SWACUHO Preconference 2016 by SWACUHO

SWACUHO News Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

SWACUHO News - Preconference 2016

From The President When you think of February I hope you think of the many opportunities to celebrate. Celebrate something, anything, just celebrate! Look to the future and let a furry critter predict the weather with Groundhog Day; in the middle of the month is Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) and quickly thereafter is Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s Day, and President’s Day. It is also important to mention Daisy Gatson Bates Day which is a State Holiday in Arkansas to honor the life of Daisy Gatson Bates, a civil rights activist who played a key role in the integration crisis at Little Rock Central High School in 1957. For SWACUHO February 2016 also marks the celebration of our Golden Jubilee to celebrate our 50th Annual Conference! At the ACUHO 65 conference at Penn State delegates from the Southwest schools met to discuss the need of having a regional meeting. They decided to meet the following year and invite housing

In This Issue:

From The President.......................................................................... 1 2015-2016 SWACUHO Executive Board............................................ 2 Texas State Director......................................................................... 3 Thank you!........................................................................................ 3 Arkansas State Director.................................................................... 4 Mid-Level Update............................................................................. 5 Exhibits and Display Committee....................................................... 7 Professional Connections to Personal Relationships........................ 8 Diversity & Social Justice Committee............................................... 9 What WILL The Southern Placement Exchange Do For YOU?..................................................... 11

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

and food service workers from colleges in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas. They elected temporary officers and agreed that the first meeting would be at Southern Methodist University and annual membership dues were set at $5.00. A few things have changed in the University Housing profession since 1965! As we celebrate our 50th Annual Conference I am proud to say that I am part of this organization; part of its past, its present, and even as a soon to be past president I will be part of its future! Thank you SWACUHO for the opportunity to lead, serve, and be part of you!

Kenny Mauk SWACUHO President Student Housing & Residential Life Associate Director for Operations and Outreach University of Houston Delivering Quality Customer Service.............................................. 13 Transportation Sustainability Challenge......................................... 15 Upgrade Yourself: UT Austin Residence Life Team Day....................... 16 Shine Your Light.............................................................................. 18 Communication is Essential........................................................... 20 Academic Support Initiatives at Texas A&M University....................... 22 Newest Trend in Recycling............................................................. 24 SWACUHO U.................................................................................... 26 Get Excited, it’s Internship Time!.................................................... 27 A Letter To My Dorm–Home Sweet Home....................................... 28 SWACUHO Elections 2016............................................................... 30

2015-2016 SWACUHO Executive Board Kenny Mauk

Curtis Odle

Adonis Thompson

Tanya Massey

Rikki Turner

Maggie Guzman

Diane Brittingham

Dan Mizer

Chad Martin

Ele Luna

Whitney Paschall

President University of Houston kmauk@central.uh.edu President-Elect Oklahoma State University Tanya.Massey@okstate.edu Past President University of Oklahoma dbrittingham@ou.edu Secretary Southern Methodist University eeford@mail.smu.edu

Treasurer Baylor University curtis_odle@baylor.edu Technology Coordinator University of Arkansas- Little Rock rdturner@ualr.edu Historian Texas A&M University dan@housing.tamu.edu

Texas State Director Texas A&M University maggie_guzman@housing.tamu.edu Oklahoma State Director Southwestern Oklahoma State University chad.martin@swosu.edu

Newsletter Editor Texas Tech University whitney.paschall@ttu.edu

2015-2016 SWACUHO Executive Board

Arkansas State Director Arkansas State University athompson@astate.edu

2015-2016 SWACUHO Committee Chairs

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

Texas State Director Howdy Texas! I hope everyone had a fantastic winter break that was the perfect mix of fun and restful! I know it took me a little bit of time to get back into the swing of work, but as we near the Annual Conference in Waco, I’m getting excited to re-connect, re-energize, and renew my passion for this incredible field that we’ve all chosen! As we enter 2016, we’re all facing several hot topics: guns on campus, hover boards, Title IX issues, the evergrowing presence of animals in our facilities, mental health issues…the list could go on and on! I hope you’ll all join me at the State Caucus meeting during the Annual Conference to discuss some of these things that we’re all experiencing here in Texas.

Speaking of the Annual Conference, it’s not too late to register! We will be in Waco this year as Baylor University hosts the Golden Jubilee in celebration of our 50th year as an organization. It would be fantastic to see lots of representation from our great state! To register, visit swacuho.org and click on the “SWACUHO 2016 Annual Conference” link under the calendar section. Already registered? Stay up-to-date on updates by following #SWACUHO2016 on Twitter! I’m looking forward to seeing you all soon! In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything!

Maggie Guzman Texas State Director mguzman@tamu.edu

Thank you! I would like to thank SWACUHO for the opportunity to represent the association as the Newsletter Editor for the past four years. I have grown tremendously and have learned so much from each of you. I have met wonderful people and have gained amazing friendships. I came to University Student Housing at Texas Tech University in 2009 with a background in banking. I had little knowledge of the housing industry at the time. After attending my first SWACUHO event, I hoped no one would ask me to tell them what SWACUHO stood for when I returned. When I see the new delegates, I can easily remember feeling shy and uncertain after my first conference. I have learned so much over the years about what it takes to keep the residence halls thriving. When I SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

lived in the residence halls, I did not recognize how much work was done in the background to make each student’s experience a joyous one. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to serve with such talented individuals. I will treasure reflecting on this time and look forward to what the future holds for myself and for the wonderful people in our region. To all the new people in the SWACUHO region, I challenge you to be brave and get involved. You will be amazed at the rewarding experiences and adventures in store when you do. Many thanks,

Whitney Paschall Newsletter Editor 2012-2016 Texas Tech University

Arkansas State Director Hey SWACUHO!!! We are less than a month away from the 2016 SWACUHO Annual Conference, or better known this year as The Golden Jubilee. This will be a great time to connect with colleagues from all over the region, learn new things and become an active member within the organization. If you haven’t registered for the conference, be sure to do so because you don’t want to miss out on the experiences that come with being involved with such a great organization. Here’s a few tips to help get the most out of your SWACUHO experience: • Meet new people You will come with your university, but in order to build a network, one must network. Introduce yourself when you come into session and spark up a conversation, eat lunch at tables with those from other institutions or chat during the breaks. • Attend the vendor fair Even if you are not a CHO or make purchasing decisions, your input is vital. This is your time to hear about new trends within the field, connect with those that you will need as you progress, and also be able to take things back to your school to possibly use in the future.

• Join a committee One of the greatest strengths of SWACUHO are the people involved with it. From the executive board to the committee chairs and committee members, the chance to grow as a leader helps to build not only the organization but our home institutions as well. By joining a committee you can help to shape the future of the organization and the direction it goes. This also gives you an opportunity to build upon your professional network as well as making some great friends. • Attend socials The conference can be a busy venture, but it will also offer times to relax. This is an opportunity to continue the conversations that you sparked from meeting new people. When you can have fun with those you will work alongside with, it makes it so much easier to build upon the relationship. We all know that housing/residence life is a field made for fun, so why stop at the conference? I look forward to seeing you all at the conference and hope that these tips come in handy.

Adonis Thompson Associate Director of Residence Life for Operations Arkansas State University athompson@astate.edu

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

Mid-Level Update It’s a Golden Jubilee, yes you will see… when SWACUHO starts and we get some housing smarts! • Encourage SWACUHO committee participation

It’s Beverages & Great Conversation We have worked with the Baylor host committee to change up the Mid-Level event held at annual conference. We plan to move from a breakfast to an afternoon/evening reception. Please check the conference schedule for day, time and location. MENTORS & MENTEE Opportunity There has been a great deal of support for reintroducing a Mentor-Mentee program. Interested participants can find the application links here:

• Contact with mentee twice per month • Complete two assessments/surveys between 2016 annual conference and 2017 annual conference

Mentee Requirements: • New professional or entry level position • 0-3 years of experience • Contact with mentor twice per month

MENTEE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SWACUHOMentee MENTOR: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SWACUHOMentor Please note that we will start matching before the annual conference if we have enough applications. We ask that you forward this link to those who may be interested. Mentor Requirements:

• Complete two assessments/surveys between 2016 annual conference and 2017 annual conference Be The Network As always, I would like to encourage all of our Mid-Level staff to take the time to help new professionals network during the annual conference. I am challenging all MidLevel staff to introduce at least one new professional or new SWACUHO member to one of your a Mid-Level colleagues. If there are other opportunities that you would like to see please contact Katy Pelton at katypelton@shsu.edu or 936-294-3155. We look forward to seeing you in Waco.

• Mid-Level, SHO, or CHO position • 4+ years of experience • Introduce your mentee to other SWACUHO members

Katy Pelton Assistant Director for Hall Staff & Academic Initiatives Department of Residence Life Sam Houston State University

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

Join us This February 22-24, 2016 for the Golden Jubilee! The Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers is celebrating a milestone accomplishment in its long and storied history. This year marks SWACUHO’s fiftieth anniversary as an association. As such, this February’s annual conference is aptly named the “Golden Jubilee.” The annual conference is being hosted by Baylor University, conveniently located in Waco, Texas. This is Baylor’s first time hosting SWACUHO since 1984, when the theme was “Decisions and Strategies: Accent on the Future.” After five decades of existence, SWACUHO is still focused on the future of the college housing profession, but this year’s conference will also be a time to reflect on the history of the organization. This appreciative look back will include a unique opportunity to hear from a panel of SWACUHO’s past presidents. Many familiar faces from our association’s leadership are coming back for the fiftieth anniversary celebration and will share their perspective on where SWACUHO has been, how it arrived to the present, and their predictions for the future. This is just a sample of the many fun features the host committee has in store for what will surely be a once in a lifetime event! The Waco Convention Center is ready for your arrival. And don’t forget all the attractions Waco has to offer, be it the “Magnolia Silos” from HGTV’s Fixer Upper or the Mammoth Site that has just been named a National Monument by the National Parks and Services.

Rob Engblom and Curtis Odle, Baylor University Co-Chairs 2016 Annual Conference Host Committee

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

Exhibits and Display Committee As SWACUHO 2016 approaches, the Exhibits and Display Committee has been hard at work gathering registrations from exhibitors. The exhibit area is the place for delegates to learn about the products and services offered in our industry as well as an opportunity to learn about new products and services. Be sure to come to the E&D area to meet and interact with our exhibitors and for chances to win great prizes in our two drawings at lunch and the afternoon snack break on Monday! And follow us on Twitter for updates from the Exhibit Hall! @SWACUHO_ED

Exhibitors registered to attend: • Adirondack Solutions

• Integra Seating

• Residence Life Cinema

• American Contract Furniture

• KeyWarden

• Roompact

• Apartment Furnishings Company

• KLN Manufacturing

• RT London

• KSQ Architects

• SALTO Systems

• Apogee Telecom

• Leeder Furniture

• Sauder Education

• Barnes Gromatsky Kosarek Architects

• Mackey Mitchell Architects

• Savoy Contract Furniture

• Maxient LLC

• SCM Architects

• MicroFridge

• Southwest Contract

• Mustang Refrigerator Rental Company

• Stantec

• CSC ServiceWorks Inc.

• Next Generation Insurance Company

• SWAK University Services

• Dickson Furniture

• Norix

• Ecologic Furniture

• Off Campus Partners

• eRezLife Software

• On Campus Marketing

• EYP Architecture &Engineering

• OrgSync

• Foliot Furniture

• Randall Scott Architects, Inc.

• Hitouch Services

• Rentacrate/Hitouch

• Caldwell and Gregory • College Products • Collegiate Concepts, Inc • CORT

• Philo

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

• StarRez • Texas Correctional Industries • The Brill Company • Traka USA • Transformations • Treanor Architects • University Laundry • University Loft Company

Professional Connections to Personal Relationships SWACUHO is my professional home. In preparing to assume the duties of the President, I have been reflecting on why this organization has become so important to me. I think this organization serves many purposes.

It also allows staff to explore the balance between volunteer and professional roles. The reality is that no matter where and when you choose to connect with SWACUHO, it can make a difference in your professional life.

In a professional development capacity, SWACUHO gives me an opportunity to learn new ideas from schools, both big and small. The list serves and the knowledge base of our region are vast and provide an irreplaceable asset to those who are seeking knowledge both for benchmarking and as a learning tool to gain professional knowledge to help in our career path.

While all of those are valid reasons to get involved, I realize the most important thing for me is the personal relationships that have developed into mentoring and friendships. When I think about my favorite aspect of my SWACUHO involvement, it is the SWACUHO family that has evolved. I have met some of my best friends through SWACUHO. Our lives may only intersect at conferences, but the phone calls, weekly emails, silly Christmas cards and Fitbit challenges are what keep me going when times are tough. SWACUHO has connected me to trusted colleagues, experienced parents, shopping buddies, you name it. The ability to call and reflect on ideas, seek support or check my attitude at the door make these relationships essential to my success as a professional, mom, wife and person.

Participating in the Exhibits area gives me a chance to look at new trends in student housing. Exhibitors provide the opportunity for us to dream big; finding a cool idea and taking it back to the rest of our campus. While some of you are not yet in a role to make the decisions, the relationships you build with the exhibitors will be valuable down the road when you are in a leadership role. The smaller conferences, (RA, SWACUHO-U, CHO, Mid Level Mixology) give staff a chance to learn in a more intimate setting, to showcase their campuses and to highlight creativity and student populations. I am constantly amazed by the excitement our students and staff have when they attend one of our smaller events. Getting involved in a committee and in the regional leadership helps shape the future of our organization.

Our Golden Jubilee provides a unique opportunity for our conference delegates. The celebration of 50 years as an organization will bring past presidents, former housing staff and brilliant minds together for three days to connect, learn and create new relationships. I encourage each of you to take time to connect with someone outside of your campus. They may become your new go-to person.

Tanya Arflin Massey Assistant Director, Programs and Development Oklahoma State University

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

Diversity & Social Justice Committee Greetings SWACUHO! Here we are, the beginning of a new year! Hopefully your home states have found some sort of respite from the chilly weather and your residents are returning safely to campus. It won’t be long till we all see each other in Waco, TX for the Golden Jubilee of our organization. With reaching a milestone of our organization coinciding with the start of the new year, I am struck by the concept of “time” as I write this installment for the newsletter. Some would argue that time is just wibbly-wobblytimey-wimey stuff while other’s would argue that time’s brief history isn’t nearly brief enough. Some would claim that everything old is new again, and given the recent resurgence of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag the start of 2016 seems more familiar than the plot of a CBS sitcom (cue laugh track!). Whatever your conception of time, I encourage you all to use this time that leads up to the conference to reflect, re-center, and get ready to reconnect come the end of February.

sounds great to you, check us out!). Our committee also encourages you to act upon the opportunity to attend any of the many presentations that address issues of diversity and social justice presented by individuals from all across the region. Great things are happening and the members of the SWACUHO region have a plethora of information to share.

If you are attending the conference I encourage you to consider giving of your time and joining our committee (#shamelessplug). As we continue on into this year our committee is committed to supporting the diversity and social justice initiatives of our constituent institutions. We are also dedicated to strengthening the commitment of the overall organization by combining efforts and resources and sustaining dialogue (so if any of that

A wise philosopher once reminded us that life moves pretty fast, and if we don’t stop look around for a while we could miss it. Luckily, we have an incredible opportunity coming soon to collectively stop and look around, and hopefully we won’t miss out on any opportunities to learn and grow.

As with any trip, we encourage you to take time to learn more about our host site and the work that the Waco community does to address, celebrate, promote, and support diversity in their community. Baylor University has graciously arranged campus tours, and the city that our host committee calls home has diverse offerings for us to enjoy. One such unique feature is the Church Under the Bridge which draws upon intersectionality of socioeconomics, religion, and social justice among other facets of diversity.

Keep Pushing Against Learning Edges (and see you in Waco!),

Patrick Miller Chair, Diversity and Social Justice Committee University of Texas at Arlington

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

What WILL The Southern Placement E As I sit to write this article I’m thinking, “Do I keep this professional and to the point or do I allow my feelings about recruitment to shine through?” If I promise to put some stuffiness in later can some emotion come through? No? Wait. Ah! Oh No! I just can’t help it. It’s gonna break through!! I love recruitment!! This time of year is my absolute favorite (unless it is August & training, or May & closing, at which times those are my favorite… but really my heart is always in recruitment)! I adore the energy and excitement, the new people, the nerves, the promotions, the movement, the questions, and the connections. This is why I became involved with the Southern Placement Exchange. I’ve been on both sides of the table. Now I am behind the registration table and that may just be the most fun of all because I get to watch and be a part of everyone else’s experience. Okay. Back under control. Promised professionalism. The Southern Placement Exchange was developed to provide a regional location for institutions and candidates to gather in a friendly setting to conduct interviews and meet-n-greets. Geared specifically for the southern states and sponsored by SWACUHO, SEAHO, and SACSA, the exchange has become known for producing high quality candidates, a variety of sought after positions, and a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. SPE, as it has come to be called, is hosted at the Holiday Inn at the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN. They have very comfortable rooms however you will want to reserve them NOW. The hotel does fill up and hotel rooms ARE NOT included in the price of registration. It is ultra-convenient though to stay in the hotel where the exchange is held. If you chose not to, there are nearby hotels that are also really nice and Memphis is a fantastic city! I know you are there

for recruitment but…Beale Street!! Oh, and my personal favorite restaurant, Uncle Lou’s!! Best fried chicken ever! And the honey biscuits. Oh, the biscuits… But, I digress. Why is SPE Great for Employers? • Meet amazing candidates who WANT to work in this region. • Cost effective. • Option 1 - $240 by 1/7/16, $290 after – includes registration, one position listing, message center, one interview location, three interviewers. • Option 2 - $100 by 1/7/16, $150 after – includes collecting resumes only, one position listing, access to candidates. • Additional Interview Location - $100. • Additional Position Posting – $25. • Additional Recruiter – $20. • Saturday Evening Closing Social Sponsorship – $200. • The exchange is in Memphis which is just a hop, skip, and a jump for us SWACUHO-ians! SWACUHO ites? SWACUHO-people? • SPE is geared heavily towards Residence Life/ Housing. You will not be competing with other Student Affairs departments for these candidates. •

SPE is small. The size of SPE is intentional. The South is renowned for hospitality and emphasizing relationship building. This too is important for the Southern Placement Exchange and one of the top reasons we keep it regionally focused. I have hired many candidates from SPE and I feel that I meet the ‘real’ person while we are in Memphis.

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

Exchange Do For YOU?

We talk at the social and while passing in the hallway. Even though the whole exchange is ‘an interview,’ I feel the experience is genuine and not just people needing to be ‘on.’ I suppose what I’m saying is, the people who join my team in July are the same people I met in February and I like that.

• If you have time, please take a look at our video geared towards Employers: https://youtu.be/2WR2I_gAJ-s. Well, What Does SPE Do for the Candidate? •

SPE is FOR the candidate!! We keep the candidate pricing low because we know job searching is expensive and we want you to get the most out of your experience.

• Cost is FANTASTIC! • Registration is $40 prior to January 8, 2016 and $50 after January 8, 2016. • Registration does not include hotel • Our employers come from primarily the southern states, but we do have some from the north as well. • Our atmosphere is calming and not as stressful or chaotic-feeling as larger exchanges may be. Because we are so early in the year, we are also a good option for your first experience with job searching. • Prior to the beginning of the exchange this year there will be a workshop offered to all candidates assisting with interview techniques, resume skills, etc. • SPE wants the candidate to succeed, so we do what we can to help you succeed.

Finally (possibly the most exciting part of the article for some of you readers!) – SWACUHO Supports SPE! As one of the sponsors of the Southern Placement Exchange, SWACUHO generously offers a scholarship to candidates attending the exchange. The first 20 members who attend the exchange are awarded a $50 reimbursement for conference related expenses. WOW!!! If you qualify for this scholarship, you will need to contact the SPE SWACUHO Liaison (Placement Services Committee Chair, Em de la Rosa) for further information. SWACUHO members requesting the scholarship must have registered for and attended the exchange to be eligible. This is a fantastic opportunity particularly for undergraduate students interested in graduate positions – or really anyone! Job searching is expensive so every little bit helps!! The Southern Placement Exchange is on its 15th year and is scheduled for February 4-6, 2016. Please join SWACUHO, SEAHO, and SACSA in supporting our southern institutions and candidates in another successful recruitment season!! Registration and hotel information can be found at southernplacement.org or you may contact me at mlamb@astate.edu. Happy searching!!

Melissa Lamb Southern Placement Exchange Registration Chair Assistant Director Arkansas State University

• Check out our candidate video: https://youtu.be/XWCRr4B2AHI

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

Delivering Quality Customer Service; For the past few years there has been a lot of talk about the rise of a ‘consumerism’ mentality within Higher Education. Those with this train of thought would likely argue that they (or their student) have paid a lot of money, and deserve some form of tangible return. While I think many of us would dispute the idea of education being treated solely as a product that can be purchased, I would suspect most universities (especially those in traditional Student Affairs departments) have invested some time into refreshing their customer service policies and practices – and rightfully so. After all, at its core, quality customer service is about building relationships with those that we work with/for. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to attend the Disney Institute’s multi-day training workshop covering Quality Service. Since then, I’ve been asked numerous times about the core principles of the “Disney model” of service delivery, and have spent many hours training our staff about quality service implementation. After several years of in-person training sessions each semester and sharing of ‘best practice tips’ during our

Residence Life Staff Members

weekly staff meetings, our staff has started to ask more about how we can better serve our ‘internal’ customers. That is, how can we serve our peers with the same level of attention as we do our students and campus guests? In the end, the over arching principles of the Disney model are applicable no matter who you wish to serve. The folks over at the Disney Institute would tell us that before you start trying to improve your service delivery, you need to first understand the "NEWS" of those you wish to serve. That would be, what are the Needs, Emotions, Wants, and Stereotypes of your students, your campus visitors, or your colleagues. To help illustrate the first step in discovering NEWS, I have included a chart below. You may take a moment to think about the NEWS of your students. Outside of personal observations, how might you collect data to further sculpt your customer service practices? For many, tools like EBI survey’s, focus groups, and a review of incident reports may provide additional insight that hadn’t been previously used from a customer service standpoint.

Needs Emotions Wants Stereotypes • A Paycheck • Personal Fulfillment

• Eager to learn • Tired from 3 a.m. duty calls

• Professional Development • Make a difference

• Energetic • Generalists

Your University's Students

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

Internally and Externally After understanding the NEWS, Disney tells us that there are three Delivery Systems in their approach to quality service delivery. While most people hear "customer service" and think about improving person to person interactions (smile, stand and shake hands, etc.), delivery of quality service must actually be an intersection of all three delivery systems; Process & Policies, Place & Environment, and People. (I was taught, Setting, Process, and Cast.) One of the points that our instructor made during the institute was that to be successful, systems must be set up to enable decision making at the lowest level possible. You may be a first year grad student, but you still have an obligation to deliver quality service through the environment in which you work, the way that you train your “cast” and hold them accountable, and the policies and/or procedures that you implement. As you dive into the spring semester, I’ll leave you with a few thoughts to consider as they relate to setting, process, and cast.

Setting: • Is your office space inviting? • Is it accessible? • Is it inclusive? • Would someone feel comfortable telling you their story in that space? • Do your lobby spaces/ corridors/ bathrooms convey an image of care and concern? Process: •

In life, there will always be people that abuse systems. Are your policies set up to make things easiest for the 99% that do what they are supposed to, or to prevent that 1% from getting away with something? (On our campus, I’m thinking about lock-out keys right now.)

• What barriers can you eliminate to make daily tasks easier for those you work with? Cast: • Who are your ‘front line’ service agents? • Are they properly trained with a consistent departmental message, even if they are hired mid-semester? • Can all of your staff clearly articulate the reason behind ‘painful’ policies?

Craig Kuehnert Assistant Director for Student Leadership Development Texas Tech University

disneyinstitute.com

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

Transportation Sustainability What does Residence Life, Alternative Transportation Services, the Department of Multicultural Services, Dining Services, University Recreation, Utilities and Energy Services, and the Office of Sustainability share? Partnering for an ongoing sustainability challenge at Texas A&M University (TAMU) this spring.

The Challenge promotes diverse sustainability categories each month, reflecting its multi-faced nature and maintaining the interest of TAMU’s diverse student body. The categories range from resource sustainability, to personal sustainability, to social sustainability, to reducing greenhouse gases with eco-friendly modes of transportation.

Transportation Sustainability Challe

Bike, walk, carpool, and ride the Agg Spirit to earn a $15 gift card! How the to join C and halleng e c in or ompete der t o...

Earn P rizes!

1) Download the Eco Aggies app (Joulebug) 2) Join the TAMU Community/January’s Transportation Challenge by January 21 3) “Buzz” your activities to earn pins (share on social media for extra points) 4) Earn the most points by January 27and be entered to win one of ten $15 gift car Sponsored by Siemens Inc.

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

Challenge The Challenge serves as a “spine” to which TAMU’s sustainability advocates can easily connect. A department and relevant student organizations champion each month’s theme. The main Challenge sponsor, Siemens, provides monthly prizes to winners.

With the Eco Aggies app (from Joulebug), Residence Life places the tools for students to participate with sustainability in the palm of their hands. Eco Aggies also empowers challenge administrators to track points, attract and promote sponsors, post videos, and educate students while having fun. Stay tuned as TAMU Residence Life and its partners strive to make sustainability an Aggie tradition!

enge! allenge!

Dr. Carol Binzer Texas A&M University

gie Aggie

rds! ift cards!

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

Upgrade Yourself: UT Austin Residence Life Team Day With the theme of “upgrading yourself,” the UT Austin Residence Life department sponsored Team Day on January 11, 2016, where professional staff in the department were brought together to reflect on the previous semester, build community, and set goals for the upcoming year. Team Day took place at the Texas State Capitol building, located just minutes away from our campus. The day was organized by the Residence Life Development Committee, a group committed to enhancing professional competencies for staff by providing recognition and development opportunities. Team Day was separated into three parts with the subthemes of “synergize,” “maximize,” and “recognize.” The first part of the day was composed of icebreaker and bonding activities. Following this was a communication exercise in which staff members learned about the seven Cs of communication which they were able to integrate into specific goals for the semester. After this, staff went through a diversity session where the speaker discussed building communities which grow inclusion.

One of the highlights of the day was the “2-Minute Teach” session after lunch in which staff members were able to share personal skills and talents to the rest of the department themselves. Examples included how to: care for wounds, beat box, navigate the South by Southwest Festival, say loving phrases in Mandarin, and take flattering selfies. The last session of the day was about setting goals. Staff members received notebooks at the start of the day where they were able to take notes during the sessions. Compiling their ideas, they were able to set intentions for the upcoming semester. As with many of our programs, assessing the satisfaction and effectiveness of Team Day was important. A paper evaluation – to ensure a 100% completion rate – was distributed to the team at the end of the day. Findings from this evaluation indicated that the sessions were enjoyable and effective in growing the team, the team learned something new, and the day was effective in planning for the year ahead.

Justin Samuel University of Texas at Austin

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

Texas State Capitol building

UT Austin Res Life Team SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

Shine Your Light

Each of us has a unique purpose in this world, a unique set of qualities and characteristics and life experiences that prepare us for what we’re meant to do. Recognizing that, and following that, can be hard, especially in a society that often tells us what we should do and what we should be rather than encouraging us to do what we feel we’re meant to do and to be who we are. In Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, we read about a boy who is at first in search of treasure but is then ultimately in search of living out his Personal Legend. Part of living out one’s Personal Legend is by being a Warrior of the Light. This internal light is different for each of us, but feeding that light, much like stoking a fire, takes similar approaches. It’s about living the path that is meant for you and not fearing what others think about that path. It’s also about not judging the path others have chosen to live. For many of us reading this now, that path we have chosen is within Housing. For others reading this, working in Housing is a stop along a journey leading somewhere else. Regardless of how long you see yourself in this field, whether you’re a ResLife for Lifer

or you’re here for a shorter stint, the world needs you to shine your light. Sometimes, we feel like we can’t follow our passions that exist outside of our work lives. We feel like we can’t get involved in the communities we’re in for a variety of reasons: we think we’ll only be in our given location temporarily; we believe that if we have time to dedicate to something else, then we have time to commit more of ourselves to our work - to make it better, to get more done, to become better professionals. That’s just an excuse to let our lights get dimmer and dimmer! Sure, those extra commitments or involvements do take more time, time many don’t believe exists. It can be hard, especially if balancing coursework on top of an assistantship or even a full time job. But the truth is, y’all, we all have exactly the same amount of time in a day. How we allot that time is one thing that makes each person different. If we waste hours scrolling through Facebook when we could be hammering out

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

that project, that project still needs to get done, but we wasted three hours reading the highlights of other people’s lives rather than giving ourselves time to live our own. You’ve likely heard this advice time and time again, and you’ll continue to hear it. Maybe you’ll eventually listen to it. (I know it took me far, far longer to listen to it than I should have…) Here it is: find something you love outside of the work you do. Maybe it’s something that compliments your work; maybe it’s something that is very loosely or not at all related. Nevertheless, do something that makes your light brighter. This light will shine into all other aspects of your life, including your work life. You’ll feel more fulfilled as an individual, and that will make you feel more fulfilled as a professional. When your light shines brighter, you can spark and brighten the lights of others. You just never know what one smile or one comment can do to a person’s day or even life journey.

Don’t forget to enjoy your journey, through the ups and downs. Life isn’t about the product at the end. It’s about the experience along the way. Remember, each experience you’ve had has contributed to where and who you are now. You are a compilation of every experience you’ve ever had, and you’ll continue to be that. You’ll have experiences and wind up in places you may have never dreamed of. Never did I think I would move from Indiana to Texas. Never did I think I would go work for, and love, Texas A&M after being a Red Raider and loving my Texas Tech experience. But it all happened, and I’m thankful every day for it. This Red Raider even found the man she’s going to marry here in Aggieland! How about that for a journey? If you want to read more about living your Personal Legend and being a Warrior of the Light, check out these two books: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Warrior of the Light by Paulo Coelho. The Alchemist is my all time favorite book. I just finished reading it for the fourth or fifth time, and y’all, if I’d won that Powerball, I’d be passing a copy out to every single person I encounter. Remember, light has no shadow. Be the light.

Sara Hazel Harrison, M.Ed. Coordinator for Academic Support Initiatives, Texas A&M University

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

Communication is essential Texas Tech Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Approach To Students Who Plan To Withdraw Texas Tech University encounters many students who need to withdraw for a number of reasons. Issues often arise, where different departments may give inconsistent or incomplete answers to students. Even if the answers are correct, they may not always be the most beneficial answers for the students. It is also possible that the student may be given the correct information but may either not hear it correctly or may not understand the information. As a result, the students may endure unnecessary hardship. Such hardships may include Student Financial Aid being revoked or the loss of a loan as a result of a specific withdrawal date. Failure to comply with requirements due to miscommunication may result in a significant financial cost to students. It became important to address the communication issue to better serve the students.

To resolve this issue, Texas Tech University created a Withdrawal Team which routinely meets to discuss the accounts of students who may withdraw or are in a crisis situation. The result has been dramatic. Students now receive complete feedback and the solutions are uniform and accurate across all departments. The team is composed of representatives from Financial Aid, Student Business Services, the Scholarship Office, University Student Housing, Hospitality Services, the Registrarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office, and the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office chairs the committee. The representatives benefit from knowing more about each departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement and from a greater perspective regarding student conditions. Students benefit from precise and timely communication.

Jose Valenciano Assistant Director Texas Tech University

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

Join us this February 22-24, 2016 for the Golden Jubilee!

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

Academic Support Initiatives at Texas The Academic Support Initiatives area within Residence Life at Texas A&M is growing, and we are ecstatic about where we’re going. In the midst of an environment that is changing frequently, we too are striving to improve in order to serve our students better, develop stronger relationships with outside faculty and staff stakeholders, and help our hall staff have more ownership in academic initiatives happening within their halls. Academic Support Initiatives can encompass a lot, and not all departments have staff members who are solely responsible for completing those tasks. Nevertheless, supporting students, providing them with necessary resources to succeed in and out of the classroom, and helping them make it to graduation are things we ResLife folks all aim for. Things that may be related to ASI may be happening at your own institution without you realizing it or perhaps without you being interested in it. From Living Learning Programs to residential tutoring to study spaces in halls and so much more, our students, and our professionals, get a lot out of ASI. For example, working with LLPs give graduate students and new professionals fantastic opportunities to engage with faculty and staff stakeholders on different levels,

program for specific communities, and potentially get a different kind of administrative experience. If you want to learn more about Academic Support Initiatives within Residence Life at Texas A&M University and what we’re doing to bridge the gap between Student and Academic Affairs, as well as what others across the region are doing, be sure to attend my presentation at the upcoming Golden Jubilee on Monday, February 22 during Program Session 5! Some of the things we’ll be discussing include developing and sustaining Living Learning Communities, developing an Academic Peer Mentor program, creating Community Learning Center Spaces, revamping in-hall space to prime study locations, and assessing across the area. If you aren’t attending #SWACUHO16, stay tuned for more updates in upcoming newsletters, including tips for establishing new Living Learning Programs and other ways to promote an environment conducive to academic success. If you want to connect before then, I’d love to hear what you’re doing or trying to do! You can find me on Twitter @SaraHazel42 or email me at sara_harrison@housing.tamu.edu.

Sara Hazel Harrison, M.Ed. Coordinator for Academic Support Initiatives, Texas A&M University

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A&M University

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

Newest Trend in Recycling Recycling Styrofoam has been a huge success for Texas Tech University, University Student Housing. They started recycling Styrofoam two years ago and since then have been able to collect about 500 cubic yards. That is the equivalent to four football fields four inches deep! Recycling Styrofoam allows for significantly reduced space in the trash. Styrofoam is non-compostable and nonbiodegradable, so when it goes to the landfill, it just takes up space. Styrofoam is also so lightweight that many times in landfills it is blown away and litters the streets. To recycle Styrofoam, University Student Housing uses a densifier, which melts the Styrofoam reducing the space it takes up, and making the Styrofoam moldable for a new use. The money we get back recycling this Styrofoam then goes to the Texas Tech Housing Sustainability scholarship for those living in the residence halls. A pound of recycled Styrofoam can sell for anywhere from 20 to 35 cents a pound. Here is a short video on why to recycle Styrofoam and a little about the densifier machine University Student Housing uses to do this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oW2HofKwJ8

There are many better uses for Styrofoam than sitting in landfill. The densified recycled Styrofoam can be molded and reused for various things such as coat hangers, pens, rulers, and picture frames. Chick-Fil-A even uses their recycled cups to make park benches! Chick-Fil-A Beverage to Bench: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWBq6zv_l_w The newest residence hall, West Village, is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building. West Village Hall has recycled hollow Styrofoam bricks filled with concrete for the building. Other buildings on campus that are LEED certified include Rawls College of Business, the Bayer CropScience Lubbock Seeds Innovation Center, and the new TTU system office building; which also used Styrofoam bricks. As you can see, there are many reasons to add Styrofoam to college recycling programs. Have a sculpting competition with Styrofoam, make that new bench that courtyard needs, or even build a new building with it! Reduce the trash, create more recycling!

Melanie Tatum Unit Assistant Director â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sustainability and Warehouse Operations Texas Tech University

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SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

SWACUHO U For the third year in a row, The University of Texas at Dallas worked with the Professional Development committee to be host to SWACUHO U in September. This year, there were 35 new professionals who made the trek to Richardson, Texas to network and connect with other new professionals. Participants were lucky to have several seasoned SWACUHO veterans who were able to come and share their wisdom on topics ranging from setting the trajectory of your career, caring behavior of mentors, risk management and facilitates, and dysfunctions of a team. This wide breadth of knowledge and the connections that participants were able to make during their day at UT Dallas are invaluable tools to have. The fun didn’t stop once the sessions were finished, though! Several participants took part in a trip to visit Big Tex at the Texas State Fair! After a short DART ride, the networking continued over the fried food smorgasbord that the Texas State Fair is known for. Overall, SWACUHO U was a wonderful experience for all who were involved! Participants left the conference with a better knowledge of SWACUHO and connections across the region. As we are gearing up for a season of recruitment for entry level positions, keep SWACUHO U in mind for a great professional development opportunity for your new professionals!

Dr. Gennie Lynn ’05 Coordinator of Residence Life Department of Residence Life Texas A&M University

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

Get Excited, It’s Internship Time! The internship search is an interesting, sometimes chaotic, yet wonderful process. I am currently a second year graduate student and have done some reflection in the six months since my internship on both what I’ve learned and what I could have done differently. I want to be able to share these experiences to hopefully help you make your process smoother and less chaotic and stressful. By this point, you’ve chosen the process by which you will interview, and probably done some interviews. Keep the following things in mind for the rest of your process: Seek Mentorship- I recommend that every graduate student seeks out a mentor. I very much recommend having more than one, particularly one inside the field, and one outside the field. Both will help you with seeing different perspectives. These can be friends, supervisors, colleagues, professors, etc. One of my mentors within the field is both a colleague and friend, has guided me through resume/cover letter critiques, talked through possible interview questions, and has helped me remember what is really important to me. A mentor will also help you remember to be true to yourself throughout the process. Ask Questions- I know it is hard to get the feel for what an internship will really be like over the phone. Before your interview think about what you want or need in an ideal internship and ask questions to find out if those exist wherever you are interviewing. I can almost

promise that your absolute perfect internship does not exist, however, you can get a very close one if you ask the right questions. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. You feeling comfortable is important in where you spend your summer. Relax- Take some deep breaths and realize that in the end, everything will be okay. Interviews have a way of making you feel like you miss the mark on things or are behind your colleagues. When calls for internship offers come in, if others get calls before you, remember to breathe. You will get an internship. Take some time to reflect on what you are doing right and the things you are good at! This process should be something positive for you. You can absolutely do this, or you wouldn’t be where you are, working towards your master’s degree! You got this! Take Time to Think- The day internship offer calls begin coming is a very chaotic day, and one I remember fondly. If you get a call right at Noon (EST), great! However, if you don’t, do not fret. The call will come, I promise. When you get a call, remember in the excitement to ask when you have to accept or decline by. Most schools will give you at least 24 hours if you ask. You will need time to sit, think, and decide. Doing this on the spot may leave you with a decision that you regret if you receive multiple offers. At the end of the day, this decision is yours and you will need some dedicated time to think and process through it. This is not an exhaustive list of everything I learned throughout my process, but these are the things I wish someone would have really explained to me before I was finished with my internship search. Good luck with the rest of your search. I know you will do just fine!!

Kelly Gilton Texas A&M University

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

A Letter To My Dorm–Home Sweet

Dear Gordon Hall,

It may not have been love at first sight, but after just a few short weeks your white walls and tiny space transformed into the place I call home. I’m sure it has to do with the number of hours we spend together; sleeping, studying, dancing and eating. You’re my favorite place to do it all. I’ll never forget the day I moved in, rearranging the furniture to discover the best way to make everything fit in a livable way. As my roommate and I raised our beds so that our heads almost brushed your ceiling, I knew sleeping here would be an adjustment. I never imagined that after just two nights I would fall in love with this new way of living. I loved the way my

coffee maker was only a hop, skip and a jump away from my bed. I loved having my personal stylist sleep in a bed right next to mine. I loved the way my roommates and I could stay up late and study with music blasting without anyone telling us to go to bed. I loved the way my desk could serve as a table, a place to study, or my personal make-up counter. Most of all I loved the way you were located about five feet away from Torchy’s Tacos. Now don’t let me fool you, it wasn’t always a symbiotic relationship; there were definitely some things I had to learn to love. For instance, the way I have to flushand-run every time I use the bathroom, just to ensure

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

Home. I don’t get sprayed with toilet water. I had to learn to love the mounds of hair that I soon discovered tended to gather when four girls live in a small space. I am still learning to love the fire alarm that always seems to go off when I am sleeping; waking me with a British woman announcing that in fact the building is on fire (it’s always a false alarm). I don’t think I will ever learn to love the task of cleaning you or washing our dishes in your thimble-sized sink.

For this possibilitarian, life is like my coffee. I can't control the strength I'm served, but my control lies in what I add or sprinkle on top to create the perfect cup.

Despite all of this, when I leave and return I refer to you as my home. I couldn’t dream of spending my first year of college anywhere else. I’m thankful for the friends I’ve made, especially the ones who live down the hall and decorate for each holiday like it’s their primary job. I’m thankful for your open-door policy and some of the strangers who somehow make their way from the door to our couch in a matter of minutes and then refuse to leave. I’m thankful for the laundry room only being a floor away, and for the maintenance man who comes to our rescue when the towel rack falls out of the wall for the third time (no sir, we weren’t pulling on it). I’m thankful for being given the best CA and a lockout desk that greets me with a smile every time I get locked out of my room. I’m sure when I get a taste of living in an apartment or a house, dorm life won’t seem so luxurious; but for now I’ll continue to love the space you’ve become. This time when I tell my parents I’m coming home, I’ll be leaving their house and heading back to you. Kali Staples

Kali Staples (left) Dec 29, 2015 Texas Tech University

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

SWACUHO Elections 2016 PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATE Janis J. Haney

Bio/Vita

Associate Director of Client Relations, Marketing, and Information Technology Texas Tech University University Student Housing

Janis Haney has a B.S. Degree in Organizational Management from Lubbock Christian University and an M.Ed. in Higher Education from Texas Tech University.

members to see if they have considered SWACUHO. If they say they have not, I would like contact them and see what we do not offer that they may be interested in. As an example, a staff member at Texas Tech visited a Texas university in the fall and asked them why they did not participate in SWACUHO. Their response was that it didn’t appear to have enough offerings across all aspects of housing. I would like to explore broadening the offerings to be more inclusive for other housing staff.

She has worked for Texas Tech University, University Student Housing for 25 years. Her area of responsibility as Associate Director is Client Relations, which includes the Welcome Center (assignments, contracts, student recruitment and retention), Marketing and IT. She is completing her second 3-year term as Chairperson and past Chair on the Executive Board of Residential Management Systems, Inc. (RMS, Inc.) housing software company. She served two previous 3-year terms on the Executive Board as Conference Chair from 2006 to 2009.

Statement of Interest

• I would also like to explore speakers for SWACUHO I realize that the budget may not allow for a New York Time’s best selling author to come and speak but Alison Levine, author of On the Edge, has an incredible personal story of Leadership. Alison has successfully lead an expedition to Mt. Everest and relates her adventures to real life experience. This book is a Leadership Manual that is excellent. If we cannot afford her as speaker, it might be possible to use this book as Leadership Development for the Board.

If elected as SWACUHO President, I have ideas that I would like to present to the Executive Board to see if we could enhance some of our current directions and possibly bring new members into the association.

•

She has presented at numerous RMS, SWACUHO, and ACUHO-I Business Operations conferences. She has also presented at NACAS South Regional Conference and NACAS National Conference. She is serving her 4th year on the Auction Committee for the ACUHO-I Foundation.

• Although not a new idea, I would like to survey colleges and universities that are not current

My leadership style is to be very open to all suggestions and to empower the Board and the Committee Chairs to bring their experience to the table.

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers

TREASURER-ELECT CANDIDATE Megan M. Witherspoon Assistant Director for Residence Education University Housing University of Arkansas Statement of Interest My name is Megan Witherspoon. I am currently an Assistant Director for Residence Education at the University of Arkansas (U of A). I have been an active member of SWACUHO since 2007 while working at the U of A, TCU, and Baylor. In my time with the region, I have served as a program moderator, a judge for the Case Study Competition, a member of the Awards and Recognition Committee, a member of the Exhibits and Display Committee, and a member of a conference host committee. For the past 3 years, I have served as the chair of the Exhibits and Display Committee. As part of that position, I work with a committee of nearly 20 people to plan, organize, and support the exhibit hall at the annual conference. Exhibits & Display (E&D) is responsible for recruiting exhibitors for the booths as well as an array of sponsors. I create and manage the registration forms. Being the contact for these exhibitors, I am the face of the organization to many of our key partners. The revenue generated from booth registration and sponsorship helps to support the operations of SWACUHO throughout the year. One of the moments I am most proud of

SWACUHO News | Preconference 2016

from my time with E&D is the reworking of the sponsorship model. The first year under the new structure saw our sponsorship revenue increase from $15,000 to $27,500. As my time as the E&D chair has come to an end, I am excited about the possibility of continuing to serve the association. Due to my experience managing the E&D budget, I am familiar with the budgeting system we use and the philosophical approach to spending within this organization. This knowledge and experience is why I am interested in serving as the treasurer of SWACUHO. The treasurer serves as a voting member of the executive board. While I am confident in my skills and abilities as they pertain to the responsibilities of the treasurer, I believe I bring another level of commitment. I have a heart for this region. It has been integral in my growth as a professional. I am eager to work for the association and put my passion and energy toward pushing us into our future. I can think of no better way to pay back the mentorship and guidance I've been given than to serve you all with my very best.

Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers