e-Partnerships Parent Newsletter

From the President

Dear Wheaton parents,

Spring Semester “B” Quad is underway, and our seniors are beginning their last push toward Commencement. 

During Spring Break, 129 students with 23 faculty and staff visited 9 international destinations to pursue academic study and co-curricular projects.  My son Jack and I joined one of three Wheaton Football Ministry Partnership teams that traveled to Africa, Macedonia and the Dominican Republic.  In the DR we helped with local building projects and conducting sports clinics. We visited a renowned poverty-stricken area where many children have parents caught up in drug trafficking and addictions, and spent time with a Spanish-speaking pastor whose church has a feeding center for those children.  I was blessed by the great discussions we had about advancing the Gospel through missions, about God’s calling, and about stewardship. 

Witnessing the redemptive work our alumni are doing for the people of the Dominican Republic reminds me again why we celebrate Good Friday and Easter. The cross of Christ is a powerful demonstration of God’s love in sending his only Son to atone for our sin, and reconcile us to God, which is the longing of every human heart.  The empty tomb is the proof of everlasting life—the life we have the privilege to offer in Jesus’ name, whether we are in Wheaton, in the Dominican Republic, or anywhere else in the world. 

In Christ's Service,

Phil

Philip G. Ryken
President

Commencement Weekend: May 11-12, 2013

Congratulations to the parents of our soon-to-be alumni of the class of '13!  We look forward to seeing you on campus for this special weekend in your student's life.  To assist with your travel and scheduling plans, the Registrar's Office has posted information about Commencement weekend seating, events, and photo/video keepsakes on their website.  Feel free to contact their office with any additional questions you might have. 

Financial Aid

April 15^th is the deadline to have all requirements (FAFSA, application, and any other requested documents) completed if you desire full consideration for need-based Wheaton grant funds.

We encourage families to file their taxes electronically, wait several weeks for the IRS to process their returns, and then complete the FAFSA. We recommend that families then choose on the FAFSA to have their IRS tax data retrieved electronically from the IRS. Details regarding what is called the IRS Data Retrieval Option and information about changes in the verification process are available on our Financial Aid website.

Please encourage your student to frequently check their myWheaton account for any outstanding items needed to process their financial aid award. If you or your student have any questions, please contact our office at 800-362-2674, or e-mail us at finaid@wheaton.edu.

Easter weekend and year-end airport shuttle service

The Student Activities office is offering a new online reservation system for Group Airport Shuttles.  Credit/Debit cards are now accepted and all reservations will be done online.  Shuttles to either O'Hare or Midway airport are $25 each way.  For more information, shuttle FAQs, and a schedule of Easter weekend and year-end shuttles, visit the SAO website.

To reserve an SAO Group Airport Shuttle, you or your student can select from the following links:

Easter O'Hare Airport Shuttles

Easter Midway Airport Shuttles

Summer Break O'Hare Shuttles

Summer Break Midway Shuttles

Reservation deadlines:

Spring Break – Monday, March 25 @ 11:59 p.m.

Summer Break – Friday, May 3 @ 11:59 p.m.

Family members interested in reserving airport shuttles for students need to have the following information when making the reservation:  Your student’s Wheaton email address, correct flight information to determine appropriate shuttle time, and credit card information. 

Be sure to know your flight information as all shuttle reservations are non-refundable.  Contact the Student Activities office (630.752.5181) if you have questions about SAO group airport shuttles or the new online reservation process.

Housing closes for all students on Friday, May 10 at 5pm. Those students who are graduating, have official roles in Commencement or are transitioning into summer campus housing can submit a request at this link to remain on campus past May 10. Approval must be received through the Residence Life office by Reading Day (May 6).

Current Wheaton College students may live on-campus in summer housing if they are enrolled in summer school classes or if they are employed/doing an internship in the Wheaton area.  The cost for summer housing is $149.00 per week ($21.29/night). Students may also purchase a Monday-Friday meal plan in Anderson Commons for $81.95/week. Students must check-out of summer housing no later than Saturday, July 27. Registration for summer housing ends on Thursday, April 18. Contact the Residence Life Office at reslife@wheaton.edu for more information.

Does your elementary or high school-age student want an early experience of the learning and living  they see their older brother or sister enjoying at Wheaton?  HoneyRock Camp, the Northwoods Campus and Camp of Wheaton College, has summer camp programs for youth 3rd-12th grade. Space is filling up fast. Transportation is offered from Wheaton College. Visit our website to explore more about the HoneyRock camping experience and to register your student: www.wheaton.edu/honeyrock.

Student Health Services is presenting their annual Honeymoon and Beyond seminar for engaged couples on April 5.  Beth Walsh, alumna and certified nurse practitioner, will be talking with couples about dating your fiancé/fiancée, the wedding night, and keeping the flame alive throughout your marriage. 

SHS provides health preventive and promotional activities throughout the year.  In cooperation with Student 101, SHS publishes an e-magazine for students and parents each month.  To view the March magazine for parents follow this link.

SHS is a fully equipped medical office that active students and their spouses are welcome to utilize regardless of the type of health insurance they have.  SHS is staffed with four board-certified physicians who are alumni of Wheaton College and one nurse practitioner.  The nursing staff is experienced in college health.  Students are welcome to stop in to speak with a nurse about their medical questions or to be assessed free of charge.  Our hours are Monday through Friday 7:30am-5:00pm and Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm. Student Health Services will be closed Good Friday. 

Our services include: physician appointments (cost $25.00); in-house or outsourced laboratory services (for example: rapid strep or mono tests), observation rooms, completion of small office procedures such as wart removal; registered dietician appointments, and massage therapy; international travel clinic; vaccinations; pharmacy; free medical shuttle and more. For more information about our services visit our website or contact us at 630-752-5072 or Health.Services@wheaton.edu

All services that have fees are billed to your student’s account.  Your student will be sent a statement in his or her mailbox that they can then send to the insurance company for possible reimbursement.  SHS does not bill insurance companies directly.

Is your student graduating this spring?  Our Copy Center (located in the Bookstore) carries several styles of graduation announcements that can be personalized to include name, degree, major, date and location. Call 630-752-5111 to place your order. We’ll have them ready in a timely manner so that you can share the good news with family and friends!

Jostens Ring Event will be March 25th and 26th in the Beamer Center from 10:30 -2:00.  For a preview of class rings and prices visit jostens.com.

Let your student know you're thinking of them during this year's final stretch. Care packages and Campus Stores gift cards are available at wheatonbooks.com.  We can send them right to your student's CPO to make their day special.

We look forward to seeing you again soon!