Prairie Hall Newsletter

This Week in Prairie Hall

Welcome Residents!
Is it time to do laundry!?
University Housing Announcements
Around the "e"
Are you a first semester student?!
Student Academic Success Sessions
Career Development Center
Campus Recreation
Health and Safety Tips

Welcome Residents!

What is “This Week in Prairie Hall”?  It is a weekly email that goes out each Monday.  In an effort to minimize the number of emails that residents receive, we put A LOT of information into these weekly updates.  Please read them thoroughly each week.  If there is an event you would like included, please contact Jodi Seals at joseals@siue.edu or x4627.

Policies – YOU NEED TO KNOW!

As a resident, 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/movein/living-guide.shtml

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!!!

Just a reminder that thermostats can only be changed with the 68-74 degree range.  If your room is colder or warmer than that please put in a work order.

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,” said Vice Chancellor for Administration Kenneth Neher.

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 (CMS) may also offer smoking cessation reimbursement for those that complete an eligible program. Contact CMS at (800) 442-1300 for more details.

Having trouble with your TV?!

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.

• Here is a link to help search specific TV Manufacturers: o http://www.midcocomm.com/resourcecenter/index.cfm/526/Cable/TV-Manufacturers

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. 

Is it time to do laundry!?

University Housing Announcements

There will be info sessions for Prairie Hall Area Council on Monday, August 28th at 6:00pm in the classroom, and Wednesday, August 30th at 7:00pm in the classroom.  If interested, students should try to attend!  Applications are at the front desk and on the bulletin board at the end of the stairs, and they should be turned in by September 6th.

Around the "e"

Are you a first semester student?!
Do you have your shots?
You need them to register! Turn in by September 15th!
For more information, visit SIUE Health Service at
0222 Student Success Center
or call 618-650-2842

Student Academic Success Sessions

Career Development Center

Campus Recreation

Health and Safety Tips

August Safety Tips:

Alcohol and Drug Awareness Month       

August signals the induction of a new freshman class at SIUE. The college experience affords students a tremendous amount of freedom, as well as a much greater responsibility for making decisions that will have long-range effects on their adult lives. During their college years, many students will face decisions regarding whether or not to use alcohol or drugs. Please consider the following when faced with those types of situations.

  • Be proactive and think about “what if” scenarios ahead of time.
    • What if you go to a party and there is only alcoholic beverages to drink?
    • What if you go to a party and drugs are being used?
      • Will you leave the party?
      • Will you remain at the party but abstain from using the alcohol or drugs?
      • Will you remain at the party and succumb to the pressure to try the alcohol or drugs?
      • What other options might you have?
    • What if your roommate wants to illegally use alcohol and/or drugs in your shared dorm room?
      • Will you do nothing?
      • Will you demand that the roommate not do so?
      • Will you ask to be reassigned to another room?
      • Will you report him to housing personnel, student affairs or the police?
      • What other options might you have?
  • Consider the consequences of participating in illegal alcohol and/or drug use while at college.
    • Alcohol and/or drug use can adversely affect your ability to concentrate and perform in class.
    • Your physical and mental health could deteriorate.
    • You could be arrested by the police and charged with an alcohol or drug related criminal offense. This would cause you to have a permanent criminal record and require you to appear in court.
    • You could be referred to the Dean of Student Affairs for school discipline, which could range from a verbal warning to expulsion.
    • You might commit or be the victim of a non-alcohol and/or drug-related crime.
  • How would these consequences affect you?
    • Would your grades and academic achievements suffer?
    • Would it prevent you from pursuing the career path of your choice?
    • Would it damage or destroy your reputation with your family and friends?
    • Would it compromise your personal moral beliefs and damage your self-esteem?

Avoid high-risk drinking activities, such as chugging drinks, drinking games, drinking to get drunk, driving after drinking or riding with someone under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, mixing alcohol with prescription medications or illegal drugs. Drinking too much or too fast on an empty stomach, leaving your beverage unattended or going to parties where people drink too much also are high-risk behaviors. If you feel you have or are developing an alcohol and/or drug related problem or addiction, contact Counseling Services at 650-2842.

SIUE considers illegal alcohol and/or drug use to be serious violations of the student code of conduct policy. Thus, the SIUE Police Department aggressively enforces the laws regarding the illegal possession and/or consumption of alcohol and/or drugs. So, please make your choices carefully and responsibly.

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 here to sign up: "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

  1. Download Rave Guardian for Free The app is available for free on the Apple or Google app store.
  2. 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.

siue.edu/housing