REACH Program Parent Blog

Dear Freshman Parents,

Spring break is almost here! Please keep The College’s schedule in-mind as you start making arrangements.

Spring Break Timeline

–Friday, March 4^th Students must be prepared to leave their dorm after their final class of the day.

–Monday, March 7^th – Friday, March 11^th No class.

-Sunday, March 13^th Dorms reopen.

Freshman in the REACH program are required to leave their dorm in Kelly House on Friday after their last class. There are no exceptions for students to stay on campus as we cannot guarantee assistance in the residence building. Please confirm your student’s travel plans, and send us a copy, including their flight itinerary (if applicable) as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

REACH Program

Dear Parents,

In an email sent out on 1/28/22, the College informed students there would not be “enough spaces for all students who wish to live on campus” next year. This does not apply to students in the REACH Program. Over the next couple of weeks, coordinators will be meeting with students to finalize their housing selections for next year.

Please discuss residence hall options with your student (prices vary based on selection) so they will know what to select.

Sincerely,

REACH PROGRAM

Dear Parents,

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break! Is it just me or has this semester flown by?

We have a few updates to share with you as we look toward the end of the semester. The College has started to send out important information and updates regarding COVID-19 protocols for the spring semester and students’ return to campus after winter break. We ask that you follow up with your student over break to ensure that a plan is established. Please reference the following information sent by The College:

“So that we can strive for a safe and healthy spring semester, our campus leadership team will require all returning and incoming College of Charleston students to submit one of the following by midnight, January 5, 2022.

1. Proof of a complete series of COVID-19 vaccines*(2 Moderna, 2 Pfizer or 1 Johnson & Johnson vaccine) with the last dose being given on or before December 21, 2021. Upload documentation at: cofc.edu/vax-upload.

*Students who have already uploaded their complete vaccine documentation are not required to upload their information again.

2.   COVID-19 test results uploaded to: https://forms.gle/KWJEzYWDczXgewR26
   a. COVID-19 tests MUST be performed between Monday, December 27, and Wednesday, January 5. College of Charleston will accept PCR, Antigen (rapid or standard) tests and self-administered tests (ex: Binax Now). Note: Self-administered tests must be labeled with the student’s name and the date the test was taken written in pen on the test card. All test results must show the date of the test, the result and the student’s name.
   b. Please plan ahead as some labs may experience delays in providing test results due to the holidays.
   c. Students who test positive will need to stay away from campus until the end of their isolation period.
3.   A recent positive COVID-19 test documented after Wednesday, October 6, 2021, uploaded to: https://forms.gle/KWJEzYWDczXgewR26

Please note that limited exemptions to these requirements will be approved for students who are not taking classes during the spring 2022 semester or who are enrolled in virtual-only programs. Exemption requests should be submitted using the following form: https://forms.gle/3zkq77mYRnj1hYCp6

Not complying with the above requirements will have consequences for residential and non-residential students, which are described below.

Residential Students:

• Non-compliance by scheduled move-in date: Not permitted to move-in/return to residence halls and historic houses and Cougar Card deactivation
• Non-compliance by January 17: Hold placed on account
• Non-compliance by January 31: $100 fine
• Non-compliance by February 14: Additional $100 fine
• Course registration will begin in March and the hold will prevent registration

Non-Residential Students:

• Non-compliance by January 17: Hold placed on account
• Non-compliance by January 31: $100 fine and Cougar Card deactivation
• Non-compliance by February 14: Additional $100 fine
• Course registration will begin in March and hold will prevent registration

For the remainder of the current semester and for the beginning of the spring semester, the College will continue to require face coverings in our classrooms and inside all campus facilities. The only exceptions are some exercise facilities, namely Johnson Gym, Silcox Gym and the George Street Fitness Center.  

We will continue to monitor the health and wellbeing of our campus community closely and follow the recommendations of public health agencies and best practices at other institutions of higher education. 

We appreciate your compliance and look forward to another successful semester. ” 

Sincerely,

REACH Program

Dear Parents,

Your student is almost finished with their first semester of college! It might seem like you just dropped off your student at Kelly House, but a lot has changed in your student’s life in this short period of time.

We have listed a few helpful suggestions for welcoming your student back home for the Thanksgiving break:

1. Ask questions, but don’t be disappointed if you don’t get all the answers.
2. Avoid over-planning. Your student has experienced a lot of changes and may need some extra time to unwind.
3. Be honest about your expectations. Do you still expect your student to attend Sunday night dinners when they are home? Should they continue to clean up after themselves and wash their own clothes as they do in college?
4. Avoid criticism. While your student may show some maturity and growth, it may not be to the level you expected. Remember, they still have 3.5 years of education to go in their four-year college journey.

The article: “5 Things to Know Before Your College Student Comes Home for the Holidays” offers some helpful insight, as well.

Wishing you and your family a safe, happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

REACH Program

For updates and information, please follow our Instagram and Facebook pages: IG: cofcreachprogram FB: @REACHCofC

Dear Parents,

This morning, the freshman cohort gathered during class to say goodbye to Jessica on her last day. We wish her the best of luck as her family relocates to Seattle, Washington!

We are excited to welcome Kendra Kimbro to the REACH Program as our new Freshman Coordinator! She is an experienced professional with a wealth of knowledge and experience in post-secondary programs. She looks forward to meeting the freshman cohort after Thanksgiving Break!

Sincerely,

Claire Holm

Dear Parents,

The holiday season is approaching! With thanksgiving break right around the corner we ask that you please keep The College’s schedule in mind when making plans and travel arrangements.

Key Dates:

November 2021

Wednesday, November 24^th Thanksgiving Holiday. No Classes.

Thursday, November 25^th Thanksgiving Holiday. No Classes. College Closed.

Friday, November 26^th Thanksgiving Holiday. No Classes. College Closed.

Saturday, November 27^th Thanksgiving Holiday. No Classes. College Closed.

Sunday, November 28^th Thanksgiving Holiday. No Classes. College Closed.

December 2021

Wednesday, December 8^th Final exams begin.

Monday, December 13^th Final exams end.

Sincerely,

REACH Program

Dear Freshman Parents,

Thanksgiving break is right around the corner! Please keep The College’s calendar in mind when making travel arrangements and plans for the holidays.

Key Dates:

Thanksgiving 2021

Wednesday, November 24^th Thanksgiving Holiday. No Classes.

Thursday, November 25^th Thanksgiving Holiday. No Classes. College Closed.

Friday, November 26^th Thanksgiving Holiday. No Classes. College Closed.

Saturday, November 27^th Thanksgiving Holiday. No Classes. College Closed.

Sunday, November 28^th Thanksgiving Holiday. No Classes. College Closed.

Winter Break 2021

Wednesday, December 8^th Final exams begin.

Monday, December 13^th Final exams end.

Freshman are able to leave for winter break as soon as their final exam is completed. We will notify you when the schedule for final exams has been released so you can follow up with your student. As you make travel arrangements, please note that students will not have access to their dorms until the weekend of January 8^th, as support will not be available in the living community.

As you already know, your student will begin their internship during the start of the spring semester. Before they do so, they must be cleared to work. Please ensure that your student brings back their original birth certificate, social security card, state ID card, and passport. This documentation is needed to complete their student hire paperwork. *** Copies will not be accepted.

Sincerely,

REACH Program

Dear Freshman Parents,

Fall break is coming up! Please keep The College’s schedule in-mind as you start making arrangements.

Fall Break Timeline

-Friday, October 15th Students must be prepared to leave their dorm after their final class of the day.

-Monday, October 18th No class

-Tuesday, October 19th No class / Students return to their dorms

-Wednesday, October 20th Classes resume as regularly schedule

Freshman in the REACH program are required to leave their dorm in Kelly House on Friday after their last class. There are no exceptions for students to stay on campus as we cannot guarantee assistance in the residence building. Please confirm your student’s travel plans, and send us a copy, including their flight itinerary (if applicable) as soon as possible.

*** REMINDER: Please have your student bring back their I-9 documents so they can open their bank accounts. This must be an original I-9, copies are not acceptable. Please see the link below.

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-resources/handbook-for-employers-m-274/120-acceptable-documents-for-verifying-employment-authorization-and-identity

Thank you, and happy fall break!

Sincerely,

REACH Program

Dear Freshman Parents,

Hello and welcome to the REACH Parents blog! This will be a helpful resource throughout your student’s time at the College of Charleston.

Your student has experienced many changes in just a short period of time! We began the start of the semester with Travel Training: 50 Steps to Campus Freedom to allow your student to travel safely and comfortably across campus. It is an exciting time for students to be navigating campus on their own as they become adjusted to college life.

Your student has set their own routine according to their class schedule, meeting times, and campus activities. They are also making their own plans outside of their weekly routine, allowing them to explore new friendships and opportunities.

Please be on the lookout for information regarding fall break.

Sincerely,

REACH Program

As we prepare for the 2021-2022 academic year, the REACH Program continues to strive to make postsecondary education available to all students who qualify, regardless of financial status. To this end, the REACH Program Scholarship Fund was created to alleviate some of the strain on students and their families.

If you would like to apply for financial assistance, the 2021-2022 REACH Program scholarship application is available through the student login in the CSAS system. All applications are due by Friday, May 14^th. Please click here for more information on how to apply through CSAS.

REACH Program Scholarships are supplemental and based on need. This scholarship opportunity is made possible by funds raised at our annual fundraising efforts, which are vital to the REACH Program Scholarship Fund. Students in postsecondary education programs, like REACH, have limited options for Federal Financial Aid. Please consider donating here.

4/23/21 edit: To complete the REACH Program Scholarship application, the student must first login to the CSAS System with their CofC Credentials and complete the General Scholarship application. Immediately after completing and submitting the general application, a tab will appear in the portal with an option to complete the REACH Program Scholarship application.