Cougar Village Newsletter

ATTENTION RESIDENTS:  All Space Change Requests must be submitted by Friday, April 12^th!  We will not accept any space change requests past this date!

Applications are now being accepted for the Family Resource Center!  

Education or related major?  This is the perfect opportunity to work at our before and after school programs!  Log into the Student Job Finder page to view more information.  Applications are due by April 11! Questions?  Contact Jessica Bailey at jesbail@siue.edu.

The Summer Application is open! 

Students who wish to live on-campus for summer 2019 can apply online at siue.edu/housing/apply. A $200 advance payment is required with the online application.  

Do you still want to live on-campus for fall 2019? You can still apply! 

The application for space – post process is now open. Apply online at siue.edu/housing/apply. A $200 advance payment is required to complete the application for space. Assignments will be made based on space availability and application pay date. The post process closes on May 1. 

Have your housing needs changed for Fall 2019? 

The cancellation deadline to cancel, in writing, to the Central Housing Office and have your $200 credited back to your student account is May 1. Cancellations received after May 1 and before August 1, forfeit the $200 advance payment. Cancellations after August 1 must meet one of the approved reasons for cancellation.

What is consent?

Consent means granting permission for something to happen or agreeing to do something. Consent is more than a yes or a no. It is an ongoing dialogue about desires, needs, and level of comfort with different sexual interactions. Consent is not a blanket statement. It is specific each time, and all sexual activities require consent. Healthy sexual interactions are rooted in consent and respect.

When sex is consensual, it means everyone involved has agreed to what they are doing and has given their permission. Nonconsensual sex, or sex without someone’s agreement or permission, is sexual assault. Some important things to know about consent:

• Yes means yes. Consent is not the absence of a no. It is the presence of a clear, affirmative, expression of interest, desire, and wants. The exchange of consent involves all parties. Each person sets their boundaries or shares their desires. Consent is respectful, mutual decision-making.
• Drugs and alcohol impact decision-making and blur consent. When drugs and alcohol are involved, clear consent cannot be obtained.  An intoxicated person cannot give consent.
• Consent needs to be clear. Consent is more than not hearing the word “no.” A partner saying nothing is not the same as a partner saying “yes.” Don’t rely on body language, past sexual interactions, or any other nonverbal cues. Never assume you have consent. Always be sure you have consent by asking.
• Consent can be fun. Consent does not have to be something that “ruins the mood.” In fact, clear and enthusiastic consent can enhance sexual interactions. Not only does it allow one to know that their partner is comfortable with the interaction, it also lets both partners clearly express what they want.
• Consent is specific. Just because someone consents to one set of actions and activities does not mean consent has been given for other sexual acts. Similarly, if a partner has given consent to sexual activity in the past, this does not apply to current or future interactions. Consent can initially be given and later be withdrawn.

Establishing consent

Remember that sex without consent is sexual assault. When establishing consent, be aware of the following:

• Ask for consent. Don’t assume a partner is OK with what you want to do. Always ask them. Be direct. If you are unsure that you have their consent, ask again.
• Communicate. Don’t be afraid to talk about sex and communicate your boundaries, wants, and needs. Encourage your partner to do the same.
• Make it fun. Consent does not have to be something that interrupts sex; it can be a part of sex. Checking in with your partner throughout sexual experiences can be a great way to build intimacy and understand your partner’s needs. It can help partners create a healthy and satisfying sex life.
• Drugs and/or alcohol increase risk. Intoxication impairs decision-making and can make it impossible to gain someone’s legal consent. Mixing drugs and/or alcohol with sex also can lead to risky behavior, such as unprotected sex.

Resources

• The Line Campaign: http://whereisyourline.org
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) www.nsvrc.org
• Scarleteen: www.scarleteen.com
• Yes Means Yes: http://www.yesmeansyes.com

References

Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States. (2004). Life behaviors of a sexually healthy adult. Retrieved from http://faculty.plts.edu/gpence/PS2010/html/LifeBehaviorsofaSexuallyHealthyAdult.pdf

It’s Canadian Geese Nesting Season!

Some things to know about the Canadian Goose… 

• Resident Canadian geese are well-adapted to human dominated landscapes
• They nest in a variety of locales – some in very close proximity to people
• Goose nests occur near:
  • Sidewalks
  • Entryways of homes and buildings
  • Adjacent to paths and roadways
  • Balconies, porches and rooftops
  • Nesting season occurs as early as late February through mid-may
  • Both birds of the pair attend to the nest
    • A single goose that appears to be “patrolling” an area may indicate that a nest is in the vicinity

The behavior of nesting geese to humans varies tremendously.  Some nesting geese readily flee when approached by humans whereas other geese will stand their ground to defend the nest.  Some geese will actually attack approaching humans by running or flying at them.

Goose behavior during nest defense consists of geese standing erect and/or spreading their wings to make themselves appear larger while loudly hissing.  The defense behavior can be daunting.  Attacking geese will often try to strike their perceived nest predator with their wings and/or will bite.

Here are some helpful tips regarding geese:

• DO NOT FEED THEM
• DO NOT THROW ITEMS AT THEM – they my see this as a threat and attack
• Do not be afraid of them
• Continue to face them
• Never turn your back on them or run away from them

What to do if you come across aggressive geese:

• Avoid contact with the birds, if possible
• Call UHFM (University Housing Facilities Management) Office at 618-650-2070 to report it
• Be specific with date/time/location of incident
• If an issue appears to be an emergency and/or someone is injured, call 911 or contact the SIUE Police non-emergency number 618-650-3324

IF A GOOSE IS ATTEMPTING TO NEST ON YOUR BALCONY OR PATIO – PLEASE CONTACT UFHM IMMEDIATELY!!! (618) 650-2070

University Housing will work closely with Facilities Management regarding aggressive geese around housing facilities.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact University Housing Facilities Management at 618-650-2070.

Free Tickets for John Q. Walker!

John Q. Walker talks about solving Alzheimer’s on Friday, April 12^th in the Meridian Ballroom, 7:30pm. More info at artsandissues.com. FREE tickets for SIUE students at the MUC Welcome Desk!

Register Now for Summer Session!

Registration opens March 25 for summer classes. Take advantage of nearly 1,000 summer courses, including more online classes than ever before. 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. Benefit from small class sizes, and lighten your fall class load.

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.

Register Now!

siue.edu/summer

618-650-2080

summersession@siue.edu

Service Center on the first floor of Rendleman Hall

The Career Development Center is pleased to announce that the permanent COUGAR CAREER CLOSET in our suite (Student Success Center, Room 0281) is now open for students.  Students can visit the closet to “shop” for professional attire for interviews, career fairs, networking events, and practicum/Co-op/internship experiences. All items are donated and students get all professional attire items free of charge.

Student can drop by the Career Development Center during our regular business hours and an appointment is not needed, however, calling our office in advance at 618-650-3708 to ensure that a staff member will be available to assist them is recommended.

• Students need to bring their Cougar Card for check-in at our front counter.
• Students can get 2 complete outfits plus accessories during each visit.
• Students can visit the Cougar Career Closet one time per month.