Welcome to the first edition of your Parent Newsletter! We’re thrilled that you have continued to choose Wingate for your young adults’ education. As they become difference-makers in the classroom and the community, we know you’ll be there to celebrate their successes and encourage them when they fail. (After all, Wingate is a laboratory of difference-making, and labs are perfect places to explore new ideas and learn from mistakes.)
We also know that you can support your students best when you have the information you need, especially in the midst of COVID-19 uncertainty, when move-in, classes, dining, clubs and athletics will all look different.
For a look at what we’re doing to help students Stay Safe at Wingate, check out our Return to Campus web page and watch this video message from Dr. Brown:
There is also an FAQ section that is growing by the minute as we fine-tune our plans and respond to new information from health experts. Another way for you to stay in the loop is to bookmark our Blue and Gold Bulletin. And keep this Q&A Form handy for those times when you have questions specific to your student.
Again, welcome to your Parent Newsletter, welcome to the 2020-2021 semester at Wingate.
Set for Success: Three Things Students Should Master Before Coming to College
Laundry
Doing laundry is free at Wingate, so your student won’t need to stockpile quarters or drive to an off-campus laundromat. But students do need to bring their own supplies. And some experience doing laundry at home is helpful.
Make sure they put some sort of hamper on their “things to bring” list. And teach them to sort their clothes, empty pockets, treat stains, and follow care labels. If they haven’t been doing their own laundry at home, they may need guidance as to how and how often to launder their bedding. Encourage them to add laundry to their weekly schedule, and to consider off-peak times (Sundays are usually super busy in residence hall laundry rooms.)
When it comes to sharing washers and dryers, courtesy goes a long way. For best results — for clothes and res hall relationships — students should remove clothes as soon as they finish washing or drying.
Simple Cooking
All residential students will have meal plans with lots of options, so they should never have to cook. But a late-night snack attack may mean they want to pop their own popcorn or make some easy macaroni and cheese in their personal microwave.
To avoid setting off the smoke alarm (which leads to evacuation of the entire residence hall and can negatively influence popularity points) make sure students know to put water in the mac and cheese before cooking and to remove popcorn when the popping slows down, not completely stops. Remind them to use only microwave-safe containers and to stay in the room with the microwave while it’s operating.
Basic Vehicle Care
Wingate students who plan to bring a car to campus won’t have to worry about a parking fee. However, they will need to register their vehicle, apply the parking decal (residential students will get a notice from PawPrint when their sticker is ready to be picked up; commuters will receive theirs in the mail), and pay attention to lot designations so that they know where to park legally. Vehicle registration information is accessible via your student’s portal. (Students will need to log in with their Wingate credentials to get access to the checklist.)
It’s good for them to know how to check their oil and monitor their mileage so they’ll know when their car needs maintenance. Adding air to tires is a good skill to have as is knowing how to safely use jumper cables.
Campus Safety is always willing to help students who have car trouble on campus, so urge them to put the Campus Safety number — 704-233-8999 — in their phone. They can also find it on the back of their student ID card. Also, if your student has a roadside assistance plan such as AAA, make sure they know how to use it.
Many auto parts stores will help diagnose car issues for free (with a quick handheld computer test) and often offer other free services such as battery, alternator or starter checkups and wiper-blade installation.
Health Insurance: Time to Enroll or Waive
Wingate students who are taking 12 or more credit hours are required to have health insurance. Regardless of your credit hours, if you are majoring in health science, are an athlete or are an international student, you must have health insurance. If you don’t provide proof of insurance, you will need to enroll in the University-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan provided by Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Student Blue) during the enrollment period. You’ll be billed on your student account each semester.
If you have your own insurance, you’ll need to waive coverage. The enroll/waive period is underway and ends Aug. 31. Learn more on the University website. This FAQ list is also helpful. And regardless of what kind of insurance you have, remember to bring your card and your student ID any time you visit the Health Center.
Follow Along with Athletics and Support the Bulldog Club!
Wingate’s athletics program is unparalleled in NCAA Division II in its combination of on- and off-the-field success. We’ve had the most Academic All-Americas in NCAA Division II since 2000, and more than any school in North Carolina – including Duke and UNC. And nearly 1 in 4 of our students is a collegiate athlete. Even if your son or daughter isn’t on a Bulldog sports team, they’ll definitely benefit from the school spirit and culture of excellence that our teams foster. Students can attend athletic events for free with their student ID, and they can stay up to date by visiting the athletics website or following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Beginning in June, the Wingate University Athletic Foundation and Bulldog Club transitioned from solely supporting athletic scholarships to serving as an unrestricted athletic fund that will support the most immediate needs of each of our 22 varsity-level teams as they arise. Additionally, donors who make gifts directly to specific teams can opt into receiving Bulldog Club benefits. Club members will enjoy hospitality access, premium parking, tailgates and more. Become a member of the Bulldog Club with any size donation (benefits begin with contributions of $50 or more). For more information, visit the Bulldog Club website or contact Bill Nash at bilnash@wingate.edu.
New Public Health Major and Master’s Degree Coming Soon
Wingate University is the leading healthcare educator in western North Carolina. It’s not a position we take lightly. In fact, we know we’ll have to continue to change and grow with the needs of the larger community, which is why we’re adding two new programs next year — a two-year master of public health and a public health major at the bachelor’s level.
Even before the pandemic, this field was growing faster than average according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In the wake of COVID-19, that growth has accelerated. And even though new public health-specific classes won’t get underway until fall 2021, current incoming freshmen and sophomores can go ahead and declare public health as a major. Their academic advisors will steer them to the Core Curriculum classes and any pre-requisites they need to be ready. Learn more about studying public health at Wingate University.
Student Relief Fund Assists More Than 250 Students
In March, Wingate University announced the creation of a Student Relief Fund to provide immediate assistance to students impacted financially by COVID-19. A large number of faculty and staff, alumni and other donors stepped up, helping us raise over $100,000 that was distributed to 265 students. Those dollars have helped our students as they faced challenges with housing, food, medicine, technology, transportation and more.
To read more about the impact of the Student Relief Fund, please click here.