Greetings River Hawk Families,

We are happy to send you the latest Family Update Email! We hope that this information is helpful to you and your family as your student progresses through the spring semester.

Information for Parents & Families:

Scholarship Applications: Scholarships for students are open to apply for the 2022-2023 academic year. Applications are due by April 6^th. Students can view available scholarships and access scholarship applications by visiting the River Hawk Scholarship Portal.

FAFSA Priority Filing Deadline: Students must reapply for financial aid each year by completing the FAFSA online. UMass Lowell’s priority filing deadline is March 1. You can view additional information by visiting the Solution Center’s Maintaining Financial Aid Eligibility website.

Housing Applications for the 2022-2023 academic year are now available on the Online Housing Portal. If your student wants to participate in Room Selection for next year, they should submit their housing application by March 31, 2022. There are also some new updates for the 2022-2023 academic year:

• There is a new “Unlimited 400” plan with additional River Hawk Dollars that any student can upgrade to. Check out the 2022-2023 Meal Plan Options.
• Rooms that had reduced occupancy for COVID-19 concerns will go back to their normal/original occupancy (rooms in Leitch, Bourgeois, Fox, and Concordia).
• Brand new machines will be installed in the common laundry rooms this summer and laundry will be included in the price of housing. No more quarters or debit/credit card needed!

Commencement: Save the date for Commencement 2022! UMass Lowell will be hosting in-person Commencement Ceremonies at the Tsongas Arena on the following days:

• Friday, May 13 at 9am: Doctoral and Master’s
• Saturday, May 14 at 9am: Undergraduates in the: Francis College of Engineering, Kennedy College of Sciences, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences
• Saturday, May 14 at 2:30pm: Undergraduates in the: College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Manning School of Business

Information for Students:

Face Coverings: Beginning February 28, face coverings will be optional on campus. You can read more about this update by viewing the Face Covering Update Announcement.

Academic Success Coaching Workshops: The Centers for Learning, Advising, & Student Success offers a variety of workshops and programs designed to help students reach academic success. Students can view upcoming opportunities (including some great sessions on how to study for midterms) on the Academic Success Coaching website.

Student Commencement Speaker Applications: UMass Lowell is looking for three student commencement speakers to deliver a speech during their respective commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14. Applications are due by March 21.

Important Dates:

March 1: FAFSA priority filing deadline

March 6: Spring Recess begins

March 14: Classes resume

March 21: Student Commencement Speaker Applications Due

March 25: Fall 2022 schedule of classes will be viewable in SIS

March 31: On-campus housing applications due if students want to participate in the room selection process

April 4: Enrollment for fall 2022 courses begin

April 6: Scholarship Applications Due

Thank you, and have a safe and happy weekend!

Marshall Greenleaf, Family Programs

Office of Student & Family Support Services

Greetings River Hawk Families,

We are happy to send you the latest Family Update Email! We hope that this information is helpful to you and your family as your student progresses through the spring semester.

Information for Parents & Families:

• FAFSA Priority Filing Deadline: Students must reapply for financial aid each year by completing the FAFSA online. UMass Lowell’s priority filing deadline is March 1. You can view additional information by visiting the Solution Center’s Maintaining Financial Aid Eligibility website.

• Housing Applications for the 2022-2023 academic year are now available on the Online Housing Portal. If your student wants to participate in Room Selection for next year, they should submit their housing application by March 31, 2022. There are also some new updates for the 2022-2023 academic year:
  • There is a new “Unlimited 400” plan with additional River Hawk Dollars that any student can upgrade to. Check out the 2022-2023 Meal Plan Options.
  • Rooms that had reduced occupancy for COVID-19 concerns will go back to their normal/original occupancy (rooms in Leitch, Bourgeois, Fox, and Concordia).
  • Brand new machines will be installed in the common laundry rooms this summer and laundry will be included in the price of housing. No more quarters or debit/credit card needed!

• Healthy Minds Survey: On Monday, February 7^th your student received an email inviting them to complete a survey called the Healthy Minds Study (HMS). This survey provides a detailed look at the prevalence of mental health outcomes, knowledge, and attitudes about mental health and service utilization. This survey provides important data about what our students are experiencing. We would appreciate any help in encouraging your student to complete the survey.

Information for Students:

• Social Justice Week: UMass Lowell’s Social Justice Week occurs February 14 to February 18. There are a variety of events, programs, and opportunities for students. Students can view all of the Social Just Week events on the Office of Multicultural Affair’s Social Justice Week website.

• Ask a Librarian: UMass Lowell University Library has come out with a new service to assist students call “Ask a Librarian.” This is a new live chat feature where your student can chat directly with a UML librarian form anywhere, on or off campus. This is a great resource to help students with any research needs. Students can just look for the “Questions? Ask Us!” red tab on the upper right side of every Library webpage.

• Career Services & Cooperative Education Events: The Career & Co-op Center has a variety of upcoming events, programs, workshops and career fairs designed to help your student in their search for internships, co-ops, and employment. Students can find information about upcoming events by visiting the Career & Co-op Center website

Important Dates:

February 21: President’s Day, university closed

February 22: Monday class schedule

March 1: FAFSA priority filing deadline

March 6: Spring Recess begins

March 14: Classes resume

March 25: Fall 2022 schedule of classes will be viewable in SIS

March 31: On-campus housing applications due if students want to participate in the room selection process

April 4: Enrollment for fall 2022 courses begin

Thank you, and have a safe and happy weekend!

Marshall Greenleaf, Family Programs

Office of Student & Family Support Services

Greetings River Hawk Families,

We are happy to send you the latest Family Update Email! We hope that this information is helpful to you and your family as your student progresses through the fall semester.

Information for Parents & Families:

• Last Chance to Give Feedback! The Office of Student & Family Support Services (Family Programs) is currently planning this summer’s Family Orientation program to welcome new River Hawk families into our community! We would love to get your thoughts and feedback about what information to include, as well as your thoughts about communication to parents and families.
  • Please consider taking a few minutes to complete our Family Transition Survey!

• Congratulations to all our hardworking students who made the Fall 2021 Dean’s List! You can view the full list: https://www.uml.edu/…/Dean-List/fall/deans_list.html

• Housing Applications for the 2022-2023 academic year will be available the first week in February on the Online Housing Portal. If your student wants to participate in Room Selection for next year, they should submit their housing application by March 31, 2022.

• Message from UML Health Services: COVID aside, is your student feeling under the weather or have they had a minor injury like a sprain? Health Services is available to provide accessible care for acute episodic illnesses and minor injuries. We are open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Students will need to schedule an appointment by calling 978-934-6800 but can most often be seen the same day or within 24 hours. There are no charges for services provided in our clinic but students will be responsible for diagnostic test fees (Quest Laboratories), prescription medications, and any medical services received off campus.

All non-CE matriculated students are eligible for services regardless of whether or not they are full-time or part-time, residential or commuter, or if they have school or private health insurance. For additional information, please visit the Health Services website.

When your student calls you and they aren’t feeling well, send them our way!

Information for Students:

• Senior Portraits schedule begins January 31^st! Students can schedule their appointment online for a senior photo for the 2022 Sojourn Yearbook.

• University Dining has some great upcoming events and menus! Check it out on our University Dining Events blog!

• Free on Thr3e Upcoming Event: Free on 3 welcomes students to stop by the 3^rd floor of University Crossing at the Social Justice Center to enjoy free activities, games, crafts, and therapy dogs. Wednesday, February 16^th from 5pm to 7pm.

• Counseling Services is offering an LGBTQ+ counseling group for students for the spring 2022 semester. Interested students should contact Counseling Services at counseling@uml.edu.

Important Dates:

January 31: Last day to add a course or drop a course (without record)

February 21: President’s Day, university closed

February 22: Monday class schedule

March 6: Spring Recess begins

March 14: Classes resume

March 31: On-campus housing applications due if students want to participate in the room selection process

Thank you, and have a safe and happy weekend!

Marshall Greenleaf, Family Programs

Office of Student & Family Support Services

University Dining has a some great special events and menus planned for your student! Check out these upcoming events for February 2022!

Greetings River Hawk Families,

As the beginning of the semester quickly approaches, we are excited to send you the first “Family Update Email” of the spring 2022 semester. We hope that this information is helpful to you and your family as your student prepares for the start of the semester.

Information for Parents & Families:

• The Office of Student & Family Support Services (Family Programs) is currently planning this summer’s Family Orientation program to welcome new River Hawk families into our community! We would love to get your thoughts and feedback about what information to include, as well as your thoughts about communication to parents and families.
  • Please consider taking a few minutes to complete our Family Transition Survey!

• We know many parents and families have questions related to COVID-19. Current information, announcements, and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the Coronavirus Updates page on the UML website. Additionally, parents and families of residential students can review this Message from Health Services and Residential Student COVID-19 Response Isolation Plan for Spring 2022.

Information for Students:

• Check out the Spring 2022 Campus Recreation Newsletter for information about the campus rec center, programs, and services.

• The Office of Multicultural Affairs has a variety of events planned for MLK Jr. Week & Celebration.

• The River Hawk Shop has information and resources related to all of your student’s textbook needs for the spring semester.

• Winter Welcome Activities Calendar:  
  • Kick off Winter Welcome with Coffee & Donuts with your Student Government Association at University Crossing on January 18 at 11 a.m.!
  • The week continues on with events hosted by Greek life, A.C.E., and Athletics!
  • From trivia, to paint night to watching the UMass Lowell Men’s Ice Hockey team take on UMass Amherst, this week is packed full of fun filled experiences.
  • Be sure to follow @umlactivities on Instagram and @umlactivities on Twitter 

Important Dates:

• January 16: Residence halls open at Noon
• January 17: MLK Day – University Closed
• January 18: Spring classes begin
• January 31: Last day to add a course or drop a course (without record)

Thank you, and happy start of the spring semester!

Marshall Greenleaf, Family Programs

Office of Student & Family Support Services

Hello Families

Welcome to Spring 2022.   While we all wish COVID was a thing of the past, our collective and individual actions can help make that become more likely if we all do our part.

While it will require some planning to have your student at home, it will be a much more comfortable way for your student to isolate with access to more customizable home cooked meals and snacks on demand (food delivery from outside vendors/restaurants is not possible either) , their comfy bed, a medicine cabinet full of the stuff they might need, fresh sheets and towels as needed, and someone to check in on them a few times a day. 

Here’s some information that you might want to keep on hand in case your student calls wondering what they should do about a positive test or a possible exposure.

•       First, PLEASE PLEASE tell your student if they have tested positive for COVID to stay in their residence hall rooms until they alert their hall staff to determine next steps. 

•       Tell your student to contact the Student Symptom Reporting Line (978-934-COV2 (2682) or email Student_SymptomReporting@uml.edu).  That line is staffed during regular business hours. 

•       Students who test positive need to isolate for at least FIVE days after the day of their positive test: a positive test today makes today day zero and tomorrow day one. 

•       If your student tests positive while at home before move in or on a visit to family they need to stay home and not return to campus until after they have completed their 5 day isolation. 

•       If your student has had significant contact with someone who is COVID positive, they should be directed to contact the Student Symptom Reporting Line (978-934-COV2 (2682) or email Student_SymptomReporting@uml.edu).  That line is staffed during regular business hours. 

•       Students who are fully vaccinated (including their booster if eligible) can go about business as usual as long as they are symptom free, and should be encouraged to test on day 5.

•       Students who are not fully vaccinated should off campus until they discuss the details of their quarantine with a Health Services staff member.

• While still in the midst of the Omicron wave, proper mask wearing by all of us is really important, so thanks in advance for reminding your student to wear theirs when in the company of others keeping their nose and mouth covered. 

As your student moves back to campus this is a great time to re-stock health supplies for your student.   We are seeing lots of flu activity in Massachusetts as well as other typical time limited illness so remind your student that if they are feeling sick they should think about contacting their faculty member BEFORE class time to let them know they may need to miss class.

Thanks for all you do to support the health of your student.

The campus bookstore is open and ready to meet all of your student’s textbook needs for the spring semester! Visit the River Hawk Shop website for more information!

At UMass Lowell, we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. through events centered on community action, engagement, and social justice awareness. This week occurs at the end of January leading into Black History Month in February.

Check out the Campus Recreation Spring 2022 Newsletter for updates and information about all of the recreational opportunities available to your student!