DECEMBER 2011!
Beyond the Diag What’s Inside: What Do You Celebrate?................ 1 Keep Your House Safe over Break.. 2 Top U-‐M Moments of 2011 ………… 3 When Your Cold or Flu is Something Worse ………………………………………… 4 Professor Profile: Brenda Gunderson …………………………………. 5 SafeRide …………………………………..… 5 Managing Stress ………………………… 6 Le:er from Student Body President DeAndree Watson ……………………… 7 Holiday Delights …………………………. 8 Airbus ………………………………………… 9 Tips for Academic Success While You’re Sick ……………………………….... 9 Give with Purpose ………………….… 10 Student Blog: It’s the Most Wonderful Time to be Single .….. 11 Holiday Light Contest Winners …. 11
What Do You Celebrate? December is certainly a month for celebra2on: classes have ended and, while it may be cold, snow is kind of pre:y... Now you probably know about or celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but what about the rest of the December holidays? Check out these other end-‐of-‐year fes2vi2es! December 10 – Human Rights Day In 1948, the UN General Assembly declared this day to commemorate the adop2on of the Universal Declara2on of Human Rights. This year, na2onal poli2cal conferences specifically recognized the importance of social media and technology as tools for establishing human rights. December 22 – Forefathers’ Day Celebrated only in Plymouth, Massachuse:s, Forefathers’ Day remembers the landing of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower in 1620. December 23 – Fes<vus Famously created by Mr. Constanza on the ‘90s sitcom Seinfeld, Fes2vus is a secular holiday “for the rest of us.” Tradi2ons include: the “Airing of the Grievances,” the “Feats of Strength,” and – of course – the Fes2vus Pole (a plain, metal pole secured in a woodblock founda2on). December 26 – Boxing Day Observed in Australia, Canada and the U.K., Boxing Day is a secular holiday that is not actually about boxing at all. It dates back to the 17th century when people would give ‘Christmas boxes’ of gids and money to those in need – it is now viewed as the equivalent of Black Friday overseas. No ma:er what you celebrate this year, we wish you Happy Holidays from Beyond the Diag!
Keep Your House Safe over Break While students are away for winter break, their houses are suscep2ble to break-‐ins and thed. Although you can’t completely prevent these crimes, you can reduce your chance of being a vic2m with these simple 2ps: Keep your vehicle and home secured. Make sure that all the doors and windows are locked before you leave town. Don’t leave an extra house key under the welcome mat, over your doorframe, or in other places where burglars would think to look. Don’t leave valuables in view. If you leave your car in Ann Arbor over break, remove everything from the vehicle (GPS systems, iPods, shopping bags, backpacks, etc.) so it doesn’t a:ract a thief’s a:en2on. If you have to keep something in your car, try to store it out of sight in the trunk or under the floor mat. Don’t leave electronics or other valuables in a no2ceable place in your home – closing the blinds will prevent criminals from gejng a peek inside. Don’t adver<se your vaca<on plans. Share your departure date on a “need-‐to-‐know” basis so thieves don’t take advantage of your home while you are away. Try to make your home look occupied while you’re away. Leave a light on in your home or set up a few lamps on 2mers – inexpensive 2mers can be purchased at local hardware stores or Meijer. Pujng a 2mer on talk radio can simulate human voices in the house. If you have a landline, turn the ringer off so the noise doesn’t alert people that you are away. Ask the post office to hold your newspaper and mail deliveries, or have a neighbor pick them up for you daily. Create a home inventory. Keep a list of your valuable property in case anything is stolen. This can be helpful if you need to iden2fy stolen items that have been recovered by the police or file an insurance claim. Include the make, model, size, serial number, and date of purchase of each item in your inventory. The U-‐M Department of Public Safety also offers a free laptop registra2on program to assist in the recovery of stolen property – visit police.umich.edu for more informa2on. If you return ader break and your residence has been broken into or you see something suspicious, call the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) immediately at 734-‐794-‐6920. Also, remember to leave the heat on in your house or apartment to avoid damage. Close all windows and keep the heat at a level that will prevent the pipes in your house from freezing and burs2ng. To save extra electricity while you are away, unplug unnecessary appliances and turn off power strips instead. Have a safe and relaxing winter break! Wri1en by Stephanie Hamel Material contributed by the Ann Arbor Police Department and adapted from the University of Oregon “ The Pond & Beyond” newsle1er (November 2010 ediLon)
Top U-M Moments of 2011
Well, another year has gone by in Ann Arbor – hopefully it has been full of wonderful memories in classes and with friends. Let’s take a look back at some of the significant moments at UM this year! Man V Ann Arbor Back in March, Adam Richman and the Travel Channel series “Man V Food” came to conquer A2. Local favorites like The Maize and Blue Deli and Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger were showcased to the na2on. It’s hard to forget the swarm of enthusias2c UM students suppor2ng Richman as he tackled a five-‐pound plate of nachos (aptly named the “Mount Nachismo”) at Tios Mexican Café. Meryl Davis and Charlie White Ader winning the silver medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics, U-‐M students Meryl Davis and Charlie White were named Ice Dancing World Champions on April 30. They are the first ice dancers from the US to receive that honor. Smoke Free Campus On July 1, as part of the MHealthy ini2a2ve, Michigan became the third smoke-‐free school in the Big 10. Although all U-‐M buildings had been smoke free since 1987, President Mary Sue Coleman stated that “a healthier, smoke-‐free physical environment will only enhance the intellectual vigor of our campuses.” Oscars, here we come! This year, two prominent Hollywood produc2ons, “ The Ides of March” and “ The Five Year Engagement” filmed in Ann Arbor. Students got to see superstars like Ryan Gosling, George Clooney and Jason Segel walking around campus – and some even got to be extras! THIS IS MICHIGAN Looking back at the 2011 football season, it really was an amazing year for the Wolverines. Who can forget the heart-‐pounding victory against Notre Dame in September? Denard Robinson’s last-‐ second touchdown pass and the roar of 114,804 fans made for an incredible end to the first-‐ever night game. If there’s one game that will s2ck in our minds though, it is the long-‐awaited win against the Buckeyes and the thrill of rushing the field over Thanksgiving weekend. While these were a few of our top moments, there were surely many more exci2ng events this year. Let’s hope that 2012 will be just as memorable! Wri1en by Emily Ho and Josh Buoy
When Your Cold or Flu is Something Worse Aaa-‐choo -‐-‐ cold and flu season is here! The good news is that you can take care of most cold and flu symptoms on your own with rest, over-‐the-‐counter medicine and plenty of fluids. You can expect colds to last 4-‐14 days. The worst flu symptoms typically last 3-‐4 days, while a cough may linger for 3 weeks. University Health Service (UHS) recommends that you seek medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms: • Difficulty swallowing liquids • White or yellow spots in throat • Increased pain in your throat ader 3 days • Fever greater than 101° F (38.3° C) for more than 3 days • Fever fluctua2ng above 101° F (38.3° C) several 2mes a day • Shaking chills
• Excessive fa2gue • Coughing up foul smelling, brown or bloody phlegm or having that kind of drainage • Persistent cough, chest pain, wheezing • Shortness of breath • Severe sinus and/or facial discomfort • Persistent pain in abdomen • Pain or discharge from ears
You should be alert to certain symptoms and act on them immediately because they may indicate meningi2s, which could be life-‐threatening. Early diagnosis and treatment is cri2cal. If you or a friend experience symptoms, consult your clinician or go to an emergency room immediately! Symptoms include: • High fever (greater than 101° F) • Severe, sudden headache accompanied by any of the following: • Mental changes (e.g. agita2on or confusion) • Neck or back s2ffness • Rash on any part of the body (commonly the armpits, groin, ankles) Did you know that UHS provides free nurse advice by phone 24/7? When UHS is open, call 734-‐764-‐8320, and when UHS is closed, call 734-‐662-‐5674. Contributed by Carol Tucker, UHS
Professor Profile Beyond the Diag recently sat down with Stats 250 professor Dr. Brenda Gunderson for a quick Q&A. BTD: Thanks for talking with us Professor! Gunderson: It’s my pleasure. BTD: So tell us, what's your most embarrassing moment from lecture? Gunderson: Oh my. Well, my husband sends me flowers for my birthday to class, so the enLre class then sings happy birthday to me. He's done that every year... and it sLll makes me turn red. BTD: This summer you starred in a 'Stay in the Blue' PSA with Desmond Howard that played in the Big House. Do you enjoy being a PSA star? Gunderson: (laughter) It is wonderful to be recognized for a good message. It was definitely my 5 seconds of fame. BTD: How do your kids feel about you showing photos of them in class? Gunderson: (laughter) I do ask them first. Since the boys have go1en older, I'll say, "Do you mind if I do this?” or someLmes share the picture. I try not to pick pictures that are too embarrassing... They seem to take it in stride. BTD: You claim to be well versed in probability. What's the probability that Michigan will have a Snow Day this year? Gunderson: U of M? Probably 0. BTD: A more important probability ques2on – What are the chances that Jus2n Bieber is the father of that baby? Gunderson: Ohhh, I don't even want to go there. I have no evidence. BTD: Now for some rapid fire ques2ons. Winter or Summer? G: Summer Starbucks or Espresso Royale? G: Espresso Royale Crunchy or Creamy Peanut Bu:er? G: Creamy Backstreet Boys or NSYNC? G: No opinion Snooki or Kim Kardashian? G: Say that again? Oh, neither Squirrels or Peanuts? G: Umm… squirrels
Managing Stress “Down The Stretch” The end of the year can be a difficult 2me to manage everything that is going on. It is possible, with some work on your part and some crea2ve use of available resources, to manage in a healthy way. Below are some themes, with resources, to help iden2fy useful strategies for you. Stay in balance and keep perspec<ve. It's possible to do well academically AND have a sense of emo2onal wellness even in this very busy 2me. Take breaks – even though it may feel like you are ‘was2ng 2me’ – research shows it actually improves your studying and effec2veness. Have some fun along the way. By achieving balance and perspec2ve, you will feel more confident and ‘put together’ which, in turn, will improve your performance. (See: Drop Into Being) Manage Your Mind. It’s possible to have your mind work for you instead of against you. When we get stressed and anxious, our thoughts tend to work against us, so do a mental health “check in”. Keep realis2c expecta2ons and pay a:en2on to your nega2ve self-‐talk – being aware of it is the first step to changing it. (See: Perfec2onism or Healthy Striver?) Manage Your Stress. It’s possible – the trick is to find a plan that works for YOU. This takes a li:le experimen2ng and explora2on. Check out the various things that work for other people, and you’ll know pre:y quickly what can help with your stress level. (See: My Busy Life) Manage Your Time. It’s possible to “have 2me” even when it feels like there isn’t enough. The key is to priori2ze tasks by star2ng with the most important while using stress management and mind management, and things will then start to ‘fall in place’. You probably won’t have enough 2me to do everything you want to, so accep2ng that is a first step that ironically frees up some 2me. This is an important life skill so have fun learning how to do it! (See: Time Management Redux) Prepare for break. Breaks are important in our lives –li:le breaks as well as big ones like semester break. The overall goal for semester break from a mental health perspec2ve is to use the 2me to re-‐charge and to re-‐connect with family or friends in a way that is helpful for you. For some students, going home can be “de-‐centering” in that we change a lot while at UM and some2mes it takes families 2me to catch up to those changes. Plan ahead, and think about ways to manage this, or take breaks while at home. Some students stay in Ann Arbor – either because it’s not possible to travel long distances, or due to family issues or other reasons. If you do stay in Ann Arbor, it can be a nice opportunity to take advantage of the “Ann Arbor things” that you don’t have 2me for during the semester. Try a new winter sport, volunteer for a nonprofit organiza2on, host a get-‐together for your friends or just relax! For more informa2on and help with stress relief, check out the Wellness Zone in the Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) office. Contributed by Todd Sevig, Director of CAPS
Fellow Wolverines, It’s hard to believe that the semester is already over. I hope that as you relax and enjoy your 2me with friends and family over the winter break that you take 2me to reflect on the lessons that were learned, the connec2ons that were made, and the experiences that were shared over the course of this past semester. I’ve had a wonderful 2me gejng to know many of you thus far, and I can’t wait to see what next year will bring. For the Michigan Student Assembly, the New Year will mark the beginning of a new chapter for student government as we complete our cons2tu2onal transi2on. In March of 2010 students voted to ra2fy a new cons2tu2on that made several structural and procedural changes to the Michigan Student Assembly. Since that 2me we have been working diligently to implement those changes, with the ini2a2on of the University Council, the establishment of the Speaker of the Assembly, and the separa2on of the legisla2ve, execu2ve, and judicial branches of government as just a few examples. On January 1, 2012, the Michigan Student Assembly will become the “University of Michigan Central Student Government” to mark the final stage of the transi2on process. But, a new name isn’t the only exci2ng change for your student government. Every year the Central Student Government supports the events and ini2a2ves of countless student organiza2ons through the student organiza2on funding process. Beginning next year we will make more funding more accessible to more student organiza2ons by implemen2ng a rolling funding process. Rather than providing funding for student organiza2ons only three 2mes a semester, we will make funding available on a weekly basis. This new process will assist start-‐up organiza2ons who emerge at various points during the semester, and enable us to be more responsive to your needs by making it easier for you to obtain the resources you need to be successful when you need them. We take pride in funding student organiza2ons because the work you do compliments the rich educa2onal experiences we all share as members of this University community, and we expect this change to strengthen the contribu2ons you make in defining the Michigan Difference. I wish each of you a safe and reszul break. Happy holidays and Go Blue!
Sincerely, DeAndree R. M. Watson Student Body President
Holiday Delights People in the US engage in many different holiday fes2vi2es this 2me of year. Among the family gatherings and tradi2ons, enjoying the food of the season is central to feeling the holiday spirit. One of the most common holiday delicacies is eggnog. A Christmas staple, eggnog contains raw eggs, milk and sugar. Fresh spices such as nutmeg are added to enhance the taste. The original eggnog was made around 300 years ago (probably in England) and was only served to aristocrats because dairy products were too expensive for the lower class. In the 18th century, the drink crossed the Atlan2c to the colonies of America.
Another holiday treat is gingerbread cookies, made from a mixture of brown sugar, bu:er, egg, molasses, flour, and ginger. The early origins of gingerbread can be traced back to the Greeks and Egyp2ans when the crusaders brought this recipe to Europe from the Middle East. As ginger became more affordable, more Europeans baked gingerbread cookies and even shaped them to resemble royalty, which led to the crea2on of today’s classic gingerbread men. A tasty delight enjoyed by the millions who celebrate Hanukkah this 2me of year is latke. Made with potatoes, onions, pancake mix, eggs, pepper, and sour cream, latkes are an essen2al part of Hanukkah tradi2ons. For Jewish people all over the world, the oil used to make these potato pancakes signifies the Miracle of the Oil that allowed the golden menorah to stay lit for eight days.
Just as with Hanukkah and Christmas, food plays an important role in Kwanzaa celebra2ons as well. A popular food found on Kwanzaa dinner tables is deviled eggs. Ader hard-‐boiling eggs, simply add mayonnaise, mustard, and pepper to the cooked egg yolks to spice up the taste. Due to tradi2on, every family usually differs in their deviled egg recipes and adds their own special ingredients.
Wri1en by Wen Ning
Tips for Academic Success While You’re Sick As a student, you lead a busy life with no 2me to be sick. And if you do get ill, your ability to do well in school may be compromised depending on the length and severity of your illness. But even if you are ill, you can s2ll do a lot to stay on top of your studies. Here are some sugges2ons: • As soon as you know that you will miss a class or lecture, no2fy your professor or GSI. Check the syllabus on C-‐Tools to be sure you know what is expected. • Contact a classmate and ask to make a copy of his/her notes for your review. • If you're lagging behind, contact your professor or GSI. Email or visit during office hours and explain what's happening, to the degree you feel comfortable doing so. • Consider asking for an extension for any projects you are unable to complete on 2me. • Ask your academic advisor's advice about keeping up. • If you visit a clinician at University Health Service (UHS), you can ask for a “UHS Visit Verifica2on/Medical Statement,” which most UM instructors accept. • If you must drop a class for medical reasons, UHS may be able to provide documenta2on. And most importantly, take good care of yourself – gejng enough rest and ea2ng well are key to recovery and academic success. Contributed by Carol Tucker, UHS
Give with Purpose
The holiday season inspires many people to donate, but before you do, consider the following two pieces of advice: give in the best way to make the biggest impact and remember that charity is needed year-‐round. Maybe make charity part of your New Year’s resolu2on! With someone at every Ann Arbor street corner asking for dona2ons, especially at this 2me of year, how do you know where to give your 2me, money and/or other items? The Huffington Post did a great job of laying out the Do’s and Don’ts of holiday giving. I’ll admit I thought that dona2ng to charity was a no-‐brainer, but these points made me rethink how I will direct my future dona2ons. – Make sure you are dona2ng to a REAL and REPUTABLE charity: always verify links and addresses. – S2ck to long-‐term projects. Stand-‐alone projects can make a big difference in one day, but oden have no las2ng effects. – Don’t send donated goods oversees: the items are usually inappropriate for another country’s culture or religion and inves2ng in its local economy would have a greater effect. – Check with your local chari2es before collec2ng for them. They will need specific items but may not have a need or space for other things, even if you thought they were a good idea. Remember – they deal with the people who will receive these goods, so they know what is most needed. – “Don't feel pressured to give. Being a good donor means evalua2ng a charity before dona2ng.” This means that if you are unsure or aren’t gejng your ques2ons answered, save your money for someplace where you know it will make a difference. – There is a difference between charity and PR. Don’t forget that dona<ons are needed all year long. With that in mind, check out these Ann Arbor chari2es that work to improve our community throughout the year: Community Ac<on Network (C.A.N.) h:p://www.hvcn.org/info/can/whatwedo.html “CAN works to educate the community, provides food (over 5,000 meals each year), collaborates with health care, dental, and vision professionals, advocates on behalf of residents on housing issues, and promotes community building.” Ozone House h:p://ozonehouse.org/ “Through support services, we help [runaway, homeless, and high-‐risk] youth [and their families] develop essenLal life skills, improve their relaLonships, and enhance their self-‐image so that they may realize their full potenLal for growth and happiness.” Wri1en by Sabrina Palombo
It's The Most Wonderful Time to be Single So you got dumped around the holidays, big deal. At least that means you were in a rela2onship, and that’s more than most students can say. Before you run off to Target to buy a rhinestone velour sweat suit – because it marries comfort with sophis2ca2on – let’s try to see the silver lining. I am going to be uncharacteris2cally op2mis2c here, as my gid to you, so remedy a cure for that broken heart that doesn’t involve South University establishments. Stop listening to “All I Want For Christmas is You” and realize that now you’re single and can stop browsing the Edible Arrangements website for your significant other’s parents. Being single around the holidays is fun because Adele doesn’t do Christmas covers and you can spend your 2me looking for jobs as far away from your ex as physically possible! Think of it this way: you don’t have to laugh at his dad’s offensive jokes, make sure you’re not staring at his (or her) significantly more a:rac2ve sibling, or strike that perfect balance of moving food around on your plate so it appears you enjoyed their mother’s cooking. Why spend your break doing all of that with the family of someone whose last name you won’t remember in six years? Now doesn’t that week of Internet shopping and kidding yourself about your New Year’s resolu2on sound appealing by comparison? You’re welcome. Wri1en by Kellyann Wargo
Congratulations to the winners of our Holiday Light Contest! 1st Place – 521 Linden St
Runner Up – 706 Arch St.
Thank you for all of the amazing entries – Happy Holidays! For safety 2ps and informa2on about Beyond the Diag, visit studentsafety.umich.edu Like us on Facebook @ facebook.com/Umbeyondthediag Follow us on Twi:er @umbeyondthediag S2ll have ques2ons? E-‐mail us at beyondthediag@umich.edu