New Students!!

Incoming Panthers!

First of all I want to extend a big congratulations to all of you on your acceptance to UW-Milwaukee! We can't wait to have you join us on campus. In fact, we aren't even going to wait all summer! Before you begin your collegiate journey, all incoming freshman are required to attend New Student Orientation.

NSO is a two-day, overnight glimpse into the coming year where you will become familiar with campus, register for classes, be introduced to the multitude of involvement opportunities available and so much more! In addition, you will all spend the night at RiverView Residence Hall where you'll get to experience first hand the residence hall lifestyle as well as meet other incoming Panthers!

Before you're able to register for your NSO the following tasks must be completed:

1. Pay at least $100 towards the $235 New Freshman Fee (either before or after taking the placement test)

2. Take Placement Tests - Register for testing here

3. Submit the University Housing Contract or an Exemption Form

4. Pay the $100 housing deposit (only if you completed a housing contract)

Once all of these steps are completed you will receive an e-mail invitation to register for your New Student Orientation! Parents are encouraged to accompany incoming students to NSO so make sure you coordinate schedules with them! There will be a lot of information delivered to you quickly and parents are great for helping remember and understand everything happening during this exciting process. There will also be special informational sessions for parents throughout the day. Parents are not required to stay overnight, but there is space available in Kenilworth at a cost of $40 per person per night which can be reserved during registration. Several hotels are also close-by if they prefer.

By completing all necessary steps to register for NSO and registering you will be all ready to come learn more about what it means to be a Panther! I would like to leave you with one tip though; most first year students take a lot of the same classes so they tend to fill up very quickly. The earlier New Student Orientation session you attend the more options you will have when selecting classes and setting up your schedule exactly how you want it!

Have a great start to your summer and I'll see you soon!

Eric

A Need to be Nostalgic

Hey there Panthers,

As yet another semester comes to a close I ask you to reflect on your time here at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. What happened this year? 

You met your new suitemates with whom you went to Pantherfest. A lot of bonding happened over the course of a crazy night with Matt, Kim, and your newfound friends.

You got lost finding your classes on that first day of the semester, showing up right on time to sit next to a stranger that turned into your favorite study buddy.

You spent all of your pocket change on a late night cup of coffee from the Grind during midterm week, only to realize that you knew the information the whole time. Caffeine simply gave you the confidence to pass the test.

You went to a farm with a bus load of other students and played with goats and donkeys after getting lost in a corn maze.

You tried to learn the banjo, failed miserably, but got a banjo out of it.

You got hypnotized during Winter Welcome and became a superhero, only to learn during Geek Week that you can become an actual hero because you were inspired by Bill Nye the Science Guy as he told you and hundreds of UWM students, "You can, dare I say it, change the world!"

You triumphed over exams and projects as the Panthers triumphed over the Horizon League and headed to the NCAA championship. And your school spirit grew during spring break as you tuned into an exciting game against Villanova with your friends.

You took on a new job in order to not only help pay for school, but also pay for the plethora of sushi you ate in the Union Station this semester.

You put up with a lot of snow and wind during the winter months, only to be given a lot of rain and wind when March turned into April. And while this exam week is still a bit stormy, you note the beautiful flowers that wake you up for your test.

...I guess this is not necessarily what happened to everyone, but rather it is what happened to me. However, every Panther on campus has had a full and exciting year.

Reflect on your year, and share it with the rest of the UWM community by either commenting on this post, emailing it to uhmktg@uwm.edu, or posting about your year on twitter or facebook. We want to hear your story!

Thanks and have a great rest of your exam week!

- KENLEI

Move out Information

Happy May Panthers!! 

As the semester quickly comes to an end, it is time to start thinking about moving out of the residence halls and enjoying your summer vacation!! Your RA will be your guide to the move out process. I have posted some tips and tricks to make moving out an easy and breezy process for you all. 

UWM residence halls will close on May 17th, 2014 at 6pm! Residents are asked to depart 24 hours after their last final exam but no later than May 17th at 6pm. If you need to stay longer please fill out a late departure request form and turn it into the housing office.

My first trick and tip for you all is make sure you do the following three things to avoid an improper checkout charge! 

• Sign up for a checkout appointment with your RA on signup.com
• Show up on-time for your checkout appointment with your RA
• Checkout with an RA

Below are some more tips for the move out process!!

1. Pack up all items. We encourage you to start packing up prior to finals as that week can be stressful. Also, due to limited parking and supplies during move out it is often easier to move small loads home prior to move out.

2. If you have a loft, disassemble it and store it under your bed. The room should be returned to the same condition and arrangement it was in when you moved in.

3. Remove all items from your walls. Remove any tape, poster putty, etc. from walls and wash the marks off the walls. All spills/splashes must be wiped off walls, ceilings, heating units.

4. Clean and dust all furniture surfaces, including:

• Closet shelves
• Bookshelves
• Outlet covers
• Drawers in desk and dressers
• Windows: sill, panes, tracks
• Bed frame
• Under the bed
• Blinds
• Heating and A/C units
• Kitchen and bathroom cabinets
• Fridge and Freezer (top and inside)

6. Wash out waste baskets and place them on top of your desk. Clean all common areas of your suite. Empty out all kitchen and bathroom cabinets.  Clean the toilet bowl and walls in the bathroom area. Clean out fridge and freezer, and stove top. Wash out kitchen trash can and place on top of kitchen table if applicable.

7. Sweep and clean tile floors. Please do not sweep debris into hallways or stairwells. Vacuum all carpeted areas within the suite. When vacuuming, you are responsible for the 4-foot area (left and right) outside your suite.

8. Donate unopened non-perishable food items, clothing and small appliances.

9. Clean out your mailbox and update your forwarding address information on the myhousing portal prior to check out.

10. Submit any necessary work orders for all damages or repairs needed in your room or suite at www.fixit.uwm.edu

11. Close your blinds and windows. Turn off lights and lock your room and suite door. Return your keys and of course enjoy your summer! :)

Finally, I am sure a lot of you are wondering what happens to all that left over money from your meal plan at the end of the semester! 

If you do not have an outstanding balance or end of year charge, your meal plan funds will be refunded to you, minus a $10 administrative fee. Refunds are provided in the same fashion as your payment was made. Refunds typically take up to 45 days after closing. If you have charges owed on your PAWS account, your refund would first be applied to those charges.

Just a reminder that 24 hour quiet hours are in effect starting Thursday, May 8th at 10pm until Saturday, May 17th at noon!

Good luck on all your finals and we hope you all have a great summer,

Haley