Carol Jensen, Assistant Director, Security Department
For many, Spring Break is a time to get away from the college setting and have a little fun. It can often be a time of unknown and lead to some high risk situations. It is important to practice crime prevention and safety in order to ensure that the mission of a good time is accomplished.
It is first important to acknowledge that the definition of a high risk situation may be significantly different among college students and those designated to teach students about safety. The National College Health Assessment in 2004 showed that MSU students reported doing something they later regretted 49.2% of the time and 41.1% of the time forgetting where they were or what they had done when they had been drinking alcohol. Although most college students probably don't consider loss of memory or regrettable behavior as a high risk situation, they definitely are. Alcohol is just one factor that can lead to high risk situations; other drugs and a carefree, invincible attitude can also find a student in a situation that may become too much for them to handle.
Spring Break is a time for fun, relaxation and reflection. There are things students can do to reduce the level of risk in the activities they are participating in. Reducing the risk is a proven way to have fun and do it safely.
University of Rhode Island Director of Police, Robert Drapeau, shares some good safety tips that will reduce risk and lead to successful, fun and relaxing Spring Break activities. Drapeau advises students that as you travel, make sure you are either in possession of or track your baggage and personal belongings at all times. Make sure someone at home has a copy of your travel itinerary. If you change your itinerary, alert the person you shared the information with. Research your destination prior to leaving to learn about crime rates/trends, bad neighborhoods and tourist areas. Although tourists can be targeted it is generally wise to not wander into areas that tourists are not familiar with.
Drapeau also shares that before you go on a trip or out to an event, share your plans with someone other than those you are going with, don't plan on going to a crowded event alone and make sure you stay together, traveling to and from the destination or event together. Wearing bright clothing so friends can find you if you become separated can also be helpful. Finally, always make sure you have identification with you and carrying a cell phone at all times is very helpful.
Spring Break is not a time to relax on practicing safe and responsible alcohol consumption. Look out for each other and limit the amount of alcohol you are consuming in a single setting. Alternate alcohol drinks with non-alcohol drinks, eat regular meals and arrange for someone in the group to remain sober; both to drive and to help look out for those who are drinking. Never hesitate to call for help if you believe someone is in danger because of excessive alcohol use.
The staff of the Security Office is excited for your return after Spring Break. Be aware of your surroundings, practice responsible drinking and stay true to your personal safety practices. Have a great Spring Break and we look forward to your safe return.
If you are interested in additional Spring Break safety tips, please contact Carol Jensen at carol.jensen@mnsu.edu or 507-389-2111.
Bill Watts, Assistant Director, Office of First Year Experience
While planning for the spring term break is paramount in many students' and families' minds the reality is that planning for fall should take precedence. Registration for Fall 2006 begins on April 10th. Depending upon the number of hours your student has completed they will be able to begin registering sometime between April 10th and 27th.
Prior to registration all students should visit with an Academic Advisor. Since we know many students change major, please encourage your student to make time well in advance of April 10th to visit with an Advisor in the major they are most interested in, or with the Office of First Year Experience if they are undeclared, or are no longer sure what they'd like to major in.
To prepare for the meeting with an advisor your student should do several things. First they should review the courses they've taken, the Undergraduate Bulletin (for General Education and major requirements) and make a list of courses they think they need and/or are interested in taking. Second, use the registrar's website to identify their registration time. Third, prepare a list of questions to ask the advisor, which might include:
We strongly encourage all students to meet with an advisor at least once each semester. If your student is unsure of who their advisor is or how to contact them, they can call the Office of First Year Experience to find out 507-389-5498.
Mary Dowd, Director, Student Rights and Responsibilities
If you are not familiar with social networking sites such as Facebook.com and MySpace.com, it is especially important for you to read this article and talk to your student. With an estimated 85% of college students using Facebook alone, it is essential for parents to be aware of this cultural phenomenon.
Started by Harvard sophomores in 2004, Facebook is now one of the major ways students communicate and connect with one another. Using an .edu college provided email account, students create profile pages listing interests, hobbies, friends, musical tastes, favorite quotes, spiritual beliefs, political views, courses, and just about anything else. Users can also form groups, announce social gatherings, and leave notes on message boards.
Hours may be spent looking up classmates, flirting, sharing favorite photos, or discussing homework. All this sounds relatively harmless, but many students mistakenly assume a level of privacy that is not there. Little thought is given to the long term repercussions of posting material that is explicit, shocking, tasteless, or incriminating.
Job recruiters often check a student's profile to get a sense of the applicant's character and conduct. Police and Security hear about illegal activities being promoted on social networking sites and investigate.
Police have referred to Facebook as the "stalker book" because of the ease of finding and targeting potential victims. Burglars and car thieves find it useful to know a person's class schedule and work hours when planning their crimes. Identity theft is another potential threat of increasing concern on college campuses.
At Minnesota State University, Mankato we have launched a poster campaign to educate students to the very real dangers of online directories and the possible consequences of inappropriate self-disclosure. Parents can help by reinforcing the message.
Safety tips include:
Lisa Rinehart, Staff Counselor, Counseling Center
Most likely if you are reading this article, you have an image in your mind about what depression looks like. Does it include a person with a blank stare, curled up in a chair and seemingly unable to cope with the outside world? Or perhaps your image about depression is a person you know who is active with others, playing sports or involved in a group activity. This person may be good at hiding his or her emotions and feelings.
Depression has many faces, many of which are not recognized immediately, but felt by the person in varying ways. Depression, not sadness, continues for a minimum of two weeks. It is characterized by having a depressed mood for most of the day, pleasure and interest in activities is diminished. Some people that deal with depression state it is harder to get going or become involved. They need more coaxing by others to do something. When they do go out, the depressed person may go through the motions, but often do not feel the same amount of joy in doing activities they used to find joy in.
Other signs of depression include an increase or decrease in appetite and/or weight gain or loss. Sleep can also be affected either by sleeping a great deal or not sleeping as much as the person normally would. Thus fatigue or loss of energy can become a face of depression. Some people deal with restlessness or a feeling of their body being slowed down.
Concentration, thinking, or having trouble with decisions is also a face of depression. A college student, specifically, may find it hard to read through a chapter and understand what the material means. Lectures may be difficult to sit through, follow and focus on.
Lastly, a face of depression can include suicidal thoughts. These can be fleeting thoughts of what life would be like if the depressed person were not alive, to thoughts of a specific plan to take their own life.
The faces of depression cover a wide range of symptoms at varying degrees. The face of one depression may be very different than the next. The important fact is: if a person thinks he or she may be depressed they should seek help through counseling or the medical profession to assess for depression. Through helping professionals, and personal work, depression symptoms can be lifted.
The face of depression can show a different more positive feeling with hope for a brighter future.
Pam Weller-Dengel, Director, Career Development Center
Good news! According to the National Association of Colleges & Employers, the job outlook for new graduates is positive for the third consecutive year. Even so, the market for new graduates continues to be competitive. More than ever before, employers are looking for new graduates who have job and internship experience in addition to a college degree. What does this mean for your student? Gaining work experience through seasonal and part-time jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities is a necessity! Encourage your student to consider the following tips & resources in seeking a summer job or internship:
Start early! The odds of finding that "perfect" experience increase substantially the earlier you begin your search. Waiting until the last couple of weeks before classes end often means a desperate job seeker who accepts the first thing that comes along.
Get in touch with your skills and interests. Think about the courses you have enjoyed, tasks you have excelled at in the different jobs you have held, things that others have praised you for, things you are proud of, etc. Need more guidance? Use the exercises on the "Undeclared Majors Handbook" page.
Tell everyone you know that you are seeking summer employment–friends, relatives, former supervisors, people from your hometown, etc. Ask them if they have advice, ideas, or contacts to share with you.
Brainstorm a list of organizations to contact. Many opportunities are not advertised. Consider your geographic target and your major–for example, if you are majoring in education consider any and all organizations who work with kids or if you are a communications major contact newspapers, magazines, etc. Don't forget to research an organization before you contact them!
Write a resume. Many times seasonal positions will require you to complete an application form. It almost always increases your attractiveness as a candidate to include a well-written resume. If you are looking for an internship, in most cases you will be asked to submit a resume. Be ready when the opportunity presents itself! Looking for tips and samples? Check out the "[PDF] MSU Job Search Handbook (2.20 MiB)."
Use the resources available to you through the MSU Career Development Center. Seasonal jobs and internships are posted daily on the CDC's mavjobs.com system. If you are a current student and do not have a Mavjobs account, you should!
Best of luck to your student in finding that perfect summer experience!
Comments and questions about the Family Connection newsletter can be directed to the Office of First Year Experience via e-mail at familyconnection@mnsu.edu.
