MACUHO Magazine Spring 2018

Mid-Atlantic Association of College & University Housing Officers

M AC U H O magazine S p r i n g 2 01 8

INSIDE THE ISSUE DIY TERRARIUMS THAT’S NOT MY JOB...

BUT MAYBE IT COULD BE: FROM COLLABORATION TO INTEGRATION UPDATES FROM THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

3

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

5 7

DIY TERRARIUM: SPRING MAKE & TAKE PROGRAM

10 11

MAPC: 22 YEARS OF JOB PLACEMENT AND NETWORKING EXCELLENCE

THERE’S NO VS. IN ADVISING TRAINING

23 27

REC UPDATES

UPDATES FROM THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

20 21

INTENTIONAL INTERACTIONS: A PILOT PROJECT AT EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY IN DELIBERATE CONVERSATIONS

MACUHO SoMe HIGHLIGHTS

17 19

RELI

THAT’S NOT MY JOB...BUT MAYBE IT COULD BE: FROM COLLABORATION TO INTEGRATION

13 15

ALL ABOUT THE ROSES - LETTER FROM THE VP

NASPA

1 | MACUHO - TABLE OF CONTENTS

HFO COMMITTEE’S NUTS AND BOLTS: WHERE HOUSING AND FACILITIES OPERATIONS PROFESSIONALS ANSWER THE QUESTIONS YOU’RE ASKING

EDITOR TEAM

Don Brennan Emily Nanna Dillon Eppenstein Arcadia Hewins Tory Elisca Rebecca Stringham Arleyna Loss Jenna Konyak Brian Root Catie Baxter

Editor Editor Director, Business Operations & Communication Designer Associate Editor Copy Editor Columns Editor Features Editor Features Editor Leadership Council Editor

HOW TO SUBMIT: Submission Guidelines The MACUHO Magazine is a quarterly publication that features articles and updates from and for housing professionals in the region. It is intended to serve as a resource for processes, professional development and to build engagement throughout the region.

MACUHO Magazine seeks content in two primary formats: -Features Articles: Features articles are pieces focusing on current events, hot topics or best practices. These are generally 1000 to 2500 words.

- Column Articles: Column Articles are recurring articles centered on a common theme or topic. If you have an interest in becoming a columnist, we would ask that you commit to 4 articles throughout the year around your topic, and that we work on your column theme together first. Columns are generally 500-750 words.

- Committee, Regional Updates or Leadership Council Updates: MACUHO updates about past or upcoming events are also included in the Magazine. These are 500-750 words.

Submission Guidelines - Accepted files: .doc, .docx - Information to include (will be included in the publication): - Article Title - Author Name - Professional Title - Institution - MACUHO Role (if desired) - Contact information (if desired) - Graphics: high-resolution headshot, applicable group photos or images - Please include photo credit information if applicable How to Submit an Article - MACUHO Magazine accepts articles on a rolling basis through membership and individual solicitation of the region.

- Due to the time required for editing and formatting the magazine, we suggest submitting an article 2-3 months before the topic would be immediately relevant. For example, for a piece on navigating a job placement conference, we would ask that you have the article submitted by December or January.

- Email articles with headshots and photos to magazine@macuho.org.

- We prefer to receive the supporting documents and article together in 1 email.

Questions? Please email magazine@macuho.org

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT In nature, spring is a time for new growth, new life and a refreshed outlook. In Student Affairs, it is the same; and really what I mean is that the spring is hiring season in Student Affairs and new opportunities abound. No other time is the focus on the future of our departments and professional composition so evident than it is right now. With a very successful MAPC and TPE cycle now at a close, the marathon of hiring season is hitting its stride and will conclude in the coming few months with job offers and a shifted focus to onboarding. If you are partaking in a hiring process on either side of the table, I wish you great success. Remember: be your authentic self, consider the importance of positional fit and remind yourself that regardless of the outcome you have value to add to our profession!

The theme of spring and the energy it brings is also a great metaphor for where we are within MACUHO. Exciting things continue to roll out in the region! We have begun the important process of getting our Think Tank/2025 Strategic Plan rocking and rolling, MAPC was very successful and our Association leadership had a very productive time together at our on-site visit in Erie, Pa. for the E-Board and Leadership Council members earlier in April. At the site visit, we toured the Erie Bayfront Convention Center’s exhibition and meeting room spaces where our 2018 Annual Conference will be hosted and spent valuable time together as a leadership team. Friends- mark your calendars now because the 2018 conference is going to be incredible! The Diversity and Inclusion Summit will also be taking place this spring at William Patterson University in New Jersey and will surely be an impactful event, so stay tuned for details leading up to that event.

As you read this, I too am hitting my stride as MACUHO President, as March/April marks the half-way mark of my presidential cycle. The time is flying, but we have already done incredible work for the association. I am excited to share the details of what we have been working on with the greater membership at the Summer Summit that will be taking place this June 14 and 15 at Penn State University Park, and finally to the attending membership of the Annual Conference at the MACUHO Business Meeting, where voting will take place this fall. I hope you will all join me in recognizing the work of our Directors, Leadership Council Co-Chairs and event volunteers on the outstanding work they have focused on this year thus far. If you’re not already involved within a MACUHO committee, it’s never too late to start: reach out to a co-chair today!

So, my MACUHO Family, I close this quarter’s welcome letter with a final springtime reference for you: take some time to stop and smell the newly-budding roses. This time of the academic year seems to fly by at light speed and can wash over us like a flood. Be sure to take time for yourself to reconnect, reflect and project what you want for yourself (both personally and professionally). If you need an accountability partner in this, I am here for you, as I am sure are your peers as well. Don’t neglect your professional journey, advocate for what you (and others who do not have the strength of voice) need, and don’t forget to thank and give back to the entities that have supported you along the way. MACUHO always has your back; we see you, we value you and I am proud of the work that you are all doing at your respective home campuses. MACUHO family, you are all magical and amazing and I continue to serve humbly.

With great enthusiasm, Debbie Scheibler President, MACUHO

3 | MACUHO - LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT - MACUHO | 5

ALL ABOUT THE ROSES We are in the initial stages of our next strategic plan and 33 individuals have signed up to become part of a team which will be reviewing what this organization has accomplished over the past few years and what items we are able to leave better than we found it.This time of transition between the two plans is a great time for us to evaluate who we want to be and reflect on who we are as an organization.

To carry Debbie’s springtime reference, “take some time to stop and smell the newly-budding roses,”a little further, reflect on what the roses are currently doing for future roses. When a rose grows, it creates a stem or “cane.” With a little help from the sun, some water and with the assistance from someone who has some experience with roses, those canes are where future roses blossom.

Sound familiar? As a professional in student affairs, take some time to reflect on the work you do with students and the individuals who worked with you as to allow you to become the professional you are today. All the interactions work as “canes” to allow students to become the best version of themselves because of all the challenge and supporting provided by you. MACUHO would not be the organization it is today without the work of previous professionals and is bound to be greater because of our current members. The 33 individuals ready to take on our strategic planning process will be smelling the roses of past work, but also developing new canes for future roses.

As we close out the semester, think of the students you work with and the individuals you have encountered. I reflect and hope I am able to either create or assist in creating a strong cane for them to be able to become the best rose they can be. I challenge you to create those opportunities for those you come in contact with to be the best rose they can be.

Let’s get to work.

Stephen J. Apanel

Stephen J. Apanel Vice President-President Elect Director of Housing Services at Bucknell University sapanel@bucknell.edu

5 | MACUHO - LETTER FROM VP - PRESIDENT ELECT

Proud recipient of MACUHO’s 2017 Business Affiliate of the Year Award!

Our family-run business began 40 years ago in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and has grown to a community of more than 200 people working across five states.

Our FSC-certified hardwood furniture starts with a renewable resource: local trees from wild north country forests. From standing timber and rough lumber to milling, manufacturing, and installation, DCI controls the entire chain of custody from our state-of-the-art and climate-friendly manufacturing facility.

Adhering to the highest sustainability principles, we maintain a zero waste manufacturing process and work closely with state foresters to harvest trees and improve wildlife habitat at the same time.

As a valued client, you can trust our team to manage your project from forest to floor. We’re committed to providing you with world-class solutions, service, and support.

Serving you is our first priority.

www.dcifurn.com New Hampshire | California | North Carolina

DO IT YOURSELF TERRARIUM: Spring Make & Take Program By: Alex Monroe Stevens Institute of Technology

Materials Obtained 100 2-inch succulents ~$150 (Amazon)

5-10 large packages of moss, various colors/types ~$40 (Michaels, Walmart, Petco)

1-2 large bags of small pebbles/rocks (various colors) ~$30-$60 (Petco, other pet/craft stores)

4-5 bags of seashells, mini figurines, other decorative pieces ~$20-$40 (Michaels, Walmart, Target)

100-150 count paper bowls 100-150 count plastic spoons

Program Description Are you looking for an innovative program to get residents and/or RA staff ready for their spring semester?

With the start of spring classes, I had the privilege of hosting our first Do-ItYourself Terrarium program sponsored by The Office of Residence Life at Stevens Institute of Technology. Located in Hoboken, New Jersey and just across the island of Manhattan, Stevens students may feel demoralized when they dive into the new semester with the winter weather of rain, snow, and wind. With such an amazing scenic location, I began to brainstorm with my team on ways we can get our students and staff energized for the upcoming months.

audience. After researching and discovering how easy it was to make, I decided to use 8 oz. mason jars and 2-inch succulent plants for the mini terrariums. We also included a variety of decorations and essentials such as soil, pebbles, moss, and colored rocks! The key theme on using plants was to provide a physical representation of growth. It also provides students with something to maintain and be responsible for. Furthermore, plants are a suitable option for residence halls and require far less attention than pets. The terrariums do not require much water or direct sunlight, so they are easy to take care of.

The idea of terrariums have On the night of the event, I was become increasingly popular, but I ecstatic to see a line beginning to wanted to ensure something like this form minutes before the program. was possible to reach a larger-scale I was very fortunate to have the

7 | MACUHO - DO IT YOURSELF TERRARIUM

assistance of my RA staff to guide, assist, and teach attending students how to begin building their own terrarium. Throughout the night, over 100 residents from both on and off campus stopped by to get their hands dirty! Toward the end of the night, and after running out of materials, a number of residents asked when the next DIY Terrarium program would be. With the success of this program, the department is set on facilitating this event again! This was a great opportunity to get students to try something new, and to continue building innovate ways to connect with and engage our students here at Stevens. With their new plant roommates, the attendees of the program are spring-ready and set for the warm weather to come!

Tips & Tricks -This could be a large or small scale event, though I would highly recommend stocking up on 2-inch succulent plants. Amazon offers a variety of bundles with all different kinds for a reasonable price. I ran out of succulents quicker than I had expected, but I was able to make use of the remaining materials and mason jars!

-Music! Consider some calming tunes or something more upbeat to get the crowd engaged and in high spirits. Either way, it helps set a tone of relaxation and fun upon entering your space.

-Research what will work best for your space and student population. There are many different ways to build a terrarium with tons of helpful resources online.

-Print out multiple copies of step-by-step instructions. I had consolidated steps into an instruction packet easy for anyone to navigate. Multiple printed copies were spread out across the work stations.

-Mingle and offer help! I found myself making the most out of this event when I made brief introductions and interactions with students whom I had never met before. It was nice have a space where casual conversations could take place in a relaxing environment; consider ways to make the most out of a program like this!

RELI Faculty have been selected for the joint NEACUHO/MACUHO Regional Entry Level Institute being held at Penn State Harrisburg this May 29- June 1, 2018: -Olan Garrett, Penn State -Nate Gordon, UConn -Christina D’Aversa, Lehigh University -Scott Helfrich, Millersville University -Joel McCarthy-Latimer, UMass Lowell -Glenn Cochran, Framingham State University -Haley Baum, Stockton University -Chermele Christy, Hofstra University -Kim Beardsley, UConn The first such institute of its kind in the nation, RELI is intended to provide the skillset for entry-level professionals to successfully make the transition to mid-level positions. RELI is modeled in a similar fashion to ACUHO-I’s National Housing Training Institute. Alternating between hosting regions every other year, RELI provides competency-based sessions presented by seasoned professionals in the field as well as structured opportunities for mentorship and professional self-exploration. RELI is not a conference; it is an institute where the focus is on the success and growth of the participant.

Jon Conlogue (Westfield State University) and Debbie Scheibler (Wilkes University), RELI Co-Directors Special gratitude to our 2018 RELI host coordinators Katie Patschke and Amanda Blaugher from PSU-Harrisburg Residence Life!

RELI - MACUHO | 10

THAT’S NOT MY JOB...

BUT MAYBE IT COULD BE: FROM COLLABORATION TO INTEGRATION By: Drew Melendez

Working in Residence Life can sometimes feel like working in a catch-all office. At times, we’re subbing in for other offices just because we have the access to students and the time---at all hours of the day (and night). There’s always someone on call, an RA on duty, and sometimes more often than not, live-in staff find themselves in the lobby of their building or doing a round late at night. We essentially are meeting student needs ‘round the clock.

Student needs are ever-changing. Schools all over the country are implementing student concern task forces to address heightened student concerns and crises. These task forces allow people from various departments and divisions on campus to lend a hand and help out in reaching those students of concern. They are a great theory to practice example that students needs are ever-changing and the way that we are addressing their needs should be through a holistic approach. Even with these task forces, collaboration can hit a wall. What happens when a student isn’t responding to their advisor’s email or just isn’t willing to go to the counseling center? What happens when your counseling center is inundated with appointments (which has very clearly become the norm on a lot of campuses caused by underfunding and understaffing)? Is it our job to counsel students? No, and if you’re

11 | MACUHO - THAT’S NOT MY JOB...

not qualified, I would advise against it. Is it our job to advise students?

No, and if there are people already assigned to do so I would, again, advise against it. But there’s nothing saying that you can’t actively work to help these students get to the right place. We can use the word holistic until we’re blue in the face, but if we’re not genuinely taking a holistic approach to student development and services, what are we doing? We know that learning doesn’t stop in the classroom, so what are we teaching our students within the halls?

We talk so highly about collaboration as a value. How great is it when Residence Life partners with Campus Activities to put together a large event in the residence halls? Or when Residence Life partners with an Academic Success office to bring stress busters right to our study lounges? Or, my favorite, when Residence Life partners with Disability Services or the Multicultural Student Office? When the programs are over, how are continuing the collaboration? Should we instead be moving towards integration of services?

While working at Shippensburg University, I had a great experience briefly filling the role of Residence Director for Student Success and Wellness. I was able to do a lot of the things I really enjoyed about being a residence director. I worked closely with RAs on different programming

initiatives, and still served on the on-call rotation. The best part of the position was that a lot of my time was spent making one-on-one contact with students of concern. I would go their residence hall rooms, and ask to talk.

There was always a goal in mind when I went to talk to them: they needed to reach out to their advisor, they needed to understand that missing 5+ classes was going to negatively impact their grades, or I needed to really coax them into going to the counseling center. I had plenty of conversations surrounding wellness and mental health issues. I always referred them to the appropriate resources but I was also able to continue meeting with these students to ensure that 1) they were getting the help they needed and 2) they knew they had someone to reach out to.

I never acted as an entity alone.

These students knew me as residence director and were often referred to the residence director in their building or the RA on their floor if they had any buildingspecific issues. I worked alongside other offices on campus such as the AOD office to provide free screenings in the residence halls. The bulk of my job was collaborating because I was in this amazing mix-and-match position that could change as easily as our students’ needs do.

Now, the answer to meeting students’ needs holistically is not to add more work onto already overworked higher education professionals. While that might seem like a conversation or another article, it’s something that needs to be taken note of when discussing collaboration. Instead, what needs to be done is to create and modify already-existing positions to intentionally carve out time to focus on various aspects such as academic success, mental health and other types of wellness, or are specified to work alongside Campus Activities, the Counseling Center, or Drug & Alcohol Services. A lot of schools are already doing this type of work because of budget cuts, or understaffed areas, but when we begin to do it out of understanding that our work needs to be more focused on the holistic experience of students, it’s no longer about what our jobs are, but rather what our jobs can be.

HAPPY STUDENTS, CONVENIENTLY WITHIN BUDGET No Up-Front Costs. No Long-Term Planning. No, Really.

Give students more reasons to love where they live. With hundreds of pieces to choose from, CORT Furniture Rental gives you flexibility to manage student housing and common area needs on a daily basis.

Go to cort.com/highered to learn more or contact us at 888.304.2112 or EducationSales@cort.com.

#CORTatCollege ©2018 CORT. A Berkshire Hathaway Company.

On top of creating a holistic experiences for our students, if we want to create a much broader experience for graduate students and entry-level professionals, there is nothing wrong with creating positions that might serve in traditional residence life roles but with specific focus areas. To be able to serve on the on-call rotation and help out with department-wide initiatives, but specifically work with students who are at-risk, or LGBTQ+ identified student, or students with drug and alcohol issues, allows a staff member to get both those foundational transferable skills and also the opportunity to grow and flourish in an area of passion, that will ultimately help students succeed.

THAT’S NOT MY JOB - MACUHO | 12

INTENTIONAL INTERACTIONS: A PILOT PROJECT AT EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY IN DELIBERATE CONVERSATIONS By: David M. Campbell and Kelly Weaber After attending the Residential Curriculum Institute, hosted by The University of Oklahoma, Resident Director & Coordinator of Selection and Assessment Kelly Weaber realized a new model of interacting with students individually was buzzing in the Residence Life & Housing field. So, what is an “intentional interaction,” exactly?

The idea is for the student staff to have pointed and deliberate conversations with residents, in areas of personal well-being, academics, conduct issues, and other areas in their community.

Excited to see how she might utilize the model in her building, Weaber set off to pilot this project in

the large, suite-style residence hall that she supervises. Suite housing presents special challenges in developing community, and in the time and depth that Resident Advisors have to get to know their residents individually. Doors have automatic closers and residents have their own bathrooms, so there isn’t much opportunity for them to get to know their neighbors, or for RAs to see them often in common areas of the building. The type of residents we have today are also different than they were 10, 15, or 20 years ago. Many are quite happy without socializing with their neighbors. They may not see the benefit of belonging to a community.

Weaber goes on to say: “After six years in suite-style living, I was frustrated with the lack of community and connections in the building. Every year we hear during RA interviews that candidates want to make a difference, want to help people, and want to get to know their residents. The question is, how many RAs really want to do this? A change was needed, and intentional interactions seemed to be what I was looking for. I asked the RAs to stop everything they had been doing, and set out to just strike up conversations with the residents.

The goal is to get to KNOW them... not just their name and room number.”

The first opportunity to start this process was dropped in her lap, as she had about 20 new residents for the spring who were not at ESU in the fall. They moved in on Sunday, only to find the University closed the following day for a holiday and classes did not begin until Tuesday. So, the RAs set off to meet with these students individually to see how they were doing and if they had any questions or issues related to their first day on our campus. The RAs found that: 1. Many residents were transfer students and were excited to be here. Several RAs said that the informal approach put residents at ease, which allowed the RAs to learn about their interests and answer any questions they had.

2. The RAs also used similar introductory questions with continuing students. Residents who may have ignored them last semester were warming up to them. Residents would say “hi” before the RA had the chance to.

3. Residents became more aware of how resourceful the RAs really are. Following this first “intentional interaction,” Weaber moved full speed ahead into the pilot by doing two things. First, she further developed a series of conversation-starting topics that could serve as

13 | MACUHO - INTENTIONAL INTERACTIONS

general guidelines for RAs to begin the interactions. The topics varied in subjects and were based on the issues and needs of students for the particular week/month of school.

For example, when a campus safety event occurred, the topic of safety and who is responsible for safety was an essential conversation to start off with. The hope for these starter conversations would be that they would lead to other topics or concerns that students might have, allowing the RA to both get to know the student better, and to address individual concerns.

Second, she stopped doing large social programs each week. This traditional model did not seem to really be effective anymore. While attendance was usually good at the programs, and the residents enjoyed themselves, she noticed the same students coming to the socials each week, and they would stay in their small groups of two or three and not interact with other residents.

Advertising programs with posters was also stopped. RAs went to their residents directly to let them know what was going on in the hall. It just seemed more effective for RAs to spend time with residents individually rather than in a large social setting. RAs are still encouraged to have small, intimate programming on their actual wing however.

So far, the topics that they have covered include: 1. Satisfaction with Fall Grades 2. Why do you like living on campus?

3. Safety and Security 4. Work Request Issues 5. Fighting the Flu 6. New Package Delivery System Although the program is still in the

pilot phase, Weaber and her RA staff have noticed several positive things.

Some residents are now initiating conversations with the RAs when they hadn’t done so before. They see more residents interacting with one another in some of the small lounges on each floor/wing, and residents lingering more in the halls and common areas rather than always making a bee line to their room and closing the door. Also, residents seem generally more comfortable interacting with their RAs and willing to talk more openly about things that they perhaps were not willing to share before.

One RA reported that he is getting to know more about his residents because they want to stay around the floor. Future topics that they would like to cover include: 1. Securing a Place to Live for Fall 2. Registering for Fall Classes 3. How are you getting to know people in our community?

4. Have you connected with faculty and other professionals?

While ESU still follows a “Residential Curriculum” Model that includes programming for other offices on campus, Weaber would like to alter the model to focus on topics that are central to just their issues and experiences in the residence hall community.

Weaber adds: “I know this might seem like a selfish move, but re-evaluating what we want our residents to learn and what we want our residents to gain from their residence hall experience needs to be our focus. Some of our “go-to” programs do not match this goal. I think it’s okay to focus on ensuring we are meeting our priorities. I’m confident we can find a balance of promoting the work of other offices. I just don’t think we need to be doing their work for them. We can use that time to build relationships that will increase student satisfaction and retention, which will lead to a greater university experience.

David M. Campbell

Associate Director of Residence Life and Housing East Stroudsburg University

Kelly Weaber

Resident Director East Stroudsburg University

INTENTIONAL INTERACTIONS - MACUHO | 14

MACUHO SoMe HIGHLIGHTS

(SOCIAL MEDIA)

By: Emily Forte, Social Media Coordinator

What an amazing, globally connected world we live in today!

With so many ways to connect to each other across state lines and countries, MACUHO is taking full advantage of social media and keeping our members engaged and informed. If you want to stay fully connected to the MACUHO family, please follow us on Social Media, or SoMe as it is referred to, and engage with us at the following places:

/MACUHO

@MACUHO

/MACUHO

@MACUHOregion

Mondays

Tuesdays

#MACUHOMonday

#ThanksForJoining

Wednesdays

Fridays

#Women2Follow

#ForYouFridays

MACUHO’s Social Media is currently focusing on spotlights of YOU, our members! Please check out #MACUHOMonday’s for spotlights of MACUHO members doing great things, “Women to Follow Wednesday’s, #Women2Follow” for MAUCHO women to watch and to follow both in their career paths and on social media, and #ForYouFridays of blog posts and articles from current or former members in our region or highlights of topics trending in Higher Education and Student Affairs. You can also help us welcome new members to our Facebook Group and Page every Tuesday with “Thanks for Joining Tuesdays, #ThanksForJoining.” If you noticed that there is no hashtag for Thursdays yet, stay tuned! Our MACUHO Archives Coordinator and Social Media Coordinator have some big plans for a HUGE upgrade to the standard #ThrowbackThursdays. It will make #ThrowbackThursday look so outdated. “Do you want to nominate a MACUHO Member for a #MAUCHOMonday spotlight or an amazing woman for #Women2Follow Wednesday? Are you interested in advertising your MACUHO committee work, blog, endeavors, or partnering with social media on a campaign or spotlight?

Please reach out to Emily Forte, Social Media Coordinator at emily.forte@gmail.com. We’ll connect with you on Social Media!

15 | MACUHO - MACUHO SOME (SOCIAL MEDIA) HIGHLIGHTS

REC UPDATES

The REC (Recognition, Excellence & Connections) Committee hopes everyone had a great spring break and wishes everybody a strong finish as the semester dwindles down.

Committee will be meeting soon to vote on submissions and choosing Student Staff Live-In a winner that really stood out and made sure to shine light on all of We want to encourage the hard work their RAs do and how submissions and bids for the 2018 appreciative they are.

SSLI Conference. Are you looking for a great professional Institutional Highlights development opportunity for your department? How about a project Institutional spotlights will be a that creates an amazing learning new feature in the MACUHO and bonding experience for your staff? Well, we have the opportunity Magazine under the REC section for you! If you are interested or want highlighting accomplishments of to learn more about being a host, it professional and graduate staff.

These spotlights can include but are is never too early or late to contact not limited to: new hires, promotions, us at macuhorec@gmail.com. Bid retirements, publications, packets have been disseminated appointed/elected officers in but additional information can be professional organization, award found on our REC Webpage. recipients, etc. Through this we want to share the RA Appreciation Day 2018 initiative, successes of our members. MACUHO has exemplary talent and we want to We were so excited to see all of be able to shine a little light on that the great things your institutions awesomeness. Don’t forget to submit were doing to celebrate RA your submissions to Appreciation Day 2018! Check macuhorec@gmail.com out some of the awesome posts to show just how much they value Johnson Hopkins University their student staff members and Jessica Kupper - promoted from how much #MACUHORAsRock!

Assistant Director to Associate We’d say this was yet another Director of Residential Life at Johns successful year and we couldn’t Hopkins University. have showcased our students Michael Thompkins - Recently without you. If you have any appointed to the leadership team for additional suggestions for RA NASPA’s New Professional and Appreciation Day next year, please Graduate Students Knowledge do not hesitate to contact a Community, as a Conference Cocommittee member. The REC Coordinator.

Christopher Ambrose – Current MCPA Treasurer, was selected to serve on the MCPA Spring

Conference Planning Committee.

Rowan University Barry Hendler – Awarded “Advisor of the Year” from CAACURH 2018 Regional Business Conference

Rutgers University – New Brunswick Nailah Brown – Recent hire as a Residence Life Coordinator on the Busch Campus Nate Johnson – Recent hire as the Cook/Douglas Campus Director Bill Spear, Catrina Gallo and Dr. Flo Hamrick – Published a case study in the book, “Linking Theory to Practice: Case Studies for Working with College Students, 4th Edition,” edited by Frances K. Stage and Steven M. Hubbard. Look for this book to be out in 2018!

Ghada Endick – Co-Principal Investigator, “Exploration of Thriving and Student Success in Residential Learning Communities,” 2017-2019 Research Seminar on Residential Learning Communities as a HighImpact Practice Courtland James, Misty Denham-Barrett, Laura Cilia, Ali Martin Scoufield – Selected as virtual ticket presenters at the NASPA Annual Conference, “Immediate Care Long Term Wellness: Vicarious Trauma Support for Professionals” Justin Kelley, Kristen Klein, Diana Custis – Presented at NASPA Annual Conference, “Who Let the Dogs In? Supporting Students and Their Animals in the Residence Hall” Jorge Almonte-Florimon – NASPA Regional II Outstanding Graduate Student

REC Co-Chairs Courtland L. James & Drew Melendez

17 | MACUHO - REC UPDATES

Sylvia Thomas - Payroll Administrative Specialist Nadéjiah Towns - Resident Director

Stevens Institute of Technology

University of Maryland

Brent Johnson - Graduated from The University of South Dakota with his MA and co-presented a session on diversity titled “Putting the ‘U’ in Curiosity” at the 2018 Rutgers Excellence in Student Affairs Conference Freddie Bourne - Co-presented a session on diversity titled “Putting the ‘U’ in Curiosity” at the 2018 Rutgers Excellence in Student Affairs Conference. In addition, Freddie received the Division of Student Affairs Graduate Assistant of the Year Award in the fall semester and currently co-wrote a song that is in the top 10 music charts in Holland.

Alex Monroe - Co-presented a session on diversity titled “Putting the ‘U’ in Curiosity” at the 2018 Rutgers Excellence in Student Affairs Conference. Additionally, Alex will spend this summer serving as an ACUHO-I intern at the University of California-Davis.

Congratulations to the following new departmental hires: Amanda Baker - Resident Director Mary Breaker - Resident Director Madeline Yoder - Graduate Coordinator for Off Campus Housing Daniel Page - Graduate Coordinator for Rights & Responsibilities Courtney Cooper - Administrative Operations Specialist for North Campus Allee Garry - Resident Director Danielle Glazer - Data Analyst for Research and Assessment Brittany Marxen - Resident Director Tynesha McCullers - Resident Director Daniel McDowell - Resident Director Zachary Mellen - Administrative Operations Specialist, South Campus Ashlyn Newton - Program Management Specialist Pamela Talbott - Administrative Coordinator

Regional Goodbyes Brian Medina – Past MACUHO President has started his new journey at Marietta College as Associate Dean of Students and Director of Community Living Tony Sampson – West Virginia Regional Coordinator has started his new journey at Marietta College as their new Assistant Director of Community Living We invite you to join our committee which meets monthly on every second Wednesday at noon. We look forward to continuing to serve you!

REC UPDATES - MACUHO | 18

UPDATES FROM THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE By: Amanda Slichter and Nailah Brown With a fresh mission statement, the Diversity Committee is excited to partner with our members on a number of spring projects. Our new, concise mission statement reads: “The MACUHO Diversity Committee builds and fosters inclusivity amongst our members and their institutions. Through outreach, education, and advocacy, we challenge ourselves and our communities to be more just and equitable.” We hope that you will join us in this mission by increasing your involvement with our committee.

In our February Committee Call, our members focused most heavily on planning the highlight of our spring season– the annual Inclusion Summit! This year, our friends at William Paterson University have graciously agreed to host our drive-in conference on Friday, April 27th. Mark your calendars for now and stay tuned for more details about times and sessions!

Beyond learning and networking with your colleagues at the Inclusion Summit, there is another new way to get involved with the Diversity Committee. With the encouragement of the Executive Board, we are in the process of solidifying Affinity Groups to support and celebrate the various identities our members hold. Although we intend to grow a more robust offering of represented identities, the committee has decided to pilot Affinity Groups for the following communities: Professionals of Color, LGBTQ+ Pride, Women in Student Affairs, and a Mental Health Alliance.

As we benchmark and plan for these spaces, the groups’ official names may change, but our directive is clear. Our goal is to actively name, celebrate, and create safe spaces for MACUHO members to share their journeys; whether it’s personal, professional, positive, or challenging. As professionals in a “helping” field, we spend a lot of time uplifting our students. As a committee, we are putting some of that energy into honoring our diverse

Amanda Slichter

MACUHO Diversity Committee Co-Chair - She, Her, Hers Assistant Director of Residence Life, Training & Education Coordinator for the Pride Center Lehigh University

19 | MACUHO - UPDATES FROM THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

experiences as humans beyond our job titles. We hope this helps MACUHO feel even more like your professional home.

Lastly, we are featuring 1-2 pieces every month on our blog! Most recently, the topics that our talented writers have covered include invisible disabilities, racial battle fatigue, and teaching critical leadership. Access these blogs on the MACUHO website or look for posted links on MACUHO’s Facebook and Twitter pages. As always, let us know if you are interested in contributing! We are currently seeking blogs to post this summer.

Feedback and insight from fellow colleagues are integral parts to creating robust conversations around improving as an organization, so feel free to reach out to us! We welcome you to share your experiences and thoughts on how we can push forward new and evolving initiatives impacting our field and professionals.

Nailah Brown

MACUHO Diversity Committee Co-Chair She, Her, Hers Residence Life Coordinator Rutgers University - New Brunswick

MAPC: 22 YEARS OF JOB PLACEMENT AND NETWORKING EXCELLENCE By: Carey Haddock and Jackie Cetera Since 1996, MACUHO has hosted our annual Mid-Atlantic Placement Conference, each year improving on the experience for the employers and candidates. MAPC is committed to providing an affordable placement conference where both candidates and employers can interview and network in a smaller, more intimate setting. This year, with two new cochairs, MAPC transformed multiple aspects of the conference to provide a smoother experience.

As co-chairs for MAPC, our first goal was to “go green.” With some adjustments and improvements to the MAPC Scheduler, MAPC was able to be almost completely paperless.

This allowed us to transform the way candidates and employers communicated. All interviews were scheduled through MAPC Scheduler, giving both the candidates and employers complete control of their schedule. The only paper needed was for thank you cards and supplemental materials provided by employers. As we continue to upgrade MAPC Scheduler, we are confident this will continue.

Although The Placement Exchange (TPE) was located in Philadelphia, our registration for employers and candidates remained consistent. MAPC had over 30 employers and approximately 100 candidates. Over 600 interviews were conducted over the course of our two-day conference.

Additionally, as our numbers have

increased over the past two years, we plan to add additional interview and waiting areas for the 2019 conference.

The excitement and enthusiasm during this twoday placement conference provides candidates and employers with a positive and unique experience. As we continue to enhance MAPC, we hope to take an “all-inclusive” approach to the conference by providing meals and scheduled networking opportunities for candidates and employers.

We look forward to continuing this experience for 2019 while providing improvements where possible.

We have thoroughly enjoyed serving as co-chairs for the MAPC conference and look forward to the opportunity to continue in these rules for 2019. We appreciate all the support and MACUHO love we received during this past year! We could not have done this without the support of MACUHO and the help of all our volunteers.

If you are interested in becoming involved in MAPC for 2019, please contact us at jc088@bucknell.edu or carey.haddock@delval.edu.

MAPC: 22 YEARS OF JOB PLACEMENT & NETWORKING EXCELLENCE

Carey Haddock

MACUHO MAPC Co-Chair Assistant Director of Operations at Delaware Valley University

Jackie Cetera

MACUHO MAPC Co-Chair Director of Residential Education, Bucknell University

Experts in Campus Laundry Room Operations

1.800.421.6897 www.washlaundry.com/colleges

THERE’S NO VS. IN ADVISING TRAINING By: Shane Guinan

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Am I ALREADY talking about training? Well, simply put...yes!

Every year, we tell ourselves that we are going to start planning training earlier and earlier, but how often do we commit to actually planning training before the buildings close? Well, whether you are planning now, or will be planning in a few months, don’t fall victim to the “traditional” advising training titled Advising vs. Supervision.

Thinking back to my first days as a Hall Council Advisor and Graduate Hall Director, I was surrounded by people who loved supervising RAs, and hated advising their Hall Government. The very nature of how we prepare our graduate students and professional staff to be advisors frames it as being a juxtaposition of supervising staff. Recently, I spent some time speaking to a friend and current Graduate Assistant for Student Leadership in Residence Life at another institution. She shared her frustrations about how from the jump, her Graduate Resident Director peers throw their community councils on the backburner, if they meet with the students at all. This led into a long conversation about the value we place on the role of Advisor within Residence Life/Education programs, and how to create and foster this culture.

Now, I acknowledge that my supervision style is largely informed by my passion for advising students.

My first year as a supervisor, I hated supervising students and preferred advising until I realized that it is possible and preferred to integrate these two roles into one professional identity. If only someone had told me that the two were not polar opposites of each other.

My challenge in this article is to ask you to rise to the occasion, to do right by your new professionals and students, and to prioritize advising in your professional staff training.

Same as last time, I want to leave you with a few tips on how to train advisors in your department, from Hall Council, to RHA/NRHH Advisors, to Rho Alpha Sigma Advisors and beyond:

1) Provide Benchmarks and Tasks!

When we think about program training, check-in procedures, or policy enforcement, we always provide steps and tasks for staff to ensure they are completing what they need to complete. Once staff develop confidence and routine, they are often able to develop these benchmarks themselves.

Bringing timelines and expectations for recruitment and elections, an outline of frequency of meetings, and information to bring back to

21 | MACUHO - THERE’S NO VS. IN ADVISING TRAINING

staff meetings is crucial for new staff to adjust to the role and build rapport with their students. Students look up to advisors who know what is going on.

2) Can I Get a Consult?

If you watch Grey’s Anatomy, you know what I’m talking about here.

Ask for help if you feel like you’re drowning in the water after a Ferry Crash (if you’ve never watched, sorry for the spoiler). If you had a conduct issue, you’d talk to the Student Conduct Office, or if you had an accessibility concern, you’d talk to Disability Services. It’s no different here! Consult your Student Activities Office for institutional policies, consult the CAACURH Regional Advisor and Regional NRHH Advisor, or ask me or your predecessor! There are tons of folks that can and will help if you only ask! *Email ca_advisor@nacurh.org, ca_ nrhhadvisor@nacurh.org, or ca_art@ nacurh.org to talk to one of the three professional staff resources CAACURH has to offer!

3) Humble Yourself.

In every pro-staff interview I’ve been a part of, someone always says how they learn as much from students as they teach, yet we typically don’t involve them in the training process. Nobody knows the organization, the goals, or the

practices as well as the students do...they’re the ones in charge here, and the advisors are the guides and resources. Take a moment to realize that students MUST be a part of the training process for advisors, because without student leaders, we wouldn’t have the job.

Best of luck y’all, and I hope that

your brain juices have started flowing. Remember the limit on possible is what YOU define as impossible. *If you have any questions or topics you want to hear about in future columns, please send me an email or tweet me (@notashaned)!

Shane Guinan Area Director at Salisbury University Recruitment and Retention Co-Chair Srguinan@salisbury.edu

THERE’S NO VS. IN ADVISING TRAINING - MACUHO | 22

HFO COMMITTEE’S NUTS AND BOLTS WHERE HOUSING AND FACILITIES OPERATIONS PROFRESSIONALS ANSWER THE QUESTIONS YOU’RE ASKING

How does your lottery process work? How are students “put in order” for the selection process (class year, housing credits, etc.)?

Rhonda King (Messiah College, Assistant Director of Residence Life – Housing) - Our lottery uses earned credits (not AP/CLEP) credits. We have four different housing options and so four different processes, which makes our process complex and long. We aim to put them in order of student preference so students can choose what they want most and then if they don’t get that they can try for the next option. We offer group apartment signs-ups (2 – 4 apartment groups can sign-up next to each other); individual apartment sign-ups; group residence hall sign-ups (students can sign up for 3 – 6 rooms together on a floor) and individual room sign-ups. David M. Campbell (East Stroudsburg University, Associate Director of Residence Life & Housing) - We are trying a new process this year and

Contributors of this article:

getting rid of lotteries and “start times.” Same Room Day is always first. Then, over the next eight days, we divide all eligible students into four even groups based on credits earned. Each of these four groups then have free reign to select whatever they want over a 48-hour period (and after, if they miss their priority window based on credits).

Jenna Konyak (Seton Hill University, Assistant Director of Residence Life) – We run our housing selection process very late in the semester.

Due to our possibility of over occupancy, students must be full-time registered students for the upcoming fall semester prior to applying for the housing lottery. We don’t want to risk a high number of our beds going to students who do not plan to attend the institution for the upcoming semester. Our housing selection process is based on building-type and in the order of what our department believes is from highest interest to lowest interest (same room reservation, university affiliated “off campus” housing, suites, singles and all others).

23 | MACUHO - HFO COMMITTEE’S NUTS AND BOLTS

Residence Hall Furniture – How do you balance best value vs. price to ensure longevity of your furniture? Are you finding that any furniture is obsolete and students no longer have a need/desire for the items?

David M. Campbell (East Stroudsburg University Associate Director of Residence Life and Housing) - For lounge furniture and case goods, we stick with a durable product that costs more. But, we are trying out some of their more updated and contemporary lines for this year. We don’t see a lot traditional studying at desks any more, but still feel we should provide one. This year in a renovated building set to open in fall, we are providing an attached but moveable smaller desk top that they can use on their bed for a book, laptop or the like.

Introducing...

Sherri Rae (University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown, Director of Student Housing) - One thing we struggle with is trying to keep the common area spaces relevant as students use them less for TV viewing and socializing. We’ve invested in some marker board study tables that have been a big hit over the traditional tables. We’ve also toyed with desks that can act more like side tables as well (no drawers, smaller surface area) as students are using more laptops and tablets. Some of our lounges are going to be customized for student organizations, so they will have a say in what works best for them.

Pulse

Cory Campbell (Seton Hill University, Director of Residence Life) –We look for lounge furniture that is durable and offers the ability to replace parts or reupholster surfaces, rather than having to purchase completely new every time. The traditional residence hall desk is becoming less and less popular among students. They are studying in spaces that are much more comfortable and more compact – their bed, futon, etc.

We have also found that students wanted more dryerase boards for peer studying, so we have begun to add them to all of our lounge spaces. Lastly, cable television appears to be taken over by streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. If resident students desire cable in their room/suite/apartment, they must work directly with the local cable company and pay a monthly bill directly through them.

Have a housing or facilities operations question you want answered? Email your questions to jkonyak@setonhill.edu, and maybe your question will be featured in our next segment!

Visit Nuts and Bolts in the next edition of MACUHO Magazine for more answers from shining housing and facilities operations professionals in the region!

Innovative Collaborative Mixed Materials Mobile Proud Corporate Sponsor of MACUHO

Brill Company brillcompany.com

HFO COMMITTEE’S NUTS AND BOLTS - MACUHO | 24

NASPA By: Victoria Dean and Angela Delfine The annual NASPA conference is the largest gathering of student affairs professionals in our field. As student affairs grad students, this was our first time attending a NASPA annual conference and we absolutely LOVED it. As grad students, it is definitely a challenge to navigate a conference for the first time, especially an annual gathering with thousands of people.

We wanted to take time to share our takeaways from the conference and to share our perspective as first-time attendee graduate students.

Victoria’s TPE and NASPA Experience: TPE was an experience of a lifetime. While I was certainly overwhelmed by the process, especially as an introvert, I would highly recommend it to anyone who is about to enter the field. I decided to fully invest myself in the TPE experience. I went to orientation, I utilized the workspace provided, and I connected with colleagues from all over the country.

I ended up with eight first round interviews and two second round interviews while in Philadelphia.

The positions ranged from student activities, to orientation, to residence life. There were options for everyone, even though many of the options were for residence life positions.

My philosophy to approaching all of these interviews was to stay positive.

I reminded myself and my colleagues that each one of us is strong, powerful, and confident. We were all going to get jobs, despite the timeline in which we received them.

25 | MACUHO - NASPA

Having this positive outlook really made an impact on our experiences. This is the best thing I learned while there. Positivity is the only thing that can carry you through the stressful times of job searching, and if you lose that, you lose your drive. I was lucky to be surrounded by nine colleagues from my program, and hundreds of colleagues from all over who were just as positive as me. It was the driving force behind out few days at TPE, and what gave us the energy to explore a little bit of the city before jumping into NASPA. Attending the NASPA Nationals Conference was nothing that I could have imagined it to be. Having over 8,000 was a little overwhelming at first. I was able to attend various sessions that pertained to my current position, my personal and professional goals, and classwork.

I was able to network with other colleagues who are about to enter the field as well as past supervisors and their connections. The best part was the opportunity to mingle with SAHE Alumni at the social, as well as other institutions who invited me to their socials through TPE. I made a few connections through my time at TPE, and the social gave me an opportunity to delve further into conversation with some phenomenal professionals.

The first session I went to had the biggest impact on me. While it conflicted with Justice Sotomayer’s talk, I was able to listen to James T. Robilotta, author of “Leading Imperfectly,” discuss the ways in which we harm our own leadership abilities. Through comedic means, Robilotta taught us that the best way

to show our students that we are there for them is to own up to who we are. This session broadened my lens on what is and is not appropriate to share within the work place. For example, James had us turn to a partner and share our most embarrassing story. He claimed that in doing this, we could truly be who we are. This lets us own our mistakes and be the truest version of ourselves, which I plan to continue working on as I enter the field.

I am truly grateful to have gotten the opportunity to attend NASPA. Throughout the conference and TPE, I made a conscious effort to put myself out there. I connected with new professionals and seasoned professionals and really saw the field come together to support one another in ways that I did not imagine. I left Philadelphia feeling more confident in my own abilities and truly ready to take on my next step into the world of Student Affairs.

Angela’s NASPA Experience: Although I have been to other conferences, including MACUHO, and have heard many things about the NASPA annual conference, I was still amazed by the number of attendees, the incredible sessions offered, and the opportunity to meet so many people in our field. As a first-year graduate student, my goals were to attend social justice sessions and to network with other professionals in the field. One of my favorite sessions was the First-Generation programming session offered by Ohio University. The speakers in this session, Angela Lash and Tamerika

APOLLO COLLECTION

A stylish and flexible solution for any room.

Contact us today to discuss your furniture needs.

Savoy Contract Furniture | www.savoyfurniture.com | 800.233.8953 | sales@savoyfurniture.com Savoy Contract FurnitureÂŽ is a registered trademark of John Savoy and Son, Inc.

1/18

Brown, shared the model for the First-Generation student program at the university. As a FirstGeneration college student, I was deeply inspired by this session. I am proud to say that I will be working with my Undergraduate institution, Saint Vincent College, to help with establishing their First-Generation student program in the Fall of 2018.

In addition to the sessions, I had the opportunity to hear Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speak. She is an inspiring individual who shared deeply personal stories and experiences. Justice Sotomayor also shared some of her challenges as a First-Generation college student. The best part was when she walked around the entire room to shake the hands of the conference attendees.

This was a true testament to her genuinely down-to-earth, caring personality. Along with the conference, I also had the opportunity to network with IUP SAHE Alumni and to explore the city with my friends.

One of the greatest things to remember when attending a conference is that you do not have to attend every single thing.

Conferences are intended to be time for rejuvenation and self-care just as much as they are to educate and keep us informed. It is completely okay to take a few hours to share a meal and explore the surrounding area. Also, it is important to take time to attend the sessions you are interested in, rather than following your friends to their sessions.

I have gained more from conferences when I challenged myself to meet new people and to go to sessions without my friends.

Victoria Dean - IUP SAHE, Class of 2018; Graduate Coordinator of Student Activities, Saint Vincent College Angela Delfine - IUP SAHE, Class of 2019; Graduate Area Coordinator, University of Pittsburg at Johnstown 27 | MACUHO - NASPA

NASPA - MACUHO | 26