Cougar Village Newsletter

Cougar Village will switch over to break operations at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 20^th, 2020.

University Housing will remain open through fall break and the remainder of the fall semester. A fall break and end of semester intention form will be sent out on November 2nd so please complete it once you are aware of your plans (even if you are completing your courses from your permanent address).

University Housing staff will enter residents’ rooms at 5 p.m. on November 20^th to verify that all students who reported not staying for break have vacated and to complete Cleaning and Safety Inspections.

Over the break UHFM staff may enter living units to address any facility concerns, outstanding work orders, and/or to complete any necessary preventative maintenance.

All residents should take safety precautions, especially if your apartment will be unoccupied during any part of the break period. Break periods are prime times for thefts and burglaries, but taking the following safety precautions can help keep your apartment protected. 

• Deadbolt your door
• Lock all windows and sliding doors with latches and security sticks. Please contact the Commons Desk if you need a security stick for your sliding glass door.
• Close all curtains
• When possible, take computers, TV/stereo, and other valuables with you
• Turn off lights
• Bring your bike inside your apartment! Leaving it locked up outside will leave it susceptible to theft. If you bring your bike in you must place it in your assigned living space and not in hallways or stairwells.

If you are leaving for break and returning after break to finish out the semester please do the following before your departure:

• No guests will be allowed to assist residents with leaving/returning from the break period.
• Please take all personal items that you will need over the break with you. 
• You do not need to take everything home with you!
• Clean your living unit 
• Unplug any unnecessary appliances (i.e., hairdryers, curling irons, blenders, toasters, etc.), but do not unplug the refrigerator or stove.
• Check the stove and oven to make sure that they are both off.
• Turn off exhaust fans because these can catch fire!
• Take all trash to the dumpster (including food that may spoil in your refrigerator/kitchen).
• Turn off all lights
• Set the thermostat to 68 degrees, but do not turn your thermostat completely off and make sure the fan is set to auto (never set the fan to on).
• Close and lock your windows and sliding glass door
• Close your curtains
• Shut and lock your apartment door (use the deadbolt) 

Cougar Village will resume normal operations at 10 a.m. on Sunday, November 29^th, 2020.

If you are leaving for break and are remaining at home to finish out the semester please do the following before your departure:

• If you have an open space in your shared room (your roommate left or is leaving), you need to make sure half of the room is clean and ready for a new roommate to move in prior to leaving for break.
• No guests will be allowed to assist residents with leaving/returning from the break period.
• Please take all personal items that you will need over the break with you. 
• You do not need to take everything home with you!
• Clean your living unit
• Unplug any unnecessary appliances (i.e., hairdryers, curling irons, blenders, toasters, etc.), but do not unplug the refrigerator or stove.
• Check the stove and oven to make sure that they are both off.
• Turn off exhaust fans because these can catch fire!
• Take all trash to the dumpster (including food that may spoil in your refrigerator/kitchen).
• Turn off all lights
• Set the thermostat to 68 degrees, but do not turn your thermostat completely off and make sure the fan is set to auto (never set the fan to on).
• Close and lock your windows and sliding glass door
• Close your curtains
• Please take your pet fish home for break.
• Shut and lock your apartment door (use the deadbolt)

The MCT #17 Shuttle will run a modified schedule during the week coming through the Village once every hour at 30 minutes after each hour between 6:30 AM-6:30 PM.

Commons Desk hours of operation for the break are:

Friday, November 20                          Closing at 11 pm

Saturday, November 21                      10:00 am-11:00 pm

Sunday, November 22                        10:00 am-11:00 pm

Monday, November 23                       10:00 am-8:00 pm

Tuesday, November 24                       10:00 am-8:00 pm

Wednesday, November 25                 10:00 am-8:00 pm

Thursday, November 26                     CLOSED

Friday, November 27                           10:00 am-11:00 pm

Saturday, November 28                      10:00 am-11:00 pm

Sunday, November 29                        10:00 am-11:00 pm

The Commons Desk can be reached at 618-650-2900. If you need assistance outside of these hours, please call SIUPD at 618-650-3324.

Per the Chancellor's email, Study Tables have been suspended. Should you need academic resources please contact your RA.

How is Zoom impacting you? 

Let us know: https://siue.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6kVDKoTEINvuqfb.  Complete this survey by November 20 about how Zoom is impacting you.  We will use this information to push out resources on dealing with Zoom fatigue and other issues.

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 Rooompact, you can engage in community discussions, submit your roommate agreements, sign up for Area Council, contact your RA, and more!

Interested in Area Council? 

Sign into Roompact at https://roompact.com/login and complete the Area Council Application under Forms.  All residents are welcome and encouraged to join.  Area Councils plan events for the community, advocate for positive change, and give a voice to the residents! 

The 2021-2022 Resident Assistant application is now open! The RA application can be found online.

RA Qualifications

• Turn in a completed application by the appropriate deadline: Friday, December 11 at 11:59pm.
• Have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA by the time you assume the position (RAs are required to maintain a 2.5 GPA).
• Cannot be graduating before May 2022.
• Cannot be involved with a full-time internship/co-op, student teach, or enrolled in the School of Pharmacy program during the 2021-2022 academic year.
• Have lived in University Housing for at least one full semester by the time you would begin as an RA (summer is counted as a semester).
• Be in good financial, academic, and behavioral conduct standing with the University.

If you have any other questions, please contact Domonique Crosby at docrosb@siue.edu or (618) 650-4627.

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 work-order!

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 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. The Smoke Free Campus Act means that there can be no smoking or tobacco products of any kind on any State-owned University property.

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

Visit these sites for more information, Smoking Cessation Program, American Cancer Society and Centers for Disease Control. The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) may also offer smoking cessation reimbursement for those that complete an eligible program. Contact CMS at (800) 442-1300 for more details.

 

• 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.
• A maximum of six persons may occupy an apartment and a maximum of two people may occupy a balcony.
• Please wash/sanitize your hands on a regular bases 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.

Career Development Center
The Career Development Center is open for virtual or in-person 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 Fall Events

Virtual Pharmacy Career Fair 

Wednesday, November 18 

12:30 – 3:00 p.m. 

Premier Virtual Career Fair Platform 

Virtual Pharmacy Residency Showcase 

Wednesday, November 20 

3:30 – 5:00 p.m. 

Premier Virtual Career Fair Platform 

**RSVP to attend these events through your Cougar Jobline or call our office. 

Career Development Center 

618-650-3708 

Email: careerdevelopment@siue.edu 

Website: siue.edu/cdc 

Student Cougar Jobline Link: https://siue.12Twenty.com/

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.

How do I register for SIUE e-Lert?

If you are a student, faculty, or staff member, you can register by clicking the "Sign Up Now" link and entering your active e-id, password, and cell phone number. Each time you are notified to change your e-id password, you will also be given an opportunity to enroll, update your cell phone number if it has changed, or cancel your registration with the system.

You will still receive alerts as long as you have the same cell phone number.

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 the 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 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 you 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.