March, 2002

John Iannone, ed.,
Graduate Assistant

The UCF Recreation Center
(see below)

Inside this Issue

Welcome to the Real World
Spring Break is Here!
What Are You Taking Next Year?
Time for Feedback!
Spring Break Safety...

Click to Jump to an Article

The first day of spring is this month, March 20th!

Why not use the change of season to inspire you to keep up that new year’s resolution to start a fitness program?

The UCF Recreation Center has personal trainers who will consult you for free up to twice per semester! All you need to do is make an appointment! Call them at: 407-823-2408.

Get inspired and have fun! Good luck!

Welcome to the Real World

Letter from the Editor

Have you read the paper lately? Next time you’re on campus, pick up a copy of the Central Florida Future. In the February 27th issue, there are two articles of interest.

One is the front page article, “Knight’s Krossing bans kegs, parties.” In the article, one student is quoted saying it’s basically unreasonable to expect a resident to read the lease they have signed and to be aware of the policies in it.

Anytime you sign a legal document, you are stating to all parties involved (and to the courts if the issue ever goes further) that you have read and understand everything contained within the document. You are also stating that you will accept the consequences for violating any aspect of the contract.
The article in the paper brings up an important point: don’t sign ANYTHING until you have read it. If you don’t understand what you’re about to sign, ask questions. If your questions aren’t answered, get a lawyer to help you understand.

As you go further in your college career, you will get plenty of promotional offers from Long-Distance Phone Companies, Wireless Companies, Credit Card Companies, Banks… you name it, they’ll send you an offer. Read all the fine print. Once you sign up for whatever they’re offering, they will hold you– and only you– responsible for everything contained in the contract, like hidden fees, cancellation charges, rules for acceptable usage, etc. The same is true with leases– and we want you to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.

The second article of interest is: “Knight’s Krossing residents should stop complaining.” The writer, Libby Baird, was a resident of Knight’s Krossing last year—the first year Residence Life personnel were implemented. The key line in this article is: “If you don’t want an RA watching over your shoulder, don’t live in a university-owned housing complex.”

We appreciate the sentiment, because we don’t want anyone to be in a place where they’re unhappy, but we’re not here to watch over your shoulder. We’re here to advise and we’re here to help make your college career the best it can be.

University Residence Life programs provide benefits to students like no other, but we also enforce university policy and state law. It’s your choice when you break laws and policies– and it’s your responsibility to deal with the repercussions if you do. It may not be an aspect of the job that we all enjoy, but we need to enforce policy to protect the rights of residents which your actions affect.

Now that you’re an adult, you have more freedom than ever, but you’re also held responsible for your actions, so make it a priority to always know what you’re getting yourself into.

Welcome...

Spring Break is Here!

Raul Sanchez - Building 11 RA

Going on vacation? Here are some tips before you go!

Wear Sunscreen
It’s not just a song…

Don’t Drink The Water
Montezuma gets everyone at some point…

Be Wary of Any Drink That Doesn’t Come From A Closed Container
How much do you trust the server?

Keep Yourself Hydrated
Between lying out in the sun, dancing, and whatever else you are doing, you need to replenish all that lost water.

Keep Your Money in Your Side Pocket, not in Your Wallet or Purse.
This way, at least you can say “Hi” to the low-life picking your pocket.

Keep an Eye on Your Drink
This way if you wake up with a troll the next day, only you are to blame.

Always Wear Underwear
I’m not going to justify this one with an explanation. Please, just do!

Don’t Drink Anything Taller Than Your Waist
a) It’s probably mostly water… and you don’t want to drink the water (see number 2).
b) If it’s not watered down, you WILL see gremlins (see numbers 3, 5, 6, and 7).

Clean Out Your Refrigerator Before You Go On Vacation
Lysol might kill germs, but nothing kills old milk funk.

Have Fun and Come Back Ready to Kick Final Exam Butt
Vacations all end, but remember: the quicker you pass your final exams, the quicker you can get back to the beach!

This month, many RA’s will be presenting Academic Advising programs. Look for flyers with dates and times in your community. These programs, along with your advisor, a catalog, and your RA can be the best friends you’ll find in making your college experience the best it can be!

What Are You Taking Next Year?

It’s that time of year again… time to register for summer and fall classes! Have you thought yet about what you need to take to stay on your graduation track? Read on for a few resources which can help you along the way!

Your Advisor
If you’re in a major, simply contact the college of your major and ask for an appointment. If you’re undeclared, contact the Academic Exploration Program, if they haven’t contacted YOU already. When you go to an advising appointment, have in mind things like when you would like to graduate, what your interests are, and so forth. Your advisor will ask many questions along these lines in order to help you find a path through college which will keep you happy, challenged, and out on time!

The Catalog
If you don’t have an undergraduate catalog for your academic year yet, get one! Even though many catalogs are available online, get a paper version. When you’re flipping through the descriptions of classes in the back to figure out if a class you’re thinking about really is what you want—or trying to find one in the first place, you’ll value being able to look around. Many times, you’ll stumble onto something you never would have thought of, and never would have found otherwise!

Your RA
Guess what? We’re student’s too (it’s kind of a requirement for our job), so even if your RA isn’t in the same major or college… or even university as you are, there is a great deal of the college experience they can help you through. On top of helping you with questions about registration, we have plenty more resources that won’t fit in an article.

Give your RA a call or stop by your area office between 5pm and midnight to talk to the RA’s on duty. You’ll always find someone who will be glad to help make you college experience the best it can be!

Time for Feedback!

Every year, the Department of Residence Life performs a survey of our residents. Of course, this is the first year you’ll hear of it because this is the first year we’re here in full force.

We want your suggestions, we want your comments, and we want to know what you’re happy with.
This month, your RA will bring the surveys to your apartment. It’s called a Perception Study, and it only takes about 10 minutes to fill out.

Sure, you say “Ten Minutes! I don’t have that kind of time!”
Yeah you do. Every half hour of television you watch contains 8 minutes of commercials. Microwave macaroni and cheese takes 3 minutes. The bus ride to campus takes the full ten.

The point is, you can find the time, and the benefit to you is real. We use this study to see what we need to change, and what we need to do more. If there’s something you didn’t like this year, tell us. If there’s something you loved, tell us and we’ll do it bigger and better next year!

Look for the study coming to you this month– you even get a cool free pencil…

Alright, the pencil really isn’t any incentive– it’s a little golf pencil– but getting what you want IS a big incentive.

Take the time to do the Perception Study when it comes your way, and remember—it’s all about you!

Spring Break Safety...

Here are a few tips to keep your apartment and your car safe if you’re leaving town over the break.

Lock all your apartment doors & windows, including your bedroom door before you leave. Close the shades and leave at least one light on. Always arm your alarm system when you leave!

If you’re leaving your car here, keep it parked near an area office. It’s no guarantee, but it will be safer where it’s in plain view.

Take out a renter’s insurance policy. It may be a bit late for this break, but for around $100 per year you will be protected against theft, fire, and injury.