The document summarizes a town hall event for SPCS students that covered preparing for the start of classes, preparing for success in the semester, and a Q&A session. It provided checklists and tips for students including completing onboarding, reviewing technology needs, accepting financial aid, attending program meet and greet sessions, reviewing class schedules, and using support resources. Important dates were highlighted like the start of classes, add/drop deadline, and exams. Tips for success focused on organization, time management, engagement, health, and using email and library supports.

1. T H A N K S F O R J O I N I N G U S
SPCS Dean’s Town Hall
O U R P R O G R A M W I L L B E G I N S H O R T LY

2. Welcome
Ryan Carlson
PRESIDENT, SPCS STUDENT
GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

3. Dean’s Remarks
Dr. Jamelle S. Wilson
DEAN

4. Tonight’s Program
• Dean’s Remarks
• Preparing for the Start of Classes
• Preparing for Success This Semester
• Q&A
• Program Meet & Greet Breakout Sessions
Have questions? Use the Chat function to share your questions and comments.

5. Dr. Tom Shields
ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR ACADEMIC & STUDENT AFFAIRS
Preparing for the
Start of Classes

6. • Complete our New Student Onboarding module in Blackboard:
blackboard.richmond.edu
• Review IS’s Technology Checklist for Students in SpiderTechNet to make sure your
technology is up to date: spidertechnet.richmond.edu
• If you're receiving financial aid, review your financial aid award letter in BannerWeb and
accept and/or decline your awards: bannerweb.richmond.edu
• Review your billing invoice in BannerWeb and pay in full or using a payment plan. Tuition
is due by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 28, the first day of the term:
bannerweb.richmond.edu
• Plan to attend program meet and greet sessions hosted by individual program chairs at
the end of this Town Hall. Graduate Education programs will host an orientation session
for new students at 7 p.m. tonight.
To-Dos for Fall 2023 – ALL STUDENTS
PREPARING FOR THE START OF CLASSES

7. • Review our Online Student Preparation checklist: urspcs.info/getonline
• Log in to Blackboard before the start of class to review the syllabus, textbook(s),
required readings and any communication from the professor:
blackboard.richmond.edu
• Review your class schedule using the Fall 2023 Schedule of Classes to confirm any
required live synchronous online course meetings:
spcs.richmond.edu/degree/schedule
• Attend our Campus Tour this Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon:
urspcs.info/campustour
• View Investing in Your Remote Learning Success, a short video that highlights
strategies to help you get the most out of remote learning this semester:
youtu.be/HXQk_I68sfQ
To-Dos for Fall 2023 – STUDENTS STUDYING ON CAMPUS & HYBRID
PREPARING FOR THE START OF CLASSES

8. • Review our Online Student Preparation checklist: urspcs.info/getonline
• Log in to Blackboard before the start of class to review the syllabus,
textbook(s), required readings and any communication from the professor:
blackboard.richmond.edu
• Review your class schedule using the Fall 2023 Schedule of Classes to
confirm any required live synchronous online course meetings:
spcs.richmond.edu/degree/schedule
• View Investing in Your Remote Learning Success, a short video that
highlights strategies to help you get the most out of remote learning this
semester: youtu.be/HXQk_I68sfQ
To-Dos for Fall 2023 – STUDENTS STUDYING REMOTELY
PREPARING FOR THE START OF CLASSES

9. • August 26: Campus Tour
• August 28: First Day of Classes; Tuition payments due by 5 p.m.
• September 2: Add/Drop (via BannerWeb) and Late Registration end at 5 p.m.
• September 4: Labor Day – University Holiday but classes meet
• October 13: Last day to withdraw from class
• October 15-17: Fall Break
• October 23-28: SPCS Student Week
• October 27: Spider Day
• October 27: Last Day to File for May or August Graduation
• November 15: Registration opens for Spring
• November 22-24: Thanksgiving Break
• December 9: Last Day of Fall Classes
• December 11-16: Fall Term Exams
• December 16: Fall Term Ends
Important Dates and Deadlines
PREPARING FOR THE START OF CLASSES

10. Preparing for
Success This Semester
Gretchen Flynn Morris
DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT FOR ACADEMIC &
STUDENT AFFAIRS

11. • This online community is a Blackboard site to manage a variety of student
resources.
• Continuing students will be automatically added to the site once they register for
classes, and you should receive an email with instructions for access.
• New students will be automatically added to the site when they are officially
admitted.
• The SPCS Student Online Support Community should appear under My Courses
when you log in to Blackboard: blackboard.richmond.edu
SPCS Student Online Support Community
PREPARING FOR SUCCESS THIS SEMESTER

12. • Our New Student Onboarding module for fall is now live in Blackboard.
• We encourage all new students who started their programs in the summer to
explore the module, which is part of the SPCS Student Online Support
Community.
• Follow these simple steps to get started:
Log in to Blackboard: blackboard.richmond.edu
Find the SPCS Student Online Support Community (AD878) in your course list.
Select New Student Onboarding under Content to begin.
SPCS New Student Onboarding
PREPARING FOR SUCCESS THIS SEMESTER

13. • Focus on organization and time management.
• Take responsibility for your education and be engaged in the learning process.
• Invest in your health and well-being.
• You can find more information and additional tips in the SPCS Student Online
Support Community: blackboard.richmond.edu
Tips for Success
PREPARING FOR SUCCESS THIS SEMESTER

14. • Check your Richmond.edu email regularly for updates from the University,
School or your instructor(s).
• As you review your class syllabi, be sure to review the descriptions regarding the
use of AI. This will vary between professors but should be included in each
course syllabus.
• Make sure you’re familiar with the Library’s remote support services, including
several ways to connect directly with a librarian for one-on-one assistance and
remote options to best meet your needs: library.richmond.edu
• Additional details and links are also available on a variety of other remote
student support resources in the SPCS Student Online Support Community:
blackboard.richmond.edu
Tips for Success
PREPARING FOR SUCCESS THIS SEMESTER

15. Q&A
WITH DEAN WILSON

16. Sabrina Guerin, C’17
PRESIDENT, SPCS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
ONCE A SPIDER,
ALWAYS A SPIDER

17. THANKS FOR BEING PART OF THE
Spider Family!

18. program
Meet & Greet
Sessions