News

The USC is pleased to host the Fall 2009 First Generation College Students Social on Wednesday, September 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Howard Thurman  Center (George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Avenue, Lower Level).  At the social, students who are among the first in their families to go to college can enjoy refreshments and conversation with fellow first-generation college students (first-year and upperclass) and with various University administrators.  Invitations were sent out by email, and the deadline to RSVP (to usc@bu.edu) is Friday, September 18 at noon.   For more information, contact the University Service Center at 617-358-1818.  

The USC will be open during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) through August 28th, then will have extended hours through Move-In Weekend and first day of classes, as follows: 

 Normal business hours will resume on Thursday, September 3.

Please note, undergraduate students wishing to take a leave of absence or withdraw for the fall semester, with a full cancellation of tuition and fees, must submit their requests in writing to the USC prior to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1.

On November 4, in light of economic issues across the nation and the globe, the University sponsored a financial concerns forum for students.  At the forum, University administrators covered topics ranging from the state of the economy and job market prospects, to options for students concerned about financing their cost of attendance (education and related living expenses) in future semesters.  In light of the positive response to this forum and continuing economic conditions, the University is sponsoring a second Financial Concerns Forum on Monday, December 1, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in CAS Room 224 (725 Commonwealth Avenue).  Whether you have questions about financial aid awards, the availability of student loans, looking for jobs in a tight job market, or just want to know what help is available to you, please join us.

If you are not able to attend the discussion on the 1st, please don’t hesitate to contact the offices listed below; staff members are ready to talk with you at any time.

• Office of Financial Assistance (http://www.bu.edu/finaid)
• University Service Center (http://www.bu.edu/usc)
• Dean of Students (http://www.bu.edu/dos)
• Student Accounts (http://www.bu.edu/comp/saweb)
• Student Employment Office (http://www.bu.edu/seo)
• Office of Career Services (http://www.bu.edu/careers)
• International Students and Scholars Office (http://www.bu.edu/isso)

Say What You Want.  Take the Student Satisfaction Survey

An email was sent to all undergraduate students from Maguire Associates on November 10–don’t delete it!  Follow the URL to the survey and tell us what you want.  BU Be Heard!

Surveys must be completed by November 23.  Prizes include:

• iPod nano
• Convenience Points
• Gift Certificates

The USC’s “Transitions to College” workshop will offer first-year students the opportunity to learn more about common transition-to-college issues and the many supports and resources available at the University; it will be especially helpful for students who are among the first in their family to go to college, as well as those who want to master the transition to college and promote their academic and personal success at BU.

The workshop is being offered twice in early November: on Monday, November 3, and again on Thursday, November 6, from 5 to 6 p.m. in CAS Room 214.  To register for the workshop, or to sign up to receive information on future programming relating to first generation students or transitions to college, please complete the online form.

The USC staff wish you the best for your success at BU this fall!

On October 21 the University Service Center hosted the Be Successful, BU first generation students social in the GSU Academy Room.  At the event, first year students mixed, mingled, and enjoyed conversations and refreshments with various University administrators and fellow first-year students.  The event lasted for more than an hour and a half, to the delight of the USC hosts–no one wanted to leave!  Current student and resident assistant Liberty Moody and COM alum (and current Assistant Director of the Howard Thurman Center) Raul Fernandez spoke briefly at the event and the University Service Center opened registration for a Transitions to College workshop which will be held in early November.

Online registration for the Transitions to College workshop can be found here.  For more information on the First Generation Students Social or other programming related to college transitions or first generation college students, contact the University Service Center at 617-358-1818.

Boston University policy requires all students to provide an emergency contact phone number. In addition, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires all full-time and many part-time university students to provide proof of having completed a series of immunizations. Check the Student Link to ensure you have met these requirements. Students not in compliance will be unable to register for the Spring 2008 semester.

The deadline for full-time undergraduate degree candidates to request a Fall 2008 leave of absence or withdrawal with an 80% cancellation of tuition is Monday, September 15.  Students wishing to take a leave of absence or withdraw should stop by the USC; if you are not on campus, you may fax your signed request to 617-358-1819.  If you have any questions, please contact the USC at 617-358-1818.

The USC will be open during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) through August 29th, then will have extended hours through the Labor Day weekend and first day of classes, as follows:

• Saturday, August 30 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Sunday, August 31 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Monday, September 1 (Labor Day) 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, September 2 (first day of classes) 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Please note, undergraduate students wishing to take a leave of absence or withdraw for the fall semester, with a full cancellation of tuition and fees, must submit their requests in writing to the USC prior to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 1.  Please call the office at 617-358-1818 if you have any questions.

We wish you the best during this busy and exciting time of year!

The University Service Center will be open until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16 (the first day of the Spring 2008 term).

The University will be closed on Monday, January 21 in observance of King Day.