Spring Break Safety

Though it is cold and snowy outside, many of our members are looking forward to the warmth and relaxation Spring Break brings! If you are among the hundreds of thousands of college students making their way to warmer climates in the next month, there is more to getting ready to travel than packing sunblock and a bathing suit. Here are some tips to make sure your break is safe and enjoyable.

1. Flying? If it seems that the rules surrounding air travel change frequently don’t be alarmed because they do. Make sure to find the latest traveler information on the Transportation Safety Administration’s website. From what is allowed in your carry-on to acceptable forms of ID, familiarize yourself if you haven’t flown in a while.

2. Traveling abroad? Sign up online for the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). The STEP program enables the State Department to contact you in case of a family emergency, or to notify you of a crisis near your travel destination. You can also download a Smart Traveler iPhone App that provides additional tips and information.

3. Driving? Plan ahead and make sure your car is tuned up and in good working order. Also make sure that anyone who is driving is licensed and that the car’s registration is up to date. If you do not have a roadside assistance plan as a part of your car insurance policy, consider purchasing a AAA membership. Not only does AAA provide roadside assistance, you will find your membership brings discounts for hotels and attractions as well.

4. Hotel? Book a hotel in a central location so you limit your driving. Also, try not to stay on the first floor or in a motel with direct access to the outside. Utilize the hotel’s safe or the safe in your room to lock up valuables and your return plane tickets and passports. Just like at home, when answering the door, use the peephole and never let anyone in who you do not know. If someone says they work for the hotel, as for ID or call the front desk to confirm their identity.

5. Alcohol? Responsible choices surrounding your use of alcohol don’t stop just because you are on vacation. Drink no more than one drink per hour and alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks. Watch your drink being made, do not accept a drink from anyone else, and keep your drink in hand. If your drink is out of sight for even a moment, throw it out and get a new one. Keep your hand over your cup or your thumb over the top of your bottle. Date rape drugs, such as GHB and Rohypnol, could be placed in your drink while you are distracted to facilitate rape or other crimes.

6. Sun? Spring break means sun time – either on the beach or the ski slopes (we hope). But, you should still take precaution about over exposure to the sun. Wear a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher as well as protective clothing and hats. Wear sunglasses that block UV rays. Avoid mid-day sun from 10 AM to 3 PM. And drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.

7. Hooking up? Just because you are on spring break doesn’t mean you have to hook up or have sex! Watch your alcohol intake. 70% of college students admit to engaging in sexual activity they wouldn’t normally engage in because they were drinking. Trust your instincts—if it feels uncomfortable, don’t do it! Spring Break is much more enjoyable without regrets for what you did the night before.

Looking for more information? Here are some websites with safety tips to help make your trip the best it can be.

http://www.bacchusnetwork.org/safe-spring-break.html

http://www.cdc.gov/family/springbreak/

http://www.safespringbreak.org/safety-tips/

http://www.cruiseknowledge.com/cruisesafetytips.htm

Why I “heart” DZ: Alumnae tell us why they love Delta Zeta

The first two weeks of February brings the Foundation’s annual I “Heart” DZ Campaign. Alumnae members take the challenge and support Delta Zeta, while at the same time sharing their love of the Sorority. Bragging rights are certainly held in high esteem with recognition given to the chapter with the most alumnae participating and the chapter who has the alumnae donating the most to the Delta Zeta Foundation. You can follow along on our Facebook page, or look for daily updates on the Delta Zeta website. When making their donations, many alumnae answered the question “Why do you love Delta Zeta?” Here are some of the many reasons why!

Jhana R. Rondos – Kappa Epsilon, Plymouth State University: DZ is such a big part of my life still years after college.

Virginia Gilbert Loftin – Alpha Gamma, University of Alabama: Because it gives us the opportunity to be more and do more.

Suzanne Gonzalez Hsu – Theta Rho, California State University/Los Angeles:  Because I am a better me through DZ

Christy Phillips Phillips-Brown – Theta Iota, Western Carolina University: Our strong bond of friendship, sisterhood & love!

Elizabeth Baker – Iota, University of Iowa: Delta Zeta has allowed me to meet sisters around the world.

Laura Pope Newbold - Alpha Gamma, University of Alabama: DZ encouraged me to face every challenge with grace!

Bernadette Manacop Flameno – Theta Rho, California State University/Los Angeles: Lifelong friendships and sisterhood.

Alicia Miner – Gamma Kappa, Kent State University: Even in Alaska, I can still be a part of this sisterhood.

Want to show how much you love DZ? Make your gift today and we will count it towards the challenge. Watch our newsfeeds on Valentine’s Day to see who wins!

Philanthropy Partner Highlight – The Starkey Hearing Foundation

Service to others enriches the world. The Delta Zeta Creed says, "To those whom my life may touch in slight measure, May I give graciously, Of what is mine." Our national philanthropies, supported by both collegiate and alumnae chapters, are speech and hearing and The Painted Turtle camp. Under the umbrella of speech and hearing, Delta Zeta has established two national speech and hearing partners as our philanthropic service partners. The Starkey Hearing Foundation is one of them.

In 1984 Starkey Laboratories set out to change the social consciousness of hearing though education and research while providing the gift of hearing to those in need around the world. Starkey brings hearing aids to those less fortunate that could not otherwise afford one around the world. Starkey does on average 100 hearing missions a year. Starkey also has a huge celebrity support base. Starkey’s Annual Gala fundraiser brings NFL players, music performers and past US Presidents. Delta Zeta supports the Starkey Hearing Foundation through monetary donations to provide for hearing missions and, most recognizably, with the Build-A-Bear Program. Build-A-Bears are given out at every United States domestic hearing mission. Hearing missions occur at large, celebrity-filled events, like the Country Music Awards, the Daytime Emmys and the recent Super Bowl Hearing Mission. After children are fitted with their hearing aids, they visit the bear table where local Delta Zeta volunteers are waiting to help the child pick a Build-A-Bear that is outfitted with its own hearing aid.

How can Delta Zeta support the Starkey Hearing Foundation?

Time

• Host a campus wide event promoting Starkey’s Listen Carefully Campaign

Talent

• —Celebrate our sisterhood through a Build-A-Bear Party
• Host a Listen Carefully Concert

Treasure

• Send your chapters donations to the Delta Zeta Foundation earmarked for the Starkey Hearing Foundation

Social Media

· Website: http://www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarkeyCares

· Twitter: https://twitter.com/starkeycares

· Instagram: http://instagram.com/starkeycares#

· Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/starkeycares/

· YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StarkeyHearingFndn