Frequently Asked Questions for SOAR

1. Why should I attend? Will there be anything for me to do and learn?
2. Will there be any "parent sessions" for me to attend?
3. What is the fee for me to attend SOAR with my student?
4. (Attending a Freshman SOAR session) I will not be eating the provided meals during SOAR. Do I have to pay the attendance fee?
5. My child will be at SOAR for the entire session, but I can only come for one day. Can the other parent come on the other day?
6. I'm not sure what classes my student needs to enroll in. Will I be helping with advisement?
7. I can't attend SOAR with my child. Will there be anyone to help him/her?
8. My student cannot attend SOAR. Can I attend for him/her and register for classes in place of my child?
9. I have another young child at home. Can I bring him/her, and is there an attendance fee for children?
10. Is my student or myself required to stay on campus overnight, or can my student stay with me at a local hotel?
11. Can I stay on campus with my child overnight?

1. Why should I attend? Will there be anything for me to do and learn?

We encourage our parents of new students, especially new freshman, to attend SOAR. While your child is learning about being a Tennessee Tech student, you'll learn about being a parent to a TTU student. Our faculty, administrators and staff will be at SOAR so you can meet the people who will be working with your student during college. It's a great time to get those " last-minute" questions answered, experience our beautiful campus, and help your child prepare to join the TTU family.

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2. Will there be any "parent sessions" for me to attend?

During SOAR, there will be some sessions where both students and parents are together. We will also have events where parents and students will be participating in separate activities.

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3. What is the fee for me to attend SOAR with my student?

For each guest of the student, the attendance fee is $40. This includes 4 meals, activities, programming, and materials.

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4. (Attending a Freshman SOAR session) I will not be eating the provided meals during SOAR. Do I have to pay the attendance fee?

All students and guests need to pay the attendance fee. This fee does cover meals as well as the registration materials that each student receives, a color booklet that explains many aspect of being a TTU student, and the staffing costs associated with SOAR.

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5. My child will be at SOAR for the entire session, but I can only come for one day. Can the other parent come on the other day?

We do allow "Parent Swapping" during SOAR. If only one parent is at SOAR at a time, then only one guest attendance fee is required. For example, Mom can come with Son/Daughter on Day 1, leaves that night, and Dad comes to be with student on Day 2.

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6. I'm not sure what classes my student needs to enroll in. Will I be helping with advisement?

To start forming the advisor/student relationship, the parent(s) will not be in the advisement session. Each student will be working with an academic advisor at SOAR, and the advisor will help your child choose the right classes for the following term. All of our academic advisors are experienced in helping students enroll in the correct classes and in the right order. Parents are not responsible for their student's course selection.

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7. I can't attend SOAR with my child. Will there be anyone to help him/her?

We will have numerous faculty, staff, administrators and current students assisting your child during SOAR. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to attend SOAR, but if a student needs to attend alone, we will be available to help him/her find all the session locations, participate in events and register for classes.

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8. My student cannot attend SOAR. Can I attend for him/her and register for classes in place of my child?

Parents are not able to register for classes for their student. If a student cannot attend a particular SOAR session, please make arrangements to attend a later session of SOAR or simply register the day before classes start (Classes start August 25, 2008, and open registration is August 22, 2008).

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9. I have another young child at home. Can I bring him/her, and is there an attendance fee for children?

SOAR is designed for incoming college students and their parents. Young children probably won't enjoy the activities, and we encourage parents to find alternative care for young children while at SOAR.

All attendants of SOAR, regardless of age, are required to pay the attendance fee.

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10. Is my student or myself required to stay on campus overnight, or can my student stay with me at a local hotel?

During our Freshman SOAR sessions in June and July, we offer on-campus housing to both students and guests. This is a wonderful way to meet other students and parents and experience a night of living on campus. Students are not required to stay on campus and may choose to lodge at a local hotel with parents for the night.

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11. Can I stay on campus with my child overnight?

On-campus housing is available for both students and parents during Freshman SOAR in June and July. There is an additional fee for staying on campus. Students will be housed with other students, and parents/guests can reserve either a private room or a double occupancy room. If two parents/guests are attending and wish to stay on campus overnight, they may room together. If only one parent/guest is attending and reserves a double occupancy room, you'll have the opportunity to meet another parent who will share the room with you for the night.

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