UPCOMING EVENTS

FACILITY TIP OF THE WEEK

Air Circulation and Furniture Arrangement in Apartments (O'Daniel North, South and McDonald West)

• Students MUST keep a minimum of 18" (inches) between all furniture and air conditioner units and/or vents. This will allow for proper air circulation and help prevent mildew and mold.
• Do not place beds too close, up against or over the PTAC unit. Doing so will block air flow and create an environment for mildew and mold.
• Do not place the couch in front of the air conditioner as the couch cushions absorb moisture. For best results, place the end table by the air conditioner and then the chair. Place the couch against the other wall in the living room.
• Using a fan particularly when humidity is high will help circulate air and improve air quality.
• In times of good weather, opening up windows will also help with air circulation and quality.
• Residents should minimize keeping bedroom doors closed. When rooms are closed off for long periods of time the air will become stagnant and this will promote growth of mildew and mold.

Bedroom Closet Tips (O'Daniel North, South and McDonald West)

• Closets in these apartments do not have doors.
• Students should not hang any type of curtain in front of the closet. Doing so restricts air flow and creates opportunity for mildew and mold.

Using the Air Conditioner in Apartments (O'Daniel North, South and McDonald West)

• Don't set the air conditioner to the lowest cool setting and allow to operate for extended periods of time. This will cause condensation to form on the walls around the unit promoting the growth of mildew and mold

COVID-19 UPDATE

As the University continues to move forward from the pandemic, the COVID-19 self-reporting form for students, faculty, and staff has been removed from the website. If a student has tested positive for COVID, they should follow the current CDC guidelines Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19. 

Housing residents who test positive for COVID-19 will not report their test status and will not be moved to isolation space. Housing residents should follow CDC guidance, isolate in their assigned space or may go home during isolation.

Students should contact their faculty members on how to stay current in class and make up work that has been missed. If a student has complications due to COVID-19, the student should contact the Dean of Students office via email or phone at 812-464-1862. As with other serious medical issues, the Dean of Students office may send a faculty notice to alert instructors to the absence. The student is required to work with the instructor to make up any missed work. 

USI CAMPUS CATS

As you live in Housing this year, you may notice some cats living on campus. These cats are living in managed feral cat colonies. USI Campus Cats is an organization that feeds the cats at designated spots. The group also humanely traps the cats and has them spayed/neutered, and provides them with healthcare when needed. You’ll notice most of the cats have their right ear tipped (a corner cut off); this is your sign that the cat is spayed/neutered.

We have one female cat who is not yet spayed, and there are currently two kittens on campus.

We ask you NOT to feed human food to any of the cats. We also do not want you feeding the cats at random places.

The cats DO receive food and water every day at designated spots. When you feed the cats at other place, this encourages them to cross streets, hang out in parking lots, etc.

Every year, we have some cats hit and killed by cars—we’re trying to keep them safe.

Please do NOT feed them, and please do NOT encourage them to go closer to the apartments or get too comfortable with people. This is for the safety of the cats. A few of the cats have become friendly, but this is not actually ideal for them and can be dangerous.

If you’d like to volunteer to help USI Campus Cats, the best place to get information is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4104918822887883 You could become one of their regular feeders or help in other ways! You can also email Sarah Stevens; sarah.stevens@usi.edu for more information.

The cats also have warm winter shelters back in the woods. We kindly ask that students do not interfere with those shelters.

Thank you! We appreciate you helping us to keep the cats safe!