July Newsletter

July/August 2009

Apartment Life Newsletter

in TOUCH KEEPING We are a Global Village By Christie Mathews, Viviane Ephraimson-Abt, and Hosam Ahmad

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if the entire world were shrunk down into a small village? Now, imagine if you had the opportunity to live in this blend of cultures, languages, and personalities that would provide a stimulating learning experience. Of course, you would also want a village you could call home for a while, a place where you are welcomed, can become involved, and feel supported; a place that helps you succeed in academic and personal goals. Colorado State University’s Apartment Life is that place. The residents and staff of Apartment Life are a global and multicultural community of individuals and families. We are a diverse blend of racial, ethnic, and class backgrounds, and we represent a wide variety of national origins and sexual orientations. Our views encompass a broad spectrum of religious and political beliefs. The Apartment Life community is unique in that we strive to work and live together, and in the process, learn from one another in an atmosphere of positive contact and mutual respect. Apartment Life strongly believes that residents will have a more productive experience at the University if they feel at home in their living environment. In order to encourage and support our diverse population, Apartment Life works with residents and staff to develop social, cultural, and educational events. These programs provide opportunity for personal growth. Many Apartment Life residents gain a deeper awareness of how to connect with people from different cultures, age groups, and life situations. The world is becoming globally inclusive through advanced technology, transportation, and communication. Employment opportunities will be greater for those individuals who have developed the ability to relate to and work with a diverse population.

On behalf of all of the Apartment Life staff, we are pleased to welcome you to the new academic 2008-2009 year. For those of you who are new residents, we extend a warm welcome to you. We hope that you will benefit from our wonderful intercultural and intergenerational community and that this place will become one of your favorite homes. The entire Apartment Life staff is deeply committed to each resident’s positive experience. Each apartment area has an office manager, two area managers, and a manager’s assistant. We have extensive office coverage as well as someone on duty 24 hours a day to help you. We have community coordinators, youth programmers, intercultural connection community staff, community pride coordinators, and a spouse and partner coordinator. In addition, we have central staff to assist us with a newsletter, assignments, billing, social programming, and administrative needs. Finally, we have a custodial

What’s Inside... Page 2 - 3

Palmer Center Central Programs

Page 4 - 5 University Village

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University Village Aggie Village

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Aggie Village Continued

staff that helps maintain our buildings and grounds. This newsletter will help you connect with staff members in your area, as well as staff that share your cultural background or interests. We encourage you to contact staff members with any questions, concerns, or ideas you may have. We want to hear from you and know you! Once again, on behalf of the entire staff of Apartment Life, we welcome you and wish you every success in the coming year.

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Graduating?

Palmer Center

Viviane Ephraimson-Abt Assistant Director

Christie Mathews Director Christie is from Fort Collins, Colorado and has been director for almost three years. She loves her job and the staff she works with, and is also taking some classes at CSU. She knows French and a little Spanish. She likes to float on a calm river on a sunny day, be with her son, and read a good mystery in her free time.

Louie Sanchez Administrative Assistant

Viviane has been working with Apartment Life for ten years and is from the East Coast of the USA. She knows German, a little French and Japanese. She likes to learn new things, do yoga, meditate, stay connected with friends and spend time with her husband and dogs.

Louie is a native Coloradoan who has lived in three other states and three countries. He is the Administrative Assistant in the Palmer main office, and is an athletic person. He is an official for youth and high schools sports and has coached many sports as well. He enjoys watching his Ihsan Abbud kids play competitively in Office Assistant baseball and soccer.

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Hosam has been with Apartment Life for over 20 years. He came from Iraq in 1986 to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. He speaks Arabic, and in his free time he enjoys playing tennis, juggling, and watching TV.

Ihsan has been with Apartment life for nearly two decades. He is obtaining his Masters in Business in addition to being an office assistant and the Community Pride and Program Enhancement Coordinator in UV with his wife, Nehla. He is from Baghdad, Iraq and knows Arabic. In his free time Ihsan likes to play table tennis and solve puzzles. Kristin is a new student office assistant and is majoring in Apparel and Merchandising. She is from Conifer, Colorado and likes to relax in her free time.

Maria was born and raised in Colorado and is continuing as Assignments and Billings Coordinator. She knows Spanish and a little German and French and likes to cook, read, watch movies and spend time with her family.

Maria Martinez Assignments/Billings Coordinator

Hosam Ahmad Assistant Director University Village Manager

Kristin Caldwell Office Assistant

Central Programs

Cassidy Edman Central Programs Coordinator

Cassidy is in her second year as Central Programs Coordinator and is also a student in the Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) program. She is from Boulder, Colorado and has also lived in Alaska and Iowa. She is enjoying meeting new people. In her free time she likes to be with her partner Matthew, practice yoga, be outside as much as possible, and play tennis and racquetball.

Asseal Ahmad Newsletter Coordinator

Asseal is the new Newsletter Coordinator for Apartment life. He is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Accounting and Computer Information Systems, and a French minor. He knows French and Arabic and was born in Denver and raised in Fort Collins. He enjoys playing sports, hanging out with friends, and discussing politics in his free time.

Katie is the International House and Lory Apartments liaison. She is from Sprinfield, Illinois and is currently a master’s student in Literature. In her free time she likes to run and practice yoga.

Katie Huffman Central Programmer: I-House/Lory

Rebecca Propes Central Programmer: Aggie Village

Amanda Lubow Graphic Design Coordinator

Amanda is the new Graphic Designer and is getting her BFA in Graphic Design. She is from Fort Collins and she enjoys backpacking, participating with her dog in canine agility sports, 4-wheeling in the mountains, cooking, and most importantly, relaxing.

Ibrahim Alnaser is returning to Apartment Life, this time as UV Central Programmer. He is studying for a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics and came from Jordan. He knows Arabic and a bit of French and Italian. Ibrahim likes to watch movies, read, shop and play outdoor sports in his free time.

Ibrahim Al-Naser Central Programmer: University Village Rebecca will be the new liaison for Aggie Village in Central Programs and is obtaining her masters in Communications Studies. She moved here from Flagstaff, Arizona and knows a little French. When free, Rebecca likes to sleep, write stories, go for walks, bake and go on day trips.

The 2009-2010 Central Programs Staff. 3

University Village

PROFILE

Kate Wormus Associate Manager

Kate is returning as Associate Manager and is in her second year of the Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) program. She came from Maine and knows French. In her free time, she likes to watch movies, hike, camp, have fun and be silly.

Kristi Carson Office Manager

Kristi is the Office Manager at UV, and she tries to keep all of the funny people she works with laughing. She was born in Illinois, raised in the Netherlands and has lived in Colorado the longest. She knows eight languages, including Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Korean, and likes to hug her cat Tassy and laugh with her dear Pokie.

Matt and Michelle are both from Colorado; Matt from Antonito and Michelle a Loveland native. They are part of the Intercultural Connections Community program at UV. Matt is getting his degree in English Literature and enjoys sports, board games and theater. Michelle likes to bike, draw, and play volleyball, and she knows French.

Matthew & Michelle Stalker Intercultural Connections Community Lindsay is the environmental services supervisor for UV. She is from Fort Collins and enjoys playing outdoor sports, camping, hiking, biking, making scrapbooks Lindsay Johnson-Athey and holding spas in her free time. University Village

Environmental Services Supervisor

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Nicole Scheer Intercultural Connections Community Coordinator

Nicole is the Intercultural Connections Community (ICC) Program Coordinator at UV and a graduate student in the Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) program. She came from Washington State and knows French. She enjoys swimming, reading books from the Poudre Library, watching movies and being with her family.

Maryam is a part of the Intercultural Connections Community staff and is also pursuing her PhD in Community Nutrition and Nutritional Science. She came from Iran, knows Persian and she likes to hike, watch movies, write, and hang out with friends in her free time.

Maryam Dadkhah Intercultural Connections Community Tony is a new member of the Intercultural Connections Community staff and is a junior Psychology major at CSU. He came from Denver and knows Vietnamese. In his free time he reads, exercises and meditates.

Tony Ho Intercultural Connections Community

University Village (cont.) Simenah is the new YPC for children 1-11 at UV and is studying Psychology and Biology at CSU. She came from Liberia, speaks Kisi, and enjoys reading, relaxing, movies and being with friends in her free time.

Simenah Menso Youth Programs Coordinator

Nehla serves as the Community Pride Coordinator with her husband, Ihsan Abbud, and an Office Assistant at UV. She is from Baghdad, Iraq and likes to watch TV, read magazines, and garden. She knows Arabic as well.

Carrie is a new CC at UV this year. Her husband is a PhD student in Atmospheric Science and she is a stay-at-home mom to her two-yearold daughter. She is originally from Columbia, Missouri and moved here from San Jose, California. In her free time she likes to hike camp, run, rock climb and read.

Carrie Guy Community Coordinator

Nehla Kassim Community Pride Coordinator Alyssa is the new CC for buildings 16-20 at University Village, and an undergraduate student studying Sociology and Spanish. She likes to play with her daughter in her free time.

Alyssa Dawson Community Coordinator

Arnaud is in his second year with UV as CC for buildings 26-29. He is obtaining his educator teaching license and came from Gennevilliers, France. He knows French and likes to play soccer, videogames, draw, make music, and above all play with his two children.

Arnaud Garcia Community Coordinator Katelyn was born in Boston, Massachusetts, was raised in Vermont, and spent some time in Virginia Beach. She is currently the CC from 1500 buildings 10-14 and is studying biology at CSU. In her free time she likes to watch movies, relax and hang out with her boyfriend, Mike.

Katelyn Cefalo Community Coordinator

Jessica is the CC for buildings 1-3 and 15 this year. She was born in Estes Park, Colorado and is a currently getting her second bachelors degree in Philosophy. She knows conversational Spanish and likes to read, write, and play with her daughter at the park.

Jessica McGee Community Coordinator Ayman came from Palestine and is working on his Civil Engineering degree at CSU. He is the CC for buildings 4-8 and 15 this year and knows Arabic. In his free time he likes to read and play volleyball.

Ayman Alzraiee Community Coordinator

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University Village (cont.)

Patience & Sule Amadu Community Coordinators

Robert Ortiz & Leyda Leon Community Coordinators

Sule and Patience were both born in Ghana and know seven Ghanian dialects! Sule is a graduate student in mechanical engineering and Patience is a business student. In their free time they like to play soccer, watch movies, and play indoor James Wood games.

Youth Program Coordinator

Robert and Leyda were born in Puerto Rico and are returning Community Coordinators at 1700 UV. Robert graduated from CU and Leyda is working on her PhD in Electrical Engineering. They both know Spanish, and Robert enjoys being at home with his family and Rami Jalal& Dalal Alrmuny barbecuing. Leyda enjoys Community Coordinators being with her family.

Valerie Wood Manager’s Assistant Valerie is the Manager’s Assistant and a PhD student in Applied Social Psychology. She is from New Jersey and knows a bit of Russian. Valerie likes to read, play board games, play Dungeons & Dragons, and watch movies.

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James is returning as YPC for teens 11-17 at UV while getting his PhD in social psychology. He came from Boston, Massachusetts and likes to play role-playing games, as well as board and video games.

The 2009-2010 University Village Staff.

Rami and Dalal are Community Coordinators for UV Buildings 51-54 and are from Jordan. Rami is an Application Developer and an MBA student, and Dalal is a PhD Computer Science student. They have a son, Ahmad, and both know Arabic. Rami likes to hike and read, and Dalal enjoys playing with Ahmad, cooking and reading.

Aggie Village

Kinsey Holloway Manager

Kinsey is continuing as Aggie’s Manager and is a Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) student. She is excited for the fresh start with a wonderful staff and working with the diverse residents at Aggie. She knows Spanish, and loves to read, watch movies, and enjoys the outdoors and being with friends.

Ross Nolan Associate Manager

Ross is the new Associate Manager of Aggie Village. He is a student in the Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE). Ross came from the San Francisco Bay Area and is excited to work with people from all around the world. He knows intermediate Russian and Ukranian and likes to play sports, camp, watch movies and hang out with friends.

Joyce is from Uganda and is a graduate student in Ecology. She loves the Aggie community, enjoys interacting with everyone, and is honored to serve on staff again. She speaks Acholi, and likes to hang out with friends.

Joyce Acen Manager’s Assisant

Elaine Ann Office Manager

Elaine has been the Office Manager at Aggie since 1988 and has lived, worked, socialized and graduated from CSU. She is from Fort Collins and took two Arabic lessons. In her free time, Elaine sings, plays guitar and piano, reads, travels, attends cultural programs, and browses around flea markets and garage sales.

Michelle is one of the Youth Program Coordinators at Aggie, a Family and Consumer Sciences major and is excited to work with youth and meet new people. She knows some Tagalog and likes to shop, watch movies, and eat different foods.

Michelle Avilla Youth Programs Coordinator Liyun is a Music Therapy student at CSU from Taiwan, and knows Chinese. She is excited to work with a diverse staff at Aggie Village as Spouse and Partner Coordinator. Liyun enjoys playing the piano, and watching movies for leisure.

Liyun Cecil Spouse and Partner Coordinator

Yin Chi also a YPC for Aggie and is excited to meet people. She came from China and can speak Mandarin Chinese. In her free time, she enjoys movies, food, travel and hiking.

Yin Chi Youth Programs Coordinator

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Aggie Village (cont.) Nicole is the Northwest courtyard CC and is studying Photography, Art Education, and Spanish. She is excited about the new, creative programming at Aggie and likes to travel and read in her free time.

Nicole Stahly Community Coordinator

Ercan Bayram Community Coordinator

Rozi Ismail Community Coordinator

Ercan is from Turkey and is studying Chemistry while also being the North Central courtyard CC. He knows Turkish and is excited to meet new people and chat with them. In his free time, Ercan likes driving, shopping, and spending time with his wife, Hanife.

Rozi came from Malaysia to pursue his studies in Educational Leadership: Renewal and Change. He knows Japanese and Malay and will be the South Central courtyard CC. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching movies, and karaoke, and is excited to get involved with people from all over the world. Nora is from Malaysia and is also pursuing her graduate studies in Educational Leadership: Renewal and Change. She is the Southeast courtyard CC and knows Malay. She likes to read, travel and get to know people in her free time.

Nora Ali Community Coordinator

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Sara came from Nicaragua and is studying Agriculture and Natural Resource Economics. She will be the Northeast courtyard CC for Aggie, and is excited to meet new people. She knows Spanish and enjoys hiking, playing games, and watching movies.

Sara Blandon Community Coordinator

Shadi Khademi Community Coordinator

Shadi came from Iran and is studying Health and Exercise Science. She will be the Southwest courtyard CC for Aggie, and loves the friendly, multicultural environment of Apartment Life. She can speak Farsi and in her free time enjoys hiking, watching movies, playing cards, baking and gardening.

Joe is the maintenance supervisor for Aggie and is from Denver. He works full time and is a CSU alum with a degree in Computer Information Systems. Joe likes to participate in outdoor activites, create, and study performing, liberal and visual arts in his free time.

Joe Bohman Aggie Village Maintenance Lead

Patti is the environmental services at Aggie Village, and was born in Laramie, Wyoming. She has seven grandchildren with an eighth one coming in July. Patti loves to spend time with her family.

Patti Williams Aggie Village Environmental Services Supervisor

Aggie Village (cont.) The 2009-2010 Aggie Village Staff.

Be sure to attend the 2009 Aggie Summer Bash on August 8th!

ALL Apartments Safety Inspection:

This summer you will receive a letter indicating the date/time for safety inspection for your apartment. Housing Safety staff will enter your apartment for safety inspection. The timeline runs from Wednesday May 27, 2009 – Friday August 21, 2009 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Also 2-3 days in advance of the inspection, a note will be placed on your door that is slated for inspection so that you can make other arrangements as necessary. University Village will be the first area to be inspected and then Aggie Village and lastly I-House and Lory. Thank you.

We are a Global Village

Apartment Life 9

International House/Lory Apartments

Claudia Rosty Manager

Tyler Cegler Associate Manager

Nancy Venturato Office Manager

Catherine Elliot Community Coordinator

Aliyar Fouladkhah Community Coordinator

Rachel Wicker Community Coordinator

Melanie Yong Community Coordinator

Panagiotis (Takis) Oikonomou Community Coordinator

Melanie is from Malaysia and is studying Biomedical Sciences and Microbiology. She speaks six languages: Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese and Indonesian. She likes to hike, read, listen to music, watch movies, and chat with friends in her free time.

Takis is from Athens, Greece and is pursuing a PhD in Water Resources Planning and Management. He can speak Greek as well as a bit of German. Takis enjoys playing soccer, skiing, reading and hanging out with friends.

Ken Nichols I-House/Lory and UV Maintenance Lead

Claudia is from Rio de Janiero, Brazil and is continuing her Masters degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE). She is fluent in Portugese and Spanish and enjoys playing table tennis, watching movies, and hanging out with friends.

Catherine grew up in Pennsylvania, and she is working on her PhD. In her free time she enjoys riding her bike with friends.

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Tyler is from the big sky of Montana, and is seeking his degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE). In his free time he likes to hike, ski, read, drink coffee, hang out with friends, travel, and discuss politics.

Aliyar came to CSU from Iran to obtain his masters’ degree in Food Science and Nutrition. He can speak Persian, and in his free time he likes to swim and listen to music.

Nancy has been with the University for 31 years and enjoys the students, her colleagues and her boss. She hails from Independence, Missouri and has an elementary teaching degree. In her free time she likes to read historical books, be with her grandchildren, and work in her flower garden.

Rachel comes from Georgia and is a second-year Occupational Therapy graduate student. She likes to read, travel, and hang out with friends.

Ken is the current maintenance lead for both University Village and I-House. He is from Fort Collins, and enjoys hiking or biking in the mountains with his wife and dogs in his free time.

International House/Lory Apartments

Liz Downing I-House/Lory Environmental Services Supervisor

Liz was born in Kansas and was raised in Fort Collins. She has enjoyed being a part of the many changes, experiences and challenges I-House has been through over the years. She enjoys being in Las Vegas when she is free.

The 2009-2010 International House/Lory Apartments Staff.

Apartment Life organizational Chart Custodial and Maintenance

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Graduating? Please Read This!

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f you graduate in August you must vacate no later than August 9th. Once the Intent to Vacate form is filed, vacate dates cannot be changed to an earlier date and extensions may not be possible. It is important to be sure of your vacate date when filing your notice. The Assignments and Billings Coordinator, Maria Martinez, office is located in room 208 of the Palmer Center; she must approve vacate extensions. Housing deposits are processed in the Housing Office approximately six to eight weeks after you vacate your apartment. To assist you in informing the University of your forwarding address, please visit the RamWeb Web site to change your mailing and billing address. Those wishing for referrals from the Housing Office must complete and sign a Referral Form at the time they submit their vacate notice. No referrals can be given without a signed

release form. Regardless, Housing and Dining Services does not give out financial information, only referrals. If you are vacating, the Office of Housing and Dining Services wishes you the best in your future endeavors, and we hope your stay in our University communities was convenient and enjoyable. We welcome your comments on the exit surveys contained in your vacate package because your feedback helps us enhance the services we provide for our residents.

Office Hours University Village If you have special circumstances and wish to remain in your apartment after the 9th of August, please contact the Apartment Life Office at [email protected].

Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed for lunch: 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Aggie Village

Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

International House Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sunday

Palmer Center

Thank you for being a part of the Apartment Life community!

Monday - Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

All photos courtesy of: Aggie Village, University Village, I-House/Lory, and Palmer Center Staffs. Photos taken by Asseal Ahmad and Cassidy Edman. Background Photos and filler photos from: http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_43/114108642295y2u2.jpg http://www.theworldflag.org/lowBand/images/worldFlag.jpg http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/original/Diversity_Matters_photo_without_wording__.jpg (pg 10) http://www.merinews.com/upload/thumbimage/1217492534895_religion_t.bmp (pg 2) http://www.innovativespa.com/GlobeHands4inch.jpg (pg2) http://www.muses3.com/about/diversity.jpg (pg 4-6) http://infonaut.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/flagmap.jpg

 Newsletter Staff  970-491-4755  [email protected] The Keeping in Touch Newsletter is made possible by the efforts of several writers and editors for residents who live in Apartment Life. The newsletter is published monthly by the Office of Housing and Dining Services at Colorado State University, and all its contents are copyrighted, except where noted. The information contained is considered adequate notification to residents of Apartment Life activities, policies and procedures.

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