Torero Tidbits: Writing Center Online Appointments; Alumni, Mail Center Updates

As University of San Diego students continue to adjust to their spring semester online courses and work to get back into the flow of classwork assignments, there is certainly a prime need for tools that can assist them.

One of the best academic resources for students has announced it is now available to help. In case you weren't aware, USD's Writing Center is open -- albeit not physically on campus -- for business this semester. The center is offering online appointments. The website can schedule students for one hour synchronous online appointments through its virtual system.

Center hours, in effect since March 24, are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.

For more information, contact the center by email at writingcenter@sandiego.edu or go to the website, https://www.sandiego.edu/cas/writing/writing-center.

Alumni Events Update

The coronavirus pandemic has forced the cancellation or postponement of events across the country. At the University of San Diego this week came word that all events scheduled through July 1 have been cancelled or postponed, Senior Director of Alumni Relations Charles Bass confirmed on Wednesday.

One high-profile event connected to this announcement is the annual European Alumni Reunion weekend, which was scheduled in 2020 for Flam, Norway. According to Claudia Gonzales, USD's director of international constituent relations, the reunion has been postponed until summer 2021.

Bass met with USD alumni relations staff this week to brainstorm ideas for ways to maintain alumni engagement. Among the possible items on the table are Zoom interviews with Torero alumni across the country, continuing online participation in programs with Career Development Center, and even a few Zoom online happy hour meet-ups for individual USD school alumni chapters and the USD Alumni Board.

Be sure to stay in contact with the USD Alumni Association on its social media platforms, via email at alumni@sandiego.edu, by phone at (619) 260-4819 or go to the website, https://toreronetwork.sandiego.edu

USD Mail Center Service Continues on Campus

The USD Mail Center was tremendously busy helping students as they were packing and shipping their stuff while transitioning, mid-semester back home or nearby off-campus last week. Going forward, Mail Center Director Cheance Adair offered the following information updates.

The center, located behind Maher Hall, is open, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"Students who were living on campus and have moved locally can still use their address here, and come by for mail pick up," Adair said. "However, students who have left the city should send us a new address because we, not USPS, are the forwarding agents."

Adair added that the center is continuing to catch up with forwarding items that were left behind by students. And, if students are contacting the center to ask about a package, it is important for them to have the tracking number handy.

-- Compiled by Ryan T. Blystone