Connections

October 3, 2012

Connections is distributed every Wednesday and is another way for you to find out what's going on around the Grounds. To submit an item for publication, please see www.virginia.edu/vpsa/connections.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mental Wellness Screening: Free, Fast and Anonymous
Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Newcomb 360.
Struggles such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder lead to unhappiness and tension, and they often cause grades and interpersonal relationships to suffer. If you think you might be struggling in this area, you are not alone. A recent survey reported that 38 percent of U.Va. students thought they needed help for mental health problems over the past year. Nearly 2,000 students sought assistance last year at U.Va.’s Student Health, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Come to a free mental wellness screening on Oct. 4 and receive immediate feedback (feel free to bring a friend along). This screening is sponsored by U.Va. Student Health CAPS, Office of Health Promotion, and Active Minds. Pizza is available for those arriving after 11 a.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis. Go online for anonymous screenings and information about emotional well-being. To speak with a mental health professional, call CAPS at 243-5150, or for mental health emergencies after 5 p.m. or on weekends, call 972-7004.

Vaccination Clinic: Get Your Flu Shot!
Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Newcomb Hall Ballroom.
Protect yourself against several serious health threats by taking advantage of immunizations that Student Health will be offering in cooperation with a private vaccine provider company, Maxim Health System. The flu vaccine as well as pre-entrance immunizations will be available. No appointment is necessary. Costs and more information are available online.

LECTURES, PANELS AND PRESENTATIONS

Miller Center Forum: America Divided
Oct. 8, 11 a.m., Miller Center.
In his new book, Our Divided Political Heart, E.J. Dionne Jr. asserts that hyper-individualism is poisoning the nation’s political atmosphere. Dionne takes on what he sees as the Tea Party’s distortions of American history and contends that the true American tradition points not to radical individualism but to a balance between our love of individualism and our devotion to community. Dionne is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a columnist for the Washington Post. Please see the website for more information.

Social Entrepreneurship Guest Speaker: Paul Polak
Oct. 10, 7 to 9:45 p.m., Garrett Great Hall.
Polak is the author of Out of Poverty, one of the seminal books on social enterprise. He is also the founder of the nonprofit IDE International, which designs market-based solutions for major problems in poverty. IDE's hand-treadle pump has lifted more than 17 million people out of poverty in India and Bangladesh. Polak also founded SpringHealth International, a clean water innovation in East India that has received investment from Acumen Fund and First Light Ventures. Please see the website for more information.

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Language Jumpstart: Italian
Oct. 20 and 27, 1 to 4 p.m., Lorna Sundberg International Center.
Language Jumpstart features two sessions that teach the basics of Italian: everyday phrases, greetings, basic grammar, alphabet phonetics, and much more. Each lesson is dedicated to interactive participatory learning and small group practices with advanced speakers. The program fee is $45. Apply online.

OPPORTUNITIES

U.Va. Entrepreneurship Cup: Social Entrepreneurship Concept Track
Information Session: Oct. 4, 7 to 8 p.m., Robertson 225 (McIntire School of Commerce).
Have an idea for a business or organization that will work toward solving the world’s social and environmental problems? Develop it into a three-page concept by yourself or with an interdisciplinary team for a chance to win $3,000 in prizes at the track level and a $20,000 top prize in the University-wide Entrepreneurship Cup. This event is sponsored by the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and SEED (Student Entrepreneurs for Economic Development). It is open to all students. For more information, please visit the website or email mb9sp@virginia.edu.

MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS

The Virginia Advocate: Write about Issues and Events Affecting U.Va.
The Virginia Advocate is a great outlet to publish your opinions and bring to light issues and events that are otherwise overlooked and underemphasized in current discourse at U.Va. We are currently seeking writers and photographers. Leadership positions on the editorial board will soon become available as well. See the website or email ajt7ga@virginia.edu for more information.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

Global Water Brigades: Trips to Honduras and Ghana
Meetings: Tuesdays at 7 p.m., New Cabell 431.
This winter break, Global Water Brigades is sending students to both Honduras and Ghana for seven to 10 days to work with rural communities to provide access to safe, clean drinking water. Highlights include working directly with other universities and the local people, as well as spending a day with the kids at the area orphanage and school. There is no foreign language requirement. Email mal5nq@virginia.edu if you have any questions.

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

"Girls in Pearls": Pearl Trunk Show to Raise Money for Breast Cancer Research and Awareness
Oct. 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pavilion IX.
Help Zeta Tau Alpha celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month by buying pearls for your friends, family or yourself. All proceeds will benefit breast cancer research and awareness. Email ljp7ba@virginia.edu if you have any questions.

Kappa Delta: Ninth Annual Corner Crawl
Oct. 10, 5 to 10 p.m., the Corner.
Come to Kappa Delta's Corner Crawl to benefit Prevent Child Abuse America, a proud part of Virginia Homecomings 2012. Sixteen restaurants on the historic U.Va. Corner will be participating, and all have agreed to donate a portion of the evening’s proceeds to PCAA. To support the cause, all you have to do is eat. Email mkr5df@virginia.edu if you have any questions.

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Illness and Death: Discussion Group
Oct. 17, 8 p.m., 415 New Cabell Hall.
If you are dealing with the illness or loss of a loved one, this group is a resource for you. We are not counselors or experts; we are simply a group of students who are living through similar experiences. Meetings are held at 8 p.m. on the first Tuesday and third Wednesday of every month. For more information, please contact IDGroupUVA@gmail.com.

Can’t Get to DMV? DMV Is Coming to You!
Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., T4 parking lot (outside east gate of Scott Stadium).
Need to apply for or renew your driver’s license or ID card? Time for new license plates or decals? Avoid notoriously long lines at the local DMV office by coming to DMV’s office on wheels. You can take care of almost any DMV business, with the exception of driver’s tests.

Hoos for Obama: Weekly Phone Banks
Tuesdays, 5 to 9 p.m., Maury 110.
Want to make a difference this fall? Join Hoos for Obama at our weekly phone banks. We will have brownies. Whether you’re an experienced campaigner or brand new, you can help re-elect President Obama. If you have any questions, contact zds2gs@virginia.edu.

Trivia Night: Test Your Knowledge of U.Va. Traditions and Pop Culture
Oct. 10, 9 to 11 p.m., Newcomb South Meeting Room.
Bring a team of no more than six people and win gift card prizes. Email apk3he@virginia.edu if you have any questions.

ENTERTAINMENT

Rick Ross, Meek Mill and Wale: Headline Set with Machine Gun Kelly
Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m., John Paul Jones Arena.
DJ Scream, frequent MMG (Maybach Music Group) collaborator, will serve as the host DJ for the tour. See the website for more information.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Intramural Sports: Outdoor Soccer and Basketball Leagues
Entries taken online through Oct. 9; league begins Oct. 14.
For more information, see the website or email intramurals@virginia.edu.

Ball with the Hoos: Interactive Basketball Activities
Oct. 4, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Dell Basketball Courts.
Come out to the outdoor basketball courts and participate in interactive basketball activities with the men's team, including Hot Shot, Knockout and a Three-Point Challenge. There will be free Domino's Pizza and Pepsi products available while supplies last. You can also pick up your 2012-2013 free 'Hoo Crew T-shirt if you have not yet done so. Two lucky students will walk away with a $300 gift card. Email driscoll@virginia.edu if you have any questions.

STUDIES AND FOCUS GROUPS

Young Adults' Career Paths: 30-Minute Study for Credit or Compensation
Thinking about your future? Curious about what you’ll do? So is the U.Va. department of psychology. We are seeking participants ages 18 and older in their first year for a study on student expectations and plans for the future. The online study takes approximately 30 minutes, and you may participate for credit or compensation. For more information, please contact Lindsay Juarez at lindsay@virginia.edu about IRB SBS # 2012-0171-00. Faculty Adviser: Timothy Wilson, Ph.D.

Earn $20 by Talking about Drinking for 90 Minutes
Participate in a 90-minute focus group about celebratory drinking behaviors, and you’ll earn $20 cash. Even if you do not drink alcohol, your participation in these focus groups is important to gain a more in-depth understanding of the issues and help us create more effective education and prevention programs. If interested, please fill out the survey form, which is a part of the study. For more information, email Sarah Keller at swk8mx@virginia.edu.

REMINDERS

Stillfried/Godsey Memorial Scholarship: Last Week to Apply
Application deadline: Oct. 5, 5 p.m.
The scholarship will be awarded for the purpose of financially assisting a student with one or more permanent physical disabilities to study toward a degree at U.Va. Applications should be returned electronically to Ms. Gibson (sgibson@virginia.edu).

Volunteer for the Game Day Challenge: Spread the Word about Recycling
Oct. 13.
U.Va. is participating in the nationwide Game Day Challenge competition in an effort to increase recycling and reduce waste. Last year, we came in first place in America. We need volunteers to spread the word about recycling and keep the winning streak going. Volunteers will work a three-hour shift before the Oct. 13 game against University of Maryland and will receive free T-shirts and breakfast. Sign up by Oct. 10 by emailing jtt7ub@virginia.edu. Check out the Facebook page for more information.

Active Minds: Send Silence Packing
Oct. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Lawn.
Send Silence Packing is an award-winning program by Active Minds to carry the message about saving individual lives, raise awareness about suicide prevention, promote a dialogue about mental health issues on campus, and serve as an outlet for survivors’ grief. Please stop by the south end of the Lawn to view this exhibit and participate in this community event. At 2 p.m., Dr. Russ Federman and Dr. James Turner from U.Va.’s Student Health will give brief talks on suicide prevention issues. Please see the Facebook page for more information.

The next Connections will be published Wednesday, Oct. 10. Deadline: Monday, Oct. 8, by noon.

This edition of Connections may include events sponsored by Contracted Independent Organizations. CIOs are not a part of or an agency of the University of Virginia. They are separate and independent organizations. They are responsible for and manage their own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.

GUIDELINES

Submit information for Connections online at http://www.virginia.edu/vpsa/connections

1. Connections is for general postings of University content from students, faculty and staff. Each submission should include a contact name with a telephone number or U.Va. email address. Also, if available, include a website for more information.
2. Events should be posted on the Student Activities Calendar. Connections limits postings of events.
3. Submit your item for Connections online by Mondays at noon. Connections is distributed to all undergraduates and to graduate students in the College on most Wednesday evenings when classes are in session.
4. Postings should be brief, generally less than 70 words. Submit your posting in plain text - no italics, boldface or indentations.
5. In the interest of brevity and newsworthiness, repeat submissions may be denied.
6. Connections is edited and published by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and this office determines the suitability of all items for publication.