ORIENTATION NEWSLETTER

WELCOME!
Congratulations! We are delighted that you will soon be joining the CTS community! This is the first of three newsletters you will receive from the Orientation Team in order to provide you with several resources that can ease your transition to CTS. In this first issue of the Orientation Newsletter, youll meet the orientation team, learn about the many ways to interact with CTS on Facebook, get

CHICAGO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY JUNE 2013

important dates, and find info about insurance, student loans, and orientation.

health

This newsletter has a lot of valuable information, so please take the time to read through this newsletter thoroughly. If you have any questions, email the CTS Faculty Assistant at facultyasst@ctschicago.edu. We are excited to see you in the fall!

MEET THE ORIENTATION TEAM

Ayanna Johnson is the Director of Community Jared Beverly is the Faculty Assistant and the Life. Go to Ayanna with questions about Orientation Housing Coordinator. He will be a second-year PhD events and Community Life at CTS in general. student. Jared will help ease your transition into Contact your new role as student her at at CTS, taking care of ajohnson@ctschicago.edu MARK YOUR CALENDAR much of the paperwork or 773.896.2424. Mark your calendar and be sure to watch for more information involved in your in the July newsletter. Emily Vogt is the enrollment process. Monday, August 19 Tuesday, September 3 Assistant to the Academic Besides keeping track of Friday, August 24 First day of classes Dean. You may also go to your student forms, he is 9:00 am4:00 pm. Emily with questions also the one to go to for DMin Orientation Intensive Friday, September 20 about Orientation events, Tuition and fees due advice about how to find Monday, August 26 the status of your student housing and where to stay Orientation Saturday, September 21 record, and (when the in Chicago while youre (for all face-to-face students, Retreat time comes) questions visiting potential housing optional for DMin) about academic advising sources. Contact him at and faculty resources. Contact her at facultyasst@ctschicago.edu or 773.896.2428. evogt@ctschicago.edu or 773.896.2422.

773.896.2400

1407 E. 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637

ctschicago.edu

CTS ORIENTATION NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2013

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STUDENT LOANS
Many CTS students qualify for federal student loans through the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program for the 20132014 academic year. Please note the CTS does not automatically prepare an award letter for students showing the federal student loans (aid) for which they are eligible. The request for student loans is initiated by the student by contacting the CTS financial aid office. Both new and returning students wanting to take out loans should complete the steps outlined below and then contact Howard Nelson in the CTS financial aid office. Feel free to contact Howard Nelson with any financial aid questions at hnelson@ctschicago.edu or 773.896.2412. 1. Review the Student Direct Loan Fact Sheet found under the Costs and Financial Aid section of the CTS website. 2. Complete the FAFSA application at StudentLoans.gov. Many of you have probably already done this. The results of this application will come to CTS automatically. 3. To complete the FAFSA, you need to have a PIN; if you dont already have one, you can apply for it at the same site. This PIN is also required for steps 4 and 5. 4. Complete the Entrance Counseling Session at StudentLoans.gov. 5. Complete the Master Promisory Note (MPN) at StudentLoans.gov. After completing the above steps, contact Howard Nelson in the CTS Financial Aid Office. You and he will determine your estimated cost of attendance and your eligibility to borrow. If you decide to borrow, the loans are arranged through the CTS Financial Aid Office and come directly to CTS to be credited to your school account. If the amount you borrow exceeds your tuition and fees, you will receive a refund to assist you with other school and living expenses. To be eligible to borrow, you must be enrolled as at least a half-time student (2 classes per semester for masters level) and not be in default on any previous loans.

773.896.2400

1407 E. 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637

ctschicago. edu

CTS ORIENTATION NEWSLETTER CTS ON FACEBOOK

JUNE 2013

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As just one example of how CTS strives to be forward-thinking, you should know there are many ways to interact with your school on Facebook. Besides our official Facebook page, where you can stay up-to-date with the latest news and memes from CTS, we have a freecycle page to help with the moving process. If you are already in the Chicago area and have something to get rid of or need some cheap (or free!) furniture, our freecycle page is a great place to share what youre looking to give away and see what others are giving away. Also, if you havent already, join the 2013 incoming students group and meet the people that you will be sharing classes and sharing life with for the next few years. This group has been remarkably active, with people posting news, prayer requests, and pictures, as well as some helpful tips and updates from CTS staff members. Check it out!

ORIENTATION EVENTS: WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE

You may have thought that your CTS experience wouldnt begin until classes start on September 3. However, events before classes begin are crucial for starting off right. During that time, you will be welcomed into the CTS community and equipped to navigate and effectively engage this diverse teaching/learning community. For face-to-face students (and for online students who can make it), this work begins on Monday, August 26your day-long introduction to the institution. This event will introduce you to CTS administrative procedures (like information about IDs and how to pay your tuition), resources, and people so that you know whos who, whats where, and how to do what you need to do. During this event, current staff and students will lead you on a tour of the building and give you tips

about going to school in the Hyde Park-Woodlawn area. Students who will be taking courses online will be contacted via email and will be informed about the online version of the orientation. A large portion of the online orientation will be self-paced, asynchronous activities. However, there will also live virtual sessions with CTSs instructional technologist, registrar, controller, as well as degree program directors. If youre an online student, stay tuned for upcoming details about online orientation!

773.896.2400

1407 E. 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637

ctschicago. edu

CTS ORIENTATION NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2013

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CHECKLIST: HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

In your CTS email, you will have received the forms you need to fill out in order to enroll. You should return the New Student Information and Orientation forms to the Faculty Assistant via email as soon as possible. The immunization form will understandably take longer because you will have to go to your doctor. If you dont have all your forms in before registration, you will not be able to register for classes. What you need to return is New Student Information Form (due June 20 via email) Orientation Form (due July 15 via email) A photograph of yourself (due July 15 via email) Immunization Form (due August 1 via snail mail)

HEALTH INSURANCE
CTS students are required to carry major medical insurance. If you are not already covered, you may purchase health insurance through the University of Chicago, ACSA, or Sentry. If you want more information about medical insurance, contact Registrar Elena Jimenez at ejimenez@ctschicago.edu or 773.896.2471.

FIRST D.MIN. WEEK-LONG INTENSIVE

DMin students, mark your calendars for the Orientation Seminar scheduled for Monday, August 19Friday August 24 at CTS from 9:00 a.m.4:00 p.m. In preparation for the seminar you will need to purchase and read the Introduction and the first three chapters of Tim Sensing, Qualitative Research: A Multi-Methods Approach to Projects for Doctor of Ministry Theses (Eugene, Ore.: Wipf & Stock, 2011). By the first week in August you will receive a syllabus with additional details about the seminar.

PEOPLE TO CONTACT
Rev. Ayanna Johnson Director of Community Life ajohnson@ctschicago.edu 773.896.2424 Justin Kim Coordinator of Instructional Technology justinkim@ctschicago.edu 773.896.2425 Howard A. Nelson Associate Director of Admissions & Financial Aid financialaid@ctschicago.edu 773.896.2412 Elena Maria Jimenez Registrar & Director of Student Learning Assessment ejimenez@ctschicago.edu 773.896.2471 Emily Vogt Assistant to the Dean evogt@ctschicago.edu 773.896.2422 Jared Beverly Faculty Assistant and Housing Coordinator facultyasst@ctschicago.edu 773.896.2428

773.896.2400

1407 E. 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637

ctschicago. edu