Student Events

Important Alert Submittal Announcement

* The Alert will not be published 12/18/06 to 1/7/07 due to the Christmas break. The next edition will be published on January 8, 2007.

Due to problems with the web site, please be aware that if you do not receive a confirmation within 24 hours then we did not receive your announcement.  Please send the announcement to thealert@pointloma.edu if you are experiencing difficulties.  Thank you for your patience.

Residential Life Announcements

CHRISTMAS BREAK HOUSING INFORMATION - ALL residence halls (including Flex) will be closed over Christmas Break. Students who need to stay in San Diego for all or part of the Christmas break are strongly encouraged to make alternative housing arrangements with friends or family. (Athletes, please communicate any housing needs with your coach.)

The Office of Residential Life realizes that there may be special circumstances that prevent a student from traveling home for the break (home is very far away, such as in another country, etc.). If you are having difficulties finding a place to stay, please talk with your RA, RD or the Office of Residential Life.

Mail Services

* MAIL OVER BREAK - Mail Services will not be forwarding any mail home during the break. We will hold all mail at Mail Services during the break. Mail Services will be closed from December 25th - December 28th, 31st and January 1st. If you need to pick up some mail, you can stop by Mail Services on Dec 29th or anytime after Jan 2nd.

Public Safety

* VEHICLE STORAGE FOR THE CHRISTMAS BREAK - Vehicles may be left at your resident hall during the break. Hendricks students leaving a vehicle should NOT park on the South End Lot of the building due to concrete work. They may use the SW Track Lot, or the spaces on the hill roadway/Klassen Lot, or the Flex Spaces facing the track. Please be sure your vehicle is locked securely. Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.

Academic Announcements

* This symbol denotes a new announcement

* CHRISTMAS RECESS LIBRARY/COMPUTER LAB/MEDIA SERVICES HOURS - Take note of the dates below: December 16- 17 -- CLOSED, December 18-22 -- 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., December 23 - January 1 -- CLOSED, January 2-5 -- 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., January 6-7 – CLOSED. http://www.pointloma.edu/RyanLibrary/HoursandInformation/Summer_and_Holiday_Hours.htm.

FINALS WEEK - Finals Week is December 11th through December 15th. Check your course syllabi or the Final Exam schedule on the web at my.pointloma.edu to find out the day and time of your finals. If you have any questions, check with your professors. Be sure to make your travel plans accordingly.

NOT RETURNING TO PLNU? - If you will not be returning to PLNU in the Spring due to a reason other than graduating, please be sure to come by the Records Office to fill out a Withdrawal Form before leaving for Christmas Break.

PLNU CATALOG - Students are ultimately responsible for the fulfillment of all requirements listed for majors, minors, and General Education (G.E.) in the Catalog at initial enrollment. Those who choose a subsequent Catalog, however, MUST notify the Records Office and meet all requirements in that Catalog. Students who have not been registered here at PLNU for three or more regular semesters come under the Catalog in effect at the time of reentry (the PLNU 2006-2007 Catalog).

SOPHOMORE BSN APPLICATION - Applications for Fall 2007 Sophomore Nursing will be available starting December 1, 2006. You can pick up the applications in the School of Nursing Office or in Marsha Reece's office - T101. The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. February 1, 2007. If you have any questions regarding admissions criteria, or the BSN Program, please contact Marsha Reece in Taylor 101, marshareece@pointloma.edu, ext. 7055.

Admissions Announcement

* THE NATIONAL HISPANIC COLLEGE FAIR - Monday, December 11, 8:30 AM-12:00 Noon, PLNU is host to a college fair for 800-1000 Latino high school students from San Diego. The students will be arriving in buses. Most of the activity will be confined to Golden Gymnasium. The parking lot north of the gym will be closed Sunday night, through Monday 1:00 PM. (Admissions Outreach #2518)

Spiritual Development

* GUYS NEEDED FOR YOUTHWORKS - YouthWorks, a summer mission opportunity, needs some male representation! From July 25- August 3, we run a multi-cultural teen camp in Ensenada, Mexico for teens from the U.S. and Mexico. If you are interested in applying, please contact Melissa Tucker: mtucker@pointloma.edu / x 2542  And... to all the amazing women and men who've applied already-- THANK YOU! www.pointloma.edu/youthworks. 

BUSY NEXT JULY? - LoveWorks is headed to Kiev, Ukraine and we’re looking for students with a heart for ministering in a wide range of projects. Kiev currently has an amazing staff of ministry leaders who will guide us through their country, culture and ministry centers. While in Kiev, we will help run a week long sports youth camp for the region, then work in a village with various churches and programs including an orphanage for street kids and rehab centers for men and women. This will be an exciting mission trip to a country rich in history and unforgettable people. The trip is currently planned for July 16-August 3, 2007. For more info contact Sylvia Cortez @ x. 2596 or scortez@pointloma.edu.

Other Announcements

* TAKE A BREAK ON US (COLLEGE REPUBLICANS) – Tuesday, December 12, at 8:00 p.m. in Colt 120. If you need a quick break from studying for finals, come enjoy some yummy snacks on us! Contact Chairman Michelle Ramos if you have any questions - mramos100@pointloma.edu.

RYAN COMPUTER LABS ARE HIRING - We are hiring Lab Assistants for Spring 2007. Begin training this semester. Applications are available in the Main Computer Lab in Ryan Learning Center and online at http://www.pointloma.edu/ITS/Labs/JobOpportunities.htm.

760,000 – This is the estimated number of people homeless on any given night. Round donation bins benefiting the San Diego Rescue Mission, will be placed in all residence halls and in the commuter lounge. Donations can include clothes, shoes, backpacks, and toys.

RESERVE YOUR YEARBOOK ONLINE - The deadline for reserving your yearbook online has been extended to December 31! Just log onto Student Access. The $10 will be added directly to your student account.

2007 TALBOT'S WOMEN'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND - In keeping with its long-standing tradition of serving the community, Talbot’s Charitable Foundation offers a unique, national $100,000 scholarship program: a fund just for women who earned their high school diploma or GED at least 10 years ago, and who are now seeking a college degree. Application must be postmarked by January 2, 2007, or until the first 1,000 eligible applications have been received, whichever is earlier. Please go the web site below for more information and an application form. www.talbots.com.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND SCHOLARSHIP - The National Federation of the Blind’s program will award thirty scholarships to high-achieving legally blind students next summer. Scholarship awards range from $3,000 to $12,000, and generous donors often enhance these values to even higher levels. Please go to web site below for more information and an application form. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2007. www.nfb.org.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY ARMY EMERGENCY RELIEF - Scholarship Programs Administered by Army Emergency Relief Army Emergency Relief (AER) offers the following three scholarships: Major General James Ursano Scholarship Fund for Dependent Children, Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program, and Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program. AER’s Education Program is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to provide financial assistance to Army Soldiers and their dependents in time of valid emergency need, and whose secondary mission to help Army families with the costs of education. Please go the web site below for more information and an application. Deadline to apply is March 1, 2007. www.aerhq.org.

GLAMOUR’S 2007 TOP 10 COLLEGE WOMEN COMPETITION FOR COLLEGE JUNIORS - Do you have leadership experience? Involved on campus and your community? Have unique, inspiring goals? Excel in your field of study? Are you a female college junior? You could win a $2,000 cash prize, a trip to New York City, opportunities to meet with top female professionals, attend a gala luncheon awards ceremony and receive national recognition in Glamour’s October 2007 issue. Pick up an application at Student Financial Services in Draper Hall. All materials must be received by February 12, 2007, and submitted to Glamour’s 2007 Top 10 College Women Competition.

KARAOKE STUDY BREAK - Take a break from studying and join us in the Caf for free food, fun, and karaoke from 9pm to 11pm on Wed, Dec.13th! Who doesn't like to sing? 

TUTORIAL CENTER

MONDAY-THURSDAY 8am-5pm and 6-9pm, FRIDAY 8am-3pm
The Tutorial Center is located in Bond Academic Center next to Career Services
Tutorial Center is closed to general use---appointments only, Dec 11-15

Preventing Test Anxiety (adapted from Babs Quincy, counselor)

Prior to the Exam:

• Be well prepared.
• Do not party the night before.
• Get enough sleep.
• Do not think that the rest of your life or your self-esteem depends on this exam.
• Limit or eliminate beverages with caffeine.
• Limit your sugar intake.
• Exercise on a regular basis.
• Have supportive people around you who will allow you to vent when needed.
• Re-direct your thinking, away from thoughts that make you nervous and to thoughts that help calm you down (prayer, devotional thoughts, positive images)
• Practice slow deep breathing, relaxation exercise, and guided imagery.

Breathing technique:

• Breathe slowly and deeply, from your abdomen.
• Don’t do any shallow breathing.
• Focus on thoughts that are reassuring (scripture, song, favorite quotation).

Relaxation Response:

• Starting with your face, consciously relax each muscle group in your body.
• Be aware of the tension areas in your body and then release.

Guided Imagery:

• As you breathe deeply and relax, visualize yourself taking the exam.
• Imagine each step being taken with confidence.
• Mediate on this image for 3-5 minutes.

When you take the exam:

• Arrive early so you can practice breathing, relaxing and focusing on positive images.
• Sit where you will have the fewest distractions.
• Don’t talk to anyone or listen to distractions around you.
• Read over the entire exam, before you begin.
• Read instructions carefully and pace yourself, keeping track of the time.
• Check your answers for omissions or obvious mistakes, but don’t second guess.

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
 FROM THE ALERT STAFF