University of North Carolina Wilmington V o l um e
Latest News
≈ Debating the
drinking age
≈ Campus Safety:
Updates and
Initiatives
≈ Sneezes, sniffles,
and coughs
≈ Coping with
stress
≈ Internships
prepare students
for future
≈ Leadership
UNCW,
programs for
your student
Inside
every issue:
Healthy
3-4
Traditions 1
Family
Weekend
1 0 ,
Is s u e
F a l l
2
2 0 0 8
The Seahawk Family comes together
during Family Weekend
Each year, UNCW hosts a
weekend inviting parents,
grandparents, siblings,
and friends to campus to
enjoy a weekend of fun for
the entire family. This
year, in addition to families of students, alumni
and their families will join
the Seahawk Family at
Family Weekend.
Family Weekend will begin
on Friday, October 17th
with a Wine and Cheese
Reception specifically for
parents and alumni. For
those with small children,
the Watson School of Education Teaching Fellows
will offer fun and games
next door to the reception
giving parents the opportunity to meet University
administrators and network with each other. After the Wine and Cheese
Reception, families and
alumni are invited to celebrate the beginning of
UNCW’s basketball season
by joining students, faculty, staff and the Wil-
mington community in
Trask Coliseum for Midnite Madness and Fan
Jam.
Midnite Madness
and Fan Jam are traditions
that students enjoy every
year, and this year families
and alumni can join the
fun.
Family Weekend will continue with a number of
events on Saturday, October 18th. There will be a
synergy book discussion
for families who read
Never Let Me Go with
their students and the Chi
Omega/Make a Wish golf
tournament for those who
enjoy a round of golf.
Families and Alumni can
also choose to attend the
Family Picnic that will feature music, food, and
games, attend a movie in
Lumina Theatre or take a
trip kayaking.
On Sunday, families and
alumni can choose to eat
brunch in Wagoner Hall or
take a tour of Screen Gems
Studios, which is the home
of hit television shows
Dawson’s Creek and One
Tree Hill.
Family Weekend is designed to allow members
of the Seahawk Family to
shape their experience by
picking and choosing
which events they want to
attend. If it’s your first
time visiting UNCW since
you dropped your student
off at move-in, or if your
student is getting ready to
graduate in May, Family
Weekend is one of the best
ways to enjoy UNCW and
Wilmington.
Some events during Family Weekend have a registration cost, require preregistration or have limited capacity. For more
information about Family
Weekend, visit the web site
at
www.uncw.edu/
familyweekend.
Christina Logan, ,
Assistant Director,
Transition Programs
Please consider one of our sponsors during your stay.
Comfort Suites
Room Rate: $109
Days Inn
Room Rates: $47.10
Hampton Inn University Area
Room rates:
$109 Special Family
Rate
Microtel Inn and
Sunbelt Media
Suites
Visit
Room Rates: $49-$59 www.WBTrip.com
Volume 10, Issue 2
Page 2
St
Those of legal drinking
age tend to purchase
alcohol
for
their
younger
friends.
It is believed this ‘trickle
down’ effect could make
alcohol available to even
younger high school
students, and perhaps even
middle school students if the
MLDA was lowered to 18.
Drinking increases your
risk for long term brain
damage.
The American Medical
Association reports that the
At 18 you can go and
fight for your country,
but you can’t legally
drink
alcohol.
“However, one response
might be that military
officers are fighting to
protect American lives, and
the MLDA is proven to save
American lives” says
Rebecca Caldwell, Director
of Substance Abuse and
Violence Prevention at
UNCW. Even the U.S. Air
Force has begun employing
health educators, who are
currently running one of the
most effective underage
drinking
prevention
programs around the
country.
European
countries
with lower drinking ages
don’t have the alcoholrelated problems we do
i n
t h e
U . S .
Actually, this one is a myth.
According to research
conducted by the Pacific
Institute for Research and
Evaluation, European youth
drink more often and engage
in more high-risk drinking than American youth,
despite being able to do so
legally. European countries
also have higher rates of
alcoholism, liver cirrhosis,
and liver cancer, which is
why many of them are
considering increasing their
minimum legal drinking
age.
UNCW
has
been
committed
to
substance
abuse
prevention for over 20
years and will continue
in its efforts to reduce
high-risk
drinking
among its students,
which is down 16.55%
since 2005. No matter
where you stand, one
thing is for certain.
Alcohol abuse is a
major
problem
college campuses and
minimum legal drinking
is only one part of
solution.
n
io
Changing the drinking
age to 21 decreases
alcohol-related highway
crashes, even as quickly
as a month after the law
was
implemented.
The National Highway and
Safety Commission has
estimated the current MLDA
has saved 21,887 lives and
will continue to save 1,000
lives a year!
"frontal lobe development
and the refinement of
pathways and connections
continue until age 16, and a
high rate of energy is used as
the brain matures until age
20." Decision-making and
impulse control are greatly
affected by these changes.
s
is
bm
Su
A very popular debate on
campus right now is whether
or not the minimum legal
drinking age (MLDA) should
be changed. While many
feel that lowering the
drinking age to 18 would be
a good idea, research shows
that a higher drinking age
saves lives. With so much
discussion, what are the
arguments?
t
en
ud
Debating the Drinking Age
“European
youth
drink more
often and
engage in
more highrisk
drinking
than
American
youth”
on
the
age
the
To get more information
about the debate and see the
sources for this article, visit
www.higheredcenter.org
Lauren Barrow,
CROSSROADS Peer Educator
Phillip Deal,
CROSSROADS Peer Educator
HEALTHY LIVING
Page 3
Coping with stress
Learning to cope with stress
is a significant challenge for
students, particularly first
year students negotiating
college for the first time.
Stress adds challenge and
opportunity to life by
informing you that you may
need to prepare for
something important (e.g.,
study for an exam).
situations, but generally
stress “signals” fall into four
categories:
thoughts,
feelings, behaviors, and
physical reactions.
Some
common symptoms of stress
include fatigue, difficulty
concentrating, feeling
overwhelmed, chronic
headache or upset stomach,
and procrastinating.
While feeling “stressed” is a
normal part of life, too much
stress can seriously affect a
student’s physical and
mental
well-being.
Recurrent physical and
psychological stress can
diminish
self-esteem,
decrease interpersonal and
academic effectiveness and
create a cycle of self-blame
and self-doubt. It is
important for a student’s well
-being to find the optimal
level of stress that can be
managed effectively.
A next step in dealing with
stress is to understand and
identify the sources of stress.
Stressors can come from a
variety of sources including
the environment (noise,
overcrowding), academics
(deadlines, competition,
exams), social (time
demands,
difficult
relationships), health (illness,
poor eating habits), and
financial (bills, cost of books).
The first step in coping with
unhealthy stress is to
recognize when stress levels
are increasing. While we often
think of stress as the result of
external events, the events
themselves
are
not
necessarily stressful. It is the
way each individual interprets
and reacts to an event that
produces stress. For example,
public speaking may be seen
as routine for some people,
while others may see it as
stressful. Individuals may
react differently to stressful
A significant stressor for
students is change. The stress
of moving to a new place,
beginning a new semester,
establishing
new
relationships, etc, can be
vastly underestimated when
masked by the excitement of
coming to college. Learning
to recognize the sources of
stress and the signals that you
are
experiencing
increased stress can inform
the steps taken to reduce
stress.
There are a number of steps
individuals can take to
coping positively with stress.
Basic Self-Care and
Lifestyle Strategies
Eat well balanced meals,
exercise regularly, get regular
sleep, reward yourself
appropriately, use time
management techniques
Interpersonal
Strategies
Develop
healthy
relationships, communicate
with others regularly, get
involved
Cognitive
Strategies
Keep things in perspective, be
proactive not reactive,
establish goals, recognize and
correct harmful thoughts and
behaviors
Spiritual /
Philosophical Strategies
Examine life goals, clarify
values, take time for healthy
reflection
The UNCW Counseling
Center provides resources for
students to recognize and
cope with stress. Self help
resources including stress
management information are
available on our website,
www.uncw.edu/counseling .
For more information about
the services offered by the
Counseling Center visit our
website or call 910-962-3746.
Dr. Jim Dolan ,
Staff Counselors,
Counseling Center
HEALTHY LIVING
Page 4
Sneezes, Sniffles, and Coughs!
Cool weather is fast
approaching, and it will soon
be time to start bundling up
before heading outside.
Guess what else is coming
soon? Cold and flu season!
In order for your son/
daughter to be at their best
and brightest, they need to
know how to protect
themselves from this years
cold and flu season.
One way to help protect
them from winter illnesses is
to make sure they take
advantage of the resources
that are offered to them here
at UNCW. If your student
indicates that they are not
feeling well, advise them to
go to the Abrons Student
Health Center; it’s free,
friendly and helpful.
Symptoms to be aware of
include:
• headaches
• fever
• extreme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose.
Sore body muscles can also
be a sign that the cold and
flu bug has hit. The Abrons
Student Health Center
wants to make sure your
student not only knows how
to protect themselves from
getting sick, but where to go
if they are not feeling well.
As a reminder, there is a
pharmacy at the Abrons
Student Health Center.
Students
may
fill
prescriptions and purchase
over the counter medicines
such as cough syrup, cough
drops, Advil, etc at a
minimal charge. They may
also charge items to their
student accounts.
Remind your student to be
careful this winter season.
We want everyone to be
happy, safe, and most
importantly, healthy for the
winter season.
For more
information, visit the Abrons
Student Health Center’s web
site,
www.uncw.edu/
healthservices or the
P h a r m a c y’ s w e b s i t e
w w w . u n c w . e d u /
healthservices/.
Ryan Williams,
Health Promotion Intern
Trisha M. Schleicher, MS, CHES,
UNCW Health Educator
Has your student taken the
This is a recognition program of your student’s civic engagement activities. What are civic
engagement activities? Well they are activities such as voting, community service, serving on a
jury, tutoring children, cleaning up the environment, and holding a leadership position within a
student organization. Each time your student participates in an activity they can fill out the
participation form on the website and turn it into the Center for Leadership Education and
Service. We’ll keep track of your student’s involvement and as they accrue points, they will be
recognized for their involvement. Recognition gifts include a certificate from the Chancellor,
t-shirts, beach towels, and other cool stuff. So, encourage your student to join the Chancellor’s
Challenge and be recognized for their good works. Students can sign up now for the
Chancellor’s Challenge at www.uncw.edu/chancellorschallenge. Questions can be directed to
the Center for Leadership Education and Service at www.uncw.edu/cles or (910) 962-3877.
Volume 10, Issue 2
Page 5
Internships prepare students for future
Thinking about the future? Is
an internship part of the plan?
The
UNCW
Career
Center can assist students with
the plan to turn thoughts of an
internship into reality.
One way to gain valuable
insight to what a true UNCW
Internship is all about is to
plan to attend “The Inside
Scoop on Internships”
scheduled for Thursday,
October 16 from 4:00 – 6:00
p.m. in Cameron Hall Room
105.
Students will hear stories from
UNCW successful interns from
the Spring and Summer
semesters. Additionally free ice
cream will be provided to all
attendees. Internships don’t
just happen, they require
planning in advance at least
one semester.
Additionally students will have
an opportunity to meet
companies that are seeking
interns at the Fall Internship
and Job Fair scheduled for
Wednesday, November 5,
10a.m.–2p.m. in the Burney
Center.
What can an Internship do for
a student?
Among the benefits
students include:
for
• Learn more about what a
full0time job in a particular
career might be like on a
daily basis. The idea of
“Test Driving” a chosen
career before committing to
a full-time job is always
great
• Students gain valuable
experience for building
resumes and with the experience a student gains a
competitive edge for the
future
• Students will develop and
gain confidence in their own
abilities
• Meet professionals in a
specific industry and gain
professional contacts
• Internship supervisors can
be valuable references
during a subsequent job
search
• Students gain professional
and marketable skills and
• Build a network-develop
business contacts and
secure
letters
of
recommendation
Studies conducted by the
National Association of
Colleges and Employers
indicate that over 60% of
students who complete an
internship result in gaining
employment following
graduation with their
internship organization or a
similar organization.
The Career Center has also
seen a growth in employers
who recruit only for interns
and not full time trainees.
Karen S. Thompson,
Associate Director,
UNCW Career Center
Hot Career Center Events for YOUR student
Academic Majors Fair
October 1
Burney Center, 11am-2pm
Co-sponsored by Career Center &
University College
60+ local, regional, and national
employers will be on hand to talk
about internships and careers.
This event requires professional
dress and a current resume.
Representatives from most academic departments will be on
hand to talk about their areas, the
curriculum, internships, and career options.
International Healthcare Careers Panel
October 14
Cameron Hall 212, 5-7pm
Internship and Job Fair
November 5
Burney Center, 10am – 2pm
The Inside Scoop on Internships
October 16
Cameron Hall 105, 4-6pm
Interview Challenge
November 17 – November 21
International Internships
and Service Career Panel and
Resource Fair, Nov 18, 5-7pm,
Cameron Hall 212).
All these events and other college
student career development topics
are covered in detail on our website at www.uncw.edu/career.
Leslie Wright, Assistant Director
Career Center
Page 6
UNCW completed
a Multi-Hazard
Mitigation Plan…
the first FEMAapproved
Mitigation Plan in
the UNC System.
“The safety of our
students,
faculty
and staff is always
our
highest
priority. Together,
we can continue to
enhance the safety
of our campus.”
Rosemary DePaolo,
Chancellor
Statement to the
UNCW
campus
community in the
aftermath of the
tragedy at Virginia
Tech
Campus Safety
Update and New Initiatives
A d he r in g t o U NC W ’ s
strategic goal of maintaining
an attractive and sustainable
campus that is above all safe,
UNCW staff and faculty
constantly strive to create a
safer and more secure
campus.
Described below
are several safety initiatives
and improvements in current
programs
that
were
developed in the past year.
Prevention and Personal
Safety
UNCW has a strong
commitment to providing
training
in
violence
prevention and response. As
such, active shooter response
training, emergency response
training, and violence in the
workplace
prevention
training are now offered to
all employees through New
Emplo yee Orientat ion.
Several student groups have
also received active shooter
response training.
The UNCW Information
Technology Systems Division
conducted more than 21 live
presentations on information
technology security across
campus. A DVD, titled No
Violence, was produced as a
method of training faculty
and staff and will soon be
posted online.
Finally, in September 2008,
UNCW held its first annual
Safety Symposium and
Information Fair to provide
outreach to faculty, staff, and
students.
Physical Campus Safety
UNCW conducts several
safety walks each year to
determine areas of campus
that students feel are unsafe.
Following safety walks last
year, many improvements
were made to lighting,
landscaping, and crosswalks
to promote pedestrian safety.
Forty-six campus buildings
have card readers on exterior
doors, which provide UNCW
with a more secure method
of entry and the capability to
centrally lock down campus
buildings.
Additionally,
UNCW
completed a Multi-Hazard
Mitigation Plan to identify
the potential effects of
hazards and ways to avoid
damage and losses to
infrastructure, buildings, and
programs.
This Plan has
been approved by FEMA and
is the first FEMA-approved
Mitigation Plan in the UNC
System.
Threat Assessment
The
Student
Threat
Assessment Team (STAT)
comprises a
group of
university administrators
charged
with
the
responsibility of identifying,
investigating, assessing, and
monitoring high risk
behaviors exhibited by
UNCW students. Using this
information, the group
attempts to determine if any
students may pose a threat to
the University community.
Crisis
Response
and
Communications
UNCW has a comprehensive
emergency management
program that includes plans,
training, and exercises. In
2007, UNCW Emergency
Management orchestrated
four emergency exercises to
test plans and procedures.
Additionally, more than 50
staff members were trained
in emergency response
operations according to
federal standards.
During an emergency
situation, UNCW will employ
one or more of the following
notification methods to
communicate emergency
messages to the UNCW
community:
• Broadcast e-mails and
voice mails
• Emergency Information
Hotline (1-888-657-5751 or
910-962-3991)
• Emergency Information
Web site
• Emergency advisories
posted on UNCW Web site
• Breaking News headline on
all UNCW Web sites
• Channel 77 – a dedicated
UNCW channel
• Cable TV interrupt
• Scrolling message on other
TVs on campus
• Text messaging
• Seahawk Outdoor Warning
Siren System
• University marquee on
College Road
• Local media
Safety Resources and
Emergency Information
Website
UNCW now has a new
campus
safety
and
emergency information Web
site. Parents are invited to
visit this Web site at
w w w . u n c w . e d u /
safetyandemergency to
obtain safety resources on a
variety of topics and to find
information about any actual
emergencies that may be
affecting UNCW.
Suzanne Blake, Emergency
Management Coordinator
Environmental Health and
Safety
Volume 10, Issue 2
Page 7
Leadership UNCW helps students excel
The Center for Leadership
Education and Service (CLES) is
excited to announce our
growing
leadership
development
program:
Leadership UNCW!
This co-curricular program
consists of both individual
workshops and six different
certificate
programs.
Leadership UNCW programs
benefit current student leaders,
students who are seeking future
leadership positions, and
students simply interested in
developing their skills and
competencies.
Good leaders make an active
commitment to continually
learn new ideas and further
develop their skills and
competencies. Upon graduation,
employers seek candidates with
a variety of leadership skills and
experiences that complement
their academic curriculum.
Leadership UNCW provides a
variety of these opportunities
for students, with benefits
reaching beyond their time at
UNCW.
Workshops
Students interested in
developing leadership skills
around a specific topic are
encouraged to participate in a
Leadership UNCW workshop.
Over 25 different workshops are
offered this semester. Some of
the workshop topics include:
Leadership Concepts, Group
Dynamics, Ethical Decision
Making, Diversity and
Leadership,
Conflict
Management, Running an
Effective Meeting, Recruitment
and Retention, Leadership for
Social
Change,
Risk
Management, and many more!
Leadership UNCW Workshops
are free and open to all UNCW
students.
Certificate Programs
For students interested in
developing their leadership
skills within a specific focus
area, certificate programs
provide a more comprehensive
approach.
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
Through the Leadership UNCW
certificate programs, students
will have the opportunity to
develop leadership knowledge,
skills, and abilities; build an
awareness of leadership issues
facing our communities and
society; and explore their
personal identity as a leader.
Leadership UNCW Certificates
are currently available in the
following areas: Personal
Leadership, Civic and
Community Engagement,
Fraternity and Sorority
Leadership, Organizational
Leadership, Outdoor Adventure
Leadership, and Sport Club
Leadership.
For more information on
Leadership UNCW, including
the fall workshop schedule and
requirements for each
certificate program, please visit
http://www.uncw.edu/
l e a d e r s h i p u n c w .
Jennifer Smist,
Assistant Director,
Center for Leadership Education and
Service
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 achievement, interpersonal and
intrapersonal growth and civic responsibility.