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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2000)
Preparations crucial to dorm transition ByKrysiaMaly Staff writer The first semester at college can create anticipation and anxi ety for students and parents alike. For many students, this will be their first time living on their own. And for many, that means residence halls are in their future. More than 4,500 students will live in UNL’s residence halls this year, according to Douglas Zatechka, University Housing director. Approximately half of these residents will be first-year students. Students are required to live in the halls their first year of school with the hopes that by doing so, the transition into col lege life will be smooth. “There is research that proves that students that spend their first and second years of school on campus tend to get bet ter grades, make a circle of friends, be more active on cam pus and form a sense of commu nity,” Zatechka said. Students may not know what to expect when they walk into their residence hall for the first time. Resident assistants are upperclassmen prepared to help students become oriented on campus. Resident assistants sponsor educational and social programs as well as supervise individual floor governments. They also act as counselors and intermediaries between the stu dents themselves and the resi dent director. Safety One of the biggest concent for parents and students alike is safety. The residence hails take steps to ensure they are as safe as possible. Main desks in the lobby are open 24 hours a day. The uni versity hires security officers to patrol the halls from approxi mately 11 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. There are alarms and video cam eras for further safety. Resident assistants are also on duty at night to make sure the halls are safe. Students may enter and leave the residence halls as they please, with a few restrictions. To enter the dorms past midnight, students must scan their student identification cards and sign in guests. Most halls have escort policies that require residents to escort non-residents up to their rooms. Common sense is essential to preventing problems, said Tanya Neill, resident director of Sandoz Hall. uon t give out your pnone number or address to people you don’t know,” she said. “Always let the campus police or residence hall staff know of any problems you’re having.” Students also must take responsibility for themselves and their belongings. Zatechka offered some safety tips students can follow to protect themselves and their property. ■ Lock your door when you are not in the room or sleeping. The vast majority of thefts hap pen because of unlocked doors. ■ Bring only what you need. University Police supplies engraving pens for valuable items, allowing for easy identifi cation for stolen goods. ■ Check home-owners poli cies for theft protection in the residence halls. ■ Walk in groups at night. One person should never walk alone. Students can call Campus Escort to walk them home if nec essary. ■ Report strangers in the halls. Many dorms have a guest escort policy that requires all guests to be with a resident at all times. Students are encouraged to help enforce this policy. Roommates For many students, college is the first time they have had to share a room with another per son, one who they might not even know. Before school starts, students are sept questionnaires to ascertain their likes and dis likes. A computer matches room mates together based on this information. Problems ultimate ly arise, even for the best matched roommates. “Ninety percent of roommate problems I see involve a lack of communication about expecta tions,” said Neill, Using items Without permis sion and invading personal space are often causes of conflict between roomipates. Other prob lems include times guests visit, noise disturbances and lack of communication between room mates. ' 4 ' “ConmiiHiication is the key,” said Esters. “People come from different backgrounds. They don’t respond the same way. Roommates need to sit down and talk through their problems.” Students are asked to sign a roommate agreement at the beginning of the term. If there I. ■ SMSM!.. !...g= are major conflicts between the roommates, they can refer to their agreement and talk their resident assistant or resident director for help resolving the conflict. What to Bring , Students should bring items that reflect their personality and make their new living arrange ment comfortable. “Pictures of friends and fam ily are great to bring because they are reminders of home,” said Neill. v Standard items that students may want to bring with them include dry-erase boards, day planners, alarm clocks, shower shoes, answering machines, plastic dishes, personal comput ers and desk organizers. Students should make arrangements with their roommates before they bring large furniture, microwaves, mini-fridges, stere os or televisions, as space is lim ited. It may be wise to leave valu able items at home to prevent chance of theft. Candles should also be left at home, as they are not allowed in the residence halls. It’s important to realize you can’t bring all your possessions, Neill said. “There is no need to bring everything at once - you can always bring things later,” she said. Foodservice ^OLLSSS 101 ♦ 1h*M0artty*t NU stakaatecalllMM qmus wNk (usually to ask for Muny). artwiiuftaMaarflar U£fr*& (Mt MO ^panisfe class mi esta Mcu). < ♦ 1fcsa*jartty*f NUstadHtspnte sftMNpardtttstotetfus feat (fttiMute's faults Mttok tin ♦ fluMfarihyrf NUstuiartsbmrtMr kill MRVIHIII^ MNr qtaWipiVINVi MkMr...h*kah*). ♦ Tka*pjai%of NU rtakaafa tawar that tharac caatarfc a yoak placate aMat Makars ok tea apposite aa (m*n Past ay ahs?% - ♦ Ihcnpritytk NUstakntsiHMtfca (IT! MM). ♦ lfc*ay£rlty*f NU stain (m)krtak flwtffMvkkltkMtlNQfpv^yMt kriakatatl(accarkia|taal9Mava*y akNU Weiewae t» the Hti$»rity. A major concern for students is what the food will be like. Food Services vary from dorm to dorm. All students are offered a 10-, 14- or 19-meal plan, depending on their needs. Hot and cold dishes are served buffet style, along with a soup and salad bar. Vegetarian meals are also available. Comment boxes are located in each cafeteria for students to communicate with food service. For students who r~. would rather eat in their rooms or on the way to class, grab-and-go boxes are available; Homesickness It’s easy to feel lost at a large university, and as a result, stu dents may begin to feel home sick. The best way to fight off homesickness is to get involved Please see DORMS on 16 D eals at Dairy Queen Buy ANY Itqm at regular menu price and Get ANY Item i .V of equal or lesser value for Half Price. 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