Around the RegionMarch 2015

Discover Virginia on the (757) Virginia Coast Driving Tour

Visualize the Region VI Conference

Redefine communitythrough online learning

Support and apply for ACUIscholarship opportunities

Cover photos from the University of Michigan Union

ACUI Region VI – Who are we? We number more than 894 individual members and institutions. Our geographical area spans across Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada. We represent all types of institutions, from the smallest private college to the largest urban university and everything in between. Five of the seven institutions that founded ACUI are located in Region VI, as is ACUI’s Central Office. And to top it off, ACUI’s new CEO, John Taylor, hails from Region VI.

All that being said, the members of the Regional Leadership Team want you to know that YOU are the most important thing about Region VI. Our overarching goal is to ensure that you discover great opportunities for professional development in Region VI. Whether that’s a professional colleague to network with about a challenging situation, an online learning program focused on a topic that’s relevant to you, a chance to visit other college unions in the region, a chance to connect with colleagues via social media, or a chance to connect in person at an affordable but awesome regional conference. We want to help you find a way to engage with your association. We want to be certain that the services and resources provided by Region VI are helping members further the ideals of the college union.

In this newsletter, you will learn more about the plans of our newly formed region within the Association. Our contact information is listed within this newsletter and on the Region VI page of the ACUI website. You can connect with us on the Region VI Facebook page and Twitter profile. Please let us know what you think about these ideas and/or what you want/need from Region VI.

It’s All About YOU& Unions

RVIGetting Social @UMichUnions

Conference planning at the University of Michigan

RVIRegion VI Roundup

By Alison E. Doehring Online Learning Coordinator

Optimize your ability to interact with colleagues, gather resources, and maximize your professional development opportunities—participate in ACUI webinars! Why “reinvent the wheel” when you can share, modify, and implement tips and resources learned from colleagues across our region and the greater ACUI community? Throughout the next year, the Regional Leadership Team will be implementing a new program called “Region VI Roundup.” This will be a 30–60 minute program held monthly on the first Friday at 10 a.m. Our First Roundup will take place April 3, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. EST. Colleagues are encouraged to participate and learn about regional updates and engage in virtual “hot topic” roundtables.

As we continue to develop online learning programs for our region, we are always looking for ways to highlight diverse and unique institutions throughout the region. We are planning to launch virtual center tours in the next few months to provide the opportunity for institutions to highlight their facility and allow colleagues to ask questions about structure, interior, and overall center function. We will be looking for institutions within our region that are interested in showcasing their facilities as well. Please feel free to send us your suggestions for programs or topics of interest so we can ensure YOUR needs are being met. Does your institution have a great program, training model or approach that you think others could benefit from? Let us know! We are always looking for fresh ideas and concepts that can converted into 30- or 60-minute online learning programs.

& Redefining Community Through Online Engagement

RVIRegional Scholarships

Now AvailableWithout a doubt, the institutions within Region VI have many talented students, staff, and faculty. We also understand that sometimes resources limit our ability to seek out personal and professional development. Region VI is pleased to offer four scholarships for 2015See details about these programs below: I-LEAD® Scholarships: Region VI is supporting two scholarships, covering all registration costs, for two students to attend the Institute for Leadership Education and Development (I-LEAD®) in 2015. Region VI Conference Scholarships:Understanding that some ACUI members may not have sufficient funding to attend the regional conference, Region VI will be providing two scholarships covering all registration cost to the 2015 regional conference at the University of Michigan in November. One scholarship is for a professional staff member currently working at a student union or student center. One scholarship is for an undergraduate or graduate student working or volunteering in a student union or student center.All applicants must be Region VI members and submit their application by the deadline of April 6.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Region VI Awards & Scholarships Coordinator Chad Garland.

APPLY TODAY!Follow Region VI

@ACUIRegionVI

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FROM DOWNTOWN NORFOLK TO:

1. WILLIAM & MARY 1 HOUR

2. CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT 39 MINUTES

3. HAMPTON UNIVERSITY 36 MINUTES

4. VIRGINIA WESLEYAN 12 MINUTES

5. REGENTS UNIVERSITY 12 MINUTES

6. OLD DOMINION 10 MINUTES

7. NORFOLK STATE 6 MINUTES

TIDEWATER COMMUNITY COLLEGE:

8. VIRGINIA BEACH CAMPUS 21 MINUTES

9. CHESAPEAKE CAMPUS 21 MINUTES

10. NORFOLK CAMPUS 0 MINUTES

11. PORTSMOUTHC CAMPUS 12 MINUTES

(757) Roadtripping

By Donald T RohelEducational Programs Coordinator

Get your sunglasses, shorts, and sandals packed for the (757) Virginia Coast Driving Tour!! Yes, that’s right; we will be headed to the coast of Virginia to visit some of the institutions on the map above, with the exact institutions to be decided by April.

You can participate in all 3 days or just attend one day all for a $35 registration fee which will get you an ACUI Region VI Summer Driving Tour hot/cold drink mug which will be good for designated free hot and

cold drinks at many of our union tour stops. We are looking to centralize our lodging in the Norfolk, VA area so we can travel to the various locations without changing hotels. Everyone will be providing their own transportation but carpools for those flying in will be encouraged. All costs for lodging; meals; and transportation are the responsibility of the attendee. Please contact Don Rohel at drohel@shepherd.edu if you have any questions. All registrations will be made through the ACUI Region VI website.

2015 ACUI Region VI (757) Virginia Coast Driving TourJune 24–26, 2015

Maybe you’ve seen a colleague sporting one on his lapel or displaying one in her office and wished you had one too! Either way, you’re in luck! Region VI Leadership Team members will be selling the RVI pins at the annual conference in San Antonio at various regional events. They’ll also be available in the conference bookstore (where you can pay with a credit card). The pins are just $5!Yes, they are awesome and the best reason for getting a pin is that 100% of proceeds go to support the Region VI scholarship program.

Not attending the annual conference? Ask a colleague from your department or a nearby campus to purchase one (or more) for you. We’ll be selling them at the Region VI 757 Virginia Coast Driving Tour and the 2015 Region VI conference at the University of Michigan.

Get Your Region VIPin Today

RVIBy Jennifer Powell2015 Regional Conference Coordinator

We are excited to announce that our regional conference this year will be hosted at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, a university with a great of history for the Association of College Unions International, and the home of our new ACUI CEO John Taylor!

First founded in 1904, the Michigan Union organization consisted of campus men searching for social opportunities and a place to relax and study. The Michigan Union building project was completed in 1919, and much like today’s union facilities, included meeting rooms, lounges, a dining area, a bowling alley, billiards and games room, and a barbershop. Women were allowed to enter the building, but only when escorted by a male. However, in 1929, the Michigan League opened and served as a space for woman on campus to participate in social, educational, and recreational activities. Because of their tradition and assistance in the college union movement, the University of Michigan is considered one of the seven founding institutions of our association.

We are excited to celebrate this history and tradition while hosting conference events in both the Michigan Union and Michigan League throughout the weekend. The goal of our conference committee is two-fold:

to showcase the University of Michigan’s facilities and beautiful campus ad to provide a unique and thought-provoking series of educational programs designed help students, younger professionals, and more seasoned professionals alike gain skills related to the Association’s core competencies. Additionally, building off of last year’s first Region VI conference at Virginia Tech, we are excited to continue building our new community, providing a variety of networking opportunities, both formal and informal in nature.

Conference Planning Team members have been selected from throughout the region and are already busily working to craft the weekend’s theme, schedule, and entertainment and educational content. Our host team will work hand in hand with the Conference Planning Team to help welcome you to the historic University of Michigan and experience some of the best the campus has to offer! Over the coming months, we will release more information regarding the conference via our social media platforms and Region VI website; and of course if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the 2015 Conference Coordinator Jennifer Powell at jennifer.powell@valpo.edu.

Can’t wait to welcome you to the beautiful state of Michigan, downtown Ann Arbor, and the University of Michigan, Nov. 13–15 for the Region VI conference!

Visualizing Identity Planning the 2015 Region VI Conference

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RVIStay Connected

ACUI Region VI Leadership Team

2015 Regional Conference CoordinatorJennifer P. PowellValparaiso Universityjennifer.powell@valpo.eduTwitter: jennpow23

Communications CoordinatorSienna AbdulahadVirginia Techsienna@vt.eduTwitter: siennacomm

Volunteer CoordinatorHeather M. BeasleyPurdue Universityowenh@purdue.edu

Business ManagerLinda A. Wardhammar Indiana University-Purdue University–Indianapolislwardham@iupui.eduTwitter: wardhammar

2016 Regional Conference CoordinatorEric HeilmeierUniversity of Michigan–Ann Arborjeheilm@gmail.comTwitter: eheilmeier

Inclusivity CoordinatorAshley RutledgeUniversity of Michigan–Ann Arboramrutled@umich.edu

Web and Social Media CoordinatorCassidy SansoneIndiana University–Bloomingtoncsansone@indiana.eduTwitter: cassidysansone

Corporate Partnerships CoordinatorAshley AkersVirginia Commonwealth Universityafakers@vcu.edu

Awards & Scholarships CoordinatorChad GarlandMiami Universitygarlanc1@miamioh.eduTwitter: cegarland00

Online Learning CoordinatorAli DoehringUniversity of Akronaer15@uakron.eduTwitter: alisondoehring

Student Involvement CoordinatorNick Sabosabo.125@osu.eduTwitter: nsabo4

Educational Programs CoordinatorDonald T. RohelShepherd Universitydrohel@shepherd.edu

Regional DirectorGail SuttonGeorge Mason Universitygsutton2@gmu.eduTwitter: suttonhead