Housing Selection Begins Soon
Current freshmen, sophomores, juniors and non-graduating seniors presently living on campus will soon begin making decisions regarding housing for next year. Current freshmen will select from sophomore-designated spaces in Swanson, McGloin, Kenefick and Heider Halls. The University provides 12-month housing for 540 juniors and seniors in Davis Square and Opus Hall, as well as a limited number of nine-month agreements in Heider Hall. Should space be available in other halls for juniors and seniors, they will be made available after all current freshman students are accommodated. (Housing is not guaranteed after sophomore year.) All current residents are eligible to participate in the lottery reservation process in February and March. Students will be receiving information in the coming weeks. Find more information on the recontracting process, including floor plans and frequently asked questions, online here.

FAFSA First Step in Financial Aid
With the start of a new calendar year, it's time to begin planning for 2010-11 and the financial obligations that come with a new academic year. Robert Walker, Creighton's director of financial aid, discusses the importance of filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other important financial aid information in this short online video. Creighton encourages students to complete the FAFSA by April 1.

Creighton Responds to Tragedy in Haiti
Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., said the University stands "in solidarity with our brothers and sisters" in Haiti, in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake there. Creighton students, faculty and staff have collected money to help the victims, and Creighton health professionals have traveled to a border town in the Dominican Republic to  provide medical assistance. Watch the video of the medical team leaving

Mark Your Calendars: Spring Commencement
Spring commencement is Saturday, May 15, at the Qwest Center Omaha arena. Please remind your student that the application deadline for May commencement is Feb. 15. Students apply to graduate through N.E.S.T. Find more information on the Registrar's website.

Academic Help Available for Students
Does your student need help with time management? Study skills? A particular academic subject? Encourage them to visit Creighton's Center for Student Success and Retention inside the Harper Center, which provides free tutoring services and other academic support offerings to students.

Creighton Offers Study Abroad Programs
Study abroad proposals for summer 2010 are being accepted through March 1. Through study abroad programs, students are challenged to gain the international perspectives and intercultural communication skills necessary for global citizenship. Creighton's Office of International Programs hosts Study Abroad 101: Getting Started sessions to help students determine if studying abroad is right for them. Find more information here. You can also learn more about Creighton's study abroad program in the Dominican Republic, Encuentro Dominicano, or the summer school program in Ireland.

Alpha Sigma Nu Inducts New Members
Again this year, Creighton University will welcome its most outstanding students into Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society. This year, some 60 students from every Creighton school will be inducted on Feb. 14, along with four honorary recipients. More information about ASN can be found at http://groups.creighton.edu/asn.

Creighton Hosts Praying Lent Website
Lent begins Feb. 17. Begin to prepare now with Creighton's Online Ministries' Praying Lent website. Reflections and resources will help prepare ourselves, our children and our homes for this sacred season. You also can find Praying Lent in book form from Loyola Press.

Winter Involvement Fair Feb. 2
Encourage your student to attend the Winter Involvement Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 2, in the Skutt Student Center Ballroom. Many of Creighton's more than 200 organizations will be represented and looking for new members. Students can also check out the list of student organizations online and find contact information. Creighton encourages students to get involved!

Update Your Health Insurance Information
Creighton's Center for Health and Counseling reminds students and their parents to revisit Creighton's insurance requirements. Many times, insurance carriers or policy numbers change on Jan. 1. Please make sure your student has the appropriate insurance card for 2010. Also, it's not too late to get an H1N1 flu shot! The Center for Health and Counseling offers flu vaccinations by appointment. If your student received either flu vaccine over the break, please add it to the Immunization Tracker in the N.E.S.T. For more information, visit creighton.edu/chc/healthservices.

"Scaffolding" for Student Progress
Creighton University psychology professor Isabelle Cherney, Ph.D., was recently featured in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities' publication Connections for her work as director of the Creighton Honors Program. Read the story online here.

Proud Creighton Parents
Creighton parents can, and do, make a difference when they invest in the future of each and every Creighton student. Join the hundreds of Creighton parents who have shown their "Parent Pride" by making a gift to Creighton this year. All sustaining gifts to Creighton help the University maintain its reputation for unparalleled educational experiences by supporting efforts to increase student-life opportunities, expand undergraduate research initiatives, fund innovative academic programs, and foster an environment for faith in action. Creighton remains a leader among the nation's Catholic Universities because of the support from parents like you. Every gift - every year - makes and impact on every student. Please give generously.

Fine & Performing Arts Celebrates 45th Anniversary
Creighton University's Department of Fine and Performing Arts is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2010. For more information on events during this anniversary year, visit Creighton's Fine and Performing Arts.

Send Us a Note
The Creighton Parent e-newsletter is published in September, November, January, March and May. Are there topics you would like us to address in future issues? How can this newsletter better serve you? Let us know. E-mail editor Rick Davis at richarddavis@creighton.edu.