Bluff Hall Newsletter

Madison County Health Department will be hosting a COVID vaccine clinic on campus for all SIUE faculty, staff, and students ages 16 and older.  The vaccine clinic will provide appointments for the Pfizer vaccine.  Pfizer is an mRNA vaccine and is considered 80% effective after the first dose.  However, the completed series offers more than 90% effectiveness for prevention of infection.

Important Information:

• First dose appointments for the Pfizer vaccine will be available April 21, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
• Second dose appointments for the Pfizer vaccine will be available May 12, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Appointments open at a later date.
• A photo ID with a birthdate is required for everyone, regardless of age. 
• If you are not an Illinois resident, proof of Illinois employment OR your SIUE Cougar Card is required. 
• Masks are required.
• Individuals participating in the vaccine clinic will be permitted to park in Lot F.

Schedule Your Appointment:

• To make an appointment for the April 21 Pfizer vaccine clinic, follow this link: https://events.juvare.com/IL-IDPH/3hw7x/.
• The vaccination clinic will be held at the SIUE Student Fitness Center.

Please Note:

• If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to ANY injectable medication or vaccine you are not eligible to register for these clinics. Please contact COVIDVax@co.madison.il.us for further instructions.
• You cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine within 14 days of any other vaccines.
• If you are sick or are COVID-19 positive, please contact our department to reschedule your appointment.
• Students traveling out of the area at the end of the semester who are unable to attend the 2nd dose clinic should be able to schedule their second dose in their home area.  
• Students unable to schedule their second dose at the SIUE clinic and needing assistance in scheduling a 2nd dose in their home area may connect with SIUE Health Service for further direction and assistance at CougarCare@siue.edu 
• IDPH encourages people to register with V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker, a smartphone-based tool that uses text messages and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccine.  For more information on v-safe, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafe.html

 

Additional Upcoming Vaccine Clinic Opportunities (if you prefer to complete your series before May 9^th)

• Collinsville at the Gateway Convention Center
  • April 15-17
  • Register at: https://events.juvare.com/IL-IDPH/e91f6226-ec18-4b9a-841b-8f6f9e887767/ 
• Granite City at the Township Building
  • April 17
  • Register at: https://events.juvare.com/IL-IDPH/909cf5af-ffbc-4041-972c-fbdac92fb90d/

Congratulations to the winners of the March University Housing Study Tables Gift Bags!  Makes sure you attend study tables hosted in your community for a chance to win one of our monthly gift bags or the end of the semester Amazon Gift Card prize!

March Winners:

Bluff Hall: Keena Johnson

Cougar Village: Sylvester Patterson

Evergreen Hall: Aaron Gagni

Roompact

Roompact is the digital platform that University Housing uses to help engage residents in their communities.   Visit https://roompact.com/login to get started!  Within Roompact, you can engage with community discussions, submit your roommate and suitemate agreements, sign up for Area Council, contact your RA,  and more!

 

 

The residence halls will close for the summer at 5pm on Friday, May 7, 2021.  Residents are expected to properly checkout (see below) within 24 hours of their last final exam. 

Residents who need to stay later than 24 hours after their last final exam or past 5pm on Friday, May 7 should submit a late stay request to their Community Director, Elijah Zagorski (ezagors@siue.edu), no later than noon on April 30, 2021.

Respect 24-hour quiet hours.

Twenty-four-hour quiet hours begin on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 5:00 pm and will continue until 5:00 pm on Friday, May 7.  During this time, no noise should be heard coming from any room or common area at any time, day or night.  Students who do not follow these expectations may be asked to leave before the end of the semester.  It is expected that you take great care to limit the amount of noise you make when moving out during 24 hours quiet hours.

Complete a Cleaning Contract.

You will receive a Cleaning Contract from your RA at the April Community Meeting.  Complete this document to ensure all necessary cleaning is done with the appropriate division of responsibility, especially if one roommate/suitemate is leaving earlier than the others.  This will help ensure that the proper individual is held responsible for damages, etc.    Return the Cleaning Contract to your RA by 4:00 pm on Friday, April 30, 2021. 

Provide mail-forwarding information.

Please check your SIUE e-mail account for information about how to provide Housing with a forwarding address.  Your mail will not be forwarded if you do not provide us with this information; it will be returned to the sender.  If you have provided a forwarding address, please make sure it is correct to avoid any misdirected mail.

Clean your living unit. 

Living units should be clean and sanitary and absent of personal property. Residents will be held responsible for damages resulting from negligence, abuse, or misuse. 

• The bedroom should appear as though it was thoroughly cleaned within the past week. 
• The bathroom should appear as though it was thoroughly cleaned within the past week
• Walls should be clean and free of holes, food debris, etc.
• All items removed from the bedroom and bathroom (personal items, trash, shower curtain, etc.)
• You will receive a Cleaning Contract from your RA in mid-April.  Complete this document to ensure all necessary cleaning is done with the appropriate division of responsibility, especially if one roommate/suitemate is leaving earlier than the others. 

Residence Life staff members will walk-through your living unit to assess for damages and cleanliness.  If damages or unclean conditions are found, you may be assessed repair and cleaning charges.  You will be notified of any charges via your SIUE e-mail account. 

Damages/Repairs

Student should submit work request to University Housing Facilities Management if there are any issues in the living unit. UHFM staff will make an assessment when they respond to the work request, and if the damage does not fall under normal wear and tear the student may be charged for the cost of the repair.

University Housing Facilities Management staff are the only ones approved to make repairs in University Housing. Students who attempt to “fix” things themselves will be charged for the cost of UHFM staff to go back and properly repair the issue.

Return your keys to the Front Desk. 

When you are ready to leave, stop by the Front Desk to return your keys.  Failure to return your keys will result in a re-core charge of up to $123.

Need Help Moving Out?

Beginning Saturday, May 1 at 8 a.m., residents are permitted to check in up to 2 guests to assist with the moveout process.

• Guests will be allowed in the building for three hours to assist with move out. 
• Residents will be required to check-in all guests at the front desk to receive wristbands. 
• All guests will be required to follow University Housing guidelines related to personal distancing and face coverings. 
• All guests will also be required to follow 24-hour quiet hours.  Any guests who violate University Housing policies will be asked to leave the building. 

Take your Bike home

If you have a bike, please make sure you take it with you when you leave. Any bikes that are left will be collected by UHFM staff after closing.

Recycle unwanted clothing

Instead of throwing your unwanted clothes in the trash, please bag them up and drop them in the large cardboard USAgain boxes in the lobby of your residence hall starting Monday, April 26. Bags are provided and can be found by the donation boxes.  Please visit http://www.usagain.com/  to learn more about USAgain. 

Items that can be donated:

• Clothes: t-shirts, blouses, skirts, dresses, pants, jeans, coats, sweaters, bras, underwear, etc.
• Footwear: sneakers, boots, sandals, leather shoes, socks, etc.
• Accessories: hats, handbags, gloves, belts, scarves, backpacks.
• Linens: bedding (sheets, comforter, pillowcases), blankets, towels, drapes, etc. (NO CARPETING PLEASE)

Donate unwanted food

NRHH Donation boxes will be available for you to drop off food items that you no longer want in the lobby of your building starting Monday, April 26. The food will be donated to the SIUE Cougar Cupboard food pantry.

Provide mail-forwarding information.

Please check your SIUE e-mail account for information about how to provide Housing with a forwarding address.  Your mail will not be forwarded if you do not provide us with this information; it will be returned to the sender.  If you have provided a forwarding address, please make sure it is correct to avoid any misdirected mail.

Avoid Abandoned Property

University Housing is not responsible for any property left by residents when they move out. During closing inspections, University Housing staff will attempt to recover, and inventory abandoned property. Abandoned property is defined as state/federal documents or individual property over $75.00. Examples of abandoned property that University Housing staff could recover include, but is not limited to, electronics, jewelry, a drawer full of clothes, a set of pots and pans, etc. This does not include a single piece of clothing, cleaning supplies, dirty clothing, shampoo left in the shower, food items, etc.

Textbook rental property should be collected and returned to Textbook Rental by taking the books to the textbook rental office or calling textbook rental to have the books picked up.

When items are deemed abandoned property, they will be stored for 30 days. If the abandoned property is found in your living space, you will be notified and charged $25 per bag. Any abandoned property left after 30 days will be destroyed or donated. To avoid any abandoned property charges, check your apartment and bedroom before checking out. This includes commonly missed spaces such as closets, cabinets, drawers, and common areas.

Staying for summer?

If you have a University Housing May Term or Summer housing contract, you will receive correspondence via your SIUE e-mail address confirming your assignment and outlining move-in details.  If you wish to add the May term to your summer contract, please contact the Central Housing Office at housing@siue.edu.

If you do not have a May term housing contract, you must check out of your residence hall by 5 pm on Friday, May 7.

Questions?

Please contact your Resident Assistant or your Community Director in the Front Office.  Best wishes for a successful and enjoyable remainder of the semester!

Register for summer session!

Registration opens March 29 for summer classes. Take advantage of nearly 1,000 summer courses, including on-campus and online options. Study on campus, or take an online course while working at home.

Summer session is a great way to complete an extra course—saving money by staying on track to graduate. Many summer classes meet for five weeks or less.

If you choose to study on campus, SIUE provides discounted housing rates. Choose from comfortable apartment-style options for the entire summer semester, a five-week session, or May term.

siue.edu/summer

summersession@siue.edu

 

Expanded SNAP Eligibility

 

Club Sports

Interested in Club Sports? A number of CREC Club Sports teams have begun practicing again, and there may an opportunity for you! Visit https://www.siue.edu/campus-recreation/sports/club/index.shtml for more information and what teams are currently playing.

 

SIUE is Smoke-Free Campus

As a reminder, SIUE is a smoke free University.  This applies to all space, inside buildings and out and includes tobacco and cannabis.  Signs have been posted at all University entrances.  You may access the policy at  http://www.siue.edu/policies/6a2.shtml

 

Career Development Center

Career Development Center 
The Career Development Center is open for virtual appointments. You can make your appointment through your Cougar Jobline account or call our office at 618-650-3708. The Career Development Center can help you with your resume, cover letters, job search, LinkedIn accounts, graduate school personal statements/application, mock interviews, and much more. Our office is located in the lower level of the Student Success Center in room 0281.  

 

Upcoming Campus Rec Events:

April Lunchtime Walking Group

Join Campus Recreation through the month of April on Thursdays at 12:00pm for a light walk on the trails through Campus.

Register in advanced to secure a spot and to be informed of any location changes or cancelations due to inclement weather.

April Lunchtime Walking Group LINK

 

Spring 2021 Group Fitness Schedule

View the Spring 21’ Group Fitness Schedule at www.IMLeagues.com/SIUE to register for a Fitness Class.

Scheduled goes through to Saturday, May 8^th.

 

Spring 2021, Student Success Center 1252- www.siue.edu/lss/tutoring-resource-center

Policies – YOU NEED TO KNOW!

As a resident of the Cougar Village, you are responsible for knowing the information, policies, procedures, and deadlines that are contained in the University Housing Living Guide.  To access the living guide, go to:  http://www.siue.edu/housing/pdf/SIUE-Housing-Guide-Final.pdf

Facilities Issue?  Put in a workorder!

University Housing Facilities Management (UHFM) is the unit assigned to the development and maintenance of University Housing facilities and grounds. UHFM is responsible for repairing housing units, care of the grounds surrounding housing facilities performs snow removal, maintains the cleanliness of common areas and offices in University Housing buildings oversees pest control, and much more.

In the event of any building or grounds related issues, Students need to initiate the repair by submitting a Maintenance Request to University Housing Facilities Management (UHFM). UHFM responds to student-initiated repair requests as a first priority.  To complete a work order, click HERE!!!

Get protected!  Insure yourself and your belongings!

University Housing does not insure the personal property of residents. Residents are strongly encouraged to Insure their personal belongings while living in University Housing. Students can look into renter’s insurance or their parent/guardian homeowners’ policy for potential coverage options.

SIUE is Smoke-Free, Tobacco Free, Nicotine Free

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has implemented the Illinois law that prohibits smoking and all tobacco-related products into its policies and procedures.

To view SIUE’s Smoke-Free Campus Policy, click here.

Having TV issues?  Read Me!

Charter Business has transitioned its analog video TV service to high-quality digital TV service, which provides more channels and increased HD content. As part of this transition, only TVs with a digital QAM tuner will be able to view the new digital lineup. If a TV does not have an embedded QAM tuner or is enabled with an external QAM tuner, an error message or snowy picture will appear on the TV.

What is a QAM tuner and how do I know if my TV has one? A QAM tuner allows your TV to tune to the digital or HD cable channels that Charter will be sending out. Most, but not all, TVs that were made after 2006 have a QAM tuner built-in. Most Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Panasonic, Toshiba, and Visio models have a built-in QAM tuner. Brands like Westinghouse, Colby, Element, or other lower-end brands often do not have the QAM tuner. These are only a few examples. Please be sure to check for a QAM tuner when considering a specific TV model.

• You can search online by make/model of your TV or reference your TV's owner’s manual for specific model information related to what type of tuner is present.

• An example of what the manual may say if the TV has a QAM tuner: o “Built-in digital tuner (ATSC/Clear QAM)”

o NOTE: An ATSC tuner will not work with Clear QAM. It MUST say “Clear QAM” or “Digital QAM Tuner”.

 • Additionally, if your TV remote has the (.) or (-) symbol button for easy tuning or is able to display channels with a (.) or (-) as in 5.2 or 5-2, your device likely has a QAM tuner.

NOTE: This is general information regarding integrated QAM tuner enabled TVs. It is always advised to refer to the manufacturer’s website or examine the “technical specifications” section of the owner’s manual to determine information on the QAM tuner.

How do I program my TV to view the new channel lineup?

• Most QAM tuner TVs have a "Channel Search" or "Auto Program" function that will automatically scan the incoming signals and detect the ones that are available. It may be necessary to do a channel search before your TV will allow you to tune to a specific channel.

1. Go into the TV Menu and select “Set Up”

2. Look for and select an option similar to “Channel Search” or “Auto Program”

3. The TV will automatically begin searching to identify all available channels

4. After this auto search is completed, there should be approximately 60-70 channels available for viewing (if the TV has an internal QAM tuner). If no channels are available, it is likely the TV does not have a QAM tuner.

NOTE: If you previously watched a program on channel 4, the new channel may have moved to a new number, such as 4.2 or 4-2. Please speak to your property manager about new channel lineup cards.

NOTE: Most HD TVs have the ability to modify aspect ratios. If your picture seems stretched or has black bars around the picture after the scan, please modify the aspect ratio to fit with your desired viewing experience.

When do I need to reprogram my TV to view the new channel lineup?

• The Clear QAM solution has been installed on-campus. If you have not already, you should plan to program your TV immediately. Until the TV is rescanned, your new digital TV lineup will not be viewable.

• Tivo is not compatible with the QAM solutions

• When you are inside, always wear a face-covering that covers your mouth and nose, except while you are in your own living unit.
• When you are outside, wear a face-covering anytime you can’t maintain a 6-foot distance between yourself and other people.
• If you have been around someone who has tested positive or think you have COVID-19 symptoms, please fill out the COVID Self-Reporting Form (https://www.siue.edu/about/announcements/coronavirus/reporting-confirmed-cases/index.shtml).
• If you are awaiting COVID-19 test results, please quarantine at home or in your living unit until you get the results back and are cleared by Health Services and University Housing.
• You are strongly encouraged to make any guests that enter your room or apartment wear a face covering at all times and maintain a physical distance of 6 feet when possible.
• Residents are expected to comply with posted occupancy limits for shared common spaces.  A maximum of four persons may occupy a room at any time.
• Please wash/sanitize your hands on a regular basis and sanitize any frequently touched surfaces in your living unit and bathroom.  
• Violations of COVID-19 expectations and guidelines may result in your removal from University Housing.

Sign up for e-Lert today!

What is e-Lert? SIUE's e-Lert is a text messaging service that will be used to quickly notify faculty, staff and student cell phones when an urgent situation, such as a bomb threat, severe weather, hostile intruder, or when the University closes due to inclement weather. There is no cost to register for the alerts; however, standard rates may apply if your cell phone plan does not include text messaging.  Click on "Sign Up Now!"

Rave Guardian

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) now offers the Rave Guardian app for its students and their families. Rave Guardian is one of the best ways to not only improve personal safety, but also protect your friends by building a private safety network. This app provides instant communication with friends, family, campus safety, and even 9-1-1.

SIUE encourages all students throughout campus to utilize the app to network with friends and help increase overall safety and security of the entire student body. An important part of the Guardian app is that students can use it not only to keep themselves safe, but to help protect others. Even students who may not feel as if they need others to help keep them safe can utilize the app to be a guardian and help protect their friends.

Download Rave Guardian and Become a Guardian on Your Campus

Download Rave Guardian for Free The app is available for free on the Apple or Google app store.

Use Rave Guardian to Protect Yourself and Others

Set a Safety Time – Notify people you trust to check in on you if are alone or in an unfamiliar place.

Manage and Message Your Guardians – Invite family, friends or others to be your Guardian, and communicate with them within the app as needed.

Easy Emergency Communication – Call safety officials directly for help if you are in trouble and send text tips – including photos – if you see something suspicious.

Rave Guardian is a proven personal safety solution used on campuses across the country. To learn more, visit siue.edu/emergency.