the Tuscaloosa Emergency Management Agency will test the outdoor tornado sirens, weather permitting.
Students should update their contact information on myBama to ensure they receive the UA Alerts messages. Students who currently receive the alerts but would prefer to be contacted differently will need to revise their contact information. To view and make changes to information online, students can click here.
To accommodate students moving in for the fall semester, Action Card and Parking Services will be open Aug. 9, 10, 16 and 17 from noon to 4 p.m. Both offices are located in the Campus Drive Parking Deck. Also, the Ferguson Center location of the University Supply Store will be open special hours as follows: Aug. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Aug. 10, noon-4 p.m.; Aug. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Aug. 17, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
The City of Tuscaloosa will temporarily extend service hours for the water and sewer department. Customer service phone banks will extend hours to 6 p.m. each Monday through Friday. The extended hours will continue through Aug. 20 or until the demand for new service subsides. Customers can reach the water department during these extended hours at 248-5500 or ubcontact@tuscaloosa.com.
New customers can set up an account online at http://www.tuscaloosa.com/onlineservices. Existing customers can pay bills and track account history online at http://www.tuscaloosa.com/onlinebills. Students can access a student tab on the city’s home page for student-specific needs.
SAFETY
Rave Guardian, a mobile safety program offered by The University of Alabama, is now available for smartphone users as a free application. The previous form of the program has been discontinued. Rave Guardian allows students to use their smartphones to notify The University of Alabama Police Department at the touch of a button for emergency assistance or to set a passive timer based on their expected arrival times at a destination on campus or in the Tuscaloosa area.
If a student initiates an emergency call or if the notification timer is not deactivated, Guardian software provides UAPD with critical profile information and, in most cases, GPS information to help contact and locate the student if necessary.
The app may be downloaded from the app store, or go to http://mybama.ua.edu and select the Guardian link. The Guardian app must have permission to access the location services on the smartphone in order for UAPD to be able to see the phone’s location.
When on campus and in the immediate vicinity of campus, students with an emergency should call The University of Alabama Police Department at 205-348-5454 rather than at 911. Students should program the UAPD number into their cellphone’s speed dial.
Students should also avoid traveling alone at night and confine walking to well-lit, regular-traveled walks and pathways. Students can refer to the Safer Living Guide for safety precautions to take on and off campus.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Registration is underway for Get on Board Day, which will be held Aug. 28 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Seventh Avenue near the Ferguson Center. GOBD will also be paired with two additional events on Sept. 25 and Oct. 2. These events are designed to continue engagement opportunities for students throughout the semester and to give them a chance to interact with student organizations and departments in different formats. Student organizations can pay a one-time $20 registration fee for all three days. To register or for more information, visit http://thesource.ua.edu/gobd.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Ripple Effect, sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Service and Volunteerism (formerly Community Service Center), is the premiere service opportunity for freshmen and transfer students during the Week of Welcome. The event teams UA faculty and staff with groups of students, providing an opportunity to work together on activities other than coursework. The CSSV is partnering with community agencies to provide meaningful service projects that include painting, cleaning, building and landscaping. This year’s Ripple Effect will be held Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Preregistration is available at http://volunteer.ua.edu, or sign-up can occur at the event. More information: Center for Sustainable Service and Volunteerism at volunteer@ua.edu or 348-2865.
Do you like to baby-sit? Do you want to help student-parents and earn community service hours? Apply today to be a part of Sitters for Service. Undergraduate and graduate students can apply. To learn more and apply online, visit http://www.gps.ua.edu/?page_id=321.
EVENTS
University Programs is hosting many upcoming events, beginning with the Night Under the Stars showing of “Divergent” on the Quad, as part of Tied with the Tide week. Tied with the Tide, which runs Aug. 9-16, is a week of activities for UA students who have arrived early on campus. The week provides students with a variety of events to help them become familiar with campus and to make new friends. Reserve tickets for “Divergent” and other events at http://upua.tix.com. More information: University Programs at http://www.up.ua.edu/contact.cfm or 348-7525.
The University of Alabama’s Week of Welcome is a series of programs hosted by the University to help first year and transfer students in their transition to academic and student life at the Capstone. The official days of WOW 2014 are Aug. 17-28. Click here for more information and a complete schedule of events.
The University of Alabama freshman class is encouraged to attend Capstone Convocation at Foster Auditorium on Aug. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Speakers will include President Judy Bonner and Student Government Association President Hamilton Bloom. At Capstone Convocation, incoming students will have the opportunity to celebrate the beginning of their college careers. More information: LaToya Scott at scott060@sa.ua.edu or 348-7525.
Always remember to check the Crimson Calendar for all the week’s events.
For athletic events, go to http://www.rolltide.com.
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