In this Issue...
New building among us
What you need to know |
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No more “housing crunches!” Rising on the northern horizon of the campus is the newest residence hall wing, a building project begun in October of 2007 with a series of design meetings, and scheduled to end on August 1 with the completion of the project.
For many years, Calvin has anticipated the construction of one last residence hall wing, giving us adequate space to house students on the west side of the East Beltline. Now that the project is underway, it’s time to consider what the community there will look like.
Architecturally, the new wing was designed to fit in with the other residence hall units on campus. Room sizes are virtually the same, but a few innovative changes were made, with the help of student feedback. First, the closets and bathrooms were laid out differently, creating more bathroom storage and a closet connection between rooms of a suite, rather than a bathroom connection. Second, rooms have individual control of heat, allowing for more efficient use of resources during the winter. (The rooms also have air conditioning for use in the summer).
Each of the three floors has a central lounge with a fireplace, which allows the two halves of each floor to be utilized for either gender.
As excited as we are for the design of the building, we’re even more excited about the living-learning communities that will exist there. If you’re looking for something new in housing, something that takes your on-campus housing to a new level of intentionality, stay tuned… After spring break we’ll announce the plans! And no, the building doesn’t have a name yet—that’s coming soon too!
Roomdraw 2008
In order to reserve a room on campus for next year, all current residents will go through the “Room Draw” process. Residence Hall students should have received a pamphlet in their mailboxes this week, describing the residence hall process, and KE residents should have already received KE Room Draw information.
As in the past, students will have opportunities to keep their current rooms for the next year, provided they stick with the same roommate. Priority levels are set based on who you will be living with and where you’re requesting to live. Some floors and halls fill up quickly so don’t assume you can live wherever you want.
The whole process can seem a bit stressful at times but is designed to be as fair, consistent and smooth running as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to talk to your RA or RD or the KE Area Coordinator, or stop by the Housing Office (located inside the Student Life Suite in the Spoelhof Center).
Leadership Opportunities for 2008-2009
One of the best parts of living on campus is the unique community opportunities that are formed. And these opportunities are due to the work of our student leaders in the residence halls and KE. Their energy, enthusiasm, and commitment can make all the difference.
Can you picture yourself in a WE-HAUL t-shirt? Are you looking for ways to contribute and develop leadership skills next year? Perhaps you’re motivated to organize floor or apartment events. Or perhaps you’re already a regular with your Community Partnership. Perhaps faith development, music, Bible studies, or prayer are passions.
Consider applying for the Activities Council (including President and Treasurer), Programming Activities Council (in KE), Community Partnership Coordinator, Cultural Discerner, Multicultural Activities Coordinator, and the newest position of Christian Formation Encouragers. If you have any questions about these positions, talk to the current leadership in your Hall or in KE. Information and applications will be available after spring break.
Bess can’t stop me… [But I wish someone would…]
Bess does its best to prevent pornography from infesting the ResNet. But we all know that nothing is perfect in the wide world of the web.
In 2004, The Washington Post stated that “more than 11 million teens regularly view porn online.” Christian men and women can become entangled in it as easily as anyone...and it’s not easy to get out, no matter how hard we pray. Sometimes we need the support of other people who share our struggles to help us out of the sin that entangles us.
There are a few different ways that we can help each other. First, talk about it—be open and brave, confronting a friend or admitting a fault, or asking for help. Perhaps you have first hand experience to share with others—talk to your RA or RD or Area Coordinator about presenting a program on the topic, or showing a documentary about it, etc.
Another way to help yourself is to contact Dan Vandersteen in the Broene Center (dv23@calvin.edu). Drop him a confidential email or set up an appointment. He talks to students about many things and offers good advice in all areas— including pornography—regardless if it’s a big problem or a small one. Dan has a number of resources he can share with you, including groups that come together to support each other. Again, his help is confidential, and he has a heart for students struggling in this area.
Another resource to use is www.xxxchurch.com. Check it out and see what it has to offer. And as always, your RA, RD or Area Coordinator are more than willing to talk and help find resources, no matter the problem. Porn is addictive...and hard to talk about. Don’t suffer in silence—you’re not alone.
Ten ways to MAKE YOUR SPRING BREAK UNFORGETTABLE: for all the right reasons.
- Be Prepared: Bring some Tylenol, Band-Aids, bottled water, a cell phone with important contact numbers in it, and maps of your destination. You never know what the trip might bring and you don’t want to be caught off guard!
- Wear Sunscreen: After many months in the freezing cold and snow, be good to your skin. No matter your complexion, wear sunscreen.
- Drive in pairs and drive in shifts: Have one person behind the wheel, and another one keeping the driver awake. Even if in the middle of the day, it can be hard to stay awake and keep your eyes on the road. Don’t drive longer than you’re able.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Nothing will put a damper on your break more than losing your purse, having your dinner eaten by bears, or driving through a white-out of snow on your way to Florida. Be smart: pay attention to the weather, lock your doors, and don’t leave things unattended.
- Keep your car running smoothly: Get a check up before you go, including an oil change, and make sure that your tires have enough tread to be safe.
- Bring along a cooler and some snacks: Once you are on the road, 12 consecutive Burger King visits are not conducive to your health. Try bringing some apples, oranges or other items to snack on. And you’ll always love having a nice cool drink while stuck in a stuffy car.
- Make sure your parents know what’s going on: Hey, someone’s got to look out for you! Tell them where you are going and what time you plan to be there. Then, give them a call to let them know you got there safely.
- Have a plan: Research things to do before you go, and plan out when you want to do them.
- Plan on a budget: Before paying for that 50 dollar lift ticket, decide how much money you’re going to spend on your break. Keep in mind gas and food expenses—plan on it being more expensive than you think it is going to be.
- Don’t forget important ID cards: Make sure you have your drivers license, your car insurance cards, health insurance information, and a passport (depending where you’re going).