UO FLOCK PARTY

Come one, come all to the UO Flock Party!



The CommUniversity Program will be tabling at this first-year student campus event.  If you like free goodies, this is the place to be.  Our table will also be raffling off Duck Store Gift Cards!

NEED HOUSING? NEED A ROOMMATE?

Still looking for the ideal place to live or a extra tenant to cover rent fees? Look no further...
UO Private Off Campus Housing website!

EUGENE THUNDERCANS

Roll Thunder!

Catch up on Eugene garbage laws with the Thundercans campaign.
Garbage cans, recycling bins, and yard debris containers can only be left on street curbs for up to 24 hours. 
Use the Eugene on-line form to report violations.

CommUniversity Presents 2016 Housing Fair

 

The Dean of Students CommUniversity program introduces the 2016 Housing Fair! 

Are you looking for a new pad for next year? The Housing Fair will be presenting dozens of housing options that are perfect for students as well as dozens of local businesses that offer a variety of services.  It will be located in the EMU Ballroom from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM.  

The event will have free items, raffle prizes, games, and plenty more fun activities! Come check us out! 

The recommended housing options that will be presented include: 

University House Arena District              2125 Franklin                              Von Klein

University of Oregon Housing                 13th and Olive                         Chase Village

Campustown                                              Uncommon                             Stadium Park

Courtside                                                   Ducks Village                               Skybox

                                                                      The Hub

                                                                                

There will also be other groups there to offer services relevant to student life. These include:

      Food                                  Safe Ride                               Substance Abuse Prevention Program

    Beauty                         Lane Transit District                                Student Legal Services

  Real estate               Conflict Resolution Services                        Office of Student Advocacy

Many vendors are giving away raffles, free products, and free services!

If you are not able to attend the event, check out our University of Oregon Off-Campus Housing website: https://offcampushousing.uoregon.edu/

Eugene, Oregon weather is not only beautifully unique, but also very wet. Winter months in Eugene can get very gloomy and it is important to combat bleak feelings. Rainy cities such as Portland, Seattle, and Eugene report high numbers of locals who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, or changes in mood that may result in depression during the winter months. This can have an affect on grades, work, relationships, and health.

Here are some ways to enjoy the winter months in Eugene, Oregon:

1. Attend a movie on campus with friends at UO Ducks After Dark. On Thursdays, they serve pizza, soda, and play games before the movie! Check out their events on their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/DucksAfterDark/

2. Grab your rain jacket and go on a (very close) beautiful hike at Hendrick's Park, Ridgeline Trail, Spencer's Butte, Skinner's Butte, or Mount Pisgah!

3. Check out the museums on campus and around town!

4. Find indoor hobbies, such as cooking, crafts, games, or reading.

5. Study more! What better way to spend rainy months than focusing on your studies?!

6. Attend Student Mental Health Association Stress Less event held week 10 of every term. Tools and tricks will be provided for beating the winter blues.
https://www.facebook.com/events/574286279404420/

Here are some ways to always keep upbeat during those long rainy months:

Eat healthy! Foods with vitamin D help make up for the lack of sun exposure rainy cities experience. Well-balanced diets also help combat low energy and fatigue.

Stay Active. Working out and staying active increases dopamine, which is associated with positive mood.

CommUniversity brings you CU After Dark, an event aimed at providing free water, free snacks, and useful information to late-night students of the University of Oregon. In an effort to make sure students are being safe and responsible while partying, CommUniversity will be stationed outside the Duck Store on February 19th from 10pm-1am. We will be providing free water, snacks, and important information to anyone who passes us.

St. Patrick's Day is around the corner and many people in the United States view this holiday as a party holiday. While engaging in these festivities, it is essential to remember a few key safety precautions while drinking.

1. Stay hydrated! Drinking water frequently lessens the chances of getting sick, maintains the body's electrolytes, prevents dehydration headaches that often accompany alcohol, and can save you from a painful hangover. In many cases, staying hydrated can also keep you from getting alcohol poisoning and a trip to the hospital!

2. Eat healthy, filling meals before you drink and snack after you've been drinking. Eating helps protect the body from alcohol over-consumption. It also lessens your chances of getting sick. Food can help reduce the sudden spike in your blood alcohol content levels and potentially save you from alcohol poisoning or blackouts.

3. Pace yourself! Taking time in between drinks helps prevent bodily and social harm, saves money, and can even save your life. If you wait in between drinks, your body has time to process the alcohol you consume.

4. Don't drink when you're exhausted! While drinking rates often increase on college campuses after final exams, it is essential to keep in mind that you are more likely to blackout if you drink while tired or stressed. Blacking out can have devastating affects on the brain and put you in dangerous situations such as sexual assault, public humiliation, and theft.

For the next several weeks, we hope that Ducks party safely and responsibly. If you are out and about, please come pick up some water and snacks from our table in front of the Duck Store on February 19th from 10pm to 1am!

Go Ducks!

Renters Rights

 

 CommUniversity is here to help! 

Living off campus? Know your renter's rights!

Eugene offers plenty of housing options, such as University Housing, local rental companies, and even local private citizens offering their homely abode. Choosing one is daunting enough, but then you also need to make sure your rights as a renter are protected! Many college students do not know what their rights are as a tenant, and this can lead to frustrating and sometimes even dangerous situations in the home.  It is essential to do your research as you commence your journey in to leasing your own place and this is a good place to start!

Entering the Premises Without Permission
A landlord may not enter a rented residence without legitimate reason or without notice. A 24-hour notice is required.

Eviction
A landlord must provide a notice of 30 days prior to eviction and have legitimate cause to do so. If the eviction is due to property damage, the renter may repair the damage within 14 days to continue renting the property without fear of eviction.

Initial Deposit
This may include a pet or security deposit. It is illegal for a tenant to be charged "normal wear and tear", which includes chipping paint, small amounts of rust, discolored tiles, discolored grout, and fringed window screens. A landlord must provide the tenant with a written account of the amount kept from the initial security deposit as well as a reason for withholding the funds. The landlord must also refund any remaining amount back to the tenant within 31 days of a tenant leaving the residence. It is highly recommended that a tenant take pictures of the newly rented residence, especially any damages. It is also recommended that a new tenant writes down every damaged part of the residence and gives it to the leaser both before moving in as well as when moving out. This ensures that funds are not withheld for damages from previous tenants. Thoroughly cleaning the rental upon moving out can save you some money, as it reduces the cleaning fee.

Repairs
If a repair is needed, a tenant should alert the leaser immediately. If it is a serious hazard, such as a deficient fire detector or mold, a notice should be written and given to the leaser for documentation. If serious problems persist and the landlord fails to fix the issue, the home is considered inhabitable and the leaser could be fined by the City of Eugene or they may owe the tenant money for every month that goes by without repair. They are legally allowed to offer compensation to a tenant for a repair in the situation a tenant has it fixed themselves.

Example Repairs and Maintenance

1. Mold and mold check-ups
2. Fire detector battery replacement
3. All appliances
4. Elevators
5. Stairways, railings, floors, walls, and ceilings: They should be sturdy and without cracks or lose screws.
6. Plumbing: this includes sinks, toilets, showers, pipes, and outdoor facets.
7. Insect or animal infestations
8. Wiring
9. Foundation under the building

Major Issues in Eugene
Living in Eugene is a beautiful-and wet- experience. The year-round moisture can wreak havoc on the foundation of a house or apartments, especially older ones. Mold can cripple the foundation of the building and cause weak walls, floors, and ceilings. This can result in a serious injury. Mold can also seep through windows and walls, destroying clothing and furniture without notice. Even more serious, mold can cause fatal illnesses and allergies. If you are concerned with mold in your home, it is essential to contact your landlord immediately to have them do a mold check-up.

For more information, you may visit the website of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/states/oregon/renting/tenantrights

FSL 2016 Winter Day of Service

 

The Dean of Students, CommUniversity Program, Fraternity & Sorority Life, and Government & Community Relations have partnered together to coordinate the 2016 Winter Day of Service! This unique event provides students the opportunity to serve the local community through service. Last year, nearly 250 Fraternity & Sorority Life students participated in 10 service beautification and improvement projects.

Projects this year include weeding invasive species, liter pick up, and deep cleaning at:
1. Hendricks Park
2. Washburn Park
3. Alton Baker Park
4. White Bird Clinic
5. West University Neighborhood
6. Boys & Girls Club

 

Look out for UO Fraternity & Sorority Life students partaking in these service efforts on January 30th, 2016!

Having a Party? Protect your stuff!

Most students lead a busy life and many share apartments and houses with roommates in off-campus housing. They are coming and going at all times of the day. Residences are packed with laptop computers, flat screen televisions, IPODS, gaming systems, and cameras that are ripe for the taking. Having a party? Take steps to protect your belongings. We see a high incidence of burglaries AFTER parties are held.

 Friends are invited who invite more friends, who then invite their friends. What you sometimes don’t know is that those acquaintances could be involved in criminal activity. While at the party they check out your stuff and look for a way to get in to your house when you are not there, possibly even unlocking a window or door that doesn’t get used often. Following these tips can protect your stuff.

1)    Always lock your windows and doors when away.

In approximately 40-50% of burglaries the criminal is able to access the home through an unlocked window or door. Don’t assume that your roommate locked up, and always lock your doors even when you are home.

2)    Having a party?

Be selective about who gets invited. Put out of sight any valuable belongings that are not needed. Consider locking individual bedroom doors to prevent access during the party. After the party check and secure any unlocked doors and windows.

3)    Valuables.

Document the brand, model and serial numbers of your electronics. Register your bike with us. In the unfortunate event you become the victim of a burglary, this will enable you to make a complete police report increasing your odds of getting your property back, and helping us to charge criminals and lock them up. If possible lock valuables up and keep them out of plain sight.

4)    Observe and report. Non-Emergency Line 541.682.5111

The majority of burglaries occur during daytime hours. This is because most people are away at school or at work. Be observant of suspicious activities/people around the neighborhood and report them to the Police. Always report all crimes no matter how insignificant they may seem. To get more crime prevention information, or to report a crime check out our website at

www.eugenepolice.com

BICYCLE THEFT PREVENTION

1. Bike thieves look for bikes that have been immobile for long periods of time, look expensive, and have minimum security.
2. Always lock your bike in well-lit, populated areas.

3. Register your bike through Project 529, the free UO Bicycle Registration Program.

4. Use multiple locks on your bike and ALWAYS use a U-lock. 

5. If you lose or break a key to your lock, University of Oregon Parking and Transportation Department can cut the lock for $15.00.  

6.  Report suspicious activity immediately to UO Police Department at 541-346-2919.

7. Take your bike accessories with you. 

HOW TO USE A U-LOCK

Courtesy of UO Parking and Transportation Department

Where can I buy a U-lock?

Many stores and bike shops in Eugene sell U-locks.  UO Department of Parking and Transportation sells U-locks for $15.00.

HOW TO REGISTER YOUR BIKE

1. Bike registration is free! Pick up a Project529 sticker at a number of locations on campus.

- UO Department of Parking and Transportation

- UO Bike Barn

- All Dorm facilities

- UO Police Department

2. Log on to https://project529.com/garage to add your bike information, pictures, and contact information. 

3. The bike is not officially registered until the red FDG permit sequence is entered on your project529 profile. The permit sequence is found on the registration sticker. 

What should I do if I cannot find my bike?

1. Always contact the UO Department of Parking and Transportation first! They may have impounded your bike if it was illegally parked, stripped, or immobile for 30 days. 541-346-5444. 

2. If it was not impounded, immediately file a report through UO Police Department.  541-346-2919  https://police.uoregon.edu/crime-report