March is National Caffeine Awareness Month ……..….……….... 1

Happy St. Patty’s Day …..……..….... 2

Spring into Safety ..………………...... 3

Summer Sublet Tips ………..……..… 3

Health Update: Allergies ..…….….. 4

OSCR Who? ……………………..…….… 4

How Was Your Spring Break? .…… 5

Caffeine Awareness Month

There’s no way around it: March is a long month. Chances are, you may rely on caffeine to get through this final push of the year. According to Health.com, that’s not entirely bad since “250 milligrams of caffeine per day...wakes up the brain, improves concentration, relieves stress, and may also help you live longer.” Try to prevent your intake from becoming an addiction, however – you might experience dehydration, anxiety, or sleep deprivation.

In honor of National Caffeine Awareness Month, check out these surprising sources of caffeine, whether you’re looking for more or hoping to cut back.

Decaf Coffee: Despite its name, Consumer Reports has discovered that the average decaf cup of coffee still contains caffeine, albeit 20-25% of that found in a regular cup of joe.

Chocolate: Caffeine is a natural ingredient in cocoa beans, and the darker the chocolate, the more caffeine. For example, a Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Bar has almost as much as a can of Coke.

Energy Water: Energy water uses the the Brazilian plant guarana as flavoring which - like coffee - is a natural source of caffeine.

Fruits and Vegetables: Although they don't contain caffeine, some of the best, most natural sources of energy can be found in apples, bananas, carrots, peppers, and celery due to their high vitamin and mineral content.

Written by Josh Buoy

Beyond the Diag

MARCH 2012

What’s Inside:

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

If you’re looking for plans on March 17th, check out these great events happening around campus!

ST. PATRICK’S DAY BASH: NOON – 3 PM ON THE DIAG Free pizza, face painting, balloon animals and a chance to win 2 suite tickets for a home football game! MEN’S TENNIS VS. MICHIGAN STATE: NOON @ VARSITY TENNIS CENTER MEN’S LACROSSE: 3 PM @ MICHIGAN STADIUM MEN’S GYMNASITCS: 7 PM @ CLIFF KEEN ARENA ST. PATRICK’S DAY DANCE: 7-10 PM @ THE MICHIGAN LEAGUE For South Quad, Betsy Barbour & Fletcher residents and friends VISHTÈN: 8 PM @ THE ARK Michigan Union Ticket Office: General Admission $15, Reserved $22 You have never heard feet used as percussion like this!

If you plan to drink on St. Patrick’s Day, choose to be safe and legal by Staying in the Blue. Keep your BAC (blood alcohol content) at low-risk levels by following these tips from UM students:

eat something with protein/fat before drinking

measure & count your drinks

drink S-L-O-W-L-Y (1-2 drinks per hour tops)

If you plan to host a party, consider these suggestions from Student Legal Services: • Be considerate of neighbors and talk to them prior to your event • Control the size of your event • Monitor how much people are drinking • Make sure those under 21 are not drinking • Be polite to the police • Leave your drinks behind when you leave a party • Use bathrooms, not bushes; use trash containers, not the ground • Provide food and non-alcoholic drinks for your guests • Don’t allow drunk people to drive • If you think someone may have alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately If you plan to be sober on St. Patrick’s Day, head to UHS on Friday, March 16th from 9 AM – 4 PM for a free “Kiss Me, I’m Sober” t-shirt (while supplies last). Have a safe and fun holiday!

Spring into Safety

Spring is here! Before you start pulling out your sandals, take a few moments to make sure your house is safe. Several studies (dating back to the 1800s) have shown the positive correlation between temperature and crime. There have already been DPS crime alert emails sent out specifically about burglaries. Here are some tips to keep you and your place safe:

• Install a peephole so that you can see without opening the door. Do not rely on chains. • Ask for proper identification from servicemen, if they are legitimate they won't mind. • Keep windows and doors secured at all times. • For ventilation, secure windows open no more than five inches. • Close your curtains or blinds at night to prevent strangers from seeing that you are alone. • Never mention to a stranger that a neighbor lives, or is at home, alone. • Do not permit a stranger to enter to make a call. Offer to call for him/her. • Never hide an extra key under a mat, in a flowerpot, etc. Criminals know all of these tricks. • Only give keys to trusted neighbors and friends • If you come home to open doors/windows or signs of forced entry, don't go in. Go to the

nearest phone and call the police. • Have good lighting at all entrances.

For more helpful ideas, visit the DPS website.

Written by Sabrina Palombo

Summer Sublets

Summer is coming, and whether you're trying to find a subtenant or a sublet, both processes can seem troublesome or confusing. Here are some tips to make your process less stressful:

Get the landlord's consent before you sublease. Many require that you contact them first as they often want to go through the same approval process for the subtenant as they do for normal leases. Consult your property owner to see if they offer help with finding subtenants or sublets. Some larger management companies provide this service. Make sure every subtenant has a copy of the current lease. Subtenants are still responsible for upholding tenant responsibilities, and they should be clear on possible restrictions. Use the resources from the Housing Information Office! You can find sublease agreement forms

and inventory checklists there that will help you through the process. Contact the Off-Campus Housing Advisor if you are facing difficulties with your sublet and need

help to resolve them.

Finding a subtenant or sublet can seem difficult because you have to handle much of the administrative details yourself. Luckily, there are lot of resources available at the Housing Information Office, and don't be afraid to contact the property companies for help. Good luck with your summer plans!

Written by Emily Ho

Spring Brings Seasonal Allergies

Is your runny nose caused by a virus or an allergy, and how would you know the difference?

Clear nasal discharge, sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, and congestion that persist longer than a week may indicate a seasonal allergy. Allergies may also cause an asthma attack. Seasonal allergies are caused by your immune system’s over-reaction to pollen and/or mold spores, which floods your bloodstream with chemicals like histamine. If symptoms are mild, you may tolerate them or take a non-prescription antihistamine, such as Allegra or Zyrtec or generic equivalents.

For more severe allergies: • Nasal steroids or antihistamines are available by prescription. • Testing can help identify what causes your allergic reaction. • You can reduce exposure, e.g., by spending more time indoors on high pollen days, ideally in air

conditioned spaces. • Immunotherapy (shots) can desensitize the immune system and reduce allergic reactions.

University Health Service offers consultation, testing and treatment for allergies. For currently enrolled U-M students, clinic visits are free. See the UHS website to learn more about allergy services.

Contributed by Carol Tucker, UHS

OSCR Who?

The Office of Student Conflict Resolution is a safe place for students to come in a time of conflict. Located in South Quad, the OSCR staff is dedicated to building trust and supporting the University’s Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Our teams are motivated to help students resolve conflicts peacefully and receive the resources they need to succeed.

ACR: The Adaptable Conflict Resolution approach is designed for students who are in conflict and who want to resolve the matter without getting anyone “in trouble.” This approach allows students to control the outcome of their conflict without creating a “record” for anyone involved.

ACR for AOD: The Adaptable Conflict Resolution for Alcohol and Other Drugs approach is available for students who would like to address alcohol and other drug related incidents in a safe and confidential environment. As with ACR no “record” is produced in this process.

FCR: The Formal Conflict Resolution approach is designed for students alleging that a UM student has violated the Statement. This approach is the most formal resolution style, and students found to be responsible will have it noted on their educational record. To initiate this process, a complaint must be filed. The parties will then attempt to enter into an agreement. If no agreement can be reached, the case will move into an arbitration stage where a decision will be made on responsibility and restorative measures.

Students may also come into the office to gain knowledge of how to approach their own conflicts in a way that resolves their issues without having to bring in another party. If you or anyone you know is interested in any of our services you can stop in during normal office hours (Mon-Fri. 8am-5pm), call the office at (734)-936-6308, or e-mail us at oscr@umich.edu. Contributed by Courtney Rivet, OSCR Staff

How Was Your Spring Break?

Mine was an absolute blast – not only did I have a great time, but I also took part in a rewarding experience. As an alternative spring break site leader, I traveled with a small group of students to rural Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee. Located in the Appalachians near Chattanooga just north of the Georgia-Tennessee border, our group’s mission there was to help construct a hiking trail for the Cumberland Trails Conference. The Cumberland Trails Conference hopes to build over 300 miles of scenic hiking trails that will connect with the Appalachian Trail in an effort to promote the conservation of our beautiful environment.

Before break, the twelve participants in our group barely knew each other’s names. However, from the moment we began our road trip down south, the participants instantly started to bond. Between spending the day doing exhausting trail work, eating delicious s’mores around a bonfire, sharing deep reflections with each other, star gazing in the wilderness, or going to the amazing Tennessee Aquarium, our group eventually grew very close and returned with nothing but smiles and memories.

Alternative Spring Break is available to any student. The program aims to educate participants and provide a hands-on experience that will enlighten students on a wide variety of social justice issues in our society today. The University of Michigan has the largest Alternative Spring Break program in the entire nation, so get involved! http://ginsberg.umich.edu/serve/asb/

Written by Wen Ning

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