In This Issue Community at the Towers pg. 2

iPromise pg. 3

Safe Toys Month pg. 4

Safe Toy Spotlight pg. 5

COCM Pet Spotlight pg. 6

Music and Your Emotional

Health pg. 7

Appreciation Days pg. 7

Employee Spotlight pg. 8

Brain Teasers pg. 9

Life Hacks pg. 9

Good Luck Cards pg. 10

Stepping Up pg. 11

Positivity from Emotional Well-

ness pg. 11

Winter Reading Challenge pg.

12

Director Appreciation pg. 13

Thinking Outside the Box pg. 13

Wellness Info pg. 14

Around SCC & Courtyards pg.

15

COCM Movie Club pg. 16

Giving Back Ideas pg. 16

To continue to excel as specialists in the management of student housing owned by non -profits.

We are pleased to introduce our new Maintenance Manager for The QUAD Ad-

am Fredricks. Today is Adam’s first day, and he brings a tremendous amount of

experience from his background in hospitality, engineering and operations man-

agement. Adam also served in the Marine Corps and was stationed in Camp

Pendleton for four years. Please join me in welcoming Adam to our team!

South Campus Commons and The Courtyards are excited to welcome new staff

members Chris Chandler, Dawn Williams, and Salina Williams.

Chris Chandler is the new Maintenance Technician at The Courtyards. He has

over fifteen years of experience in the maintenance field. Chris was born and

raised in Washington, DC. He graduated from Lincoln Tech and was employed

there as an instructor for three years. Chris enjoys playing the drums in his

church, spending time with his children, and playing video games.

Dawn Williams is the new Accounts Coordinator at South Campus Commons. She

is a Maryland native with over twenty years of experience in accounting, human

resources, and business. Dawn’s hobbies include bowling, laser tag, fishing, and

basketball. Dawn is an avid fan of the Maryland Terrapins.

Salina Williams is the new Administrative Assistant at South Campus Commons.

She is a graduate of the University of Maryland and has twenty years of experi-

ence in business. Salina’s hobbies include karaoke, spoken word, and long walks in

the park.

Debbie (FST Director) welcomed her 3rd son, Naylan, into the world on 9/17. Big brothers Elias and Sebastian were very happy to take him trick or treating this year.

Welcome!

2

Community at the Towers!

LGBTQIA Alliance Series Program: This series

program was created by RAs Anthony and RA

Ronnie after they saw the effect of the Orlando

shootings had on the residents in the building over

the summer. This program over the course of this

semester provided support for the LGBTQIA com-

munity in The Towers; educated residents that

were interested to learn more; and further develop

The Towers' community.

An event where residents ate dominoes

and played dominoes to destress after

stressful midterms. This program was

hosted by RA Sahil Kumar.

The Professional Staff at The Towers

dressed up as dominoes!

3

Student to Campus Town staff: this came from a student before they moved in because they were so

excited about joining the community.

Hello! My timeslot is for 12:3--12:45 on Tuesday November 15th! I just want to email you this beforehand be-

cause I will forget! Thank you so much for allowing us to rent from your facilities! Have a wonderful day! See

you tomorrow!

Pam Forestier, PRG’s Controller to Gretchen Smutney, director: I always enjoy your bi-annual

presentation. It is always so organized and you clearly know your budget, your community and the

market. You are always able to answer all of our questions. Thank you.

Parent to Towson Place Team: Thank you for being so understanding and accommodating when I

needed parking, in order to take my daughter to an important appointment.

Congratulations! Housekeepers Flor Gonzalez and Mulatwa Getahun cele-

brated their seven and five year anniversaries, respectively, this month. Con-

gratulations and thank you for your dedication!

iPromise

Taylor Place Resident Appreciation!

This semester, the Taylor Place Management

Office (ASU) hosted a Resident Appreciation

Night. All residents are invited to come down

and enjoy a nacho bar, corn dog bites, cookies,

milk, and lemonade. In addition to the free

food, residents receive tickets upon arrival for

one of over 50 giveaways. Giveaway items in-

clude snacks, sports drinks, cases of water,

gift cards, ASU memorabilia, and ASU rugs.

Over 400 residents took a break from study-

ing to enjoy the food, music, and giveaways.

We love our residents!

4

As the holiday season rolls in fast, The Intellectual Wellness Committee would like to raise awareness

of toy related injuries among kids. According to safekids.org, more than a third of all toy-related in-

juries are to children four and under. Also, more than 180,000 children are treated in the ER for toy

related injuries. Let’s do or best to ensure that holiday toys and gifts are child safe and age appropri-

ate. A few safety steps are listed below along with a full link article to toy safety.

Choosing The Right Toys

With younger kids, choose well-made toys that can withstand the rigor of play and chewing. Avoid

toys with sharp edges or pieces that could poke or pinch.

Buy age-appropriate toys. As tempting as it may be to buy your little niece that 1,000 piece-castle-

building set, be sure she’s within the recommended age range on the box. (Same for Legos)

Toy Storage

Instead of a toy chest or container, store toys on open shelves that kids can reach easily. If you do

opt for a chest container, look for one without a lid, or remove the lid (boxes with lid=potential

trap)

Toys That Need Extra Attention

Batteries should never be within your child’s reach. When shopping for battery-operated toys,

make sure they have battery cases that can only be opened by an adult with a screwdriver.

Be extra cautious with hand-me-downs, homemade toys or gifts from other countries that could

contain lead. Also pay attention to the difference between magnetic toys for adults and children.

Adult magnetic toys are much stronger and could cause a huge issue if swallowed by a child.

Source: http://makesafehappen.com/articles/choosing-safe-toys

The Capstone Intellectual Wellness Committee encourages creative and stimulating mental activity - getting the most out of classes

and education by asking questions, being open to new ideas, sustaining a growth mind-set, and learning new skills.

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month By Intellectual Wellness

Parliament Hall at FAU

Parliament Hall at Florida Atlantic University opened in 2013 and is home to 614 Freshmen and houses our Faculty-in-

Residence program. It also includes a dining room theater, li-brary, activity room, computer lab, classrooms, study rooms, multi-purpose room, two story lounges, volleyball court and

has a serene view of one of the ponds on campus.

5

As we promote safe toys and gifts for the month of December, we would like to show a few education-

al tech toys for this holiday season.

Fisher Price Code-A-Pillar

Age: 3-5

The Fisher Price Code-A-Pillar is one of newest toys in the Think and Learn line. This toys comes

with 1 motorized and 8 easy to connect segments. Each segment has an arrow that corresponds to the

direction the Code-A-Pillar will go next. The goal is to promote problem solving, sequencing and

critical thinking through endless combinations. Each segment lights up as the action is taking place.

The 3Doodler Start

Age: 8 and above

The 3Doddle Start is wireless pen that allows you to create 3D art. The pen uses non-toxic eco-plastic

that is completely safe to the touch for kids. No hot parts, messy resin of glue. One plastic strand in

the pen expends to ten times its original length when extracted from the pen. This allows for hours

of fun with just one fill.

Other Toys for 2016

Sphero SPRH+

Bloxels

Kano Complete Computer Kit

Osmo – Coding

http://fisher-price.mattel.com/shop

http://3doodlerstart.com/

The Capstone Intellectual Wellness Committee encourages creative and stimulating mental activity - getting the

most out of classes and education by asking questions, being open to new ideas, sustaining a growth mind-set,

and learning new skills.

Safe Toy Spotlight By Intellectual Wellness

6

Meet Gretchen Smutney and Maisie Moon! Type/Breed & Age of Pet: Flatcoat Retriever mix and she is 2 years and 8 months.

Does your pet have any fun nicknames? Monkey Moon, Moonpie, NahNah

Does your pet have any unique personality traits/quirks? She is a talker, and I don’t mean barking.

When I turn out the living room light, she goes and gets on my bed, puts her head down and waits for

a cookie. If she doesn’t get one, she starts to talk/grumble.

Do they do any fun tricks? Sit pretty, crawl, leg weaving; she will touch my cell phone if I say “Call

Grandma.” She is currently learning to dig on command, so I can get her to file her nails on a sandpa-

per board.

What is your pet’s favorite treat? Bully Sticks or Beech Nut Chicken and Broth baby food.

What is your favorite thing about your pet? I love that she loves people. It makes it so easy for her

to go places with me. And of course, her super fuzzy ears! They are what made me fall in love with

her.

What is your favorite story about your pet? A few months ago, Maisie was saying help to one of

TPA’s maintenance techs. She got out of the gate and took off into the woods. One tech went into the

woods looking for her (as a large deer came running out), the other tech went searching for her on the

golf cart and I started walking the property, calling out her name. That little stinker, ran to the leas-

ing office because she knew that is where she might find Deanna Williams. We found her sitting out-

side of the leasing office door, waiting patiently for someone to let her in!

What is the best part about having a pet? She keeps me laughing, she is so silly! She also forces me

to exercise!

Interested in seeing you and your pet in the spotlight? Email Jamie Mancine at

jmancine@cocm.com

The Capstone Emotional Wellness Committee supports having high self-esteem, confidence, satisfying relation-

ships, a support network and staying optimistic and enthusiastic about life.

COCM Pet Spotlight By The Emotional Wellness Committee

7

Check out Alton Irwin’s (Corp) Playlist! 1. It’s Five O’clock Somewhere / Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet

2. Werewolves of London / Warren Zevon

3. Heart of Gold / Neil Young

4. Heat Lightning / Amy Helm

5. Matter of Trust / Billy Joel

6. Rattle My Bones / The Secret Sisters

7. Against the Wind / Bob Seger

8. Shine Like Lightning / Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors

9. Bad Self Portraits / Lake Street Dive

10. Take me to the Pilot / Elton John

The Emotional Wellness Committee wants to know what is on

your playlist! Email Jamie at jmancine@cocm.com with your

playlist and how it inspires you for a chance to win a prize! Each

month we will share a playlist with you so you can be inspired

too!

The Capstone Emotional Wellness Committee supports having high self-esteem, confidence, satisfying relation-

ships, a support network and staying optimistic and enthusiastic about life.

Music & Your Emotional Wellness By Jamie Mancine, Case Western

The Occupational Wellness Committee invites you to participate in COCM’s Appreciation Day pro-

gram. The 3rd Thursday of specific months have been designated to recognize staff groups.

May is dedicated to our hard-working Assistant level staff (Assistant Directors, Assistant General Managers). Whatever the title, don’t forget to say thank you, give a high five, or bake cookies for the staff at your site. Upcoming Appreciation Days:

Staff Appreciation Days

2016 Dates Staff

December 9 Corporate Office and Regional Managers

8

Employee Spotlight

Alexis Ireland, Manager, Claremont Graduate University

What is your favorite part of work-ing for COCM?

The resource of people who get the job, understand the job, and are will-ing to help is tremendous. Coming from an “I don’t have time to meet” organization, I more than often for-get I have a list of people I can reach out to. It is one of the greatest feel-ings to know that I work for and with a company that has every base cov-ered.

What is your hobby?

Scrapbooking by far is my favorite hobby. I became a Godmother 4 years ago so she (Kylie) has become my hobby. Everything she wants to do (within reason) we do.

If you had a super power, what would it be and why?

The power of restoration. So many people are broken. I would go around mending hearts, faiths, spirits, self-esteems. My superhero name would be The Healer.

What do you in your spare time?

When I’m not napping, I love making sauces. Plum, ginger, and rum are some favorites. I also convert trash to treasure, so I take things that were headed to the trash and give them new life. Here are some things I have made:

Mini trashcan into a bird feeder

Tall laundry basket into a tie holder

Used candle into a makeup brush holder

Brought to you by the Social Well-

ness Committee

Social Wellness is having a support-

ive social network, contributing to

society, valuing cultural diversity

and having positive interactions

with those around you.

What are three words to describe you?

Dependable, driven, goofy.

9

Here’s how these work: Change the word DOG to CAT by changing just one letter at a time (you are

creating another word as you go!):

Example - DOG, DOT, COT, CAT

PIG to HEN

BAT to FOX

SHOE to BOOT

HEAT to COLD (most challenging-4 words!)

See Answers on Page 14!

The Capstone Intellectual Wellness Committee encourages creative and stimulating mental activity - getting the most out of classes and educa-

tion by asking questions, being open to new ideas, sustaining a growth mind-set, and learning new skills.

Brain Teasers, By Intellectual Wellness

Life Hacks, By Intellectual Wellness

Out of mayonnaise but don’t want to

go to the store? Blend together 1 egg

with 150 ml of olive oil. It works just

as good! Tired of your bananas ripening too fast?

Wrap some plastic wrap around the top of

your bananas. This will drastically slow

down their aging process.

Not sure whether to use Affect or Ef-

fect? Use the R(AVEN) techniques:

R(AVEN)

(A)ffect= (V)erb

(E)ffect=(N)oun

Or forget all that and just use the word

“impact” instead.

How to play happy birthday on your

phone.

Dial:

112163

112196

11#9632

969363

10

Michelle Smith (VP/FAU Executive Director) and her son Raylen, 17, participated in the

‘Save the Jaguar’ 5K walk/run for the Palm Beach Zoo on September 3rd. This is one of a

four part series run for the Big Cat Society of the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservancy. Each

run represents a different cat, tigers, panthers, ocelots and jaguars and it is to bring infor-

mation, education and awareness to each cat. The course went through a local park, the

Science center park and finished as we wound through the zoo. Raylen

finished 2nd in his age group.

Congrats to Lauren Pigott from ASU Taylor Place for completing the Halloween Dash 5K and Kids

Run on October 30!

Frank Flores from East West University participated in the Carrera del

los Muertos 5k race in Chicago during the Day of the Dead celebration.

The non-for profit group is The United Neighborhood Organization

(UNO) in promoting health and wellness in our communities through

active lifestyles by running/walking and celebrating El Día de los Muer-

tos/Day of the Dead. During this time the Cubs were in the playoffs and was showing my

pride. Check out the link to the event: http://unoraceofthedead.org/

Don’t forget to let the Physical Wellness Committee know if you or someone else in the company is going to or has par-

ticipated in some sort of race, dance competition, or other physical challenge. We want to recognize them for their par-

ticipation. Please send submissions to Joe Cantona, jcantona@cocm.com.

The Capstone Physical Wellness Committee promotes achieving physical wellness by eating well, exercising, avoiding harmful habits, getting

enough sleep, recognizing signs of disease, getting regular physical exams and taking steps to prevent injury/illness.

Good Luck Cards, By Physical Wellness

Thanks for everyone who is participating in the Virtual Race, “Ab”solutely Awesome Chal-

lenge, and the Cookbook Contest. Be on the lookout for the results of each event in the

next newsletter.

The Capstone Physical Wellness Committee promotes achieving physical wellness by eating well, exercising, avoiding harmful habits, getting

enough sleep, recognizing signs of disease, getting regular physical exams and taking steps to prevent injury/illness.

Physical Wellness Teasers

If you have a wellness success story (in all areas of wellness; not just physi-cal) that you would like to share, please send it to Joe Cantona, jcan-tona@cocm.com!

Wellness Success Story

11

Congratulations to Shelby Riddle! Shelby chose to further her professional development and earned a

certificate as a Certified Purchasing Card Professional in October. Great job and thank you for learn-

ing more to serve your colleagues and company better.

THANK you to Lauren Pigott from Taylor Place at Arizona State University for stepping into the

chairperson position for the Intellectual Wellness Committee!

We are pleased to welcome Kelly Podach-Francis as a co-chair to the Mentoring Program. THANK

you to Seth Grossman for his efforts to kick off the successful program for our team. We appreciate

Jamie Mancine continuing in a co-chair role until others are identified to lead.

Stepping Up!

The Occupational Wellness Committee is excited to offer our employees a formal way to share ideas

and comments. Capstone On-Campus understands our greatest asset is our employees and those em-

ployees have awesome perspective and comments! If you have a company wide initiative or comment to

share, please send it to:

Comment@cocm.com

The Occupational Committee will shepherd the idea to consideration, explanation, or resolution.

Question, Comment, Idea?

The Capstone Emotional Wellness Committee supports having

high self-esteem, confidence, satisfying relationships, a support

network and staying optimistic and enthusiastic about life.

Positivity from Emotional Wellness

12

Dec. 1, 2016 to March 1st 2017

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that is at least 150 pages long.

10 points: Read a 2016 finalist (longlist or shortlist) for one of the following literary prizes: National Book Award, Man

Booker or Man Booker International.

10 points: Read a brand-new release (something published between November 1, 2016, and January 31, 2017).

15 points: Read a book by an author of a different race or religion than you.

15 points: Read a book featuring a main character who is of a different race or religion than you.

20 points: Read a modern retelling of a classic (e.g. an Austen Project novel, Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler, etc.)

25 points: Read a book with a beverage (any kind) or food mentioned in the title.

30 points: Read a book with a character that shares your first or last name. (Alternate spellings are okay, e.g. Megan

and Meghan or Smith and Smyth.)

30 points: Read two books: a nonfiction book and a fiction book with which it connects. For example: A is for Arsenic:

The Poisons of Agatha Christie and one of Christie's mystery novels that features poison, or The Monuments Men and All

the Light We Cannot See. The possibilities are endless, so have fun with this one!

40 points: Read two books: one by an author whose first name is the same as the last name of the author of the other

book. For example: You may read a book by Martin Cruz Smith and a book by George R.R. Martin, or a book

by James Joyce and a book by Joyce Carol Oates. The shared name must be spelled exactly the same, no variations.

Sign up with Karen Partridge (partridgek@marshall.edu) at any time during the contest

but books read before sign up don’t count. The scale for prizes is shown below. As you read, please email your titles and

point values to me, so I can keep a running total of points earned. Also if you read a book that qualifies for more than

one category you may use it and count point from all categories! Each book may only be used for no more than 3 cate-

gories. If you have questions please email me, and don’t forget to email me your titles and points!!!

Happy Reading!!

The Capstone Intellectual Wellness Committee encourages creative and stimulating mental activity - getting the most out of classes

and education by asking questions, being open to new ideas, sustaining a growth mind-set, and learning new skills.

Point total Prize

500 or more Grand Prize! $75 gift card of your choice

300-495 Edible Arrangements gift

150-295 Popcorn Factory gift

55-145 Cheryl’s Cookies gift

5-150 $5 coffee gift card

Winter Reading Challenge, Intellectual Wellness Committee

13

Staff from South Campus Commons & The Courtyards Maintenance & Facilities departments were in

attendance at the Maryland Terrapins Men’s Basketball home opener on November 11th. The view was

perfect from their XFINITY Center suite as colleagues enjoyed hoops and delicious food. Everyone

cheered when the Terps bested American University, 62-56!

Maintenance and Facilities Staff Cheer On the Maryland Terrapins!

Congratulations to the winners of the fall BINGO Reading Challenge: Margaret Schotto

and Jennifer Julianno!

Reading BINGO Winners!

Bowling Green State University

Towson Place Apartments

The East West Staff has initiated a monthly Coffee Break Seminar for

their campus partners. This is an opportunity for the COCM staff to ed-

ucate and collaborate with their partners and is an awesome service for

COCM to offer. A recent theme was creating alumni and next month

will be emergency preparedness. For more information on the program,

please reach out of Jovani Myers at JMyers@cocm.com

Director Appreciation Day Around the Company

The Towers

Thinking Outside the Box

14

With the fall underway, the Physical Wellness Committee wants to remind you to still stay active as it

gets cooler. We will provide you a different exercise you can complete at your desk each month. Please

make sure you still take time for yourself and stretch and try something new.

Spine Warm Up

0:28-1:06 (Time Stamp)

https://youtu.be/d2-B-BPmlPA?t=28s

The Capstone Physical Wellness Committee promotes achieving physical wellness by eating well, exercising,

avoiding harmful habits, getting enough sleep, recognizing signs of disease, getting regular physical exams and

taking steps to prevent injury/illness.

Get Active at Your Desk

CALLING ALL WRITERS!

Interested in contributing to the newsletter? Have a great story to tell? Want to praise

your staff ? Share fun photos of your site? Email Tara Wilkinson

(twilkinson@cocm.com) by the 15th of the month for your information to be featured in

the COCM Newsletter!

Contribute to the Newsletter

Check out Beginners Yoga for Deep Relaxation, Sleep, Insomnia, Anxiety and Stress Relief:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUGOgn3Llrw

The Capstone Emotional Wellness Committee supports having high self-esteem, confidence, satisfying relation-

ships, a support network and staying optimistic and enthusiastic about life.

PIG, PIN, PEN, HEN

BAT, FAT, FAX, FOX

SHOE, SHOT, SOOT, BOOT

HEAT, MEAT, MOAT, COAT, COLT, COLD

Relaxation at Your Desk

Brain Teaser Answers

15

Around South Campus Commons & The Courtyard!

Staff from South Campus Commons & The Courtyards joined

together on November 14th to give back to the College Park

community. Each staff member donated an essential part of a

traditional Thanksgiving meal (mashed potatoes, gravy, etc.)

These small donations will serve as the contents of large bas-

kets for So Others Might Eat, a local organization that ensures

more community members will enjoy a holiday meal this

Resident Appreciation Week at South Campus Commons

Late October was full of spooky fun at South Campus Commons!

Resident Appreciation Week featured five themed days of giveaways,

including hot cocoa & doughnuts, Halloween-inspired sweet treats,

and multiple “instant-winner” prizes! Staff enjoyed making residents’

days a little more special both in offices and out on the property.

Resident Appreciation Week at The Courtyards

The Courtyards staff was thrilled to show appreciation for their resi-

dents in late October. The celebration included door-to-door candy

delivery, a tie-dye event, a scavenger hunt, social media contests, and

breakfast at the site’s University bus stop. Residents were excited to

see staff out in the community and they enjoyed each event!

16

COCM Movie Club Movie

Giving Season Recommendations, By Social Wellness