Hall Happenings

November Update

11/1/2024


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.


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. 


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.


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:


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

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:

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


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.


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.

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.


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



September Update

8/30/2024


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.



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.


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:


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.


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



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


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.



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. 


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.



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 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.
 

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.


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:


Note: You are now entering the Second hill archives. Everything after this point happened in years gone by. Enjoy a trip down memory lane.

May Update

5/1/2024

Juniors who do NOT wish to participate in Commencement must move out of their residence hall and check out with their CC between 12:00pm and 5:00pm on Thursday, May 23. Juniors who wish to remain on campus after exams to participate in end-of-year activities and Commencement must move out of their residence hall and check out with their CC prior to 2:00pm on Saturday, May 25. Due to the many end-of-year activities, staff will NOT be able to move out any students on Friday, May 24. Juniors who have not submitted the following form must do so as soon as possible to inform Student Life of their intended move out date.


Seniors must move out of their residence hall and check out with their CC prior to 2:00pm on Saturday, May 25. Due to the many end-of-year activities, staff will NOT be able to move out any students on Friday, May 24.


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. This Final Week Checklist will be posted by 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 move 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. Once all checkout procedures have been completed, the student will immediately leave campus. Students may not stay in another student’s room or lounge. Students may only return for the Commencement ceremony, if they choose to do so.


Students and families should review all documents to prepare for move out and consider taking items home over the extended weekend to make this process even easier. Students are also advised to return to campus with boxes to pack their belongings.


Class of 2024, 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 Sunday, May 19th at 7:00PM on Bryan Lawn to celebrate the end of your NCSSM journey and the beginning of Your Next Chapter.


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



Students who remain on campus May 23 & 24 are invited to enjoy a two day end-of-year celebration that will feature an outdoor field day, glow-in-the-dark kickball, inflatable water slide, Time Under the Tents with your favorite NCSSM employees, one last Hill Street block party, as well as food trucks, sweet treats, and more!


Please join us as we graduate our 43rd class of residential students on Saturday, May 25th 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 tickets: 2 tickets for the NCSSM Eilber Physical Education Center (PEC),  and 2 tickets to livestream locations around campus: the Auditorium, Lecture Hall, and Music Suite. If the ceremony is moved indoors, juniors will not participate in the ceremony and will not receive tickets to the PEC or reserved livestream locations. Juniors and their families will be invited to livestream the event from other locations. As a reminder, all students must move out of their residence hall rooms and check out with their CC no later than 2pm 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

4/2/2024


The Asian Student Association (ASA) would like to invite the NCSSM community to the last cultural fest of the year, Asiafest! ASA learns to confront diverse challenges through mutual understanding and collaboration to bring Asian unity and cultural appreciation to the next level.


Asiafest: The Next Level will be April 20th at 6pm. All are welcome to attend the event, but due to limited seating, audience members must reserve a slot here (at no cost). Please be prepared to show your email confirmation at the door.


The Senior Leadership Campus Service process is coming to a close. Senior Leadership announcements will be sent out on Tuesday, April 16 at 4:00pm and applicants will have until Friday, April 19 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.

On Saturday, April 13th, NCSSM’s 2024 Prom “Moonlit Meadows” will take place in the Museum of Life and Science. Pre-sale tickets are $50 and may be purchased here until April 12th, 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 fill out the Student Travel Permission form with those details by April 8th.


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.



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 17.  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

3/1/2024


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.


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.


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. 


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


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.


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 (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.


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 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


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.



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:

November Update

11/1/2023


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!



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.



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. 



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:


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


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:

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


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.”


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.

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.


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


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.



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.


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:


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.


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

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










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:

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.

May Update

5/3/2023


We  have two end of year events specific to our hall:  2nd Hill Feed the Streets, and 2nd Hill Day

Juniors, if you do NOT wish to participate in Commencement, then you must move out of your residence hall and check out with your CC between 12:00pm and 5:00pm on Thursday, May 25. If you wish to remain on campus after exams to participate in end-of-year activities and Commencement, then you must move out of your residence hall and check out with your CC prior to 2:00pm on Saturday, May 27. You should have completed this form by May 1 indicating your plans. Seniors, you must move out of your residence hall and check out with your CC prior to 2:00pm on Saturday, May 27.


The week leading up to move out students will have specific tasks to complete in their room to ensure they are preparing for move out. This Final Week Checklist will be posted by each room on hall and will be checked nightly by your CC. Please note that you will NOT be permitted to attend hall or campus events until your CC confirms that all tasks have been completed.


Once you are ready to move out, your CC will stop by your room and confirm that you have properly followed all Checkout Procedures. The resident and legal guardian will need to be present at this moment to sign the Room Condition Report. Once you have moved out, you should leave campus. Students may not stay in other students’ rooms or in lounges. You may only return for Commencement if you choose to do so.


Please review these documents to prepare for move out and consider taking items home to make this process even easier. I also advise that you return with boxes to pack your belongings. CCs will share specific information about move-out procedures for their halls, so be on the lookout for that soon.


Students who remain on campus on May 26 & 27 are invited to enjoy a two day end-of-year celebration that will feature an outdoor field day, inflatable water slides, Senior Dessert, Time Under the Tents with your favorite NCSSM employees, one last Hill Street block party, as well as food trucks, sweet treats, and more!


Please join us as we graduate our 41st class of residential students on Saturday, May 28 at 10:00am on Watts Lawn. The ceremony is open only to NCSSM seniors and their families. NCSSM juniors will not be participating in Commencement. At this time, we are not anticipating restrictions regarding the number of family members per senior who can attend. No tickets are required UNLESS inclement weather necessitates moving indoors. If Commencement is moved indoors, each senior will receive 4 tickets: 2 tickets for the NCSSM Eilber Physical Education Center (PEC) and 2 tickets to livestream locations around campus: the Auditorium, Lecture Hall, and Music Suite. Guests may arrive on campus starting at 8:00am. There is no assigned seating. We ask that everyone be in their seats by no later than 9:45am. 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

4/7/2023

“The Black Student Union (BSU) is thrilled to announce the last cultural fest of the year, AFRICAFEST: Love in Between! Please join us as we highlight different cultural experiences across the African diaspora by exploring our theme, Black Joy is an Act of Resistance, which celebrates the richness of our cultures and the reclamation of Black Humanity. We can not wait to showcase the uniqueness of what makes us whole, happy, and tells our stories!


All are welcome to attend the event, but due to limited seating, tickets (at no cost) will be required for admittance. Please be on the lookout for ticketing information coming soon!”



“The Senior Leadership Campus Service process is coming to a close. Senior Leadership announcements will be sent out on Monday, April 17 at 4:00pm and applicants will have until Thursday, April 20 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.”


March Update

3/1/2023

The Prom Committee is excited to extend an invitation to all residential students to attend NCSSM's annual formal event. This year, NCSSM's Prom will occur on April 15th at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. Click HERE for details about the event, how to purchase tickets, transportation options, family volunteer opportunities, 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, serving appetizers, desserts, and drinks, 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. For more information about volunteering at Prom, check out this link. This year, the Prom Coordinators would also like to provide families who are unable to volunteer with an opportunity to purchase desserts for students to enjoy. More information about how to contribute will be available soon!


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 the extended.


As you and your student make plans for Prom 2023, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Prom Coordinators at prom@ncssm.edu with any questions.


Residence halls will close on Friday, March 31st at 5:00pm and will reopen on Monday, April 10th 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. This is also the last break of the year, so students are encouraged to move out as many items as possible to make move out in May much easier.


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!



February Update

2/6/2023

The Asian Student Association (ASA) is excited to announce that NCSSM's second cultural fest of the year is AsiaFest! Enjoy amazing performances as we explore our theme, Our Reign Reborn, to examine traditional Asian cultures and understand contemporary AAPI issues along the way. Join us to build a new dynasty on February 11 at 7:00pm in the ETC Auditorium! 


All are welcome to attend the event, but due to limited seating, tickets (at no cost) will be required. Please be on the lookout for ticketing information coming soon!


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 with just one application. 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.


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



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.


The beginning of our 2nd Semester is a great opportunity to remind you about some of our rules and guidelines. As always, a great resource for students and families is the Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook. Student Services wanted to share some reminders and add clarity to a few frequently asked questions. 


Minor violations do not stack, meaning that multiple minor violations of the code of conduct (even of the same policy) do not combine into a major violation. However, repeated violations of the code may be evaluated when determining consequences for a violation, and could result in different, greater, or more expansive consequences.  


We also want to make sure that students understand that minor violations are just that, minor. That said, the policies and rules we have in place are there to protect student safety and ensure a healthy living-learning environment for all students. When a student is found responsible for a minor violation the accompanying consequences and conversations are meant to help restore a student’s safety and help them understand how their actions impact themselves, others, and the community as a whole. 

 

Some potential violations of the code of conduct can be either a minor or major violation based on specific circumstances. For instance, if a student is in another building after inbuilding check, that is a major violation because the safety risk is greater. Once students sign check, we assume they are in the building and would direct firefighters to rescue a student if we have to evacuate. 


These reminders are not exhaustive so if you have a specific question, feel free to reach out to your CC or the Conduct Response Team at conduct@ncssm.edu. You can also find more details on minor violations beginning on page 4 of the Code of Student Conduct.

January Update

1/9/2023


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.


On Monday, January 16th, 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.


Just a quick reminder that the Residence Halls will be closing on Thursday, January 26th at 5:00pm. Halls will reopen on Sunday, January 29th at noon.

 

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 should speak to me.



December Update

12/2/2022

The Latiné Student Union (LSU) would like to invite the NCSSM community to attend Latin America Fest on December 2nd at 7:00pm in the ETC Auditorium. Through a showcase of diverse talents, we hope to examine the meaning of our theme, Cruzando Fronteras (Crossing Borders), as we explore migration across nations and the journey into the spirit world.


All are welcome to attend the event, but due to limited seating, tickets (at no cost) will be required. Reserve your ticket here! If you are unable to attend, don’t worry! Here's a link to the live stream.


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 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 4th and ends on January 26th. 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.


Can you believe that we have reached the halfway point for the year? With winter break beginning Friday, December 10th I wanted to provide a breakdown of how students should prepare for these longer breaks. Residence Halls close on December 9th at 5:00pm. Halls will reopen on Tuesday, January 3rd 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 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. Signing out for this break is handled similarly to an extended weekend:

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

11/2/2022


Don’t forget that the second set of progress reports for your students will be released on November 4th. 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.”


Semi-Formal, NCSSM’s annual winter dance, is Saturday, December 3rd from 9:00 – 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. 


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:


 

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

10/17/2022


“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 Taylor Parsons, 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 the Halloween Carnival & Costume Contest, Winter Semi-Formal Dance, Prom, and End-of-Year Celebrations, include:

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


“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.”


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 4th. 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.” 


September Update

9/1/2022


Family Day is an opportunity for students and families to participate in activities that share aspects of living and learning at NCSSM. Come meet your student’s instructors, counselors, and other members of the campus community, while getting a first-person feel for your student’s schedule. This year Family Day is on Saturday, September 17.


The Tentative Family Day Schedule is now available, but please keep an eye out for a finalized version and more details as Family Day approaches. A copy of your student’s schedule will be released electronically the week before Family Day, and paper copies will be available at the registration desk.


The NCSSM Community is excited to host college day on our Durham campus on Friday, September 16, at the end of the academic day from 3:30 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 future.


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.


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. Students can reach out to their CC and/or any of the following resources:

Residential Education Classes: All juniors take RE102; during the fourth week of class they will be learning about academic success strategies. The skills they develop and the resources provided by their instructor will be helpful to revisit as they face challenges throughout the year. 


As September draws to a close, faculty across campus will be completing grading assignments so that we can release progress reports for your students on September 23rd. 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.


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

 

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.

Some Pictures from Orientation and Karaoke Night

Some reminders for the start of the year

9/1/2021


As mentioned in the email sent on behalf of the Chancellor last week, to safeguard the health of our campus community, the NCSSM tradition of Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 18, will be in a virtual rather than the in-person format we had originally planned.


The virtual Family Day experience will feature a chance to navigate your student’s class schedule, meet each of their instructors, and experience a sample of what they are learning in each course. We will offer you this experience via Zoom, which will take place on the scheduled date of Sept. 18 between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. 


No later than Sept. 16, you will receive a personalized class schedule for your student with Zoom links for each class period. At that time, we will also send schedule information for the session about college visits and financial aid. 


NCSSM will also be working with the NCSSM Parent Association to schedule other opportunities through the course of the fall semester for small groups of parents who wish to visit and experience life on campus while school is in session.


Preparing for Family Day:  If you haven’t signed into Blackbaud or your NCSSM email account recently, please do so as soon as possible, and if you have any login issues, submit an ITS help ticket right away. If you are inexperienced with Zoom, we recommend that you download the Zoom app for your computer, tablet, or mobile phone and practice attending a Zoom meeting with your student or a friend.


In the meantime, please use this Google Form while signed into your NCSSM email to submit any questions you may have about Family Day 2021.


If you have any questions for me and would like to speak on family day or any other time, please reach out and we can schedule a phone call or zoom meeting.” 


I wanted to remind you that the Student Health Services Clinic is available between 8am and 4pm Monday -Friday.  Outside of those hours students should go to the nearest open CC desk for assistance.  CCs can contact a telehealth service to assist students. The clinic is not open to non-emergency walk-ins.  Students should schedule a telehealth, medicine pickup, or sports physical appointment using the Clinic Appointment Form, which can be found in the resources page of Blackbaud. If a student needs to be seen in person following a telehealth appointment, the clinic staff will schedule that visit. 


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. Students can reach out to their CC and/or any of the following resources:



How to sign out

9/17/2020

NCSSM has a very thorough sign-out procedure that varies based on the intended destination and the person(s) accompanying the student. To try an make this complex system a little easier to understand, please take a look at this flow chart. This chart will wall you through all the possible types of sign-out here at NCSSM. If you have any questions, please let me know, and I will be more than happy to help. 

Welcome back

8/7/2020

Watts Hospital, the building at the heart of NCSSM's campus, was built in 1908. Listed on the National Register of Historic places, Watts Hospital has survived two World Wars, the 1918 Influenza Epidemic, and the Great Depression. In times like these, that 112 year old copula gives me hope that we will make it through anything. NCSSM has always been a resilient community of innovators, perpetually pushing to better the world around them. As I look toward the start of NCSSM's 40th year of operation I am continually filled with hope as we work to educate the brightest minds in the nation. I know these kids will go on to be the astronauts, scientists, and engineers that will one day be responsible for managing and bettering society. I take great comfort in that somehow, despite the fact that the majority of my job is to stop them from burning the place down. 

It has been a long and quiet summer and I cannot wait for campus to once again buzz with curious minds. It was not too long ago that I was a student here at NCSSM, just trying to figure everything out. The community that NCSSM builds is truly unlike any other. The relationships that are formed here can, quite literally, last a lifetime. I should know. I met my wife here, and I even proposed on the front steps of Hill. Truly, NCSSM means the world to me, and without her students, NCSSM would be nothing. So with all of that said, I want to personally welcome all the students of NCSSM (and particularly those of Second Hill) to campus.

Thank you all so much for being here (whether virtually or in person). I cannot wait to get the year underway.  


All the best, 

Mat

a brief update on covid-19

2/27/2020

The COVID-19 virus, better known as the coronavirus, has been a hot topic around NCSSM’s campus for the last few days. This has been especially true as we welcome back many of our students that have been traveling abroad for Mini Term. There will be additional information coming out in the near future from the Vice Chancellor of Student Services, Terry Lynch. To give you a little bit more info before that comes out I wanted to share with you some information directly from the CDC on the matter:


Situation in U.S.

Imported cases of COVID-19 in travelers have been detected in the U.S. Person-to-person spread of COVID-19 also has been reported among close contacts of returned travelers from Wuhan. On February 25, CDC confirmed COVID-19 in a person who reportedly did not have relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient with COVID-19 (unknown exposure). At this time, this virus is NOT currently spreading in the community in the United States.

Risk Assessment

Outbreaks of novel virus infections among people are always of public health concern. The risk from these outbreaks depends on characteristics of the virus, including how well it spreads between people, the severity of resulting illness, and the medical or other measures available to control the impact of the virus (for example, vaccine or treatment medications). The fact that this disease has caused illness, including illness resulting in death, and sustained person-to-person spread is concerning. These factors meet two of the criteria of a pandemic. As community spread is detected in more and more countries, the world moves closer toward meeting the third criteria, worldwide spread of the new virus.

The potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, both globally and to the United States.

But individual risk is dependent on exposure.

For more information, please follow this link to the CDC website. 

NCSSM will be following suit with all UNC decisions on the situation. For more information, please follow this link. 

I want to reiterate that NCSSM has pandemic plans in place for outbreak scenarios, but at this point there is NO active spread of the virus in the United States. If you have further questions or concerns I want to direct you to our Vice Chancellor, Terry Lynch, who is currently heading up this process. 


-CC Mat

A Deeper dive into mini term

2/12/2020

In this week’s post I want to take a moment to talk about Mini Term, what it is, and how it affects our students. Mini Term (to be called J-Term next year) is a two week long period nestled between the second and third trimester. The whole purpose of Mini Term is to allow students time to focus on passion projects and travel. To this end, many NCSSM teachers and staff run classes on niche topics and specific interests. For instance, Captain Rash, one of our math teachers, has his private pilot license and spends the weeks teaching students how to get into aviation, including taking them up in his private plane. Moreover, many professors plan incredible trips abroad to discuss culture and language. The transformative nature of these trips cannot be overstated. 

And those are just a few of the more specific things going on around campus during Mini Term. Many students opt to do an independent project of their own design. In fact, on Second Hill our own Daequan Peele will be running a podcasting project. Daequan will be interviewing students on campus and on hall to delve deeper into the NCSSM experience. His work so far has been wonderfully insightful, a real glimpse into a day in the life of an NCSSM student. Please take a listen to what he has done so far here. You will not be disappointed.   

Finally, I want to speak to some of the modifications to hall life that occur over Mini Term. This year almost all of our RLA team will be traveling abroad. To fill that role for the time being, several enterprising juniors have volunteered to be mini-RLAs. These mini-RLAs will take housekeeping and run the hall just as the normal RLAs would, with the caveat that Emerson and I will be present at all times to make sure that things go smoothly. This proves to be an excellent opportunity for RLA hopefuls to demonstrate and develop their skills as hall leaders. 

With all of that said, I want to wish you and your students a restful tri break and a happy mini term!


-CC Mat


Second Hill Super Bowl Party

2/2/2020

We has a great turn out and quite the spread for our Super Bowl party this year! It was a great game, and a fun time to just hang out and relax. 

Fun with face masks

1/15/2020

Second Hill had a blast hanging out with 3rd Beall for a relaxing evening of face masks and conversation. Check out more pictures below!

Three tips for winter break

12/15/2019

Since the break is just about upon us, I want to take a moment to talk tips for heading home. There are really three things to keep in mind:

First, make sure to remind you student to start packing the day or so before you plan to head out. Being able to head out of class and straight to the car/bus/train makes things so much smoother and less stressful. 

Second, make sure to remind your student to start cleaning their room ahead of time. We do weekly room checks so nothing should be too bad. But when heading home for a break this long it is critical that everything is left perfectly clean. That means trash to the dumpsters, dirty clothes washed or taken home, and refrigerators dethawed and empty.

Third, make sure to remind your student to unplug everything. Yes, everything. The school tries to cut down on electricity over the break. Unplugging everything really helps us to save on waste and expense. Not to mention the fact that forgotten alarm clocks can slowly drive CC’s still in the buildings crazy. 

Thanks for taking the time to make sure this break is great both on and off campus. 


-CC Mat


Self-care: an often overlooked key to success

11/21/2019

Self-care, and the lack thereof, has been a rising topic of concern among academically gifted youth. With the pressures of finding a great college, maintaining a friend group, and even just day to day class constantly on their minds, students are apt to lose track of their own well being. It often seems that there are simply not enough hours in the day to keep up with all the obligations of being an NCSSM student. With this in mind, I want to talk a little about how you can support your student in self-care as we head into the break. 

It often comes as a surprise to parents that NCSSM students are often their own worst critics. That is to say, many of our students are harder on themselves than their teachers and peers. It is this drive for perfection that pushes many of our students to lofty heights. That said, it is this same drive that can cause students to burnout. Burning out is perhaps one of the single greatest threats facing students of NCSSM. Pushing to the point of mental and often physical exhaustion is no route to success. Depression, anxiety, and impostor syndrome are all very real and very powerful mental illnesses that can come from burnout. That said, it is the role of the Community Coordinator staff and the parents to try and support our students to the fullest extent. We are the first line of defense against student burnout. 

To push that thought a little further, consider making your student a priority this break. Let them relax to the fullest. Whether that means staying in and watching Netflix all day or going out into nature to get some fresh air, whatever it is, make sure that your student is able to unwind. It is important that we let them distance themselves from school during the break. Too often I hear about students pushing to work ahead over break, or picking up school related extracurriculars. I want to push you, as parents, to encourage your students to close the books and put away the pencils as best they can during break. 

Self-care is, perhaps, the most commonly overlooked aspect of student life at NCSSM. Just at is is easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, so too is it easy to get wrapped up in the headlong drive for perfection at NCSSM. Consider this a gentle reminder to check in with your student, make sure they are taking care of themselves physically and mentally. And remember, properly relaxing is just as much a part of student success as studying. 


-CC Mat


Tips for thanksgiving break

11/11/2019

My how time flies. Thanksgiving break is already just around the corner. With Thanksgiving break being one of our first full week breaks of the year, I wanted to give some helpful tips as everyone heads home. 

The first thing to consider is the state of your student’s wardrobe. With limited space available, we always recommend that you take home all of your student’s summer clothes at the beginning of the Thanksgiving break. When you return, be sure to bring back that winter wardrobe. NCSSM can get pretty cold, especially with the impending cold front. Make sure that your student has the clothes they need to be comfortable walking around campus and around town. 

On the note of clothes, make sure that there are no dirty clothes left behind when you leave. Dirty laundry in a sealed room for over a week has a way of smelling remarkably bad. To prevent any unpleasant surprise when you return, make sure that all of those clothes are either washed before departure or taken home. 

In another effort to keep things smelling and looking clean, please make sure that your student takes out their trash and does their dishes before they leave. Like I said before, these rooms are great at growing things and attracting insects if food is left out for extended periods. Also make sure that all of the food is taken out of the fridge. Fridges and other large appliances must be unplugged for the break. Make sure to remind you student to defrost their fridge ahead of time! Leaving any moisture in a closed fridge over the break will inevitably lead to mold growth. 

With all of that in mind, I want to wish all of you and your students a very pleasant Thanksgiving break. Please enjoy some quality time together.


-CC Mat


Let's Talk About Forms...

10/30/2019

One of the most common complaints we get from families is the nature of our sign out system. No doubt it can be a bit complex and confusing at times, but rest assured that everything is in place for a reason. Safety is our number one priority, and to be able to maintain that safety we need to be able to account for students. To that end, I wanted to take a moment to give a little refresher on the forms and sign out procedures we have here at NCSSM. There are really three forms to keep in mind. 

First is the standard front desk sign out. Every time your student is leaving campus overnight or traveling more than 30 miles away, they MUST stop by Bryan desk to sign out. This is true if they are leaving with a legal parent/guardian or if they are leaving with anyone else. At the desk you (or the person picking up your student) will fill out a from and have their ID checked. This is the critical part. We need to see a form of legal ID before a student leaves with any individual. This is to ensure that the student has left campus with an approved individual. 

On the note of approved individuals, it is important to talk about the Student Travel Permission Form. You can find this form over on the important links page of this website. The student travel permission form only needs to be completed if your student will be leaving campus overnight or traveling a distance of more than 30 miles from the campus with anyone OTHER THAN their legal guardian. We ask that you please fill this form out 48 hours before the student is to be picked up. After you or your student submits this form we call the parent/legal guardian on record with the school to get parental permission. Without this permission we cannot let your student leave campus with anyone other than their legal guardian. And remember, whoever is picking up the student still needs to come to the front desk to sign them out and have their ID checked.  

Finally, we need to talk about LiveSafe. We currently use LiveSafe to help keep track of students at all times. Thus, ANY time a student leaves campus they should be signing out on LiveSafe. Leaving with a parent, signout on LiveSafe. Leaving with a family friend, sign out on LiveSafe. Heading to 9th street with friend, sign out with LiveSafe. LiveSafe acts as a safety net so that no matter what we have record of where students are. It is an excellent back up, just in case someone forgets to sign out elsewhere.

I know all of that is a lot. But keeping track of nearly 700 geniuses is also no small task. Thanks so much for taking the time to sign your student out accurately every time. It helps us tremendously, and, in turn, allows us to make  the campus a safer place. 

-CC Mat


Beating Exam Season Stress

 10/15/2019

Having once been a student here at NCSSM, I can attest to the incredible pressure that exam season brings. Between heavily weighted finals and large-scale projects, it is easy for NCSSM students to get wildly overwhelmed. It is for this reason that I want to talk about how important it is to support our students. Here at NCSSM we believe in a multifaceted support network consisting of family, academic counseling advisers, community coordinators, and the student community as a whole. 

As exams approach, it is important to remind students that this support network is in place specifically to help them when times are tough. In saying that, I want to extend a friendly reminder to check in with students and make sure that they are feeling supported in this difficult time. Ask if there is anything you can do to help. Students may need to draw on only some aspects of their support network for help, but it is critical that they know their network is vast and always in their corner. 

A big part of being in their corner is simply reminding your students that you are proud of their accomplishments and that you believe in their abilities. I am continually astounded by just how intelligent NCSSM students can be. Sometimes they need reminded of just how great they are. In keeping with that idea, Emerson and I will be running stress busting programs through the rest of the month to give students some respite from exam season. 

I want to leave you, then, with something to think about, a quote from Mister Rogers:

"In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers."


-CC Mat

What’s in a hall program?

 10/1/2019

It may seem like a simple question. As a literal definition, it need be nothing more than an event that in some way relates to a list of learning outcomes and strives to make some positive change in the community. It is this seemingly simple definition that hides what can truly make a hall program successful. Let’s think about it in terms of movies. A standard movie has a beginning, a middle, an end, and a climax somewhere in between. This too is a simple formula, and yet we have all seen our fair share of bad movies. Thus, as Emerson and I have been moving forward with programming on hall we have been careful to plan events that not only meet NCSSM criteria but also appeal to the students here on Second Hill. 

Having only been here for a few short weeks, we have already had some great programs on hall. Last week we had the inaugural Second Hill Super Smash Bros. Tournament. Now I know the idea of playing video games as a hall doesn’t necessarily sound educational. However, I can assure you the friendships (and perhaps rivalries) built during a video game tournament can help create connections that will last a lifetime. A hall is nothing without a community. And besides our champion, Carson Cole, got to take home the trophy, a golden plunger, for the month. Who will be our winner next month? Well you will just have to wait and see!

As we move into the month of October, Emerson and I have planned lots of great programs. From rock climbing to discussing the cultural intricacies of modern anime, we really have packed this month with some great material. I think we are just as excited as the students for some of these. As always, you can find the full calendar of events back on the home page. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns you can find our contact info over on the contact us page. 

Now I want to leave you with just this last, little tidbit. Almost all of hall programming here at NCSSM is completely voluntary. With that in mind, Emerson and I strive to plan events that students want to come to. Our job is to foster a community by catering to its interests and passions. I am happy to say that this year we are already off to a wonderful start. The level of excitement and support for programming on Second Hill has be absolutely astounding. I can only imagine great things from the year to come. 

 

-CC Mat Trn

 

 

Coming Home

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

The more things change, the more they stay the same

 

I suppose there is an element of self-fulfilling prophecy in these words penned by 18th century critic, Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr. In fact, I first heard this phrase in the song “Circumstances” by the legendary Canadian rock band “Rush.” It’s a strange thing how those words were no less true in 2008, when I first listened to them, than when they were first recorded in 1978. That same notion comes to mind as I return to NCSSM after nearly a half decade of college, research, and entrepreneurship. The school itself has changed in innumerable ways since the days when I was a student here. Hand-written sign out cards are a thing of the archaic past, professors have come and gone, and Uber has revolutionized how students get around. And yet despite all that change, the heart of NCSSM, the incredible community of students and educators, has somehow remained just the way I remembered.

It is hard to put words to the complexity and intricacy that is the NCSSM community. I think at its core the community builds from a shared passion for excellence in learning, an intense and headlong pursuit for knowledge. There is something effervescent about the atmosphere here. The shared passion and ambition builds relationships that last lifetimes. I can personally attest to that notion, having met my wife here at NCSSM. The connections and friendships developed during time at NCSSM are certainly just as essential to future success as the wealth of knowledge gained through course work. It can be said, then, that the power of the NCSSM experience is derived from no one aspect of the school, but rather the culmination of the diverse thoughts and actions brought forward by its community.

It is this community that has brought me back to NCSSM. I am not alone in saying that there are few places on Earth so special in their living and learning environment. It is a powerful statement to say that an institution founded on innovation, on constant and consistent change can have truly stayed absolutely the same over the course of its existence. That is to say, here NCSSM stands, strong and unchanging in its commitment to continually change and grow with the times. It is my hope that in returning to this community, I may be able to foster the next generation of innovators and creators, the minds that will tackle some of the greatest problems of our generation. To return to this community, to become a part of it once more, is the realization of a dream born the day I graduated from NCSSM; a dream of keeping this incredible place exactly the same as it always has been: always changing.


-CC Mat Trn



EXTENDED WEEKEND REMINDERS

Residence halls will be closing for our first extended weekend of the year on Friday, August 30 at 5:00 PM. and will re-open on Monday, September 2 at 12:00 PM. Students whose rides will arrive later than 5:00 PM on Friday are asked to wait with their belongings in the Bryan Lobby. We have covered all of this in Hall meetings with students. 

As a reminder, all students going home for extended and returning before 10:00 PM curfew on Monday, September 2, will sign out on the extended destination sheet shared at our hall meeting. 

If your student is going somewhere other than home with an individual other than a parent/guardian, they will need to sign out with an on-duty CC at the Bryan desk and will need parent/guardian permission.

If your student will be returning after curfew on Monday they will also need to sign out at the Bryan desk and will need parent/guardian permission.

—

A few additional FAQs about Extended Weekends:

Students do have class on Friday; they are free to leave campus after their last class.

If a student has already signed up to return home via one of the charter buses available:

Students traveling home by AMTRAK or Greyhound should submit a student travel permission form AND arrange for a CC transport to the station by contacting an on-duty CC at the Bryan desk (preferably 24 hours in advance of their departure). Transports typically depart from Bryan lobby at 4:30 PM on the day halls close. AMTRAK pickups are also available after 12:00 PM on the day residence halls open and can be arranged in advance at the Bryan desk.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Have a safe and happy extended!

photos from Week #3 - Capture the Flag, an Impromptu Locopops Trip, & some IM soccer substitute action. 

Some pictures from the first week of school - enjoying free time while it lasts!