Due to recent incidents of thefts from student rooms and peeping toms in women’s bathrooms, the U-M is spending $2.7 million to implement new policies to improve the safety and security of students living in campus residence halls. University Housing is installing video recording systems in residence halls with a history of theft and peeping tom incidents. Other halls will receive recording systems later in the school year. The U-M will also install door locks on all residence hall rooms and restrooms that automatically lock when closed. Look for the full story on campus crime and safety in the August issue of Michigan Alumnus magazine.

The U-M’s Internet Public Library, the first public library of and for the Internet community, has unveiled a new design for its Web site. The new site, created by staff and students, provides visitors with easier navigation, enhanced searching capabilities and updated graphics. Visitors to the site can still browse online newspapers, magazines or books, however, new features such as a search engine, a consistent graphical design, navigational menus and a sidebar menu have been added.

Art Pro Tem, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing art exhibits to downtown Ann Arbor streets and storefronts, has organized its latest audio art exhibit, “Hear/Here!” Eighteen volunteers headed by Margaret Parker, ’69, worked closely with the U-M School of Art and Design, the U-M Museum of Art and store owners to organize “Hear/Here!” Parker and Art Pro Tem volunteers planned, organized and installed the artists’ exhibits. The exhibits feature a collection of sounds ranging from New York subways and the streets of Istanbul to children playing amid the music from old suspense films. From September to April, Art Pro Tem will hold a lecture series called artWORKS, featuring artists discussing contemporary art and design at the Ann Arbor District Library.

If you think winning the lottery is the only way you’ll pay off your student loans any faster, think again. You can make your load a little lighter if you are involved in any of the following activities:

• Americorps. If you are involved in this domestic arm of the Peace Corps, you can receive up to $7,400 in living stipends, plus $4,725 in education awards for a year’s worth of successful service. The education awards can be used for college tuition or paying off student loans. Visit www.americorps.org/ for more information.
• Peace Corps. Volunteers in this organization specializing in overseas projects in developing countries can receive several types of assistance with their loans. You can arrange deferment on some of your federal student loans and even receive 15 percent to 20 percent cancellation on the debt owed on federal Perkins loans. For more information, visit www.peacecorps.gov.
• Teaching. If you teach in certain designated school systems, you may be eligible for cancellation or deferment on certain loans. Teachers must work in school systems that serve low-income students or those that have a shortage of teachers in a certain subject area or teach disabled students in a public or nonprofit school. For details, visit the Department of Education’s Teaching Service Cancellation/Deferment Options page.
• Legal/medical studies. Being in law or med school can mean getting into thousands of dollars of debt. Some law schools will forgive your debt if you serve the public interest or work for nonprofit organizations. The National Health Services Corps also offers forgiveness programs if you work in regions that lack adequate health care. Check with your school for more information.

Summer means a lot of things, but no summer is complete without at least one road trip. Whether you’re just getting away for the weekend or are driving cross-country, here are some tips to ensure that your trip is safe and fun:

• Get your car checked before you go. Have the oil changed and get the filters, belts and fluid levels examined. Don’t wait until the last minute---it could take some time to get an appointment or parts may need to be ordered. Also check the conditions of your wiper blades, tread on your tires and the operation of your turn signals and brake lights.
• Pack an emergency kit for the car. Include a first aid kit, jumper cables, flares, bottled water, a flashlight and fresh batteries, a spare tire, a jack, a lug wrench, instructions on how to change a tire (if you don’t know already!), an extra quart of oil and an aerosol can of foam tire sealant. Charge up your cell phone if you’ve got one and take it along!
• Bring plenty of munchies and water for the car. It’s cheaper than buying food at gas stations or rest stops.
• Check your insurance for expiration dates, and make sure all your paperwork is in the glove compartment.
• Bring along entertainment, such as CDs, tapes and games for the passengers.
• Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone at home so they’ll know when and where to reach you in case of an emergency.

Researchers at the U-M Health System are conducting a number of studies examining the relationship between smoking and depression. According to Ovide Pomerleau, director of the U-M Behavioral Medicine Program, the studies look at how the nicotine from smoking a cigarette provides relief from feeling depressed, and how people who are susceptible to depression may also be more likely to smoke. If this theory is valid, Pomerleau says, a person with depression who tries to stop smoking would become more depressed. Smokers and nonsmokers alike may be interested in enrolling in a study.

As a recent grad, you’re probably looking for a job or just settling into a new one. But it can be frustrating to discover that the career path you’ve chosen may not be the right one. Your future doesn’t solely ride on your first job choice, and you can take as much time as you want before settling on a career. Mistakes and uncertainties are part of life, so stay focused on what you love to do. Here are a few steps to help you determine the right career:

• Use the career services provided by your Alumni CareerPort to keep you in touch with alumni working in your fields of interest.
• Attend career fairs to get a sense of what different companies are looking for in an employee.
• Schmooze with friends and family---they may have connections to a job you’re interested in.
• Although your major can help you land a job in a particular field, focus on your personality skills to aid you in the application process.