AN UPDATE ON H1N1 (Swine Flu)

Dear CSU Parents and Families:

Happy May Day! Over the past month the campus has had a number of opportunities to celebrate students' academic, involvement, and leadership accomplishments. I am so impressed with the breadth and depth of student scholarship, service, and personal growth. We are proud of our outstanding undergraduate and graduate students and we thank you for all you have done to guide and support them on their educational journeys.

Classes are winding down, final assignments are due, and students are beginning to prepare for their final exams. Messages of support are critical for student success during this time of high stress and pressure. A small care package with healthy snacks, vitamins, stress-relieving items, and motivational messages can lift students' spirits and help them get through the next few weeks. There are a number of academic and personal resources on campus should your student need additional support to cope with these pressures. Check out the parent and family website for resource and contact information (http://www.parentsandfamily.colostate.edu).

Congratulations to the parents and families of graduating students! For updated information regarding your student's commencement ceremony, please click on http://commencement.colostate.edu. Each College has a separate commencement ceremony. The weekend of May 15-17 is extremely busy with students moving out of the residence halls, changing apartments, preparing for summer school and summer jobs, graduation, and end of the year celebrations, so please plan ahead when visiting campus and Fort Collins.

Interim CSU President, Dr. Tony Frank, met with the RAMFAM Association for two hours on Saturday, April 4, 2009. During the meeting, President Frank addressed many issues including higher education funding, tuition increases, academics, transportation, and the Colorado College Opportunity Fund from questions posed by parents and families, current students, faculty members, and community members. Read the minutes on the Parent and Family Website. Special thanks to President Frank for spending 2 hours with us!

The final RAMFAM Association Meeting of the semester will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 10:00 am-noon in the Student Recreation Center on campus. Logistics for attending and participating are included later in the newsletter. Based on parent and family feedback, we will host guest speakers on two different topics:

• Michael Daine, Associate Executive Director of CSU Health Network, will join us to speak with parents and families about mental health issues on campus and
• Mike Ellis, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Executive Director of the Lory Student Center, and Quinn Girrens, ASCSU Vice-President, will join us to speak about the student fee breakdown.

Included in this newsletter is an announcement regarding the upcoming Board of Governor's Open Meeting on Friday, May 8 to gather feedback regarding the Colorado State University Presidential search. Parents and families are welcome at the 3:00p.m. open session in the Greyrock Room of the Lory Student Center. You are an important "stakeholder" group and your opinions are valued. Information is also included regarding how to share your opinion online if you are unable to attend the meeting on campus.

Planning is underway for Homecoming & Family Weekend 2009! Mark your calendars for Friday, October 9 - Sunday, October 11, 2009! Events begin early Friday afternoon so plan ahead to arrive in time for a variety of Open Houses, the Homecoming Parade, Campus Festival, Bonfire and Fireworks. Saturday morning includes the annual Student Alumni Connection Pancake Breakfast, Health and Exercise Science 5K Race, RAMFAM Association meeting, Morgan Library event, new campus construction tours, RamTown , the tailgate and football game against Utah. Many fun events are also planned for Saturday night in Old Town so students can show their families around the Fort Collins community. Sunday brings the annual Golf Tournament and some additional special events to be unveiled as the schedule is finalized. Stay tuned for updates!

Additional articles this month include: Information about the Board of Governor's Presidential Search meeting; May calendar of events; the benefits of being involved with the Student Alumni Connection; and information and highlights from Morgan Library.

Progress continues on the RAMFAM sponsored RamFamily Friendly Business Directory. Business recommendations and referrals from CSU parents and families will be used to invite RamFamily friendly businesses to become part of this first-ever publication specifically for Colorado State students and their families. Send the names of those businesses with which you (or your student) have had positive customer service experiences to Kacee.Collard@colostate.edu.

Lastly, Parent and Family Program is undergoing our first Program Review and we are seeking your feedback. How are we doing? What can be improved to better serve you, the parents and families of Colorado State University students? We seek both positive and constructive feedback to document our successes and plan for the future. Areas for feedback:

• Parent & Family Program Staff Response to your e-mails, calls, and visits
• Monthly e-Newsletter
• Parent & Family Website
• RAMFAM Association Initiatives
• Parent & Family Orientation Sessions
• Ram Welcome Parent & Family Programs
• Family Weekend Programs
• Parent & Family Publications (including the Transitions calendar, seasonal Guides to Fort Collins, wallet phone card, and various brochures)
• Parents Fund solicitations and expenditures
• Anything else related to supporting CSU students' parents and family members

Please share your feedback by emailing Jody.Donovan@colostate.edu.

In closing, thank you for a great year and congratulations to the families of graduating students! Best wishes for a relaxing, safe, and productive summer for our continuing students and their families.

Sincerely,

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

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Swine Flu (H1N1) Update

Although no confirmed cases of H1N1 have been discovered that have a connection to Colorado State University, the university's administration and public safety and health officials are closely monitoring the situation.

The university is in constant communication with local and state health department officials. They have also been in contact with U.S. Department of Education and the Centers for Disease Control to keep abreast of the latest recommendations for universities. Local, state and national health officials are making recommendations to educational institutions based on the daily situation.

The university has a pandemic flu plan. The plan was completed about 18 months ago, and university officials are working from the plan. In addition, university officials and experts are constantly reviewing the plan to ensure that it is the most useful during the current situation. Each department on campus also has been given a directive to implement their plans as appropriate, and to continue to monitor the situation.

There are currently no known cases of H1N1 in Larimer County, the county where CSU is based. There also are currently no known cases connected to Fort Collins or Colorado State University. At this time, there are no plans to cancel university events or suspend classes. However, the entire university community has been advised to take applicable precautions, such as staying home when ill, washing their hands often, covering their coughs and sneezes.
In addition, the university is reminding the campus community that individuals play an extremely important role in staying healthy. We're asking for your assistance in tell your student about the importance of washing his or her hands, using hand sanitizer and cover their cough. We also encourage you to make a plan with your student about what you would do as a family if your student were to become ill. The university is planning appropriate responses for ill students who live on campus, off campus, and for ill employees as well.

We will keep you informed about the university's response to the current H1N1 flu through this email newsletter. Or, for more information, visit the university's website at www.colostate.edu or the university's public safety site at www.safety.colostate.edu.

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CSU Stakeholder Invitation

To: Colorado State University Stakeholders

From: Douglas L. Jones, Chairman

CC: Governing Board

The Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System will be holding an open forum on May 8, 2009 to solicit stakeholder input with regard to the characteristics and responsibilities of a permanent President for the CSU Ft. Collins campus.

As a key participant in the Colorado State University (CSU) Ft. Collins community, we'd like to invite your participation in these important meetings. Please plan to attend the specific session listed below, or if unable to attend at that time, we welcome your input at any of the open meetings. Also note, if you are unable to attend one of these sessions you can provide input via the board website at www.csusystem.edu and click on the link marked "CSU President Stakeholder Input."

All stakeholder meetings will be held at CSU Ft. Collins Lory Student Center, Grey Rock Room, as follows:

We look participation at these forums, and appreciate your continued interest in the Colorado State University System.

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May 9, 2009 RAMFAM Association Meeting

The final RAMFAM Association Meeting of the semester will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 10:00 am-noon in the Student Recreation Center on campus. Based on parent and family feedback, we will host guest speakers on two different topics:

• Michael Daine, Associate Executive Director of CSU Health Network, will join us to speak with parents and families about mental health issues on campus and
• Mike Ellis, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Executive Director of the Lory Student Center, and Quinn Girrens, ASCSU Vice-President, will join us to speak about the student fee breakdown.

Both presentations are shaping up to be fun and informative and we look forward to seeing you there! Logistics are as follows:

Location:  Campus Recreation Center, Horsetooth Lounge
Date:  Saturday, December 13, 2008
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, December 13. 
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
• 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
• Enter through the sliding glass doors and take the staircase immediately in front of you (elevators can be found to the left of the front doors)
• Take a left at the top of the staircase and follow the hallway back and to the right to get to the Horsetooth Lounge.

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RAM Proud

By Amanda Clark
Colorado State alumna and guest contributor

Alumni Association members often best articulate why it is important to stay connected to the University. Amanda Clark ('05), shares why being involved as a student and as an Alumni Association member is meaningful to her:

Gone are the days of ramen, 2 a.m. study sessions and the days when a ForEverGreen t-shirt was an acceptable (and preferred) daily wardrobe choice.

As a student, I was active in the Student Alumni Connection and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). I took advantage of the student organizations' opportunities to connect with alumni and promote CSU pride and traditions. I made many great connections as a student that led to internships and jobs down the road.  I am grateful for all the resources available at CSU - they are the key to my accomplishments as a young professional. My recent success of being named Rookie of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) can be contributed directly to my education and connections made through CSU.

Today I continue to stay involved with Colorado State as the vice president for the Denver Ram Network (the Denver alumni group) and as a member of the Alumni Association. As a graduate, getting involved with the association and within the Denver community is my way of impacting others and increasing the value of my degree.

No matter if it's through time or talent, paying it forward can have a ripple effect on others.  A simple gesture such as volunteering or becoming a member can leave a legacy on the University.  CSU is stronger because of the caliber of involved alumni.

GO RAMS

Members such as Amanda are incredibly valuable to the University. Membership enables the Alumni Association to strengthen alumni services and to enhance communication and relationships that strengthen the University and the value of a Colorado State University degree.

Get more from the Alumni Association at www.csualum.com:

• Gift a membership to a student or recent graduate
• Learn about alumni-student networking opportunities
• Check out programs the Alumni Association offers for students
• Discover alumni services, such as health insurance options, diploma frames, moving discounts and more!

Edited by: Tanida Ruampant, Director of Alumni and Student Outreach and E-Communications

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University Libraries Update

Please share with your students as they prepare for final exams that Morgan Library will have extended hours from April 26-May 15:

Parents, families and students are also invited to join the Colorado State University Libraries in an evening with author William Dietrich on May 7th, at The Readers Cove, 1001 E Harmony Rd # C. The event, hosted by Colorado State University Libraries, is free and open to the public.

Dietrich is a Pulitzer-winning journalist and author of The Dakota Cipher, The Rosetta Key, Napoleon's Pyramids and Hadrian's Wall. His non-fiction has been widely used in university classes and his fiction has been sold into twenty-eight languages. In 1987-88 he was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University and in 1990 was part of a four-person team that won a Pulitzer Prize for national reporting on the Exxon Valdez oil spill. He won reporting and study fellowships from the National Science Foundation, Woods Hole Microbiological Institute, and Scripps.  For more information, visit:  http://www.williamdietrich.com/

Jane Barber
Assistant Director, Communications and Development
Colorado State University Libraries
1019 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, Colorado  80523
Phone: (970) 491-5712
Fax:  (970) 491-1195
Email:  Jane.Barber@colostate.edu

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