September 2012 Division of Campus Life at Emory University Life Beyond the Classroom
30th Anniversary of the Emory Student Counseling Center
www.emory.edu/CAMPUS_LIFE/
Message from Ajay Nair, Senior Vice President and Dean of Campus Life I hope this month's message finds you well. Since my arrival in July, I have had the opportunity to meet with almost every member of the Division of Campus Life. These meetings have instilled a sense of pride in me for Emory University and the Division of Campus Life. Your passion and commitment to student success is unparalleled, and I’m proud to be part of the Emory family. As I mentioned in our Campus Life staff meeting, I know that each department plays a significant role in helping students reach their full potential. However, I believe we also have a responsibility to build a shared understanding of our common purpose. In an effort to uncover and articulate this common purpose, or what I have been referring to as the soul of Campus Life, I ask that every member of the Division engage in a re-visioning process that will occur throughout this academic year. I want us to consider the following questions: 1) What does “campus life” signify and why is it important to Emory? 2) What is the nature of the campus life we wish to nurture at Emory? 3) What are the challenges and opportunities in cultivating campus life at Emory? Although I hope our process results in a strong, new vision statement for the Division of Campus Life, my top priority is to engage you and our students in meaningful conversations that push us in new directions and to be the very best at what we do. Wishing you the best! Ajay
table of contents
staff spotlight
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around campus life
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feature articlestudent counseling center 10 awards & distinctions
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announcements
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first person perspective by Andy Wilson
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extra, extra
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campus life calendar
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THERE’S MORE! Emory trustee, Ben Shapiro ‘64C, ‘67L, sent the following e-mail regarding the “Dobbs University Center: Then and Now 1927-2012” article in August 2012 Campus Life magazine... Thanks, Ben, for sharing! “The campus bookstore and a barber shop were in the basement of the old building which was called the Alumni Memorial Building. The top floor (now the office of Campus Life) was a hotel for campus visitors. There were approximately 10 rooms that rented for $30 per night. The Emory Christian Association (ECA) had an office in the building. ECA was the closest thing to Religious Life on campus. There was no Campus Life…just a Dean of Men and a Dean of Women, who were in the Administration Building. We had a great time in college with the old buildings. The gym was an old airplane hangar left over from World War II.”
MISSION STATEMENT The Division of Campus Life strengthens and enhances the Emory community through our programs, activities, services, and facilities. We create a welcoming and supportive campus environment and are committed to modeling and teaching holistic well-being, ethical leadership, community service, and global citizenship.
SPOTLIGHT ON CAMPUS LIFE STAFF Complex Director Colleen DeBeasi will be leaving Residence Life & Housing in September. Colleen served the upperclass student population as the Clairmont Campus – URC Complex Director this past year. She will be returning to her and her husband’s hometown of Boston to pursue a position with uAspire, a Boston-based non-profit that helps students access and pay for college. She will be missed! Cathy Boyd ‘11SPH will be joining the Clairmont team in September as the Interim Complex Director. Cathy was a Hall Director while she was working on her public health degree. Since her graduation, Cathy has been teaching high school science locally in Atlanta. Jonathan Duke has joined the Dobbs University Center team as Assistant Director of Programs and Night Operations. Jonathan brings a wealth of experience to the position having served as the Coordinator of Orientation and New Student Programs at the Georgia Institute of Technology for the past three years. There, he worked closely with various offices to produce14 individual orientation sessions each summer as well as supervise 85 orientation leaders. Before working in orientation, Jonathan also served as an Associate Program Director in the Student Center at Georgia Tech and advised the Student Center Programs Council. He received his Master of Education in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia. Prior to attending UGA, he spent three years in the engineering field after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech. He Jonathan Duke currently lives in Midtown with his dog, Addison. Bill Newnam, Barkley Forum’s Associate Director, will serve for a second year on the faculty of the Neuroscience Communications and Ethics course (NS570R). This team-taught graduate course employs debate as the primary instructional format and is geared toward students in medicine, neuroscience, and public health. Melissa Wade conducted a workshop on “Debate Across the Enterprise” in corporate technology education evaluation for the Technology Association of Georgia’s Workforce Learning Group. James Roland conducted a workshop on Barkley Forum Community and Engaged Scholar programs for the legal division of Turner Broadcasting System, many of whom have volunteered as judge/critics in urban debate programs. Additionally, 60 undergraduates enrolled in Childhood Psychopathology (Psych211) will participate this fall in Barkley Forum engaged scholar programs.
Please welcome new staff members in the Student Counseling Center: Dr. Mahlet Endale, Suicide Prevention Coordinator AND Barbara Emmanuel, LCSW, Group Coordinator
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Virginia Plummer, LCSW has accepted a position in the psychiatry department at Student Health and Counseling Services as a psychiatric social worker and liaison, effective September 1. In this new role, Gini will provide psychotherapy and secondary prevention services for student clients. As a community liaison, Gini will engage with on- and off-campus service providers to cement strong working relationships that will benefit students. Carol Kelly, MA, RD, LD, CSSD has fully joined the primary care team in Student Health and Counseling Services. Her office is now on the 2nd floor of the 1525 Clifton Road building. Carol continues to see students for individual nutrition consultations. She also continues to provide nutrition education and outreach.
HEALTH PROMOTION SPECIALIST NATIONAL SEARCH This Fall, the Office of Health Promotion (OHP) will institute a national search for a health promotion specialist to coordinate Emory’s alcohol, tobacco, and other drug outreach and community prevention services. The goal is to expand the Office of Health Promotion’s work in primary prevention, student engagement, ecological interventions, and population-level strategies. In addition, the specialist will work with individual students regarding sexual violence prevention and response and alcohol, tobacco, and other drug risk reduction education. Evidence suggests that the most effective and lasting health behavior changes link multiple levels of influence: intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, policy, and society. Emory’s Student Health and Counseling Services have long provided outstanding patient care, education, and outreach.
SACSA/NASPA Region III New Professionals Institute Bridget Guernsey Riordan, Lauren Bernstein, and Mark Torrez attended the SACSA/NASPA Region III New Professionals Institute at North Carolina Central State University in June. Bridget served on the faculty. Lauren and Mark were selected as participants.
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The Career Center is thrilled to welcome Liana Smith as the new associate director for PreHealth Counseling. Liana previously worked in the PreHealth Mentoring Office where she served as the associate director and academic advisor. Liana will assist Emory’s pre-health students with career decisions, application processes, and professional development. She will also provide career counseling for Biology and NBB majors at Emory. Liana earned a Master’s Degree in Science and Mathematics Education from the College of Charleston and a Bachelor of Science from Wake Forest University in Computer Science. She is a native of Laramie, Wyoming. Her favorite thing about working at Emory? “The students! I absolutely love that I get to interact with students daily. It’s exciting to watch Emory students grow and progress during their years here. Often, I learn just as much from students as they learn from me, and I feel truly inspired by their accomplishments.” When not assisting students, she enjoys running, volunteering, website design, baking cupcakes, traveling, and spending time with her family (especially her new nephew!). And here’s an interesting tidbit: Liana is a former competitive figure skater. Please welcome Liana to the Career Center and to Campus Life. Rodia Vance, Associate Director and University Pre-Law Advisor at The Career Center, recently presented at the Pre-Law Advisors National Council (PLANC) Conference in June in Washington D.C. Rodia was one of only three advisors selected nationally to present before more than 100 of her colleagues in the Veteran Advisors subgroup session at the PLANC Conference, which is held once every four years. Rodia presented a workshop on the benefits of incorporating the overall career development process into pre-law advising rather than focusing solely on the law school application process . Given that most pre-law advisors nationally are faculty members who have been assigned to pre-law advising, Rodia’s unique perspective as a career counselor was well received by her colleagues. One faculty attendee commented: “Ms. Vance: I want to personally convey my appreciation for your fine presentation this morning. As a long time faculty pre-law advisor, I was both affirmed and challenged by what you shared with us regarding the proper context for what I want to provide my students. I was pleased that much of what I do was consistent with some of the self-exploration strategies you identified: increasing self-awareness; emphasizing “lawyering” as much as law school per se. However, your encouragement to assist our students to probe deeper really resonated with me, and I wrote down a number of notes that I want to follow up on when I return to campus. For example, I need to explore more opportunities to collaborate with my fine colleagues in Career Services; I need to request that a student send me a resume prior to our scheduled appointment so that I am not starting from scratch when they arrive; etc. Simply put, KUDOS for the fine presentation; it was all I would hope for at this venue: organized; substantive; and engaging. Well done!” Rodia also served on the Planning Committee for the PLANC Conference and has been chosen to serve as the Conference Planning Co-Chair for the Southern Association of Pre-Law Advisors (SAPLA) 2013 Conference, which will be held in Atlanta in the fall of 2013. page 5
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Four of the Sorority & Fraternity chapters at Emory were honored with national awards for the 2012-13 academic year. Delta Phi Lambda Chapter of the Year Sister of the Year: Susan Nguyen
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Alpha Tau Omega Chapter of the Year Top Scholarship Phi Delta Theta Most Improved Chapter Outstanding Scholarship Program Award Outstanding Brotherhood Award
Phi Delta Theta at the ALS Walk
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Order of the Phoenix: Greg Reith Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s highest national honor recognizes outstanding commitment and loyalty to fraternity, particularly through leadership or volunteerism.
Greg Reith receiving the Emory Fraternity President of the Year Award from Crystal Gayle, Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life representative.
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Connecting Emory’s Hands, Heads, & Hearts Since 1980, Volunteer Emory has served as one of Emory University’s leading voices in advocacy for justice in communities near and far. As an organization, Volunteer Emory has traditionally strived to engage the Emory community in meaningful service opportunities. Over the past 12 months and through much reflection, the organization has embarked on a more robust mission to expand its definition of “meaningful service.” In the coming year, the organization will focus its efforts to connect its traditional service initiatives with intellectually and emotionally-reflective dialogues.
Emory University women's tennis standout, Gabrielle Clark was selected to be a participant in the 17th Annual Arthur Ashe Kids' Day Presented by Hess held on August 25 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.
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The popular full-day tennis and music festival for children and adults features interactive games, musical entertainment and tennis activities. Arthur Ashe Kids' Day Presented by Hess kicked off the 2012 US Open held August 27 through September 9.
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The Social Justice Dialogue Initiati[VE] is a series of dialogue-based panels, lectures, film screenings, and other creative interactions, with an emphasis on facilitating conversation between Emory students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members around the critical and sensitive social justice issues of our time. Volunteer Emory is committed to exploring social issues that affect both local communities and the world at large and constantly working to develop new partnerships and solutions to address these issues. The Social Justice Dialogue Initiati[VE] advances Volunteer Emory’s mission, “to collaborate with agents of change for service projects and social justice work that promote learning about self and society.”
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Gabrielle Clark, Women’s Tennis Standout
While in Flushing Meadow, Clark will be recognized as a member of the 2012 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Collegiate All-Star Team. This past spring, Clark captured the NCAA Division III Women's Singles Championship, ending the 2011-12 campaign with an overall singles slate of 27-4 with her win total tying the eighth-highest seasonal mark in school history. Clark was recognized by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards Program and was the Division III women's tennis nominee for the prestigious Honda Award.
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Complementing this year’s Annual 9/11 Day of Unity, Volunteer Emory is proud to host its first Social Justice Dialogue: “A Dialogue on Unity” on September 11 at 7:45 pm in the Cannon Chapel. The dialogue will consist of a screening of the acclaimed documentary Coexist, an interactive discussion on global peace-building, and a candlelight vigil to remember those affected. To register for the Dialogue on Unity, please complete the electronic registration form at: osls.campuslifetech.org/forms2/view.php?id=29.
For more information about Volunteer Emory and the Social Justice Dialogue Initiati[VE], email Mark Anthony Torrez at mark.torrez@emory.edu.
Intercollegiate Debate Season Starts with Pre-School Research Retreat
Emory debaters and coaches advanced research efforts begun in May during the pre-school research retreat August 20-24 at Few Hall. Ed Lee, James Herndon, John Turner, and Nick Miller worked with Emory debaters to vet initial and secondary argument strategies for the opening national tournament at Georgia State University, September 22-26. Emory debate starts the season with 12 nationally ranked varsity debaters. page 7
Debating Education for Governor Nathan Deal
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Ajay Nair, Melissa Wade, Stephen Bailey, Julia Marshall, Rajesh Jegadeesh, and Catherine Beane
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Emory undergraduate debaters and Barkley Forum alumni debated on Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Ignite Show on August 14 on the topic, “Resolved: the best option for success in life for high school graduates is a four-year college degree.” The show focuses on education innovation strategies, and Barkley Forum’s “Debate Across Curriculum” has been targeted for several appearances over the next year. Emory participation was supported by the Glenn Pelham Foundation for Debate Education and featured senior Rajesh Jegadeesh and sophomore Julia Marshall, who were paired with Emory debate alumni Catherine Vanchiere Beane (Policy Director, Children’s Defense Fund, Washington, D.C.) and Stephen Bailey (CEO, ExecOnline, New York). Governor Nathan Deal, a high school and college debater who participated in Barkley Forum programs as a student, reacted to the debate as the primary guest on the show. Dr. Ajay Nair joined Barkley Forum staff and community partners at the live taping.
Debaters with Barkley Forum staff James Roland and Ed Lee.
Office of Health Promotion in action at Residence Life and Housing Staff Summer Training 2012 Lauren Bernstein (top left picture), Coordinator of the Respect Program, presented the Residence Life and Housing staff with information about the Respect Program and resources for residents. Marc Cordon (top right picture), Assistant Director of the Office of Health Promotion, stressed the importance of self-care for Residence Life and Housing staff and the role that one's public and private selves play in self-care and job performance.
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Wow…where did the month of August go?! Residence Life & Housing staff members spent most of August in training. We welcomed back our 200+ student staff mid-month and logged hundreds of training hours. Thanks to Campus Life departmental partners and their help throughout the month, from presenting training sessions to helping out at Move In, to co-sponsoring welcome back/orientation events with Residence Life & Housing…it’s been a great month so far!
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PHOTO ROUND UP
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1 – Andrea Trinklein and Cristina Dimengo during an end-of-training, inter-hall staff lip sync contest. (For the video, check out our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/LiveAtEmory) 2 – Dobbs staff members at check in (L to R) = Sammie Scott, Andrew Chang, and Trishna Singh 3 – President Wagner and Orientation Leader, Michael Goldberg, helping out at Move In 4 – SYE Resident Advisor Ray Desautels checking in Dean Forman at the SYE Welcome Back BBQ on August 28 5 – Sophomore OL receiving her alumni pin at the SA/OL Sophomore Pinning on August 28 6 – Hall decorations in Evans Hall’s theme was “Innovations in Sustainability.” Few/Evans won first place in the “First-Year Hall” category, followed by Holmes and Dobbs. Woodruff took home first in the “Upperclassmen Hall” category, followed by Complex and Clairmont Tower. 7 – Sophomores at the SYE Welcome Back BBQ (L to R) = Irenose Ivbaze, Daniel Assan page 9
On the 30th Anniversary of the Emory Student Counseling Center
Today the Emory University Student Counseling Center is on the cutting edge of student care. It employs a proactive, prevention-focused public health model to treat students early and effectively and combat the stigma surrounding mental health. But this was not always the case. The story of how mental health support for students at Emory grew into the program we have today is an inspiring one, full of passionate people who demonstrated initiative, creativity, and, yes, courageous and ethical leadership. Our story begins 30 years ago at a time when the community mental health movement (now public health model) was still an idea waiting to happen, a progressive movement that was never fully funded and whose dream was never to be truly realized. Most universities provided short-term, treatment-centric counseling centers for their students. But at Emory, prior to 1982, there was no student counseling center. Students with mental health needs were seen at training clinics provided by the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, where training, not treatment, was the primary mission. In 1982 all that would begin to change., thanks in large part to Dr. Stephen Nowicki, then chair of the Clinical Psychology Department. Dr. Nowicki, recognizing the hole in Emory’s mental health care program and the potential of the community mental health model, proposed a five-year Stephen Nowicki plan for the inception of a Student Counseling Center that would place equal emphasis on evidence-based prevention, early identification, and treatment efforts. The plan became reality and the fledgling Student Counseling Center became a part of Emory’s newest division: Campus Life. With one new staff member added in each of its first five years, the Center soon grew to have a staff of five dedicated and passionate psychologists and social workers. Over the next twenty years or so, until 2004, the Emory University Student Counseling Center grew steadily, though unfortunately often reactively, with each student suicide often resulting in approval for a new hire. As requests for treatment increased, the Center developed training programs in psychology (now accredited by the American Psychological Association) and social work. These programs would grow not only to provide excellent treatment for students and increase outreach programs to the community, but also to attract and maintain some of the very best clinicians in the area and from across the country.
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But in the fall of 2004, there was still quite a lot of work to be done. The slow reactive growth of the Center sometimes made keeping up with demand difficult, leaving little time for long-term proactive planning, problem-solving, and development. And the story of the Counseling Center could well have ended there if two very important, uniquely Emory individuals hadn’t intervened: a very talented, dynamic, and passionate student, Molly Harrington, and a relatively new, resourceful, and caring president, James Wagner. In 2004, Molly, who came to an over-stressed Counseling Center looking for help, was seen for an initial evaluation and was not called back due to an administrative error. Realizing she’d likely been lost in the system, Molly asked to speak with the Director of the Counseling Center, Dr. Mark McLeod. Thus began an interaction that could have been an angry debate between a frustrated student and a defensive director, but instead turned out to be an open Mark McLeod and engaging conversation about the challenges facing Emory’s mental health care system and how those challenges could be addressed. Molly and Dr. McLeod realized that proactivity was the answer; the stress on the system could be reduced with more emphasis on preventive and early care and more open conversations involving all members of the Emory community to combat the stigma surrounding mental health care. They had to help Emory do what few other institutions dared: talk openly about mental health issues and dedicate itself to addressing them proactively. With assistance from Dr. McLeod and Dr. Edward Queen, a faculty member at Emory’s Center for Ethics, Molly began to engage her fellow students and the entire community in the process of talking about mental health challenges at Emory. Students from the Emory Wheel, especially its Editor-in-Chief, Robbie Brown, were actively involved in this process and ran several high-profile articles about the mental health challenges faced by the Counseling Center and by the Emory community as a whole. SGA President Jimin Kim also became actively involved. The conversations finally paid off; a meeting was set up between President Wagner, Molly, Dr. McLeod, Dr. Paula Gomes (Director of Emory’s FacultyStaff Assistance Program), Dr. Nowicki, and Jimin. President Wagner was no passive player in the Counseling Center’s story. A tragic student suicide right before his first convocation made Wagner particularly sympathetic to the need to improve Emory’s mental health care system. He devoted himself to fixing the system and was careful to make sure the changes would be rigorous, well-planned, and sustainable. He requested that Drs. McLeod and Gomes form a small committee to identify Emory-specific challenges and to develop a proactive plan to deal more effectively with those challenges. The work of this committee resulted in the Mental Health Task Force Report, which President Wagner approved in December of 2005. He also dedicated a considerable sum of money towards the implementation of the report’s proposals with the stipulation that the University find the means to continue funding the proposals after a three-year period. It was his support and this strategic stipulation, plus the efforts of Molly, the task force, and the Emory community-at-large, that finally resulted in a sustainable solution. In 2008 Emory’s Board of Trustees approved a Mental Health and Counseling Fee of $50 per student per semester specifically dedicated to the implementation of the task force report.
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For the first time in its history, the Counseling Center began receiving enough money to plan proactively for the future. The money allows the Center to implement and expand important programs that continue to reach out to students in need and that help maintain the vibrancy of campus conversation surrounding mental health. Today, Emory is still one of the only universities in the country that specifically sends a bill out to its students for mental health services. Each semester we do so; it signifies our community’s renewed commitment to talking about and combating the stigma surrounding mental health. Talk about courageous, ethical leadership! There is an important epilogue to this inspiring and continuing story. In 2008, Dr. Nadine Kaslow, a psychologist in the Emory Department of Psychiatry, with help from Dr. Nadine Kaslow McLeod, wrote a successful application for Emory to receive a coveted Garrett Lee Smith federal grant specifically to develop public health-based interventions to prevent college student suicide. Just this past year, with important support from President Wagner and the Board of Trustees, the mental health fee was increased by an additional $3 in order to continue the effective intervention programs previously funded by the grant. While the grant monies were put towards many purposes, a few of the more effective programs that the Student Counseling Center hopes to continue are:
1. An innovative computer-based intervention program designed to engage troubled students in anonymous conversations with mental health professionals—students who otherwise may not have known about or felt comfortable seeking help because of the stigma surrounding mental health. Students who meet a certain level of depression are identified using an anonymous online screening tool and invited to meet with a Counseling Center staff member. Many times these students are in a great deal of pain. Thanks to this program, they are able to receive muchneeded treatment for the first time in their lives. 2. Gatekeeper training for members of the community (faculty, staff, and students) so that they know how to identify students at risk, how to actively and effectively intervene, and how to access appropriate mental health care resources. 3. Training and support for two important student groups: Helpline, an after-hours mental health crisis line, and Active Minds, students seeking to reduce stigma about accessing mental health care resources. If you want to learn more about grantrelated activities as well as what’s happening at Emory now, check out www.emorycaresforyou.emory.edu. For more information about the Student Counseling Center current efforts, or to find out how you can contribute muchneeded support, please contact Mark McLeod at 404-727-7450 or Andrew Christopherson at 404-712-4682.
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Campus Life Awards and Distinctions
Emory University was recently recognized as one of the top 25 LGBT-friendly colleges and universities in the country by the Campus Climate Index. Based on its policies, programs, and practices demonstrating inclusion of LGBT students, Emory University received five out of five stars on the Index. You can learn more about the Campus Climate Index and Emory’s scores at: www.campusclimateindex.org Congratulations to Mark Torrez for having his article, “Leadership Now: Technology and the Next Generation of Leadership Education,” published in the National Clearinghouse for Leadership Programs quarterly journal, Concepts & Connections.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS getFIT at the SAAC! Starting this fall, getting fit at the SAAC couldn’t be easier! SAAC members can purchase a getFIT pass for $40 that is good for an unlimited number of classes all semester. For details, vist: www.emory.edu/HOUSING/CLAIRMONT/saac_fitness.html Not a member? That’s easily remedied! The SAAC sells memberships all year round. Come visit us at Clairmont Campus or online at saac.emory.edu
Office of LGBT Life Leadership Funds Now Taking Applications The Office of LGBT Life promotes the leadership development of students. Two funds were set up by generous alumni and friends of Emory University and the Office of LGBT Life to support this aspect of the Office's mission. The J. Michael Aycock Leadership Development Fund and the Dr. Daniel D. Adame Leadership Fund provide ongoing financial support for student leadership opportunities. Students interested in receiving funds to further their growth as leaders are encouraged to apply. Details on the individual awards as well as application instructions can be found at: www.lgbt.emory.edu. SAVE THE DATE Creating Change—January 23-27, 2013 Creating Change is coming to Atlanta! The largest gathering of LGBTQ community organizers and activists will be meeting in downtown Atlanta, and we are looking for volunteers! If you are interested in learning more, submitting a workshop proposal, or in volunteering, check out the Creating Change Conference website (www.creatingchange.org) or email Danielle at dmsteel@emory.edu. Safe Space Lunch and Learns Throughout this academic year, the Office of LGBT Life offers hour-long continuing education opportunities that focus on various areas of the queer community. The first Lunch and Learn of the semester is on September 18 at noon in DUC 332. Michael Shutt will present “Making Change at Work.” You are invited even if you have not completed Safe Space training, and you can RSVP at lgbt@emory.edu. Bring a lunch and bring a friend!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS Safe Space dates announced! Safe Space trainings are offered throughout the year. These sessions are 3.5 hours long and are led by trained facilitators. Emory University faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends may sign up for a Safe Space training. There is no cost to participate in a training or request a training for your department, unit or student organization thanks to the support from the Office of LGBT Life and the donated time of our facilitators. UPCOMING SESSIONS FOR FALL 2012 & SPRING 2013 September 13, 1:00pm-4:30pm October 23, 9:00am-12:30pm November 14, 1:00pm-4:30pm January 10, 12:00pm-3:30pm February 18, 1:00pm-4:30pm March 13, 12:00pm-3:30pm April 9, 9:00am-12:30pm You can register at: osls.campuslifetech.org/forms/view.php?id=112
Volunteer Emory Remembers ‘9/11/01’ with Annual Day of Unity Started in 2011 as Volunteer Emory's newest large-scale service initiative, the “9/11 Day of Unity” remembers the tragedy of September 11, 2001, as well as honors the bravery of those who responded to the attacks and aftermath. The “9/11 Day of Unity” kicks off a week of programming sponsored by various University departments and is focused on engaging the Emory community in meaningful reflection on the process of creating global peace. The 2012 9/11 Day of Unity will take place on Saturday, September 8, at various locations in Atlanta. Kick-off and registration will take place in the Dobbs University Center (DUC) Coca-Cola Commons beginning at 11am. Service projects include beautifying regional parks, recycling used furniture for homeless and disadvantaged populations, and sorting and repackaging medical supplies for developing countries. To register for the 2012 9/11 Day of Unity, complete the web form at: osls.campuslifetech.org/forms2/view.php?id=27
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ANNOUNCEMENTS Complementing this year’s Annual Day of Unity, Volunteer Emory is proud to host its first Social Justice Dialogue Initiati[VE]: “A Dialogue on Unity” event on September 11. The dialogue will consist of a screening of the acclaimed documentary, Coexist, an interactive discussion on global peacebuilding, and a candle-light vigil to remember those affected. To register for the Dialogue on Unity, complete the web form at: osls.campuslifetech.org/forms2/view.php?id=29 Questions? Please contact Tess Komarek, Volunteer Emory Co-Director for Special Events, at tkomare@emory.edu. SAVE THE DATE: Emory Cares Day is Saturday, November 10 SAVE THE DATE and volunteer with Jumpstart ‘s“Read for the Record” event on October 4 Jumpstart’s premiere national campaign, “Read for the Record,” presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, is one day of the year when millions of individuals come together to celebrate literacy and support Jumpstart in its efforts to promote early childhood education. On October 4, people across the country will be encouraged to read the children’s book Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad, by David Soman and Jacky Davis, in support of Jumpstart’s mission to work towards the day that every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. Join Emory in celebrating “Read for the Record” by attending the volunteer event at the Sheltering Arms International Village Learning Center on October 4. Students and staff will leave by 9:15 am to arrive in time for a brief preschool orientation before reading to the children. Carpools will return back to campus by 11:30 am. Please contact Jumpstart Site Manager, Olivia Wise, if you are able to join us in supporting Jumpstart’s “Read for the Record” campaign!
HOMECOMING 2012 Monday, September 24 5:00 PM: Kick-off Event Wednesday, September 26 11:00 AM: Wonderful Wednesday 7:00 PM: Evening Event Thursday, September 27 7:00 PM: Homecoming Comedian, Amy Schumer Friday, September 28 9:00 PM: Homecoming Ball – Cazzette Saturday, September 29 12:30 PM: Tailgate 1:30 PM: Soccer Game: Emory vs. Chicago 2:30 PM: Festival/Parade 3:30 PM: Concert: Slightly Stoopid
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ANNOUNCEMENTS Sexual & Relationship Violence Prevention & Response is now the Respect Program. Check out: www.bewellexcel.org/respect, “Like” us on Facebook at Emory University Respect Program, and follow us on Twitter @OHPRespect. Several Campus Life staff members are featured in a video at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0myNPSybRQk Emory @ the Red Zone, a rally against sexual assault at Emory on September 14 @ 5:45pm Asbury Circle
Read Health Promotion’s health and wellness magazine online at http://readsh101.com/go2emory.html
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First-Person Perspective by Andy Wilson Kicking Off the Year by Creating Partnerships with Faculty As I begin a new academic year, I often find myself feeling thankful for those college professors who had the greatest impact on me and for those college classes that I most enjoyed. What was your favorite class? Who was your favorite teacher? Connections with faculty remain a key factor in college student success. Specifically, student affairs practitioners facilitating student-faculty relationships remain a key ingredient in creating a learning community and ensuring students have a higher probability to succeed in college. Before World War I, faculty members served as both teachers and administrators. These dual roles allowed informal student-faculty interactions to occur without much orchestration, because faculty members commonly lived with students and completed much of the work done today by student affairs practitioners (Foderaro, 2005; Schroeder & Mable, 1994). Shifting priorities for faculty members in the 1930s and 1940s led to increased responsibilities for teaching and research and diminished roles outside the classroom (Rudolph, 1962). In fact, the reward structure at most institutions, including Emory, now focus primarily on research and teaching, with service to the institution a distant third. Dedicating time as a student organization advisor or Faculty in Residence would count as service. As several faculty members have told me, finding time to produce research, teach exemplary classes, and engage in meaningful service remains a struggle. Even with these barriers, scholars suggest that frequent and meaningful interactions between college students pageand 13 personal development (Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005). Specifically, and faculty members enhance learning student-faculty interactions have a positive impact on retention and achievement, intellectual development, and overall satisfaction with the college experience (National Leadership Council, 2007; Tinto, Love, & Russo, 1993). Student affairs practitioners work diligently to support students and faculty to minimize the impact of this shift. Yet facilitating student-faculty informal interactions remains a struggle for many student affairs practitioners (Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005). Throughout my career, I have studied how student affairs practitioners have successfully facilitated faculty-student relationships outside the traditional classroom. I have learned the following: Understand the faculty lifestyle. Visit faculty websites to better understand their roles. Asking faculty members about their paths as well as their courses and research agendas will provide good information to build relationships and connections. Relationships matter. Working with a faculty member roughly mirrors asking someone for a donation. In this context, we ask faculty members to give their time to support students. Before asking faculty members to participate, take time to get to know them. Ask them to have coffee or lunch. This process takes time and effort, but it will humanize the process and build trust. Set up faculty for success. Faculty members may need context for their role and insider information to make the most of their time with students outside of the classroom. Just as student affairs practitioners might desire this type of information prior to offering a lecture in a course, we should discuss our structure, nomenclature, and responsibilities with faculty members. Furthermore, finding the right fit for a faculty member helps foster his or her engagement. For instance, some faculty members do well with structured events (e.g., panels, speakers), while others thrive in informal settings (e.g., receptions, dinners) with students. Offering a mixture of opportunities helps.
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First-Person Perspective by Andy Wilson Appreciation matters. Prospective faculty partners engaging with a particular office for the first time will likely volunteer again if they feel valued during and after the event. Following up after their initial engagements with a phone call and a thank-you note remains the gold standard. After prolonged partnerships, letters to department chairs, appreciation gifts, and invitations to serve more permanently all steward their involvement. Use students’ voices. Many faculty members respond positively to invitations coordinated by their students. Knowing that a familiar student will attend an event heightens engagement and decreases potential concerns. Look for opportunities to engage with faculty. From serving on committees where faculty also volunteer, attending lectures sponsored by departments, or taking a course, I have met some of the most interesting and engaging faculty members. If you have an opportunity to lecture in a course or to teach a class, seize it. Discussing academic course management with faculty members often creates a relationship. John Ford once said, “If we want faculty to engage in Campus Life and act more like they work in student affairs, then Campus Life administrators must act more like faculty members.” I hope you will kick off the year by considering how your own role can better facilitate student-faculty relationships at Emory. Andy Wilson, Assistant Dean for Campus Life and Director of Residence Life, has worked with faculty engagement programs in student affairs at Emory, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Wilson earned a Bachelor’s from Winthrop University, a Master’s from Virginia Tech, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Georgia. References Foderaro, L.W. (2005, April 24). Under one roof: learning communities. The New York Times., Education Life Supplement p. 26. National Leadership Council. (2007). College learning for the new global century. Washington, DC. Association of American Colleges and Universities. Pascarella, E. T., & Terenzini, P.T. (1991). How college affects students: A third decade of research. (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Rudolph, F. (1962). The American college and university: A history. New York: Knopf. Schroeder, C., & Mable, P. (1994). Residence halls and the college experience: Past and present. In C. Schroeder and P. Mable (Eds.), Realizing the educational potential of residence halls. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Tinto, V., Love, A. G., & Russo, P. (1993). Building learning community for new college students: A summary of research findings of the collaborative learning project. University Park, PA: National Center on Postsecondary Teaching, Learning, and Assessment.
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extra! extra! news from... barkley forum Atlanta Urban Debate Institute The 12th Annual Atlanta Urban Debate Institute (July 30- August 3), funded with a grant from the Atlanta Housing Authority, was directed by Barkley Forum staff James Roland, Christy Bradley, and Jermeen Sherman, and was held at Georgia State University for 120 secondary students. Emory debaters, Barkley Forum alumni, Urban Debate League graduates, Atlanta Public Schools and Baltimore City Schools teachers, and community volunteers served as faculty for the program.
BF staff member Jermeen Sherman and BF alum Isaac Wolf teach a small lab group at the Institute Asian Debate Institute Christy Bradley served for a 6th year as senior faculty at the 13th Asian Debate Institute (ADI) from August 8-21 at Chung-Ang University in Seoul, Korea. The ADI is an English-language debate workshop primarily serving university students from countries in Asia. This summer marked one of the largest institutes to date with nearly 200 participants, including representatives from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Palestine, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and U.S.A. The ADI focuses on teaching British Parliamentary Debate, the most practiced style of debate around the world. During each debate round, four 2-person teams interrogate a different topic ranging from organ trade, election campaign funding, affirmative action, global warming, NATO, and national health services, among others. Even more impressive, these students debate research-based academic topics in a language that is not their native language. The most uniquely rewarding part of the workshop is the free exchange of ideas, cultures, and friendships that emerge from the shared debate experience. page 20
FOR THE CURRENT SEPTEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS PLEASE VISIT: www.emory.edu/CAMPUS_LIFE/calendar/index.html
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