Parents & Families E-Newsletter August 2021	Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser »

WakeParents & Families

E-newsletter from the Office of Family Engagement

Move-In is almost here! We want to extend a very warm welcome to our parents and families - and especially to all new families - who will be arriving on campus this week!

President Susan R. Wente shared a video message with families about the start of the academic year. In the video, Dr. Wente stressed that we are in an incredibly strong position and have the tools we need to be successful. She also stressed that we want to “get to yes:”

It is my desire — and it is my commitment to you — that this year we are able to return to a more normal Wake Forest experience with adjustments as necessary. Wake Forest has rich traditions of student-led events and activities that bring excitement and joy to our campus. It is our job to ensure that these activities proceed and that this campus be welcoming, engaging and joyful.

Last week, we announced that we will start the semester with all of us, regardless of vaccination status, wearing a mask indoors, with exceptions noted in this message. Parents and families coming for move-in will be asked to wear masks whenever they are indoors. We anticipate this will be a temporary measure to allow for a smooth transition back to the classroom and campus environment. We will evaluate this decision weekly and make adjustments accordingly.

As you prepare to bring your Deacs to campus, please review the information in this e-newsletter. We also encourage all families to read our Family Communications Guidelines and Philosophy so you have an understanding of how Wake Forest communicates with families.

We wish you safe travels, a very easy Move-In experience, and a wonderful year for your students. We’re thrilled to have them with us again!

Go Deacs!

Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (’92, MA ’94)
Executive Director of Family Communications

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

August 18-19
Move-in for new ’25s and transfer students

August 20
Move-in for sophomores

August 21-22
Move-in for juniors and seniors (sophomores welcome too)

August 22
Last day to apply for tuition insurance

August 23
First day of classes (FDOC)

August 27
Last day to add first part-of-term class

September 6
Last day to add full-term class

September 8
Last day to drop a first-part-of-term class

September 15
Deadline to enroll/waive Student Health Insurance

September 27
Last day to drop a full-term class

Please check here for more parent and family dates: parents.wfu.edu

Incoming Families of the Class of 2025

To help new parents and families prepare for some of the logistics of physical move-in, the Daily Deac has some tips on getting your student checked in, how to get their belongings into their residence hall, where to park, and some advice on how to make the day a great one for your family. (Not signed up to get the Daily Deac? Look for the SUBSCRIBE box and enter your email).

New Deac Welcome Week Guide

The New Deac Welcome Week schedule is available online; please download the app/guide. On a laptop/desktop computer or unsupported mobile device, visit the following link to access the content in your web browser and download the WFU Orientation Programs app/guide (New Deac Welcome Week 2021).
We encourage you to download the app/guide on your mobile device, as the web browser version does not support all of the features available in the mobile app version. You will find the most up-to-date information, including schedules, maps, and much more.
In the app, choose the Schedule by Tracks option and select Parents and Families to see activities related to family Orientation.
Flourish in the Forest: Navigating Change, Embracing Challenge is the main in-person Orientation event for families. It will take place on August 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Wait Chapel. Parents/families may attend either session, or can watch a recording of the program after move-in; the recording will be housed on our Orientation videos page. Your students will not attend with you, as they are in a required residence life hall meeting at the same time.
Open Houses during Move-In (see details in the New Deac Welcome Week app/guide, as other programs may be added)

Intercultural Center: Drop by Benson 346 from 3-5 p.m. on August 19 to learn about our programs and resources and mingle with staff, and grab free swag and dessert.
LGBTQ+ Center: Drop by Benson 311 on August 19 from 3-5 p.m. to meet the LGBTQ+ Center staff, check out our lounge space, and learn about the ways we work across campus to ensure Deacs of all sexual orientations and gender identities can thrive.
Office of Civic & Community Engagement: Stop by the Office of Civic & Community Engagement in Benson 506 on Thursday, August 19 from 3-5 p.m. to meet the staff and learn how students can get involved with our various programs, both on campus and in the Winston-Salem community! Learn more about the OCCE and see how students can make a difference by visiting our website.
Women’s Center: Join us August 19th from 3-5 p.m. for the Women’s Center Open House. Stop by Benson 314 to learn about the Women’s Center, meet new people, and enjoy delicious ice cream. Check out more info on the Women’s Center’s website.
Learning Assistance Center & Disability Services: Stop by Reynolda Hall Room 118 on August 19th from 3-5 p.m. to learn more about our valuable resources like peer tutoring and academic coaching, available to all WFU students.
Office of Student Engagement: Want to learn more about how to get involved and engaged at Wake Forest? Stop by the Student Engagement Lounge in Benson 335 August 19th from 3-5 p.m. and talk with students and staff about opportunities to engage with over 24o+ clubs and organizations.
ZSR Library: join ZSR Librarians from 3-6 p.m. on August 19th for a fast 15 minute tour of the ZSR Library, with stops at all the best study spaces, our 24 hour room, and amino Bakery.

There are numerous Parent and Family Orientation videos online. These are there to help acquaint you with how students can get involved at Wake once school begins, staying safe at Wake Forest, and academic support such as tutoring, accommodations, and time management. We encourage all families to watch these videos by the end of August, so you are fully aware of the support available for you and your student.

Academics

First-year students completed their course registration and Course Preference Surveys in July. The Office of Academic Advising may have made edits to your students’ schedule as shared in the message from the OAA to students on August 2nd. Students will have the opportunity to adjust their schedule, as course availability allows, after they have met with their assigned academic adviser on August 20 during New Deac Week.
Students can visit the New Student Website and Forestry 101 regarding deadlines and instructions that will help prepare for their transition to Wake Forest.

Other Important Actions to Consider Taking:

Getting Notifications of Tuition – Tuition was due on August 1st. If you have not paid tuition, please see this website for payment options.
Access to Financial Accounts – Student Financial Services does not set up accounts for parents or other third parties. Due to the Family Educational Right of Privacy Act (FERPA), students must authorize parents or other third-party payers to have access to their accounts. We strongly recommend you encourage your student to grant you third-party access, so then you will be notified when monthly bills are posted via DEAC.
Student Health Insurance (Student Blue): the deadline to Waive or Enroll is September 15th. All students are charged for the student health insurance until a waiver is completed at bcbsnc.com/wfu. If a waiver is not received the student will be default enrolled in Student Blue on 9/15 and a charge of $1,362 will remain on the student’s account. Please email sip@wfu.edu with questions.

The Registrar’s Office posts the academic services and final exam calendars with key dates for the year. Parents and families want to be sure their students are aware of these dates, particularly for dropping and adding classes. Please do not plan travel for your student or family vacations during times when classes are in session or until their finals are completed. Faculty are not required to give alternate exam times.

Faculty Fellows will be back in our first-year residence halls this fall, ready to get to know students through informal interactions and programming. Dinners, games, crafts, field trips, and above all, regular, low-key events with fun snacks and casual conversation are some examples of what to expect from these small, student-focused teams this fall. Read more.

WakeWare, the student laptop program: you can still take advantage of WakeWare, the student laptop program, and summer promotions!

Purchase a WakeWare Apple before September 27, 2021 to get a pair of AirPods (with opportunities to upgrade)
Purchase a WakeWare Lenovo before September 1, 2021 and be entered to win a Lenovo branded YETI 20oz Tumbler Rambler
Visit WakeWare.wfu.edu for more information!
From Information Systems: An email was sent to all new students about campus computing resources.

Please be sure to read the rest of this enewsletter, P’25s, as the sections that follow contain general information for all families; we want to make sure you are aware of all parent and family information.

Academics

From the Office of Academic Advising (OAA):

Registration opened back up on August 6, and continuing students (i.e., non-first-years or transfer students) now have the opportunity to make changes to their schedules if they wish.
Continuing students who still have incompletes in Spring courses will be required to submit all work to their instructor by September 22.
Important dates for all students

Classes begin for all students on August 23.
The deadline to add a first part-of-term course is August 27.
The last day to add a full-term course is September 6.
The last day to drop a first part-of-term course is September 8.
Classes will be held on Labor Day, but the Office of Academic Advising, along with other University offices, will be closed.
The last day to drop a full-term course is September 27.

The Office of the University Registrar will have a table set up during Campus Services Day. Please stop by and we will be able to address any questions and provide information on proxy access. Please keep in mind that continuing student registration opened 8/6. Please remind your student to check for Wait List notifications that are being sent to their email. New Student/transfer registrations will open on 8/20 and the students will need a PIN to make any adjustments. Please reference the academic calendar for all important upcoming dates.

Events

From the Office of Civic and Community Engagement:

Community Crafternoon: Students can join the Office of Civic & Community Engagement (OCCE) on Davis Field, Saturday, August 21 from 4-5 p.m. for a Community Crafternoon! Students will tie-dye a shirt and enjoy ice cream all while learning how they can get involved both on campus and in the local Winston-Salem community with the OCCE. All materials will be provided. Registration is required.
Save the Date – Hit The Bricks 2021: Mark your calendars! Hit The Bricks will return to campus on Wednesday, Sept. 30 in an effort to raise money for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund! More information about this annual campus tradition, including signups, will be available in the coming weeks.

From the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life – Information on Fall Recruitment 2021:

Because first-year students are not eligible, fall recruitment is much smaller and less formalized than in the spring. As a reminder, students must have completed at least 12 hours of college credit and have a 2.5 cumulative GPA. They must also complete the Hazing Prevention 101 and Fraternity & Sorority Life Modules of PreventZone.
Interfraternity Council: Individuals must register for fall recruitment by 11:59 p.m. on August 30th. Typically all fraternity chapters in the IFC will have a fall pledge class.The registration form is here. Please note that this form is not located on the FSL page on the Link – it’s on the IFC page on the Link. Bids will be distributed on Wednesday, September 8th.
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC): This council does not have a coordinated recruitment calendar. Please contact Shane Taylor, Assistant Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life, at taylorsu@wfu.edu with questions about specific chapters or the general process to join.
Panhellenic Council: Each chapter will determine if they will take new members through Continuous Open Bidding (COB). We will not know until at least the second week of September which chapters will host recruitment events and extend bids, and it is likely that only 3-4 chapters will participate. If your student is interested in Panhellenic Council, she may complete the interest form found here and we will keep her informed on the COB process.
If you have any questions, please go to the Fraternity & Sorority life website or reach out to Shane Taylor, Assistant Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life, at taylorsu@wfu.edu.

Resources

From the Student Health Service: There will be two COVID vaccine clinics on campus for students who need to get a first or second dose of the Pfizer vaccine (this is the only brand available at this clinic). The first clinic is on August 24, and the second is on August 27. Students will just click the link, add their name, and pick a time they want their appointment. These clinics are available to international students who need to be vaccinated, or domestic students who need to receive the Pfizer vaccine. For students who need a second dose of the Moderna vaccine, or students whose second dose of Pfizer or Moderna is due after these clinics, vaccination opportunities are available with Forsyth County Public Health Department, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Novant Health, Walgreens, CVS and other sources.

From Residence Life and Housing: We are looking forward to welcoming you and your Deac to campus this month! In this month’s newsletter you’ll find a breakdown of the fall move-in schedule and some reminders for parents, families and friends who may be coming to campus as well. Read more.

From Student Financial Services:

Wake Forest offers an elective tuition insurance plan through A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. that will help minimize financial loss if a student suffers a serious illness or accident and must withdraw before the end of a semester. Please see the Tuition Insurance page of our website for more information on how the Dewar Tuition Insurance assures up to a 75% tuition refund throughout the term. The last day to apply for this plan is August 22, 2021.
All students must choose to stay enrolled in or waive the Student Blue Insurance (health insurance premium) before Sept. 15. Please go to https://shi.wfu.edu/enrollment/ for additional information.

The Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling welcomes students and parents back to campus! Here are three easy ways to help your students reduce their waste while moving in.

Wait until you get to campus to start shopping! A roommate may have purchased the same item or you may realize you don’t need it.
Recycle right by breaking down all cardboard and leaving it next to outdoor signs.
Remember to bring your reusables! Reusable water bottles and shopping bags come in handy by saving your student money and reducing waste from the landfill."

From the CARE Team: Caring support and outreach for the Wake community is available through the Dean of Students Case Management Team. The team promotes a culture of care and compassion and accepts referrals from community members identifying other community members who may benefit from caring outreach, being heard, and getting connected with appropriate campus and community resources. Case management support is provided to community members with personal, medical, and mental health challenges. The support available includes non-clinical case management, parental support as necessary, and connection and collaboration with campus and community resources. Read more about case management and ways to make a referral here.

From Campus Recreation:

Student Employment: Campus Recreation is hiring! We are looking for passionate and hard working student employees for various positions within the Wellbeing Center! Visit our website at campusrec.wfu.edu/employment/student for more information and to see our open positions! Campus Recreation provides financial assistance to Wake Forest students through employment opportunities. We strive to foster substantive employment opportunities, transferable life skills, and personal and career development of student employees. Questions? Email us at campusrec@wfu.edu.
Deacon Olympics: #WFU2025 Are you ready for some friendly competition? Students can sign up for the Deacon Olympics on Thursday, August 19 from 9pm-midnight! Find your inner Deacon spirit as you form a bond of solidarity with other new Deacs. Campus Recreation will challenge students through a variety of activities that will get you moving and having fun together! You sign up - we assign you to a team and your team captain will contact you the day of the event to provide additional details. Students may sign up at deaconrec.wfu.edu
Reservations: Reservations are still required in the Wellbeing Center. To signup for a slot, visit deaconrec.wfu.edu.

Our Associate Chaplain for Jewish Life invites Jewish families to sign up for their weekly Jewish Life e-newsletter.

Campus Safety

Wake Forest University Police:

You and your student should review the Wake Ready website, which contains emergency preparedness information. This site will help explain what students should do in case of an emergency, and will help families understand the processes in place to notify students.
We encourage parents and families to sign up to receive crime alerts on the Wake Ready website, in addition to downloading the LiveSafe app. While crime alerts are sent in real time to students, faculty and staff, they are not for others. For those registered through Wake Ready, crime alerts are emailed daily at noon, but only if new alerts have been posted in the previous 24 hours.
Any emails that are sent to students, faculty, and staff are archived on the Family News website.

Parents & Families Page

Parents and Families Page is your portal to news and information specifically for Wake Forest families.

Want the Daily Deac parent blog to be sent automatically to your email every day? Subscribe on the main Daily Deac page by typing your email address in the Subscribe box. The Daily Deac is our blog for parents and families. It’s a great way to get a snapshot of life at Wake Forest.

A message about how we disseminate campus news to parents and families: Any emails that are sent to students, faculty, and staff will be posted on the Family News page. Those are not routinely emailed to all families. If you wish to check for family news items often, you may wish to bookmark that page so it is easily available.

See our Who to Contact for... page.

Contact the Office of Family Engagement at parents@wfu.edu or 336.758.4237.

Some staff members are working remotely, and some offices are working a reduced schedule. However, if you have an urgent need to reach someone at the university because you have a concern that must be addressed quickly, we have designated the University Police as our 24/7 contact. They can assess the situation and determine who best to address your concern. The 24-hour contact number for University Police is 336.758.5591 (non emergency) or 336.758.5911 (for the kinds of emergencies where you would normally call 911). University Police can get in touch with on-call duty staff 24-hours/day.

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Wake Forest University
The Office of Family Engagement
1834 Wake Forest Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
1.800.752.8568