August 2023 Newsletter
Welcome from the Vice President for Student Affairs
Hello, Highlander Families and Friends!
I cannot wait to welcome your student to campus next week as we start the 2023 – 2024 academic year. Whether it is their first time on campus, they are moving-in to University housing for the first time, returning for their last year or somewhere in between the start of a new academic year is exciting, filled with emotion and memorable. Equally, the start of a new academic year brings excitement, a range of emotions and new memories for each of you as family and friends.
My Student Affairs team and my colleagues across campus are working toward the final touches on new programs and initiatives we know your student will not only enjoy but enhance their experience. Connection Days (new student extended orientation), a ticket in the Radford University student section for Virginia Tech home football games, Fraternity and Sorority Life fall recruitment, Leadership Training and many other programs will help your student make or expand their connections. The First Gen Center, Military Resource Center and Center for Diversity and Inclusion are areas in Student Affairs that offer support and help students build community at Radford University. Campus traditions like Club Fair on Friday, August 25th and Highlander Float on Saturday, August 26th are two annual events during Welcome Weeks that continue to be eagerly anticipated by students.
Helping your student know they belong and matter here at Radford is a priority of mine! This includes a focus on student wellbeing. An emphasis is being placed on education, tools, practices and activities to help your student understand the importance and benefits of taking good care of themselves as well as how to recognize what may be helpful to them on any given day. Whether it is getting enough sleep, taking a walk along the river, utilizing campus resources, eating regularly, practicing mindfulness or combination of other activities and practices, staying healthy and happy supports and promotes success.
Know that I, along with my Student Affairs team and colleagues across campus remain committed to partnering with you toward the success of your student. We are here to assist you and your student navigate their Radford experience. Let us know how we can help!
Thank you for being a member of the Radford University Family and allowing us to be part of yours. It is an honor to support your student. I look forward to seeing you on campus next week and at Family Weekend in September!
With Excitement and Gratitude,
Susan
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Family Weekend 2023
Radford University will celebrate Family Weekend September 15-17, 2023! Registration is not required and attendance is highly encouraged. Each family who checks in at "The Bonnie" Hurlburt Student Center will recieve two free t-shirts.
This year there are events in Radford and Roanoke all free to Highlander family members. Some events are ticketed (Planetarium shows, for example) and meals are the only items that have related fees. When you come to town, you won't want to miss:
- A Farm-to-Table Dinner at Selu Conservancy, featuring live Appalachian music, all local ingredients, and an unbeatable atmosphere.
- The Family Weekend Festival and Campus Cookout will offer fun for every member of the family! Inflatables, live local musicians, a photo booth, and lots of free activities!
- Feature Performance by Magician Ran'd Shine! He fooled Penn and Teller and now he's coming to Radford University, just for Family Weekend.
View the full schedule at www.radford.edu/familyweekend and secure event tickets at www.tinyurl.com/OurRadFamTix. We can't wait to celebrate with you!
#RadWelcome
Whether it's your Highlanders first semester or last, there is alot going on around campus to welcome them into the fall 2023 semester. August 15th to September 15th is the welcome weeks period, known as #RadWelcome! You can find the entire schedule at www.radford.edu/radwelcome. Here are some highlights that your student shouldn't miss!
- Connection Days 8/17-19 New All new students will participate in a three-day orientation and transition program. This is the first-ever experience and it will not dissappoint!
- First Day Photos 8/21 An annual tradition of the Student Government Association.
- Fall Club Fair 8/25 Always the first Friday of the semester, Club Fair encourages every student to find community, try to events, and start the semester off strong. There's a special treat at this years fair!
- Highlander Float and RecFest 8/27 Get to know the New River! Students can float the river, get free t-shirts, enjoy live music and inflatables. It's a terrific time!
- Part-time Job Fair 8/31 If you're looking for on- or off-campus employment, you don't want to miss the first (of many) career fairs on campus.
And this is just the beginning! Keep an eye on the schedule as it will continue to evolve. Please drop your student off in August and feel confident that we will keep them busy. Then join us in a month, at the end of #RadWelcome to celebrate Family Weekend!
Residence Hall Association "What-to-Bring Checklist"
Preparing for college is quite an involved process and identifying and accumulating all the necessary items can be somewhat of a daunting task. Over the years, we have developed and refined a What-to-Bring Checklist as a tool for our parents and students. To help complete that checklist, we have partnered with SWAK University Services to establish our own RHA-sponsored room outfitting store www.swaku.com/radford-room.
Our store includes over 1000 products for their room including a great selection of high-quality bedding products. All our bedding products have proven they can stand up to the rigors of college life. They will not bleed or fray, are guaranteed to fit our Twin-XL beds and are guaranteed to last until graduation.
Our store also offers discounted bundles that make outfitting their room a breeze. You can choose a bundle that just focuses on their bed or one that has everything they need for their entire room.
The deadline to order is July 15th, but order early for the best selection of linens and other popular products as they do sell out.
Our room outfitting program is a service to our families and students. If you have questions, you can text 833-673-9047 or email service@swaku.com. Thank you for your support.
Dates To Remember
| Tuesday, August 15 - Wednesday, August 16 | New Student Residence Hall Move In | Housing & Residential Life |
| Saturday, August 19 | Returning Student Residence Hall Move In | Housing & Residential Life |
| Monday, August 21 | Fall Classes Begin | Office of the Registrar |
| Sunday, August 27 | Last day for undergraduate add/drop | Office of the Registrar |
| Monday, September 4 | Labor Day - Classes in Session | Office of the Registrar |
| September 15 - 17 | Family Weekend 2023 | Family Weekend |
| Wednesday, September 27 | Radford Gives Back | Radford Gives Back |
| Sunday, October 1 | Deadline to recieve Fall 2023 FAFSA | Financial Aid |
| Friday, October 6 | Fall Break | |
| Saturday, October 14 | Highlanders Festival | Highlanders Festival |
| October 19 - 21 | Homecoming | Homecoming |
| November 18 - 26 | Thanksgiving Break | |
| Friday, December 1 | Last Day of Fall Classes | Office of the Registrar |
| December 4 - 7 | Fall Exams | Office of the Registrar |
| Saturday, December 9 | Undergraduate Commencement | Commencement |
Did You Hear The News?
Radford University has our own student section at Virginia Tech football games. Your Highlander can enter the lottery between August 14th and August 27th for a chance to win one of 600 tickets. Lottery entry is $20 and is non-refundable. Full details and FAQ can be found at www.radford.edu/ruinvolved!