Monarch Family Connection Newsletter - Ready to Reign Edition

Greetings Monarch Family and welcome to a new semester at Old Dominion University! Old Dominion University has a lot planned for the Fall 2021 semester, and we want to make sure you and your student are prepared. Encourage your student to check their ODU student email frequently for updates and information. Enjoy this special pre-opening of school edition of the Monarch Family Connection newsletter. 

 

Important Dates 

August 16-20 - New to ODU Townhall Series 
August 24 – Housing and Residence Life Move in begins. Students should check their ODU email for information on how to select a move in appointment time. The Fall 2021 Move in Guide is now available.
August 24 - The Monarch Experience kicks off! 
August 28 – First day of class.
August 30 – Tuition deadline for the Fall 2021 semester. Payment plan information can be found on the Office of Finance website.

View the entire Fall 2021 academic calendar. 

Upload Vaccination Documents – Proof or Exemption Documents 

Health and immunization forms, including COVID-19 vaccination documents, must be submitted in the Monarch Wellness Portal prior to the start of school. All students who do not submit proof of vaccination for any reason must complete the Assumption of Risk form also found in the Monarch Wellness Portal.

Questions about immunization records can be sent to Student Health Services at studenthealth@odu.edu or by phone at 757-683-3132.

Setting Up a Payment Plan 

Old Dominion University offers a payment plan, administered by the Office of Finance, for Fall and Spring terms ONLY. Payment plans must be established in LEO Online each term by the published tuition deadline. Either students or Authorized Users may establish the payment plan, but the student remains responsible for ensuring the account remains current. After signing up for the payment plan, students will continue receiving a comprehensive billing statement of all remaining charges. Please refer to LEO Online for the actual payment amounts and due dates. Please note that the payment plan may not be revoked once established.

When setting up the payment plan, charges for each semester are divided into 4 equal payments with a $40 non-refundable set-up fee. The $40 non-refundable set-up fee must be paid at the same time the payment plan is established online.

Visit the Office of Finance webpage for more information on how to set up a payment plan and adding authorized users.

The Monarch Experience 

Encourage your student to participate in the Monarch Experience! The Monarch Experience is a campus-wide initiative to welcome Monarchs and introduce campus culture, traditions, and values. The Monarch Experience will begin August 24 and includes both in-person and virtual events. Students can access the schedule of events on the website and in the ODU Mobile app.

 

View the Complete Schedule

New to ODU Townhall Series 

These virtual townhalls are intended to share current information from the University and answer questions from students and families. Each virtual townhall will occur from 7:00-8:00PM and participants are required to RSVP to receive the join link. If interested in participating, register for each townhall using the RSVP link in the chart below. Students and families are encouraged to participate using the same device (i.e. computer, laptop, tablet, smart phone, cell phone) if able.

Navigating Academic Success Monday, August 16 Register Here
Living on Campus Tuesday, August 17 Register Here
Campus Activities and Involvement Wednesday, August 18 Register Here
Campus Health and Safety Thursday, August 19 Register Here

Setting Up Proxy Access

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) guarantees students certain rights with respect to their education records and outlines what information a college or university may disclose. Proxy Access allows family members/guardians view only access to the following student FERPA protected information:

  • address
  • class schedule
  • grades
  • transcript
  • bill

Students can extend or revoke Proxy Access through LeoOnline at any time.

Virtual Learning Lingo and ODU systems overview 

As we begin a new semester, you and your student may experience some unfamiliar terminology. Here’s a list of virtual learning lingo and ODU systems that may help you help your student. 

Asynchronous  Asynchronous learning allows learners to go through a course at their own pace and on their own schedule.
Blackboard A web-based course management tool   used by faculty to administer course content such as assignments, syllabus and grades.
Cloud-based A term that refers to applications, services or resources made available to users on demand via the Internet from a cloud computing provider, such as Box or Google Drive.
DegreeWorks  tool designed to assist advisors and students with course planning, measuring progress toward program completion, and curriculum advising.
LeoOnline ODU’s student information system. LeoOnline houses personal information, grades, transcripts, course registration system, and more.
Lockdown Browser  A custom browser that locks down the testing environment within Blackboard. When students use Respondus Lockdown Browser they are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications.
myODU Portal  A web-based, personal gateway for official ODU information, with direct access to many university services. The portal pulls together the ODU online resources you need most. View this How to ODU video on how to access the MyODU portal.
Synchronous When learners participate in an online learning course at the same time but in different locations, it is known as synchronous learning. Synchronous learning allows learners to interact with the instructor and other participants.
WebEx A cloud-based web conferencing service that allows users to meet online and share content.
Zoom Zoom is a cloud-based web conferencing service that allows users to meet online and share content.

Information and Technology Services is available at itshelp@odu.edu.

Monarch Football brings back the roar!

Season tickets available now and single game tickets will be available in mid-August. Purchase season tickets. 

 
Monarch Family Connection | Student Transition and Family Programs
familyconnection@odu.edu