Have You Heard about Project CONNECT?

Making the transition to a four-year college can be intimidating to say the least. How do you choose a major? How do you plan a class schedule? Who can help you with your homework? Project CONNECT, a federally funded Student Support Services TRIO program, can help you find the answers! Project CONNECT is a working partnership between the Sam Houston State University department of Educational Leadership and Counseling, Montgomery College, and Tomball College. Project CONNECT has been serving students since the 2001-2002 school year. Like Upward Bound and the McNair grant, Project CONNECT is designed to support your education by providing you with the information and services you need to be successful in a four-year college. Services offered include: Specialized study skills seminars Transfer assistance Registration assistance Individual tutoring Individual and group counseling Cultural events Computer lab for Project CONNECT students only Textbook Lending Library (students may borrow textbooks for the entire semester) Staff members familiar with the campus who can help you find the services you need A spirit of community offering support and encouragement Who does Project CONNECT help? The program serves 160 highly-motivated first generation, low-income, and/or disabled students.They are currently accepting applications for the spring 2009 semester. There is no deadline for applications to be submitted, and applications will be accepted until all the open spots have been filled. Want to know more about Project CONNECT? Visit the website to read more about services and to download an application. You can also contact Project CONNECT by calling 936.294.1694 or by email.

The Gift of Giving Meaningful Gifts Are you looking for something special to let someone know how much they mean to you, but don't have a lot of money? Are you tired of contributing to the "Affluenza" epidemic that often rears its head at this time of year? Many times students and others find themselves in desperate financial situations this time of year.  They want to give meaningful gifts but just can't afford the "latest, greatest things". They have been told it is the thought that counts but somehow it doesn't ring quite as true when one opens up a gift they can't use. Well, here are some suggestions! Try giving a more meaningful gift this year, it will communicate you care for the person and allow you to reduce the level of consumption in the world as well. First, you must get to know the individuals to whom you will be giving gifts. If they have children, you can give them a gift certificate for free babysitting (and follow through on your commitment of course). If you know that they are a service-oriented person, donate your time to their favorite charity and do it in their honor or even volunteer to go with them as a time donation in their honor which will allow you to spend time together. Food can also be a great inexpensive gift especially for the elderly or disabled. Invite someone for a picnic and give the gift of a full day devoted to time spent with them. If they love to read, visit your local half-priced books sale and find gently used books for them. This idea works well for many other half-priced items as well. We hope these ideas help you to think creatively about giving more of yourself while spending less money, as well as giving a much more meaningful and heartfelt gift this holiday season.

Twas the night before finals,
And all through the college,
The students were praying
For last minute knowledge.
Most were quite sleepy,
But none touched their beds,
While visions of essays
Danced in their heads.

My roommate was speechless,
His nose in his books,
And my comments to him
Drew unfriendly looks.
I drained all the coffee,
And brewed a new pot,
No longer caring
That my nerves were shot.

I stared at my notes,
But my thoughts were muddy,
My eyes went ablur,
I just couldn't study.
"Some pizza might help,"
I said with a shiver,
But each place I called
Refused to deliver.

I'd nearly concluded
That life was too cruel,
With futures depending
On grades had in school.
When all of the sudden,
Our door opened wide,
And Patron Saint Put-It-Off
Ambled inside.

His spirit was careless,
His manner was mellow,
He looked all around and
He started to bellow.
"What kind of student
Would make such a fuss,
To toss back at teachers
What they tossed at us?"

"On Cliffs Notes! On Crib Notes!
On Last Year's Exams!
On Wingit and Slingit,
And Last Minute Crams!"
His message delivered,
He vanished from sight,
But we heard him exclaiming
Outside in the night."Your teachers have pegged you,
So just do your best,
Happy Finals to All,
And to all, a good test."

Good luck!

Plan your shopping so that you don't load your trunk until you are ready to drive to another destination. Load your trunk when you leave a location — never open a trunk, fill it full of valuables, close it, and then just walk away to do more shopping or other errands.

Locking everything valuable in the trunk may be difficult when you're combining stops at multiple destinations. Avoid leaving packages or shopping bags visible in your car — lock them in the trunk or put them out of sight if you have to leave packages in your car unattended.

Travel and conduct your business during daylight hours if possible.
Lock doors and windows when getting into your car and keep them locked while driving. If you have access to a cellular telephone, carry or take it. If possible, know the emergency cell codes for the area you're in. Maintain at least half a tank of fuel, and keep vehicle in good repair.

If signaled to stop by any vehicle other than a clearly marked law enforcement unit, acknowledge the signal, and wave the driver to follow you to a safe location (where there are other people and light). Drive within the speed limit and take the shortest possible route to the nearest safe place. If you have a cellular phone, dial 9-1-1, tell the call-taker you are being followed by an unmarked vehicle attempting to stop you, and ask them to send a marked law enforcement vehicle to your location.

No Cook Recipe for Residence Hall Living: Holiday Cake

If you're looking for a delicious treat to share with your friends this holiday season, try this recipe.

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 3, 1962 - Edith Sampson was sworn in as the first African American female judge, after she was elected associate judge of the Municipal Court in Chicago.

December 4, 1991 - The last American hostage held in Lebanon was released. Journalist Terry Anderson of the Associated Press had been kidnapped on March 16, 1985 and held for 2,454 days by Islamic Jihad (Holy War) captors. He was one of 15 Americans held hostage for periods ranging from two months to over six years. Three of the hostages; William Buckley, Peter Kilburn and Lieutenant Colonel William Higgins, were killed during their captivity. The others were released one or two at a time.

December 7, 1787 - Delaware became the first state to adopt the new constitution of the United States of America.

Please come by our new office in Academic Building IV, Room 202!