THE PULSE THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY HOUSING OFFICERS
OCTOBER 2014
IN THIS ISSUE President’s Welcome [3] Staying Balanced [9] OACUHO Research [12]
Trent University Oshawa, Oshawa, ON Location of the 2014 Fall Business Meeting
Board of Directors ! ! !
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PRESIDENT Laura Storey | Carelton University laura.storey@carelton.ca
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MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR Brian Ingoldsby | University of Guelph bingolds@uoguelph.ca
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PRESIDENT-ELECT / FINANCE DIRECTOR Julie West | University of Guelph jwest@uoguelph.ca
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! CONFERENCE DIRECTOR Brittany Gawley | McMaster University gawleyb@mcmaster.ca
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PAST PRESIDENT Chad Nuttall | University of Toronto Mississauga chad.nuttall@utoronto.ca
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CORPORATE PARTNER RELATIONS DIRECTOR Colin Ryrie | Brock University cryrie@brocku.ca
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COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR Brian Cunha | University of Waterloo b2cunha@uwaterloo.ca
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SENIOR-LEVEL MEMBER AT LARGE Glenn Matthews | Western University glenn@housing.uwo.ca
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Matthew Harris | York University maharris@yorku.ca
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MEMBER AT LARGE Mike Porritt | McMaster University porritm@mcmaster.ca
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MEMBER AT LARGE Samantha Wiebe | University of Waterloo swiebe@uwaterloo.ca
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The Communications Committee DIRECTOR Brian Cunha CONTRIBUTORS Drew Simon Heather Lang
THE PULSE EDITORS Victoria Gadon Alison Kavanagh Lyn-Marie Farley Katie Calcaterra Laura Mammone
THE HISTORY PROJECT Glenn Matthews Matt Waghorn Andrew Quenneville
Table of Contents
EDITOR Brian Cunha SEPTEMBER EDITORS Alison Kavanagh Laura Mammone
3
president’s message
5
mark your calendars
6 professional development
7 fall business meeting
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staying balanced OACUHO Research
I took a second job at a scale factory but I quit, because there was no balance in my life.
T
his month's Pulse is focuses on balance and how we, as housing professionals, 8ind this in our day-‐to-‐day lives.
When I hear the word balance my 8irst thought is a giant set of scales with equal weights on either side. Applying this vision as a philosophy to my life would likely be daunting. It would imply spending a great amount of time trying to make things equal in all the parts of my life. In a world of equal, scale-‐like balance one would need to spend equal amounts of time at home and at work, or spend equal time with a staff team and with managing email, and spend equal time If I think sleeping as you do playing baseball. This is not the kind of balance about balance one should strive for and as I'm describing it I'm realizing just how from the ludicrous a philosophy this would be.
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Instead, I'm going to look at balance as harmony. If I think about balance from the perspective of colours or sounds I think of harmony -‐ or parts that 8it together in agreement. They make up a whole that feels, sounds and looks beautiful. Framing balance as a practice of harmony creates less pressure and tension as I'm writing this.
perspective of colours or sounds I think of harmony -‐ or parts that 8it together in agreement.
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Imagine standing on one foot with your other leg outstretched behind you. There is challenge to 8inding that balance and to holding that stance as the seconds and minutes go by. Like in life and in our work, at times it can be challenging to continue to stand on one foot. While at work, here are some things I do to keep harmony in mind: 1. Be in the moment. I promise that its easier to 8ind balance when you're present in those moments. Distractions (cell phones, emails) during the day or in the evening can disrupt your 8low and can cause you to lose your balance. Dedicate speci8ic time for speci8ic things and really be there. 2. Be okay with putting the other foot on the ground.
Finding balance is not easy and sometimes we need to put the other foot on the ground to stabilize ourselves. Putting the other foot on the ground might be taking a 15 minute walk around campus or closing your of8ice door. When you've really lost your balance perhaps you take a personal day or 8ind time for an extra-‐long weekend nap. Some days it may balance may seem insurmountable; know that putting the other foot on the ground is always an option. -3-
President’s Message 3. Know when to ask for help. This is beyond putting the other foot on the ground. This is when you have both feet on the ground and are still having dif8iculty balancing. Don't be afraid to ask for help. My life is 8illed with moments of harmony and also moments of dissonance. The moments of harmony grow out of personal relationships at home and at work, laughing a lot (at myself) and being physically active. When the dissonance becomes overwhelming, I change my scenery and look for nature and light to harmonize my world again. There is no perfect formula to coming up with balance -‐ but there is a formula that will work right for you. Here are some things to consider when trying to 8ind harmony: Personal and Internal -‐ Challenge yourself intellectually -‐ read a great book, do sudoku or 8inish a puzzle -‐ Show gratitude and give -‐ send someone a card, practice paying it forward, volunteer -‐ Awareness of your health -‐ heart, body and mind -‐-‐ are you sleeping? eating (and what!)? exercising? Relationships and External -‐ Work -‐ set goals that are S.M.A.R.T., enjoy going to and being at work -‐ Family and Friends -‐ set aside time to connect with those you care about -‐ Pets -‐ if you don't have one 8ind one to temporarily adopt/pet! -‐ Social and Fun -‐ sign up for the board games club, mingle with new people and do something silly (like SkyZone) Last, but certainly not least -‐ laugh. And know that old accountants never die, they just lose their balance. Until next time,
Laura Storey OACUHO President
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OACUHO SPRING CONFERENCE
Mark Your Calendars JUNE 7th -‐ 11th, 2015 Find out who is hosting the OACUHO Spring 2015 Conference at the Fall Business meeting. OACUHO PRESIDENT’S RECOGNITION AWARD Blurb: The OACUHO President’s Recogni6on Award is presented twice annually, at the fall business mee6ng and the annual spring conference, to members in good standing with the associa6on. All recipients who meet the criteria will be presented with a leBer from the OACUHO president recognizing them for their contribu6on. A formal presenta6on of the award and a framed cer6ficate will be presented at the annual spring conference to all recipients. NOMINATION CRITERIA: -‐ Must be a member in good standing with the OACUHO Organiza6on -‐ Recipient must demonstrate one or more of the three following criteria: -‐ A person, who has successfully created, developed and implemented a new ini6a6ve at their ins6tu6on. -‐ This ini6a6ve has improved the effec6veness and/or enhancement of their department and/or ins6tu6on as a whole. -‐ A person who has demonstrated a con6nuously mo6va6ng and suppor6ve work ethic. This person goes out of their way to have a posi6ve impact on the people they interact with. -‐ A person who, on a regular basis, goes above and beyond their daily job descrip6on
Nomination Form -5-
Professional Development
Professional Development STUDENT RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE
The PD-‐CommiBee has been working hard on discovering a way to introduce interested students to the wonderful world of OACUHO! We are in the process of crea6ng a student recogni6on cer6ficate in order to offer con6nuous professional development and networking opportuni6es for our student staff. Stay tuned for an email that will be sent out to the membership some6me later this month for more informa6on. We hope that you will share in our excitement for this upcoming ini6a6ve!
WORKSHOPS Mental Health First Aid
Adults Who Interact with Children MHFA MHFA MHFA MHFA MHFA (Instructor) MHFA MHFA Adults Who Interact withYouth MHFA MHFA
October 9th/10th October 16th/17th October 18th/19th October 18th/19th October 20-‐24th Ocotober 22-‐23rd October 20th-‐27th
October 27th-‐29th October 30/31st
Applied Suicide Interven?on Skills Training ASIST Workshop English safeTALK Training for Trainers ASIST Workshop English ASIST Workshop English ASIST Workshop English ASIST Workshop English ASIST Workshop English ASIST Workshop English ASIST Workshop English ASIST Workshop English suicideCARE Seminar ASIST Workshop English safeTALK Workshop -‐ English
October 16th/17th October 16th/17th October 16th/17th October 18th/19th October 18th/19th October 21/22nd October 21/22nd October 22nd/23rd October 23rd/24th October 23rd/24th October 24th October 27th/28th October 29th
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Simcoe Kitchener Kitchener Markham Ajax Parry Sound Kitchener Toronto London
Oakville Burlington Kenora West Lorne OBawa Slate Falls First Na6on Toronto Cobourg Leamington OBawa Chatham Dryden Toronto
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.com Additional questions can be directed to Justin Fisher - Director, Student Affairs, Trent University Oshawa (905-435-5102 x5054, justinfisher@trentu.ca, @justinfisher). Register before September 12th, 2014 to receive the early-bird fees. -7-
Make it feel like home
- 12 - - MONTREAL 1.800.545.5575 FOLIOT.COM LAS VEGAS
Staying Balanced
Staying Balanced “You will never feel truly satis8ied by work until you are satis8ied by life.” -‐ Heather Schuck, The Working Mom Manifesto
Staying Balanced
OACUHO Staying Balanced Julie West | University of Guelph In order to create and maintain balance in my life, I play tennis (at least once a week and oden twice). Luckily I live in an area where I can play year-‐round: outside in the summer and inside when the weather doesn't cooperate. Aside from the obvious posi6ve outcomes associated with physical ac6vity, it has provided an opportunity to learn a new skill (beBer hand-‐eye coordina6on is always helpful), go to new places (I play occasionally on a compe66ve travel team) and meet lots of new and interes6ng people. In fact, I met a former owner of my house (and he could certainly tell interes6ng stories about it and the neighbourhood).
Carly Snell | Nipissing University In order to keep balanced I make 6me for ac6vi6es outside of my work space and work hours. I enjoy golfing on the weekends and Crossfifng throughout the week. The Crossfit box is a space where I am challenged each 6me I step inside the doors. I challenge myself to constantly improve and surprise myself by accomplishing more than I thought possible. Being able to reach new goals daily provides me the confidence to take on new challenges in and outside of work, that is what keeps me mo6vated and balanced.
Samantha Weibe | University of Waterloo Swimming is the immediate thought that comes to mind when someone asks me about my hobbies/ favourite ac6vi6es. I have always loved the water and actually cannot remember not being able to swim. In fact, I very quickly acquired my first lifejacket on our first family vaca6on because I thought I could swim and would take the plunge on my own at 18 months. Although I never swam compe66vely, being at the pool has been a big part of my university career as both a student and staff member. I s6ll swim twice a week at the UW Pool with the student run Tri Club, which is made up of students, alumni and staff. My co-‐workers and student staff are used to seeing me run around the office with wet hair because I have just hopped out of the pool and ran back up to the office. This ac6vity is part of what helps to keep me balanced during the busy weeks. I book these two 6mes into my schedule as regular mee6ngs and do my best not to miss them. This rou6ne is especially great in the first 4 weeks of a term, when I am oden staying late for events in the evenings. Since very few of us work a set 9-‐5pm job I encourage everyone, especially new professionals, to talk to their supervisors about the level flexibility within their roles. If there is an ac6vity or volunteer opportunity that is only available to you during business hours, it may be something that you can work into your schedule and help you to find balance in your role.
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Managing Your Energy: The Year Long Marathon
E
Kaitlin Kellogg
Sean Connors
Residence Manager McMaster University kellogk@mcmaster.ca
Residence Life Coordinator Georgian College sconnors@georgianrez.ca
nergy is defined as “the strength and vitality required for sustained mental or physical ac6vity” (Websters Dic6onary, 2014). Our roles require a lot of energy and while we’re always up for the challenge of giving everything that we have to our students, managing our energy over an eight to twelve month period of 6me can some6mes prove to be difficult. The academic year can be thought of as a marathon – some of us are running a twelve month marathon while others are running nine. No maBer the length, there are going to be 6mes where you are sprin6ng (i.e. August or April) and other 6mes where you are running a steady pace (i.e. October or February). When running a marathon, an individual cannot sprint the en6re distance as one’s body is not physically able to do so. The same goes for our roles as Residence Life Professionals, we cannot sprint the en6re year or we risk burnout early-‐on in the race, leaving us unable to provide the best service and experience for our students. Sprin6ng can leave you feeling 6red and maybe less mo6vated than before you began. Self-‐care is very important throughout the marathon as it allows you to recover and re-‐energize during the running phases. Now that we are in October, many of us have finished sprin6ng and are star6ng into our steady pace. It is 6me to focus on taking care of ourselves to ensure that we are able to cross the finish line. Here are some 6ps to help you manage your energy throughout the year:Here are some 6ps to help you manage your energy throughout the year:
1
Reflect oden on your mo6va6on and passion for doing the work that you do. Thinking about the “why” can oden help you to establish purpose and give you a boost of energy to con6nue on through periods of exhaus6on.
2 3 4 5 6
Take 6me away from work if you are able. A day spent out of the office will h e l p y o u t o clear your head, re-‐focus and allow you to return to work in a produc6ve state of mind.
Unplug from work when possible and allow yourself to become less available to others. Turn off your e-‐mail on your phone, put your phone on silent when not in the office and if you feel so inclined-‐ leave your phone behind when you go out to run errands (trust us; the world will con6nue to turn ;) ).
Stay true to your own values, beliefs, and interests. Find something you like to do o u t s i d e of work and commit to it (i.e. go to the gym, go for a hike, read, hang out with friends/ f a m i l y , or partake in your favourite hobby/pas6me etc.).
Meditate. This one might be a liBle bit out there for some of you, but if you are interested in trying something new-‐ check out the free App called HeadSpace for a calming/relaxing experience that does not take more than 10 minutes out of your day-‐to-‐day ac6vi6es.
For those of you that are a live-‐in posi6on, make it a priority to leave your residence building at least once a day. Gefng natural sunlight and fresh air is important to maintaining a happy and healthy self.
The end of a marathon is an exci6ng and rewarding 6me, where you get to reflect on and celebrate your achievements. That being said, in order to make it to the finish line one must ensure that they are giving their own self-‐care and balance the aBen6on that it deserves. Whether you resonate with any of the above points or have your own techniques for managing your energy it is always important to focus on yourself and your well-‐ being. Ready, Set, GO!!
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OACUHO Research
Trevor Corkum
with OACUHO Research Writer
Finding a Professional Home: An Interview with David McMurray
D
avid McMurray is one of the founders of OACUHO and a driving force behind the development of the organiza6on. We were thrilled that David took some 6me from a very packed schedule to reflect on his experiences in student affairs and to share advice with other professionals in the field.
services. McMurray is currently working with colleagues to develop the interna6onal Ins6tute on the Student Experience, offered by the Centre for Higher Educa6on Research and Development. Widely known for his innova6ve and integra6ve approach to student services, McMurray is frequently invited to teach and speak on the subject.
David is currently Vice-‐President, Student Affairs, at Wilfrid Laurier University. He has been a leading figure in student services for more than 30 years. He is a past president of the Canadian Associa6on of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) and has received its highest award — the Award of Honour — for con6nuous and outstanding commitment to students. Nominated by the Associa6on of Universi6es and Colleges Canada, he has also received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for excellence in higher educa6on, administra6on and student
During his years at Laurier, McMurray has played a lead role in introducing ini6a6ves that enhance student learning by promo6ng student development and engagement. Examples include the Residence Life program, Learning Communi6es, Student Leadership Centre, Learning Services and Accessible Learning, Student Athlete Development, Judicial Affairs Council, Community Service Learning, diversity and equity support, and the Co-‐Curricular Record, an official portolio of student involvement in volunteer and leadership ac6vi6es.
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Thanks for taking the ?me out for an interview, David. One aspect of OACUHO’s mission has been to cul?vate a sense of a “professional home” for those working in the housing field in Ontario. How important has that professional home been to the development of your own career? I learned very quickly in my career that having a professional home was extraordinarily valuable, par6cularly in developing learning rela6onships with other colleagues, sharing best prac6ces, strategizing solu6ons, and striving for con6nuous improvement. As a young professional, my mentor and Dean of Students at the University of Windsor was George McMahon who served as the first president of CACUSS in 1972. He taught me that being able to “pick up the phone” and connect candidly with colleagues, many who became close friends over the years, was worth its weight in gold. This was a good prac6ce I learned to do early when confronted with the many challenges of addressing student needs, crea6ng new approaches to delivering support and services, and just plain being successful in tackling the oden complicated, some6mes poli6cal hurdles we oden face in higher educa6on. One can do it alone, but together the outcomes are always much more meaningful, and have greater long-‐term impact. My first professional conference was in 1973 when I was a Head Resident at Windsor, aBending ACUHO in PiBsburgh at Duquesne University. I was so excited to go, and what an experience it was mee6ng so many people with similar interests in the field, I learned so much! And what a keener, I took a tape recorder with me, recorded every session I went to and wrote a 30-‐ page report for George upon my return. I’ll never forget his reac6on as I proudly submiBed it to him as he tried to keep a straight face. All he really wanted was for me to look outside my bubble, meet some great people, have a liBle fun, and bring back one good idea. I’ve aBended and presented at many housing, residence life and student affairs conferences over the
years, and there is no beBer way to stay current in the field and grow as a professional. I am delighted that ACUHOI and OACUHO are thriving today providing con6nued professional development opportuni6es, and serving as the key vehicles for networking, innova6on, and best prac6ce. These associa6ons had so much influence on me that I went on to engage with several associa6ons becoming president of OACUHO, CCUFSA, SASA and CACUSS. The Canadian Ins6tute on Student Affairs and Services (CISAS) also emerged from these rela6onships. You were one of the founders of OACUHO and instrumental in a number of roles in the early days of the organiza?on. How did the organiza?on come together? What do you remember as some early lessons experienced by OACUHO during this founda?onal period? Yes indeed I was one of the founders of OACUHO! When I started out as Director of Residence at Windsor in 1976, there were provincial mee6ngs held from 6me to 6me with other provincial university housing professionals, many who also were members of ACUHO. Our agendas were really informal then, ranging from behavioural maBers to furniture design. Everyone shared openly with each other, I think primarily because we all loved what we did, and truly believed it was important to the student experience. We didn’t have the suppor6ve research in the field that contributes to evidence based decision making today, but we had a definite “feel” for what made the residence experience work from both a management perspec6ve, and from the view of the student to flourish. In 1982 I recall, together with Al McGinnis then Director of Residence at Guelph, we proposed to our provincial colleagues at a mee6ng I hosted in Windsor, the no6on to become OACUHO with a formal mission, mandate and suppor6ng professional structure to include an annual spring conference and a fall business mee6ng. I can’t recall whether we flipped a coin, or because Al was older, but it was decided that he become the associa6on’s first president and I - 13 -
OACUHO Research
followed. Those were terrific years as we began to refocus our efforts on service excellence; the impact of student development theory on our approach; and building stronger rela6ons with academic colleagues to support student success. In your opinion, what do you feel have been some of the greatest contribu?ons OACUHO has made to the housing profession in Ontario? The contribu6ons OACUHO has made to the housing profession in Ontario, and beyond have been many, including housing design, sound financial management prac6ces, technology, programming, community service, living and learning outcomes-‐based research, and even strategic enrollment management. When I look back over the eras the focus has changed quite significantly, although maintaining the core func6ons con6nue to exist today. The early years were all about managing behaviour, “in loco paren6s” was the approach of the day, with many rules oriented ways, fines, bonds, a disciplinary mandate rather than the focus on learning and restora6ve jus6ce which is now more prevalent today. The recogni6on of student rights and responsibili6es, with community standards in mind I think came as a result of the learning and best prac6ces exhibited in our residence halls. We moved through the eras of customer/quality service management, then through a deeper thinking phase from the delivery of transac6onal services, to how student development theory impacted student growth and transi6on to more transforma6onal outcomes. Today I think the most impressive development has been the work of our residence professionals with academic colleagues to promote student success. The first year experience in par6cular can be influenced by the learning students encounter while living in residence perhaps more than any other factor, in or out of class.
I do think OACUHO has also been quite significant in the professional development of student affairs prac66oners in Canada. Residence is a prime learning and development ground, with many of us working in housing while pursuing graduate educa6on creden6als. I love it when new professionals ask me for advice on what best to do to advance in the field of student affairs and there is no subs6tute for hands-‐on experience and con6nued graduate and/or professional school educa6on. What trends or issues have you seen come to the forefront of the field during the 6me you have been involved in housing and student affairs? I think one of the most significant trends that came to the forefront in my 6me with OACUHO was the focus on residence life, and even more so within the last few years with resident educa6on and dedicated, dis6nc6ve Residence Learning Communi6es linked with academic programs as high impact teaching and learning prac6ces. OACUHO has been instrumental in the professional growth and development of this dimension of student affairs, and I fondly recall working with Irene Thompson at the University of Guelph to launch the first ever Residence Life Conference. Another more recent trend is the move by many ins6tu6ons to private/public sector partnerships in the design, building, financing and management of residence halls. Many ins6tu6ons with high debt loads, or situated in loca6ons where land costs are excessive, have successfully reached out to partner in the provision of student housing, many choosing to contribute to the physical design of the living and learning experience so that the building works, while con6nuing to manage what goes on within those walls which I think is the highest priority. - 14 -
You’ve been a recognized leader and mentor to many over the years. What words of advice do you have for younger professionals just beginning to chart their own careers in housing or student affairs? The advice I have given oden to new professionals beginning to chart their careers in housing and student affairs, as I men6oned somewhat above, is a strong balanced combina6on of work experience while pursuing con6nued graduate or professional school educa6on. But while balancing work and academics is good advice that we also give to students, in my view it is not enough. Everyone is an expert at something and with this in mind going beyond the norm to create something different, innova6ve, crea6ve, or just plain prac6cal that adds value will in my view be the difference in advancing one’s career in student affairs. So make your mark, be known for something meaningful, leave your legacy so to speak. I can think
of many very successful student affairs professionals in the field today who did this through their own diligence, went on to deliver a conference presenta6on as a result, and started a trend for many to follow. This is a key ingredient to success in student affairs. Finally, what’s the greatest piece of advice you’ve been offered over the course of your own career? The greatest advice I’ve ever been given in my en6re career in student affairs was to do what you say, build trust, and respect people for who they are. It’s not about you, it’s about the influence, support and what you can contribute to others that at the end of the day is what really maBers. If we all acted like that I think the world would be a beBer place.
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.
Facilities Showcase news that you think is worth sharing that is related to My name is Myles LaBer and I am the Coordinator, Housing Facili6es at Trent University. I am working with Tammy Douglas Coordinator, Residence at York University on the Professional Development CommiBee to create a Facili6es Showcase.
the facili6es field of work. This is an aBempt to first of all showcase all of the great and hard work that many facili6es professionals do and also to try and include greater membership opportuni6es to our fellow facility professionals. If you would like to par6cipate in this showcase please contact me at mlaBer@trentu.ca. If your facili6es colleagues are shy or do not have OACUHO memberships please feel free to pass along this opportunity to them and I would be happy to share some of their stories, success or exci6ng news.
The Facili6es Showcase will be a sec6on that will be presented in each edi6on of the PULSE showcasing something related in the facili6es field. This could be a new project/build that has just finished, describing how you overcame a challenging obstacle, a future design or project that you are excited about, or any - 15 -