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Community Ambassador Corner |
Community Ambassadors are NU students who live off-campus and serve as resources to other off campus students. If you have questions or concerns, or would like to be kept up-to-date about neighborhood and campus happenings, please email the Community Ambassadors for your neighborhood listed below:
Fenway Area:
Kenmore/Fens Area:
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Tips! |
| December 5: Deadline to purchase Spring Semester T passes!! 3pm
December 10: The last day of classes
December 12: Final exams begin!
Missed a newsletter? Want to check out back-issues of our old newsletters? You can find them here!! | |
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Off Campus Events |
December 4: Alcohol, Parties, and the Law: 7pm: This program is a party-throwers prep course, discussing everything hosts need to consider before they litter the campus with invitations and tap the keg.
December 5: Resource Table: 12-2pm: We will have a table on the Ground floor of the Curry Student Center, where we'll be handing out our guidebooks, other general knowledge about living off-campus, and answering questions!
December 7: Black Nativity: 3:30pm: We have tickets to the Black Nativity, presented by the National Center for Afro American Artists! Email offcampus@neu.edu today to reserve your ticket! Just $5!!
Click here for more information!
December 12- (8:30-10:30am) and December 15- (1-3pm) Coffee: The Old Fashioned Way!-Off Campus Student Services along with the O.P.E.N. office, would like you to take a break from your studying, and meet us in the Indoor Quad for some coffee and doughnuts! We will be there to answer any questions you have about living off-campus, or just a friendly face for you to see during this stressful exam time! The O.P.E.N. office will be handing out information on safe, healthy ways to study for your exams, and the dangers of "study drugs"
Spring Cooking Series- Watch for details in our January Newsletter!! |
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Important Study Message from O.P.E.N.- The Office of Prevention and Education at Northeastern |
 Study Drugs is a common term used to refer to prescription medications that are used to treat ADHD. The most common medications prescribed for ADHD are Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin, and Dexedrine.
Fast Facts on Study Drugs
· Study Drugs are stimulants, meaning they speed up the activity of your central nervous system, specifically, they are amphetamines.
· Typical methods of use: in tablet form, crushed & snorted or eaten, liquefied & shot intravenously, or inserted anally (plugging).
· Common short-term symptoms include: increased heart rate & blood pressure, dehydration, inability to sleep, lowered desire to eat, extreme alertness, & hyper-focused behavior.
· Common symptoms of prolonged use include: paranoia, sleep deprivation, insomnia, digestive problems, erratic weight change, psychotic episodes, decreased brain activity, & high potential for drug dependence &/or addiction.
· The chemical composition of most study drugs is extremely similar to speed, crystal meth, & cocaine.
Up All Night? Ways to Study Without Study Drugs
· Old faithfuls: Coffee, Tea, Soda; Chocolate & Sugary Foods
· Move around:Increasing blood circulation delivers more oxygen to your brain & keeps you alert.
· Play music: Listen to something loud (with headphones) you don't really like to keep you up-but not distracted.
· Sit uncomfortably:If you can't get comfortable, you can't fall asleep!
· Change your setting:Getting bored by doing the same study routine increases the chances you'll doze off.
Did you know?
· Study Drugs are amphetamines, just like speed & crystal meth & are just as addictive?
· Study Drugs increase the chances of alcohol poisoning by creating a false send of sobriety & prompt you to drink more than you can handle?
· Study Drugs can cause irregular heartbeat, problems with circulation, psychosis, severe depression, increased aggression, restlessness, & extreme agitation?
· Study drugs can cause dangerous interactions when used with over-the-counter-medications-especially cold medicines with decongestants, anti-depressants, alcohol, & some asthma medications?
Want to know more? Contact OPEN-Office of Prevention and Education at Northeastern, Alcohol & Drugs: Get smart, choose smart. 307 Ell Hall, 617-373-4459, open@neu.edu, northeastern.edu/open |
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Leaving Your Apartment for Winter Break: Safety Tips
From Your Mission Hill Community Ambassadors |
- Make sure you set the thermostat to about 55°, you can go as low as 50° but it is not recommended that you go any lower than that. This ensures that the pipes don't burst and break.
- Take your valuables with you, or tuck them away so they are out of plain sight. Many people will have roommates who may go home later or come back earlier, so make sure that people who come to your apartment are not seeing your lap top lying about.
- Let your neighbors know. Chances are, someone in the house will not be leaving, so let them know that you will not be there. In the case that something should happen, such as weird noises or people being there who shouldn't, have them call you, or 911 if they suspect a burglary.
- Unplug everything. This is good for two reasons: 1. in the event of a storm or power surge your electronics will not be damaged. 2. It will save you money. Electronics that are plugged in but not necessarily in use still carry a resistance, so it actually sucks energy! (which leads to higher bills)
- Don't hide your keys under the mat, under a rock or so forth. This is not wise.
- Check doors, windows, and locks. Make sure they are all sturdy and locked.
- Remove perishables from refrigerator and THROW THEM OUT.
- Empty coffee pot, wash dishes. The last thing you want to do is to come back to dirty dishes and mold.
- Do not leave the dishwasher, dryer or washing machine running when leaving the house (especially if no one will be home or available to check if these appliances shut off).
- Water your plants, you don't want them drying out and dying over the break.
- Lock your car! Consider buying a steering wheel lock. Also, if there is someone you trust near by, leave them a key. In case of emergency, or the car needs to be moved, your friend can do so.
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Get Ready for Exams: Find A Good Study Environment! |
 from your Kenmore/Fens Community Ambassadors
Finals are quickly approaching, and you may be worried about finding a quiet place to study that's not too far from home. Your apartment can be a great place to crack the books! Take a few simple steps to give your apartment the appropriate study atmosphere. Clear a space, whether it's your desk, or your coffee table, just make sure it's comfortable and free from distractions. To avoid distractions, turn off the Internet, silence your cell phone, and turn off the television. Make sure your roommates know you are studying, and how quiet you need it to be to study; or study together. Make sure you have everything you need to avoid interruptions - pens, paper, textbooks, notebooks, and snacks. Try purchasing some healthy snacks, like fruit, vegetables, and pita bread, before you start studying to avoid all the convenient junk food that's around. Portion out snacks to avoid mindless stress eating. Avoid drinking too many energy drinks, and remember to drink plenty of water - it helps keep you alert and healthy. If you prefer studying in public places, in addition to Snell Library, you can go to the Boston Public Library and other area college libraries (Simmons & Emmanuel allow students in as long as they have a student ID) to get some quiet study time. If you like a little background noise, try Starbucks or Panera.
Curry Student Center Extended Study Hours:
Monday-Saturday- 7am-2am
Sunday- 8am-2am
On the Go & Wendy's open til midnight
Snell Library 1st floor- open 24 hours Click here for the final exam extended hours and Campus Facilities! |
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Holiday Party Etiquette
From your Fenway Community Ambassadors |
Excited to host a party and serve all 'home-cooked' food? It is important to remember to check out your appliances first to see if they are functioning properly, especially if you do not normally use them. Don't forget to check if the stove is completely off after cooking, listening carefully if you can hear gas hissing. It is also a great idea to light scented candles to get your guests in a seasonal mood, but be mindful of where you place them and if they are still lit when you go to bed. Last year an entire building was condemned after a student left candles lit as she went to sleep in Allston. If you're hosting a party with more than a few guests, be conscious of your neighbors, especially if your guests stay later into the night. Give your neighbors a heads up that you're expecting company, and turn your music on and check with the adjacent apartments to make sure that the noise level isn't disturbing them.
Before you leave for the Winter holidays, be sure to throw out any food that may go bad while you're gone. Lock up any valuables, make sure your windows are completely shut, and unplug power surges. Happy Holidays! |
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Office of the Month: We Care |
| We Care is designed to help students in difficulty. Money troubles, deaths, academic issues; We Care is here to support you, and get you back on track. They help coordinate all the different aspects of your issue: talking to professors, temporary housing, restraining orders, etc.
We Care is is under the direction of Student Affairs, and involves many other offices on campus including:
- Public Safety
- Judicial Affairs
- Spiritual Life
- University Health and Counseling Services
- Student Affairs
Together these offices strategize ways they can better help students. For example, they contacted all students who live in California, to see if they needed to go home, or if they needed any type of assistance during the devastating wildfires in November.
Concerned about a friend?
Have questions about safety, behavior or health issues that are affecting his/her success?
We Care- Call for Assistance
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Holiday Cookies! |
Gingerbread Men:
3 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1 large egg
2/3 cup molasses
Note: To prevent the molasses from sticking to the measuring cup, first spray the cup with a non stick vegetable spray (like Pam).
Confectioners Frosting:
2 cups confectioners sugar (powdered sugar), sifted
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 tablespoons milk or light cream
Assorted food colors (if desired)
::In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and spices. Set aside. In the bowl of your electric mixer
(or with a hand mixer), cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and molasses and beat until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture beating until incorporated.
Divide the dough in half, and wrap each half in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in center of oven. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside while you roll out the dough.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use a gingerbread cutter to cut out the cookies. With a spatula lift the cut out cookies onto the baking sheet, placing the cookies about 1 inch apart. If you are hanging the cookies or using as gift tags, make a hole at the top of the cookies with a straw or end of a wooden skewer.
Bake for about 8 - 12 minutes depending on the size of the cookies. Small ones will take about 8 minutes, larger cookies will take about 12 minutes. They are done when they are firm and the edges are just beginning to brown.
Remove the cookies from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for about 1 minutes. When they are firm enough to move, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
If desired, you can press raisins, currants, or candies into the dough for eyes and buttons while the cookies are still warm. Otherwise, confectioners frosting can be used to decorate the cookies. You can also use the icing as a glue to attach candies, raisins, and sprinkles.
Confectioners Frosting: In an electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), cream the butter until smooth and well blended. Add the vanilla extract. With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beater. Add the milk and beat on high speed until frosting is light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). Add a little more milk if too dry. Place the frosting in a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip and decorate the gingerbread men as desired.
Tint portions of frosting with desired food color (I use the paste food coloring that is available at cake decorating stores and party stores).
Makes about 3 dozen cookies depending on the size of cookie cutter used.
Store in an airtight container.
Click Here for more cookie recipes and ideas!! |
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Campus Events |
December 1-6: AIDS Awareness Week: enjoy a variety of activities based on AIDS awareness and prevention! Sponsored by NUBiLaGA. Click Here for more information, and a list of each days events!
December 4: Celebration of Illumination: 3:30-5pm: Krentzman Quad
Get ready for the winter season by attending the annual tree lighting ceremony. Bring your friends, favorite staff members and professors to the event. Gingerbread decorating, snowball making, clothing donating, and festive singing are all part of this event. Sponsored in partnership with Student Affairs, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and The Downbeats.
December 8-: Co-op Bon Voyage- 5-7:30pm: Curry Student Center Ballroom Co-op Connections is holding this Bon Voyage celebration wishing goodbye and good luck to all students going on Co-op for the Spring semester of 2009!
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A Note from Student Activities! |
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The Leadership Scholars Program: Deadline- December 3rd: was created to recognize student leaders' service to their fellow students, dedication to academics and commitment to the community. The participants are selected through an application process and those selected participate in a eight-week course and receive a $5,000 scholarship.
To be eligible for this program, you must:
- be a middler, junior or senior during the semester of enrollment.
- be and remain in good standing with the University.
- serve on an executive board in a student organization recognized by Student Activities & Leadership or by an academic department during the semester of enrollment.
- at the time of application AND the semester of participation, you must have a minimum of a 3.25 QPA.
- be enrolled full-time in classes (not on co-op).
for more information on The Leadership Scholars Program, Click Here!
Leadership Classes: (LEGO)
- The Emerging Leaders
- The Enlightened Leaders
- Engaged Leaders
- The Experienced Leaders
- The Developing Leader Conference
For more information or to sign up, click here! |
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Latino/a Center Holiday Toy Drive! |
 The Latino/a Student Cultural Center is hosting its annual Toy Drive, sponsoring Casa Nueva Vida (House of New Life). Below is a list of each child/mother their sizes and their wishes. To sponsor a mother or child, all you have to do is call the LSCC and provide the name of the child/mother you wish to sponsor. All gifts must be dropped off, unwrapped, at the Latino/a Student Cultural Center (104 Forsyth Street) by December 12th, 2008, where staff and students will wrap all the gifts to distribute to Casa Nueva Vida. Help out a child in need during these hard economic times, and spread the holiday cheer.
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SAFEnet Advisory |
The holiday season brings a time of happiness and joy. It also brings distractions, temptations and risks that can turn the happiness into times of great disappointment. Don't be lulled into a sense of security that adds risk to the holiday. Please take the time to consider some helpful hints which, if followed, can help ensure a safe and secure holiday season.
While still at work and school: Be mindful that as the holidays approach it is easy to become distracted by routine activities such as securing offices, files and personal property. Take the time to remember the importance of securing your office or work area when leaving it unattended for even a short time. Unattended and unsecured areas are inviting to people who have not legitimate purpose being there. Do not hide items in unsecured locations. If it's valuable to you, it's worth protecting.
If you plan on traveling: Before leaving consider the message your home could send. Have the mail and newspapers held, consider timers for interior lights, and arrange for snow to be shoveled. If those things start to pile up it's a sure sign that no one is home. Whether you are traveling by plane, train or automobile remember that you are ultimately responsible for your safety and security. If possible, avoid large crowds and don't burden yourself with so much luggage that you cannot safely and easily react. Remember to have your identification in a safe, secure place as close to you as possible. Carry our wallet in a front pocket, hold a purse as close as possible, under your jacket or coat if you can. While out shopping or visiting: Again, attempt to avoid crowds or at least be aware of possible risks. Deter pickpockets: carry your wallet or purse close to your body in a front pocket or inside your coat or jacket; hold your belongings close to you; don't burden yourself with bags and boxes, don't display large amounts of cash during transactions, or wear flashy jewelry. If you must use ATMs or conduct other credit/debit transactions, remember to guard against attempts at looking over your shoulder or otherwise gaining access to your information. Take your cash AND your card along with the receipt. Keep your receipts not only for possible returns but because there may be personal information on the receipt. Park in well lit areas, always lock your vehicle, do not leave items unsecured and visible inside, and secure them in the trunk. Be proactive: The holidays are a good time to create or update your home inventory of personal property. Take photos and list descriptions and serial numbers of things like TVs, DVD players, cameras, jewelry and other valuable property. Keep this information in a safe place for future reference if needed. Consider engraving your driver's license number and state abbreviation on valuable items. Contact the University Police for more information. | |
Sincerely,
Off Campus Student Services
226 Curry Student Center
617-373-8480
Off Campus Student Services
Northeastern University |
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