Welcome  Back, River Hawks! 

We are excited to see campus so busy again with so many students! At the Transfer Alliance Program (TAP), we help support the 40% of undergraduates who have transferred to UMass Lowell. We're here to help during the transition to campus (and beyond) and connect transfer students with resources, mentors and peers! Whether you are looking for academic support or want to engage with the UMass Lowell community, we are here for you! 

My name is Laura, and I am the Transfer Initiatives Assistant for TAP.

I, like you, transferred to UMass Lowell and wanted to help students who are in the same position I was in. I have learned so much about UMass Lowell and want to pass it on to you so you can make the most out of your time here – beyond just earning your degree at the end.

I wanted to share some essential information so your September can be as stress-free as it is exciting. For this reason, I have prepared a guide to make sure you are up to date and ready for a great fall semester.

Our office is available to support you in this journey, and we are happy you are here!

While some of you might already be familiar with the UMass Lowell campus and system, we want to make sure you are up to date on the newest events and tips that can make your experience smoother.

We would like to highlight some upcoming events and activities, as well as resources that might be handy for the future:

Our peer mentors are hosting drop-in support all over campus, at varying times throughout the week, with no need to schedule it ahead! If you have any questions about the campus, want to know who to contact for a specific need, or even just want to chat, our mentors will be happy to help and be there for you!

This is great to keep in mind as the semester goes on. Whatever situation you might be experiencing, peer mentors have likely experienced it themselves or know the resources that will better assist you with it.

You can get live updates whenever a peer is holding drop-in hours by following our Instagram account! On that note, I would recommend following our webpage to stay updated on all the important info, weekly tips and information on upcoming events!

Fight the Flu! Flu season is upon us! Get ahead of it and protect yourself and others by getting the flu shot, available at the Meehan Student Center atrium for students over the age of 18.

Dates:

What to bring:

Walk-ins are available, but we recommend making an appointment to avoid long waiting periods!

If you are a commuter student or plan to have your vehicle with you on campus, you should know about the available parking passes. Parking passes are sold at a one-time rate for the year that will allow entry into designated parking lots depending on whether you are a residential or commuter student.

Depending on the month when you purchase a pass, the cost may decrease. For example, if you were to purchase a pass once the weather gets colder in November, you would pay less than if you had purchased the pass in September. 

If you would like help with a payment plan, you can apply to receive grant money to cover it, or it can be set up with an invoice system through the UCard, Access and Parking Services Office (UCAPS).

If you have any questions, reach out to UCAPS at UCAPS@uml.edu or 978-934-2800.

September 21 – Game Night - Coburn Hall, Room 255, South Campus | 5–7 p.m.

Take part in fun games with TAP, our peer allies, and other UMass Lowell students. Everyone is welcome, so bring friends, too!

October 19-23 – National Transfer Student Week 

Enjoy an entire week celebrating you and your fellow transfers! There will be many events for transfer students with different activities throughout the week. More information will be provided in our next issue, so keep an eye out!

October 20 – Lego Night - Meehan Student Center lobby | 5-6:30 p.m.

Snacks and Legos are provided, with the chance to win a raffle, too!

River Hawk Scholars Academy (RHSA)

Did you know that over 50% of TAP students also identify as first-generation students? With that in mind we wanted to make sure you know about UMass Lowell's River Hawk Scholars Academy.

As a first-generation transfer student myself, I wish I had learned about RHSA earlier in my college experience. Especially during my first semester, I often felt frustrated and alone in navigating the university. I struggled to ask for help in the beginning and assumed I should be able to “handle everything on my own." Looking back I recognize how much easier it would have been to understand my degree requirements, access resources and even afford college if I had reached out.

For this reason, I highly recommend checking out RSHA. They understand the struggles that often come with being a first-generation student and aim to close this gap. Their services include a variety of benefits, including priority registration, workshops and so much more! You can find them at the O’Leary Library on the 1st floor, they have many study spaces available. They are also holding events throughout the semester, so stay tuned for our monthly newsletter with all the fun events to come!

Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA)

The OMA office is an essential hub at UMass Lowell that supports all students and provides them with a network of different programs, clubs and organizations! From academic-based programs such as the STEM Training and Excellence Program (STEP) to community centers such as the LGBTQ+ and International Student Support, there is a place for everyone! Fun fact: Some of TAP's drop-in hours are held here, too.

There are many cool OMA events going on this fall, and we highly recommend checking out their webpage to see their full calendar, but here are some we would like to highlight:

September 22 – International Student Biweekly Lunch Noon-1 p.m.

September 23 – From Curiosity to Research Question, 5-6 p.m.

Septemner 29 and 30 – Career Fair Prep Pit Stop, 3-6:30 p.m.

The month of September brings many opportunities for a great semester, and we want to make sure you feel supported and that your transition into UMass Lowell is as exciting for you as it is for us! We welcome you to UMass Lowell, and we want you to know we are here for you if you have any questions or just want to connect. 

Happy Fall Semester, Everyone!

Cheers!

Laura Dos Passos
Transfer Assistant for TAP, UMass Lowell