Dear CSU Parents and Families:
Dear CSU Parents & Families,
Happy February! A few very important items for your calendar:
- February 10, 2009: The Board of Governors of the Colorado State University will be holding a forum to solicit stakeholder input (that's you!!) with regard to the characteristics and responsibilities of a Chancellor for the Colorado State University System.
2:15 - 3:00 p.m. in the Lory Student Center/ Grey Rock Room
Meeting with alumni, athletics program supports and parents & families of current CSU students.
If you are unable to attend, you can provide input via the Board website at www.csusystem.edu and click on the link marked "stakeholder input."
- February 14, 2009: RAMFAM meeting from 10-noon, Horsetooth Lounge, Campus Recreation Center. Information regarding directions for attending/phone participation included later in this newsletter.
- March 7, 2009: RAMFAM meeting cancelled. No RAMFAM meeting in March.
- April 4, 2009: Interim President, Dr. Tony Frank will be attending our RAMFAM meeting, 10-noon! If you will be attending (in person or on the phone!), please rsvp to Kacee.Collard@colostate.edu.
- April 18, 2009: CSUnity - a CSU Day of Service in the Fort Collins and Larimer County community. If you are interested in serving on a team with other CSU parents & family members, rsvp to Kacee.Collard@colostate.edu.
- May 15 & 16, 2009: Graduation!
As always, this newsletter is packed with great information to help you support your student. So as not to overload you, we include articles that are particularly timely and important for the upcoming weeks/months. Inside, you'll find:
I do hope you can participate in both the Stakeholder meeting and the RAMFAM gatherings. We've had some great discussions and are moving forward on some exciting projects and your input is valued. I know Dr. Frank looks forward to our meeting in April because, like you, he is a parent of a college student too!
Take care,
Jody
Jody Donovan, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Students/
Executive Director of Parent and Family Programs
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
Colorado State University
201 Administration Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523
(970) 491-5312
jody.donovan@colostate.edu
back to top
Students Considering a Transition to Off-Campus Living
 By Jeannie Ortega, Director of Off-Campus Student Services
Melissa Emerson, Community Liaison Assistant Director, Off-Campus Student Services
Spring semester is underway, and with that comes the conversation between students, parents and family members about the possibility of moving off campus for fall 2009. Colorado State University's Residence Halls and Apartment Life offer wonderful opportunities for your student to continue living in a positive environment, right here on campus! Please visit their website at http://www.housing.colostate.edu/ for more information about options for your student.
Should your student be considering a move off campus however, Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS) is here to help in a successful transition into the Fort Collins community. Below is a list of opportunities to consider when planning a move off campus. We hope you will encourage your student to be a well-informed resident of the community.
- After February 16th, all students living in the residence halls will receive in their hall mailbox a handbook titled "How to Avoid Sticky Situations: All the Notes You need for Living Off Campus." The guide offers a number of helpful tips and information on what to think about when moving into the community. Topics covered include: managing a budget, negotiating a lease, roommates, utilities, safety, good neighboring tips, being aware of City Codes and Ordinances that impact students (noise, occupancy limit, nuisance gatherings, parking, snow shoveling, etc.), resources, and much more! Please encourage your student to READ it! If you'd like to access your own copy, check out a the electronic version at: http://www.ocssral.colostate.edu/living-and-moving-off-campus.aspx
- Grab some popcorn and watch The Rental World! This 23- minute video addresses issues commonly faced by students who move off campus for the first time. Filmed as a parody of MTV's "Real World," it traces the lives of Donnie, Elainea, Tom, Matt, and Missi as they encounter landlords, leases, police, and neighbors. The video is online at: http://www.ocssral.colostate.edu/watch-the-rental-world.aspx or go to YouTube and search for The Rental World, Colorado State University.
- Like trivia? Then test your rental knowledge with some Off-Campus E-Trivia! These three powerpoints were designed to help students understand their rights and responsibilities as a Fort Collins resident. The true/false and multiple choice questions are based on ordinances, myths and tips for living off campus. Categories include: Leases & Housing, City Codes and Ordinances, Roommates, Parties & Neighbors. Visit: http://www.ocssral.colostate.edu/living-and-moving-off-campus.aspx.
- Does your student need a roommate or a new place to live for summer or fall? The Roommate Roundup on Thursday, April 16 and April 23, 5-6pm, happening in the LSC Commons, is designed for students to meet potential roommates, as well as take in a brief presentation. Students should bring flyers, scratch paper, and a smile!
- The HOUSING FAIR 2009 occurs Wednesday, March 4, 9am-4pm in the LSC Main Ballroom, where your student can visit with scores of landlords, apartment complex managers and property managers and gather information on places to live around town. Also, other services such as storage places, City services and resources in the community will be present. Encourage your student to attend and enter a drawing for a free bike and other great giveaways.
- As a parent or family member of a CSU student, you may be interested in the helpful link that provides a lot of information on City Ordinances and Codes that exist in Fort Collins (ie. Snow removal, grass/weeds, parking, noise, etc.). Please review this site and be informed about these expectations to ensure your student has success living off campus: http://www.ocssral.colostate.edu/parents-and-families.aspx
- Fort Collins has increased enforcement of the Occupancy Limit Ordinance, effective January 1, 2007, which states that no more than three unrelated persons can live in a dwelling. As your student considers moving off campus, please make sure that he/she understands this Ordinance and how it relates to his/her future living arrangements. The following website includes more information: http://www.ocssral.colostate.edu/occupancy-limits.aspx
- Avoid Renting a Lemon: Prior to renting a place, it is important to check the history of the property to see if it has a record of code violations. If a home has had noise violations or tickets for animal disturbances, trash, weeds, parking on yards, or over-occupancy, it may be in jeopardy of becoming a "public nuisance property." The Public Nuisance Ordinance follows the residence, not the tenants. When looking to rent an apartment or house, you should check to see if the rental has a history of violations. The Neighborhood Services Division, (970) 221-6676 or bsowder@fcgov.com can provide you with this information. Don't let your student get caught up in someone else's mess!
- Prior to signing a lease, have your student visit the Student Legal Services website to download a Lease-Fix kit, which provides tenants with step-by-step instructions to make sure the lease terminology protects the renter. Student Legal Services also offers legal advice, free of charge, to full-time fee paying students. Go to: www.sls.colostate.edu for more information.
For other helpful information and resources to assist in a possible move off campus, please visit our office website at: www.ocssral.colostate.edu/ or call 970-491-2248. We are here to help your student make a successful transition to living in our great City!
back to top
Getting to Year 2 - 2009 Conference Schedule - Thursday, February 12
8:00- 3:30 pm: Check-in and Registration (LSC Registration Booth, 2nd Floor)
9:00- 9:50 am: Breakfast and Welcome (Room 203)*
Session Block #1: 10:00- 10:50 am
1A: Making Year 2 @ CSU an Adventure- (Room 224)
1B: Off Campus Jeopardy- Parties, Leases, Neighbors, Oh My! - (Room 213)
1C: Money: You Can Handle It!-(Room 214)
1D: How to be Successful in Science Courses-(Room 220)
1E: Question, Persuade and Refer Suicide Prevention Training- (Room 211E)
Session Block #2: 11:00- 11:50 am
2A: Different Ways to Get Straight A's- (Room 224)
2B: "I Think I Forgot to Say NO!" Achieving Balance in Your Life- (Room 213)
2C: Charge it! Using Credit Wisely - (Room 214)
2D: Get the Skinny on Surviving Police, Landlords and City Hall in Fort Collins-(Room 220)
2E: Physical Activity and Academic Achievement-(Room 211E)
2F: Research Opportunities in the Natural Sciences- (Room 203)
12:00- 1:00 pm: Lunch and Keynote Speaker: Anthony Grimes, CSU Alumni
Session Block #3: 1:00- 1:50 pm
3A: Find Your Fit! Career Exploration Workshop- (Room 224)
3B: "I know what I need to do, but I can't seem to get it done": Motivation, Goal Setting & Balance (Room 213)
3C: - Is a Freshman Too Young to Begin Working in a Research Laboratory? - (Room 214)
3D: Checking Your PULSE: How to Develop an Action Plan for Year 2 and Beyond- (Room 220)
3E: Manage Your Stress-(Room 203)
Session Block #4: 2:00- 2:50 pm
4A: Finding Research Opportunities in Computer Science-(Room 224)
4B: How to be a Successful Science Major-(Room 213)
4C: Study Abroad: Explore, Engage, Discover! (Room 214)
4D: Preparing for a Health Profession - (Room 220)
4E: Sleep Well Workshop-(Room 203)
Session Block #5: 3:00- 3:50 pm
5A: How to Annoy Your Classmates and Professors, and How Your Professors Bug You Back! - (Room 224)
5B: What Lessons Have We Learned: A Second Year Student Panel- (Room 213)
5C: Off Campus Jeopardy- Parties, Leases, Neighbors, Oh My! - (Room 214)
4:00 pm: End of Conference
*Students must register for a session in order to attend lunch and/or breakfast.
For full descriptions of programs, visit www.otp.colostate.edu/conference
back to top
Springing into the semester at SLiCE
By Nikki Cristello, SLiCE Public Relations Specialist
SLiCE hit the New Year running, helping students get involved on campus. This semester is filled with opportunities offering students the chance to get involved in leadership, service and student organizations.
The Alternative Break program still has a few openings for trips during Spring Break. Students can travel to Tennessee to work with a Cherokee Indian Reservation or Minnesota to serve at a homeless shelter. The program offers students the unique opportunity to explore a part of the world they are not familiar with, and have personal leadership experiences that leave a lasting impression. For more information on the open slots for the Alternative Breaks during Spring Break, along with Summer or Winter breaks, contact the SLiCE office at (970) 491-1682.
The Rams Engaging in Active Leadership (REAL) workshops continue this semester, for students to earn certificates in leadership, and learn valuable skills that can be utilized professionally. The various sessions are held throughout the week at different times to cater to students' busy schedules. A resume with a REAL certificate adds value when candidates apply for jobs during school and after graduation. Visit the SLiCE web site, www.slice.colostate.edu for more REAL information.
The President's Leadership Program, one of Colorado State's premier curricular leadership experiences, is taking applications for next year's PLP classes. The President's Leadership Program (PLP) develops tomorrow's leaders through a series of academic courses and experiential learning activities that equip them with the knowledge, skills, and commitment to make positive change. To fill out an application, go to the SLiCE web site, www.slice.colostate.edu!
Finally, CSUnity is coming up on April 18, and will be one of our biggest events of the spring semester. CSUnity takes thousands of Rams into the Larimer County community for one day of community service, working on projects large and small to make a difference. Students can volunteer with an organization, group, or as individuals. Last year, Colorado State students contributed close to 10,000 hours of community service in just one day! Students can go to the SLiCE web site to fill out an application, www.slice.colostate.edu or stop by the SLiCE office.
For more information on any of these programs or other volunteer, leadership or student organizations programs, please visit the SLiCE Web site at www.SLiCE.Colostate.edu or call (970) 491-1682. Students can also visit our office on the main floor of the Lory Student Center behind the Information desk.
back to top
FERPA Information
For information concerning the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and issues related to the release of academic records, please see the Registrar's Webpage at registrar.colostate.edu and click on the FERPA link.
back to top
Stakeholder Meetings with the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System
Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends,
The Colorado State University System Board of Governors invites you to share your views on attributes for a new Chancellor who will lead the Colorado State University System. Last December the Board came to a consensus to separate the position of CSU Fort Collins president from the CSU System Chancellor. The Board was aware of the increasing challenges and demands the Fort Collins campus president had to manage, while also holding the dual title of Chancellor and handling the needs of the system. The Board felt that it was not in the best interest of the university to pull the president away from campus responsibilities.
Facilitating the discussion will be Diane Evans, former treasurer of the CSU Board of Governors, who also co-chaired the CSU-Pueblo presidential search that selected Joseph Garcia; Dick Robinson, co-CEO of Robinson Dairy, who is a past CSU governing board chair as well as a CSU alumnus, and Stephen Portch, a highly regarded expert and consultant in higher education reform and a former chancellor of the University System of Georgia.
If you're unable to attend, you can submit comments online using the stakeholder input form at www.csusystem.edu.
We look forward to your attendance and participation in this very important meeting.
Douglas L. Jones
Chairman
Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System
www.csusystem.edu
February 9
7:30-9:30 a.m.
Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce
1445 Market Street, 4th Floor
RSVP required: (303) 534-6290
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
South Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
6840 South University Blvd., Centennial, CO
Lunch provided
RSVP required: (303) 534-6290
February 10
CSU Fort Collins Campus
Lory Student Center, Grey Rock Room
8-8:45 a.m. - staff, state classified and AP council
9-9:45 a.m. - faculty and faculty council
10-10:45 a.m. - students and student government
11-11:45 a.m. - Dean's council and VP cabinet
12-1 p.m. - donors (invite only)
1:15-2 p.m. - business community and elected officials
2:15-3 p.m. - alumni and athletic supporters
back to top
RAMFAM Information
We hope you can all either attend or call in to the first RAMFAM Association meeting of the semester, to be held Saturday, February 14, 2009! Due to unforeseen circumstances Dr. Frank, Interim President, will not be joining us. He will be in attendance during the April 4 ,2009 meeting.
Back to the February meeting, we will be hosting the meeting on campus, but those who are unable to physically attend will have the option to call in to the meeting. The logistics are as follows:
Location: Campus Recreation Center, Horsetooth Lounge
Date: Saturday, February 14, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Dial-In Number: 970-491-1238
Dial-In Instructions:
1) Call in just before 10:00 on the morning of Saturday, February 14.
2) The first person to call in will experience continual ringing until someone else calls in.
3) Once two people have dialed in to the system, the party line will engage and the first two individuals will be able to speak to one another. As RAMFAM Association members call in, you will hear a click and then will be able to engage in conversation.
4) Please be aware that all members will be able to hear you at any given time and will also be able to hear when any member has ended the call.
Directions to the meeting location:
- Map of campus
- See attached PDF titled SRC Highlighted for marked building and parking options
- The Student Recreation Center is positioned behind Moby Arena
- Parking can be found in the lot west of Moby Arena, off of Shields and Elizabeth
- Head east on the foot trail past Moby Arena until you see the Student Recreation Center on the left side of the walkway
- Map of the Student Recreation Center
- See attached PDF titled Horsetooth Lounge for room location
- Enter through the sliding glass doors and take the staircase immediately in front of you (elevators can be found to the right in front of the Information Desk by the pool)
- Take a left at the top of the staircase and follow the hallway back and to the right to get to the Horsetooth Lounge.
Tentative Topics for Agenda:
- Introductions of Participants
- Report from Fundraising Committee
- Update on Spring Ram Welcome - Glenna and Judy
- Feedback on Calendars
- Topics for Future E-Newsletters
- Topics for Future Meetings
- Future Meeting Updates
- Hand out Spring Parent and Family Guides
If you need to catch up on what happened during the last RAMFAM Association meeting, minutes can be found online on the RAMFAM Association website!
If you wish to unsubscribe from the Parent/Family newsletter, click here.
Note: The above link will open up a new e-mail message for you to unsubscribe to the Parent-Family newsletter (please remember to send the message!). If the above link does not work, you may still unsubscribe from our newsletters by simply sending a message to listproc@colostate.edu. Include the words "unsubscribe PARENT-FAMILY" in the body of your e-mail and send the message to unsubscribe! |
