summer 2013 Editorial Office: Summer 2013 SEAHO Editors [email protected] Mailing & Fax Information feat u res Available Upon Request.

______8 Housing Brings FAFSA to the Halls Jessica Lai, University of Florida ______9 CERT: A new kind of Professional Development opportunity Terry Fassanella, College of William and Mary ______10 Maximizing Professional Development through Professional Reading Anthony Dustin Rollins, University of Florida ______12 Retreating the Right Way: Staff Retreats 101 Chantal Matthews, Old Dominion University ______14 Fire Safety Education at Mercer Ricky Clark, Mercer University ______15 Simulation Activities as Diversity Education Tori Charette & Anthony Dustin Rollins, University of Florida ______18 Building the Future: Emory & Henry College Incorporates the Passivhaus Standard Josh von Castle, Emory & Henry College ______20 Making the Most of Your First Professional Position Christine Winget, University of Florida ______25 Building a Career on a Housing Foundation Reshaud Rich, Old Dominion University ______SEAHO Report Editorial Policy: 27 Squeezing the Most Out of Your Internship All members of SEAHO institutions are Donvontae E. Walton, ACUHO-I Intern, Clemson University encouraged to submit articles for publication. ______Articles should be typed and can be e-mailed to the SEAHO Editors. If necessary, articles 28 Bluegrass to Blue Devil – Participants Reflect on RELI can be faxed or mailed, but e-mail 2013 at Duke University attachments are preferred. Be sure to include Jay Carnes, Ashley Hazen, & Jared Hirtz, the author’s name and institution, and RELI 2013 Delegation SEAHO committee or task force affiliation ______as appropriate. Photographs or other camera- ready graphics are welcomed. Material that 29 Practica(lly) a Professional: Utilizing Experiences in has been submitted to other publications is Graduate School discouraged. Any questions should be Tiffany Griffith, University of Florida referred to the SEAHO Report Editor or ______State Editors. 30 Unorthodox Residential Living: When in Rome… Trish Gomez, Clemson University Materials not received on time or not used ______due to space limitations will be considered for the next issue if still timely. Necessary editorial revisions will be made to ensure publication quality and to meet space requirements. Permission is granted to reproduce portions of the contents, but credit to the SEAHO Report is required

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 departments

SEAHO President 3

SEAHO Editor 4

SEAHO News 5 RELI 2013 Wrap-Up 5 SEAHO Well Represented at STARS College 6 SEAHO 2014 Program Submissions 7 “Thank You SEAHO” 7

Student Affairs Around the Region 31

Alabama Updates 31

Florida Updates 33

Georgia Updates 35

Kentucky Updates 37

Louisiana Updates 39

Mississippi Updates 40

North Carolina Updates 41

South Carolina Updates 42

Tennessee Updates 42

Virginia Updates 43

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHOSEAHO P FRESIDENTEATURES Happy Summer SEAHO!

As I write this greeting, I know that your campuses, like mine, are abuzz with orientation events, housing assignments and notifications, and staff pulling together the last minute details for staff training. Such a great time of year! Doesn’t it crack you up when people assume you get the summer off, and think you sit by the pool sipping fruity drinks? SEAHO has had a busy summer. I hope those of you that were lucky enough to be at the ACUHO-I Annual Conference and Exposition enjoyed catching up with friends at the SEAHO reception. Thanks to Tim Blair and Adrienne Frame for hosting the event for our region. We are accomplishing two HUGE tasks this summer: First, we have completed our periodic Member Needs Assessment. We received almost 200 responses to the survey, and collected some great data and comments. These data will be used for our next HUGE task- completing a new strategic plan for our association that will provide us with our direction from 2014-2019. The executive council will spend two full days in retreat at the end of July reviewing the survey data, our current strategic plan, and our mission and vision statements. By the time we meet in Louisville in February, the Governing Council will have a new strategic plan to present to the membership. I am excited to report as well that we are working with an experienced consultant to make sure we get our work done in a thorough manner that allows us as volunteers to maintain some semblance of work-life balance! I am so excited to work with Dr. Brian Charette of Learnership Solutions on this important task. Brian is able to bring the strategic planning process into a meaningful and enjoyable series of manageable pieces. He is passionate about planning, and is able to draw participants into his passion. For those of you that have been through the strategic planning process before, it is not always, well, much fun. Brian makes it fun, meaningful, and our end product will be a living document that will lead our association through the remainder of this decade. Pretty exciting stuff! Can you tell I am pretty geeked out about this? I’d like to thank our RELI coordinators Vickie Hawkins and Steve Stauffer and the RELI faculty for planning and implementing yet another amazing professional development event. Once again the reviews have been raving, and careers changed for the better. I look forward to hearing more from participants and faculty. Ashley Guinn Taylor is working hard on programs for the annual conference. Programs proposal will be accepted very soon, so be thinking about all the great knowledge you can share with us in Lousiville. Finally, Tom Hardy and the host committee have been hard at work planning for our 50th SEAHO conference in Lousiville. Our anniversary is gonna be BIG! Mark your calendars now for February 18-21, 2014. You do not want to miss this one! Sending out all kinds of summer SEAHO love-

Maggie Maggie Burkhart Evans President, SEAHO

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 3 SEAHO Editor

Happy summer everyone! It’s a time to take a breath, relax, travel, and reflect. Right? Don’t worry, we all know that we secretly work our tails off during the summer – just with fewer students in our faces. I sincerely hope that each of you have taken at least a few days where you have gone away or stayed off campus, not checked your e-mail or answered a phone call, and done something that brought a huge smile to your face and a deep sigh of relief.

I just wanted to thank everyone for making this such a strong issue of the SEAHO Report. There are thirteen feature articles for you to enjoy and updates from all ten SEAHO states! Please continue to send in your ideas to us. We hope to soon have a submission site available for you all on the SEAHO website, but for the time being continue to send article, updates, and news to [email protected]. Our future deadlines are September 24, 2013 and January 7, 2014. Please add those to your calendar and set a reminder for yourself.

I would like to issue a special challenge to the more seasoned professionals in SEAHO to submit feature articles for the fall issue. I know you all have a wealth of knowledge to share, so please represent mid-level professionals and CHOs by showing the new and entry-level professionals “how it’s done.” As always, your readership is appreciated. Good luck with the remainder of the summer and the start of your fall semesters/terms.

Take care out there!

In Service, Ben Wicker SEAHO Report Managing Editor

4 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHO News

Regional Entry-Level Institute “RELI” 2013 RELI 2013 was held on the campus of Duke University, June 5-8, 2013. In a future edition of the SEAHO Report, there will be an article from several participants reflecting on their four day experience. Until then, this article will provide general information on the 10th anniversary of SEAHO’s Regional Entry Level Institute. The Co-chairs for RELI 2013 were Vickie Hawkins (Appalachian State University (NC) and Steve Stauffer (University of Kentucky). Hosts from Duke University were Deb LoBiondo and Andrea Becker. Shadowing the Duke hosts to prepare for RELI 2014 were Andrea Trinklein and Ambra Yarbrough of Emory University (GA). The curriculum was created around competencies for housing staff as defined by Dr. Diane Porter-Roberts of the University of Florida. Eight faculty members prepared thought provoking presentations on: • Professionalism • Budgeting • Supervision • Assessment and Evaluation • Facilities Management • Crisis Management • Professional Development • Advising and Mentoring

The eight faculty members were: • Curt Erwin (Virginia Commonwealth Univ.) • Lauren Taylor (Samford University (AL)) • Calvin Mosely (Mississippi State University) • Kirsten Kennedy (Univ. of South Carolina) • Charlie Macke (Tennessee Tech University) • Adrienne Frame (Florida State University) • Maylen Aldana (Louisiana State University) • Bob Brown (Transylvannia University (KY)

The selected common reader set the tone and established the theme for the Institute. Choice, Not Chance by Joanne P. McCallie (Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Duke University) was enjoyed by all. The faculty members infused quotes and lessons from the book into their presentations. Deb LoBiondo led a 90 minute discussion on the book and how the examples described by Coach P could be helpful with the work University Housing professionals complete every day. A sports theme was the backbone of RELI; however, the highlight of the Institute was actually hearing from Coach P at the graduation luncheon.

Almost 100 new housing professionals in SEAHO applied to become a participant in RELI 2013. The following 32 participants were selected:

Josh Boehm University of Tennessee – Knoxville TN Jay Carnes Bellarmine University KY Christina Chambers University of Northern Kentucky KY Michael Cherry University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill NC Hilah Cook Newberry College SC Colby Englund Louisiana State University LA Cookie Garret Florida A&M FL Monique Harmon Middle Tennessee State University TN Jason Harville Middle Tennessee State University TN Ashley Hazen University of Louisville KY

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 5 SEAHO NEWS Stephanie Herbacher University of Tennessee-Knoxville TN Dante Hill Mississippi State University MS Manda Hill University of Alabama-Huntsville AL Jared Hirtz Union College KY Lindsey Johns Florida Atlantic FL Sean Johnson University of Florida FL Jamal Jones Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College MS Katie Kolkmeier University of North Carolina-Wilmington NC Niccole Larnell Auburn University AL Matt Lindenberg Columbia College ` SC Asa Mack Georgia Gwinnett College GA Jackie Miller Virginia Commonwealth University VA Hilary Martin Young Harris College GA Michelle McVicker East Carolina University NC Matt Russell Jacksonville State University AL Eric Scott University of North Carolina-Greensboro NC Anthony Sierra University of Miami FL Jason Timpson Appalachian State University NC Donald VanPelt Florida Atlantic FL Courtney Walker Virginia Union VA Stephanie Wolf University of South Carolina SC Dan Zimmerman Georgia Southern University GA RELI 2013 received generous sponsorship from SEAHO and Southwest Contract Furniture. Steve Stauffer and Adrienne Frame will be the Co-chairs for RELI 2014, which will be held at Emory University in June, 2014.

SEAHO Well-Represented at STARS College We would like to congratulate the following undergraduate students selected to participate in the 2013 ACUHO-I STARS College held at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis in June:

• Sarah Caldwell, a Junior at Furman University • Candace Harrinarine, a Junior at Florida Atlantic University • Julie Weigand, a Junior at Clemson University • Anna McNamara, a Junior at Appalachian State University • James (Drew) Scroggs, a Junior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte • John Vitalis, a Senior at the University of Louisville • Blake Weiss, a Sophomore at The University of Mississippi • Jie Zhao, a Junior from Appalachian State University

STARS College is a three-day experience for undergraduate students interested in learning about the student affairs and campus housing professions. STARS College offers large group presentations, interactive activities, role-play situations, self-evaluation, and small mentoring groups to educate participants about what a career in campus housing offers. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with a majority of these future housing professionals at the opening reception at the ACUHO-I Annual Conference. Ask any of them and they will tell you participating in STARS

6 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHO News College was a wonderful opportunity and they learned a great deal. Remember SEAHO provides scholarships opportunities each year to help support individuals selected to attend STARS College.

Tim Blair, President Elect

SEAHO 2014 Program Submission Information The dates have been established for program submissions to be presented at SEAHO 2014 in Louisville. Mark your calendars with these important dates and begin working on your programs and submission materials:

Friday, August 16, 2013 at 12 noon EST-Online Submission Opens Friday, September 27, 2013 5:00pm EST-Online Submission Deadline

More information will be available on August 1, 2013 on the SEAHO website under ‘Committees’ and ‘Programming’ or under ‘Conference’ and ‘2014’. We hope that you will consider representing your institution and state by submitting your program proposals.

Ashley Guinn Taylor, Program Committee Chair

Thank you SEAHO! Hey SEAHO! It’s incredible – the number of times I have read this greeting in correspondence and archives, but not once did I fathom I would write in a SEAHO publication. Luckily for me, I was called at 12:02pm on “offer day” – yes, I still remember the exact time, probably because I was terrified I would not be called! – and spoke for the first time with Kathy Hobgood, your SEAHO Archivist. I have had the incredible opportunity to read the minutes from the first business meeting, assist with uploading documents to the SEAHO website to increase their availability to you, and help construct ideas for an anniversary celebration which anyone at SEAHO 2014 can appreciate. In my summer spent at Clemson, one phrase was reiterated over and over: In SEAHO, you are never alone. Think about it for a few moments… • No member of SEAHO refuses to help another. There is always time to take a phone call or respond to an email regardless of distance. • The leadership of SEAHO is motivated to create an experience for all to enjoy, from the nervous first- time grad student to the seasoned CHO. • Anything is possible when you are motivated and supported by peers.

In closing, I want to thank SEAHO for being so understanding and willing to support the preservation of its history not only through the work of the Archivist, but through the recruitment and selection of an ACUHO- I Intern. I have been beyond blessed to work with the past, present, and future of SEAHO.

Tamera A. Dunn SEAHO Archives ACUHO-I Intern, Clemson University Graduate Student, Valdosta State University

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 7 SEAHO FEATURES Housing Brings FAFSA to the Halls

By Jessica Lai, University of Florida

College is becoming increasingly expensive and questions, whereas older residents have been through the many students rely on financial aid. At the University of process before and don’t need as much assistance. Other Florida we strive to educate our students on financial aspects to keep in mind include the traffic flow of the literacy. One component of financial literacy that is residence hall when planning the location of the crucial is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid representative, and what time of day your lobby gets the (FAFSA). It can be confusing for students to fill out, most traffic. You may even do it outside or in a more especially if it is their first time doing it independently. centralized place within your residential area. Students have schedules packed with classes, homework, Some students may see advertising and plan on work, etc. and might not have time to get to the Office for stopping by, but ultimately forget. We try to use all Student Financial Affairs to ask questions. What better marketing tools available, from posters on the walls, way to support our students than bringing the office to emails, social media, and newsletter ads. One tool that them! In partnership with the Office of Student Financial worked well for getting more attendance was a sign-up Affairs, Housing and Residence Education created a sheet. You can use free websites such as mysignup.com FAFSA Help Desk Program in order to support its and send out the link to all residents. This way, students students in the process of submitting their forms. will also know that they can walk up and not have to wait Housing collaborated with a representative from the to speak with the representative. At UF, we presented this Office for Student Financial Affairs to provide a FAFSA program over a four week period. Based on the size of Help Desk program during the month of February. Each your residential population, times you are able to partner week in February the representative would be located in a with the financial affairs representative and other factors. different residence hall, Tuesday through Thursday, from You can pick your own timeframe of when you’d like to 10am till 2pm. During this time frame, the financial present the program. It can be one grand day dedicated to affairs representative would be located directly in the FAFSA, two days or two weeks, it’s up to you. The best residence hall lobby. Students coming back from their part, it’s free! All you need to do is figure out a location, busy day can easily walk up and ask questions. Questions partner with your financial aid office, and send out the can range from general financial aid questions, general marketing materials. The only monetary cost is if you FAFSA questions, to more individualized situational decided to provide snacks or other incentives for FAFSA questions. participating students. Over the years we have had a range of students In the future the University of Florida Housing and attend, it has been anywhere from 50 to 111 participants, Residential Education would like to partner more with the averaging 80 attendees a year. This program is easy to Office for Student Financial Affairs. Brining financial plan and can be adapted easily to any campus. There are literacy workshops to residents in the halls, possibly even a few things to pay close attention to when planning the a series would help educate them on many necessary program. Think about the population of students in the financial topics. There is much to cover, for students may area, one of the main reasons our numbers vary from hall not know about credit cards, loans, budgeting, or their to hall is because of the population of students we have credit report. there. First year students are more inclined to ask

8 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHO FEATURES CERT: A new kind of Professional Development opportunity By Terry Fassanella, College of William and Mary

Looking for your next FREE Professional me, the most educational component of the training Development opportunity? Under the umbrella of focused on “disaster psychology.” Understanding Citizen Corps, a division of FEMA, The Community disaster trauma, survivor trauma, and team well- Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program being was an enlightening experience that reminded educates people about disaster preparedness for me about what all first-responders in our society hazards that may impact their area and trains them in (fire fighters, police, EMTs, etc.) have to face every basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, single day. After our “Final Drill” where we light search and rescue, team organization, and responded to a mock disaster (think of it as a Behind disaster medical operations. Using the training Closed Doors session for professionals) we learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT celebrated our newfound status by being welcomed members can assist others in their neighborhood or into the Williamsburg CERT community. workplace following an event when professional Every CERT member is given a bag (seen in the responders are not immediately available to help. lower right corner of the photograph) with the tools CERT members also are encouraged to support and supplies that are needed when responding to emergency response agencies by taking a more active situations. Since our graduation there have been role in emergency preparedness projects in their several opportunities for continued education in the community. community. Recently, some of the professional staff In November 2012, the entire William & Mary attended a session for SKYWARN, to learn how to Residence Life professional staff participated in recognize, monitor, and report severe weather CERT training. For almost a month, on every conditions. The live-on staff members were also Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, we attended a issued radios by the Williamsburg Fire Department series of workshops at the Williamsburg Fire to participate in monthly radio tests. We now proudly Department to learn how to work individually and represent the “William & Mary Sector” of the collectively in times of crisis. The first step of the Williamsburg CERT Program. process was to celebrate our strengths and talents, as For more information and to find a CERT program well as recognize our fears and limitations so that we near you, visit: could be reflective and realistic of how to respond to http://www.fema.gov/community-emergency- situations. For example, if you are queasy around the response-teams sight of blood then you would want to stay away from the medical triage area. However, if you are good at dealing with children, you would probably excel at setting up an area to keep kids calm and under supervision. Regardless of your physical abilities no role or job is marginalized. Some of the simplest, and yet most important jobs include communicating and couriering information between responders, and recording events for administrative purposes. Over the next few weeks we had worked together to put out fires, rescue people trapped under debris by box cribbing, and get a crash course in medical operations. For

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 9 SEAHO FEATURES

Maximizing Professional Development through Professional Reading

By Anthony Dustin Rollins, University of Florida While institutional budgets are still being trimmed – begin to search the web, talk to respected for the new fiscal year and blocks of time have colleagues, and look to various professional opened up on our calendars now more than usual, it organizations to see what is currently “hot” or “new” is a great time to begin intentionally planning your in the press. While there are definitely classic reads professional development for the upcoming in almost every field, it never hurts to start looking at academic year. While we often think of conference what is new and work backwards for context. Often, travel, institute participation, webinars, and retreats I choose my newest read by asking what mentors, as our key professional development opportunities, I colleagues, and friends have recently picked up and would like to suggest that reading can be just as enjoyed or learned from. Pick up a few books, helpful and a lot less expensive. This is not to negate periodicals, or blogs to begin – usually one to three. the benefit of such amazing opportunities, but if you Often, people ask how to choose among the are looking to stay a little closer to home or to thousands of books available on any given topic. exercise your budget, reading may be your best Hannah Lozon – Coordinator of Social Justice option. Kathy Hobgood – Director of Residential Education at the University of Arizona said “I try Life at Clemson University and personal mentor – and have a balance of what people felt compelled states that “Whether or not life-long learning is your enough to pass on to me, and scholarly work in passion you have to be able to know what current books and journals I subscribe to and/or hear about practices are in the wider field.” that really informs my practice.” Hobgood mentioned Leadership expert Michael Hyatt often states that that she generally chooses books based on the needs “Leaders are readers” during his presentations and she perceives for her department. It is usually helpful podcasts. Keeping up with the current trends in the to not only consult colleagues and mentors, but to field as well as learning new perspectives are most also survey several different arenas for book reviews easily done through reading books, periodicals, trade and critiques. Often newspapers, like the New York magazines, and blogs. Most research is first Times and Wall Street Journal, as well as leadership published in either journal or book format; so it experts will post their reading critiques on line for makes sense that in order to stay most up-to-date, little or no cost to the consumer. If you are looking at reading is a necessary option. books in a specialty area, consult the newsletters, Hobgood has always emphasized to her graduate reports, and journals for that area. Many have a students and mentees the importance of beginning section on forthcoming and recent books that have one’s own professional library. Her reason is quite been critiqued pre-publication by experts in the field. clear, “As life-long learners, we continue to shape It is worth noting that just because a book receives and frame our professional knowledge, philosophies one bad review from a perceived expert, does not and leadership styles. Thus, anything we read indicate that something meaningful can’t be gathered continues to influence the person we are and the way from its pages. we do our business.” It’s important to not become Buying books or periodicals is only the first step overwhelmed at the thought of starting a professional in making reading part of your intentional library. We have all begun one, even if not professional development plan. Often, we make these intentionally. purchases in good faith and then life or work gets To begin building your library and reading plan, hectic and we find them covered in dust six months start by thinking of areas of passion. What do you or a year later. The key is to make a commitment to most deeply connect with in Student Affairs? Is it reading. Even if you start with twenty minutes per residence education, business operations, leadership, day, three days per week, it is better than not reading social justice, crisis management, or another topical at all. Schedule time in your routine and keep it area? Once you have narrowed down your passions sacred. Slow and steady wins the race. to a key few – I would recommend one or two areas When reading non-fiction, I want to make sure that

10 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHO FEATURES

I remember items later. I suggest highlighting, all, Anthony DeSantis – Associate Dean of Students flagging with post-its, or underlining key passages or at the University of Florida – recommends at least terms that you want to revisit at a later date. While reading the daily updates from sources like The this might sound rudimentary, we all do get busy and Chronicle of Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed it is easy to lose track of main messages when we that are available at low cost, or free, online and via have to put a book down for a period of time. These email. methods provide a brief review when it’s time to take up reading again. Graduate Assistants/ Graduate Hall Directors After reading a book, you’re not done. If you want • Leadership for a Better World by Susan Komives to be intentional, you have to find a way to use the • Educating Global Citizens in Colleges and information you read. Either use it, or lose it. It may Universities by Peter Stearn also be helpful to share what you have read with • Servant Leader by Ken Blanchard colleagues or your entire department. It is not • Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in unusual for the UF Housing Department to receive the Cafeteria by Beverly Tatum typed book notes after someone has finished a • Readings for Social Justice and Diversity by relevant book. This provides your colleagues a way Maurianne Adams of professionally developing vicariously through your intentional experience. There are many ways to Entry-Level Professionals exercise what you learn from a book: typing notes, • Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of holding a discussion with others who have read the Reality by Henry Cloud book, writing a blog post summary or discussion • College of the Overwhelmed by Richard Kadison piece, or referring back to pieces of the book as you • Beginning Your Journey: A Guide for New reflect regularly on your own performance. In fact, Professionals in Student Affairs by Marilyn some of the most beneficial knowledge may come Amey & Lori Reesor from wrestling with what you do not agree with in • Where your Work Matters by Joan Hirt the book. The most important thing to remember is • Microaggressions in Every Day Life by Derald to not let the knowledge sit on the shelf never to be Sue accessed again. Admittedly, this is the part in the process that gets lost for many busy professionals. Seasoned Professionals Unfortunately, it is also the most fruitful and • Good to Great by Jim Collins important for learning from your reading. • Critical Issues in Student Affairs by Art Sandeen Sharing information is critical in student affairs. It • 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell should be no surprise that sharing what you have • Strengths-based Leadership by Tom Rath read can be seen as an obligation to renew the • Promoting Diversity and Social Justice by Diane profession and contribute to best practices. Alan Goodman Acosta – Assistant Director at Florida State University – began a residence life book club several Common Periodicals for All Levels years ago to help facilitate dialogue and information Diverse Issues in Higher Education sharing among the professional and graduate staff on The Journals of College Student Development his campus. Often, professionals wonder what might The Journal of Student Affairs Research and be the most beneficial way to connect with others Practice around what they have read. Lozon offers “lots on The Talking Stick Facebook and twitter. I will post what really has an impact on me, or email people directly. I get a lot The most important step is the first one. Get from my students on a 100+ Facebook group we’re started by finding your area of passion, making a on together, so I try and at least skim most posts and commitment to read a little bit on a regular basis, engage them in dialogue.” choose the books or periodicals, read them, and use If you are having trouble thinking of a few books the knowledge. It’s always wonderful to share the to put on your summer reading list, worry no more. knowledge with those around you, but first you must Below are a list of reads from various SEAHO educate yourself. Take the next step and begin practitioners and leaders to help get the thinking solidifying that intentional development plan to carry started. If you are hesitant to know where to begin at you into the future.

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 11 SEAHO FEATURES Retreating the Right Way: Staff Retreats 101 By Chantal Matthews, Old Dominion University

Staff retreats can be a great way to build staff your campus. Large or small, almost any budget can morale, plan for the year, and get better acquainted support an effective retreat that will help your staff with the people you work with day to day. Retreating create connections with one another. away from campus may be of extra benefit to those of us that are in live-in positions. While staff retreats Location, Location, Location have a huge positive impact on staff development, Choosing a retreat location can be a challenging factors such as budgets, resources and time can make task. You must consider your budget and even the planning a staff retreat seem like an impossible task. makeup of your staff. Do not plan a retreat in a By focusing on detailed planning, targeted staff wooded area without Wi-Fi and/or cell phone signals goals, and advance preparation, your staff can pack if those things are of great value to your staff. Aim to their bags and get their retreat on! find consensus concerning what staff members are interested in and try to select a location that Planning is the Key accommodates those ideas. Retreating does not have Every notable endeavor starts off with a plan. In to mean traveling a long distance and getting far order to plan an awesome retreat, of course, you away from campus. If you are close to another must have a great planning committee. Try to bring institution, you may want to consider retreating a few different perspectives to the table and include a minutes down the road to that neighboring campus. representative from every subgroup that will be It is a great way to save money and establish some participating in the retreat. For example, if good relationships with colleagues nearby. Old professional staff, graduate assistants, and senior Dominion University’s Residence Education staff resident assistants are participating in the retreat, retreated to Virginia Wesleyan University, as a part of have representation from each group. This can create our professional staff training. The institution was more buy-in and support for the retreat within your located 25 minutes down the road and gave us the department. Meet frequently to discuss all aspects of opportunity to be a few moments closer to Virginia the retreat such as funding, location, meals, Beach. When choosing between multiple locations, transportation, and scheduling. It is important to be sure to think about what is provided by the consider all the minor details when planning time location, if food can be brought to the site and what away from campus. free activities are located nearby. Ensure that there is outdoor space to do Show Me the Money team building Important details surrounding the planning of your activities and be sure staff retreat may be based on funding. If you desire to provide a list of to plan a staff retreat on a limited budget, consider what staff members thinking outside of the box for cost cutting should and should alternatives. Instead of staying at an expensive hotel not bring to the or resort, visit another campus and lodge in one of retreat site. their facilities. This is a creative way to cut cost and explore another campus while connecting with other Are We There Yet? colleagues in the field. If possible, have staff Depending on the location of your retreat, members rotate cooking meals, if kitchen space in transportation may be a large cost or a very minimal provided instead of having every meal catered. one. If the location of your retreat is within a Carpool instead of renting a van or bus; this may reasonable driving distance, rent a few vans or mean picking a location that is within driving carpool to the location. Compare campus motor pool distance of your campus, but will still allow time for prices with local rental agencies if possible. Make staff to bond. Before scheduling an outside traveling fun! If you have a themed retreat, name the motivational facilitator or funding a retreat vehicle or vehicles a catchy name related to your coordinator or teamwork specialist; determine if theme. Have activities planned for the duration of the there are facilitators or skilled teamwork experts on trip that will keep staff members entertained. Plan

12 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHO FEATURES food and restroom stops for lengthy rides and during a time when students are living in the remember to bring snacks. If you are retreating to an residence halls or if there are camps and conference unfamiliar location, remember to check that all guests still on campus. If the retreat site is not local, drivers have the address of the location for their explore options for duty coverage early in the retreat GPS. To be on the safe side, plan in advance and planning stage. Is someone within the department know where the closest urgent care and discount not able to go on the retreat for some reason (i.e. retailer are in proximity to the retreat location. personal commitment, class obligations, etc) – if so, could they be on duty for campus during the retreat? What’s for Dinner? If permissible at your institution, reach out to Meals for any large group of people can be costly. colleagues that have professional on-campus or crisis When planning your staff retreat, consider cooking experience and familiarity with policy and one or two meals each day instead of catering every procedures to serve on-call while your staff retreats. meal. Turn mealtime into a staff bonding experience! Consider the location of your retreat. You may need Have teams of staff members rotate preparing meals. to retreat closer to your campus if duty coverage is Try to team staff members up by area or with staff limited. Be sure to select a retreat date and location members that have had limited contact. Provide that is conducive to ideally all of the staff continental breakfast instead of hot breakfast. Bring participating. plenty of snacks for late night hang out sessions and the in-between meal times. If budget permits, end the Pass or Fail retreat with lunch or dinner at a local restaurant. For Evaluate your retreat! Tell participants ahead of tighter budgets, tell staff in advance to bring their time what the learning outcomes, objectives, and own beverages or water bottles. goals are for the retreat experience. Email or hand out evaluations to retreat participants afterwards to To Train or Not to Train, That is the Question see if goals were met, what participants thought of If you choose to the experience including food, lodging, incorporate your transportation, and teambuilding. Take the feedback staff retreat into your seriously and use the information to help your staff staff-training plan a better retreat for the next time. schedule, train on topics that are more Hosting a staff retreat is a fantastic way to build easygoing topics strong relationships among colleagues. Getting out such as staff of the office, off campus, and even out of town lends development or, a different feel to regular staff meetings or training supervision, programming, or personality sessions. Bonding happens during van rides, while assessment. Attempt to avoid topics that are very making spaghetti for a group, when playing cards lengthy and will potentially cause anxiety (i.e. crisis late at night, while waiting for the shower to become management). Also consider avoiding sessions that available, during facilitated team building sessions, may require external presenters to come to the retreat and numerous other retreat moments. Staff create site. Aim to make the focus of the retreat about staff shared memories of “that one time, while on retreat,” development and team bonding. Team building that will sustain them throughout the year and activities are great for retreating. If no one on your beyond. By planning in advance, keeping the focus staff is a high ropes expert; there are plenty of low on the retreat goals, and working with whatever ropes activities that can be facilitated by a motivated budget is available – staff retreats can be a positive person on your staff. If teambuilding is a high kick start to the year, a mid-semester energizer, a priority for the retreat, consider a retreat location that summer introduction, or an anytime opportunity to will allow in-depth bonding such as white water build staff relationships. rafting or camping (while still keeping everyone’s comfort and ability zone in mind). Chapman, S.; Matthews, C. (2012, November). Retreating the right way. A presentation at the Who You Gonna Call? Virginia Student Service Conference. Wintergreen, Leaving campus for even a retreat can be Virginia. complicated, especially if you plan your retreat

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 13 SEAHO FEATURES

Fire Safety Education at Mercer By Ricky Clark, Mercer University

During March of 2013 the Office of Residence trucks, fire safety trivia, and other fire-themed Life at Mercer University hosted its inaugural Fire activities. Local vendors from around Macon, Georgia Safety Day Program on campus. Residence Life, showed support to our program by donating several NRHH, and RHA teamed up with Macon-Bibb items for raffles and door prizes. On the day of the County fire department to educate students who live event, word spread like a wild fire; to our surprise a on campus about the importance of fire safety. local news station visited our campus to get more Across the United States on many college and information on the program. university campuses the leading causes of residence The 2013 Fire Safety Day Program was such a hall and apartment fires are improper cooking success that it has sparked ideas for a bigger and methods, smoking, and open flames such as a lit better program for next year. Future plans for 2014 candle. Although Mercer has not seen a major fire Fire Safety day are already underway including incident, Residence Life wanted to be proactive and building a mock-residence hall room and burning it so provide a program which was both educational and students can actually see how quick a room can go up fun. in flames. While many students are aware of fires Approximately 100 students participated in the safety techniques, it is our goal to not only educate but program and had the opportunity to receive one-on- reeducate students on how to prevent fire hazards and one training on the proper use of a fire extinguisher, eliminate active ones. exploration of the search and rescue vehicles and

14 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHO FEATURES Simulation Activities as Diversity Education By Tori Charette and Anthony Dustin Rollins, University of Florida

Throughout the summer, we begin to take time take into account. and reflect on previous practices and look forward to Disability simulation programs have value, the upcoming academic year for a chance to refresh especially in the college campus setting. One our approaches, improve previous attempts, or look to advantage that is clear is that participants of the something brand new. As you reflect on your Diversity program are able to “walk a mile” in someone else’s & Social Justice programming, education, and place, literally, at times. Participants may come to training it may be helpful to look at the age-old realize the inherent difficulties that people with programs that are perceived to be “tried and true.” We disabilities experience, though only for a short period hope to help you reflect on simulation programs and of time. The exposure that the students receive during to inspire critical reflection on the value of these this simulation may be more than they have ever programs. We hope to help you decide whether or not experienced previously. Therefore, residents may these programs add value to your current practices. become more mentally and physically aware of Disability simulation programs are designed to persons with disabilities in future settings. Research help educate non-disabled students about various has shown that participants of simulation programs disabilities through an interactive experience. These may be more apt to promote social change after the programs involve an activity or process that the program (Hertel, 2002, p.3). participating learners must complete; however, they Students with disabilities are often stigmatized in must do so with a “disability” for the duration of the society due to a lack of understanding and empathy program. The disabilities simulated during programs from non-disabled community members. Disability often times range from physical to learning simulation programs offer students an opportunity to disabilities. Simulation programs aim to provide break the societal stigmas that they may hold against students with insight about disabilities, obstacles and people with disabilities. For example, one simulation prejudice in society. There have been various supports program involves the facilitator (resident assistant) and critiques of these programs in higher education. leading a mock reading test. A learning disability is Many types of simulation programs have been being simulated during the program. The resident implemented, especially in residence halls across the assistant maintains that he or she will not answer United States. One example of a common simulation questions about the test. The residents soon discover program is a disability dinner. Residents arrive to the that all of the words on the test are spelled incorrectly program with the promise of a dinner. Upon arrival, or are out of order, making the questions difficult to participants are assigned a certain role of a disability understand. Afterward, the resident assistant explains that they must play throughout the dinner. For that the test was used to simulate a learning disability instance, some residents are blind folded and must (perhaps dyslexia.) Hopefully, residents who pretend to be blind while eating. Other residents must participated in the program will have the ability to sit in a wheelchair and pretend to have a physical understand learning disabilities at a deeper and more disability during the program. Obviously, assigned meaningful level after participating in the simulation. roles may vary and students may have differing Disability simulation programs are especially reactions and experiences according to his or her beneficial for students who identify as hands-on assigned role. learners. Given that many of the disability simulation Another disability simulation program is a “Blind programs we are focusing on take place in the Walk.” It can be inferred from the title that the residence halls, it is important to take the social participants of this event are asked to take part in a environment into account. Kolb and Kolb (2005) walk (of various distances) in which they are discovered that hands-on experiences can be blindfolded. The idea behind this event is that the incredibly beneficial to students in higher education participants would get a general idea of the obstacles settings when the atmosphere is friendly and that people with blindness encounter each day. comfortable. This may mean that resident assistants Obstacles such as cross walks are used to demonstrate and other higher education professionals should wait the considerations that people with blindness must to plan these types of events until later in the year,

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 15 SEAHO FEATURES

when residents and employees have had more time to participants – often from dominant identity groups – become comfortable with each other and the space. If to serve as actors in the event. This may lead to an the program is presented early in the year, it is likely unhelpful understanding of what it is like to live with to be less successful and more uncomfortable for both a disability as it comes from people who likely have the residents and the resident assistant. never experienced life with a disability. At other One of the main objectives when implementing times, these programs as solely those individuals with disability simulation programs in a residence hall is to a disability to educate the group of participants which create a personal and emotional experience for the sends the message that the responsibility of education residents. Clore and McMillan (1971) found that rests on the shoulders of those from subordinated participants of a simulation program had a significant groups (Cullen, 2013). change in attitudes toward people with disabilities and While it is clear that there are benefits and less were more likely to volunteer afterward. Empathy and beneficial consequences to simulation programs, it sympathy were both increased in the individuals who begs the question – what do practitioners and took part in the study. This research is meaningful for educators do to help people better understand what it higher education professionals across the country is like to live with or experience a disability? In fact, because it demonstrates the impact we can have on statistics bare that one in three adults in the United residents during their first years on campus. These States will experience a disability – temporary or programs can be implemented in conjunction with permanent – at some point in their lifetime (Cullen, other campus resources to recruit volunteers and 2013). It is critical that we find alternative means to provide community education for student participants. educate students around disability. While there can be a large perceived value to If students on your campus insist on holding a simulation programs, they come with caveats and the simulation experience program, there are a few things possibility of harmful consequences as well. Cullen to keep in mind that will make it a more educationally (2013) illustrated that one of the most unexamined successful experience. First, consult with your consequences is the inaccurate learning that campus or community Disability Resource Center. participants may gain. Participants often enter the Partner with these experts to best represent the program with subconscious knowledge that within community and to provide the most accurate thirty or sixty minutes they will be “done” with their information to participants. Second, ensure that disability and able to resume life as “normal.” This facilitation and debriefing of the program are done by subconscious understanding fundamentally changes experienced facilitators with enough knowledge of the the learning experience for participants. What subject and social justice dissonance resolution skills. participants fail to learn and understand is that people It is recommended that the facilitation team include at with disabilities do not have the opportunity to choose least one professional staff member and not be when their disability ends. Therefore, they experience composed only of undergraduate students. Facilitation life in a much different way than those who are is the key to success in simulation programs. Finally, temporarily able-bodied (Parrish, 2004). provide a structured opportunity for guided dialogue Additionally, there are often three distinct to debrief the event or program. Often participants reactions that participants in simulation programs may end the program with feelings of guilt, anger, leave with. One, they believe that life is tragic or disgust, or privilege; among other emotional helpless for those with a disability. Two, they begin to responses. It is critical that time be provided for them be outwardly thankful that they are not saddled with a to express their emotions and continue to be disability. Three, they leave touting how brave people challenged and supported with relevant questions and with disabilities are for living their life with such a information supporting the disability community. horrible disability (Parrish, 2004). The disability During the debrief it is important to remind students community is often aghast at these responses because of the inherent flaws with simulation programs. This they simply want people to view them as normal can be a simple statement of understanding of the human beings taking an active role in their daily life. relevant issues mentioned in the article above. People with disabilities do not want their disability to If students and professionals are looking for be rendered invisible, as though it does not exist, but alternative programming opportunities to explore they also do not want it to be showcased at every disabilities with students, there are several that have opportunity or educational program. empirically been shown to be as successful, if not Interestingly, simulation programs also ask more so, than simulation programs. Students and

16 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHO FEATURES facilitators can dialogue about simulation programs with disabilities would like for us to remove without actually enacting a physical program. They simulation programs from our programming can discuss questions such as: what are the kinds of repertoire. It is our belief that this may be a strong step experiences that only people with disabilities may toward a more inclusive, educative, and socially just have? What are simulations designed to do? Is that a campus community. What are your next steps to help desirable objective? Do simulation programs actually students with disabilities feel welcome on your accomplish the intended goals and outcomes? campus and in your halls? How will you educate Another opportunity would be to partner with the students and staff? Disability Resource Center in your community or campus and engage your students in a tour of the References: facilities and explanation of the resources available and challenges present for students with disabilities Clore, G. L., & Jeffery, K. M. (1972). Emotional role on your campus. Some centers may already have a playing, attitude change and attraction toward a program in which educators and individuals with a disabled person. Journal of personality and disability take part in a question and answer panel social psychology, 23, 105-111. where students can ask specific questions about their experiences. Cullen, M. (2013). Should Simulation Activities be Additionally, you could ask students to survey Used as Diversity Training Tools? your campus or community for aspects of Universal http://www.mauracullen.com Design. Are the sidewalks accessible to students with mobile disabilities? Are there adequate curb cuts? Can Hertel, J. P., & Millis, B. J. (2002). Using simulations students with visual impairments easily determine to promote learning in higher education. which office they are at on campus? Are cars or other Sterling, Virginia: Stylus Publishing. objects blocking accessible thorough-fairs? Are residence halls and student union buildings accessible Kolb, A.Y., Kolb, D.A, (2005). Learning styles and for various disabilities? Are there TDD/TTY phones learning spaces: Enhancing experiential leaning in convenient locations around campus? in higher education. Academy of management Overall, it is important to consider your audience learning and education, 4, 193-212. when determining if simulation programs or other alternatives will prove most effective. Always consult Parrish, V. (2004). Whether their perpetrators realize it with your Social Justice, Diversity, and Disability or not, Disability Awareness Days send The Resource professionals on campus for pointers, tips, Wrong Message. Ragged Edge Online. and collaborative opportunities. It is clear that people http://www.raggededgemagazine.com

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 17 SEAHO FEATURES Building the Future: Emory & Henry College Incorporates the Passivhaus Standard By Josh von Castle, Emory & Henry College

Emory & Henry College, a historic institution of Hickory Hall Performance higher learning located in the mountains of Southwest Hickory Hall is not only the largest Passivhaus Virginia, has recently opened its second residence hall residence hall in the United States but is also the in a three hall construction initiative. The new facility, largest Passivhaus building of any type in the nation. which cost an estimated $7.5 million, represents the Modeled to use 74% less energy than code and 50% College’s most significant step in energy efficient less than Elm Hall, which is already the College’s construction. Nearly identical to its predecessor, Elm most efficient building on campus, Hickory Hall will Hall, which also obtained a LEED (Leadership in save an average of $15,000/year (compared to Elm Energy and Efficiency in Design) Silver certification, Hall) over the first decade and nearly $700,000 over Hickory Hall incorporates the Passivhaus standard. 30 years. Compared to a code-compliant building it {Building pic from E&H} will save more than $1.5 million over 30 years. It will also save 86 tons of CO2 annually compared to Elm What is Passivhaus? Hall, which is the equivalency of the amount of Developed in the early 1990s by Professors Bo carbon sequestered by 64 acres of forest or the Adamson of Sweden and Wolfgang Feist of Germany, consumption of 181 barrels of oil. the Passivhaus standard is defined as, “a building, for which thermal comfort can be achieved solely by Key components to Hickory Hall’s Passivhaus post-heating or post-cooling of the fresh air mass, technology: which is required to achieve sufficient indoor air • Incorporates innovative geothermal heating and quality conditions – without the need for additional cooling system that also provides domestic hot recirculation of air.” Passivhaus technology is built on water. a simple approach - build a facility that has an • Provides a constant supply of fresh, outside air excellent thermal performance, exceptional through 90% efficient energy recovery airtightness with mechanical ventilation. This ventilators relatively new standard in energy efficient • Triple-pane windows, R-30 walls and R-50 roof construction has become the fastest growing energy • Low-flow plumbing fixtures and high-efficiency performance standard in the world with buildings lighting with occupancy sensors designed and built in every European country, • Low-VOC building materials and recycled Australia, China, Japan, Canada, the United States, content furniture South America, and a research station in Antarctica.

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SEAHO Report Summer 2013 19 SEAHO FEATURES Making the Most of Your First Professional Position By Christine Winget, University of Florida

It is that time of year when many new staff up a book (there are many about transition and your members are joining teams across the country. It is first job), grab a journal or article and take the time to time to start anew. For new professionals, this can be learn about current practices and up and coming a time full of anxiety, excitement, energy, and research and initiatives. apprehension. The transition from graduate school (or undergrad) to your first professional position be Learn What Your Job Is! overwhelming. Once you get moved, settled, and The first most important thing to do once you unpacked, it is time to map your journey for your first begin your journey is to learn what your job actually professional position. entails. The job description hopefully is helpful, but there are many things that are beyond what the job Do Something Before You Get There description actually says. Typically there is a line If you have not yet started your first professional somewhere in there that says "other duties as position, take some time to get used to the idea of assigned" and sometimes it might feel like the working full time. Get up at a reasonable hour, eat a majority of your time is in this one simple line. healthy breakfast and make your days productive. • Take time to absorb the information that is Whether it is purging your items (to move less), shared with you during your training process. scanning all of those resources and coursework from • Do not be afraid to ask questions before, during graduate school, spending time doing things you and after sessions. enjoy or actual job preparation, these things will • Identify a colleague who can assist you with help! questions that you do not want to ask your Take time to learn more about the place you will supervisor, this person can be very helpful. be calling home for your first position, research the Many institutions have what is often referred to institution beyond what you have done during the as a buddy to help in that transition, make sure search process and go to the institution's Human to use them! They are as excited about you Resources page and look at the benefits packages being there as you are! available (you often will have to make decisions about • If you have not already, read the transition report this very quickly after your arrival). that is provided (hopefully), someone put a lot of If you have children, check out the school system time into creating that for you, so take a moment and child care, make sure you stay on top of deadlines to read and learn what the last person in the for registration and if you are living on campus, figure position thought was important. out what the transportation to and from school will • Take a notebook (or electronic device...if look like for your children. Look at city and state appropriate) with you to every training session, websites to learn what there is to do, it is never too every meeting, everything and write questions early to think about balance. that you have, and keep notes! Do not forget to During this process, do not be afraid to ask go back to these notes throughout the year rather questions of your supervisor or another colleague that than just jumping to ask your supervisor a you made a connection with during the interview question. process or has reached out to you. Ask about a • Read the RA Manual, the GHD Manual, the RD transition report, many institutions require staff Manual, the On Call Manual and any other members to create a document to assist the new staff manual that is out there. Whether it feels like in their transition. Supervisors are often willing to you already know the information or not, these share this ahead of time. items are important in learning expectations, Finally, do some professional development, pick information, goals, expectations and even some

20 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHO FEATURES history about the department. with response time? What about phone The first weeks of your new position probably messages? will be filled with training, but then you are left on • Is my personal phone supposed to be used for your own, to fend for yourself, and actually do your work purposes, if so, what are the expectations job. This is when it can start to get overwhelming. I regarding this? remember sitting in my office one day and thinking, • What does socializing with undergraduate (or what am I supposed to be doing, the email is checked, graduate) staff look like? the To Do list is completed, now what?! Figure out • How can I use my professional development what that office time is supposed to look like, if you funds? are a Residence Director/Hall Director/Area • Is there an expectation of a time I need to be in Coordinator or the like, explore your facility, you the office each day? should know what is behind every single door and • If attending conferences, are there any above every ceiling. Get to know the staff in your expectations there (as an adviser for a student building including desk staff, custodial and conference or for a professional conference)? maintenance staff and any other staff in offices that may be housed in your building. Once you have met Beyond Your Position all of them, make sure to continue relationships with So once you have gotten approval and feel these staff members. comfortable, it is time to reach beyond the normal expectations of your position and learn what you can Learn the Culture do outside of your position. Each institution is different, there are different Realize first that there are many things you can do expectations, different ways of life, and different in your daily job to go above and beyond. Do not let rules, many times this information is not written getting involved in other departments get in the way of anywhere. Learning the culture of your new you going above and beyond in what you do. institution is often something you need to work on when talking with others who have been at the Ways to Go Above and Beyond in Your Job institution for some time. Often a supervisor can be • Get involved in committees (even those outside helpful in this or the aforementioned buddy or of your comfort zone) colleague, and also your front desk staff, clerical staff • Lead committees and even students! • Volunteer to lead training sessions and Taking time to learn about what your job is all professional development sessions about is very important. Many professionals believe • Write an article for the SEAHO Report (or that it takes at least one full year to learn your another publication) position, one time to do everything once, opening, • Teach RA Class closing, training, the swing of the academic year, etc. • Write lesson plans for RA Class At some institutions it is expected that your first year, • Start a Living Learning Community or Theme this is what you concentrate on. At other institutions Housing you are encouraged or asked to join committees, • Advise an organization within the Department advise organizations, go on conferences, lead presentations within and even beyond the department There are also ways to get other experiences at the in your first year. This is all about learning the culture, College or University you are at. These experiences don't be afraid to ask what the expectation is. can help you prepare for the next step, get more out of When you are thinking about those (sometimes your current position, and help you become more unwritten) rules, things to think about include: knowledgeable of the institution you are employed by. • Are there responsibilities beyond what is written in the job description? Committees • What meetings or events are required for me to Colleges and Universities have tons of attend? committees. You of course know about the ones in • What is the email culture, is there an expectation your department, but what about beyond. An easy

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 21 SEAHO FEATURES place to start is within the Division of Student Affairs. Mentor Meetings Ask colleagues in and outside of your department as Seek out colleagues within your department that well as your supervisor for a list of opportunities and you admire and ask if you can meet with them. In the do your own research to find out what is out there. first meeting, come prepared with some questions • Be picky, do not just join every committee, find about their journey to their current position and where something that you think you will enjoy and do they see themselves in the future. If there is something that. specifically that you admire about them, figure out • Remember in these committees you are not only questions to learn how you can emulate some of those representing yourself, but you are also positive qualities. You may find one meeting enough, representing your department. Keep this in mind but you may want to go beyond that. Ask for ideas for as many times you will be looked at as speaking professional development, how to get to the next step, on behalf of your department. go through current situations and ask for input on how • When you take on projects and responsibilities you have handled them. Do not be afraid to go outside within these committees, make sure that you of your department for these meetings as well. If you follow through with deadlines and do what you are thinking about your future career plans and say you are going to do. someone at your institution is where you want to be, • Do not take on too much at once, start with one take time to meet with them over lunch or coffee and committee and see how that goes before adding find out what steps they took to get there. Use this others. time also to figure out exactly what they do, beyond If you are looking at opportunities outside of what is on paper. housing for your next position, choose committees that make sense. Beyond project and departmental Collateral Assignments/Practicum Experiences committees, search committee involvement is a In graduate school, many people have internships beneficial professional development opportunity. It and practicums. These opportunities give you the will allow you to create connections across campus, chance to learn about areas outside of your find great colleagues, and keep your interview skills assistantship. It is possible at some institutions to do sharp. this in the professional setting as well. You will most likely not get compensated for this outside Teaching involvement, but you will get an experience that will While you may have the opportunity to teach a help you for your future. Just like in graduate school, class within your department, it is also possible to you may decide it is not what you thought it was and teach outside of your department. Many institutions go a different direction, or you may realize it is exactly offer a first-year experience, student success, or what you want to do to be able to narrow your search transfer student class that many student affairs for the future. colleagues are teaching. You may have to seek these out. At some institutions you may be compensated for Advising this, others you may not, but do not let this stand in the As an entry level housing professional, you often way of this great professional experience. If there is advise a Hall Council, maybe even a RA Student another institution in the area, reach out to them to get Organization, Residence Hall Association or National this experience. If teaching an entire course is not an Residence Hall Honorary. If you do not get to advise option, see if there is a topic area that is taught in a one of these organizations in your position and want class that you could present each semester to various the experience, ask for it! While it may be in someone classes. These teaching experiences will help you else's job description, there may be an opportunity to prepare for your next position, help you get to know co-advise, advise a committee or an event or a the institution better, work directly with students, and conference. This will give you even more student get to see students in a completely different light than contact and the opportunity to work with some of the what you do daily. best students on our campuses. Within the SAACURH Region, each state has a

22 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHO FEATURES state association for RHA students. Each of these there! Ask your colleagues and friends for ideas if states also has an adviser. This is a bid process and you are trying to figure out where to start. Again, you should attend a state conference before deciding aligning this opportunities with your interest will only if this is something that you are interested in. It is a help you in the future. great opportunity to get to know students from other institutions, reach beyond your current Conferences and Professional Organizations college/university and become engaged in this type of Conferencing and involvement in professional advising and organization. organizations can enhance your first position If you already have this experience, do not be immensely. Your institution may or may not offer afraid to reach beyond what your department offers. professional development funding, and it is important Many student organizations need advisers to assist you find out what the expectations are around this. If them (in fact most institutions require organizations to you are offered funding, are there particular have advisers). Approach Student Activities or experiences that funding can and cannot be used on. If Student Leadership (or another department) and ask if you are unable to attend a conference in a particular they need any advisers. Even if they do not at the time, year, does the funding transfer to the next. Can you it does not mean that they will not in the future. Ask if use the funds on professional resources versus a it is okay for you to check in with them in future conference. If your institution does not offer funding, semesters. When thinking about advising an are you able to use your own funds. Many organization, make sure that you are comfortable in conferences/organizations offer scholarships, so look the advising role and you are comfortable with the into those as well. Often the deadlines are some time organization itself. Ask to meet with the president, prior to the conference, so make sure to check dates former adviser, and any other executive board for this. If you do not receive funding, and still attend members to discuss the organization. You want to have a conference, do you have to take vacation time to a good idea of what you are getting yourself into. attend? These questions are all important to find out Make sure you find out what the expectations are of from supervisors when planning out your professional you before agreeing to advise an organization, development for the year. institutions may have expectations and the students When attending a conference, remember that you may as well. You want to make sure that you can fulfill are representing your organization, so make sure to those expectations. act appropriately. Often there is a dress code for conferences, so talk with a fellow colleague or Training and Certifications supervisor to see what those expectations are. Take Institutions often offer trainings, symposiums, time to learn about the conference you are attending, and other professional development opportunities. and then if interested explore ways to get involved The first place to look for training would be your further. Many organizations have committees you can Human Resources departments. There may even be join, articles you can submit, volunteer opportunities certifications you can complete on your own campus. to be a part of. For your first conference, try to If your Human Resources Department doesn't offer participate in the following: trainings, look around at other departments on campus • Go to all program sessions, if you cannot find to see if there are opportunities. one that interests you, look beyond what your Professional organizations also offer trainings, favorite sessions might be and reach outside webinars, and certifications. Some of these your comfort zone opportunities have a cost, others do not. Look into • Volunteer to assist at the conference (this can what your department belongs to and see if there is a usually be done through registration or once you discount for members, or take advantage of the many arrive at the conference site) free options. • Participate in the case study (if there is one) There are also opportunities to become certified • Attend a committee meeting of at least one in things beyond the institution, like Myers-Briggs, committee you are interested in being a part of StrengthsQuest, True Colors, LEED, and beyond. If • Follow the back channel on Twitter or other these are interesting to you, explore what is out social media (this works even if you cannot

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 23 SEAHO FEATURES attend a conference!) • Meet new people, sit at program sessions with people you do not know, talk with new people in the hallways between sessions, and reach out to people you have something in common with • If there is an exhibits area, make sure to attend! This is a great way to see what is out there in the way of services for your campus • Attend the keynote speaker, featured speakers, etc. these can be motivational, helpful, and provide a great backdrop for the conference • Attend the social opportunities (for your state, region, interest area, etc) • Collect business cards of colleagues that you meet and follow up with them after the conference

Reflection Your first professional job can be a difficult transition. Find a way that you can reflect on your experiences. This might be a journal, a blog, or a regular mentor conversation. As new colleagues come in, do not hesitate to help them with their transition using your knowledge from your transition. At the end of your first year, take time to look through any goals you may have established for yourself, and create new ones for the upcoming year. Share your experience of your first year with your supervisor and offer suggestions to your department on successes and areas of improvement for onboarding. Submit your first year reflection to a publication of some kind so others can learn from your reflections. As a seasoned professional, it can be difficult for some to remember what that first year was all about! I wish you luck on your first professional experience. As a note, it is important to remember that you talk with your supervisor before pursuing any of these opportunities outside of your job description. You want to make sure to have their approval and support before embarking on this journey. Supervisors want to help you develop so that you are prepared for your next position and these opportunities can aid in that development.

24 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHO FEATURES Building a Career on a Housing Foundation By Reshaud Rich, Old Dominion University

As I anticipated my first year in higher education, problem solving. Staff members must be empathetic I figured that the best way to learn the interior of my to all student situations no matter how large or small. new university was to join a department that would Response to student concerns and crisis is critical to allow me to spend quality time with the campus solving salient problems. Though living on-campus around the clock. So last summer I left may entice you to start a career in reality TV Charlottesville, VA and decided to take my talents production, the division of student affairs is bound by down to Old Dominion University’s Office of confidentiality. You are obligated and expected to Housing and Residence Life (HRL). When many understand and uphold all institutional rules and other offices and departments close at 5 PM, HRL policies. takes the graveyard shift. The registrar provides information on class What I forecasted and confirmed was that HRL registration and how to obtain grades. The financial was the nexus of the campus. It seems as if HRL aid office directs qualified people to sources of partners with many other offices to acquire the skills money and work study. Between the registrar and and knowledge to function as a viable substitute after financial aid office, students are screened for in-state hours. Employees of HRL become counselors, first tuition. Yet the most referrals for these services responders, academic advisers, and programmers probably come from resident assistants and hall while the halls and apartment complexes become directors who students ask first. It is HRL that fields dining halls and recreation and activity centers. From initial questions about of locating additional HRL, you can truly choose almost any career in scholarships, recommendations for student student affairs because it “houses” experiences that employment, and assists with learning their are transferable into other areas. residential building’s address for in-state residency. Student conduct or judicial affairs handles Student Activities students who display behavior inconsistent with Programming is to HRL as lawmaking is to policies. Instead of an office, some campuses delegate Congress. Without the primary function of planning behavioral issues to an honor court. Whatever the and executing programs, HRL becomes like any other department is referred to as, this is place where realtor or residential manager. Most residential disputes, accusations, and altercations are addressed. leaders have a requirement to execute programs or A common misconception is that this office is about events that promote student learning and engagement. conflict resolution. I would argue that student conduct HRL as a department of our Student Engagement and is focused on the prevention of behavioral issues. An Enrollment Services division is distinct because of ideal community is one in which students show their ability to bring an event to your front door. concern for and respect for others. It is when the Residential planning allows students to attend events safety and security of the community is compromised for learning or an experience without leaving the that mediation and action is necessary. An comfort of their building. Additionally, unlike other overwhelming majority of policy violations occur campus events that are intended to attract public under the jurisdiction of the hall director or area attention, residential programs tend to be consumer coordinator; including but not limited to roommate driven. If a member of the residential staff notices that conflicts, underage drinking, and plagiarism. It there is popular demand for a particular video game or becomes the residential staff’s responsibility to gaming console, then it would be obvious to organize prevent, correct, and follow-up on policy infractions. a tournament or social around playing a video game. Still, every violation or crisis is approached from a community-building perspective with an education Student Services conversation to correct the student’s behavior. HRL is no stranger to customer service and The counseling center helps students with

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 25 SEAHO FEATURES

emerging and developed psychological and emotional In hall tutoring is almost as convenient as tutoring issues. Such issues range from homesickness and online. Fortunately, a HRL academic program can adjustment to suicide ideations. Still, the first point of turn that dream into a reality. HRL facilities can contact for majority of students for a referral will be provide ideal spaces for tutoring with study rooms and the residential staff. When students are in need of suites for a captive, convenient audience. diagnosis or treatment, word travels up from resident assistants to the professional residential staff that Fitness and Recreation intervenes and work with the student to seek Whether your recreation center includes resources. aquatics or fitness, its purpose is universal: to promote health and wellness in an inviting and social Multicultural Affairs atmosphere. Even though a residence hall room or The outreach office or office of diversity recruits campus apartment may not have the gym equipment and advocates for the inclusion of diverse populations or a multipurpose court that does not deter residents of students. They promote embracing and learning from staying active. Depending on the campus from other cultures. What better way to achieve such location and culture, residents can be found a mission than through HRL’s facilitation of sharing skateboarding, riding a bike, kicking a soccer ball, or and community development. Staff members of HRL any other recreational activity. Students convert make an effort to get to know residents on an common rooms into workout spaces for yoga, circuit individual level to gather interest for a future activity. training, or Nintendo Wii games. HRL can facilitate Floor and suite meetings allow the residence staff to the safe and appropriate use of residential space for welcome and communicate to all residents despite alternative recreational sports. origin. HRL is tasked with mitigating negativity and fostering an inclusive community that embraces In closing, if you would like to call student affairs diversity and celebrates differences within each your home, I would suggest Housing and Residence individual. Residential leaders must take ownership Life as your first step to the doors of opportunity. The over their communities through active programs, skills and resources acquired after just a year in HRL conducting meetings, and hall assessments for are transferrable to other departments of student students to have memorable experiences. In HRL, affairs. So graduates beware…enter if you different cultures share common spaces such as dare…from HRL, you can go anywhere! rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. But most importantly, these intermingling cultures share points of view and new perspectives in progression towards global citizenship. Community action plans initiate conversations for social issues while presenting advancement toward a building’s identity.

Academic Advising Some campuses delegate academic advising and major exploration to the faculty and academic departments while others rely on the centralization of a center. Declaring a major and taking its aligned courses is a factor for a timely graduation. HRL can supplement these advisors with resident assistants that facilitate aid in registering for classes and advice on declaring a major. HRL also has access to a network of scholars and expertise in a particular field which allows them to be a competitive resource for academic advising.

26 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHO FEATURES Squeezing the Most Out of Your Internship By Donvontae E. Walton, ACUHO-I Intern, Clemson University

Wow, I’ve landed an internship! Now What? After this is to set up meetings with various constituents to I was offered my internship I really thought about how have some intentional conversations. I could make the most out of this amazing opportunity 4. Take initiative and do your best! Go above and that I was given. To me that meant thinking about how beyond! Supervisors appreciate interns that take the this opportunity could help me as a growing initiative to solve problems and offer a helping hand professional. As I reflected on that I realized that I without being asked to. If you finish a project earlier needed to work hard, soak in the experience, give my than expected ask your supervisor if they need a all and take something from it just like any other job. helping hand with another project or task. If they do You can do all of those things and more with the not, ask if you can shadow someone else in a different helpful tips below on how to have a successful role or office. While you are taking initiative make internship. sure you are putting your best foot forward! You always want to leave a good impression of yourself. 1. Creating Personal Goals. You want to have 5. Challenge yourself. Challenge yourself to act personal goals before your start date. Yes, most of the like this is your first full time position. Treat the time the internship be structured, but you should position and the work a professional. Remember this communicate with your supervisor to incorporate a is still a job and it should not be taken lightly. Push few personal goals that you want to achieve by the end yourself to think like a professional that is currently in of your internship. The key thing to remember is to the field. Read articles and books pertaining to the make your goals realistic and attainable for your area that you are working on. If it is possible attend internship. As my mentor, Amanda Krier-Jenkins, professional development training/workshops and or a said, “Setting unrealistic goals can even make an nearby conference. amazing internship a horrible experience.” 6. Develop trust. As an intern you will often be 2. Have regular meetings with your supervisor. privy to confidential material, departmental plans and Seems logical right? Sometimes this is the one thing meetings. Remember that what you hear at work stays that is most forgotten because even though you are at work and you never know who might be listening. there for a short time – the day-to-day operations Being trustworthy is a highly valued trait. I was continue. Standing meetings are a great opportunity to always told it takes only a second to destroy trust and obtain feedback from your supervisor. Use this time to years to rebuild it. speak openly with your supervisor about your performance and goals. Take the initiative – if your An internship is your time to gather knowledge supervisor does not schedule regular meetings with and develop the skills needed to be successful in you, take it upon yourself to make the request. student affairs. It is a great opportunity to explore Remember you only get what you ask for! different functional areas within our field that you 3. Network, Network, Network. Not only is an may or may not be able to do during your internship a great way to get experience, it is a great assistantship. Make the most of an internship by way to make connections in the field. You should try giving your employer a reason to hire you in the meeting as many people as possible while at your future. Lastly, make sure you end an internship on a internship site. It is a good idea to meet people in good note! Our field is very small and you never know different roles and departments (with your who may be able to help you in the future. Write a supervisor’s permission, of course). This is another thank you card or letter to all of those that help make great way to find an additional mentor. You can never your experience worthwhile. Take charge of your have too many mentors. A great way of going about future, no one wants it more than you do!

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 27 SEAHO FEATURES Bluegrass to Blue Devil – Participants Reflect on RELI 2013 at Duke University By Jay Carnes, Ashley Hazen, and Jared Hirtz, RELI 2013 Delegation The midnight fire alarm was an unexpected introverts who kept calm and some extroverts who surprise. We were at a housing conference, after all. could not sit still. Even so, some common threads Upon gathering under cover from the rain – at an emerged: We are all consumed by August; designated insufficient distance from the residence hall, someone parking spots are invaluable; summer collateral remembered to call the RA on Duty. If our student assignments offer “unique skill building”; and we aim staff could see us now… to serve students in our daily work. In 80 intense hours, our cohort exchanged ideas, best practices, and The 2013 Regional Entry-level Institute hosted at contact information for continued development Duke University, offered several new lessons and opportunities. some familiar reminders for housing professionals. The collective learning, eating great food, playing While it brought back memories of the student spoons, and socializing in Durham made for a experience (i.e. using shower sandals and having a memorable experience. Finally, we enjoyed a meal roommate for the week) our time together fostered and presentation with Duke Blue Devil coach Joanne new friendships, networks, and mentors and provided McCallie. Her Choice Not Chance philosophy a refreshed outlook and knowledge base. inspired us to return to our campuses and make a Assembled together in clusters, we enjoyed difference through the work we do and mentality with expertise and presentations from Seminoles, which we do our work. Bulldogs, Wildcats, Golden Eagles, Tigers, and a new While it is challenging to adequately convey such Florida Gator, to mention a few. The faculty covered an experience in writing, a brief journal excerpt diverse topics, ranging from facilities and budgeting summarizes the impact of this institute: “Today I to personal mentoring and handling student death. come back from RELI touched, changed, enlightened, These areas were familiar to some and new to other inspired, and feeling more confident and supported by young professionals, but we all took lessons back to a wonderful group of people linked forever.” Explore our campuses to enhance and enrich our RELI. Investigate this transformative opportunity, and understanding and service. Each faculty member invest in your personal and professional development. shared a wealth of experience and invested intentional Our participation led to a deeper understanding of one-on-one time advising the future leaders of the self, and our purpose and passion for serving in this housing profession. field. As we shared our backgrounds and experiences, it became apparent that there are as many personalities Many thanks to SEAHO and those who made as there are distinct settings among campus housing RELI 2013 possible! departments. Within our cohort, we appreciated the

28 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 SEAHO FEATURES Practica(lly) a Professional: Utilizing Experiences in Graduate School By Tiffany Griffith, University of Florida “What do you want to be when you grow up?” the program has really been essential to enabling me When I was younger, I wanted to be an architect. I to better understand what I want as a young loved the challenge of figuring out how a structure professional. We are encouraged to get as much worked and how to make it better. I dreamed of experience as possible in the areas of student affairs designing skyscrapers, building cities, and developing that interest us. My best experience thus far has been communities. But alas, as is the case with so many my practicum in the office of Student Learning and children, my mind changed and when I entered Engagement (SLE) within the Department of college I found my calling, working with students. Housing. Little did I know, that because of the opportunities I My practicum with the SLE office gave me the had during my undergraduate years, I would find autonomy to facilitate and plan important events myself at a place in life where I could get everything within the department such as the bi-annual Picnic I wanted in a career; just with a twist. Table Advising event and the summer resident College for me did not begin with a “bang!” but assistant training service project. In addition, I was rather a “thud.” My transition experience was given the responsibility to be a key organizer for lukewarm at best and I was unsure of how I felt about graduate staff selection, summer resident assistant the next few years of my life. But the best decision selection, and the ACUHO-I summer intern selection. that I ever made that first year was attending an area Working with seasoned and young professionals government meeting for my residence hall. Residence within the housing field was an incredibly positive life is where I found my home away from home and experience and it revived my passion for on-campus where I knew I belonged. From that first meeting, I living. From my years of living on campus as an dove into being an active member of my hall undergraduate student, I thought I knew everything community. Over the course of my five years in there was to know about housing, but my practicum college, I took on roles in my hall government, opened my eyes to the layers of hard work that go into campus residence hall association, and became a making the department operate and it left me hungry resident assistant. By the time graduation arrived, I for more knowledge and experience. knew that working with students made me truly happy I cannot wait to see what the next year of graduate and I needed to pursue my master’s degree. Flash school has in store for me. I am eager to become more forward four years, to the present. involved within the housing department as well as Graduate school has been a whirlwind. The idea other departments on our campus. When all is said of going back to school after working in the “real and done, I will graduate knowing that I have found world” for four years was not thrilling to say the least. my purpose. It may not be creating the next Empire But I knew I needed to go back, because every time I State Building, but rather, I will work to create change visited a friend who worked on a college campus, my for my residents by designing effective programs, heart would tug and I wanted to do what was building relationships, and helping them develop into necessary to make my dreams come true. I could not successful members of society. It is a tall order, but be happier with my program and even more so with with the experiences I am getting in graduate school my cohort who is a supportive team of dynamic (and will get in the future), I’m practica(lly) there! individuals. The strong focus of theory to practice in

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 29 SEAHO FEATURES Unorthodox Residential Living: When in Rome… By Trish Gomez, Clemson University During the hot summer months in Italy, the to a foreign language was definitely intimidating and American University of Rome (AUR) serves as a difficult at first. However, in these past four weeks it home for over 300 study abroad students from across has become a home to me and it is going to be even the globe. AUR caters to a large United States more difficult for me to say goodbye.” population, including students from Michigan State The university proves to meet their mission; University, George Mason University, Nova “prepares students to live and work across cultures as Southeastern University, and Western Kentucky skilled and knowledgeable citizens of an University. Additionally, AUR has been gaining interconnected and rapidly changing world.” popularity with new students from Singapore, Dubai, Stoppacioli said, “Studying abroad opens up your and many countries throughout Europe. mind to appreciate the differences and after a few As a university abroad, the Residence Life weeks they learn to change their perspective. They department at AUR caters to a different purpose than feel more independent and gain a new set of survival most institutions of higher education in the United skills.” States. There are no residence halls or resident assistants that live in a set community. Instead the students are placed in apartments spread throughout Rome provided by an independent housing agency. Students live within a two-mile radius of the University, to ensure a true Roman experience. Stefano Stoppacioli, Dean of Students, said, “There are no residence halls or dining halls at the university because we want students to go and interact with the Italian community and respect all the Italian laws.” The students have Italian neighbors and must abide by the quiet hours set by the apartment Students also have the chance to enroll in on-site complex as it is classes where they are required to meet in a different an Italian law. Rome attraction each day. They could be seen drawing Christine Moore, a rising junior from the at Piazza Navona, meeting at the Colosseum, or one of University of South Florida, said, “Coming to Rome, the many churches in the city. Art student, Olivia Pond I had no idea what to expect with the housing from the University of Maryland, said of her situation. When I moved into my apartment I was a experience, “The experience of living in Rome has little thrown off guard that the campus was a 20- changed my life. I had a hard time leaving the minute walk away. After a few wrong turns the first comforts of America, but I know I will have an even couple days, I was finally able to maneuver my way harder time leaving Rome and everything the around Rome and all the neighborhoods that beautiful city has to offer. I have made life-long surrounded it. Putting students in different areas was a friends, seen amazing works of art, and had the great way for us to venture out and explore. Walking opportunity to engage in a culture so different than around the neighborhoods of Rome has allowed me to what I knew before. The memories I have made in a interact with the people, along with discovering great month here will live with me for the rest of my life.” places to eat! Entering a new area and being exposed

30 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 STUDENT AFFAIRS AROUNDSEAHO THE FREATURESEGION Alabama Updates

Auburn University “After the Fire” tour as our first program in late August. We’ve officially wrapped up our search for the The Department of University Housing and Director of Residence Life. We are pleased to Residence Life has recently welcomed the Office of announce that Dr. Virginia Koch from Northwestern Conference and Support Operations (OCS) to our University has accepted our Director of Residence department. The OCS houses all day and overnight Life position. She will officially start at Auburn camps affiliated with Jacksonville State University. University on Monday, July 29, 2013. Dr. Koch joins With this office we were able to create a new us with over 25 years’ experience in Higher Assistant Director position and bring on board a Education and Student Affairs. Dr. Koch has served Program Coordinator and Graduate Assistant. We are in a number of roles while at Northwestern including thrilled with the growth in our department and would Associate Director of Residence Life and Assistant like to welcome the following employees: Director for Programming and New Student Week. Wesley Todd Assistant Director of Office of For a short time, Dr. Koch left Northwestern to serve Conference and Support as the Executive Director of the Peace Museum in Operations Chicago. Dr. Koch earned her Bachelor’s degree Annettee Stahl Program Coordinator of OCS from University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, her Candice Young Stadium Tower RLC Master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and her Ph.D. from Loyola University Shannon Coleman Patterson and Logan Halls RLC of Chicago. The Department of Housing will officially open Troy University South Donahue Hall this fall. The building will house 418 undergraduate students and the units will Troy University is proud to announce the be primarily two-bedroom, two bathroom suites with opening of the Newman Center for Fall 2013. The a living room and kitchenette. There will also be a Newman Center will provide 376 bed spaces and very limited number of four-bedroom, two bathroom will be a co-ed facility consisting of two buildings. suites. Amenities will include a washer and dryer in The Newman Center is open to students of all faiths. each suite, wall-mounted 42” flat screen T.V. in the Students desiring to reside at the Newman Center living room, queen-sized beds, quartz countertops, must submit an application and provide a letter of and tiled bathrooms/showers. recommendation. There are some requirements to live at the Newman Center. The new community Jacksonville State University director for the Newman Center will be Kelsey Burgans. She also serves as Director of the Newman Jacksonville State University wrapped up a Center Catholic Organization on campus. wonderful academic year and we are excited about the fall semester! We will welcome our residents back with our fourth annual Cocky Daze (welcome weekend). Residents will enjoy a weekend full of events, from a full carnival, movie night on the Quad, and much more. Last year, we experienced our first move in with CBORD and ResCenter, helping us go paperless with our check-in process. The Department of University Housing and Residence Life is hosting several programs for the upcoming fall semester. We are proud to host the

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 31 SEAHOSTUDENT FEATURESAFFAIRS AROUND THE REGION

University of Alabama at Huntsville

Billy Blount has accepted the Director of Administrative Services for University Housing at the University of Arkansas. Jessica Head and Frank March, both resident directors, are driving forces behind the new student retention initiative, the Leadership Education & Advising Program (LEAP). LEAP is a peer-mentoring program for 1st year freshmen living on the leadership floor in Central Campus Residence Hall (CCRH) that matches students one-on-one with upperclass peer-mentors. Throughout the year, participants take part in campus events, attend leadership training and leadership- specific programming, engage in student-led activities, join campus organizations, and receive additional support as needed. years of professional experience in higher education settings, including Jefferson State Community College and Salem International University. Additionally, Main Hall is currently undergoing major renovations to be completed by fall of 2013. Renovations include new carpet, new HVAC system, bathroom updates, new windows, various internal structural improvements, and new furniture. New furniture has also been installed in Lund Hall, Brooke Hall and Tutwiler Hall.

University of Alabama University of West Alabama

Housing and Residential Communities has hired The University of West Alabama hosted more Ms. Phillips Thomas as our new Student than 70 student leaders from throughout Alabama Engagement Coordinator. Phillips has a law degree representing 11 schools at the ALURH 2013 from UA and was most recently a coordinator in the conference in April. Students enjoyed networking, Office of First Year Experience and Parent Programs. learning, and strengthening the ALURH bond. Laura Sanders has been promoted from Assistant Additional ALURH officers were elected and Director to Associate Director of Residential appointed and future conferences were discussed. Communities. HRC is currently searching for a UWA Housing is rising to the challenge in Professional Development Coordinator and an helping conditionally admitted students succeed Assistant Director of Residential Education. academically at the university with the hiring of an Academic Success Graduate Assistant, Donavan University of Montevallo Johnson, and two Academic Success Mentors. Mentors will meet regularly with students Housing & Residence Life at the University of individually and in groups to connect them with Montevallo recently welcomed Sabrina Young as the appropriate resources and provide assistance as new Assignment Coordinator. Sabrina is a graduate needed. In addition, the university will be offering of Salem International University and has several specially designed Freshman Seminar courses for these students to offer additional support.

32 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 STUDENT AFFAIRS AROUNDSEAHO THE RFEATURESEGION Florida Updates

Florida Gulf Coast University Director at Georgia State University, Willie Lee as Coordinator for Housing Assignment at University of The Office of Housing and Residence Life at South Florida-St. Petersburg and Russell FGCU welcomed a number of new staff members to Slendebroek working with Campus Village Living in our team this year. Lindsey Johns comes to us from Denver, Colorado. Florida Atlantic University and will serve as our Assistant Director for South Village, Steve Syoen Stetson University comes to us from Bowling Green State University and will serve as our Assistant Director for Conduct Greetings from Stetson University! It’s been a and Training Programs, Candice Lott comes to us very active summer term that has been both exciting from the University of Tennessee and will serve as and motivating for our staff. Move out went well for our Resident Director for Palmetto Hall, Everette us and for the first time we were able to develop a Nichols comes to us from Michigan State University partnership with Goodwill Industries. Stetson and will serve as our Resident Director for Biscayne students donated over 2,600 lbs of items. This is Hall, Jeremy Bowersox comes to us from great as it keeps those items from ending up in Appalachian State University and will serve as our landfills and allows our students to feel good about Resident Director for North Lake Village, and where their items are going. During the summer we Heather Kloeker comes to us from Appalachian State are deeply evaluating the form and structure of our University and will serve as our Coordinator for living learning communities and theme based Residential Student Conduct. housing. Along those lines one of our initiatives was We are very excited to announce the launch of a pilot of a “bro-grams” committee, the results of our new Leadership through Service LLC. This that pilot have been published in The Changing Living-Learning experience will develop an Faces of College Men which is A joint publication of awareness of the value and importance of leading ACPA’s Standing Committee on Men & through serving others while creating a deeper and Masculinities and NASPA’s Men & Masculinities richer engagement with the university, both in and Knowledge Community. out of the classroom. Participants in the LLC will Our Facilities Management Department has been enroll in two courses and a common hour that will working in full swing to update some great things be taught out of the residence hall classrooms. In within our halls! All of the halls here will have UV addition, a faculty member has been identified to filtration within their Heating and Cooling systems live-in and serve as a Coordinator and Faculty-In- when we open for the fall. In addition in our Houses Residence for the Leadership through Service LLC. the HVAC systems have been fully upgraded along with removing carpets and moving to all hard Nova Southeastern University surface flooring. We’re also beginning renovations on our newly acquired building University Hall We were proud to host Ryan Baldwin from which will bring us 118 more beds and a new Montclair State and Jasmin Weathers of Grand professional staff position. Aaron Distler will join us Valley State as our summer 2013 ACUHO-I interns. on July first from the University of Central Florida. Neudy Nunez has joined Old Dominion University We are excited to add him to our team. The new hall the Assistant Director of Residential Life for will also bring us a new office suite with a smart Learning Initiatives and John McAvoy has joined conference room and a multipurpose room which is Texas Tech University as the Assistant Director of extremely exciting for us as well. Residential Life for Training and Selection. We were We were able to have ACUHO-i interns join us thrilled to also have three of our Graduate Assistants this summer for the first time. This has been a great pursue their full time positions. Congratulations to learning experience for both us and them. We look Norma Altidor beginning her role as Assistant Hall forward to continuing these internships in the future.

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 33 SEAHOSTUDENT FEATURESAFFAIRS AROUND THE REGION After some strategic planning, and benchmarking Coordinator for Tolbert/Keys Complex, is now with several other similar institutions we’ve been Residence Life Coordinator for Murphree Area. able to re-furnish all of our professional staff Dustin Rollins, Residence Director for Lakeside, is apartments this year. Brining the pro-staff now Residence Director for Lakeside and furnishings some uniformity and allowing us to Coordinator of Social Justice Education. provide some increased amenities for our live in staff. Finally, Stetson hosted the Sweet Tea Tour for University of South Florida an overnight stay this summer; the tour is put together for high school counselors from across the It has been a busy summer at the University of South East. They tour many colleges and universities South Florida. Our first visiting scholar apartments and Stetson was very honored to get to host these are operational, making it possible for scholars from esteemed guests. Things are moving along quickly around the world to live in our campus community. and we are very excited for the record class that will We have entered into four affiliation agreements with join us in the Fall. student housing communities near campus to help meet the ever-increasing demand for student beds. University of Florida We are also preparing to launch an integrated Facebook network of area pages that will provide UF would like to share the following staff insight to prospective residents, information for changes with the SEAHO region: We welcome Dan current residents, and a forum for ongoing discourse. Lepper who joined our staff as the Residence Life We are very proud to announce that for the first time, Coordinator for Beaty Towers/Jennings Area. Prior four of our resident assistants have received to coming to UF, he was the Unit Coordinator with Fulbright Awards and will be traveling to Malaysia, University Student Housing at Texas Tech Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. University. Thomas Germain, former Residence Life Amy Chilcutt is the new Assistant Director for Coordinator for Graduate & Family Housing, is now Residential Life and Education. She joins us from the Assistant Director of Housing for Graduate & Florida Gulf Coast University where she received Family Housing. Ayesha Rizvi-Mian, former both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, and Residence Life Coordinator for served as a Resident Director and Residence Life Broward/Rawlings/Yulee Area has taken another Coordinator for the past 5-years. Joshua Voyles is the position at the University of Florida as the Assistant new Assistant Director for Housing Services. He Director of the Innovation Academy. Jennifer joins us from Stony Brook University where he Todden, former Residence Life Coordinator for served as a Hall Director for three years. He earned Beaty/Jennings Area has taken a position at the his M.A. in Student Affairs in Higher Education University of Louisville as Associate Director of from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Ericka Housing for Operations & Facilities. Rena Buchan, Roland is the new Residence Life Coordinator for former Assistant Director of Housing for Graduate & the Andros 1 area. She joins us from St. Louis Family Housing is now the Coordinator for Financial University where she has been working as a and IT Services. Jen Gresley, Residence Life Residence Hall Coordinator.

34 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 STUDENT AFFAIRS AROUNDSEAHO THE FREATURESEGION Georgia Updates Georgia College thermostats to appropriate temperature standards where applicable, replacing office trash cans with Georgia College, located in Milledgeville, Ga cardboard recycling boxes and small side-saddle welcomes several new members to the University trash receptacles, and emptying side-saddle trash Housing staff. Lori Burns has accepted a promotion receptacles. The opportunities of the program consist to associate director of student development. As the of a points-based incentive program—named green associate director, she will oversee a team of area points. Staff members are encouraged to participate coordinators, community directors and 58 in the green points program, which highlights community advisors. Area Coordinator Matt Brigner additional sustainable practices the department has has joined the Georgia College team after serving as elected to follow. a resident director at Georgia Southern University. The UGA Office of Sustainability created the Desaree Murden, who comes to Georgia College via program to help departments become more a residence hall director role at Georgia State sustainable in their water and energy use, waste University, will also serve as an area coordinator. management, purchasing practices and transportation Jeremy Mayweather and Mary Margaret Schechinger choices. Participating in the program teaches are new to the community director role. employees realistic and attainable ways to save campus resources and dollars. University of Georgia Brown Hall to Welcome Undergraduate Residents UGA’s University Housing Offices Become to UGA’s Health Sciences Campus Certified Sustainable On a sprawling 56-acre campus off of Prince On March 29, University Housing got a little Avenue in Athens’ trendy Normaltown neighborhood greener. The University Housing sustainability sits the former site of the United States Navy Supply committee and the UGA Office of Sustainability Corps School and the current home of the University kicked off housing’s certified sustainable office of Georgia’s Health Sciences Campus. program. When the U.S. Navy Supply Corps School Started in 2011, the Sustainable Office Program closed its doors in and moved to Rhode Island in was designed to give departments the opportunity to 2011 as part of the Department of Defense Base help meet the strategic direction for improving Realignment and Closure process, UGA acquired the stewardship of natural resources and advancing property and created the Health Sciences Campus. campus sustainability as outlined in the UGA 2020 Currently, the Health Sciences Campus includes Strategic Plan. To become a certified Sustainable houses and town homes that accommodate students UGA Office, a department must commit to satisfying from the Georgia Regents University/University of prerequisites and implementing the required number Georgia Medical Partnership, graduate students from of items in the Office Program Toolkit. The toolkit the College of Public Health and visiting scholars. provides information and ideas for implementation in University Housing’s Brown Hall will contribute five different categories including: water, energy, to the campus’ evolution by offering undergraduate waste, purchasing and transportation. Each category housing to upper class students when it opens in contains suggested practices and opportunities for August of this year following renovation. University innovation. Housing is eager to be among the departments The University Housing sustainability committee continuing the tradition of education on this site. tailored the program to fit the department by splitting “Residents of Brown Hall will have the unique the program up into requirements and opportunities. opportunity to be among the first undergraduates All staff with an office space are required to living on the Health Sciences Campus,” notes participate by ensuring compact florescent light University Housing Executive Director Gerry bulbs are being used where applicable, setting Kowalski. “We’re excited to offer an option that will

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 35 SEAHOSTUDENT FEATURESAFFAIRS AROUND THE REGION give residents and off-campus feel with all the original, the new hall boasts a stellar location within amenities of living on campus.” walking distance of Snelling Dining Commons, the As a former hotel, Brown Hall is ideally suited newly-expanded Oglethorpe Dining Commons, Tate as a residence hall and will give residents an Student Center, Miller Learning Center, Sanford exceptionally affordable alternative for suite-style Stadium and Stegeman Coliseum. living. With double-in-suite and double-as-private As in years past, some Rutherford residents can options available, it will offer residents a sense of look forward to participating in the Franklin privacy while maintaining a vital connection to Residential College, a student-governed residential UGA’s main campus. The Health Sciences Campus community that offers its members opportunities to also plays host to the UGA Childcare Center, Food participate in cultural and academic programs Services’ newest dining hall, The Niche, and Pound alongside a faculty member in residence. The FRC is Hall—a satellite fitness facility of the Ramsey modeled after the residential colleges common in Ivy Student Center—as well as a softball field, League institutions and is meant to create the feeling basketball court, tennis courts and horseshoe pits. It of a small college within a large university. is also within walking distance of several of Athens’ The new Rutherford Hall will pay homage to its most well-known restaurants and coffee shops. (One predecessor with monumental stairs leading from such hotspot is local favorite Ike and Jane, who Myers Quad, signature columns, subtle archwork, famously offer a donut topped with bacon and unique Georgia brick details and traditional window bananas known as “The Elvis.”) design. The new facility, however, will house 100 After renovations to the campus are complete in more students in fully modernized double and single fall 2015, approximately 1,400 faculty, staff and rooms with private bathrooms. “Adding students will be based at the Health Sciences approximately 260 beds of that type of stock with Campus, according to the Georgia Regents enhanced bathroom privacy we believe will be University/University of Georgia Medical attractive to our students,” adds University Housing Partnership. With such a bright future ahead of it, Executive Director Gerard Kowalski. Brown Hall promises to be the undergraduate hub of Building Services Superintendent Steve Marcotte the campus for years to come. made a point to include original architectural elements and to acknowledge the historic quality of New Hall with an Old Soul UGA dedicates new the original Rutherford Hall with his choices of residence hall interior finishes and furnishings. Rutherford Hall June 27 marked the dedication of the University will feature multiple laundry and kitchen facilities, of Georgia’s 21st residence hall, a replacement of the study rooms, a computer lab and a large, original Rutherford Hall, in the university’s historic multipurpose room equipped with state-of-the-art Myers Quad. Outgoing UGA President Michael technology designed to accommodate programs or Adams presided over the dedication ceremony and events. Project designers faced the challenge of was presented with a brick from the original offering a fully modern residence hall that will meet structure affixed with a plaque commemorating his the needs of residents for decades to come while final dedication as acting president. maintaining the historic aesthetic of the Myers The new Rutherford Hall replaces the previous community. Rutherford Hall, constructed in 1939. As did the KAHO

36 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 STUDENT AFFAIRS AROUNDSEAHO THE RFEGIONEATURES Kentucky Updates

KAHO Sullivan University

KAHO is using the summer to rejuvenate at our Hello SEAHO! A lot of exciting things are respective institutions, prepare for our annual KAHO happening at Sullivan University in Louisville, KY! Conference, and support the efforts of the KAHO At the main campus, we finished up a renovation Taskforce. The annual KAHO Conference will be project which included our National Center for October 10-11, 2013 and will be hosted by Eastern Hospitality Studies space. Kitchens, hallways and a Kentucky University. From our SEAHO 2013 State classroom were updated over a quarter break and we business meeting a taskforce was created to discuss were able to welcome new and returning students in the future of KAHO and begin to address the Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts, Hospitality, and concerns from the Kentucky Association of Housing Hotel & Restaurant Management back to a higher Officers (KAHO) Satisfaction Survey sent out by quality learning experience. Hannah Piechowski, President-Elect. There was a consensus that the taskforce would consist of CHOs from the colleges and universities and the KAHO President would serve as chair. The taskforce would review four areas concerning: Current annual conference structure and format • Structure of Governing Council, duties, and necessity for committees • Strategy to increase membership and involvement • Suggestions for continual professional development opportunities

The taskforce is meeting via conference calls and emails and will provide recommendations and the KAHO Conference in October 2013. Members of the taskforce include: Aubree Alvarez (Sullivan University), Joe Bruner (Asbury University), Elizabeth Dansberry (Thomas Moore College), Tristan Fretwell (Transylvania University), Jared Hirtz (Union College), Alicia Golston (Western Kentucky University), Brian Kuster (Western Kentucky University), Leslie Maxie-Ashford (Bellarmine University), Andrew Rash (Kentucky On the Residence Life side, our staff has Wesleyan College), Arnie Slaughter (Northern worked to replace all cardio equipment in Gardiner Kentucky University, Shannon Staten (University of Point's Fitness Center and our Facilities crew worked Louisville), John Stauffer (Berea College), Steve diligently to replace our yoga room floor. One of Stauffer (University of Kentucky), David Wilson the great advantages of our space is our amenities. (Murray State University), and Ann Young (Centre Our yoga room allows us to invite fitness instructors College). KAHO looks forward to their to the building to enhance our healthy living recommendations for the organization. approach. We welcomed Zumba, Kickboxing/Self- defense, and Tai Chi in recent quarters and hope to

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 37 SEAHOSTUDENT FAEATURESFFAIRS AROUND THE REGION increase the variety in the coming months. We also • Sasha Ross from University of South Dakota restructured our Housing and Residence Life • Ethan Sykes from Missouri State University Department. We recently welcomed Trinesha Taylor- • Abby Tennant from Kansas State University Wellmann as our Housing Staff & Business Manager • Genia Wilson from University of Mississippi and Jorge Wellmann as our Residence Life Coordinator. We are excited to get such great people Semester at Sea on our team and look forward to incorporating their HRL and WKU have entered an agreement experience and ideas here at Sullivan. between WKU and the Institute for Shipboard We also hosted Sullivan University's Culinary Education. This agreement is entered into by Camp and Sullivan College of Technology and Western Kentucky University (WKU) and the Design's Technology & Graphic Design Camps at Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) for the Gardiner Point. We housed over 100 high Semester at Sea Program. Semester as Sea is a school students and chaperones for a week-long multiple country study abroad program open to emersion experience. We are excited to see their student of all majors emphasizing comparative faces again after they graduate and want to begin academic examination, hands-on field experiences, their education in an area they are passionate about and meaningful engagement in the global here at Sullivan. community. A wide variety of coursework from 20- Our current projects include rejuvenating our 25 disciplines is integrated with relevant field studies Tutoring Center and beginning a facilities update in up to a dozen countries, allowing for a schedule at Gardiner Point very soon. We hope to comparative study abroad experience that is truly give our residents an in-house opportunity to find global. This agreement recognizes the partnership help with classes and assignments in attempts to between ISE and WKU and their efforts to increase enhance our retention efforts in our hall and on WKU student participation in the Semester at Sea campus. Our facilities update will be regular (SAS) program by increasing the opportunities of maintenance projects that will focus on rooms and WKU staff participating in the SAS voyages. hallway spaces. Specifically, this agreement pertains to the Sullivan is also excited for the upcoming development and evolution of a WKU Housing SEAHO 2014 Conference here in Louisville. Fellow. We are excited to have our have our first Through a partnership with the Host Committee and Semester At Sea Resident Director to set sail in the in support of such a wonderful organization & Spring 2014 voyage! Ms. Alicia Golston, a conference, we are pleased to be able to provide Coordinator for HRL and current KAHO President transportation for the conference this year. We has been selected as one of the eight Resident cannot wait to see everyone when they get to Directors! We are very excited for her and her Louisville! This is an awesome city to live in and upcoming voyage. we are glad you get to visit! Kentucky Street Apartment Project Western Kentucky University The WKU Student Life Foundation (SLF) is breaking ground on our second apartment building. Greetings from the Hill! The department of It will be a 126 unit, four story, apartment building. Housing and Residence is busy this summer The building will consist of 94 two bedroom, two preparing for our incoming and returning students. bath units and 32 on bedroom, one bath units. Each We were managing summer camps, renovating apartment will consist of a full kitchen, living room, buildings, and preparing for professional and RA utility room, bedrooms, and baths. The apartments training. will be fully furnished including washers and dryers. We would like to welcome our new staff The apartments are designed for maximum flexibility members to HRL and WKU! We are excited to have: in leasing to upper class students, graduate students, • Kelly Matlack from University of Kansas and non-traditional students and families. The • Daniel Rosner from Southern Illinois construction has already begun and is scheduled to University, Edwardsville be completed by August 2014.

38 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 STUDENT AFFAIRS AROUNDSEAHO THE FEATURESREGION Louisiana Updates Louisiana State University sustainable practices in facilities work for many years now in finishes, equipment, and in-hall To meet an unprecedented demand for on- education. This latest project is a large scale campus housing, the Louisiana State University demonstration of our commitment to sustainable Department of Residential Life (LSU Res Life) plans operations, and we believe the students see value in to open a brand new, LEED-certified (Leader in that,” said Karen Rockett, Director of Facilities for Energy and Environmental Design) residence hall for LSU Res Life. fall 2015. In addition to facilitating the LEED-certified The 330-bed building is the latest step in innovations of Cypress Hall, designers will continue keeping with the LSU Comprehensive Master to honor the historic aesthetic of the LSU campus Housing Plan, which in its eleventh year, has seen and famed American architect A. Hayes Town with more than 57 percent of on-campus housing red tile roofs, seamless indoor-outdoor spaces, and inventory replaced, renovated, or newly constructed. fountains to balance living and learning. Provisionally named Cypress Hall, the new residence “We strive to be innovative leaders both locally hall is scheduled to break ground in late summer on our campus and nationally in the housing industry 2013 and will sit on the northeast side of campus as we look for ways to exceed students’ needs and adjacent to the historic LSU Enchanted Forest and wants while reducing operating costs. Building the Greek Amphitheater. Students can enjoy the first LEED-certified building on the Baton Rouge surrounding green space as well as several green campus positions us for the future,” said Steve features in hall. The building will feature storm Waller, Director of LSU Res Life. water recovery and solar demonstration systems, And the future for LSU Res Life looks bright. several outdoor learning spaces and courtyards, two Currently housing 70 percent of the freshman class, large indoor classrooms, electric car charging the Comprehensive Master Housing Plan will grow stations, interior bike storage rooms, and various campus inventory to ultimately house 85 percent of sustainable finishes, as well as energy-efficient the freshman class, without imposing a residency mechanical systems, doors and windows. requirement. “We’ve demonstrated our commitment to

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 39 SEAHOSTUDENT FAEATURESFFAIRS AROUND THE REGION Mississippi Updates

University of Mississippi very exciting as we look forward to welcoming our newest Rebels to campus. Hotty Toddy! It’s been a very exciting spring in student housing! In March, staff members Kurt Lee, Ryan University of Southern Mississippi Burnette, and Patricia Satterwhite took freshman interest group (FIG) and living-learning community The University of Southern Mississippi recently (LLC) members on an alternative spring break trip to demolished Scott, Vann, and East Bond Halls to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. While other Ole Miss make room for Century Park South, which is the students were soaking up rays and hitting the slopes, next phase of replacement housing per the master these students performed community service which plan at The University of Southern Mississippi. included cleanup of a tornado-ravaged church, Three, five-story residence halls will include 954 bed performing maintenance work on a women’s shelter, spaces, the Moffitt Health Center, and the Luckyday spending time with Boys & Girls Club members, Citizenship Hall. This project will bring the total bed clearing brush in a state park, and assisting at a local space inventory to 3,848 bed spaces in August 2015, food pantry. The trip, the first of its kind to be which is an increase of 423 bed spaces beyond offered by student housing, was free for students. current inventory. Before returning home, students enjoyed visits to an Two buildings will be delivered to the university alligator ranch and a zoo as well as playing laser tag. in time for August 2014 opening, and the third Because of the success and students’ enjoyment of building will be delivered in time for January 2015 the trip, we will offer a similar spring break opening. All three buildings will house a mix of experience for students in the spring of 2014. freshmen students and upperclassmen students and Later in the semester, Kincannon residents will be co-residential in nature. Eighty percent of the enjoyed an afternoon of reading and fun with bed spaces will feature suite-style housing with students at Willie Price Nursery School on campus. private bathrooms used by only two students and These freshmen read stories, played games, and had student kitchen lounges used by floor residents. The an all-around fun time with our littlest Rebels. remaining bed spaces will offer suite style bedrooms With May came orientation and all of the with community student kitchen lounges and public excitement that entails. Our marketing team manages bathrooms where use is limited to the students who student housing participation, giving presentations, reside on the respective building floor. hosting information tables at picnics, and providing The architectural collaborative of The McCarty information at parent receptions. Our new student Company – Design Group, P. A. of Tupelo, marketing assistant team has proven to be invaluable Mississippi and Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas in communicating housing information and Company - Architecture Planning of Norfolk, providing assistance to our freshmen and their Virginia is the design collaborative. Harrell families. Contracting Group of Jackson, Mississippi will be As June ends, we participate in the last the construction company for the project. This $55.6 orientation sessions and prepare increasingly for million project shall be financed through the sale of move in. Our spring has been very busy but also state-issued revenue bonds.

40 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 STUDENT AFFAIRS AROUNDSEAHO THE FREATURESEGION North Carolina Updates

Duke University • Tyris Gillis received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media from Valdosta State and will Leah Campbell recently completed her Master's study toward a Master’s in Higher Education degree at Old Dominion University in Higher Administration degree. He will fill the Education Administration. She has also earned a BS residence director position at Avent Ferry in Biology from the University of North Carolina complex on East Campus. Wilmington. She will serve as a Residence • With an undergraduate degree in Coordinator on West Campus. Kevin Erixson Environmental Biology at ASU, Sara Calvert finished his Master's degree at the University of will work toward her Master’s Higher North Carolina Greensboro in Student Personnel Education Administration, directing housing at Administration in Higher Education. He has also Wood Hall on East Campus. earned a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in • Donte McGuire comes to NC State from Wake music (emphasis in clarinet performance) from Forest University with a BA in Psychology. He UNCG and Florida State University respectively. He will pursue a Master’s in Higher Education will serve as a Residence Coordinator on Central Administration while supervising housing in Campus. Lauren Creamer earned a MS in College Bowen Hall on Central Campus. Student Development and Counseling this past • From LSU in Baton Rouge with a BA in spring from Northeastern University. Her BS in Political Science and Government, we welcome Environmental Science and Management came from Andy Russell, new Residence Director in the University of Rhode Island. Lauren will serve as Tucker Hall on Central Campus. Andy will a Residence Coordinator on East Campus. Mathavi pursue a Master’s in Higher Education Jothimurugesan is our new Program Coordinator in Administration. the New Student Programs office. Maddie earned her • Nicole Ditillo, residence director at Carroll BSE from Duke University in Biomedical Hall on Central Campus, recently earned her Engineering. She recently earned her Ed.M in Higher BA in Psychology at Gettysburg College and Education at Harvard this past year. will earn her MA in Higher Education Administration while at NC State. North Carolina State University • Katelyn Wellbrenner has her BS in Psychology from Florida State University. She is Residence NC State University’s new Residence Directors Director for Sullivan Hall on West Campus for the 2013-2014 school year are as follows: while working toward her Master’s in Higher • Katie Lewis comes to NC State from Florida Education Administration. State where she received a BS in Family & • Cliff Jones, recent UNC CH grad with a BA in Child Sciences/Psychology. She is pursuing a Exercise and Sports Science, is the new Master’s in Higher Education Administration Residence Director at Wolf Village Apartments and as Residence Director will oversee Gold, at NC State. Cliff will work toward a Master’s Syme and Welch halls on East Campus. in Higher Education Administration. • Byron Green, who will be residence director at • Having earned his BS in Biological and North and Watauga halls on East Campus, is a Biomedical Sciences from NC State, Detric NC State alum with a BS in Applied Nutrition. Robinson is the first Residence Director in the He is working toward his Master’s in new Wolf Ridge Apartments on Centennial Agricultural Extension Education and plans to Campus. He will pursue a Master’s in Higher pursue a PhD in Education Research and Education Administration. Policy Analysis.

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 41 SEAHOSTUDENT FEATURESAFFAIRS AROUND THE REGION South Carolina Updates

Presbyterian College Columbia College. We are excited about the strength and ideas Katie will bring to our staff in working We welcome Ms. Katie Culpepper to our staff as with our community halls and Community Advisors Assistant Director of Community Life and Student and our students. Programs. Katie comes to us from Wofford College Over this summer, we will be renovating two where she has served as a resident director for this female residence halls, including providing all new past year at her alma mater. She will complete furnishings, as well as providing all new furnishings her M.Ed. in Higher Education in July from to our senior townhouse apartments.

Tennessee Updates

East Tennessee State University Performance Enhancement Specialist providing sport psychology and mental skills training with soldiers ETSU would like to welcome Michelle and their families at Fort Riley in Kansas. Richie Safewright as the Associate Director of Housing. Kenney has accepted the position of Assistant Michelle had served in this role in an interim Director of Housing Services at the University of capacity during the past year. Previously, Michelle Miami. Coming in to take over the halls are Nequel had served for 16 years as the Associate Dean of Burwell in Volunteer Hall and Bethany Tognocchi in Campus Life at Maryville College. She brings a Hess Hall. Nequel comes to us from Ball State wealth of experience and leadership to the university. University and Bethany from Frostburg State University, and both bring a wealth of housing and University of Tennessee – Knoxville student development experience to our campus. Another recent and exciting addition to our staff has The Department of University Housing is proud come in the form of a new Marketing and Summer to announce that two Hall Directors, Sam Whalen Conferences Manager, a position just created for our (Morrill Hall) and Richie Kenney (Hess Hall) have department. Meghan Jagnow, a former Residence taken new jobs as they advance their careers outside Education Coordinator at the University of Arkansas, of UT. Dr. Whalen, who completed his PhD this stepped into the role in March and has already begun spring, will be working with the Army as a to make her mark!

42 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 STUDENT AFFAIRS AROUNDSEAHO THE FREATURESEGION Virginia Updates

James Madison University was downloaded over 1000 times the first month it was available for iPhones. It’s free so please take a It is with a mixture of sadness and pride that the look and let us know what you think at res- Office of Residence Life at JMU bids farewell to our [email protected]! Director, Maggie Burkhart Evans. After more than 20 years in ORL, Maggie has accepted a position in Longwood University the President’s Office at JMU. During her time in ORL Maggie helped guide the department through a Stubbs residence hall will be offline for period of unprecedented growth and expansion. She renovations for the 2013-2014 academic year with played an important leadership role in the plans to reopen for residents in the Fall of 2014. construction of the Skyline Residence Hall Area With four Alpha chapters of national sororities, which added three halls and more than 1200 beds to Longwood University has long been known as the JMU’s inventory. She also helped plan and “mother of Greek Life.” With an updated residential coordinate the renovation of several older buildings facility for sorority members, Longwood is looking including the recent LEED Platinum effort at to move into the future of Greek housing. Each Wayland Hall. She has been an active participant in chapter will maintain a section of a floor for their our national and regional professional organizations membership and will be granted an updated “chapter and has served in a variety of leadership positions room” on that floor for meetings and events. The both inside and outside of JMU, including serving as first floor will feature a large common area for all the current SEAHO President. She has been a residents, a kitchen, common laundry facilities, and tremendous resource for JMU ORL and we know she breakout study rooms. A large meeting room will will continue her stellar work in the President’s also be on the first floor suitable for community- Office! Best of luck Maggie! wide programming and featuring a graphical Kevin Meaney has been named Director of representation of the history of sororities. Residential Residence Life. Kevin is a native New Yorker with and Commuter Life is excited to be able to celebrate 15 years of professional experience in Residence the story of Greek Life as we acknowledge the past Life and Student Affairs. Having worked previously and move into the future. at Pace University and SUNY Albany (where he Longwood University celebrates almost 100 received his B.A. and M.S), Kevin is finishing up his years of memories in the Cunninghams: 5th year with JMU ORL. He is currently working on Beginning the summer of 2014, Cunninghams his PhD in Strategic Leadership with a concentration Hall will be taken offline to become the site of the in Higher Education. Nicole Lenez has recently school’s new University Center. Although the joined the JMU ORL team as an Area Director. She promise of a new center for student life is thrilling, will be responsible for supervising nine Hall this means a residence hall filled with memories will Directors in the historic Bluestone Area of JMU’s become a thing of the past. On Saturday, May 18, campus. She served most recently as a Resident hundreds of alumni from all over the country came Director with Semester at Sea, and before at back to the Cunninghams to reminisce about their Roanoke College for 3.5 years. Nicole is a NJ native, experience there. Many alumni were excited to find sports fanatic, Clemson HEHD alumna, and is their old rooms and tell stories of their escapades. incredibly passionate about her work with students. The alumni who attended thanked University staff She is so excited to be a Duke and we are thrilled to for their commitment to honoring the building which have her on our team! meant so much to them during their formative years JMU ORL has entered the app world! The JMU at the school. Although the Cunninghams may Res Life App allows anyone to tour our halls physically leave the campus beginning in 2014, its remotely and provides detailed renderings of impact on the University is unmistakable. bedrooms and furniture within each hall. The app is Longwood University is excited to announce the available for iPhone, iPad and android devices and opening of 450 new apartment bed spaces at Lancer

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 43 SEAHOSTUDENT FEATURESAFFAIRS AROUND THE REGION

Park. The 450 new bed spaces include a mix of Old Dominion University Studio, 2 bedroom, and 4 bedroom apartments opening in August 2013. Also opening in August is a Old Dominion University’s Housing & new Commons Building which will include food Residence Life department is proud to announce service operations, meeting spaces, a state of the art those in new roles and staff who have recently joined gym for residents, a game room, and offices. Once us. Chuck Crawford was promoted to the role of construction is complete the Lancer Park community Assistant Director for Residence Education for the will be home to over 700 residents. First Year Residential Communities. Chuck has been employed with Housing & Residence Life since 2008. We are extremely excited to have Chuck in this new role; his collaborative nature will be a true asset to the Residence Education team. Neudy Nunez has joined our staff in late June as the Assistant Director for Academic Initiatives. Neudy has worked at Boston College, Berkley College and Nova Southeastern University. She will lead us as we collaborate with campus colleagues to develop and sustain living learning communities. Neudy will also have an integral role in our student success, academic enhancement, and retention initiatives. Michael Fulson joined our department in March in the newly created role of Manager for Residential Lynchburg College Night Desk & Community Development. He spent the last 15 years as a logistics accountant for the Lynchburg College is excited to announce that United States Air Force and has received three our Burton Student Center renovations are officially Commendation Medals in support of Operation underway! The $12 million expansion and Enduring Freedom. Michael will be responsible for renovation project has been a long anticipated overseeing the night (Midnight to 5 am) student staff project for faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The program providing service at our residential front existing structure, completed in 1968, is about desks. We would also like to introduce our new 42,000 square feet and will be expanded by over Assistant Hall Director (graduate assistant) staff: 30,000 square feet. Some 8,000 square feet in the Chanel Derricott, Ellissia Hill, Rodin Ndandula, existing building will be completely renovated. The Katherine O’Keefe, Daniel Sanford, and Jennifer student center will truly serve as the hub for campus Uwanaka life when it opens its doors in fall of 2014. Virginia Tech

Greetings from Virginia Tech! We are pleased to welcome six new team members to Housing & Residence Life. Please feel free to welcome them to the SEAHO region. Alece Alderson will serve as the Residential Learning Coordinator for Vawter Hall. She earned her Master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from the University of San Francisco this May. Alece is also a graduate of Chapman University in Orange, California. Caraline Moholland will serve as the Residential Learning Coordinator for Pritchard Hall. She earned her

44 SEAHO Report Summer 2013 STUDENT AFFAIRS AROUNDSEAHO THE FEATURESREGION Master’s degree in higher education and student ACUHO-I and their own state-based organizations. affairs this May from Merrimack College in North The Governing Council spend the time to develop Andover, Massachusetts. She is also a graduate of and set forth proposals for changes and additions to Bryant University in Smithfield, Road Island. Jay the VACUHO policy manual to better serve the Read will serve as the Student Life Coordinator in membership. the Honors Residential College. Since completing The VACUHO Summer Drive-In Conference his Master’s degree at Virginia Tech in 2010, Jay has will be held Friday, July 19 at Regent University. been a school teacher, most recently as a Physics and This year’s TED-talk style presentations will focus Algebra teacher at Kent County High School in on “Making Meaning of the On-Campus Rock Hall, Maryland. Jay is also a graduate of Union Experience.” College in Schenectady, New York. Bryan Rose will Finally, VACUHO and VASPA have paired up serve as the Residential Learning Coordinator for again to plan the Virginia Student Services Payne, Peddrew-Yates, and New Residence Hall Conference, November 20-22 in Wintergreen, VA. East. He earned a master’s degree in college student The combined professional development event draws development from Appalachian State University this over one-hundred attendees each year and features May. Bryan is also a graduate of Longwood educational sessions, networking opportunities, University. Katie Russo will serve as the Residential speakers, and time with associates. Check out Learning Coordinator in Riva San Vitale, www.virginiastudentservicesconference.org for more Switzerland. Katie completed her Master’s in higher details. education administration from Virginia Tech this May. Katie served as graduate assistant in Student Conduct. Katie is also a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Leah Ward will serve as the Residential Learning Coordinator for the Campbell Halls. She earned her Master’s in college student personnel this May from Ohio University where she also completed her undergraduate studies. We are also excited to announce that plans are moving forward on our Upper Quad Project. Over the next few years, we will raze four residence halls currently serving the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and build 2 new facilities with a total of 1000 beds in their place. We are working with architecture firm Clark Nexsen and contractor Barton Malow.

VACUHO

The VACUHO Governing Council has been busy this summer working on several initiatives. The Governing Council summer retreat was held June 11 and 12 at Virginia Tech. For the first time we invited our ACUHO-I interns serving around the Commonwealth to attend the business meeting. Interns Andy Foiles (VT), Orie Hubbard (ODU), Jack Vitaliz (ODU), Quiona Beason (Richmond), Hannah Moore (UVA), Murtice Hinson (UVA), Josh Bilskemper (UVA), and Nick Mulholland (VCU) attended, networked, and learned about shared governance, professional service, and connecting to

SEAHO Report Summer 2013 45