From: The Division of Student Affairs

Looking for more ways to eat right and stay healthy?

Follow us on Twitter at VTNutrition where you will find helpful tips about healthy lifestyles and nutritious meal options in dining halls from our administrative dietitian, Jenny Lindsey.

While you're at it, become a Facebook Fan of Virginia Tech Dining Services and the Division of Student Affairs.

For more information, contact the Division of Student Affairs.

From: Lori Anne Kirk, Schiffert Health Center

Cook Counseling Center Hosts Annual Body Image and Eating Attitudes Screening

Members of the community are encouraged to visit the booth in front of the Wellness Resource Center in McComas Hall, fill out a questionnaire and interact with staff from the Cook Counseling Center. Professional staff will be there to address your questions or concerns.

The Cook Counseling Center offers this yearly education and anonymous screening event to assess eating attitudes and body image issues. They partner with the National Eating Disorders Screening Program to provide this service both at this annual event and as an ongoing service in the Cook Counseling Center.

For more information, contact Lori Anne Kirk at 540-231-3070.

From: Virginia Tech Police Department

College is a very stressful time in a student's life and a common stress relief is to travel on spring break. Unfortunately, predators and opportunists use the excitement of spring break as a chance to prey on unsuspecting students. By following the tips below, spring break can be enjoyed much more safely.

Traveling and Touring

• The same rules apply at spring break that always apply, such as paying attention to your surroundings, traveling in groups, and trusting your instincts. If something feels wrong, it is.
• Always use well-lit paths. Never take a shortcut through an isolated, dimly-lit area.
• Remember that some people prey on tourists because they can be easy targets. Be cautious of what you sign up for or who you trust when you are on spring break, especially in other countries where the laws are different.
• Always keep your luggage with you or within sight, especially in busy airport, bus and train terminals. If you must step away, make sure you ask a friend you can trust to keep an eye on your belongings.
• Be aware that leaving bags unattended in an airport can result in them being confiscated and you detained.
• Never leave your passport, other forms of ID or money in an unsafe place. It is best to keep this with you at all times or use a hotel safe or similar means.
• Never walk alone or get into a vehicle with someone you do not know.

Entertainment

• Keep beverages with you and in your sight at all times. If you get up to dance and leave your drink, buy a new one. Don't allow someone else to buy you a drink unless you watch the bartender make it.
• Be aware of what you are drinking and how much. Alcohol content may be different in other countries.
• Keep your head clear to make wise decisions.
• Take turns as sober friends. Sober friends are more likely to see a threat before they walk into a danger zone and avoid it. Predators prey on the weakest target, and if someone is inebriated and is alone or in a group of intoxicated students, they become the easiest targets.

Avoid Fraud When Booking Your Trip

• Book your trip through a company you are familiar with or someone else has used and referred you to (not online referrals, but people you actually know).
• Get a contract in writing that states what you have agreed upon verbally.
• Always read the fine print.
• Be cautious in believing what you are told. If it seems to good to be true, it probably is.
• Make sure the dates you want to travel are the dates the tickets are issued for.
• Don't pay in cash, use a credit card. If you use your credit card to pay and the services you contracted for are not provided, you may not be liable for the charge on your card.
• Watch out for vouchers. Steer clear of companies which ask you to redeem vouchers or certificates.

For more spring break and other safety tips, contact Virginia Tech Police Officer Geof Allen, crime prevention specialist, Community Outreach Unit, at 231-8123.

From: Judy Alford, Learning Technology

The 2010 Learning Technologies Update is available at http://www.lt.vt.edu/publications/2010_LT_Update.pdf

In this issue:

• ePortfolio Growth Across the University and the Country
• Preparation for the QEP: A Shared Faculty Development Opportunity
• VT STARS Program Impact Summary
• InnovationSpace
• Space Camp: Student Digital Media Workshops

For more information, contact Judy Alford at (540) 231-2309.

From: Laura Purcell, University Libraries

The 5th Annual Virginia Tech Authors Day will be held on Wednesday, February 24 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm on the first floor of Newman Library. The event acknowledges and honors Virginia Tech authors for their academic contributions to the university. This year, the occasion will be marked by brief remarks by Dr. Karen DePauw, Vice President and Dean for Graduate Education, Dr. Tom Inzana, Associate Vice President for Research Programs, and Dean of the University Libraries. This will be followed by a short presentation by Prof Annie R. Pearce, Assistant professor, Building Construction, on “Your Role in The Green Environment”. The event is accompanied by an exhibition of a representative sample of the publications, recognition of the authors, and a reception. This is a program that has grown over the past years and has been well received by both the authors themselves and their respective departments, as it emphasizes the role of research, scholarship, and publication as integral to the Virginia Tech mission.

This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to Bruce Obenhaus at obenhaus@vt.edu.

For more information, contact Laura Purcell at 231-1747.

From: Virginia Tech Rescue Squad Capt. Matthew Johnson

The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad hosts regular CPR classes. VTRS is challenging the student body to become 25% certified. Register today!

Classes cover topics including adult/child CPR, AED, and choking. These classes are normally completed in one day. First Aid and Blood-Bourne Pathogens classes are also available.

For more information contact Community Training Coordinator Jake Waller at wallerje@vt.edu or visit our Community Outreach page http://www.rescue.vt.edu/cpr_course.php

From: Theresa Conti, Human Resources

Move More, Eat Better with Fit-Ex!

Can you and your co-workers walk 480 miles?

Hokie Wellness, in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension, invite participants for the 2010 Fit-Ex team challenge!

Fit-Ex is an 8-week program for teams of 6 (employees and students) who set goals for daily physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Program begins March 21, 2010. Online registration begins Monday, February 22.

For more information, go to http://www.hokiewellness.hr.vt.edu and follow the links to Fit-Ex!

For additional information, contact Theresa Conti at 231-4806.