May Update

5/1/2025

• UNC Tuition Grant Application

As a reminder, all eligible NCSSM Residential graduates immediately enrolling in a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina may apply for the UNC Tuition Grant beginning with the Class of 2021 and continuing until further notice from the North Carolina General Assembly. This program is an incredible opportunity for NCSSM graduates to remain in North Carolina and earn an undergraduate degree from one of the best public university systems in the nation at a significantly reduced out-of-pocket cost.

If you are planning on attending a UNC System school, please read this step-by-step guide.  Remember, your application MUST be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2025.

• Move Out

Juniors must submit the following form to indicate whether or not they intend to move out of their residence hall on Wednesday, May 21 OR Friday, May 23. Juniors who do NOT wish to participate in Commencement exercises must move out of their residence hall and check out with their CC between 1:00pm and 5:00pm on Wednesday, May 21. Juniors who wish to remain on campus after exams to participate in end-of-year activities and Commencement exercises must move out of their residence hall and check out with their CC prior to 2:00pm on Friday, May 23. 

Seniors must move out of their residence hall and check out with their CC prior to 2:00pm on Friday, May 23.

During the week leading up to move out, students will have specific tasks to complete each day to ensure that they will be ready on the day they move out. The Final Week Checklist will be posted on the door of each room and will be checked each night by their CC. Please note that students will NOT be permitted to attend hall or campus events until their CC confirms that all tasks have been completed.

Once a student is ready to check out, their CC will stop by their room and confirm that they have properly followed all Checkout Procedures. Please note that the student and a legal guardian will both need to be present to sign the Room Condition Report to complete the checkout process. Once all checkout procedures have been completed, the student will immediately leave campus. Students who check out prior to Friday, May 23 may return to campus for the Commencement ceremony ONLY and should not return to campus for any other reason.

• Senior Dessert

Class of 2025, you have put in an impressive amount of work these past two years and SAB has put together a special celebration to honor that! Join us on Friday, May 16th at 7:00PM on Bryan Lawn to celebrate the end of your NCSSM journey From Zoom to Bloom!

We hope you'll take the time to come out and dress up (dressy casual attire), enjoy some sweet treats, and appreciate the company of your classmates before commencement.

• End of Year Activities: 

(pdf copy of schedule, png pages of schedule: 1 and 2)

Students who remain on campus May 21 & 22 are invited to enjoy a two day end-of-year celebration that will feature an outdoor field day, glow-in-the-dark kickball, an inflatable water slide, a bounce house, food trucks, sweet treats, and one last Hill Street block party! Please encourage your student to attend these events to help say goodbye to the Class of 2025 and to close out a great school year!

• Commencement

Please join us as we graduate our 44th class of residential students on Friday, May 23rd at 9:00am on Watts Lawn. The ceremony is open to NCSSM seniors and their families. We welcome the junior class to participate in Commencement, though junior attendance is not mandatory.  No tickets are required UNLESS inclement weather necessitates moving indoors. If Commencement is moved indoors, each senior will receive 4 wristbands: 2 wristbands for guests to attend Commencement in the Charles Eilber Physical Education Center (PEC), and 2 wristbands for guests to watch the Commencement livestream in locations around campus: the Auditorium, Lecture Hall, and Music Suite. If the ceremony is moved indoors, juniors (outside of Marshals and those performing music) will not participate in the ceremony and will move out of their rooms. Juniors and their families will be able to view livestream of Commencement from off campus. As a reminder, all students must move out of their residence hall rooms and check out with their CC no later than 2 p.m. on Commencement day. 

The entire event will be livestreamed on the NCSSM YouTube Channel. For more information about Commencement please visit: https://www.ncssm.edu/commencement”

April Update

4/1/2025

• NCSSM Prom 2025:

On Saturday, April 5th, NCSSM’s 2025 Prom “Medieval Promenade” will take place in the Museum of Life and Science. Pre-sale tickets are $50 and may be purchased here until April 4th at 5:00pm, and day-of tickets will be $60 in exact change. If your student is planning to stay off campus on the night of Prom, please have them fill out an Overnight Orah pass request with exact details of their travel plans (including address, mode of transportation, and full name of their host) by Midnight on April 1st. No concessions will be made if this date is missed. 

Students may request to bring their vehicle from home to campus for the day of Prom. Please visit the NCSSM Prom Website permissions tab to learn more about important dates and deadlines for Prom vehicle use. 

Parents! Parent volunteers can help with food prep, clean-up, decorating, ticket sales, coat check, and more, and are always essential for creating a beautiful Prom night. Sign up here if you’re interested in lending a helping hand!

For more information about our prom, check out the NCSSM Prom Website, and feel free to email prom@ncssm.edu with any questions.

• Spring Break 2025:

Residence halls will close on Friday, April 11th at 5:00pm and will reopen on Monday, April 21st at 12:00pm. Since this is a long break students must unplug all items in their room, including fridges and fish tanks. Students should properly defrost their fridge to avoid puddles or mold growth over the break. Students are encouraged to take home as many items as possible that they will not need for the remainder of the year. Students are also advised to return to campus with boxes to prepare for move out.

• Senior Leadership Campus Service Update:

The Senior Leadership Campus Service process is coming to a close. Senior Leadership announcements will be sent out on Tuesday, April 22 at 4:00pm and applicants will have until Thursday, April 24 to submit their decisions to program coordinators. Please note that the SLSC process does not account for every senior campus service assignment. Juniors should reach out to any employees that they may be interested in working with next year if they chose not to participate in the SLCS process. They can also contact Justin Plummer (plummer@ncssm.edu), Campus Service Coordinator and Associate Director of Student Services, if they have any questions.

• Latin America Fest:

Looks like we’ve got a mystery on our hands… Latin America Fest is happening on May 3rd from 7-8:30 PM in the ETC Auditorium, and the clues all point to an unforgettable night. Join us as we unmask the beauty of Latin culture through dancing, spoken word, music performances, and more. Grab your magnifying glasses and get ready; because this is one case you won’t want to miss!

• Spring Final Assessment Schedule:

The Spring Final Assessment Schedule has been shared by Academic Programs.  Synchronous final assessment blocks are arranged to minimize exam conflicts and to minimize conflicts with the AP Exams scheduled for Friday, May 16.  Academic Programs will work directly with students and instructors to resolve those conflicts in the weeks before the end of the semester.  As in previous semesters, Academic Programs have indicated deadlines for submitting projects, papers, and take-home exams by academic discipline to ensure that all asynchronous assessments are not due at the same time.

March Update

3/6/2025

WE'VE MADE IT BACK TO HILL!!!

• NCSSM Prom 2025:

The Prom Committee is excited to extend an invitation to all residential students to join us for a night at the Medieval Promenade of 2025. Prom will occur on April 5th from 8pm-12am at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. Click HERE for details about the event, how to purchase tickets, important forms, transportation options, and more!

Each year, the Prom Committee invites NCSSM families to participate in the festivities by volunteering the night of Prom at the Museum of Life and Science. There are many opportunities to be involved, from helping out with set up, to organizing the coat check, to serving appetizers, desserts, and drinks, to directing students throughout the museum, and of course the dash to clean everything up and pack it away in record time at the end of the night. Even if you can’t join us at the museum for prom night, you have the opportunity to purchase desserts for students to enjoy! For more information about volunteering at Prom, check out this link and be on the lookout for an email from Trish Aiello in the coming weeks for signups! 

In keeping with tradition, Student Life will also host an After Prom event for students to enjoy late night pizza in the PEC after prom ends. Additional details about the event and how to participate will be shared with students in future communications.

As you and your student make plans for Prom 2025, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Prom Coordinators at prom@ncssm.edu with any questions.

• Residence Halls Closing & Opening:

Just a quick reminder that the Residence Halls will be closing on Friday, March 21st at 5:00pm. Halls will reopen on Monday, March 24th at noon.

Students will submit an Overnight pass on Orah before or during our hall meeting right before the Extended Weekend. On this Orah pass, they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their destination. If students have specific questions about checkout procedures for the Extended Weekend, they should speak to me.

• Move Out:

Juniors and Seniors will receive an email with information concerning move-out in the next week or two. In the meantime, best practice is to start evaluating which items you may be able to take home over the upcoming extended weekend and spring break.  The more items you can get home over our final extended weekends of the year, the easier move-out will be for you. Good items to consider taking home are winter coats and clothes, extra furniture, and large items.

February Update

2/4/2025

• Africa Fest

Grab your passports! We’re heading to Sikhadula! On February 22nd at 7:30pm in the Auditorium, we’ll be taking a flight to Sikhadula - a place where Black culture can thrive undivided by land and sea. Come with us to enjoy the various aspects of Black culture as we explore Sikhadula! We hope to see you there! This is a free event but we have limited seating so be on the lookout for tickets dropping soon!

• Senior Leadership Campus Service:

The Senior Leadership Campus Service (SLCS) selection process is underway! Over twenty different assignments participate in this process which should help juniors find a senior campus service assignment they’re excited about. An overview of the process and the various positions can be found on the site. Please note that the SLCS process does not account for every senior campus service assignment. There are many opportunities for leadership in campus service to consider. Juniors should reach out to any employees that they may be interested in working with next year.

• Move back to Hill

Yes, it is happening. We are scheduled to move back into Hill House at the end of February. Each student has received 3 large totes to assist with the move. As the month progresses, there will be more updates and I will share those as soon as we receive them.

During the last week of February (Feb 24 - Feb 27th), there will be a nightly to-do list to assist     students in preparing for the move back to Hill. 

• Residence Halls Closing & Opening:

Just a quick reminder that the Residence Halls will be closing on Thursday, February 27th at 5:00pm. Halls will reopen on Sunday, March 2nd at noon.

Students will submit an Overnight pass on Orah before or during our hall meeting right before the Extended Weekend. On this Orah pass, they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their destination. If students have specific questions about checkout procedures for the Extended Weekend, they should speak to me.

January Update

1/11/2025

• January Term:

January Term (J-Term) is a special session during which NCSSM provides significant opportunities for students to engage in unique educational experiences. These experiences include both regular coursework, offered in a different format, and unique learning opportunities beyond the standard curriculum, both in and out of the traditional classroom context. J-Term aims to engage students in a rigorous exploration of a subject area of great interest in a way that contributes to their academic and personal growth and serves them well in their future academic aspirations. J-Term also provides an opportunity for students to interact with their peers from our Morganton campus; some Morganton students will be visiting Durham for their classes, and vice-versa. J-Term travel courses also include students from both campuses.

• MLK Jr. Day of Service:

On Monday, January 20th, NCSSM will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy by having a day dedicated to community service, education, and unity. The day is considered part of the academic calendar and the expectation is that students participate fully in the day’s activities and events.

• Residence Halls Closing & Opening:

Just a quick reminder that the Residence Halls will be closing on Thursday, January 30th at 5:00pm. Halls will reopen on Sunday, February 2nd at noon.

Students will submit an Overnight pass on Orah before or during our hall meeting right before the Extended Weekend. On this Orah pass, they will indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their destination. If students have specific questions about checkout procedures for the Extended Weekend, they should speak to me.

December Update

12/11/2024

• January Term:

Throughout January of each year, students take a break from regular coursework during J-Term to engage in employee-led educational opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Examples of past J-Term experiences include Capes and Culture, Introduction to Aviation, the Science of Breadmaking, Fantastic Fungi, and extended travel to Costa Rica or the American West. J-Term begins on January 8th and ends on January 30th. You can view your student’s assigned J-Term class or classes on Blackbaud.

January Term (J-Term) is an essential part of the NCSSM Academic Program. Since class meeting patterns are different during J-Term, attendance is calculated differently. One unexcused hour of missed class will be recorded as one unexcused absence. J-Term is considered its own term for attendance purposes. The number of accumulated absences reverts to zero at the beginning of spring semester.

• SAB Winter Semi-Formal:

Semi-Formal, NCSSM’s annual winter dance, took place Saturday, December 7th from 8:30 – 10:55 PM in the PEC Gymnasium. It was very festive with plenty of winter decorations, music, snacks and dancing!

• Winter Break:

Can you believe that we have reached the halfway point for the year? With winter break beginning Friday, December 13th I wanted to provide a breakdown of how students should prepare for these longer breaks. Residence Halls close on December 13th at 5:00pm. Halls will reopen on Tuesday, January 7th at noon. Some students may leave earlier than the 13th if they are done with exams. Because this is a very long break we require that students unplug all items in their room, including fridges and fish tanks. During room inspections this week I will check that students have properly defrosted their fridges, so that we can avoid any puddles or mold growth over the break. Students should also make sure to take home any open food packages due to the long break. Signing out for this break is handled similarly to an extended weekend.

Students will submit an Overnight pass on Orah before or during our hall meeting right before Winter Break. On this Orah pass, they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their destination. If students have specific questions about checkout procedures for Winter Break, they should speak to me. This is similar to our last extended weekend.

November Update

11/1/2024

• Progress Reports:

Don’t forget that the second set of progress reports for your students will be released on November 8th. To view your student’s progress report you will need to log into blackbaud and select the “progress” tab. Then click where it says “report cards” to open all the progress reports for this year. Select either “Semester 1 - Durham” or “Semester 1 - Durham (no comments),” depending on whether you want to view grades and teacher feedback, or just grades.

If you have concerns about your student’s performance, please let me know. I always meet with students who have multiple Cs or a D to help develop a plan for improvement, but will be happy to meet with anyone if there are concerns. It is also important that your student reach out to their individual teachers, guidance counselor, and the Center for Advising and Academic Success for advice on how to improve. This is also a good time for students to evaluate whether they should be attending tutorials more often.

• SAB Winter Semi-Formal:

Semi-Formal, NCSSM’s annual winter dance, is Saturday, December 7th from 8:30 – 10:55 PM in the PEC Gymnasium. All students are invited to enjoy the evening with friends and hallmates! There will be festive winter decorations, music, snacks, and dancing!

Students planning to attend are encouraged to bring semi-formal dress clothes back to campus after the break. Appropriate attire includes a dressy skirt, shirt and tie (jacket optional), dress pants, a dress, and dress shoes.

In keeping with tradition, several opportunities will be available for parents and families to be involved with Semi again this year. More information about how to provide support will be shared in the coming weeks. 

• Early AM and Late PM Amtrak Transportation:

Due to the volume of potential requests and our staffing ability, we cannot provide transports prior to 7:30 AM or after 9:30 PM.

• Residence Halls Closing & Opening:

Just a quick reminder that there are several extended breaks scheduled over the next couple of months. In each instance, halls will close at 5pm on the closure date and reopen at noon on the opening date:

• Closed Friday, November 22nd - Sunday, December 1st

• Closed Friday, December 13th - Tuesday, January 7th

For the Thanksgiving and Winter breaks we ask that students unplug all items in the room. This includes fridges and fish tanks. Students should defrost their fridges completely and clean out excess water before they leave for the break. They should also make sure that they take any houseplants or fish home.

Students will submit an Overnight pass on Orah before or during our hall meeting right before the extended weekend. On this Orah pass, they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their destination. If students have specific questions about checkout procedures for extended weekends, they should speak to me. This is different from previous extended weekends when we would have students fill out a Google Form to share that information and then an Orah pass if it was necessary, such as a student leaving before the extended starts or returning after check on that first night back on hall. This will cut down on students’ confusion about whether or not they need to submit an Orah pass for their specific travel plans and their questions about why they needed to sign out if they already filled out the Google Form.

October Update

9/27/2024

• SAB Intro:

As students adjust to the rigors of NCSSM it is also important for them to make time to have fun, relax, and enjoy all parts of the Science and Math experience. To that end, it is important that you and they know about the NCSSM Student Activities Board and all the amazing opportunities that it offers students. 

SAB is made up of student and employee volunteers from across campus. Under the supervision of Kori Willoughby, the Student Activities Coordinator, SAB meets every other Thursday throughout the year to plan activities and events for the student body. Meetings are open to all students.

Some popular SAB events, outside of major campus-wide events like Welcome Week, the Halloween Dance & Costume Contest, Winter Semi-Formal Dance, Prom, and End-of-Year Celebrations, include:

• Friday Fun Day activities like grocery bingo and giant Twister

• Thursday Night Trivia in the Courtyard

• Weekend Movie Nights outdoors and in the Lecture Hall

• Food Runs, Loops, and Sunday study breaks

• Block Parties on Hill Street

You can find out more about SAB and see upcoming events on their website.

• PSAT:
  NCSSM will be administering the PSAT to the entire junior class on Wednesday, Oct. 16th. You do not need to do anything to register nor do you need to make a payment as that was part of the security deposit. If you think your student might qualify for a fee waiver, please email financial.assistance@ncssm.edu to get the information you need ASAP. Students may access the PSAT student guide electronically. If students would like to prepare further for this exam, they can do some practice problems through Khan Academy.

In preparation for Wednesday’s PSAT administration, we will follow a Wednesday Lab schedule during the day on Monday, Oct. 14th. All juniors will take the PSAT in the morning on Wednesday; we will then follow an abbreviated Monday schedule that afternoon. Evening classes and Online webinars will meet on their normal Monday schedule.

• 1:1s:

Over the next few weeks your students will be receiving emails from me to schedule 1-on-1 meetings. These meetings give me a chance to get to know your students better, respond to any issues they are having on hall or campus, get ideas about things they would like to see on hall, and just generally check in on how they are enjoying their time at NCSSM. 1:1s typically last between 20 and 30 minutes. We will have these meetings every semester.

• Progress Reports

As October draws to a close, faculty across campus will be completing grading assignments so that we can release second progress reports for your students on November 8th. To view your student’s progress report you will need to log into Blackbaud and select the “progress” tab. Then click where it says “report cards” to open all the progress reports for this year. Select either “Semester 1 - Durham” or “Semester 1 - Durham (no comments),” depending on whether you want to view grades and teacher feedback, or just grades.

If you have concerns about your student’s performance, please let me know. I always meet with students who have multiple Cs or a D to help develop a plan for improvement, but will be happy to meet with anyone if there are concerns. It is also important that your student reach out to their individual teachers, guidance counselor, and the Center for Advising and Academic Success for advice on how to improve. This is also a good time for students to evaluate whether they should be attending tutorials more often.

• Residence Halls Closing & Opening:

Just a quick reminder that the Residence Halls will be closing:

• Friday, November 1 at 5:00pm. Opens Sunday, November 4 at noon.

September Update

8/30/2024

• Family Day Preview: 

Each September, NCSSM invites families to campus for a fun and informative Family Day!  On Saturday, September 14th, 2024, experience a ‘day in the life’ of your student as you walk through a condensed version of their schedule. You’ll envision the excitement of learning as you have the opportunity to meet your student’s instructors, counselors, and other key campus members, all while exploring NCSSM’s interactive classrooms and innovative learning spaces. 

A detailed agenda for Family Day can be found here. In addition to meeting their student’s stellar teachers, families will have a chance to connect with other NCSSM families at the Parent Association hospitality table and visit the school store, where families can snag some awesome merchandise and show their school spirit!  

Families should RSVP by completing this registration form as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday, September 11th.

• College Fair Preview: 

The NCSSM Durham community is excited to host our annual College Fair on Friday, September 13th, at the end of the academic day from 3:15 to 5:15pm. This is an amazing opportunity for juniors and seniors to learn more about colleges across the country and explore what school might be right for them.

In the past, representatives from more than 70 schools from around the country have been available to talk with students and families about their schools, the college admissions process, financial aid, and scholarships. More information about 1.)the schools represented at the college fair this year and 2.) student requirements for attendance will be shared in the coming weeks.

• Increasing Workload:

Now that we have made it to the first extended weekend, students should be getting into the swing of things with classes and life at NCSSM. Around this time students will also notice their workload increasing. It is imperative for them to develop strong time management skills and learn to seek out help as they begin to face these new challenges. If needed, students can reach out to Antavious and/or any of the following resources:

• Center for Advising and Academic Success (CAAS): CAAS serves all residential and online students during their time here at NCSSM. The purpose and function of the Center is to provide individual, ongoing, and real-time academic support and guidance for all students. Some of the CAAS services include:

  • providing guidance and advice for students on course choices and placement

  • providing academic consultation for students

  • developing and managing academic support plans 

  • communicating directly with student support teams

  • communicating/collaborating with Counseling on academic support

  • providing administrative support for Enrollment Services/Registrar

• Tutorials: Most classes and departments offer formal tutorials for students. These tutorial sessions are led by both faculty and student TAs. Tutorial sessions or resources can be found on each department’s website:

  • Engineering and Computer Science

  • Fine Arts

  • Mathematics

  • Science

    • Science Department Academic Assistance

• Residential Education Courses: All juniors take RE102; in this course they learn about academic success strategies. Both the skills they develop and the resources provided by their instructor will be helpful to revisit as their workload increases.

• Progress Reports

As September draws to a close, faculty across campus will be completing grading assignments to release progress reports for students on September 20. To view student progress reports, families will need to log into Blackbaud and select the “progress” tab. Families will then click “report cards” to open all the progress reports for the year and select either “Semester 1 - Durham” or “Semester 1 - Durham (no comments),” depending on whether they want to view grades and teacher feedback, or just grades.

If families have concerns about their student’s performance, they can always reach out to Antavious. CCs always meet with students who have multiple Cs or a D to help develop a plan for improvement, but will be happy to meet with anyone if there are concerns. It is also important that students reach out to their individual teachers, counselor, and the Center for Advising and Academic Success for advice on how to improve. This is also a good time for students to evaluate whether they should be attending tutorials more often.

• Residence Halls Closing & Opening:

Just a quick reminder that the Residence Halls will be closing twice during September.

• Closed Friday, August 30th at 5:00pm.  Opens Monday, September 2nd at noon.

• Closed Friday, September 27th at 5:00pm.  Opens Sunday, October 6th at noon.

Students will complete an electronic Extended Sign-Out Form during hall meeting.  On this form they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their destination.  If students have specific questions about checkout procedures for Extended Weekends, they should reach out to their CC.

August Update

8/9/2024

• How to Contact Antavious:

If you need to get in touch with me, I am most reachable by email at antavious.ashe@ncssm.edu. I check my email often and will always respond within 24 hours. 

` -  I can also be reached by call or text message at 919-416-2822. 

Students can always knock on my door (Room 227, last room on the left), but I'm typically on duty every other day from 11:30am-5:30pm, so I can usually be found floating around Bryan Desk during those times.

• What to expect from CC’s monthly updates:

I wanted to make sure everyone knows what to expect from me in regards to regular hall updates. On the 1st of each month, I will post an update to the blog section of the hall google site and send an email alerting you that the update is live. These posts will typically  include recaps of the past few weeks on hall, updates on major hall and campus events, reminders about upcoming events and deadlines, and sometimes photos of the student experience on campus. 

• Move-In Reminders:

For move-in, we strongly encourage students and families to label all of their belongings. There are a lot of individuals moving around campus on move-in day and sometimes items are misplaced. Labeled belongings are much easier to reunite with their owners, so please be sure to label all items with your name, residence hall, and room assignment.

I am sure that everyone has already received this information, but please double check while you are packing to confirm that you are not bringing any items on our prohibited items list. You will be asked to take them back home if you arrive on campus with them.

• Suggested Items to Bring

• Room Decoration Guidelines

• Room Occupancy and Safety Guidelines (Prohibited Items)

• Roommates: 

For many students their time at NCSSM will be the first time they have experienced sharing a room with someone. It is natural for there to be some growing pains as students adjust their habits and learn to live together. For this reason, we encourage students to spend their first few weeks getting to know one another and discussing their sleep habits, study preferences, and what makes them feel comfortable in their shared space. After the first extended weekend, roommates will work together to craft a roommate agreement; this agreement will outline how they will respect one another’s space, accommodate each other's sleep and study habits, what they can borrow and share with each other, and how they will keep their room clean. The agreement is a living document and can be revisited as needed throughout the year.

While we hope that all students will get along well, it is possible that your students develop a conflict with their roommate that they have trouble navigating on their own. If this occurs, you or your student should let their CC know. We will work with the students to mediate the conflict and work towards a mutual resolution. It is imperative that you speak only to your student about any conflict they are having; please do not contact the other student or their family. If the conflict continues, the CC may ask that the students work with either the Assistant Director or Director of Housing and Residence Life to continue working towards a solution. NCSSM operates at full occupancy; therefore, room changes are not easy to accommodate. No room changes will be approved during the 1st quarter of the school year. Changing rooms is considered only if all conflict resolution options have been exhausted, a space is available, and the move is considered a positive step for all parties involved. For these reasons, a room change should not be viewed as a likely outcome to resolve a conflict.

• CCs and campus safety on-call: 

CCs are available 24 hours a day to assist your students. The Bryan CC desk is staffed each day from 7:30am to 1:00am. All other CC building offices are staffed beginning at 6:30pm each day. Outside of these hours there will always be two CCs on call while students are on campus. The contact numbers for the on-call CCs are posted at each CC desk and can be viewed here. If your student has an emergency they are encouraged to reach out to the on duty CCs. 

NCSSM also has Campus Safety Officers available 24 hours. They can be contacted at 919-416-2911.
 

• Clinic:

Student Health, often referred to as the Clinic, is located on the first floor of the Hunt Residence Hall. The Clinic is staffed by a nurse, medical assistant, and a family nurse practitioner. Our medical director oversees the Clinic’s daily operation and is present in the Clinic one day a week. The Clinic is staffed and equipped to manage most acute and chronic illnesses that occur while students reside at NCSSM. Common over-the-counter medications, bandages, splints, and crutches are dispensed at no additional charge to students. Prescriptions, if required, can be picked up from a local pharmacy. Some problems may require additional care, in which case students are referred to area professionals. Families will be notified if this referral is necessary. 

Students are prohibited from keeping certain types of prescription medications in their rooms (e.g., narcotics, psychotropics, stimulants). These medications must be retained and distributed by the Clinic. Students may keep over-the-counter medications in their rooms for their personal use (e.g., pain relievers, cold medications, stomach remedies, herbal remedies, vitamins, etc.).

The clinic is open Monday - Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. After hours and on the weekends students can reach out to CCs on duty for help; the CCs will contact a 24 hour telephone nursing service called UNC Nurse Connect to seek advice on how to aid your student.

Students may schedule telehealth appointments and in-person appointments, as well as medication drop-off/pick-up appointments. The Clinic is not open to drop-in appointments as it has been in the past.

• First Extended Preparation:

As students prepare for the first extended weekend it is important to understand that we use a special sign out for these weekends away from NCSSM:

• Halls close at 5pm on Friday, August 30th and reopen at noon on Monday, September 2nd.

• Students will sign a virtual Extended Sheet during hall meeting. On this form they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their location. 

• If a student is not departing early, is not returning to campus late, is not taking a train or Greyhound bus home, and their final destination is home or they are being picked-up by a parent/guardian, they do not need to submit a pass on Orah (our signout system).

• If a student is departing before the day the Extended Weekend begins or returning to campus late they will need to have a parent/guardian sign them out at Bryan desk or submit an overnight pass on Orah and sign out at Bryan desk with whomever is picking them up. 

• If a student's final destination is not home and they are not being picked up by a parent/guardian, or if they are taking the train or Greyhound bus, they will need to submit an overnight pass on Orah and sign out at the Bryan desk.

March Update

3/1/2024

• Latin America Fest:

The Latiné Student Union (LSU) would like to invite the NCSSM community to the second cultural fest of the year, Latin America Fest! Through a showcase of diverse talents, LSU will examine everything under the sun to discover the rich and diverse history of Latin America.

Latin America Fest: Under the Sun will be March 9 at 7:30pm. All are welcome to attend the event, but due to limited seating, audience members must RSVP here to reserve a seat. Please be prepared to show your email confirmation at the door.

• NCSSM Prom 2024:

The Prom Committee is excited to extend an invitation to all residential students to join us for a night at the Moonlit Meadows of Prom 2024. Prom will occur on April 13th from 8pm-12am at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. Click HERE for details about the event, how to purchase tickets,important forms, transportation options, and more!

Each year, the Prom Committee invites NCSSM families to participate in the festivities by volunteering the night of Prom at the Museum of Life and Science. There are many opportunities to be involved, from helping out with set up, to organizing the coat check, to serving appetizers, desserts, and drinks, to directing students throughout the museum, and of course the dash to clean everything up and pack it away in record time at the end of the night. Even if you can’t join us at the museum for prom night, you have the opportunity to purchase desserts for students to enjoy! For more information about volunteering at Prom, check out this link and be on the lookout for an email from Trish Aiello in the coming weeks for signups! 

In keeping with tradition, Student Life will also host an After Prom event for students to enjoy late night pizza in the PEC after prom ends. Additional details about the event and how to participate will be shared with students after Spring Break.

As you and your student make plans for Prom 2024, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Prom Coordinators at prom@ncssm.edu with any questions.

• Spring Break:

Residence halls will close on Friday, March 22nd at 5:00pm and will reopen on Monday, April 1st at 12:00pm. Since this is a long break students must unplug all items in their room, including fridges and fish tanks. Students should properly defrost their fridge to avoid puddles or mold growth over the break. Students are encouraged to take home as many items as possible that they will not need for the remainder of the year. 

• Move Out:

Juniors and Seniors will receive an email with information concerning move-out in the next week or two.  In the meantime, best practice is to start evaluating which items you may be able to take home over the upcoming spring break.  The more items you can get home over spring break and our final extended weekend of the year, the easier move-out will be for you. Good items to consider taking home are winter coats and clothes, extra furniture, and large items.

February Update

2/1/2024

• Senior Leadership Campus Service:

The Senior Leadership Campus Service (SLCS) selection process is underway! Almost twenty different assignments participate in this process so that juniors can apply for several positions. An overview of the process and the various positions can be found on the site. Please note that the SLCS process does not account for every senior campus service assignment. There are many opportunities for leadership in campus service to consider. Juniors should reach out to any employees that they may be interested in working with next year.

• Residence Halls Closing & Opening:

Just a quick reminder that the Residence Halls will be closing on Thursday, February 25th at 5:00pm. Halls will reopen on Sunday, February 28th at noon.

Per usual, students will complete an electronic Extended Sign-Out Form during hall meeting. On this form, they should indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their destination. If students have specific questions about checkout procedures for Extended Weekends, they can reach out to me. 

January Update

1/8/2024

• January Term:

January Term (J-Term) is a special session during which NCSSM provides significant opportunities for students to engage in unique educational experiences. These experiences include both regular coursework, offered in a different format, and unique learning opportunities beyond the standard curriculum, both in and out of the traditional classroom context. J-Term aims to engage students in a rigorous exploration of a subject area of great interest in a way that contributes to their academic and personal growth and serves them well in their future academic aspirations. J-Term also provides an opportunity for students to interact with their peers from our Morganton campus; some Morganton students will be visiting Durham for their classes, and vice-versa. J-Term travel courses also include students from both campuses.

• MLK Jr. Day of Service:

On Monday, January 15th, NCSSM will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy by having a day dedicated to community service, education, and unity. The day is considered part of the academic calendar and the expectation is that students participate fully in the day’s activities and events.

• Residence Halls Closing & Opening:

Residence Halls will be closing on Thursday, January 25th at 5:00pm. Halls will reopen on Sunday, January 28th at noon.

Students will complete an electronic Extended Sign-Out Form during hall meeting. On this form they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their destination. If students have specific questions about checkout procedures for Extended Weekends, they can find me on hall.

December Update

11/30/2023

• January Term:

Throughout January of each year, students take a break from regular coursework during J-Term to engage in employee-led educational opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Examples of past J-Term experiences include Capes and Culture, Introduction to Aviation, the Science of Breadmaking, Fantastic Fungi, and extended travel to Costa Rica or the American West. J-Term begins on January 3rd and ends on January 25th. You can view your student’s assigned J-Term class or classes on Blackbaud.

January Term (J-Term) is an essential part of the NCSSM Academic Program. Since class meeting patterns are different during J-Term, attendance is calculated differently. One unexcused hour of missed class will be recorded as one unexcused absence. J-Term is considered its own term for attendance purposes. The number of accumulated absences reverts to zero at the beginning of spring semester.

• Winter Break:

Can you believe that we have reached the halfway point for the year? With winter break beginning Friday, December 8th, I wanted to provide a breakdown of how students should prepare for these longer breaks. Residence Halls close on December 8th at 5:00pm. Halls will reopen on Tuesday, January 2nd at noon. Because this is a long break we require that students unplug all items in their room, including fridges and fish tanks. During room inspections next week, I will check that students have properly defrosted their fridges, so that we can avoid any puddles or mold growth over the break. Signing out for this break is handled similarly to an extended weekend:

• Students will complete an electronic Extended Sign-Out Form during hall meeting. On this form they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their location. 

• If a student is not departing early and their final destination is home or they are being picked-up by a parent/guardian, they do not need to fill out any other forms other than the Extended Sign-Out Form, including their LiveSafe app. 

• Students are free to leave campus for the break once they have completed their final exam of the week. If a student is departing before the day the break begins they will need to have a parent/guardian sign them out at Bryan desk or complete the Student Travel Permission Form. They will also need to sign out on the LiveSafe App. 

• If a student's final destination is not home and they are not being collected by a parent/guardian, or if they are taking the train or GreyHound bus, they will need to complete a Student Travel Permission Form, sign out on LiveSafe, and sign out at the Bryan desk.

November Update

11/1/2023

• Africa Fest:

NCSSM’s Black Student Union is proud to present the first cultural fest of the year, AFRICAFEST 2023: Our Gold Grows Within. The fest will be held on December 3rd at 4pm.

Our theme this year is Black Variety, highlighting the diversity and versatility of what it means to be Black. Join us as we delve into stereotypes, uplift the richness of our culture, and celebrate all the different expressions of being Black in America. This is a free event but we have limited seating so be on the lookout for tickets dropping soon!

• Progress Reports:

Don’t forget that the second set of progress reports for your students will be released on November 3rd. To view your student’s progress report you will need to log into blackbaud and select the “progress” tab. Then click where it says “report cards” to open all the progress reports for this year. Select either “Semester 1 - Durham” or “Semester 1 - Durham (no comments),” depending on whether you want to view grades and teacher feedback, or just grades.

If you have concerns about your student’s performance, please let me know. It is also important that your student reach out to their individual teachers, guidance counselor, and the Center for Advising and Academic Success for advice on how to improve. This is also a good time for students to evaluate whether they should be attending tutorials more often.

• SAB Winter Semi-Formal:

Semi-Formal, NCSSM’s annual winter dance, is Saturday, December 2nd from 8:30 – 10:55 PM in the PEC Gymnasium. All students are invited to enjoy the evening with friends and hallmates! There will be festive winter decorations, music, snacks, a photo booth, and dancing!

Students planning to attend are encouraged to bring semi-formal dress clothes back to campus after the break. Appropriate attire includes a dressy skirt, shirt and tie (jacket optional), dress pants, a dress, and dress shoes.

In keeping with tradition, several opportunities will be available for parents and families to be involved with Semi again this year. More information about how to provide support will be shared in the coming weeks. 

• Residence Halls Closing & Opening:

Just a quick reminder that there are several extended breaks scheduled over the next couple of months. In each instance, halls will close at 5pm on the closure date and reopen at noon on the opening date:

• Closed Friday, November 17th - Sunday, November 26th

• Closed Friday, December 8th - Tuesday, January 2nd

For the Thanksgiving and Winter breaks we ask that students unplug all items in the room. This includes fridges and fish tanks. Students should defrost their fridges completely and clean out excess water before they leave for the break. They should also make sure that they take any houseplants or fish home.

October Update

9/29/2023

• Student Activities Board:

As students adjust to the rigors of NCSSM it is also important for them to make time to have fun, relax, and enjoy all parts of the Science and Math experience. To that end, it is important that you and they know about the NCSSM Student Activities Board and all the amazing opportunities that it offers students. 

SAB is made up of student and employee volunteers from across campus. Under the supervision of Kori Willoughby, the Student Activities Coordinator, SAB meets every other Thursday throughout the year to plan activities and events for the student body. Meetings are open to all students.

Some popular SAB events, outside of major campus-wide events like Welcome Week, the Halloween Carnival & Costume Contest, Winter Semi-Formal Dance, Prom, and End-of-Year Celebrations, include:

• Friday Fun Day activities like grocery bingo and giant Twister

• Thursday Night Trivia in the Courtyard

• Weekend Movie Nights outdoors and in the Lecture Hall

• Block Parties on Hill Street

You can find out more about SAB and see upcoming events on their website.

• PSAT:

NCSSM will be administering the PSAT to the entire junior class on Wednesday, Oct. 11th. You do not need to do anything to register nor do you need to make a payment as that was part of the security deposit. If you think your student might qualify for a fee waiver, please email financial.assistance@ncssm.edu to get the information you need ASAP. Students may access the PSAT student guide electronically. If students would like to prepare further for this exam, they can do some practice problems through Khan Academy.

In preparation for Wednesday’s PSAT administration, we will follow a regular Wednesday schedule during the day on Monday, Oct. 9th. All juniors will take the PSAT in the morning on Wednesday; we will then follow an abbreviated Monday schedule that afternoon. Evening classes and Online webinars will meet on their normal Monday schedule.”

• 1:1s:

Over the next few weeks your students will be receiving emails from me to schedule 1-on-1 meetings. These meetings give me a chance to get to know your students better, respond to any issues they are having on hall or campus, get ideas about things they would like to see on hall, and just generally check in on how they are enjoying their time at NCSSM. 1:1s typically last between 20 and 30 minutes. We will have these meetings every semester.

• Progress Reports

As October draws to a close, faculty across campus will be completing grading assignments so that we can release second progress reports for your students on November 3rd. To view your student’s progress report you will need to log into Blackbaud and select the “progress” tab. Then click where it says “report cards” to open all the progress reports for this year. Select either “Semester 1 - Durham” or “Semester 1 - Durham (no comments),” depending on whether you want to view grades and teacher feedback, or just grades.

If you have concerns about your student’s performance, please let me know. I always meet with students who have multiple Cs or a D to help develop a plan for improvement, but will be happy to meet with anyone if there are concerns. It is also important that your student reach out to their individual teachers, guidance counselor, and the Center for Advising and Academic Success for advice on how to improve. This is also a good time for students to evaluate whether they should be attending tutorials more often.

• Residence Halls Closing & Opening:

Just a quick reminder that the Residence Halls will be closing on Friday, October 27th at 5:00pm. Halls will reopen on Monday, October 30th at noon.

Students will complete an electronic Extended Sign-Out Form during hall meeting. On this form they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their destination. If students have specific questions about checkout procedures for Extended Weekends, they should speak to me.

September Update

9/1/2023

• Family Day

Each September, NCSSM Durham invites families to campus for a fun and informative Family Day! On Saturday, September 9, 2023, families can experience a “day in the life” of their student as they walk through a condensed version of their student’s schedule. Families will envision the excitement of learning as they have the opportunity to meet their student’s instructors, counselors, and other key campus members, all while exploring NCSSM’s interactive classrooms and innovative learning spaces.

A detailed agenda for Family Day can be found here. In addition to meeting their student’s stellar teachers, families will have a chance to connect with other NCSSM families at the Parent Association hospitality table and visit the school store, where families can snag some awesome merchandise and show their school spirit!  

Families should RSVP by completing this registration form as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday, September 6.

• Each CC should also include any plans they have for being available to families on Family Day.  Are you scheduling meeting blocks, should families reach out if they want to chat, etc.  Are you hosting any activities that families can join?

• College Fair

The NCSSM Durham community is excited to host College Day on Thursday, September 28, at the end of the academic day from 3:15 to 5:30pm. This is an amazing opportunity for juniors and seniors to learn more about colleges across the country and explore what school might be right for them.

In the past representatives from more than 70 schools from around the country have been available to talk with students and families about their schools, the college admissions process, financial aid, and scholarships. More information about the schools represented at the college fair this year and student requirements for attendance will be shared in the coming weeks.

• Increasing Workload

Now that we have made it to the first extended weekend, students should be getting into the swing of things with classes and life at NCSSM. Around this time students will also notice their workload increasing. It is imperative for them to develop strong time management skills and learn to seek out help as they begin to face these new challenges. If needed, students can reach out to their CC and/or any of the following resources:

• Center for Advising and Academic Success (CAAS): CAAS serves all residential and online students during their time here at NCSSM. The purpose and function of the Center is to provide individual, ongoing, and real-time academic support and guidance for all students. Some of the CAAS services include:

  • providing guidance and advice for students on course choices and placement

  • providing academic consultation for students

  • developing and managing academic support plans 

  • communicating directly with student support teams

  • communicating/collaborating with Counseling on academic support

  • providing administrative support for Enrollment Services/Registrar

• Tutorials: Most classes and departments offer formal tutorials for students. These tutorial sessions are led by both faculty and student TAs. Tutorial sessions or resources can be found on each department’s website:

  • American Studies

  • Engineering and Computer Science

  • Fine Arts

  • Mathematics

  • Science

    • Science Department Academic Assistance

• Residential Education Courses: All juniors take RE102; in this course they learn about academic success strategies. The skills they develop and the resources provided by their instructor will be helpful to revisit as their workload increases.

• Progress Reports

As September draws to a close, faculty across campus will be completing grading assignments to release progress reports for students on September 22. To view student progress reports, families will need to log into Blackbaud and select the “progress” tab. Families will then click “report cards” to open all the progress reports for the year and select either “Semester 1 - Durham” or “Semester 1 - Durham (no comments),” depending on whether they want to view grades and teacher feedback, or just grades.

If families have concerns about their student’s performance, then please reach out to their student’s CC. CCs always meet with students who have multiple Cs or a D to help develop a plan for improvement, but will be happy to meet with anyone if there are concerns. It is also important that students reach out to their individual teachers, counselor, and the Center for Advising and Academic Success for advice on how to improve. This is also a good time for students to evaluate whether they should be attending tutorials more often.

• Residence Halls Closing & Opening

Just a quick reminder that the Residence Halls will be closing twice during September.

• Closed Friday, September 1st at 5:00pm.  Opens Monday, September 4th at noon.

• Closed Friday, September 29th at 5:00pm.  Opens Sunday, October 8th at noon.

Students will complete an electronic Extended Sign-Out Form during hall meeting.  On this form they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their destination.  If students have specific questions about checkout procedures for Extended Weekends, they should reach out to their CC.

Pics from Icebreakers & Convocation

(and a few candids)

August Update

8/20/2023

• How to contact Antavious:

• If you need me, I'm most reachable by email at antavious.ashe@ncssm.edu. I will always try to respond within 24 hours. 

  • I can also be reached by text or phone at (919) 416-2822. 

  • I'm very accessible to the students, and often, just floating around the halls. Students can feel free to knock my door, Room 203, if they need anything. 

• What to expect from CC’s monthly updates:

• On the 1st of each month, I will post an update to the blog section of our hall site & send an email to our Hall families notifying them of the update. These post will contain info about the prior month and things to keep an eye out for in the upcoming month. Typically, these will be updates on hall/campus events and reminders about upcoming events and deadlines. From time to time, there will be photos taken at Hall events.

• Roommates: 

• For many students, their time at NCSSM will be the first time they have experienced sharing a room with someone. It is natural for there to be some growing pains as students adjust their habits and learn to live together. For this reason, we encourage students to spend their first few weeks getting to know one another and discussing their sleep habits, study preferences, and what makes them feel comfortable in their shared space. After the first extended weekend, roommates will work together to craft a roommate agreement--- this agreement will outline how they will respect one another’s space, accommodate each other's sleep and study habits, what they can borrow and share with each other, and how they will keep their room clean. The agreement is a living document and can be revisited as needed throughout the year.

• While we hope that all students will get along well, it is possible that your students develop a conflict with their roommate that they may have trouble navigating on their own. If this occurs, you or your student should let Antavious know-- we will work with the students to mediate the conflict and find a mutual resolution. As mentioned in the Family Information Session before the school year, it is imperative that you speak only to your student about any conflict they are having and refrain from contacting the other student(s) involved or their families. 

• If the conflict continues, it may be discussed with either the Assistant Director (Vanessa Ponce) or Director of Housing and Residence Life (Michael Newbauer) to continue working towards a solution.

• NCSSM operates at full occupancy; therefore, room changes are not easy to accommodate. it. It is highly unlikely that any room changes will be approved during the first quarter of the school year.  Changing rooms is considered only if all conflict resolution options have been exhausted, a space is available, and the move is considered a positive step for all parties involved. For these reasons, a room change should not be viewed as a likely outcome to resolve a conflict.
  
  

• CCs and campus safety on-call: 

• CCs are available 24 hours a day to assist your students. 

  • The Bryan CC desk is staffed each day from 7:30am to 1:30am. All other CC building offices are staffed beginning at 6:30pm each day. Outside of these hours there will always be 2 CCs on call while students are on campus. The contact numbers for the on-call CCs are posted at each CC desk and can be viewed here. If your student has an emergency they are encouraged to reach out to the on duty CCs. 

• NCSSM also has Campus Safety Officers available 24 hours. They can be contacted at 919-416-2911
   

• Clinic:

• Student Health, often referred to as the Clinic, is located on the first floor of the Hunt Residence Hall. The Clinic is staffed by a nurse, medical assistant, and a family nurse practitioner. Our medical director oversees the Clinic’s daily operation and is present in the Clinic one day a week. The Clinic is staffed and equipped to manage most acute and chronic illnesses that occur while students reside at NCSSM. Common over-the-counter medications, bandages, splints, and crutches are dispensed at no additional charge to students. Prescriptions, if required, can be picked up from a local pharmacy. Some problems may require additional care, in which case students are referred to area professionals. Families will be notified if this referral is necessary. 

• Students are prohibited from keeping certain types of prescription medications in their rooms (e.g., narcotics, psychotropics, stimulants). These medications must be retained and distributed by the Clinic. Students may keep over-the-counter medications in their rooms for their personal use (e.g., pain relievers, cold medications, stomach remedies, herbal remedies, vitamins, etc.).

• The clinic is open Monday - Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. After hours and on the weekends students can reach out to CCs on duty for help; the CCs will contact a 24 hour telephone nursing service called Healthlink to seek advice on how to aid your student.

• Students may schedule telehealth appointments and in-person appointments, as well as medication drop-off/pick-up appointments. The Clinic is not open to drop-in appointments as it has been in the past.

• First Extended Preparation:

As students prepare for the first extended weekend it is important to understand that we use a special sign out for these weekends away from NCSSM:

• Halls close at 5pm on Friday, September 1st and reopen at noon on Monday, September 4th.

• Students will sign a virtual Extended Sheet during hall meeting. On this form they indicate where they are going for the break, who they are traveling with, and how they are getting to their location. 

• If a student is not departing early and their final destination is home or they are being picked-up by a parent/guardian, they do not need to fill out any forms other than the virtual Extended Sheet, including their LiveSafe app. 

• If a student is departing before the day the Extended Weekend begins they will need to have a parent/guardian sign them out at Bryan desk or complete the Student Travel Permission Form and sign out at Bryan desk with whomever is picking them up. They will also need to sign out on the LiveSafe App. 

If a student's final destination is not home and they are not being picked up by a parent/guardian, or if they are taking the train or Greyhound bus, they will need to submit the Student Travel Permission Form, sign out on LiveSafe, and sign out at the Bryan desk.