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I-House & University Village 1500 December CAM-Unity

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December has been a significant month in American history, marked by various historical events, milestones, and cultural developments. Here are some notable occurrences in December throughout American history:

  • December 1, 1955 – The birth of the modern
    American civil rights movement occurred as Rosa Parks was arrested in
    Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat to a white man and move
    to the back section of a municipal bus. Her arrest resulted in a year-long
    boycott of the city bus system by African Americans and led to legal actions
    ending racial segregation on municipal buses throughout the South.
  • December 2, 1823 – President James Monroe introduced his “Monroe Doctrine” during his annual message to the Congress, prohibiting any further colonization of the American continents by European powers, stating, “we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety…”
  • December 4, 1829 – The British Colonial ruler in India banned the practice of “suttee” in India in which Indian females traditionally burned themselves  to death on their husband’s funeral pyre.
  • December 7, 1941 – The U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was attacked by nearly 200 Japanese aircraft in a raid that lasted just over one hour and left nearly 3,000 Americans dead. A day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States and Britain declared war on Japan.
  • December 10, 1896 – Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel died at San Remo, Italy. His will stipulated that income from his $9 million estate be used for awards recognizing persons who have made valuable contributions to humanity. Nobel recipients are chosen by a committee of the Norwegian parliament. Prizes for Peace, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature and Economics are presented annually in a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, on the anniversary of his death. Each prize is valued at about $1 million.
  • December 11, 1936 – King Edward VIII abdicated the throne of England to marry “the woman I love,” a twice-divorced American named Wallis Warfield Simpson. They were married in France on June 3, 1937, and then lived in Paris.
  • December 14, 1918 – British women voted for the first time in a general election and were allowed to run for office.
  • December 15, 1791 – The Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution) became effective following ratification by Virginia.
  • December 16, 1991 – The United Nations voted to revoke Resolution 3379, originally approved on November 10, 1975, which had equated Zionism (a movement supporting the Jewish national state of Israel) with racism.
  • December 23, 1888 – Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh cut off his left ear during a fit of depression.
  • December 24, 1990 – On Christmas Eve, the bells of St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow rang for the first time since the death of Lenin.
  • December 25th – Christmas Day, commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Although the exact date of his birth is not known, it has been celebrated on December 25th by the Western (Roman Catholic) Church since 336 A.D.
  • December 26, 2004 – An estimated 230,000 persons were killed and 1.5 million left homeless when a magnitude 9.3 earthquake on the seafloor of the Indian Ocean set off a series of giant tsunami waves that smashed into the shorelines of a dozen countries including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and Somal –  Abu Taib 

Laundry Room Tips: Making Your Laundry Day a Breeze!

Greetings University Housing 1500 and International House Residents, 

I hope this message finds you well.  Afrin here, your community coordinator, drooping a quick note to ensure our shared laundry room remains a welcoming space for all.  As we embark on another month, let’s take a moment to give some tender loving care to the machines.  A gentle wipe-down of the washers and dryers after use keeps things fresh for the next users.  Accidents may happen, so if a bit of detergent spills, a prompt cleanup is greatly appreciated.  And don’t forget the lint trap love – a clean trap ensures smooth cycles.  Tidiness is key, so let’s use the bins for lint and trash.  Lastly, a friendly reminder to be mindful and grab your clothes on time to keep the laundry flow harmonious.  Your efforts make our laundry room a better place for all.  Happy laundering! 

         — Afrin Jannat

Blurb for Winter Weather:

As winter sets in, it’s crucial to concentrate on the importance of keeping windows and patio doors securely closed. Protect yourself from the cold and winter storms by ensuring these entry points remain shut during inclement weather and at night. If you must venture outside, bundle up with layers, gloves, a hat or earmuffs, a scarf, a coat, and closed-toed shoes—preferably waterproof boots. Your safety begins with a simple act: keeping those windows and doors tightly sealed against the winter chill.

Blurb for Washing Hands:

‘Tis the season for colds and flu, so it’s crucial to prioritize your health. Make certain to diligently wash your hands, especially before meals and upon returning home. If you’re under the weather, consider staying home to curb the risk of spreading illness or exacerbating your symptoms. Show consideration for others by covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing and consider wearing a mask in the presence of those with compromised immune systems. Take proactive steps to care for yourself during the winter season.

         –          Isabelle Johnson

Embracing the Importance of Child Supervision in Our Community!

Dear UV1500 Community Members, as we come together to strengthen the bonds of our wonderful community, let’s take a moment to reflect on the crucial role that child supervision plays in creating a safe, supportive, and thriving environment for our youngest members.

Kindly consider the vital role played by child supervision within our community. It serves as an indispensable measure, ensuring the safety, development, and positive experiences of our youngest members. Actively overseeing activities creates a secure environment, minimizing risks and instilling confidence in parents and guardians. Beyond safety, supervision plays a crucial role in shaping social development, imparting essential skills, and addressing concerns like bullying. Additionally, supervised activities offer valuable educational opportunities, contributing significantly to a child’s overall growth. In emergencies, the importance of supervision becomes even more apparent, enabling swift and effective responses. This shared responsibility also fosters community engagement, strengthening bonds and reinforcing common values. In essence, the request is to acknowledge child supervision not merely as a logistical necessity but as a fundamental element for cultivating a healthy, supportive, and thriving community.

Please see details regarding that policy, below. The policy can be accessed via the following link: https://housing.colostate.edu/apartments/policies/# 

          –          Padma Bavanam

CSU ESA Animal Policy - Picking up after your ESA!

Under the CSU ESA policy, ESAs, distinct from service dogs, are recognized as essential for providing emotional support, comfort, or
therapy to residents with documented disabilities, in alignment with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act. Residents with ESAs are required to ensure these animals are appropriately always controlled, whether by harness, leash, voice control, or other means. The policy emphasizes the responsibility of the handler for the animal’s care, including adherence to health and safety requirements such as vaccinations and leash laws. Additionally, handlers are accountable for the prompt and proper disposal of animal waste and any damage caused by the ESA. The following information can also be found here:

https://policylibrary.colostate.edu/policy.aspx?id=747

This initiative underlines CSU’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment while maintaining health and safety standards on campus.

         –         Jyoti Ghule 

 

Upcoming Program!

Upcoming Events in Fort Collins!

Family Friendly December Events!

“Santa and Mrs. Claus will be flying in on Car 25 to the Mountain Avenue Barn for photos. (1801 W Mountain Ave.) 

Volunteers will be serving hot chocolate and selling Trolley-logo gifts such as bibs and toddler shirts, ornaments, toy trolleys, stickers, Thomas the Tank Engine, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Birney: The Streetcar books and much more!” 

Fort Collins Trolley Holiday Open House

·                Presented By: Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society 

·                Dates: December 9, 2023 

·                Location: Mountain Avenue Trolley Barn 

·                1801 W. Mountain Avenue 

·                Fort Collins, CO 80521 

·                Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM  

·                Price: FREE 

·                Visit Website 

 

The Avery House Holiday Open House & Boutique

“Gift items in the boutique range in price from 50 cents to $50. Shop for delicious homemade English toffee, jams and cookies. Also, antique needle works, holiday decor and ornaments, aprons, Ravenna capes, Poudre Landmarks memberships and much more.”  

Garden of Lights Winter Holiday Lights Festival

  • Presented By: The Gardens on Spring Creek
  • Dates: December 8, 2023 – December 23, 2023
  • Recurrence: Recurring daily
  • Location: Gardens on Spring Creek
  • 2145 Centre Ave.
  • Fort Collins, CO 80526
  • Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  • Price: Adults and Children 12+: $10 Children 5–11: $5 Children 4 and Under: Free Members receive a 20% discount!
  • (970) 416-2486
  • kknospe@fcgov.com
  • Visit Website

Old Town Skating Rink

Shop, Skate & Discover Downtown this winter holiday season in Old Town Square! The newest addition to the square is a beautiful, family-friendly skating rink! FREE ADMISSION & SKATE RENTALS! No Reservations Needed! 

https://www.facebook.com/FCOldTownSquare/  

Celebrate NYE at the Family-Friendly Event "First Night"

Dec 31st 

“Make plans to be Downtown on New Year’s Eve for First Night Fort Collins! This is a non-alcoholic, FREE, family-oriented, celebration geared towards an audience of all-ages. It features over 30 performances spread across seven venues throughout Old Town. The theme this year will be “Winter Wonderland”. There will be opportunities to enjoy international dance, live theater and magic shows, comedy, music and singing, wandering entertainment in Old Town Square and more! Plus, the kids will have plenty of room to run with a “bounceland” of giant inflatables, face painters, a Kids’ Countdown in the Square that blasts off at 5:30 pm, plus fireworks at 10:00 pm to finish off the night!” 

Upcoming Area Event!

Carbon Emissions and You

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In the beginning of 2022, CSU launched an air travel offset program to continue to work towards becoming a carbon neutral campus. We have been inspired by this to provide an avenue for students to calculate their carbon generated from travel while providing information surrounding verified Carbon Offset partners.

You may be surprised at how little it costs to offset your carbon emissions, or just intrigued to see what emissions travel generates. I plan on visiting my parent’s home in California over Winter break and used this calculator to decide if I should fly or drive based on my emissions. Flying produces .45 metric tons of carbon, versus driving which produces .31 metric tons each way for a total of .62 tons. This is because while planes emit more carbon than cars, they transport more individuals, spreading out the per-person carbon footprint.

A metric ton of carbon seems really hard to quantify. We all know carbon production isn’t good, but it’s hard to gauge. An average US citizen produces 16 tons a year, compared to the worldwide 4 ton average. A ton of carbon is equivalent to 138 meat-based meals or 1,961 vegetarian meals. A ton of carbon fits into a 27 x 27 x 27 foot cube and is the equivalent of 2,204.6 pounds. To capture a ton of carbon 50 trees must grow for a year.  If you are interested in calculating your own annual carbon emissions consider checking out this link.

 

Now that we have ways of calculating our carbon, we can consider donating to local carbon offset programs such as the CO Carbon Fund, Routt County CAP Fund, & TWP. To offset my carbon, I donated the recommended $7 to the CCF’s Larimer County Landfill Methane capture, located in our own backyard. For the price of a large Starbucks, I can do my part in adding renewable energy to the grid while reducing methane pollution!

Sustainability

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Having been on campus for two months now, it is a safe assumption you’ve heard people bragging about CSU’s sustainability initiatives. Since becoming the first university to receive a platinum-level STARS (Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating Systems) ranking, CSU has continued to push their sustainability initiatives, achieving the platinum distinction three more times since and currently boasting the second-highest ranking in the US. Student involvement is a large driver of these sustainable actions; our generation is demanding more, and our campus is responding. To this day our Housing and Dining services have established ten LEED-certified residential buildings and is in the process of increasing water efficiency, conserving energy, managing waste, reusing materials, and working to bring other buildings up to LEED standards. HDS has also created many living labs on campus such as the Spoke, a student-run bike repair shop that assists/teaches students about bike maintenance and repair,  Horticulture Campus grown produce, a composting operation at the Foothills campus, and beehives located at Durrell Center.

 

Achieving this change hasn’t been possible without the help of students like yourself. While issues surrounding climate change and sustainability are overwhelming, CSU’s Housing and Dining services offers many approachable ways for students to make a difference. This can be as quick as taking the Eco Pledge, an opportunity for students to commit to reducing their carbon footprint and living sustainably on campus. Participants are eligible for different prizes, such as drier balls and reusable farmers market bags, or can forgo these options in favor of planting trees through reforestation projects. You can also take part in the Ram Food Recovery program; by subscribing you will be sent a text alert about leftover food from catered events and given a time, date, and location for food pick-up. This minimizes food waste and helps combat food insecurity on our campus. We also recommend finding the time to chat with your Eco Leader or checking out the Living Green Guide to learn about more tricks and tips to minimize your impact on campus.

 

The Housing and Dining Service also offers an HDS Sustainability Fund which supports grassroots programs the promote sustainable action on our campus. Applications are open to any CSU students who have support from a faculty/staff advisor. Initiatives can be new ideas, such as past projects like the Beehives at Durrell and SkiSU. The fund also can be allocated towards supporting cost differences between standard and sustainable items (such as switching to LED lights).

 

No matter how minor an action may seem, every sustainable choice we make helps build a better tomorrow. Together we can work towards a sustainable future through small actions, lessoning our carbon footprint and resource usage. I’m not sure about you, but when I think about the sustainability initiatives our campus has available to us, I can confidently say I’m proud to be a CSU Ram.