Check Out Life at Loyola Blogs

Learn about the experience of nine Loyola students with campus life, extracurricular activities, internships, study abroad and more. You can also apply to become an official student blogger yourself! To view the blogs, go to: LUC.edu/lifeatloyola.

Life at Loyola This Week:

• Julie Foubert observes adolescent behavior at the Information Commons.
• Jake Giles copes with newfound Life at Loyola stardom.
• Laura Burns sees history come alive in Tiananmen Square.
• Kristen Audette dissects procrastination.
• Jennie Kuckertz travels to a pro-life rally in Washington, D.C.
• Michelle Leahy recovers from the first week of classes.
• Zach Waickman serves up a cup of biodiesel.
• Jay Mather asks the age-old question: Italians like rap?

Life at Loyola Quote of the Week:

"It's kind of amazing how you can be sitting in a little café, drinking coffee the size of a thimble, and look to your right and see 2,000 years of history."

- Jay Mathur, studying abroad in Rome

Make Sure You Sign Up for Loyola Alert

Only about one-fourth of Loyola students have registered for Loyola Alert. Please register today, if you haven't already, so we can get valuable information to you in the event of an emergency.

Loyola Alert is a special service that provides personal notifications to members of the Loyola community in the event of potentially life-threatening emergencies. Loyola Alert will send brief voice and/or text messages to personal cell phones, land lines and e-mail addresses that are registered to receive this special service. (Note that emergency messages are automatically sent to all LUC e-mail addresses and campus phone numbers; no registration is required to receive these basic communications.) Examples of emergencies during which Loyola Alert may be used include, but are not limited to: barricade/hostage incident, widespread and threatening weather incidents, national civil emergencies, terrorist or other violent acts, and health emergencies as ordered by public health authorities.

Students should register for Loyola Alert at: LUC.edu/alert.

Complete Charge Authorization Forms

Charge Authorization Forms allow students to add Rambler Bucks to their Campus Cards in order to purchase textbooks at the Loyola bookstore. Students may add up to $600 to their Campus Card per semester. This charge is added to the student's account and must be paid in full along with all other tuition and fees. Please note that only one form per semester will be accepted. Charge Authorization Forms for the Spring Semester will be accepted through January 25 at 5 p.m. The forms are available at: LUC.edu/campuscard/forms.shtml.

Request Meal Plan Changes

Get a different meal plan for the Spring Semester by completing a Change Request Form. These forms allow students to change the meal plan requested on their housing contracts. Resident students must comply with the guidelines of their status and housing assignments, but are encouraged to submit the form if they wish to change their meal plan. Non-resident students may purchase any meal plan and have the cost charged to his or her student account. Resident Meal Plan Change Request Forms will be accepted for upgrades through January 25 at 5 p.m. Non-resident Meal Plan Request Forms will be accepted through March 15. Both forms are available at: LUC.edu/campuscard/forms.shtml. If you have any questions about meal plan options, e-mail: campuscard@luc.edu.

Join the Human Resource Student Association

Connect with the Human Resource Student Association (HRSA), an organization open to all students. HRSA is affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and sponsored by the Northern Illinois Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management (NISHRM). HRSA aims to help students develop into dynamic human resources and business professionals. Meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of the month at 5 p.m. in Maguire Hall, Room 140.

Plan to participate in HRSA's volunteer day at Bottomless Closet on January 26 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Bottomless Closet provides professional clothing, job readiness and post-employment training services to low-income women. Volunteers will meet in the lobby of Maguire Hall at 8:15 a.m. on the day of the event and spend the morning sorting clothes at Bottomless Closet, located at 445 N. Wells St. in Chicago. A free lunch will be provided to all volunteers. To learn more, e-mail: rcall@luc.edu.

Be Aware of Scheduled ITS Maintenance

Information Technology Services (ITS) will perform system maintenance at the Lake Shore Campus on January 27 from 5 a.m. - 9 a.m. During this time, GroupWise will be unavailable to students at all campuses, and printing will be unavailable from all Lake Shore Campus computer labs. For more information, contact Joe Wardzala at: jwardza@luc.edu.

Take Advantage of Career Center Events

Go to an information session about Foreign Service opportunities with the U.S. Department of State on January 29 at 3 p.m. in Bremner Lounge. Discover the possibility of a career or an internship across the globe and learn how you can serve as the face of America to the world. Brian Flora, Foreign Service Officer and Diplomat in Residence from the U.S. Department of State's Foreign Service, will be on hand to discuss internships and careers. Students must have U.S. citizenship in order to apply. The U.S. Department of State is an equal opportunity employer.

Check out the "Call to Serve" Career Fair on February 7 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. in the Gentile Center. Co-sponsored by the Career Development Center and University Ministry, this event gives Loyola students and alumni an opportunity to explore their calling to be of service to the world. Participating organizations include a wide variety of non-profit groups (secular and religious), traditional employers and postgraduate volunteer service programs for both full-time job and internship opportunities. For a list of participating employers, go to: LUC.edu/career/fairs.shtml.

Watch a Film About Pedro Arrupe

Attend an El Tracks presentation featuring a film commemorating the life of Pedro Arrupe, S.J., on January 30 from 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. in Coffey Hall's McCormick Lounge. Arrupe has been called "The Second Founder of the Society of Jesus." He championed a form of spirituality meant to engage the world rather than retreat from it. Arrupe's legacy reflects the ideas of being "men and women for others" and being committed to human dignity, the common good and the Jesuit mission. A free luncheon will be served during the film screening. Attendees must RSVP by January 25 by e-mailing Joe Canino at: jcanino@luc.edu. This event is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Mission and Ministry.

Observe the Season of Nonviolence

Participate in the Season of Nonviolence, which runs from January 30 - April 4. This celebration is being sponsored by numerous Loyola departments and organizations to mark the 60th anniversary of the death of Mohandas Gandhi on January 30 and the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 4. Season of Nonviolence will feature numerous events including speakers, films and nonviolence training. Join us for the opening event, "Strategic Nonviolent Action in a Time of War," which will be held January 30 at 7 p.m. in the Crown Center Auditorium. Featured speakers Kathy Kelly and Dan Pearson will share their experiences with nonviolent direct actions and discuss how small local groups can develop strategic nonviolent resistance to war. Refreshments will be served immediately following the presentation. For more information on upcoming Season of Nonviolence events, visit: www.seasonofnonviolence.org.

Register for Weight Loss 101

Sign up for Weight Loss 101, a free four-week weight loss workshop sponsored by the Wellness Center. This workshop will help you reach your goals of eating healthier, exercising more and achieving a healthy weight. Sessions will be held Mondays and/or Tuesdays in February depending on participants' schedules. The first session will be held during the first week of February. For more information and to register, call: 773.508.2745; or e-mail: lkrumre@luc.edu.

Connect with the Campus Activity Network

Get help with your student organization from the Campus Activity Network (CAN), which can help you recruit new members, plan great events and run more effectively. CAN will meet every other Monday beginning February 4 at 7 p.m. in CFSU. To learn more, contact Courtney Lamber at: clambe4@luc.edu.

Contribute to Loyola's Literary Magazine

Submit your creative work by February 9 for possible publication in Diminuendo, Loyola's literary magazine. Short stories, essays, poetry, photography, fine art and other creative work may be submitted. Also feel free to submit completed Mad Libs from our last issue. Diminuendo is published on a quarterly basis and is printed in black and white. The third issue of the year, "Rock & Roll," is part of a yearlong series titled "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll and Afterglow." Submissions can be e-mailed to: diminuendoluc@hotmail.com; or dropped off in Mertz Hall, LL29. Students interested in designing and editing the magazine are welcome to attend meetings held in Mertz LL29 on Mondays at 7 p.m. and Thursdays at 3 p.m. For more information, e-mail: bkidman@luc.edu.

Apply to the Catalyst Leadership Program

Apply before February 15 to take part in the Catalyst Leadership Program. This event, happening on February 23 from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Coffey Hall's McCormick Lounge, will help you:

• Discover what it means to take your own path in life.
• Examine how your interests and values align with your actions.
• Learn how to connect with and contribute to organizations you care about.
• Challenge yourself and your organizations to create new opportunities.
• Design an action plan for being a catalyst in your personal and professional life.
• Plan to make a positive impact on the world.

Admission to the Catalyst Program is free, but space is limited to 60 people. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To download an application, go to: LUC.edu/studentaffairs/catalyst.shtml. All applications are due by February 15 at 5 p.m. Completed applications can be returned to: Jack McLean, Director of Student Leadership Development, Centennial Forum Student Union (CFSU), Room 101; faxed to: 773.508.3895; or e-mailed to: jmclean@luc.edu.

The Catalyst Program is sponsored by the Department of Student Leadership Development and facilitated by LeaderShape, an organization devoted to improving leadership on college campuses.

Learn About Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Participate in the Loyola Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (LUROP), which administers all undergraduate research opportunities at Loyola. Undergraduate research distinguishes students for future opportunities in graduate or professional school, as well as potential career opportunities. LUROP participants:

• Build relationships with faculty mentors in their field of study and participate in faculty research projects.
• Learn how research skills may be applied to solve real world problems.
• Acquire knowledge and skills that prepare them for graduate school.
• Publish and/or present findings at academic conferences.

Undergraduate students interested in conducting research and working with a faculty mentor can apply to take advantage of the following opportunities:

• Carbon Scholars : Apply by March 1.
• CUERP Fellowship: Apply by March 1.
• CURL Fellowship: Apply by March 1.
• Mulcahy Scholars: Apply by March 1.
• Provost Fellowship: Apply by March 1.
• Rudis Fellowship: Apply by mid-April.
• WISER: Apply by March 1.

For more information about these programs, visit: LUC.edu/lurop; contact Patrick Green, Ed.D., Center for Experiential Learning, at: 773.508.3945, or e-mail: pgreen@luc.edu; or contact Jessica Horowitz, Ph.D., Office of Research Services, at: 773.508.2476; or e-mail: jhorow@luc.edu.

Participate in BASICS and Receive a Best Buy Gift Card

The Wellness Center invites freshmen male students who drink alcohol to participate in Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS), an individual program that helps students find ways to experience less of the "not so good" things about drinking. BASICS gives personalized feedback about your drinking without telling you what to do. Students will receive a $25 Best Buy gift card after completing two confidential 50-minute BASICS sessions. To sign up, e-mail: basics@luc.edu; or call Kristi Kattapong at: 773.508.2676.

Study at the Les Aspin Center for Government in Washington, D.C.

Apply to Loyola's Washington, D.C., Semester Program and spend a semester or summer studying and working as a congressional intern in the world of government and politics. Through an agreement with Marquette University's Les Aspin Center for Government, Loyola undergraduates may participate in an internship program in Washington, D.C., and work in the offices of members of Congress, administrative agencies or other organizations. Loyola has sponsored the program for 10 years, and more than 100 students have participated.

Students register at Loyola for up to six credit hours of a supervised internship, along with courses in political science, theology and the arts, for a total of 17 credit hours. A summer internship program is also available for a total of six credit hours. Students take classes at the Aspin Center, located just three blocks from the Capitol, and all courses qualify for Loyola credit. Apartment housing is available at the Aspin Center.

Applications to the program are due by March 1. To learn more, contact the Center for Experiential Learning at: 773.508.3366; e-mail: experiential@luc.edu; or visit: LUC.edu/politicalscience/internships_washington.shtml.

Enter the Student Promise Video and Essay Contests

Submit a video or essay that brings Loyola's Student Promise to life! The Student Promise was drafted by a committee consisting primarily of students and is intended to unite all students around the characteristics that set Loyola students apart from students at other institutions. The Student Promise is a symbol of empowerment, pride and personal accountability. To read the full text of the Student Promise, visit: LUC.edu/thestudentpromise.

Create a short video that captures the spirit and voice of the student body as evident in the Student Promise. Videos should be three to five minutes in length and must be submitted on mini DV or DVD. All footage must be of reasonably high resolution. Compressed files for Web use will not be accepted. Entries must be received by March 14. Judges will rate the videos on creativity, production, editing quality, originality and overall excellence in illustrating the Student Promise. The winner will receive a prize package valued at $1,000. For additional information, rules and submission instructions, visit: LUC.edu/judicial/videocontest.shtml.

Write an essay on one of three topics about Loyola's Student Promise. Essays must be typewritten and double-spaced. All entries must be received by March 19. Judges will rate the essays on the quality of content and style of writing. The winner will receive a one-time $500 scholarship. For additional information, rules, essay topics and submission instructions, visit: LUC.edu/judicial/contest.shtml.

Discover the Community-Based Federal Work Study Program

Learn about the Experience More: Community-Based Federal Work Study (FWS) Program, which allows students to gain valuable experience working at community-service sites while earning a paycheck. The Center for Experiential Learning (CEL) partners with several community-service organizations that provide experiential learning opportunities for students as part of this program. Any student who has been awarded Federal Work Study as part of his or her financial aid package can participate.

Available Community-Based Federal Work Study positions are posted on eRecruiting. To create an eRecruiting account, which allows you to browse positions, create a profile and submit applications, contact the CEL at: 773.508.3366; or e-mail: experiential@luc.edu.

To learn more about the Experience More: Community-Based Federal Work Study Program or get help finding a position, contact Ashley Kehoe, Graduate Assistant for Community-Based Federal Work Study, at: 773.508.3366; or e-mail: akehoe@luc.edu.

Get Help to Quit Smoking

Find out how you can stop smoking for good by talking with representatives from the Wellness Center on January 30 - 31 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. in CFSU. Get important information on quitting successfully and learn about the different resources available to you. All smokers who pledge to quit will receive free gift certificates to Chipotle. For more information, visit: LUC.edu/wellness/smoking.shtml.

Assist in Rewriting the Student Constitution

Contact Us

For help or more information, please contact:

Student Life Office: Centennial Forum, Room 100, Lake Shore Campus; phone: 773.508.8840; or Terry Student Center, Water Tower Campus; phone: 312.915.6642.

The Hub: Sullivan Center for Student Services, 6339 N. Sheridan Road, Lake Shore Campus; phone: 773.508.7700; or Lobby, 25 E. Pearson, Water Tower Campus; phone: 312.915.7344; e-mail: onestop@luc.edu.

Loyola Focus: E-mail: loyolafocus@luc.edu; visit: LUC.edu/focus.