Evergreen Hall Newsletter

The next meeting of Kaleidoscope will take place on Wednesday, March 24^th at 5 pm. This meeting will take place over Zoom and will be a check-in and discussion on potential April events.  You will need to register in advance for this meeting using your SIUE credentials and the following link: https://siue.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIocuuqpzgjGtwpDND_i9nl5JQHffgFt6kP

 

What is Kaleidoscope?

 

Kaleidoscope is a University Housing initiative. Kaleidoscope is a network for LGBTQIA+ residents who come together to support the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals in University Housing and on campus. This space is designed by and for LGBTQIA+ individuals, but is not a space for our allies. While allies play an important role this space is meant to be a place where LGBTQIA+ community members can gather to:

 

• Create a safe place in University Housing for LGBTQIA+ students to connect;
• Encourage overall student success for LGBTQIA+ students;
• Promote positive, healthy relationships amongst LGBTQIA+ students;
• Facilitate culturally relevant discussion and reflection;
• And to increase awareness of campus resources.

 

Please contact Rex Jackson, rjackso@siue.edu, if you have any questions about this initiative.

It’s Canada Geese Nesting Season!

Some things to know about the Canada Goose… 

• Resident Canada 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:

• 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 UHFM 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.

Packages Need to Be Shipped to YOUR Name

Please remind family, friends, etc. to be sure to put YOUR name when shipping packages to you.  Housing is receiving packages with family member names and these will be shipped back if we are unable to figure out who the correct recipient is.

Once you receive an email from SEND SUITE, your package will be available and ready to be picked up.

Wednesday Grab and Go will be TUESDAY this week!

Stop by across from the Evergreen Main Office on Tuesday, March 23 at 11am for this week's Grab and Go!

Guess How Many

Guess How Many is back!  Stop by the front desk to guess how many pieces of candy are in the jar and win that candy.  One guess per candy-type and a new candy will appear every two weeks.

COVID Self-Reporting Form

You should complete this form if you are aware that you:  

Have been tested for COVID-19, with or without symptoms  
Have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been given a diagnosis of presumed positive by a health professional  
Have symptoms, but not yet tested positive 
Have had a CLOSE contact with an individual who has been tested and diagnosed with COVID-19
In alignment with the Centers for Disease Control's definition of CLOSE contact, reporting is necessary if you are someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.

Your identity will not be disclosed to anyone other than SIUE employees responsible for maintaining your health and safety, or Health Department officials as required. You may voluntarily share your information with whomever you choose.

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!

 

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

There is only one HVAC system at each residence hall. At any given time the system is either in “heat” mode or “cool” mode. The system works by circulating heated or cooled water throughout the building to individual rooms where fans are used to move the warm or cool air into the room. To switch the system from one mode to another mode takes about a week’s work, so the switch is made only once in the fall and once in the spring.

At this time the system is set to “heat”, so no cooling is available. If your room is uncomfortably warm, make sure your thermostat is set to “heat” and the temperature is turned down low. If you put the thermostat on “cool”, the system thinks there is cold water in the system and runs the system more, which is exactly the opposite of what is wanted. Open a window, if needed, to let out the excess heat and then allow the system to reset to the new thermostat setting.

Your understanding during these temperature swings is appreciated.  Should you have any questions, please contact University Housing Facilities Management at 618-650-2070. 

This is the last week to get your sleep hours logged!

Graduate Admissions Virtual Open House

Plan to attend the Graduate Admissions virtual open house!

·         Thursday, March 25

·         11 a.m. or 6 p.m.

·         One-hour sessions

 

Each one-hour session will include:

·         A brief overview of graduate studies at SIUE

·         Information about the admission process and financial support, including scholarships and graduate assistantships

·         The opportunity to talk to faculty and learn more about SIUE's graduate programs

 

Attend an open house session and your $40 Graduate School application fee will be waived!

 

Registration is required. The Zoom link will be provided prior to the event and participants will receive an application fee waiver code at the event.

SNAP Eligibility Expanded for College Students

SIUE Safe Zone Scholarship

The Safe Zone Scholarship deadline has been extended to March 31.  Find out more information at https://siue.academicworks.com/opportunities/9582.

 

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 Spring 2021 Events: 

 

Virtual Mock Interview Prep Workshop 

Cougar Guides are student leaders who help guide, support and mentor new students throughout the SIUE Experience. Additionally, they assist with the implementation of activities and sessions that take place during the SIUE program. This position provides the opportunity to interact with SIUE faculty, staff, and students in a leadership role that provides transferable skills that will be valuable no matter where their career path takes them.

To learn more about being a Cougar Guide, students can attend our virtual information session Wednesday, February 17^th at 4 pm. Students should register to attend. This session will be recorded for anyone who cannot make it to the live event. If they're ready to apply, they should complete the Cougar Guide Application by March 12^th, 2021. 

If you or your students have any questions, please contact us at studentsfirst@siue.edu. 

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

• 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 two times the number of residents who live in the unit may occupy the unit at any time, never to exceed ten persons in a unit.  
• 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.

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  

Please note: Residents are not allowed to have signs or post-its in or on their windows! 

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

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.