In This Issue:

• Bed Bug Alert
  

• Like It? Lock it!!
  

• Bread Delivery by Bike
  

• 10/10/10 Global Work Party

• Art Hop

• Need a Job?

• Front Porch Forum
  

• Upcoming Events

• Helpful Resources

About Us:

The Office of Student and Community Relations (OSCR) provides resources and education to UVM students so that they have successful experiences living off campus. We work with students, neighbors, and city partners on creative initiatives to improve the quality-of-life in our shared community.

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True Life: I Live Off-Campus

Upcoming Events:

Bored?

Check out the on & off campus events that are happening this month!

SGA Community Coalition
Join UVM students, community members, city and university staff as we share ideas and create programs designed to build community between the university’s students and city residents. Fri., 9/10 2-4pm at the Pearl House, 12 Colchester Ave., 1st flr.

Liaison Program Potluck!
Join other UVM students and Burlington community members for a potluck dinner on Mon. 9/13 at 6pm to learn about the Student-Neighbor Liaison Program and how you can access Neighborhood Grants to do fun projects on your street! The Pearl House, 12 Colchester Ave., 1st flr. For more info.

Catamount Classes:
1. Cooking Healthy on the Cheap!
Discover how to use City Market's Bulk department to its fullest and learn time and money saving tips for cooking and eating well on a budget. Free dinner!  Wed. 9/22 6pm at the Pearl House, 12 Colchester Ave. RSVP here.
2. Worm Composting
Join vermicompost expert Josh Nelson for a workshop on how to set up a low-tech way to recycle your food waste. Tues. 9/28 6pm at the Pearl House, 12 Colchester Ave., 1st flr. RSVP here.

Babysitter Mingler
Are you looking for a flexible job that pays well and is tons of fun? Come meet and mingle with parents and kids from the local community that are in need of babysitters! Join us on Sun. 9/26 10am-noon in the Davis Center Livak Ballroom.
RSVP here.

Helpful Resources:

• VT Tenants Inc.  864-0099

  tenant advocacy and counseling services

• Burlington CODE Enforcement

  863-0442

  minimum housing code enforcement, housing condition questions/complaints and requests for inspections

• Burlington Police Dept  emergency 911,

  dispatch 658-2700, Admin. 658-2704

• Student Government Association

  656-2053

• UVM Student Health Clinic

  656-3350

• UVM Counseling Center 656-3340

• UVM Women's Center  656-7892

• UVM ALANA Center  656-3819

• UVM LGBTQA Services  656-8637

• UVM Academic Support Programs

  656-4075

• UVM Student Financial Services     656-5700

For a more extensive list of resources, please go to page 24 of the Off Campus Living Survival Guide.

This Off-Campus Newsletter is distributed from a special listserv. You cannot unsubscribe from this list.

Welcome back to UVM and Burlington! We know there is much to navigate living off campus and the Office of Student & Community Relations (OSCR) created this newsletter to provide information, helpful tips, and to let you know about upcoming opportunities. Feel free to contact us with ideas for future Off-Campus Life editions! Alicia Taylor (656-9405)

Bed Bug Alert!

Bed bugs are on the rise in Burlington!
Check out this recent article in Seven Days for more info.

Here are a few tips to avoid an outbreak in your off-campus home:

• Find out if you have bed bugs and where they are hiding (look in mattress seams, in box springs, along bedroom furniture, walls, floor boards, etc).

•  If you see bed bugs contact your landlord immediately so that your apartment can be properly treated.
  

• Clean all areas where they are likely to hide
  (bed linens, curtains, rugs, mattresses etc.). Use hot water and the highest dryer setting whenever possible.
  

• Inspect all furniture for bed bugs before bringing into your home. Do not take in items that have been left on the side of the street.
  

For more info and a complete list of bed bug prevention tips visit the VT Department of Health website.

Like It? Lock It!!

UVM students are prime targets for property theft because of unlocked doors and windows.

Here are some simple steps that can help prevent you from becoming another victim of theft:

• Lock your doors (day or night), even when you are home or if you leave for just a few minutes.

• Make sure your windows and screens are secure.

• Use lighting inside and out so your house or apartment appears occupied.

• Close your curtains so your possessions won’t be easily visible.

• Keep your purse, wallet, electronics and other valuables out of sight.

• Lock your car.

• Take your stuff out of your car or keep them out of sight. CD’s money in the ashtray, tools, bags, small electronics even car seats can be very tempting.

• Get to know your neighbors so you are familiar with who is supposed to be in the area. Let a trusted person know when you will be away so unusual activity is noticed.

Call the Burlington police if something happens (658-2700). You may not get your stuff back however the police can track patterns and figure out who is  responsible. You can also call the Parallel Justice Program for victims of crime to see what kind of resources and support they can provide to you (540-2394). Registering your possessions on the UVM Police Services website and purchasing Personal Property Insurance  or Renter's Insurance ahead of time can also help cover losses due to theft.

Crime Prevention is Everyone's Responsibility.

On October 10th 2010, people across the planet will pick up hammers, shovels, and caulking-guns and join the 10/10/10 Global Work Party, the world's largest day of practical action to fight the climate crisis. Today at 6pm in Battery Park a large potluck picnic will be held to help gear up and get ready to get things done in Burlington on 10/10/10.

For more info contact Jenna Whitson, 603-496-0755 or visit the Burlington Work Party website.

South End Art Hop

Head down to the South End of Burlington this weekend for the 18th annual Art Hop on Sept. 10th and 11th! Local artists open up their studios and businesses along Pine Street become art galleries for the weekend! Free food, music, and entertainment are provided throughout. Become a Art Hop Hero and buy a button to show your support for the arts in Vermont and Burlington.

Need a Job? OSCR is Hiring!!

Looking for a fun work-study job that would be great for a resume? OSCR is looking for a Student-Community Outreach Specialist and a Communication, Media, and Design Specialist to join our staff. For more info and to set up an interview contact Alicia.Taylor@uvm.edu or call 656-9405.

Have you Joined Your Front Porch Forum?

Dozens of your neighbors are connected to each other online via a local invention called Front Porch Forum. Join the conversation today by SIGNING UP at http://frontporchforum.com and POSTING a message or two.

"As a college student and renter, I often don't have the normal tools for doing things around the house.  Front Porch Forum has been a great help at finding neighbors willing to lend out a shovel in the wintertime, a hammer & nails, or even some flour.  I definitely feel more at home here in Burlington as a student thanks to Front Porch Forum." Matt, UVM student.

FPF hosts 130 neighborhood forums covering all of Chittenden County.  More than 16,000 households subscribe, including 40% of the City of Burlington and 1,000+ UVMers! Check it out today at http://frontporchforum.com

UVM Service Network Partners