“We are pleased to enter into this agreement and appreciate PNC’s long-term support of the University of Louisville,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi. “This partnership provides convenience and financial management educational opportunities to students, faculty and staff, as well as resources to help achieve our university’s educational, research and community outreach mission.”

“With many young adults living on their own for the first time, learning to budget and manage credit and debt will help them develop smart habits that last a lifetime,” said Chuck Denny, PNC regional president for Louisville. “The University of Louisville and PNC recognize that financially savvy consumers are essential to a functioning economy. This relationship provides on-campus financial education that will help prepare students to make smart and responsible banking choices with tools and guidance from PNC.”��

Highlights of the agreement include:

• Financial and consulting support for financial wellness programming, with on-campus PNC workshops on personal financial management and financial literacy. Topics include basic banking, credit management, savings and investing and identity protection.
• Up to seven ATMs throughout the university’s campus. At least two will be DepositEasy��ATMs, which allow students, faculty and staff to cash checks, deposit checks or cash directly into their accounts and withdraw cash in increments as small as $1 bills.
• Access to PNC deposit products and services, including Virtual Wallet��Student accounts for UofL students. These features include tools to help students monitor spending, view account balances and avoid account-management mistakes.
• A co-branded University of Louisville debit card available to all PNC deposit account holders.
• The capability for PNC account holders to link their account to their Cardinal Card ID, which can be used to conveniently access cash at all PNC ATMs.
• A co-branded website, hosted by , where students can complete account applications, manage their finances and find financial and educational information.

“PNC��and the University of Louisville share a commitment to educating college students on successful money management practices.�� In addition to providing world-class products and services, we can help students, faculty and staff to be smart with their money and achieve their financial goals,” Denny said.

UofL News: For those that don’t know, what is “Winter Session”?��

Gale Rhodes:�� is a university-wide academic session that runs during UofL’s winter break, and offers a selection of accelerated three-week undergraduate and graduate courses. Delivered through a 100-percent online format, these courses present students with the opportunity to catch up or get ahead in their studies.

UofL News: What was the reason for starting the program last year?

GR: Here at the University of Louisville and within the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning, we are continuously evaluating new ways to help our students succeed and stay on track to graduation. After researching the success of similar sessions at other colleges and the student-demand for year-round courses, the university chose to launch Winter Session last year to provide students a way to stay engaged in the learning process over the winter break.

UofL News: How successful was the first year? What did you learn that has helped shape the program moving forward?

GR: We believe Winter Session 2017 was very successful for a pilot program. We offered 31 courses, generating 530 enrollments, a response that validated the perceived demand for a chance to take courses over the winter break. Furthermore, following a post-Winter Session survey, we learned from participants that Winter Session was extremely important for lessening course load in future semesters (92 percent), meeting intended graduation timelines (85 percent) and having a convenient way to accelerate their studies (93 percent).

Based on these findings and feedback from students, we’ve adjusted our course offerings this year to better meet the needs of our students. And these adjustments are already paying off. We saw a huge increase in enrollment on the first day of registration, with three times as many students registering for a winter session course this year compared to last. Within the first few days of registration, over 200 students have enrolled, and we expect to continue to see that number grow as advising continues and students consider their options.

UofL News: Who is the ideal Winter Session student?

GR: The session is open to UofL’s current on-campus, online and returning students, as well as new, transfer and visiting students from other universities. Given the online and accelerated nature of the session, students do need to be focused, driven and organized to succeed in Winter Session courses. With the right motivation, this is a great opportunity to make up for lost time, complete extra credit hours or squeeze in an additional elective or gen ed requirement between semesters.

UofL News: How many overall courses will be offered this year?

GR: Building on the success of the 2017 program, this year’s Winter Session offers even more online courses for students to choose from. More than 60 courses are available across various disciplines within the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Business, Kent School of Social Work and the College of ����ֱ�� & Human Development.

Current University of Louisville students can enroll in Winter Session courses online��and clicking the “Register Now!” Button. New, transfer and visiting students first need to to the university and will be given a chance to enroll once that process is complete.

The free event, co-sponsored by Commonwealth Credit Union, begins at 6:30 p.m. June 29 on the lawn between the Natural Sciences Building and Grawemeyer Hall. The film begins around sunset.

Pre-movie activities include children’s inflatables, games and crafts. Concessions will be available for purchase from Smokin’ Cantina and SnoWhat Snoballs. Attendees may also bring their own dinner and snacks.

Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Parking is available in the lot next to Grawemeyer Hall (2301 S. Third St.) and behind Ernst Hall (216 Eastern Parkway).

Cards Under the Stars will continue with “Black Panther” on July 27.

The event, co-sponsored by Commonwealth Credit Union, begins at 6:30 p.m. June 1 on the lawn between the Natural Sciences Building and Grawemeyer Hall. The film begins around sunset.

Pre-movie activities include:
• Free Children’s inflatables and games
• Appearances by members of the Louisville League of Mascots

Concessions will be available for purchase from and .

Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Parking is available in the lot next to Grawemeyer Hall (2301 S. Third St.) and behind Ernst Hall (216 Eastern Pkwy.).

Cards Under the Stars will continue June 29 with “Coco.”

The series will conclude July 27 with a “Viewer’s Choice” film. Vote below:

[yop_poll id=”13″]

For additional information about the film, visit the .

The Higher ����ֱ�� Anchor Mission Initiative is a joint project of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU), a national organization dedicated to connecting urban universities and their partners, and The Democracy Collaborative, a national research institute developing strategies for a more democratic economy and supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Ralph Fitzpatrick, vice president for community engagement, said UofL’s membership will deepen its existing commitment as a community partner.

“The University of Louisville is uniquely positioned as a major community anchor to lend its expertise and voice in addressing many of the region’s, particularly metro Louisville, community-based educational, economic, civic and social challenges,” Fitzpatrick said. “Sharing our experiences and learning from one another through this initiative will enable us to do even more to help our communities.”

Fitzpatrick will travel to Virginia Commonwealth University in June for a kick-off for the new initiative. The member groups will work together to share ideas on community engagement and metrics for measuring success, and provide professional development opportunities.

CUMU Executive Director Bobbie Laur said the initiative will be invaluable to members.

“Whether public or private, CUMU member institutions are anchored by place and recognize an obligation to their communities to address challenges and work with partners to find creative, equitable solutions. This initiative will guide universities across the country to expand current collaborative work and to form more strategic partnerships that benefit the economic and social well-being of their communities,” Laur said.

The Higher ����ֱ�� Anchor Mission Initiative builds on and expands the work of The Democracy Collaborative’s “Anchor Dashboard Learning Cohort,” in which six urban universities — SUNY Buffalo State, Cleveland State University, Drexel University, Rutgers University-Newark, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Virginia Commonwealth University — collaborated in a multi-year process to pilot effective metrics for tracking anchor mission impact. The Initiative will be informed by the best practices identified by this cohort, whose six members will become members of the Initiative.

“Colleges and universities in the U.S. collectively employ over 4 million people, spend over $43 billion each year, and hold over half a trillion dollars in their endowments, which means their potential impact as community wealth building anchor institutions is enormous,” said Ted Howard, president of The Democracy Collaborative.

More information, including a full list of member schools, is .��

The Alumni Association and the Office of Community Engagement are working at New Directions Housing Corporation. Volunteers each day will complete minor safety and weatherization repairs on homes owned by the elderly or disabled.

UofL’s Cardinal Day of Service is significant because it demonstrates the commitment the university has in engaging and bettering the community.

“For America’s communities to meet the challenges that confront them, they must take full advantage of all the resources available to them. This means our colleges and universities like UofL who already play a significant role in the economic, social and cultural life of a community must step up and assume even more responsibility by becoming fully engaged in the welfare and vitality of their respective communities,” said Ralph Fitzpatrick, vice president for community engagement.

. The first 50 faculty, staff or students to register will receive a #WeAreUofL t-shirt. Volunteer times are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 13 and 14. Volunteers will learn their assignments in advance. No experience is required and materials will be provided.

Participation is entirely voluntary. This is not a work-related activity under the University’s Workers’ Compensation program.

Cards Under the Stars, held three times each summer on the lawn next to Grawemeyer Hall, features family-friendly movies as well as activities for kids, including inflatables and crafts.

The movies are typically held on Friday nights. Activities begin at 6:30 and the film begins at dark.

Dates for this year’s events, as well as the selected films, will be announced in April.

To help pick this year’s films, select your top three films in the list below.

[yop_poll id=”7″]

Voting ends at 5 p.m. April 6. Films selected will be determined in part by votes, film availability and more.

This month, the partnership will celebrate 10 years of success and pave the way for the future work with a celebration at 6 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Louisville Central Community Center, 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. The event is free and open to the public but an online RSVP is required.

“When people talk about UofL’s impact on the community, you can bet that the Signature Partnership Initiative is part of that conversation,” Interim President Greg Postel said. “We are proud of what we’ve done so far, and excited about what’s next.”

While much work has been done, Interim Vice President for Community Engagement Ralph Fitzpatrick said there is room to grow and expand efforts in order to have a bigger impact on area residents.

“We want the community to know what the Signature Partnership has done so far, but also that there’s much yet to be done,” Fitzpatrick said. “We want to discuss how we can grow to better serve Louisville and how to build capacity to help.”

The event will feature remarks by Postel and retired Vice President of Community Engagement Dan Hall.

A panel will also discuss the impact of the program and discuss opportunities for future growth. The panel includes Diane Porter, JCPS School Board Member, District 1; Mark Carter, president/CEO, Passport Health Plans; Pam Rice, executive director, Neighborhood House; and Kevin Fields, president/CEO, Louisville Central Community Center.

Since 2007, the Office of Community Engagement at UofL, which houses the partnership, has tracked:

• 21,000 instances of student community engagement opportunities representing more than 250,000 hours of community service
• 4,200 instances of faculty and staff engagement with community projects in west Louisville
• 200-plus community partner organizations working with UofL and west end residents

The event, co-sponsored by Commonwealth Credit Union, begins at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11 on the lawn between the Natural Sciences Building and Grawemeyer Hall. The film begins around sunset.

Pre-movie activities include:

• Children’s inflatables and games
• Appearances by members of the Louisville League of Mascots

Representatives from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering will be onsite demonstrating Lego robotics kits. The school will also hold a drawing for one scholarship to its 2018 Lego Camps.

Concessions will be available for purchase from 502 Café and Snowhat Snoballs.

Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Parking is available in the lots next to Grawemeyer Hall (2301 S. Third St.) and behind Ernst Hall (216 Eastern Pkwy.).

Check the UofL Events Calendar for additional information and weather closer to the event.

The event, co-sponsored by Commonwealth Credit Union, begins at 6:30 p.m. June 30 on the lawn between the Natural Sciences Building and Grawemeyer Hall. The film begins around sunset.

Pre-movie activities include:

• Children’s inflatables and games
• Photos with Lego Batman
• Appearances by members of the Louisville League of Mascots

Representatives from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering will be onsite demonstrating Lego robotics kits. The school will also hold a drawing for a scholarship to its 2018 Lego Camps.

Concessions will be available for purchase from 502 Café, Snowhat Snoballs and Get in Your Belly Deli.

Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Parking is available in the lots next to Grawemeyer Hall (2301 S. Third St.) and behind Ernst Hall (216 Eastern Pkwy.).

The movie series will conclude July 28 with “Beauty and the Beast (2017).”

Check the UofL Events Calendar for additional information and weather closer to the event. Contact Brandy Warren, 502-852-8025, for inquiries.