Laurie's Letter

Spring is time for a fling - or realistically, for college students, more like time to buckle down and study for mid-terms. Scholars have settled into a schedule, but they also spread their wings. Encourage students to form healthy, fun connections through the Student Activities Center. Students who are active on campus are more marketable. Today's employer is looking for more than a good G.P.A. and campus involvement is a great place to start.

UNM's Spring Break is March 14-21. Now is a good time to revisit topics like dating, safety, and drug and alcohol use. The Women's Resource Center's spring 2010 newsletter is an excellent resource, reporting this month on everything from the myths of dating violence to the array of activities planned for Women's History Month.

This month's edition of Parent Matters includes a research report measuring alcohol, tobacco and other drug use behaviors and attitudes of more than 3,000 college students in the state. "The report presents both positive and negative findings," said John Steiner, Campus Office of Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) Health Educator and research project director. "Many New Mexico college students who drink are choosing safe behaviors such as designated drivers and moderating their drinking. However, students also report behaviors often associated with serious consequences, academic problems and the development of continuing substance abuse problems that can negatively impact their post college lives."

COSAP, along with the Student Health and Counseling Center, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will team up to hold a special "Safe Spring Break" event Wednesday, March 10, at UNM Smith Plaza (near Zimmerman Library) from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.. Giveaways, refreshments, and info about having a fun Spring Break--while keeping it safe - will be plentiful. MADD will set up its brand-new, hi-tech impairment simulator systems. The first is a battery-powered go-cart like vehicle that simulates the effects of impairment from alcohol or other drugs on a motorist's driving skills. The other simulator uses a delayed audio signal to "distract" the student as he or she attempts to complete a complex task to demonstrate the potential danger of texting, entering an address into a GPS device, eating, or other distracting behaviors.

I'm sure you're finding that the university system is a complex piece of machinery and if your student still has more questions than answers about basic services, a good place to seek information is online at Student Info.

For incoming students and families, Enrollment Management's Communication Center, is designed to streamline service by keeping it mainly online. The state-of-the-art center handles incoming calls and offers live chats with the Office of Admissions & Recruitment, Financial Aid & Scholarships and Registrar. Other good spots to look for resources are the current students and future students' tabs on the UNM homepage.

Violent crime on campus is rare, but a student was attacked on main campus in mid-February. Students were notified via the emergency notification system, is an opt-in service, so please encourage your student to sign up.

UNM's Security Escort Service is free to students, call 277-2241 or visit the website for information. Please advise students that if they are concerned at any time about their safety, to call Campus Police at 277-2241.

Other stories this month include an article about why students should engage in research, news from the Student Health Center, an update on UNM's efforts to contain costs for students and families, and more.

Until next month,
Laurie

Laurie Mellas is senior program manager for the UNM Parent Relations Office, a unit in the Dean of Students, Division of Student Affairs. She can be reached at 277-5915 or 277-3361 or via email at parent@unm.edu. Visit the parent Web site at http://parent.unm.edu/.