Cat Chat Updates
Family Weekend Announcements Sent Via the Cat Chat E-mail Newsletter
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November 6, 2009
Good News
Is your family unable to attend Family Weekend? Feeling a little sad about that? The good news is that you can still see your student this weekend thanks to the UK Fam Cam. Visit http://www.earthcam.com/clients/uky/campus/ to see live streaming footage of the Patterson Plaza near the Main Building and Classroom Building. Your student can wave to the camera and you can see them while sitting at your home computer! Check out lots of other campus views, too!
Bad News
I am writing to report that the Family Weekend pre-game tent party has officially sold out. We experienced a high volume of ticket sales today and have now reached our tent capacity. Not only would we run out of food if we sold additional tickets, but the UK Fire Marshal would not allow that many people in the tent. We are excited about the great turnout but sorry we can’t accommodate everyone who wants to attend. Thanks for your understanding!
November 5, 2009
Last-Minute Family Weekend Announcements
Remember to visit the Family Weekend website for all the details you need this weekend, including a recently updated schedule of events, parking information, and more.
You can still purchase tickets to a number of Family Weekend events, including the tent party and the Second City comedy troupe show! I strongly encourage you to purchase tent party tickets in advance; some tickets will be available for sale at the tent on Saturday, but we cannot guarantee availability. All attendees must have a ticket, including UK students.
As for Second City, the good folks at Student Activities Board recently reminded me that many of our favorite Saturday Night Live stars got their start with this famous comedy troupe. Relieve the stress of the week with some belly laughs! Tickets will be for sale at the door tomorrow night.
For both the tent party and Second City, you and/or your student can stop by the Student Center Ticket Office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday to purchase tickets or you can reach the office by phone at (859) 257-TICS.
Don’t forget all of the wonderful open houses going on during the day tomorrow! My friends at the VIP Center tell me they just got back from the store where they bought delicious refreshments they are eager to share with you tomorrow. University Health Service is giving flu kits away to their first 50 visitors. Ask an Advisor should be a popular stop with priority registration for the spring semester going on this month. Check them out!
We have sold a record number of tickets to the Family Weekend Sunday Brunch! The deadline to purchase tickets was Monday the 2nd, so if you were unable to get tickets this year, we hope you will be able to in the future. Several parents have asked about the timing of the event as well as appropriate attire. The brunch begins at 12 p.m., so please arrive soon thereafter to ensure the freshest food and most available seating. “Business casual” is appropriate for Spindletop Hall, and guests are asked not to wear denim.
A Few Family Weekend Schedule Changes and Additions
Attention families of students who are currently in the College of Nursing or are interested in joining the Nursing family! They have asked me to share the following information with you for their session on Saturday:
10 a.m. ● UK College of Nursing Information Session
(315 Nursing Learning Center Building, 751 Rose Street) Come by the College of Nursing to find out what it’s REALLY like to be a nursing student. We’ll start promptly at 10 a.m. with a brief information session before departing on a tour of the College, including a chance to see labs and areas typically off-limits to the general public. You’ll learn more about the rigors of the program, meet current students and have your questions answered. Call (859) 323-5108 or visit www.mc.uky.edu/nursing for more information. Parking is available in Parking Structure #3, located on Huguelet Avenue (behind the Kentucky Clinic, off Limestone).
I just got word that the UK Band Spectacular is going on this weekend. This popular annual event will take place on Sunday and would be a great way for your family to wrap up a fun weekend. For more information, visit http://news.uky.edu/news/display_article.php?artid=5149.
An addition to the schedule tomorrow is the Center for Community Outreach’s “Circle of Love” program kickoff. This long-running annual program ensures a happier holiday season for over 500 of Lexington’s needy children. Tomorrow between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. interested participants are encouraged to select a child’s wish list, drink cider, and eat cookies in the Student Center Great Hall.
October 29, 2009
Family Weekend Updates
Is your student in Nursing, Engineering, Arts & Sciences, or the Honors Program? Make plans to attend the open houses on Saturday morning, November 7th, that are being hosted just for you! There is time for your family to attend an open house and then get to the tent party, too!
- UK Dining Services is offering a special treat for visiting families during Family Weekend. Enjoy a meal at Blazer Café or Commons Market from the 6th to the 8th. When your student purchases a meal, one family member will eat free, an $8.85 value. Additional meals can be purchased for other family members.
- You’ll find new Family Weekend resources online, including an updated schedule of events and maps to help you find the tent party location and nearby parking. If you haven’t been on the Family Weekend website in a while, take a few minutes to do so now!
October 23, 2009
Family Weekend Updates
Kickoff for UK – EKU football game and start time for the tent party
It was announced this week by UK Athletics that the UK – EKU football game will begin at 1 p.m. That means that the annual Family Weekend Tent Party will begin at 10:30 a.m. and continue up until kickoff. While we will still serve barbecue for lunch, we will also have some breakfast food and coffee available as the party gets underway. Make plans to attend the tent party; it is always one of the highlights of the weekend! Ticket information can be found on the Family Weekend schedule.- Purchase tickets in advance
As you make plans for the weekend, I encourage you to purchase tickets in advance rather than assuming you will be able to purchase tickets at the door. While in some cases you may be able to purchase at the door, I always hate to see families disappointed when events sell out or have reached capacity. Unfortunately it does happen from time to time. For information on Family Weekend events that require tickets, please visit http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/ParentAssociation/pdf/Ticketed2009.pdf.
- Scout it out!
The UK campus is a fun place to be on busy fall weekends! However, the crowds who flock to campus and Lexington can cause some frustration for those who are looking for unfamiliar locations and hunting for a parking spot. Take some time and do your research before you get to campus. Your student can help you figure out where you are going and where to park. The UK campus is quite walkable, so I encourage you to consider that when making your way around. The Family Weekend schedule lists convenient parking options.
The tent party location may confuse some, but the tent will be located at the corner of Farm Road and Nicholasville Road outside the Gluck Equine Research Center. Most students don’t have occasion to visit the Gluck Center, so they may be uncertain where it is; most of them will have noticed the building with the big pond outside of it facing Nicholasville Road – that’s the Gluck Center. There will be signage pointing you toward the tent, and the tent itself is big enough that you’ll see it as you make your way there.The following websites should help you make your plans:
UK Parking & Transportation Services:
http://www.uky.edu/Parking/
UK Athletics:
http://www.ukathletics.com/
UK Athletics Gameday Central:
http://fbgameday.ukathletics.com/
UK Campus Map:
http://maps.uky.edu/campusmap/
Family Weekend:
www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/ParentAssociation/FamilyWkend.htm
October 9, 2009
Family Weekend 2009: November 6 – 8
Remember that all the information you need to make plans to attend Family Weekend is now available on our website: www.uky.edu/parents. There is a complete schedule of events, ticket information, parking information, and information on Residence Life check-in and visitation policies. Please note that tickets to the UK – Clarion men’s basketball exhibition go on sale Tuesday morning. Family Weekend participants will have access to a block of tickets before they go on sale to the general public a week later. Given the high demand for tickets, the Parent Association and UK Athletics Department cannot guarantee availability; you are encouraged to purchase at your earliest convenience beginning Tuesday morning. Please consult the Family Weekend schedule online for complete details.
October 1, 2009
Reminders from Recent Cat Chats
Family Weekend 2009: November 6 – 8
All the information you need to make plans to attend Family Weekend is now available on our website: www.uky.edu/parents. There is a complete schedule of events, ticket information (please note on-sale dates for various events), parking information, and links of interest to Family Weekend participants. There are some exciting events taking place on campus that weekend, and I know you are looking forward to spending some time with your son or daughter. I am excited about Family Weekend and hope you are, too!
September 25, 2009
Family Weekend 2009: November 6 – 8
All the information you need to make plans to attend Family Weekend is now available on our website: www.uky.edu/parents. There is a complete schedule of events, ticket information (please note on-sale dates for various events), parking information, and links of interest to Family Weekend participants. There are some exciting events taking place on campus that weekend, and I know you are looking forward to spending some time with your son or daughter. I am excited about Family Weekend and hope you are, too!
Here are some highlights of the Family Weekend schedule:
Friday, November 67 p.m. ● UK Men’s Basketball vs. Clarion
(Rupp Arena) The UK Athletics Department is giving Family Weekend participants a special opportunity to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public! Tickets to the UK-Clarion exhibition game will be available exclusively for Family Weekend participants for one week only, beginning Tuesday, October 13, at 9 a.m. Starting October 21 at 9 a.m., those tickets will be on sale to the general public. Family Weekend guests can purchase both guest tickets and student tickets, sitting next to each other. Be sure to reference Family Weekend when calling the Ticket Office. UK student tickets are $5 with a valid student ID. Guest tickets are $28 each. Tickets for Family Weekend guests may only be purchased by phone or in person. Call the Wildcat Ticket Office at 1-800-928-2287 or (859) 257-1818 to order tickets. The Ticket Office is located in the Joe Craft Center behind Memorial Coliseum on campus and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You are encouraged to purchase tickets at your earliest convenience. Given the high demand for UK athletic tickets, the Parent Association and UK Athletics Department cannot guarantee availability. For complete game day information, visit www.ukathletics.com. Go Cats!
7 p.m. ● UK Volleyball vs. Alabama
(Memorial Coliseum) Cheer on the nationally-ranked volleyball team as they take on the Crimson Tide! As a special treat for Family Weekend guests, any UK student wishing to bring his or her family to the game can get 2 adults and 2 children in for free in addition to the regular free student admission (with a valid student ID). Additional tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Tickets are general admission and may be purchased by calling the Wildcat Ticket Office at 1-800-928-2287 or at the ticket office prior to, or on the day of, the game. Visit www.ukathletics.com for more information. Parking is available in Employee “E” lots on North Campus after 3:30 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. E lots are located on Martin Luther King Boulevard and Avenue of Champions (next to the UK Bookstore/Student Center).
8 p.m. ● Second City Comedy Troupe
(Memorial Hall) This Family Weekend the Student Activities Board (SAB) is inviting the whole family out for a night of laughs with Chicago’s famed comedy troupe. The Second City has sold out crowds across America and SAB expects UK to be no different, so plan to attend the most hilarious night on campus. Tickets are $5 for UK students and $10 for members of the general public and may be purchased beginning September 28th at the Student Center Ticket Office (253 Student Center), by calling (859) 257-TICS, or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. The Student Center Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone orders are subject to a $3 convenience charge. Parking Structure #2 on Hilltop Avenue will be open and free of charge after 3:30 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. For more information, check out www.uksab.org.Saturday, November 7
TBA (2 1/2 Hours Prior to Kick-off) ● Family Weekend Tent Party
(Tent located at the corner of Farm Road and Nicholasville Road next to the Gluck Equine Research Center) Enjoy a delicious barbecue meal, entertainment, and giveaways as we get ready to watch the Cats take on Eastern Kentucky! There will be something for Wildcat fans of all ages! Even if you are not attending the game, you are welcome to attend. Tickets are $5 per person, and UK students get a free ticket with a valid student ID. All attendees must have a ticket for admission. Tickets may be purchased beginning October 1st through the Student Center Ticket Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (859) 257-TICS and pay by Visa or MasterCard (phone orders are subject to a $3 convenience charge) or have your student stop by room 253 Student Center to pay with cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, or Plus account. Parking is available in Parking Structure #2 on Hilltop Avenue, Parking Structure #6 located on Virginia Avenue, and Parking Structure #7 located on Sports Center Drive.
TBA ● UK Football vs. Eastern Kentucky
(Commonwealth Stadium) Tickets for Family Weekend guests may only be purchased by phone or in person. Call the Wildcat Ticket Office at 1-800-928-2287 or (859) 257-1818 to order tickets. The Ticket Office is located in the Joe Craft Center behind Memorial Coliseum on campus and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Family Weekend guests can purchase both guest tickets and student tickets, sitting next to each other. Be sure to reference Family Weekend when calling the Ticket Office. UK student tickets are $5 with a valid student ID. Guest tickets are $35 each. You are encouraged to purchase tickets at your earliest convenience. Given the high demand for UK athletic tickets, the Parent Association and UK Athletics Department cannot guarantee availability. For complete game day information, visit http://ukathletics.com/fbgameday/. You’ll find information on shuttles from campus and downtown, parking, disability services, stadium regulations, and more. Go Cats!
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. ● Honors Program Open House
(Patterson Hall Main Lobby, North Campus) Families of current Honors Program students are invited to join us at the Honors Program Open House to meet their son or daughter’s Honors professors, mentors, and classmates. Attend a mini-colloquium (to begin at 10 a.m.), meet the Patterson Residence Life staff, and enjoy free coffee and donuts! Parking is available in Employee “E” lots on North Campus after 3:30 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. E lots are located on Martin Luther King Boulevard and Avenue of Champions (next to the UK Bookstore/Student Center).
9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. ● UK Alumni Association Legacy Family Brunch
(King Alumni House) Enjoy a delicious meal, meet fellow UK Legacy families and UK Alumni Association staff, and let us show our appreciation for you! A UK Legacy is any child whose mother, father, or step-parent has earned a baccalaureate, graduate, doctorate, or professional degree from the University of Kentucky. At the event, you can learn ways parents and students can get involved on campus and stay connected to the university. RSVP for this free event online at www.ukalumni.net/brunch or by calling (859) 257-8905 or 1-800-269-ALUM. Parking is available behind the King Alumni House. Come as you are in your UK gear and after the event, we’ll send you off with some pom-poms and other spirit items so you can cheer on the Cats as they battle EKU on the field.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ● UK College of Nursing Open House
(315 Nursing Learning Center Building, 751 Rose Street) Come by the College of Nursing to find out what it’s REALLY like to be a nursing student. Take a tour of the College, learn more about the rigors of the program, and meet current students. Call (859) 323-5108 or visit www.mc.uky.edu/nursing for more information. Parking is available in Parking Structure #3, located on Huguelet Avenue (behind the Kentucky Clinic, off Limestone).10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ● UK College of Engineering Open House
(Ralph G. Anderson Building Commons) Engineering students and their families are invited to an informal reception featuring refreshments and exhibits from each department and student organizations. Parking is available in Employee “E” lots on North Campus after 3:30 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. E lots are located on Martin Luther King Boulevard and Avenue of Champions (next to the UK Bookstore/Student Center).
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ● UK College of Arts & Sciences Open House
(Lexmark Public Room, 209 Main Building) Enjoy light refreshments while meeting representatives from each department, A&S advisors, and A&S Ambassadors. They are happy to answer your questions and get to know you better! Parking is available in Employee “E” lots on North Campus after 3:30 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. E lots are located on Martin Luther King Boulevard and Avenue of Champions (next to the UK Bookstore/Student Center).Sunday, November 8
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. ● Sunday Brunch at Historic Spindletop Hall
(Spindletop Hall, 3414 Ironworks Pike) Join UK administrators and faculty for a delicious Sunday brunch at historic Spindletop, UK’s private club for faculty, staff, and alumni. An adult brunch is $20, children 6 – 11 dine for $10, and children 2 – 5 dine for $4. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance by November 2. Tickets may be purchased beginning October 1st through the Student Center Ticket Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (859) 257-TICS and pay by Visa or MasterCard (phone orders are subject to a $3 convenience charge) or have your student stop by room 253 Student Center to pay with cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, or Plus account. Business casual dress is appropriate. Brunch will be served from 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. For more information on Spindletop, visit www.spindletophall.org.
1 p.m. ● UK Men’s Soccer vs. High Point
(UK Soccer Complex, College Way off Alumni Drive) As a special treat for Family Weekend guests, any UK student wishing to bring his or her family to the game can get 2 adults and 2 children in for free in addition to the regular free student admission (with a valid student ID). Additional tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Tickets are general admission and may be purchased by calling the Wildcat Ticket Office at 1-800-928-2287 or at the ticket office prior to, or on the day of, the game. Visit www.ukathletics.com for more information. Parking is available at the Soccer Complex.
1:30 p.m. ● UK Volleyball vs. Mississippi State
(Memorial Coliseum) Cheer on the nationally-ranked volleyball team as they take on the Bulldogs! As a special treat for Family Weekend guests, any UK student wishing to bring his or her family to the game can get 2 adults and 2 children in for free in addition to the regular free student admission (with a valid student ID). Additional tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Tickets are general admission and may be purchased by calling the Wildcat Ticket Office at 1-800-928-2287 or at the ticket office prior to, or on the day of, the game. Visit www.ukathletics.com for more information. Parking is available in Employee “E” lots on North Campus after 3:30 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. E lots are located on Martin Luther King Boulevard and Avenue of Champions (next to the UK Bookstore/Student Center).
September 24, 2009
Family Weekend
The Family Weekend schedule for November 6 – 8 will be available tomorrow! I’ll send another Cat Chat with highlights, and the full schedule will be available online at that time. In an effort to be good stewards of our resources, a Family Weekend brochure won’t be mailed to homes this year. Instead, families will receive a postcard directing them to the Family Weekend website. I hope your family will be able to join us in November!
August 11, 2009
Reminder from Previous Cat Chats: Family Weekend Football Tickets
Family Weekend is about two months into the fall semester...what a great time to return to campus to check in with your son and daughter and participate in fun activities together. The Family Weekend schedule for November 6 – 8 will be available online at http://www.uky.edu/parents in the coming weeks.
Tickets for the UK – Eastern Kentucky football game have been on sale since Monday, July 6, for Family Weekend guests. Family Weekend guests can purchase both guest tickets and student tickets, sitting next to each other. Be sure to reference Family Weekend when calling the Ticket Office. UK student tickets are $5 with a valid student ID. Guest tickets are $35 each. Tickets for Family Weekend guests may only be purchased by phone or in person. Call the Wildcat Ticket Office at 1-800-928-2287 or (859) 257-1818 to order tickets. The Ticket Office is located in the Joe Craft Center behind Memorial Coliseum on campus and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Ticket Office can answer any questions you may have about UK football tickets.
Remaining tickets went on sale to the general public this past Monday morning. The ticket allotment is likely to sell out in the next few weeks, so I strongly encourage you to purchase your tickets now if you have not already done so. There is no guarantee tickets will be available later in the semester. Let your friends with UK students know; I anticipate the game will sell out before the Family Weekend schedule is mailed to families, so folks may not know unless they receive these Cat Chat e-mails. Given the high demand for UK athletic tickets, the Parent Association and UK Athletics Department cannot guarantee availability.
For complete game day information, visit http://ukathletics.com/fbgameday/. You'll find information on shuttles from campus and downtown, parking, disability services, stadium regulations, and more. Go Cats!
July 27, 2009
Update Regarding Family Weekend Football Tickets
This Cat Chat serves as an update regarding the Family Weekend football tickets. This morning we confirmed that there are less than 200 tickets available for the UK v. Eastern Kentucky football game during Family Weekend, which will take place this year November 6-8, 2009. I encourage you to reserve your tickets as soon as possible if you are interested in attending this game with your family. While more tickets may become available at a later date, there are no guarantees; the approximately 200 aforementioned tickets still available are reserved specifically for Family Weekend.
July 1, 2009
Family Weekend Football Tickets
Family Weekend is about two months into the fall semester...what a great time to return to campus to check in with your son and daughter and participate in fun activities together. The Family Weekend schedule for November 6th – 8th will be available online at http://www.uky.edu/parents in the coming weeks.
Tickets for the UK – Eastern Kentucky football game go on sale Monday, July 6th, for Family Weekend guests. Tickets for Family Weekend guests may only be purchased by phone or in person. Call the Wildcat Ticket Office at 1-800-928-2287 or (859) 257-1818 to order tickets. The Ticket Office is located in the Joe Craft Center behind Memorial Coliseum on campus and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Ticket Office can answer any questions you may have about UK football tickets.
Family Weekend guests can purchase both guest tickets and student tickets, sitting next to each other. Be sure to reference Family Weekend when calling the Ticket Office as tickets will NOT yet be on sale to the general public for that game. UK student tickets are $5 with a valid student ID. Guest tickets are $35 each.
You are encouraged to purchase tickets at your earliest convenience. Given the high demand for UK athletic tickets, the Parent Association and UK Athletics Department cannot guarantee availability.
For complete game day information, visit http://ukathletics.com/fbgameday/. You'll find information on shuttles from campus and downtown, parking, disability services, stadium regulations, and more. Go Cats!
April 24, 2009
UK Parent Association Updates
Mark your calendars for Family Weekend 2009: Friday, November 6 – Sunday, November 8. We’ll see you and your family there!
March 2, 2009
Mark Your Calendars for Family Weekend 2009!
A number of families have been contacting our office recently asking for information about Family Weekend 2009! Mark your calendars for Friday, November 6 – Sunday, November 8, and make plans to attend. Past Family Weekend surveys have revealed that families are most interested in attending a home football game, so the date is selected with the assistance of the UK Athletics Department every year. The Athletics Department makes their best effort to select a football game for which the most families will have the opportunity to purchase tickets.
More information will be available in the coming months, but you can look forward to attending the annual Family Weekend Tent Party prior to the UK – Eastern Kentucky football game. Any inquiries about football tickets should be directed to the UK Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-928-2287 or (859) 257-1818. Single game tickets will not be available for purchase until later in the summer. The on-sale date for those tickets will be announced via a future Cat Chat e-mail newsletter. General Family Weekend questions and comments can be directed to the Parent Association at parents@lsv.uky.edu. I hope to see your family at Family Weekend 2009!
January 30, 2009
Family Weekend 2009
Several parents have written to ask about a date for Family Weekend 2009. That date will be determined once the finishing touches are put on the Wildcat football schedule in the next month and will be announced in an upcoming Cat Chat. Thanks for your patience and interest in Family Weekend 2009!