The Pulse September 2014

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THE PULSE THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY HOUSING OFFICERS SEPTEMBER 2014 IN THIS ISSUE President’s Welcome [4] Op-Ed: Evolution of Intentionality [8] Starting off on the Right Foot [10] OACUHO Research [13] Trent University Oshawa, Oshawa, ON Location of the 2014 Fall Business Meeting

description

The Official Newsletter of the Ontario Association of College and University Housing Officers.

Transcript of The Pulse September 2014

Page 1: The Pulse September 2014

THE PULSETHE NEWSLETTER OF THE ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY HOUSING OFFICERS

SEPTEMBER 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

President’s Welcome [4]Op-Ed: Evolution of

Intentionality [8]Starting off on

the Right Foot [10]OACUHO Research [13]

Trent University Oshawa, Oshawa, ONLocation of the 2014 Fall Business Meeting

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Board of Directors

The Communications Committee

! ! PRESIDENT! ! Laura Storey | Trent University!! ! [email protected]!

! ! PRESIDENT-ELECT ! ! / FINANCE DIRECTOR! ! Julie West | University of Guelph ! ! [email protected]

! ! PAST PRESIDENT! ! Chad Nuttall | University of ! ! Toronto Mississauga ! ! [email protected]

! ! COMMUNICATION ! ! DIRECTOR! ! Brian Cunha | University of Waterloo! ! [email protected]

! ! PROFESSIONAL ! ! DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR! ! Matthew Harris | York University ! ! [email protected]

! ! ! !

! MEMBERSHIP ! ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR! Brian Ingoldsby | University of Guelph! [email protected]

! !! CONFERENCE ! DIRECTOR! Brittany Gawley | McMaster University! [email protected]

! CORPORATE PARTNER ! RELATIONS DIRECTOR! Colin Ryrie | Brock University! [email protected]

! SENIOR-LEVEL MEMBER AT LARGE! Glenn Matthews | Western University! [email protected]

! MEMBER AT LARGE! Mike Porritt | Huron University College! [email protected]

! MEMBER AT LARGE! Samantha Wiebe | University of Waterloo! [email protected]

TH

E P

ULS

E DIRECTORBrian Cunha

CONTRIBUTORSDrew SimonHeather Lang

THE PULSE EDITORSVictoria GadonAlison KavanaghLyn-Marie FarleyKatie CalcaterraLaura Mammone

THE HISTORY PROJECTGlenn MatthewsMatt WaghornAndrew Quenneville

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5WANTED: Pulse contributors

Table ofContents

6fall business meeting

7national college health assessment

10starting off on the right foot

EDITORBrian Cunha

SEPTEMBER EDITORSKatie CalcaterraLyn-Marie Farley

OACUHO Research

the evolution of intentionality

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President’s Message

  ill  my  backpack  +it  all  my  books?  I'm  packing  up  my  belongings  and  heading  on  a     new  adventure.  Part  of  my  packing  process  is  sorting  through  the  books  that  I've     acquired  over  the  last  bunch  of  years.  I'm  not  sure  if  all  of  these  books  will  +it  in  my  backpack.  There  are  probably  over  100  books  that  I'm  looking  at  and  deciding  if  they're  in  the  "stay"  or  "go"  pile.  The  "go"  pile  is  too  lengthy  to  write  about  and,  frankly,  if  they're  in  this  pile  then  they're  likely  not  worth  mentioning.

Those  in  the  "stay"  pile,  however,  are  pretty  great.  

I  know  what  you're  thinking...  why  would  Laura  recommend  books  for  us  to  read  during  the  busiest  time  of  year?  My  response:  why  not!?  There  is  always  time  for  a  good  book  and  the  magic  of  new  ideas.  

Here  are  5  hot  books  from  my  "stay"  pile.  They  aren't  particularly  "textbook-­‐y"  so  that  may  entice  you  to  pick  them  up:

Managing  Transitions:  Making  the  Most  of  Change  by  William  Bridges  (2nd  edition;  Da  Capo  Press,  1999,  2003)  

Leaders  Eat  Last  by  Simon  Sinek  (also  the  Author  of  Start  with  Why)(Portfolio/Penguin,  2013)

The  Art  of  Possibility  by  Rosamund  Stone  Zander  and  Benjamin  Zander  (Harvard  Business  School  Press,  2000)

The  Doodle  Revolution  by  Sunni  Brown  (Portfolio/Penguin,  2014)

The  Tao  of  Leadership  by  John  Heider  (Humanics  Limited,  1985)

Besides  the  fact  that  most  of  these  are  yellow  (note:  by  book  shelf  is  not  colour  sorted),  they're  all  books  that  have  helped  me  harness  my  passion  for  working  for/with  people,  making  and  dealing  with  change,  and  creatively  looking  at  the  world  I'm  faced  with  in  Housing.  

If  you  were  able  to  +it  only  one  book  in  your  backpack,  what  would  it  be?

Tweet  us  to  talk  about  it  @oacuho  #backpack

If  you  were  able  to  +it  only  one  book  in  your  backpack,  what  would  it  be?  ”

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Laura  StoreyOACUHO  President

Back to School with my Backpack

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!October  |  Balance  

November  |  Winding  Down

December  |  Thinking  Back  and  Thinking  Ahead

January  |  Campus  Community  PartnershipsFebruary  |  Residence  Life  Conference

March  |  Checking  Out

April  |  It’s  Hiring  Season  May  |  Special  Conference  Edition  

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The Pulse Editorial Schedule 2014/2015 OACUHO

Needs Assessment

SurveyCloses  on    Monday  

September  15  -­‐  11:59pm

Make  your  OACUHO  voice  heard

The  OACUHO  Needs  Assessment  helps  the  OACUHO  Board  of  

Directions  get  an  idea  of  what  you  want  from  your  association.

WANTED: Pulse Contributors Interested in writing for the Pulse? Perhaps you are working on an exciting project, have advice to share or exciting findings from your latest research. We are looking for anyone from new professionals to seasoned vets to share their stories. We are interested in all functional areas of student housing.

Send articles or inquiries to Brian Cunha [email protected] on or before the 15th of the month prior to the release date.

Check out the editorial schedule for monthly themes!

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Join us at Trent University’s Oshawa campus to connect with your colleagues and collaborate on transformative and innovative ideas at the

OACUHO 2014 Fall Business Meeting.

The field of student housing is evolving at a fast pace. OACUHO and its members are in a unique position to connect and learn from one another, share, partner and pool resources and set new standards that ensure student success and satisfaction.

THE LINE UP:Our keynote facilitator, Dr. Dan Lang - Professor Emeritus from the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education of OISE at the University of Toronto, will be providing an engaging keynote that will focus on upcoming trends in post-secondary education and how these challenges and opportunities will transform the post-secondary housing field.

The OACUHO Professional Development Committee is finalizing an afternoon of workshops that will engage all levels and divisions of OACUHO and promises to bring about some fresh approaches and stimulate intriguing discussions to promote more effective practices within the housing field.  

To cap off the busy day, we’re planning a post-conference social at a local restaurant. Avoid rush-hour traffic and enjoy a complimentary meal on us!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Details including schedule, travel, accommodations, and registration information can be found at

www.fbm2014.comAdditional questions can be directed to  Justin  Fisher - Director, Student Affairs, Trent University Oshawa (905-435-5102 x5054, [email protected], @justinfisher).

Register before September 12th, 2014 to receive the early-bird fees.

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In   March   of   2013,   more   than   30   Canadian   post-­‐secondary   ins:tu:ons   took   part   in   the   Na:onal   College  Health  Assessment  (NCHA).    This  survey,  sponsored  by  the  American   College   Health   Associa:on,   was   developed   to  assist  Colleges  and  Universi:es  in  collec:ng  data  on  a  broad  range   of   topics   related   to   student   health   on   their  campuses.    This  was  the  first  :me  for  such  a  large  Canadian  con:ngent   (more   than   30,000   students)   took   part   and   it  allows  us  to  compare  local  results  with  the  Canadian  (and  in  many  cases)  a  provincial  cohort.      Check  with  your  own  on-­‐campus   health   service   to   determine   if   your   campus  par:cipated  and  if  you  can  get  a  sense  of  the  results.

On   our   campus,   we   have   used   the   results   of   our   local  administra:on  as  well  as  the  Ontario  and  Canadian  results  to   educate   staff   on   student   health   issues   and   concerns.    Our   student   staff   was   surprised   when   they   learned   the  actual  and  perceived  use  of   alcohol   sta:s:cs,    marijuana  and   cigareNes   (use   within   the   previous   30   days).     For  illustra:on,  the  Canadian  results  show  the  following:

While  68%  of  Ontario  students  surveyed  indicated  they  had  consumed  alcohol  in  the  previous  30  days  96%  of  students  surveyed  believed  that  their  peers  had  consumed.  Our  staff  was   surprised   at   these   types   of   numbers  and   even  more  surprised   at   the   difference   in   the   marijuana   numbers.    Pairing  this  data  with  similar  ques:ons  on   the  housing   EBI  (Educa:onal   Benchmarking   Inc)   survey   that  many   schools  did   in   Winter   2014   provides   you   with   an   opportunity   to  debunk   some   myths   about   alcohol   and   other   substance  use.

Canadian   and   some   provincial   results   can   be   found   at:    hNp://www.cacuss.ca/health_data.htm

Perhaps  the  best  learning   (and  most  reassuring)   of  all  was  that   students   across   the   country   are   really   not   that  different  from  each  other.

OntarioOntario CanadaCanadaActual Perceived Actual Perceived

Alcohol 68.3 95.5 70.8 95.6

Marijuana 11.0 79.9 16.0 83.8

Cigare3es 16.3 84.1 11.6 79.7

National College Health Assessment

Julie  WestResearch  &  Special  Projects  ManagerUniversity  of  [email protected]

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Op-Ed: Intentionality

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Dave  ShoreyAssociate  Director,  Residence  EducationWilfrid  Laurier  University  [email protected]

The Evolution of Intentionality

       hat  value  does  residence   add   to   a  student’s         post-­‐secondary   experience?   Why   would   a         student   choose   residence   over   living   off-­‐campus?   The   answer   to   each   ques:on   is   cri:cal   to   the  future  of  housing  on  college  and  university  campuses.  We  o`en   refer   to   ourselves   as  educators  that   contribute  to  each  student’s  post-­‐secondary  journey,  but  as  a  collec:ve  we  struggle  to  clearly  ar:culate  our  value  to  internal  and  external  stakeholders.  

Not   that   long   ago,   we   felt   it   sufficient   to   place  students   with   known   differences   together   to   create  learning   opportuni:es.   As   we   saw   it,   our   responsibility  ended  once   students  moved   in.  We   felt   that   by   simply  living   close  to  people  from   varying   backgrounds,  greater  understanding   and   apprecia:on   for   each   other’s  differences  would  take  root.  We  now  know  that  exposure  alone   does   not   translate   into   learning.   Par:cipatory  environments  where  learning  is  situated  at  the  core  of  the  experience  need  to  be  facilitated  on  an  ongoing  basis.

We   have   o`en   viewed   sa:sfac:on,   or   more  specifically  customer  sa:sfac:on  and  student   learning  as  conflic:ng   priori:es,   exis:ng   on   opposite   ends   of   a  developmental   spectrum.   However,   much   of   the   value  that   students   and   guardians   see   in   on-­‐campus  accommoda:ons   is   rooted   in   the   addi:onal   support,  proximity  to  resources  and  inten:onal  learning  that  takes  place.   Just   this   past   week,   guardians   from   across   the  

province  helped  move  what  is  most  precious  to  them  on  to  our  campuses.  There  are  hopes  and  dreams  that  can  be  realized   with   the  right  balance  of   service,  challenge  and  support.  

Our   lived   experiences   should   not   be   the   sole  source   of   informa:on   to   rely   on   when   structuring  residence  environments.  However,  for  reasons  that  range  from   the   need   to   have   ownership   over   the   crea:ve  process   to   a   discomfort   in   situa:ng   research   in   our  prac:ce,  we  can   o`en   ignore  the  mass  texts   that   could  help  us  do   our   job   beNer.   It   is   for   that   reason   that   the  informa:on   available   to   us  be  used   to   inform  our  work.  Coupled   with   our   professional   abili:es   and   the   unique  knowledge  we  each  possess  of  our  campuses,  we  stand  to  create   rich   experiences  where   the  trajectory   of   student  lives  can  be  drama:cally  altered.

The   Student   Learning   Impera:ve   and   Learning  Reconsidered   1  &  2  posi:oned   on-­‐campus  housing   as  a  substan:al   contributor   to  healthy   student  transi:on   and  progression.   Research,   including   the   seminal   works  referenced  above,  increasingly  point   to   the  inten:onality  with   which   these  environments  need   to   be   shaped.   No  longer   can  we  feel  our   task   complete  by   simply  moving  students   into   residence   without   facilita:ng   learning  experiences  that  promote  success.  

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The  Planned  and  the  Unplannable

Physical  evidence  of  the  value-­‐added  offerings  that  require  a  great  deal  of  inten:onality  includes  living-­‐learning  programs,  residen:al  curriculums  and  leadership  programs.  Staff   training   has   become   more   sophis:cated   with   the  implementa:on  of  learning  outcomes  and  assessment  tools  to  measure  learning.  Processes  have  been  refined  based  on  the   findings   of   industry   experts   and   new   knowledge   of  student  needs.  With  that  said,  many  including  myself  have  experienced   either   passive   or   ac:ve   resistance   to   such  ini:a:ves,   largely   due   to   discomfort   when   aNemp:ng   to  apply  structure  to  the  residence  experience.    

I   believe   there   is   a   genuine   concern   that   the  planning  process  removes  agency  from  our  residents  to  be  co-­‐authors   in   their   own   experience.   In   such   resistance  comes  misunderstanding.  There  is  a  need  to  draw  the  box,  to   frame   the   experience   by   inten:onally   planning  par:cipatory  living  environments.  The  alterna:ve  is  en:rely  spontaneous,   which   would   surely   yield   some   posi:ve  outcomes,   but   would   not   maximize   the   poten:al   of   our  halls.  

Perhaps  what  many  are  concerned  about,  either  at  a  sub-­‐conscious  or  conscious  level,  is  that  the  magic  we  see  and   hear   in  our   buildings   will   be   lost.   Perhaps   there   is  a  belief   that  we  are  over-­‐structuring,   that  we  are  becoming  too   methodic   and   are   stripping   the   spirit   out   from   our  buildings.  The  reality   is  that  for  as  much  labour  as  we  may  put  into  the  planning  process  leading  up  to  student  move  in  and  during  the  academic  year,  a  great  deal  will  occur  that  is  unplannable.  We  cannot  predict   a  snowstorm   that   forces  the  cancella:on  of   a  well-­‐designed  program  with   a  faculty  member.  Equally,  we  cannot  plan  for  the  spontaneous  jam  session  that   crops  up   in   a  lounge  on  a   seemingly   random  Tuesday   night.   What   we   can   and   should   do   is   view   our  efforts   to   inten:onally   form   living   spaces   as   leverage   to  posi:vely  influence  the  unplannable.

I   believe   that   our   growing   capacity   to   integrate  research  into  prac:ce,  share  in  professional  communi:es  of  dialogue,   and  use  data  to  inform  our  response  to  student  needs  elevates   the   possibili:es   for   such   magic   to   occur.  That   is,   the  moments   that   are   beyond  descrip:on,  where  growth  is  palpable  and  the  warmth  of  the  human  spirit  can  be  intensely   felt.  Dr.  John  Sexton  (2013)   believes  that  “we  

do   have   a   word   for   something   that   defies   reduc:on   to  words:   ineffable.”   (p.   3)   The   ineffable   can   be   found  each  year   that   we   move   students   in,   where   true   signs   of  transforma:on  are  seen  and  felt  but  rarely  ar:culated.  We  feel   it   in   our   aging   buildings,   which   despite   outward  appearances   rou:nely   inspire   pride.   We   experience   the  ineffable  in  :mes  of   crisis,  where  communi:es  of   students  and  staff  band  together   to   serve  a  cause  greater   than  any  one  person.   The   ineffable   is  what   draws  many   of   us  back  year  a`er  year  to  serve  students  on  our  campuses.  We  will  not   lose   the   magic   of   our   halls   by   applying   the   best  prac:ces  to   our   residence  environments.  There   is   a  good  chance   we   will   elevate   the  opportuni:es   for   students   to  experience  something  they  could  not  have  dreamt  possible  and  are  unable  to  explain.

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American  College  Personnel  Associa:on.  (1994).  The  student  learning  impera:ve:  Implica:ons  for  student  affairs.  Alexandria,  VA:  Author

Keeling,  R.  P.  (Ed.).  (2004).  Learning  reconsidered:  A  campus-­‐wide  focus  on  the  student  experience.  Washington,  DC:  Na:onal  Associa:on  of  Student  Personnel  Administrators,  American  College  Personnel  Associa:on.

Keeling,  R.  P.  (Ed.).  (2006).  Learning  reconsidered  2:  A  prac:cal  guide  to  implemen:ng  a  campus-­‐wide  focus  on  the  student  experience.  Washington,  DC:  American  College  Personnel  Associa:on,  Associa:on  of  College  and  University  Housing  Officers-­‐Interna:onal,  Associa:on  of  College  Unions  Interna:onal,  Na:onal  Academic  Advising  Associa:on,  Na:onal  Associa:on  for  Campus  Ac:vi:es,  Na:onal  Associa:on  of  Student  Personnel  Administrators,  and  Na:onal  Intramural-­‐Recrea:onal  Sports  Associa:on.

Sexton,  J.,  Oliphant,  T.,  Schwartz,  P.J.  (2013).  Baseball  as  a  road  to  God:  Seeing  beyond  the  game.  New  York,  NY:  Gotham  Books.

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Off on the Right Foot

Starting off on the Right FootIt’s  perhaps  the  busiest  time  of  year.

We  have  some  professionals  sharing  what  they  have  been  doing  during  the  most  exciting  time  of  year.

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lthough   a   small   university,   the   Nipissing     University   Residence   Life  department  dreams      BIG  when  it  comes  to  welcoming  our  students         to   their   new  home.  We   pride  ourselves  on  having   some  of   the  best  residences  in  Canada  and  we  strive   to   make   our   students,   and   their   supporters,  experience  the  very  best  from  day  one.

With  every  big  dream  comes  planning.  Months  prior  to  move-­‐in   day   our   department   created   a   move-­‐in  commiNee,   this   commiNee   was   made   up   of  professional   staff   within   our   department,     staff    responsible   for   5   different   areas   that   contributed   to  our   successful   move-­‐in   processes;   administra:on,  facili:es,  welcoming,  volunteers  and  assessment.

The  newest  component  to  our  move-­‐in  plans  this  year  was  reaching   out  to  campus  partners  to  volunteer  on  move-­‐in  day  for  both  support  for  our  processes,  and  to  ensure   students   had   connec:on   points   to   various  offices  beginning   the  first   day.   It   is  exci:ng   to  report  that  we  had  volunteers  from   our  Nipissing  University  Lakers   basketball   and   volleyball   teams,   our   student  union   leaders,   counsellors,  alumni   rela:ons  staff,  and  even   recent   alumni   of   the   ins:tu:on.   For   a   small  ins:tu:on  moving   in   1,000   students,  we  had   for   the  first  :me  over   150  staff   and   volunteers  par:cipate   in  helping  students  successfully  move  in.  

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Small school dreams BIG

A

When  students  arrive  they  go  directly   to   their  assigned   complex,   this   means   we   have   5   different  check-­‐in   loca:ons   instead   of   one   common   space.  When   they   first   pull   in   they   are   greeted   by   parking  volunteers  that  will  direct  them  to  where  they  need  to  park  for  unloading.  

Students   will   then   go   directly   into   the   complex   to  check   in   and   receive   their   keys.   This   is   a   very   quick  process  that  only   involves  3  sta:ons;  check   in  and  get  their   student   ID   card,   sign   a   waiver   for   Residence  Orienta:on  Weekend   (ROW)   and   then   pick   up   their  keys.     As   one   of   the   parts   of   our   assessment,   we  determined  that  the  check  in  process  took  the  average  person  3  minutes.

From  there,  a  member  of   our  Residence   Life   Student  Team   walks   them   to   their   new   room,   and   briefly  orients   them   to   their   space   before   our   volunteers  

assist  them  with  moving  in  their  belongings.

One  of  our  programma:c  outcomes  for  this  event  was  to   ensure   a   welcoming   experience   for   students   and  supporters.    One  of   the  strategies  we  used  to  do   this  was  having  photo  booth  and  selfie  sta:ons  at  each  of  our  complexes  so   students  could   capture   the  big   day  on   camera.   During   the   first   week   of   classes   our  students  will  get  a  copy  of  their  photo  in  their  mailbox  as  a  keep-­‐sake  from  their  first  day.  

We   have   been   thrilled   with   the   posi:ve   comments  from  students,  and  their   supporters  as  a  result  of   the  inten:onal   planning   and   changes   to   our   move   in  process.     Our   assessment   data   has   shown   that  upwards   of   98%   of   our   students   had   a   posi:ve  experience  on   their   first  day   living  with  us.    We   look  forward  to  keeping  the  posi:ve  momentum  going.

NOTHING SMALL ABOUT OUR MOVE IN

SNAP SHOT OF MOVE IN

Courtney  HughesResidence  Life  &  Admissions  CoordinatorNipissing  [email protected]

With  every  big  dream  comes  planning.

“  ”

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aving   transi:oned   to   a   new   role   at   a   new     ins:tu:on   over   the   summer,   I   have   had   the     opportunity  to  reflect  on  the  transi:on  process     as  a  professional  staff  member.  We  spend  a  lot  of   :me   and   thought   on   the   transi:ons   that   our  students   go   through,   but   it   can   be   easy   to   move  through  our  own  transi:ons  without  giving  it  the  considera:on  it  deserves.  Transi:ons  (into   your   first  professional   role,   to   a  new  role   at   your   current   ins:tu:on,   to   a   new  role  at  a  different  ins:tu:on,  or  to  a  similar  role   at   a   different   ins:tu:on)   can   be  exci:ng,   stressful,   interes:ng,  challenging,  and   a   whole   host   of   other   emo:ons   and  experiences.

For   me,   it's   been   an   interes:ng  experience   to   be   working   alongside  individuals  in  my  old  role  while  switching  my  focus  to  my  new,  more  specific  area  of  Housing.  Along  with  the  natural   departmental   and   ins:tu:onal   differences   to  learn  and  adjust  to,  my  current  role  did  not  exist  in  the  same  way   at  my  previous  ins:tu:on.  Training  student  staff  members  has  been  a  great  opportunity  for  me  to  see  how  my  own  transi:on  is  going,  and  with  the  help  of  a  great  team  I'm  feeling  preNy  seNled  in  my  role.

Here  are  some  of  my  transi:onal  :ps  for   star:ng   the  year  off  on  the  right  foot:

Take  the  (me  to  educate  yourself  I   wanted   to   start   staff   training   with   a   solid   foo:ng-­‐  feeling   comfortable   and   confident   with   the   policies  and   procedures   at   my   new   ins:tu:on,   as   well   as  learning  more  about  my  new  field  within  Housing.

Think  about  the  less  obvious  thingsCertain  things  were  obvious  items  on  my  list  of   things  to  learn:  residence  rules,  the  student  conduct  process,  or  different  points  of  contact  in  the  department.  I  tried  to   think   of   the   things  that   were  not   as  obvious   and  

added   them   to  my   list:   how   student   staff  are  compensated,  what  the  staff  evalua:on  process  was   like,   or   the  general   trends  of  each  residence  building.  This  helped  me  to  get  a  beNer  sense  of   our  department  as  a  whole,   feel   like   a   more   well   rounded  resource  for  our   staff,   and   beNer   see   the  challenges  and   opportuni:es  between  my  posi:on  and  others  in  the  department.

Be  realis(cIt   has   been   very   valuable   for   me   to   be  

realis:c   in   my   knowledge   and   reach   out   to   my  teammates   when   necessary.   It   is   very   difficult   to  an:cipate   every   possible   'what   if'   situa:on   or   grey  area  to  a  policy.

Give  yourself  (meIt  can  take  :me  to  adjust  to  a  change.  Be  realis:c  with  your   expecta:ons.   Fortunately,   we   work   in   a   great  field   with   wonderful   people   who   will   help   by  welcoming  you  to  your  new  team.

I'd   be   happy   to   engage   in   conversa:ons   around   the  topic  of   transi:on  as  a  professional  staff  member  with  those  who   are   currently   transi:oning   roles,   thinking  about  or  preparing  for  a  transi:on,  or  interested  in  the  topic!    

- 12 -

Off on the Right Foot

Transitioning to a New RoleVictoria  GadonCoordinator,  Residence  Student  ConductQueen’s  [email protected]

It  can  take  time  to  adjust  to  a  change.  Be  realistic  with  your  expectations.    ”

“H

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OACUHO

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Research

with  Trevor  CorkumOACUHO  Research  Writer  

Housing University and College Athletes: Best PracticesiNle   research   has   been   conducted   in   Canada   on  

  best   prac:ce   approaches   to   housing   student     athletes  on  university  and  college  campuses.  While     a   somewhat   larger   body   of   literature   exists  exploring   the  issues  and  trends  in  housing  student  athletes  on  American   campuses,   key   differences   in   the   scope   and  organiza:on   of   athle:cs  departments,   bylaws  for  housing  athletes,   and   eligibility   requirements   between   the   two  countries  make  clear  comparisons  difficult.

Nevertheless,  a  review  of  both  the  available  academic  and  “grey”   literature   (primarily   media   reports)   suggests   a  certain   consensus   concerning   good   prac:ces   for   housing  and   residence  life  staff   to   consider  when  housing   student  athletes.   The   following   summary   synthesizes  a  number  of  these  sugges:ons.

Miller   and   Kerr   (2002)   have   conducted   a   review   of   the  athle:c,   academic,   and   social   needs   of   high-­‐performing  student  athletes  in  Canadian  universi:es.  While  the  bulk  of  their   research   does   not   address   housing   issues,   they   do  make   a   number   of   important   findings   that   impact   the  overall  wellbeing   of   Canadian  student   athletes.   They  find,  for  example,  that  liNle  or  no  support  services  exist  tailored  exclusively  to  student  athletes  on  Canadian  campuses  (:me  management   workshops   specifically   for   athletes,   as   one  example).   They   quote   anecdotal   research   that   finds   that  the   five-­‐year   eligibility   rule   for   Canadian   student  athletes  might  place  gradua:ng   student  athletes  at  a  disadvantage  when  exploring  or  pursuing  career  op:ons.  They  also  probe  

mo:va:on   among   Canadian   student   athletes   to  find   that  while  success   in   one   arena   (e.g.   athle:cs)   can  encourage  athletes  to  pursue  success  in  another  (e.g.  academics),  the  packed  schedule  of  student  athletes  can  place  great  strain  on  :me  and  life  management  and  hinder  the  development  of   rela:onships   among   non-­‐athle:c   peers.   In   terms   of  rela:onships,   while   fellow   athletes   provide   an   early   and  cri:cal  support  network,  the  lack  of  outside  (non-­‐athle:c)  rela:onships   in   middle  years  means   student  athletes  rely  heavily   on   their   athle:c   peers.   Miller   and   Kerr   suggest  further   study   on   the   role   of   informal   athlete   residences,  given   the   concern   within   the   United   States   on   isola:ng  student   athletes   in   insular,   athle:cs-­‐focused   residence  halls.

Bond   (2013),   Boyle   (2005),   Phelps   (2011)   and   Scally   and  Scally   (2008)   are   concerned   with   deepening   rela:onship  between  athle:cs  and  housing/residence  life  staff   in  order  to   nurture   the   posi:ve   development   of   student   athletes.  For  Bond,  communica:on  between  the  two  departments  is  cri:cal.   She   advises   maintaining   a   schedule   of   regular  mee:ngs  between  athle:cs  and  housing  staff  and  counsels  housing   staff   to   be   aware   and   know   key   contacts   in  athle:cs   departments.   Specific   communica:on   channels  with   student   athletes,   she   feels,   should   also   be   pursued.  Like  other  researchers,  Bond  suggests  that  student  athletes,  given   heavy   training   and   travel   schedules,   may   deserve  some   degree   of   flexibility   in   terms   of   residence   life  considera:ons  (ie.  later  hall  mee:ng  :mes).  

L

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Boyle   echoes   this   call   for   flexibility   and   makes   a  number   of   concrete   sugges:ons   for   beNer   integra:ng  student  athletes  into  residence  life.  One  par:cular  prac:ce  she  explores  involves  “clustering”  athletes  from  a  par:cular  team   into   one   wing   or   area   of   residence   in   order   to  minimize   disrup:on   due   to   training   schedules.   Another,  more   feasible  op:on  might  be  placing   two   athletes   from  the  same  team  in  one  room,  again  to  minimize  disrup:on  due  to   early   prac:ce   schedules.   She   believes   establishing  healthy   communica:on   paNerns   with   student   athletes   is  key,   and   feels   that   living-­‐learning   communi:es   can   be   a  healthy   strategy   for   integra:ng   non-­‐athlete   and   athlete  students   in   residence   life.   Service   learning   ac:vi:es   can  also  help  bridge  the  divide.

Phelps  focuses  on  how  residence  life  staff   can  bridge  gaps  in  the  life   skills  of   student  athletes.   Tailored  programs  for  student   athletes   living   in   residence   may   include   :me  management  or  life  skills  programs.  Boyle  suggests  crea:ng  focus   groups   among   student   athlete   alumni   to   best  determine   the   par:cular   needs   of   athletes   living   in  residence.  Phelps  also  says  considera:on  must  be  given  to  athle:cs   and   housing   staff   planning   joint   events   or  workshop,  possible  under  the  broader  umbrella  of  “Student  Life”,  that  emphasize  team-­‐building   and   serve   to  create  a  holis:c  learning  experience  for  student  athletes.   Emphasis  should   also   be  placed  on  encouraging   student  athletes  to  pursue  addi:onal,  non-­‐athle:c  extra-­‐curricular  ac:vi:es,  he  advises.  

Scally  and  Scally  consider  the  need  to  develop  harmonious,  produc:ve   working   rela:onships   between   housing   and  athle:c   staff.   Challenges  may   arise  due   to   differences   in  ins:tu:onal  cultures,  cultural  :ming   issues  (e.g.  “evolving”  v.   “pre-­‐planned”  no:ons  of   :me),  and  different  opera:on  and  planning   horizons.   Ideally,  both  partners  will  agree  to  key   communica:on   :melines   and   develop   an   annual  communica:on   or   opera:ons   planned   that   can   be  memorialized   in  wri:ng.  Such  a  plan  might  cover  wellness,  discipline  issues,  recruitment  and  placement  :melines,  and  key  communica:on  contacts.  Ideally,  each  partner  will  have  one  key  contact  for  rou:ne  communica:on  issues.

Finally,  Hollan  (2013)  is  similarly  concerned  with  deepening  communica:on   between   athle:cs   and   housing   staff.   She  

suggests   holding   an   ini:al   needs   assessment   mee:ng  involving  all  par:es,  and  also  supports  the  development  of  a   wriNen   LeNer   of   Agreement   highligh:ng   the  responsibili:es  and  working  rela:onship  of  both  sides.  This  leNer   should   focus  on  recruitment  and  planning   :melines,  and  be  signed  by  senior  directors  in  each  department.

A   review   of   the   grey   literature   reveals   a   number   of  emerging   trends   on   American   campuses   in   recent   years.  Ongoing   concern   has   been   raised  about   isola:ng   student  athletes   in   primarily   athle:cs   housing,   either   formal   or  informal   (See,   for   example,   Barker   (2006)   and   Helms  (2014)).  The  involvement  of  public-­‐private  partnerships  and  issues   around   accessibility   in   schools   with   elite   athlete  programs   highlight   the   poten:al   for   crea:ng   divides  between  athletes  and  non-­‐athletes,   if   athletes  are  seen  to  be   privileged   at   the   expense   of   other   students.   Ensuring  athletes  on  larger   campuses  are  housed   closed  to  training  and  athle:c  facili:es  (See  Emig,  2011;  2013)  has  also  been  raised.   The  debate  around   par:cular   “quotas”   in  housing  for  athletes  (for  example,  UConn  reserves  8%  of   its  rooms  for  athletes)  con:nues.  Finally,  the  con:nued  focus  on  the  par:cular  physical,  emo:onal,  academic  and  social  needs  of  student  athletes  and   developing   programs   or   supports  to  address  these  needs  has  been  flagged.

Moving   forward,   it   is   clear   that   updated   research   on   the  needs   of   student   athletes   on   Canadian   university   and  college   campuses   is   cri:cal.   In   par:cular,   understanding  whether   student   athletes   in   housing   have   specific   social,  emo:onal  and  other  needs  is  paramount,  so  residence  life  and   housing   staff   can   determine   how   to   best   work   with  athle:cs  departments  and  other  staff  address  these  needs  and  fill  gaps.    

Trevor   Corkum   is   OACUHO's   Researcher-­‐Writer.   He   has  worked  in  senior  interna=onal  educa=on  and  public  affairs  roles   at   a   number   of   Canadian   universi=es   and   is   the  former  Director  of   Research    and  Communica=ons  at   the  BC   Council   for   Interna=onal   Educa=on.   He   is   currently   a  Joseph-­‐Armand   Bombardier   CGS   scholar   in   the  collabora=ve   Adult   Educa=on/Compara=ve   Interna=onal  and  Development  Educa=on  MA  program  at  OISE.  

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References OACUHO Research

Anonymous.   (2009,   October   28).   University   of   Kentucky   renames  residence   hall   that   houses   basketball   team.   American   School   &  University.   Retrieved  from:   hLp://myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/login?url=hLp://search.proquest.com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/docview/212729130?accounTd=14771

Barker,   J.   (2006,   November   9).   UM   athletes   also   have   fears   about  housing  security;  but  off-­‐campus,  school’s  hands  are  Ted:  colleges.  The  Sun.   Retrieved   from:   hLp://myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/login?url=hLp://search.proquest.com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/docview/406141090?accounTd=14771

Bond,   K.   2013.   Best   pracTces:   Athlete   populaTon   in   housing.   SEAHO  Report   –   Winter   2013.   Retrieved   from:   hLp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/seaho/2013winter/index.php?starTd=35

Boyle,  E.  2005.  IntegraTng  student  athletes  into  residence   life.  ACUHO  Talking  STck,  23(1).  Retrieved  from:   hLp://prestohost08.inmagic.com/i n m a g i c g e n i e / c a t F i l e s / 2 0 1 0 / 1 1 / T S%20SeptOct05%2023-­‐1%20IntegraTng%20Student%20Athletes%20into%20Residence%20Life.pdf

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Emig,   G.   (2013,   July   29).   New   housing   opens   for   Sooner   athletes.  T r i b u n e   B u s i n e s s   N e w s .   R e t r i e v e d   f r o m :   h L p : / /m y a c c e s s . l i b r a r y . u t o r o n t o . c a / l o g i n ? u r l = h L p : / /search.proquest.com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/docview/1413175176?accounTd=14771

Emig,   G.   (2011,   March   25).   OU   plans   for   new   athletes   home.   Tulsa  World.   Retrieved   from:   hLp://myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/login?url=hLp://search.proquest.com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/docview/858657163?accounTd=14771

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Lewis,  F.  (2012,   July  29).  UH  athletes  will  get  more  money  for  housing.  Hono l u l u   S t a r   -­‐   Ad ve rT se r .   R e t r i e v ed   f r om :   hLp : / /m y a c c e s s . l i b r a r y . u t o r o n t o . c a / l o g i n ? u r l = h L p : / /search.proquest.com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/docview/1030071188?accounTd=14771

Miller,   P.   S.   &   Kerr,   G.   2002.   The   athleTc,   academic   and   social  experiences   of   intercollegiate   student-­‐athletes.   Journal   of   Sport  Behavior,  25(4),  346-­‐367.

Phelps,  S.  2011.  Res  life:  At  home  off  the  fields.  ACUHO-­‐I  Talking  STck,  28(4).   Retrieved   from:   hLp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/acuho/talkingsTck_20110304/#/18

Quest   University   Canada-­‐Elite   Athlete   Program.   Retrieved   from:  hLp : / /www .que s t u . c a / a dm i s s i o n / a pp l y i n g _ t o _que s t /elite_athlete_program.php

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