The Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU), University Housing & Dining Services (UHDS), INTO University Partners, New Student Programs & Family Outreach, and the OSU Office of the Dean of Student Life, are working together to present the first annual OSU Off-Campus Housing Expo. The expo is to be held March 6th from 11am-3pm in OSU’s Memorial Union Ballroom. The expo will be a chance for property managers to showcase their businesses and prospective properties to students; for Corvallis and Benton County civic agencies to provide students with relevant information about responsibly living in our community

 If you are interested in accessing and applying for other VA benefits such as medical, disability, VA home loan information, etc., come see the new Benton County VSO, Mary Newman.  Mary will be on campus in my office (Registrar Office) the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month 1:00 to 4:00. Mary’s first day on campus will be Thursday, March 6, 2014.  If you are interested in an appointment please call Mary at 541-758-1595 or email  mnewman@ocwcog.org.   

GB

 “Let’s Talk” is a program that provides drop-in confidential consultation to Veterans and ROTC Cadets at OSU. It’s free, no appointment is necessary, and students are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

This service will be available on Mondays from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Winter term weeks 4-10 in the MU JPLC Talisman Room.

Speaking with a counselor consultant can help provide insight, solutions, and information about other resources.

Let’s Talk is not a substitute for formal counseling and doesn’t constitute mental health treatment, but the counseling consultant can listen to your specific problems and introduce you to what it’s like to speak to a counselor.

No topic is off limits. Common concerns include:

  • stress
  • sadness
  • worry
  • relationships
  • academic performance
  • family problems
  • financial struggles

 Who should visit Let’s Talk?

 Any Veteran at OSU or ROTC Cadet can come to a Let’s Talk consultation, but it’s the best fit for student veterans or cadets who:

 Aren’t sure about counseling or wonder what it’s like to talk to a counselor;

  • Aren’t interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a counselor;
  • Have a specific problem and would like someone with whom to talk it through; or
  • Have a concern about a friend or family member and would like ideas about what to do.

 Questions about Let’s Talk?

 Contact Beth Wasylow, PhD, Licensed Psychologist at 541-737-2131 or Beth.Wasylow@oregonstate.edu

 The Let’s Talk Program at Oregon State University is based on the Let’s Talk Program at Cornell University.

 What happens at a visit to Let’s Talk?

 When you come to the site, look to see if the office door is open. If it is, please come on in. If the door is closed, have a seat in a nearby chair and wait a few minutes until the counselor consultant comes to greet you. When you two meet, the counselor consultant will listen closely to your concerns, possibly ask questions and provide, support, perspective and suggestions for resources.

What should I do if the Let’s Talk counselor consultant is already meeting with someone?

If the counselor consultant is already meeting with someone, the office door will be closed with a sign indicating that the office is occupied. In this case, please have a seat in a nearby chair and wait for the counselor consultant to come out and greet you. The wait is usually not long.

How is Let’s Talk different from counseling at CAPS?

Counselors at CAPS provide ongoing counseling, which usually consists of weekly or bi-monthly

45-50 minute appointments. Let’s Talk is not formal counseling; it is a drop-in service where student veterans and cadets can have an informal consultation with a counselor consultant from time to time.

Need help with an urgent mental health crisis? CAPS offers 24-hour crisis intervention services for enrolled students or for those who are concerned about an enrolled student. If you are feeling desperate or thinking about suicide, or you’re afraid for the well being of someone you know, you can call CAPS at 541-737-2131.

I think I have a problem that would benefit from counseling, but I don’t know anything about it. Would going to Let’s Talk help me figure out what to do?

Absolutely. The counselor consultant will help you talk through your issues and help you determine the best way to get help. If you feel comfortable with the counselor consultant, it is sometimes possible to meet with her at CAPS in an on-going way.

 Let’s Talk visits are confidential. Are there any limits to confidentiality?

 Conversations are confidential, with a few very rare exceptions. Counselors may need to share information in an emergency when there is an immediate threat of harm to self or others. Counselors are required by law to report when a minor, elderly person, or someone otherwise incapacitated and unable to act on his/her own behalf is being abused. Let’s Talk counselors keep brief written notes of their contacts with students, and in the event that there is an emergency or a student is referred to CAPS, other CAPS staff may see these notes. Finally, these notes can be released in the unlikely event of a court order.

 The student veteran or cadet will co-develop and co-sign a brief record of contact.

 Let’s Talk visits are never reported on a student’s official university record.

We don’t want anything to be a barrier to students accessing help. If you have further questions about confidentiality, we encourage you to discuss them with the Let’s Talk counselor consultant.

 

Hello Student Parents,

We have reserved rooms in the MU for the following days from 3-4pm.

                Tuesday Jan. 14th: Council Room (3-4pm)

                Wednesday Feb. 19th: Council Room (3-4pm)

                Wednesday March 19th: Journey Room (3-4pm)

 We hope to see you all there!

 Erika Woosley

Childcare & Family Resources- Program Assistant

156 Snell Hall Corvallis, OR 97331

541-737-4906

2014 Alternative Spring Break service trip applications are now available! Please help to spread the word to students about these opportunities. This year the Center for Civic Engagement is offering three spring break trips from March 22 to March 29, 2014. Trips for 2014 include:
• Hunger & Homelessness in San Francisco, California, Estimated Trip Cost: $435 (includes 4 dinners and breakfast)
• Community & Cultural Engagement in Yakima, Washington, Estimated Trip Cost: $145 (includes 4 dinners)
• Environmental Restoration & Conservation: Ashland, Oregon, Estimated Trip Cost: $ 205 (includes 4 dinners)

Students can learn more about the alternative break program, download the application packet, or apply online here: http://oregonstate.edu/cce/alternativebreaks. Applications are due Monday December 2, 2013 by 5pm. This is a unique opportunity for students to bond, learn, and serve. There many benefits to participating, many are listed below.

Benefits of participating in an Alternative Break:
• Engage in meaningful service to impact change related to an issue you care about
• Learn about and reflect upon the complexity and interconnectedness of social issues and problems
• Improve your leadership, critical thinking, and dialogue skills in dynamic real world scenarios
• Learn about options for continuing community engagement work upon your return to OSU
• Build meaningful relationships and a new community of civic-minded OSU students
• Travel to and learn about regional communities
• Learn about and explore new perspectives
• Develop skills in negotiating multiple perspectives, viewpoints, and stakeholders’ interests in decision making and actions
• Develop an increased capacity to work across differences to build communities
• Gain valuable experience for your resume
• Experience a program that will likely inform your future career path and lifestyle
• Learn about yourself, challenge yourself, and have fun

_________________________________
Emily E. Bowling
Civic Engagement & Service Coordinator
Student Leadership & Involvement
Oregon State University
154 Snell Hall; Corvallis, Oregon 97331
p: 541.737.7673 | f: 541.737.7504

November 7 and 8, 2013 Veteran and Family Student Association Tabling Event
The VFSA is asking for volunteers to help with the Tabling Event being held in the MU Quad on November 7th and 8th. There are various times to choose from and are scheduled in hour increments, but you can volunteer for whatever time is suitable to your schedule. We would like two people per time, but more is possible. We will have table, chairs, flags and handouts for people. This event is to create awareness to veterans on campus that there is a veteran organization and we are here to help. Thank you for helping!
http://www.doodle.com/qq2v54nwm3nhzdvp

November 8, 2013 Oregon State University Veterans Day Ceremony
Oregon State University Air Force ROTC Detachment 685 asks you to join them in honoring our nation’s veterans. The ceremony will include a mock funeral ceremony with a 21 gun salute, as well as a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Ceremony. Dress is casual. The event will be held at 10:00 a.m. and in the Oregon State University Memorial Union Quad
Contact: Armando Kraynick
Phone: (503-383-4165)
Email: kraynica@onid.orst.edu

November 11, 2013 OSU Womens Basketball Game against CSU Bakersfield dedicated to Veterans.
The Department of Veteran Resources is partnering with the Athletics Department and OSU ROTC Units to honor Veterans. OSU ROTC Joint Color Guard will be presenting the colors. OSU Student and Coos County Veteran Service Officer Eric Gleason will be honored on the court for his military service and continued service as a Veteran Advocate. Game starts at 6:00 p.m. Ticket Information can be obtained at the following website; http://beavertickets.com/.

November 11, 2013 Albany Veterans’ Day Parade
Student Veterans from around the state will be joining Oregon State University Student Veterans to walk in the 2013 Albany Veterans Parade. Those interested need to show up by 9:30 a.m at the Fred Meyer which is on 2500 Santiam Hwy SE in Albany, Oregon. Students will then travel from there to their line up spot in the parade by 10:00 a.m. Parade starts at 11:00 a.m.

November 14, 2013 VA Outreach Day at Oregon State University
Veterans and Family Student Association (VFSA), Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) Veterans Taskforce Director, and the Office of Veterans Resources are happy to once again host representatives from the Federal and County VA Programs. Present will be representatives from the Portland and Roseburg VA Medical Center, Salem and Eugene Vet Centers, and Benton County Veterans Service Office. The event will be held from 9:00 to 3:00 on Thursday, November 14, 2013 in the Memorial Union Veterans Lounge. Stop in to talk with these individuals about your VA benefits beyond GI Bill. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

November 15, 2013 Open House Event in Veterans Lounge
Veterans and Family Student Association (VFSA) and the Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) Veterans Taskforce Director are hosting an Open House Event in the Veterans Lounge on November 15, 2013 11:00 to 2:00. Come and meet your new leaders. Keynote speaker and guest will be Mr. Victor Kuhns, Director for Vets Helping Vets HQ. Refreshments and food will be provided.