Pronouns- what are they?

Pronouns are how others refer to a person when they are not there and not using their name. Examples of gendered pronouns include he/him/his and she/her/hers. An example of non-gendered pronouns are they/them/theirs.

Pronouns- why are they so important?

Oftentimes, people make assumptions about another person’s gender based on their appearance or name. These assumptions aren’t always correct, and the act of making an assumption (even if it is correct) sends a potentially harmful message -- that people have to look a certain way to demonstrate the gender that they are or are not.

Using someone’s correct pronouns is a way to respect them and create an inclusive environment, just as using a person’s name can be a way to respect them. It can be offensive or harassing to guess at someone’s pronouns and refer to them using those pronouns if that is not how that person wants to be known. Worse, actively choosing to ignore the pronouns someone has stated that they go by could imply the oppressive notion that intersex, transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people do not exist.

Pronouns- how can I be more inclusive when using them?

1. When someone provides their pronouns, make it a point to recognize what those are and to use their preferred pronouns when speaking to our about that person. This same idea applies via email as well.

2. Try utilizing pronouns when introducing yourself. For example: “My name is Maddy and I prefer the pronouns she/her/hers.” If someone does not want to share their pronouns, respect that.

3. If someone does share their pronouns, recognize that their pronouns may change. For example, someone may use the pronouns she/her/hers one day, but choose to use they/them/their pronouns on a different day. Do your best not to make assumptions and to follow the lead of the person you are speaking to or about.

4. If you get someone’s pronouns wrong, apologize, learn from it, and move forward. Recognizing these things and making changes not to assume a person’s pronouns takes a practice of mindfulness and awareness- make the effort!

** Note: This is not an exhaustive list! Please use the pronouns that the person you are speaking to/about prefers.

Hey there Sawyer Sharks! Wow! Hard to believe you have already been here for two weeks–whether you are a first year student or a returning upperclassmen or a transfer student you may very well be hitting that point at the beginning of the semester where you are wondering things like:

What do I want to be at UNH this year? Where do I fit in on campus? What do I want to get involved in? where can I find my people?

If you can’t yet answer these questions for yourself–don’t panic, you are definitely not alone and many others don’t have the answers as well. BUT Lucky for you I’m a seasoned Hall director and have some insider info that could help. Without further ado I present to you:

RHD Zach’s Exclusive and Scientifically Proven* Tips for Increasing Your Involvement At UNH this Semester:

·Challenge yourself to go to at least one event. Org meeting. Or social. ALONE this semester. If you want to do this on Pro Level mode you can even try and make conversation with someone once you get there–you don’t always need a roomie or friend to be your buffer. Having the confidence to do something you want to do on your own is one of the best feelings out there.

·When you try a new club or org actually give it a chance even if the first meeting or two is a little awkward or weird. Some of the best advice I ever got in college was to give something three chances before I decided it wasn’t for me. If that first club meeting is a little weird that’s just the name of the game to be honest, if you go back one time then another and still don’t feel like it’s a good fit you have my full blessing to move on and never look back.

·If you are a first year wildcat or someone who is still looking for a place to belong on campus CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO TRY THREE NEW THINGS THIS SEMESTER you don't have to like them or stick with them, but find 3 new things to try. For pro level challenge, Make it a goal to meet and introduce yourself to one new person a week (safely that is with social distancing and masks and whatnot obvi)

The first few weeks of the fall semester are a beautiful time because they are all about beginning anew–make the most of it and don’t be afraid to try something you’ve never done before. Don’t believe a word I say and think this article is garbage? Are you a true believe who has already achieved incredible success based on my advice? I would love to talk about it either way!

*Tips are not actually scientifically proven but are a great place to start

Can you believe we are back for another semester!? I hope your break was everything you needed to gear up for spring 2021! As we get settled back into the routine of classes, friends, and life at UNH, it is important to keep COVID safety in mind. By following the Guidelines that New Hampshire and UNH have set in place we can ensure the community here in Sawyer is safe. Along with Covid Compliance this semester the RAs and I will be working hard to create community and connection here in Sawyer Hall!

What does COVID COMPLIANCE mean?

Our Testing Compliance and Public Health and Safety protocols are still in place for second semester and our goal is 100% compliance to these rules. Everyone following these rules will help keep everyone on our campus safe! As a reminder:

1. No Non-UNH Guests – This could lead to you being removed from campus

2. Room Capacity – Single rooms (6 people); Double Rooms (8 people); Suite/Apt (twice the number of people who live in that suite/apt).

3. Wearing masks in public places is required. Consequences include:

a. 1^st mask violation - COVID warning and a formal meeting

b. 2^nd mask violation – COVID probation, a meeting

c. 3^rd mask violation – Conduct hearing with possible removal from campus/eviction from Housing

NOTE: if you had a mask violation first semester, they count toward the numbers above.

4. Testing – Keep your Wildcat Pass Valid!

a. If you are late submitting a test, you will receive a text/email reminder to turn a test in within 24 hours. If you do, your Wildcat Pass remains valid. If you do not, your Wildcat Pass becomes invalid.

b. If your Wildcat Pass becomes invalid twice, your case will be brought through the University Conduct system with the likely result being evicted from University Housing and not allowed on campus for the remainder of the semester.

Hey there Sharks– today we are going to talk about something very near and dear to my heart– your health, wellness, and safety during your time here at UNH. Specifically I want to talk about your safety when it comes to alcohol. Now as a hall director I like to keep it real. We are a few weeks into the fall semester now and I am aware that my precious young residents (that’s you all) might from time to time find yourselves in challenging situations involving alcohol.

As you may have noticed some of the bulletin boards around the building have changed and have information about consent and alcohol safety with a flavor shot of other tips and information about leading a healthy lifestyle at UNH! We do not give you this info to judge or shame those who choose to drink. Alcohol has a healthy role in the social lives of many responsible adults including my own. The point of this info is to get you thinking about what YOU can do to take care of yourself and your fellow wildcats as you explore this campus we all call home.

Living in Sawyer is all about being part of a community and looking out for each other. As you may remember– I too attended college once, had quite a nice time and even made some friends. I was not always the wise (and good looking) (and humble) Hall Director I am today and I myself made some mistakes. I would never lie in my own newsletter and I can honestly tell you this...almost all of my best college memories have nothing to do with alcohol and several of my scariest or most regretted memories do. I know how hard it is to step up and stop dangerous behavior or help someone who is too drunk when you’re scared you might get in trouble. Like many things in life stepping up is not easy but it is important.

Whether you choose to drink or decide not to drink, (a decision that is more common on this campus than many realize) you may have a chance to truly help someone who is in need– be it your friend, enemy, or just one of your Sawyer Hall neighbors I challenge you to think about what you will do if you encounter an alcohol emergency in the future. Make sure the RA Duty Phone is programmed into your phone if you are ever unsure of what to do in a situation: 603-460-4092. As always I look forward to discussing further in person!

Watch out for each other and wear your masks!

-RHD Zach

This week I want to talk about stress! Especially with everything going on in the world we have a lot more of it around us these days but . It’s is your physical, emotional and mental response to life. Your body experiences hormonal changes and physiological responses when you are faced with stressors.

This is known as the stress response. This response occurs in your brain, which triggers your nervous system and then branches out to the rest of your body. This response is what gives you a burst of energy that helps deal with the perceived danger/stressors. This is why your heart beats faster, our skin gets flushed or your hands start sweating when you feel stress.

Not all stress is bad. In fact, performance and wellness are enhanced with moderate and manageable levels of stress. Stress can create motivation. Without some stress, people wouldn't get a lot done. Positive stress is that extra burst of hormones that helps you to finish your final paper, win at sports, and meet everyday challenges.

The ability to learn from your stress is also built into your body’s stress response. For several hours after you experience a stressful event, your brain is busy rewiring itself to remember and learn from the experience. This brain activity is what helps you be better prepared to handle similar stressors the next time around. When the danger/stressor has passed, your rest-and digest response kicks in to help you calm down and return to a natural state.

Stress can turn troublesome if you are continually in an aroused state and can't return to a relaxed state. This happens when you avoid what is causing you stress, anticipate a stressors in the future or replay something stressful that happened over and over again in your head. This constant stress can be known as chronic stress and can take a toll on your health and wellness, often leading to mental and physical exhaustion and illness. Taking the time to relieve stress is important to not feel overloaded. One thing I like to do to relieve stress is to slackline! (that's what i'm doing in the picture above)

Welcome to the first installment of the Sawyer Scoop! My name is Zach and I'm the hall director here in Sawyer Hall. My pronouns are he, him, and his. This newsletter will serve as my way of telling you all the important stuff happening in Sawyer and around the campus. I’ll also have a little blurb in each newsletter about some experience in my life, or some knowledge I can drop that hopefully you all can learn from or maybe just laugh at. Just to tell you a little bit about myself, I am originally from Connecticut and graduated from Central Connecticut State University(CCSU) in 2015. I studied Sociology and minored in Criminal Justice. This is my fourth year as a hall director here at UNH and I just finished up my masters in Community Development! I love to kayak, slackline, rock climb, and ski.

So, what does an RHD do? My #1 priority is getting to know you. I’ll spend a lot of time with the door to my office door open (room 129) for people to come by and say hi. I’ll also do rounds of the building, swing by the lounges, and stop by your room to say hi! Another part of my job is putting on programs and social events for everyone in the hall. I’m here to answer any questions you have, and connect you to resources on campus. Additionally, I supervise the RAs (Resident Assistants) that live on your floors, take care of maintenance issues, and manage the building overall.

While a lot of the time I will be out and about the hall, I will also sometimes be in my office—feel free to stop by and say hello! I also work to handle any conduct and policy issues that come up in the hall.

During the first few weeks of class, you may notice some displays around the building and programs I’m doing in the hall—this will be a sneak peek to the rest of the year and all the interesting topics—healthy and wellness, inclusion and equity, academics and career, and involvement and leadership—you will learn about throughout the year.

In the weeks, leading up to the start of another year I couldn't help but reflect on the years I spent living on campus in the past. So this one time at band camp…no but seriously I was in the drumline my first year at CCSU. I will say that my undergrad was one of the most exciting, stressful, memorable and enjoyable times in my life. That may sound corny but I have to say it’s true and I'm so excited to be here for all of you for your journey through UNH! Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. These first few weeks you are going to meet a lot of new people and get a lot of information thrown at you. Take some time and check out what clubs are out there or other student orgs that you have some interest in! UNH has so much more to offer than just a degree! If you don’t know where to start, ask me or any of my RAs and we’ll point you in the right direction!