As the weather warms up and classes begin to proctor final exams, many students at the University of Connecticut are starting to think about how they will spend their summer vacations. Before flying the coop, here are some of things you can do to enhance the end of your spring semester.
There are numerous stress-busting activities to participate in around campus. On Wednesday, April 24, the Student Health and Wellness office is sponsoring a wellness bracelet-making workshop in the Puerto Rican Latin American Cultural Center in the Student Union at 5 p.m., and the Academic Achievement Center will kick off their series of strategy workshops in Rowe Center room 217 at 6 p.m.
SHaW’s “Sexperts” will be also available daily until May 2 in Wilson Hall room 124 for drop-ins to chat about relations and relationships, with an opportunity to get free safer-sex materials at the Women’s Center in the Student Union at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25.
Students can also enjoy “Mega Weekend” sponsored by Student Activities, with an outdoor movie night showing “Pitch Perfect” plus a candy and popcorn bar starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26 in addition to inflatable bouncy houses, free food trucks, “Stuff-a-Stanley” with Dairy Bar ice cream and more at the Student Union mall during the day on Saturday, April 27.
Regional campus students can enjoy activities such as “Pancakes for Success” in Waterbury, stress-toy making in Stamford and “Outline and Chill” at the UConn School of Law this week.
Friday, April 26 is the last day of regular class sessions. Final exams begin Monday, April 29 and continue through Saturday, May 4. In some cases, the time or place that students are scheduled to take their final exams may differ from their regular classes — the schedule is posted outside of the One Stop Student Services office in the Wilbur Cross Building and is also available digitally on the Registrar’s webpage. Additional policies and frequently asked questions are also posted.
On Tuesday, April 30, SHaW will be also hosting a pet therapy session at the Cordial Storrs House, located on Route 195 next to Whitney Hall, from 5 p.m. through 7 p.m.
The Residential Life office has also announced their end-of-semester timeline, requiring students living on campus to complete their move-out by Monday, May 6 at 12 p.m., except for Charter Oak and Hilltop Apartment residents, who must move out by Monday, May 13 at 12 p.m.
Students are reminded to remove all personal belongings, re-assemble university-owned furniture such as beds and desks to their original locations, thoroughly clean rooms and check drawers and closets. Residents with LED light strips lining their rooms are encouraged to submit a work ticket to have them removed properly without causing damage to the walls.
Each complex will have its own key return location, where students should retire their room and mail keys in addition to any extra or bespoke keys, except for pre-approved late departure students who should return their materials to the Residential Life office in Whitney Hall. Charges may be incurred to students for lock-changing and re-keying fees if they fail to return their keys on time.
From Friday, May 4 through Monday, May 6, commencement ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate programs will be occurring at various campus venues, including Gampel Pavilion and Jorgensen Center. Traffic conditions may be more congested with all of the expected visitors, so students should develop a plan with family and others involved in their move-out.
Campus dining halls, the Student Union and the Dairy Bar will most likely be experiencing additional throughput as will the shops and restaurants in Downtown Storrs, Mansfield and Willimantic-Windham. However, the weather will be much warmer and the chance to enjoy some al fresco dining or a visit to Horsebarn Hill may just be the right way to end your school year.
Graduate students and others in specialized programs may have additional due dates, testing sessions or other responsibilities that extend into May. Reference important class materials and announcements if this is the case for you.
If you’re coming back to UConn for the fall, keep your email handy as changes and responsibilities get announced, and stay tuned to The Daily Campus and social media to hear of other significant updates. As summer grows near, we hope students are able to make the best of their last weeks of the spring semester and finals season. For more information about specific ceremonies and important dates, visit commencement.uconn.edu and registrar.uconn.edu. To learn more about campus mental health resources, visit studenthealth.uconn.edu.