University of North Carolina Wilmington V o l um e
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Is s u e
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W i n t e r
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The Career Center Helps Your Student
Latest
News
Student Peer
Mediation
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Spring Break
Safety
3
Off-Campus
Housing Fair
4
Inside
every issue:
Healthy
Living:
Nutrition Tips
Counseling
Center FAQs
Traditions:
SGA Elections
5
6
2
We’ve Heard
Your Voice:
The Office of the 4
Dean of Students
The Career Center is available to all
students for assistance for preparing
for that all important job or internship! We have a variety of events and
services this semester to get your student ready for a job or internship
search.
Resume Doctor
Get a resume check-up! The Career
Center staff is ready to perform a minor procedure or major surgery on
your student’s resume! Drop-in clinics are held twice throughout the semester from 10am-3pm in the lobby
of Randall Library. Come see us on
Wednesday, February 3 and Wednesday, March 24. No appointments necessary.
Professional Etiquette Dinner
Not sure which fork to use when?
Wondering what the difference is between European and American dining
styles? This is the event for your student. We will help students prepare
for professional meals with this fourcourse instructive dinner. The do’s
and don’ts of culinary etiquette will
be presented on Wednesday, February 10 at 6pm in the Madeline Suite
by Karen Thompson, Associate Director of the Career Center & Certified
Business Etiquette Trainer. Reservation are required through Seawork.
Cost for the event is $25.
Career Fairs
Find that job or internship at one of
our career fairs this semester! Talk to
employers in person about exciting
employment opportunities. The Education Career Fair will be held on
March 8 from 9am-12pm in the Burney Center. The Internship and Job
Fair, appropriate for all majors, will
be held in the Burney Center on
March 31 from 10am-2pm. No registration is required for these events.
Encourage your student to dress professionally to make the best impression.
Job Search Boot Camp
Visit the Career Center on Wednesday, April 14 for this all-day boot
camp designed to get students careerready! Make the rounds to stations
including Resume Writing, Professional Dress and Interviewing, Job
Searching, and Personal Finance.
Your student can spend as much or as
little time as he or she needs to get all
questions answered.
Career Center Hours and
Services
Your student can always visit the Career Center in the University Union
Room 2035 to get all of his or her career and internship search needs met.
Join us for drop-ins Monday-Friday
from 2-4:30pm or make an appointment with a Career Counselor by calling 910-962-3174. Visit our website
for additional resources and information at www.uncw.edu/career.
Sarah Clark, Career Development Counselor
The Career Center
Volume 12, Issue 1
Page 2
Student Peer Mediation Program:
Helping Students Resolve Disputes
The Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) offers several
means through which students can work to resolve issues of conflict with other
students. One of the most
impactful ways for students
to resolve such issues is
through the Student Peer Mediation Program.
What is mediation and why
would a student want to utilize such a service? Mediation
is a private and voluntary, decision-making process that
provides an informal way for
students to resolve a dispute
with another student.
In mediation, two neutral
students, called mediators,
help two or more students
explore ways to resolve their
differences and reach an
agreement that best addresses their interests.
Mediation allows for students
to create their own unique
solutions, instead of taking
their problem to an outside
decision-maker and having
that person’s solution imposed upon them.
Common cases for which students might seek peer mediation include on or off-campus
roommate problems, inter or
intra-student organizational
conflicts, or any other type of
student-student disputes.
To refer a dispute for peer
mediation services, students
simply fill out a Request for
Mediation Form and submit
it to the Office of the Dean of
Students, Fisher University
Union 2017. These forms are
available in ODOS or can be
downloaded from the website.
For more information about
the program, students can
visit the Office of the Dean of
Students in the Fisher University Union Room 2017 or
contact ODOS at 910-9623119. Your student can find
the form and other helpful
resources at the ODOS website at http://www.uncw.edu/
stuaff/odos/altdispute.html.
Chip Phillips, Assistant Dean,
Office of the Dean of Students
Traditions: SGA Elections
Each Spring, students run for office to be a
part of UNCW’s Student Government Association (SGA). SGA is “an organization made
by students, made of students, and made for
students” and its members take pride in rep-
The Association also organizes Safe Rides, a
discounted taxi service provided to students,
as well as, Free Legal Services available to all
UNCW students each Wednesday in the
Campus Activities and Involvement Center.
resenting the voice and vision of UNCW
students.
Encourage your student to get involved by
This group of dedicated Seahawks work to
better the campus community, creating new
programs and events for their fellow students. In recent years, SGA has made the
laundry free in the dorms, organized voter
registration events, and helped with campuswide cleanups.
running for one of the 38 seats available
through the SGA elections process! For
more information about meetings and the
elections, visit the SGA website at http://
uncw.edu/sga/.
Heather Baruch
Transition Programs
Volume 12, Issue 1
Page 3
Keeping Students Safe This Spring Break
Spring Break is fast approaching! Your student may choose
to get away from the pressures
and stresses of school with
some friends to a nice, warm,
and relaxing place. While it’s
important that students have
fun, it is most important that
they stay safe. CROSSROADS
can help students and parents
make smart and safe decisions
when making Spring Break
plans.
Despite the image of Spring
Break as a week of partying,
most students choose to go
home, work, or do community
service over the vacation. Both
the Discover Outdoor Center in
Campus Recreation and the
Center for Leadership Education and Service sponsor
Spring Break service trips.
However, some students want
the experience they have seen
glamorized in movies and television. How can you help your
student prepare for a safe and
fun trip, even to a party destination? What are some things
that you might want to discuss
with them? Here are a few
ideas.
1. Encourage your student to
use a reputable travel
agency. Some companies target students knowing that
many will not do research. Be
skeptical about solicitations
that sound too good to be true.
Read the fine print on “allinclusive” offers that may only
provide one meal per day or
encourage extreme drinking.
Once they have made a decision on where to travel, encourage them to learn as much
as they can about their destination, including local laws and
things to do beyond the parties, like historical tours, art
galleries, sporting events, and
museums.
2. Many parents want to keep
in contact with their student, but students find it difficult hassling with calling cards
and pay phones. Look into
their destination and their cell
phone service. If their current
phone won’t work internationally, many phone service providers allow temporary calling
plan changes, allowing you to
communicate while your student is traveling. Designate a
time to talk during the week.
Just in case of emergencies,
have the phone number to the
hotel/condo/villa where they
are staying.
3. If your student chooses to
drink over spring break, it is
important to talk with them
about the risks involved.
Raise awareness about the
tragedies that can result from
driving after drinking and encourage designated drivers and
taxis. Warn them of the dangers of drowsy driving and offer to pay for a hotel to avoid
driving overnight.
4. Discuss confrontation skills
so that friends can take care of
each other when they find
themselves in a dangerous
situation. Talk about using
the buddy system and always staying with a group of
friends. Encourage your student to know their personal
drinking limits and how to prevent negative consequences on
their trip. Be blunt - ask about
their plan to avoid the “Girls
Gone Wild” scenario.
5. Are they headed for the
beach? Send a sun-friendly
care package in the mail.
Pack sunscreen, lip balm, and
other small sun necessities to
stress the importance of using
these products throughout the
day. Drinking alcohol in the
sun can increase dehydration.
Fill them in about drinking water throughout the day and taking care of their bodies.
This break can help students
survive the stress of the spring
semester. Help your student
plan a safe and relaxing trip.
CROSSROADS sponsors educational events and activities to
help students prepare for a safe
Spring Break.
For information on these
events and others, go to
www.uncw.edu/crossroads.
For more tips, information,
and helpful resources check
out www.friendsdrivesober.org
and www.cdc.gov/women/
owh/springbreak/.
Aimee Hourigan, Assistant Director
CROSSROADS
Volume 12, Issue 1
Page 4
“We’ve Heard Your Voice”
The Office of the Dean of Students
The Office of the Dean of Students coordinates and manages the following programs
and services: Fraternity & Sorority Life, the Seahawk
Perch, Student Conduct, Alternative Dispute Resolution,
and Cornerstone Community
Standards.
Also, a display entitled, “Our
Soldiers, Their Stories” was
hung in the Fisher Student
Center which highlights the
lives of UNCW military students, and includes photographs and bios of current
students and alumni serving
in active duty.
The Office of the Dean of Students conducted a “60 Second
Survey” to collect students’
feedback on various programs
in their department. One of
the needs expressed by military students was to receive
more information about resources available to them.
The Seahawk Perch also offers
an array of flyers and bulletins
listing upcoming events and
contacts for counseling, scholarships, disability services,
and other resources for
UNCW’s military student
population.
As a result, a session was created during Orientation specifically for military students,
as well as, a website and
listserv through Seahawk
Perch that outlines all services
and programs available to
these students.
Members of fraternities and
sororities wanted programs to
help improve their leadership
skills. Fraternity and Sorority Life created presidents’ retreats, the Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Certificate,
in addition to the Emerging
Leaders Program to train current and future leaders.
The survey also revealed that
23% of UNCW students living
off campus said that they
would like more information
about the city bus system, so a
Wilmington city bus was
brought to campus, giving
students the opportunity to
experience the bus and ask
questions about schedules
and usage.
We feel that it is essential for
students and parents to know
that the time taken to complete surveys is worthwhile,
and that we are using the information from the surveys to
enhance students’ overall experience. These changes can
be seen in the services and
programs provided by the Office of the Dean of Students.
Nathan Lindsay, Jonathan Peterson, and
Andy Jarachovic
Student Life Assessment
Off-Campus Housing Fair
The decision for your student to move off-campus during their college career is tough and requires
maturity, accountability, and planning. At UNCW, we understand that shopping for apartments
can be overwhelming when considering the time spent scanning the internet, driving to properties, and comparing prices. And, of course, trying to find that “perfect fit” can take its toll. To help
your student get organized, UNCW and the Seahawk Perch is holding the Housing Fair on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in the Burney Center from 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. The Housing
Fair brings together local apartment complexes, rental agencies, and home services, creating a one
-stop opportunity to learn about several off-campus living options and services. This event is
FREE, and provides the perfect opportunity for you and your student to explore off-campus living
choices in a fun, stress-free environment. We hope to see you there!
Jessica Thummel, Graduate Assistant
The Seahawk Perch
Page 5
Nutrition Tips for a Healthy ‘hawk!
The spring semester is a very exciting time
for UNCW students. Spring break is approaching quickly, and summer is on the
horizon. But one area that we don’t want to
get overlooked is the importance of nutrition.
It is important for students to pick up good
nutrition habits early. They will make
smart eating choices and have a healthier
and more productive college career– and
life!
HEALTHY LIVING
March is National Nutrition Month! The
Abrons Student Health Center and UNCW
Health Promotion offer a wide range of
programs, information, and services that
your son or daughter can tap into to keep
he or she on a healthy path into adulthood!
Both the Health Center and Health Promotion want to help your student make wise
decisions and are available as a source of
support and knowledge.
Here are a few tips to casually suggest:
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Encourage your student to follow the
80/20 rule, choosing healthy options
80% of the time and not-so-healthy options 20% of the time. For more information on individual calorie intake, recommend your son or daughter visits
www.mypyramid.gov.
Remind them to eat plenty of fruits and
vegetables. Fruits and veggies make
great side dishes and snacks, and everyone should work towards covering half
of their plate with these treats from
Mother Earth!
Persuade them to make healthy choices
when dining on-campus. Yes, it can be
hard to make wise choices when sweets
and fried foods are a free-for-all, but
they can do it!
•
Students should be choosing lowcalorie, nutrient dense foods like fruits,
vegetables, whole-grains, low fat dairy
products, and lean cuts of meat.
•
Remind your student to watch out for
the late night munchies. And, what is
the easiest food to obtain late night?
Pizza! Pizza is often high in fat and
calories, which makes it an unwise
choice to munch on before going to bed.
•
Have them stock their residence hall or
apartment with foods such as carrots,
pretzels, fruits, low fat cheeses and yogurts, granola bars, etc. This arsenal of
health smacks will make it a lot easier to
snack on something healthy!
A healthy diet and active lifestyle is critical
for a lifetime of wellness. Encourage your
student to make healthy choices now when
it comes to eating and exercise so these
good habits will continue.
Also, remind your student that if they find
it difficult navigating the nutrition jungle,
he or she should schedule a free appointment with the on-campus dietitian by calling Health Promotion at 910-962-4135.
Encourage your student to visit the Health
Promotion website at www.uncw.edu/
healthpromo for up-coming health and nutrition programs, as well as snack suggestions, shopping tips for snack choices, and
more tips on how to eat healthy and on a
budget!
Trisha M. Schleicher, Health Educator
Abrons Student Health Center
Volume 12, Issue 1
Page 6
The Counseling Center FAQ’s
HEALTHY LIVING
The Counseling Center is a safe place on campus for students to visit for free, confidential
services. However, counselors aren’t the only
ones who ask questions.
The Center frequently receives questions
about our services and we want to share them
with parents in order to assist them with their
student’s college career.
What is counseling?
Counseling is a collaborative process between
counselor and client that seeks to explore client concerns and improve their situation.
Creating a therapeutic relationship involves:
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•
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Providing a caring, respectful environment
Developing rapport
Mutually agreeing upon goals for counseling
Providing insight and answering questions
about the counseling process
Who is eligible for counseling services
and how much does it cost?
All enrolled students, both full-time and parttime, are eligible for counseling services,
which are provided at no cost.
Office of Transition Programs
601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5997
Phone: 910-962-3089
Fax: 910-962-7151
E-mail: transitions@uncw.edu
www.uncw.edu/transitions
What services does the Counseling
Center provide?
The Counseling center offers students a safe
and confidential place to address concerns
hindering their personal academic success.
These services include individual counseling,
group counseling, and off-campus referral
services as well as psychoeducational outreach programs and consultation.
Why can’t you tell me if my student is
receiving services?
The identities of those students using our services are held in strict confidence in accordance with ethical standards, and state and
federal laws. Confidential information cannot
be shared with anyone outside of the Counseling Center without written consent, except
under certain circumstances, such as imminent danger to self or others, child or elder
abuse, or a court order.
If you have a concern about your student’s
emotional or mental well-being, encourage
them to seek help at the Counseling Center.
More information about the Counseling Center services can be found at www.uncw.edu/
counseling.
Jim Dolan, Ph.D, Staff Psychologist,
The Counseling Center
The Office of Transition Programs provides a
comprehensive array of programs designed to
meet the unique needs of undergraduate students
and parents from orientation through graduation.
Programs generate an intentional connection for
the students through engaging interactions with
other students, faculty and staff. Ultimately
through this community participation each student is provided the opportunity to improve critical thinking, problem solving, academic achieve-