Foxfield Safety and Year-End Updates from Patricia Lampkin

Dear Parents:

Next Tuesday, May 3, marks the end of the semester and another academic year. It is a time of high stress mixed with excitement for students. Papers, exams, summer plans, graduation, new jobs or internships and career decisions – all these deadlines and transitions converge at this point in the year.

Your support is especially important right now. If you sense that your son or daughter could benefit from University resources at this time, please be sure they are aware of what is available. A new website, developed as a follow-up to the fall's Day of Dialogue, details resources for students: http://www.virginia.edu/dayofdialogue/student.html. A call to the Office of the Dean of Students (434-924-7133) is a good place for students to start (after regular business hours, students or parents can call the University Police at 434-924-7166 to be connected with the Dean on Call).

INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT SULLIVAN
Students were a central part of the celebration surrounding Teresa A. Sullivan's inauguration as the University's eighth president earlier this month. A number of students attended the historic installation ceremony on the Lawn on Friday afternoon, April 15, with a large contingent of student leaders, donned in academic regalia, marching in the procession. Student work and faculty collaboration were highlighted during the Research/Scholarship Poster Exhibit that ran throughout Inauguration Week. Cavaliers Care: Day of Service brought out dozens of students on a soggy Saturday morning to work on community service projects alongside U.Va. faculty and staff. To read about all the week's events and to view a video of the installation ceremony, please go to the Installation webpage: http://www.virginia.edu/inauguration/installation.html.

SAFETY EMPHASIZED FOR FOXFIELD RACES THIS WEEKEND
The spring Foxfield steeplechase horse races, hosted four miles from the U.Va. Grounds by a private organization, will take place on Saturday, April 30. On average, 8,000 of the 23,000 patrons are college students from U.Va. or other campuses. While most students view the races as an opportunity to dress up and celebrate the end of the academic year, the all-day tailgating event also provides a significant number of students with an excuse to engage in hazardous drinking. The weather is typically hot and sunny, which increases susceptibility to dehydration and heightens blood alcohol concentrations. Hazardous drinking at the races has led to injuries, arrests and hospital visits. The location is far enough away from the U.Va. Grounds to make walking home an unsafe option.

Although Foxfield is not a U.Va.-sponsored event, I have taken the opportunity to send out a safety message specifically focused on Foxfield activities for the past several years. This year's message was e-mailed to all current students on Monday, April 25. I encourage you to read it (please click on link above) and reinforce these reminders about personal safety with your daughter or son. Student leaders also have created a safety video featuring their peers and administrators. Please take a few moments to view this brief video created by students for students: http://adapt-uva.weebly.com/safe-foxfield.html.

Students who attend the Foxfield Races will notice a significant law enforcement presence. The Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Alcohol Beverage Control and the Albemarle County Police are continuing their efforts to provide a safe environment for spectators attending the races and to deter and detect crime – specifically alcohol-related offenses. These agencies, as well as a private security force, will be monitoring the crowd closely and citing those who engage in illegal activities. In addition, U.Va. Police will be increasing their on-foot patrols around the Grounds on Foxfield weekend.

ADVICE TO SECOND-YEARS
Throughout the year, the Second-Year Class dinners offer an opportunity for students to meet one another and interact with faculty and staff. Funded by the U.Va. Parents Committee, the dinners offer a nice meal along with a chance to build class camaraderie. At this year's final dinner, Class of 2013 members received the following advice for making the most of their remaining two years at the University:

1. If you haven't already, go to one of your professors' office hours, even if you don't have a specific question or problem. Go just to introduce yourself. Professors like to meet their students.
2. Make the arts part of your life here. Go to a concert in Old Cabell Hall, see a play in Culbreth or Helms, and visit the Art Museum. Use your Arts Dollars.
3. Get involved in student self-governance. Look for how you can make a contribution to the organizations that form the basis of student self-governance here: the Honor Committee and University Judiciary Committee, in particular. Find out what they do, who they are, and how you can play a role.
4. Find a way to give back to the University and to the community. This won't be hard. Students volunteer in huge numbers for Madison House and other organizations. Be creative, though.
5. Figure out a way to study abroad. This takes some planning, but you can do it. Whether it is for January Term, the summer or an entire semester, you will find numerous choices.
6. Really get to know the Grounds. Enjoy its history and unique sense of place. Tour the Rotunda if you have never done that. Study on the second floor of the Harrison Institute where the view is wonderful. Have lunch in one of the pavilion gardens.
7. Unplug for at least one full day. Resist listening to your iPod or talking on your cell phone unless absolutely necessary. Pay attention to the people around you. When you walk across the Grounds going from class to class or to the library, look at people and say hello. It's a way to connect, to make the Grounds a little friendlier and more welcoming.
8. Introduce yourself to someone here whom you don't already know. It can be another student or a faculty member or administrator. Take a minute to say hello and find out about one another.

Read the entire speech at http://www.virginia.edu/vpsa/communications/10-11/041911-2nd-yr-dinner-class-of-2013.html.

CLOSING OF RESIDENCE HALLS
All non-graduating students who live in University housing must move out of their rooms 24 hours after their last exam or by noon on Saturday, May 14, whichever comes first. Graduating students must be out of their rooms by noon on Monday, May 23. For additional information regarding closing, please consult the Housing website at www.virginia.edu/housing.

STUDENT HEALTH – LAST DAY OF SERVICE FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS
Friday, May 27, is the last day for graduating students to be seen at Student Health. Students who need to make an appointment can do so online by going to the Healthy Hoos website at https://www.healthyhoos.virginia.edu/. 

SPONSORS HALL ACCOMMODATIONS
Reminder: As you look for accommodations in the Charlottesville area when you visit for Final Exercises, Family Weekend and other events, one option to consider is Sponsors Hall at the Darden School of Business. Contact information and other details are available on the facility's website (please click on link above). Information on all area lodging options also is available at http://www.virginia.edu/placestostay.html. 

IMPORTANT DATES
May 3: Classes end
May 4, 8, 11: Reading days
May 5: Spring exams begin
May 13: Spring exams end
May 14: All residence halls close
May 21-22: Finals Weekend (Graduation). Parents of graduating students are encouraged to check the Finals Web site for complete details about this special weekend.

As always, if I or any member of my staff in Student Affairs can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me at vpsa [at] virginia [dot] edu.

Warm regards, 

Patricia M. Lampkin
Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer