Messenger. From the Dean s Desk S O LIDA RIT Y

Transcription

1 Fall 2012 Volume 9 Messenger From the Dean s Desk By Linda Zerbe In Fr. O Connor s annual report for he stated: Solidarity becomes the generative principle that molds us into the DeSales family. We work as partners for the welfare of the students and the local community. He charged the University to work with him to design plans that will foster a multicultural campus community which represents the populations the University seeks to serve. Over the past eight months, solidarity has stimulated a great deal of discussion in student affairs. We asked ourselves, what does solidarity really mean to us as part of a small, Catholic university? The second line in the opening paragraph of the University s philosophy reflects this concept beautifully: It [the University] also fully recognizes that the search for truth requires an atmosphere of intellectual freedom and that love demands an openness to all that is good. Achieving intellectual freedom requires us to become better educated about the multicultural world we share. It urges us to examine our differences, be they philosophical, religious, political, or cultural. It also requires us to explore our similarities and to use this knowledge to build relationships based on understanding, respect, and trust. In our search for commonality, the most blatantly obvious one is our humanness. In spite of all of our differences, we cannot escape the fact that we are one HUMAN family. Before we are black, white, Asian, Indian, Hispanic, etc., we are human. Before we are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, protestant, or atheist, we are human. We strive for the same things: love, health, prosperity, freedom, safety. We want our lives to be valued. We want to be treated with respect and dignity. We want to be accepted for our humanness and not be judged by our looks, our thoughts, or because we worship differently. It is our humanness that unites us, and it is through this basic commonality that we can strive for and attain solidarity. So, how will we foster a multicultural campus community which represents the populations the University seeks to serve? Our only response can be education. Student affairs is committed to creating an environment where, through S O LIDA RIT Y its outside-of-the-classroom educational programming, the entire DeSales community will gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for the diversity on its own campus and globally. By opening our minds to global diversity and embracing the responsibility it places on all of us to better understand one another, we can begin to cultivate a culture of compassion, understanding, forgiveness, tolerance, and respect. As the University takes on the charge of creating a multicultural atmosphere that welcomes and engages students of all ethnicities, cultures, and faiths, our role as a part of the greater human family will become clearer. We are but one family seeking the same basic things to be valued, respected, and loved because of our humanness and the gifts each of us contributes to the good of humanity. Fall 2012, Vol. 9 McShea Messenger

2 New Staff Members Bring Experience and Excitement to Residence Life By Leah Breisch For the first time in several years, the Office of Residence Life had the opportunity to welcome three new faces to its professional staff. Joining the team this year are: Clarence Scott Jr., assistant director of residence life, and Alex Crouse and Caitlin Lenker 11, graduate hall directors. Their wide range of undergraduate leadership and professional work experience in student affairs has already brought new ideas and a renewed sense of excitement to the department. Scott joined the team in July and oversaw the training and development of the resident advisor (RA) program. He brings nearly 10 years of experience working in residence life and student affairs. His education includes a B.A. in English communications from Cabrini College and an M.Ed. in post-secondary education from Salisbury University. In addition to his residence experience, Scott has also worked on programming that focused on transfer students and student success, off-campus student housing, and student conduct. Scott lives on campus with his wife, Melissa, and is hall director for Donahue, Brisson, and Chappuis. Crouse joined residence life in August. He lives in Conmy Hall where he oversees the first-year mens living area. He also oversees the upperclass students living in the wellness community in DeChantal Hall. Crouse is an alumnus of York College, with a B.S. in biology. He is currently pursuing his final year of the M.Ed. program in higher education administration at Kutztown University. Crouse s experience in student affairs includes working in student conduct, orientation, and college admissions. Lenker joined the staff in August. She oversees all of the first-year female living areas in Tocik and Aviat halls. Lenker has professional work experience in graduate admissions. Her education includes a B.A. in communication with a concentration in psychology and a minor in business. She interned in residence life, served as an RA, and wrote and 2 McShea Messenger Fall 2012, Vol. 9 Clarence Scott, assistant director of residence life edited for the student newspaper. She intends to pursue a master's in business administration during her tenure as a graduate hall director. In addition to these three new professional staff members, residence life is proud to welcome 18 new RAs, as well as Troy Bauer, the department s inaugural RA for the DSU Rome program. This year s outstanding staff of RAs include: Aviat Hall RAs Briana Grammes Jennifer Hanson Sarah Livengood Katie Rosser Brisson Hall RAs Kressa Dowling Nate Sabo Charlie Hartley Chappuis Hall RAs Lauren Cartlidge Sarah Klingel Conmy Hall RAs Garrick Borascius Josh Gregory Matt Herbertz Matt Juliano Matt Meyers John Thomas DeChantal Hall RAs Sean Boyd Sarah Brodt Melissa Buttner Lauren Koval RA for DSU in Rome Troy Bauer Donahue Hall RAs Clint Badger Colleen Gavin Amanda Gilmore Brennan Gmeiner Doug Hunt Taylor Zulli Tocik Hall RAs Sarah Allen Janeen Bendig Colleen Costello Lindsay Dender Nicole Schneider Mary Seghers University Heights RAs Tony Calvano Gui Lopes Maria Moser Tonya Schneider John Zerfass Welsh Hall RAs Alexiah Grant Andrew Lapsley Matt Liotti Matt Pirrall Kolbe Rubin Erinne Schmalzer New Staff, continued on p. 3

3 Student Affairs DSU Launches DeSales Experience By Dr. Gregg Amore P erhaps you have noticed the new addition to most classrooms and residence hall lounges. It is the DeSales University Character Code, which reads: As a member of DeSales University, I will conduct myself in a respectful manner with dignity and honesty in the Salesian tradition of humility andgentleness. A team of faculty, staff, and students worked with an outside consultant to produce the Character Code. However, words on a wall are of little value if we, as a community, do not operationally define those five virtues and behave in a manner commensurate with their intention. What does it mean to be respectful, dignified, honest, humble, and gentle in the classroom? On the athletic field? In the residence halls? At a party? With our families? In a professional setting? Have each of us set a standard for our personal conduct in each of those arenas? Most importantly, have we integrated our thoughts, feelings, and actions into one synchronized process? Are our responses reflective, comfortable? Have they become habits? This year the University launched the DeSales Experience in Character and Leadership, another initiative born from the collaborative efforts of academic affairs and student affairs. Our goal is to provide students with a unique opportunity to participate in a variety of classroom and outside-of-the-classroom experiences that will uniquely and significantly contribute to the development of both their character and competence and enable them to lead with Salesian values (character and competence=leadership). DeSales is the state sponsor for the Character Education Partnership s State Schools of Character program. This means we judge schools grades K through 12 on their worthiness for character recognition. We also encourage them to embrace and implement effective character education, and we guide them in the process. It is our goal as a University to be an outstanding role model for all educational institutions who aspire to effectively develop leaders of character and competence. This year we have achieved another milestone along the path to this end. It is our intention to engage in continuous improvement as we strive to make the DeSales Experience unique. New Staff, continued from p. 3 Alex Crouse, graduate hall director, Conmy and DeChantal halls Caitlin Lenker, graduate hall director, Tocik and Aviat halls Fall 2012, Vol. 9 McShea Messenger 3

4 Campus ministry has the great opportunity to tap the immense pool of talent in our colleges and universities and to help form future leaders for society and the Church (Empowered by the Spirit: Campus Ministry Faces the Future, USCCB). Student Affairs Campus Ministry Provides Students With a Variety of Leadership Opportunities The DeSales Office of Campus Ministry currently has 10 professional work study students and many other students who volunteer to lead the spiritual programming that the department offers. The weekly schedule is filled with programs that are supported and overseen by campus ministry but led by students. On Tuesday evenings, sophomore Danny Drain leads the Catholic Book Club. Cu r rently, the group is reading and discussing My Life with the Saints by James Martin, SJ. Also on Tuesd ay evenings, the men s group, Esto Vir, and the women s group, Philotheas, meet for fellowship and spiritual reflection. There are leadership teams for each of these groups, which plan and direct every meeting. On Wednesday nights, there is Sword of the Spirit, a Catholic Bible study group. This program is run by sophomore Mary Colleen Romendio. The group shares their re- Maggie Riggins (center), director of campus ministry, is grateful for interns such as Jennifer Faye (left) and Mary Coleen Romendio (right), who volunteer their time to lead several of the spiritual programs offered by the Office of Campus Ministry. flections on the upcoming Sunday s Gospel reading. The Theology of the Body discussion group gathers on Thursday evenings and is led by sophomore Joseph Mc- Daniel. During this discussion, students explore the apostolic letter Familiaris Consortio as well as The Jeweler s Shop, both written by Pope John Paul II. Friday evenings are for Praise and Worship. senior Nate Bridge and junior Nicole Fantauzzo lead this group, providing contemporary Christian worship music during the hour-long program. On Saturday mornings, students f i n d sophomore James Whittenburg leading Dig, a Protest ant Bible study and discussion group. O n S u n - day evenings s t u d e nt s a s - sist during the Liturgy as lectors, ser vers, and Eucharistic ministers. M a g g i e Riggins, director of campus ministry, says she feels truly blessed to have so many comp e t e n t s t u - dents willing to lead the departments diverse ministry programs. 4 McShea Messenger Fall 2012, Vol. 9

5 Interview With an Alum Richard Malo Class 2011 Major: nursing Minor: biology Employment St. Luke s Hospital, Bethlehem, PA Position: emergency room nurse Jaime Gerhart, director for the Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ), was happy for the recent opportunity to talk with Ricky Malo 11, reminisce about his experience at DeSales, and learn about what he s been up to since graduation. Malo was an active volunteer with CSSJ throughout his academic career at DeSales. During his freshmen year, Malo was one of the first freshmen to arrive on campus, eager to participate in the Outreach DeSales program a pre-orientation program that offers freshmen students an opportunity to do volunteer service work in their new community, gain leadership skills, and meet new classmates. Malo also participated in CSSJ s alternative spring break service trips every year while at DSU. Today, he is committing his time to international service with Catholic Medical Missionary Board. Q: Ricky, it s great to speak with you. Could you start off discussing your most memorable service experiences at DeSales? A: That would have to be the spring break trips. They gave me a real break from everyday life at DeSales. I was able to put down the books and the cell phone for the week and do much needed work in a new community as well as connect with students I may not otherwise have met. I also visited places I might not have ever seen on my own, from Pittsboro, N.C. to New Orleans, La.; to Laredo, Tex. As a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, I saw firsthand that I made a notable difference to a family in need or to their community. I must admit, however, the most memorable service trip was to Pisco, Peru, which I took with Hands on Disaster Response. It was definitely the most impactful. This trip took place in my sophomore year, and it was the first trip I had made to a developing country. It certainly placed me outside of my comfort zone. The group went to Pisco to volunteer in the city after it had suffered an 8.0 magnitude earthquake. Almost every home had fallen or was so structurally damaged that it had to be torn down and rebuilt. Our group s main job was the demolition of the homes and then clearing the debris so that new construction could begin. It was strenuous work, but thankfully, we got a few breaks, which allowed us to visit with children in the local schools. During this trip, I learned to fully put service for another before myself. Outside of the service component of this trip, Peru was a blast! We went sand boarding at an oasis in Huachachina, enjoyed the local food, and saw the Candelabra, of the Andes, which was great. Malo, continued on p. 8 Jill Yapasuga 07, Elizabeth Valk 11, John Leone 11, Jaime Gerhart, director of CSSJ, Ricky Malo 11, Melissa Daniels, Malo s girlfriend, and Jeff McGrail 11 taking a break during the alumni trip to New Orleans this past summer. Fall 2012, Vol. 9 McShea Messenger 5

6 See the World With DSU By Nick Luchko Every year the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership (SEAL) provides students an opportunity to travel abroad over spring break. Although this year s trip is sold out, students are encouraged to take advantage of future opportunities to explore the world with DSU. In recent years, students visited Italy, Greece, Ireland, and England. SEAL decided to return to England this year to experience the massive rejuvenation of London that which took place during its preparation for the 2012 summer Olympics. Students last visited London in To participate in a spring break trip, students pay a portion of the travel expense and De- Sales University covers a portion. St udents must have a valid passport and be in good standing with the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Student Conduct. Securing a spot for the trip requires an initial deposit, and placement for the trip is on a first-come basis. Attendance on the annual trips ranges from 15 to 30 students. There is no limit to how many spring break trips students can attend while at DeSales. Once again, DeSales University students will travel across the pond to England for spring break. Costs for this year s trip include: round trip airfare, hotel, transportation in the United States and London (including a tube pass), tour guides, SEAL planned excursions, breakfast, and two special dinners during the trip, one of which includes a medieval themed beefeater s dinner. Students are responsible for personal excursions they choose to make, all meals other than those mentioned above, and their own spending money. During the past few years, the trips have been both fun and educational. Not only does traveling abroad give students the opportunity to experience another country and culture, but the trips help students who are interested in studying abroad to make more informed decisions about where they might want to study. There have been many students who have taken these trips and later gone on to study abroad because of their experience. Through the coming fall and winter months, students will meet with staff members to review all aspects of the trip. The London itinerary includes trips to the new Olympic area, St. Paul s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Stonehenge, Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover, and Greenwich. Previous spring break travelers will offer their tips to firsttime travelers about shopping, expense money, and places to visit on their free days. Some of these favorite stops include Abby Road, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the London dungeons, and Hyde Park. Students have also suggested taking advantage of food specials at Café D ia n a,wa g a m a m a noodle bar, and shopping at the Notting hill and Camden markets. Each student will receive a travel book, which includes a map of London. SEAL will have staff members from the DeSales external affairs office speak to students on topics regarding safety and what to do in case of an emergency, and general air travel tips for students who are doing so for the first time. One of the new features of this year s trip is a leadership position for one student to help the staff with the selection of free-day activities and planning the trip. This new position is open to students who have been on a SEAL spring break trip before. The student selected will receive a discounted rate for their trip. Missed this year s chance to travel with DSU over spring break? Don t worry, next year s trip promises to be equally as exciting! 6 McShea Messenger Fall 2012, Vol. 9

7 PACE Programming Helps Students Become Life Smart By Colleen Gavin PACE (peers advising, counseling, and educating) has been active at DeSales since fall Since its inception, the PACE team has become nationally recognized in the Bacchus Network of colleges for its outstanding educational programming. Bacchus is a national educational network of schools that promotes healthy lifestyles among young adults. All DSU PACErs are certified by the Bacchus Network. The team comprises eight students who are trained in peer counseling. This year s members include two returning PACErs, Gui Lopes and Kristen Taormina, and new members Colleen Gavin, Kathy Griffin, Kevin Regan, Jordan Roman, Emilee Rutherford, and Lindsey Wyglendowski. PACE advisors are Wendy Krisak, director of the counseling center, and Andrea Grube, assistant director of Health Center and health educator. PACE presents educational programs that focus on wellness and personal growth issues along with alcohol awareness programs for the University s Office of Student Conduct. Many of the programs are tailored for freshmen students who sometimes need additional support as they transition into college. PACE promotes being life smart, by providing programs that help students make informed choices regarding their safety, health, and total well-being. PACE s outside-of-the-classroom programs focus on important and relevant student topics. At the same time, PACE makes the learning experiences fun through the use of games and prizes. All of the presentations are designed to have a positive impact on students. Whether that means presenting an educational program, teaching, raising awareness on wellness issues, or counseling a struggling student, PACErs take their jobs seriously and are always available to help their peers. During September, PACE hosted the following events for students, faculty, and the general public: September 9-15 PACE hosted suicide prevention week. September 13 PACE presented a time management program, which was coordinated by Kristen Toarmina, which was very helpful to freshmen students. September 20 PACE presented The Magic Pill, an exercise and nutrition program coordinated by Colleen Gavin. The PACErs make a fashion statement at the annual PACE Walk-A-Mile in Her Shoes event, which raises awareness about abuse against women and raises money for local women s shelters. Left to right: Kevin Regan, Kristen Taormina, Kathy Griffin, Lindsey Wyglendowski, Emilee Rutherford, and Gui Lopes. Not present but there in spirit were PACErs Jordan Roman and Colleen Gavin. September 25 PACE presented Booze Busters. September 27 PACE hosted Walk-A-Mile, an event that raises awareness about domestic violence. The presentation was coordinated by Lindsey Wyglendowski. In the coming months, keep an eye out for Gui Lopes alcohol presentation, Kathy Griffin s program on stress management, Kevin Regan s presentation on addictions, Jordan Roman s program on the effects of social media on our professional and private lives, and Colleen Gavin s Exercise Awareness Campaign, which addresses how exercise can benefit one s social, emotional, mental, and physical well-being. PACE encourages students to check out www. facebook.com/pacedsu for the times and locations of all its programs. Fall 2012, Vol. 9 McShea Messenger 7

8 Malo, continued from p. 5 Character By Chad Serfass Corner In order to journey steadily, we must apply ourselves to doing well in the stretch of road immediately before us on the first day of the journey, and not waste time wanting to do the last lap of the way while we still have to make it through the first. ~St. Francis de Sales August always seems to pass by in the blink of an eye with planning, mentor training, orientation, and preparing for the start of the year. This year DeSales welcomed the class of 2016, and in four years it will celebrate not only their graduation but the 50th anniversary of the University. To coincide with the 50th anniversary, the Office of Student Development has launched an unprecedented program to the class of 2016 the DeSales Experience in Character and Leadership. This innovative four-year program links character development with undergraduate student learning outcomes and will establish strong bonds between several offices on campus. The requirements for this program include completion of Character U, a leadership experience, community service, a career development experience, four academic courses, and completion of the Senior Success Series. It may seem like a daunting task for a first-year student to think in terms of graduation when they have only been on campus a few weeks, but as St. Francis tells us, Do well in the stretch of road immediately before us. For the first-year student who is interested in participating in the DeSales Experience in Character and Leadership, his/her primary focus should be on academics and the completion of Character U. The class of 2016 and all subsequent classes will have the opportunity to participate in this program as well. DeSales University and the Office of Student Development take pride in each of their programs and hopes that they will become a staple for the University, strengthening our students both personally and professionally to be better prepared to take on the world after graduation. Q: What advice do you have for current DSU students? A: My advice for current students is to participate as much as they can in community service. Whether it s a trip to Peru or simply making a meal at Victory House in Bethlehem, Pa., experiencing how serving others influences your career choice, passions, and most importantly your outlook on life is an immeasurable learning opportunity. Q: The last service project you did with DSU was the alumni service trip to New Orleans this past summer. What made you want to go on a community service vacation? A: The alumni trip was a win-win situation. It was a great opportunity to rekindle old college friendships and also meet other alumni. I was able to volunteer with others in a community that still needs a lot of rebuilding after the punch it took from Hurricane Katrina in When the work was done at the end of the day, we had time to explore New Orleans. For me, going to New Orleans was the perfect place to serve and vacation. I got to know the people in the community and experience the amazing and unique culture of New Orleans. Q: Ricky, I recently wrote a recommendation for you to join the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) and was happy to hear you d been accepted. Can you tell us what CMMB is and why you decided to commit yourself to 1-2 years of service in a developing country? A: Well, CMMB focuses on global healthcare and making healthcare available to all people. It also places a lot of emphasis on the well-being of women and children in developing countries. The main reason I joined CMMB was not only to further my career, but to genuinely explore what it means to have the skills needed to serve the most destitute of our brothers and sisters. Sure, I am going there to deliver medical help to those in need, but also to gain a greater understanding through faith-based practice, the reasons why I became a nurse and how I can be the best nurse, humanitarian, and overall global citizen. Malo is in the process of completing the paperwork necessary for travel with CMMB. He will leave for Karungu, Kenya, in March 2013 and be stationed at St. Camillus Mission Hospital. He is very excited about writing this next chapter in his life and encourages others who might be Malo, continued on p. 9 8 McShea Messenger Fall 2012, Vol. 9

9 Malo, continued from p. 8 interested in learning more about Catholic Medical Mission Board to visit their website at: Needless to say, CSSJ is very proud of the impact its programs have had on DSU students and hopes that many of its current and future graduates will be inspired to continue serving humanity long after they complete their college education. Jessica Toms 12, Ricky Malo, and Elyse Levandowski 12, worked together on a Habitat for Humanity project in Laredo, TX, during an alumni service trip. SGA and its Role on Campus By Peter Wertz, SGA president DeSales Student Government Association (SGA) serves as an intermediary between students and administrators. Its main goal is to embody the voices of the students in order to bring positive change and make every student s experience at the University a better one. Every fall semester, SGA establishes the goals it seeks to achieve by the end of the academic year. This year, its main goals include: revamping the semi-formal dance, continuing to improve its relationship with dining services, and increasing its role on campus through various events and initiatives. In the past, semi-formal has included only the freshmen and sophomores. While it s always been a popular event, its structure is very unlike that of other universities. In light of this, SGA seeks to open semi-formal to all classes. This will benefit students in several ways. First, juniors under the age of 21 will have the option to attend a dance that is alcohol-free. In the past, underage juniors wanting to attend formal payed the same price for their tickets as their 21-yearold friends. The price of which included the cost of alcohol, which they could not drink. With the new semi-formal changes, juniors will be able to attend the event without any extra cost. Furthermore, with the increased volume of students attending the event, SGA will be able to book a nicer venue than would otherwise have been affordable in the past. SGA s second goal is to maintain a quality relationship with dining services. The group meets with University staff a few times every semester to discuss improvements. SGA surveys classmates about what changes they would like to see in the University Center and then takes these concerns directly to the people in charge of making the changes. SGA s final goal is to expand the role of student government on campus by sponsoring more SGA events. So far, it has successfully registered a substantial amount of new voters through its combined voter registration initiative with the Center for Service and Social Justice. SGA will continue to seek similar opportunities to help the student body. This year is proving to be an exciting year for SGA. It has a very enthusiastic group of students who are actively working toward positive change on campus. SGA meets every Tuesday at 8:45 p.m. in the Kender Conference Room in the McShea Student Center, and it encourages students to stop by and share their ideas and concerns. Fall 2012, Vol. 9 McShea Messenger 9

10 What Would You Do? By Jennifer Bunting Every day we face many choices. What am I going to eat for breakfast? Which shoes should I wear? Am I going to go to class today? These are simple choices that can be made easily, but what do you do when you are faced with tough choices? Scenario 1: Friends are bullying another student on Facebook or Twitter You see that one of your friends has posted a picture of a current male student with hurtful comments, calling him a freak and saying that he doesn t deserve to be at DeSales. In addition, other friends start sharing the picture on their pages. You know that this is wrong and hurtful. What do you do? I n Au g u s t 2 012, D e S a l e s implemented a cyber bullying policy. The full policy can be found at This policy was initiated by a current DeSales student who was passionate about this topic. Because of this, there is now an official policy in place which addresses this ever growing concern. Scenario 2: A friend is highly intoxicated You are at a party at the University Heights and one of your friends has had too much to drink. You help him back to his residence hall room, which has been a challenge because he is unable to walk without assistance. His speech is slurred and he seems mentally out of it. Once you get back to the room, he starts to vomit profusely. What do you do? Since the start of the fall 2012 semester, there have been eight situations where DeSales students have called for help for an intoxicated friend who, because of their call, received the medical attention they needed. Do you have the courage to make that critical call for a friend? At times it is hard to find the courage to step up and make a difference. You may be afraid of someone not liking you because of the choice you made or be afraid that you might get someone in trouble. As a DSU student, you are not alone in this process; there are people on campus who are trained to help in such situations. If you live on campus, you can contact your resident advisor (RA) or the residence hall director (RHD). There are also trained professionals in the Counseling Center located in the McShea Student Center. If there is an emergency, there is help available 24/7 by calling ext or 911 to reach the University Police Department or the EMS. The goal of this piece is not to tell you what to do but to encourage you to look back at decisions that you ve made in the past. Are there things you would have done differently if you had a second chance? Even more important, what are you are going to do in the future? Sometimes making the right decision is a tough thing to do; but you will always find approval in having done what needed to be done. Making the wrong decision guarantees regrets and an abundance of hindsight I wish I would haves. 10 McShea Messenger Fall 2012, Vol. 9

11 Paws for Wellness By Andrea Grube A Healthy Dose of Advice for Fall Get outside. Take a walk or go for a hike or bike ride. The fresh air will do you a world of good. Because regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, strengthens the immune system, take advantage of this time of year and the beauty it brings to campus; It won t be long before you feel trapped inside by the cold. Take part in a fun outdoor activity such as a trip to a local farm or pumpkin patch, or enjoy the fun of a corn maze. Enjoy the nutritional foods of fall such as apples, squash, and pumpkins a great source of Beta Carotene which helps to prevent night blindness and other eye and skin disorders. These foods also offer a great boost to the immune system. Wash your hands requently. The warmer temperatures inside and colder temperatures outside can lead to a higher risk of colds and flu. Get enough sleep. Resting your body is paramount to fighting off illness. On average, most adults require seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep a day. Dress in layers. Help your body adjust to the cooler temperatures of fall. Wear layers in the morning that can be shed easily as the day warms up, helping you to maintain a balanced body temperature. Eat well and drink plenty of fluids. Eating a healthy diet one packed with vitamins and minerals like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and dairy products can help reduce your risk of contracting illness. Eating well also increases energy, improves memory, and stabilizes your mood. Drinking water transports oxygen to your cells, flushes waste from your system, and provides protection for your organs and joints. In addition to washing your hands frequently, carry hand sanitizer and avoid using pens that many others have touched. Carry your own. Avoid touching magazines in doctors offices and also avoid touching your face. Keep your house or room in the residence hall clean. Disinfect commonly used items such as countertops, keyboards, doorknobs, light switches, toilets, and remote controls. Avoid crowds and direct contact with sick coworkers, classmates, and friends. If you do become ill and are prescribed an antibiotic, it is very important to take the medication as prescribed and finish the prescription. By not doing so, you put yourself at risk for developing resistance to that antibiotic and eliminating it as a source of treatment for future illnesses. Fall 2012, Vol. 9 McShea Messenger 11

12 Student Affairs Broaden Your Horizons The Office of International Learning will be holding study abroad information sessions on the following dates: Wednesday, November 7, 3:00 p.m., Danko Conference Room, McShea Student Union Thursday, November 8, 3:00 p.m., Danko Conference Room, McShea Student Union Wednesday, February 6, 3:00 p.m., Danko Conference Room, McShea Student Union Thursday, February 7, 3:00 p.m., Danko Conference Room, McShea Student Union Wednesday, March 13, 3:00 p.m., Danko Conference Room, McShea Student Union Thursday, March 14, 3:00 p.m., Danko Conference Room, McShea Student Union Wednesday, April 10, 3:00 p.m., Kender Conference Room, McShea Student Union Thursday, April 11, 3:00 p.m., Danko Conference Room, McShea Student Union The McShea Messenger Fall 2012 Volume 9 Designer and Editor: Lois Weber 12 McShea Messenger Fall 2012, Vol. 9