September Edition 2010
It’s Happening Here In this Edition: Student Affairs Plays Role in $1.1 Million Grant Two New Services Offered by Student Activities RSO Welcome Back Fair Sorority Recruitment Fall 2010 West End School Partnership Event New Move-in Concert and Cookout Symplicity Has New Name: Cards CareerLink Cards Mentor Program Involves Alumni Keeping Our Energy Local: SA Summer Academy Friend of Louniversity New Tech Ticket for Support
Why is Intramurals Giving Away Bricks? Congratulations Kim Shaver! Meeting New Staff (with Ice Cream!) Bonner Leadership Institute Held at Berea College National Bonners Experience Local Urban Agriculture So Long to Greg Bocchino Let’s Welcome the 2010-2011 SAB The Importance of Organizational Communication Student Affairs Student Advisory Council Follow the Bird! Mark Your Calendar Professional Development Kudos
The VP’s Pen: Student Affairs Plays Role in $1.1 Million Grant This month the University of Louisville was notified it was selected to receive a $1.1 million grant from the Department of Education. The grant is part of the federal TRiO Program for Student Support Services (SSS) and is designed to provide academic and other support services to low income, first generation, or disabled students with the goal of increasing retention and graduation rates. There were approximately 1,475 applications for the SSS
ions t a r ib V grant and only 1,026 were funded. All grants have “readers” that review the grant and assign points. The more points, the more likely the grant will be funded. The cutoff score for successful proposals was 95.67 points out of 100. UofL’s proposal received 99 points!! The grant will allow the university to serve 140 students annually for the next five years through aggressive mentoring, counseling and assistance locating existing university academic support services. The grant proposal was prepared by Kathy Pendleton in the Counseling Center who will serve as the principle investigator for the grant. Kathy spent months attending workshops and collecting materials for the grant proposal which was submitted last December. Student Affairs will serve as the home department for the new SSS program, which is scheduled to be housed beside the Counseling Center. Securing this grant has been high on the Student Affairs strategic planning checklist. Meetings are already taking place with offices across campus to gather support for the program goals. We expect to have 3-5 new staff on board shortly whose first task will be to begin to recruit students who might benefit from this program. Watch for a program roll out in the coming weeks. “I get excited thinking about the doors that the SSS Grant will open for students. The project will help students overcome the unique challenges that confront the targeted population. While the grant will only serve 140 each year, that translates to 700 students over a five-year period. The new grant staff looks forward to collaborating with existing university services and welcomes any suggestions. Now the real work begins!” says Kathy. 5
Two New Services Offered by Student Activities Check SAC Reservations Online We now have a real-time way to view SAC meetings and events via the internet. The new web application, Virtual EMS, gives you the convenience of checking meeting and event information right from your desk. No more phone or email tag to get the schedule information you want. To view reservations go to the Student Activities main web page or to: http://136.165.80.211/ VirtualEMS/BrowseEvents.aspx Use the New Electronic Display System to Spread Your Message You can now get news across campus quickly and easily by using the SAC’s new TV System. The Visix system is currently viewable in the SAC and on Channel 11 on most of the Belknap Campus televisions. To get started promoting your news and events, please contact Kenny Quisenberry at 852-0313 or go to: http://louisville.edu/student/form/ studentnewsandevents. 5
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ions t a r ib V RSO Welcome Back Fair The 2010 Welcome Back RSO Fair presented a wonderful opportunity for student organizations and university departments to engage with students as they began their Fall 2010 semester. The West Plaza and the Red Barn served as the perfect setting for students to eagerly go from table to table, exploring the many vibrant, diverse and exciting opportunities that the University of Louisville student community has to offer. With over 60 organizations present and 800 students in attendance, the fair saw enormous success as students devoured as much free food and free information as they could. 5
Sorority Recruitment Fall 2010 Over the week of August 14-18, firstyear and upper-class women converged upon Unity Place and Community Park to learn more about our six sorority chapters. Guided by the Panhellenic Executives and Recruitment Counselor (“Gamma Chi�) team, the women participated in philanthropy events, watched skits, and learned more about sisterhood. On August 19th, 155 women received bids and joined their new sorority chapters. The Student Activities Office is excited to see what these new women will contribute to our Greek community in the future. We also anticipate welcoming many more new members to our fraternity and NPHC communities in the coming weeks and months. To see a video of Sorority Bid Day and other Student Affairs videos go to: http://louisville.edu/ student/video.html. 5
West End School Partnership Event In July, the Dean of Students office, through a community outreach effort in collaboration with the Cultural Center, hosted students and staff from the West End School. The participants were provided with T-shirts from Intramurals while Michael Anthony and some students from the Cultural Center explained about the community garden. The students worked in the garden and were able to pick some of the vegetables to take home with them. Dr. Mardis took the students on a quick tour of campus and then they enjoyed a dinner at the Cultural Center provided by Dr. Mardis
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ions t a r ib V and his wife Aneira. The students asked lots of questions and many were interested in what they would need to do to become students at the University of Louisville. The West End School is one of the University’s Signature Partnerships as identified by the Office of Community Engagement. http://westendschool.org/index.html 5
New Move-in Concert and Cookout Students were welcomed back to campus with a cookout and concert event. The food was great with burgers, dogs, and a roasted pig! The live music was amazing and the students and staff celebrated into the night. The event was hosted by ULP, Interfraternity Council, Housing and Residence Life, Campus Health Promotion, GAMMA and Sodexo. 5
Symplicity Has New Name: Cards CareerLink The name of the Career Center’s on-line job board has been changed. Symplicity is now “Cards CareerLink” and is accessible by students, alumni and employers 24/7. It’s free and contains an average of over 500 on and off campus jobs, internships, coops, graduate assistantships, and community service opportunities. Card’s CareerLink also gives students access to Career Center events, Career Fair information, On-Campus recruiting opportunities and the new Card’s Mentors Program. http://louisville.edu/career/ symplicity/cards-careerlink 5
Card’s Mentors Program Involves Alumni The Cards Mentors Program is a database of alumni willing to share their career expertise with students and fellow alumni of UofL. Participating mentors are searchable based on major, areas of occupational interest, geographic location and more. If any of you know of an alum that would make a great mentor, please have them contact the Career Center! This is a wonderful new collaboration with the Alumni Association. 5
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ions t a r ib V Keeping Our Energy Local: SA Summer Academy The Division of Student Affairs held its third annual Summer Academy for full time and graduate staff on July 1 and 2. The academy was designed by the Student Affairs Professional Development Committee to rejuvenate and reenergize staff after a productive year in preparation for achieving the goals of the coming year. Our staff understands the value of taking care of themselves so they can give the best care to the students. This year’s theme was Keeping Our Energy Local and the planning committee made up of Suhail Guerrero and Hannah Piechowski of Housing and Residence Life and Cathy Patus, Disability Resource Center, appreciate the university’s efforts towards sustainability and wanted to take the “local” theme in a new direction by inviting local campus talent to serve as presenters. During this two-day event, staff were treated to inspirational words from one of our new football coach’s staff, Coach Kenny Carter. Coach Carter motivated his audience with tales of his youth as a minister’s son and life on the football field. Coach Carter sees us as partners in our efforts to build strong citizens and that it takes all of us to make a difference in a student’s life. The rest of the academy included workshops on biking to work, local food, creative post card making, stress management and making social networking aid our work with students. Some even enjoyed a short massage. Presenters included Leslye Erickson, Career Development Center; Phyllis Clark, Cultural Center; Paige Battcher, Office of VP for Finance; Sharon LaRue, PEACC; Amanda Cunningham, Housing and Residence Life and JT Stinnett, UL Properties. The academy ended with a traditional 4th of July cookout –great food and fun with great people! 5
Friend of Louniversity University of Louisville Student Affairs offered a new “summer camp” experience—Friend of Louniversity—to UofL students for the first time ever. UofL, in cooperation with the City of Louisville, planned a spectacular 3 day event that took place July 7‑9, 2010 in downtown Louisville. The camp immersed 24 students into the service, arts, and business of downtown Louisville. Along with making friends with the other participants, students
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ions t a r ib V experienced a dinner cruise on the Belle of Louisville, participated in behind the scenes tours of museums and theatres downtown, networked with city officials and area business people, cheered on the Louisville Bats with VIP seating at Slugger Field, and learned about the rich history of our city. The Dean of Students, Michael Mardis, representing the University of Louisville had the honor of the ceremonial first pitch at Slugger Field. The camp focused on relationship building with peers, networking, and helping students know how to best enjoy an exciting college experience in a metropolitan environment. Most of all, the camp broadened students’ understanding of all Louisville has to offer. Louisville Mayor, Jerry Abramson, congratulated the students on the last day of the camp during their “graduation” and welcomed them to their new city from inside the Mayor’s Gallery in historic City Hall. Gerome Stephens, Coordinator of Student Leadership, drafted a proposal for the camp in early spring. The proposal spurred collaboration between the city’s Friend of Lou campaign and UofL. Community partners and attractions were also quick to jump on board, looking forward to the opportunity to share the city with its college aged residents.The camp goal was to make sure students felt embraced by and welcomed to the city and knew the attractions that were just beyond the campus border as well as introduce them to the arts, business, and service opportunities available. “We want them to see that Louisville’s a friendly city and a city that is accessible to them,” Stephens said. For Jessica Carter, an incoming freshman from Lexington, the camp met two goals: seeing the city’s sights and offering a chance to come out of her shell. “Sometimes I have a tendency to be shy,” she said. “This has given me a chance to open up. And seeing all of the places has been great.” 5
New Tech Ticket for Support There is a new way to get technology help for the Division of Student Affairs staff. Just go to http://louisville.edu/student/about and click on the ticket! This will make the process of getting IT help more efficient. 5
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ions t a r ib V Why is Intramurals Giving Away Bricks? During the Directors Retreat this summer, Jim Howard of Yum! Brands spoke about recognition. Dale Ramsay went back to his office with some questions: “What defines a good job?” The staff came up with “solid.” “What’s solid?” The answer was definitive: “a brick.” So the new way Intramurals gives students recognition is by giving them an engraved brick. Dale asks “How expensive is it to sit down and recognize people?” The brick cost only $4.57 a piece. Intramurals has raised the bar for Supervisors. “We like to recognize students and student employees that do an overall fantastic job. We have a great bunch of kids. The brick tells the student that they are important to the department” says Dale. With so many great and obvious connotations, the brick was a truly creative and effective idea. 5
Congratulations Kim Shaver! Kim Shaver, Service-Learning Coordinator, along with Bonner program colleagues from 37 campuses across the nation was honored with “The Founder’s Award” at the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Bonner Program held at Berea College, June 2-3. Provost Shirley Willihnganz also attended the festivities, representing support from the President’s Office. “Each campus with a Bonner Program has had any number of individuals who have served as the founders of the program on their campus,” said Wayne Meisel, President of the Bonner Foundation. “Founders are not just those who were there at the beginning, but also those whose courage, persistence, imagination and fortitude helps establish the program on a firm footing.” The Office of Civic Engagement, Leadership & Service are very proud that Kim was nominated for this award by President Ramsey who remarked in his nomination letter, “Through her [Kim’s] leadership the program continues to grow and prosper—embracing our 2020 Plan’s focus on community engagement, diversity, opportunity and social justice, and creative and responsible stewardship.” Congratulations, Kim! 5
Meeting New Staff (with Ice Cream!) On August 2, the Student Affairs Professional Development Committee hosted its annual summer social event. This year we made an extra effort to help the new staff feel welcome and part of the Student Affairs team as early as possible. New Graduate Assistants officially began their term that day and
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ions t a r ib V many of the full time staff that were newly hired joined us as well. Supervisors had the task of putting together an informative poster about their new staff member. The new staff members then rewarded staff that took time to meet and ask them questions with stickers for their nametags. Everyone had a great time on a hot August afternoon and our team grew stronger through getting better acquainted. New staff present: Housing and Residence Life: Josh Brack, Charles Edmiston II, Margaret Zettergren and Crystal Favors Student Activities: Josh Hardman, Lyston Skerritt, and Holly Bradford Counseling Center: Michelle Pinckney Dean of Students: Charisma Stigall and Laura Ulmer Disability Resource Center: Colleen Gettys The next activity on tap for new staff is a special orientation scheduled for September 24. A brief bio of some of our new staff in the Career Center: A native Louisvillian, Aaron Roberts earned his B.A. in History from Georgetown College. He is a first year student in CSP Program, is an avid hiker and camper, and is currently learning the art of rock climbing. He married his wife Jessica in January 2009 and is the liaison to the School of Social Work. Nikki Sorge hails from Raleigh, North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in Elementary Education. She also graduated as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow Scholar, a four-year program devoted to academic scholarship, teacher preparation and excellence in education. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Higher Education. She is the liaison to the School of Music. Welcome aboard!! A brief bio of some of our new staff in Housing and Residence Life: Crystal Favors is originally from Texas and joins us from the University of Arkansas at Fayetville. She joins our team as the Residence Life Coordinator that works with the wonderful staff and exuberant freshmen at Unitas Tower. Sarah B. Lasnik is originally from California and came from Ole Miss. She joins our team as the Residence Life Coordinator that works with the excited staff and delightful residents at The Complex. Margaret Zettergren is originally from Mississippi and came from the University of Memphis. She joins our team as the Residential Education Graduate Assistant that works with our fabulous first-year guides and helps educate our students by way of conduct. Charles R. Edmiston II is originally from Georgia and joins us from Valdosta State University. He is the Resident Director that works with the marvelous staff and freshmen at mighty, mighty Miller Hall. Joshua H. Brack is originally from Texas and joins us from Trinity University. He is the Resident Director that works with the thrilled staff and residents at Threkeld Hall. What they all have in common is that they now call UofL home, so please help us help them feel welcome! 5
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ions t a r ib V Bonner Leadership Institute Held at Berea College In conjunction with the Bonner Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, the Bonner Summer Leadership Institute (BSLI) was held at Berea College because it was the first campus to be a part of the Bonner Foundation’s vision for promoting and supporting community service-learning in higher education. UofL participated by bringing a large team this year: Kim Shaver, service-learning and Bonner coordinator; Amanda Romito, our former Americorps Vista who focused on growing our community outreach programs; Christina Clements, Americorps Vista from Brooklawn, who worked with our UofL students who served in their literacy program; Jonathan Bender, UofL student serving a second Bonner term as one of our senior Bonner interns; Madison Weakley, this year’s Bonner Congress Representative, assisting with our monthly SOUL service programs, and Brittny Schandler, a Bonner who recently finished her 300 hour term of service at Camp Courageous and Americana Community Center. The team was able to network with other Bonner campuses, sharing ideas and learning about each other’s programs. Our team contributed three leadership workshops on reflection, Strengthfinders, and student volunteer retention. To read more about the BSLI go to: http://bonnernetwork.pbworks. com/Bonner-Summer-Leadership-Institute 5
National Bonners Experience Local Urban Agriculture The Office of Civic Engagement, Leadership and Service hosted 12 students from the Bonner Summer Leadership Institute for an overnight service experience. Students stayed at Center Hall and were our guests for a bar-b-que hosted by the Office of Civic Engagement, Leadership & Service. The theme of the experience was “urban agriculture”: they toured the Green Building and their adjacent community garden; visited urban homesteader, Claude Stephens, who talked about his neighborhood chicken coop and garden; learned about organic gardening at Fresh Start Growers Supply; and worked at Oxmoor Farm’s Food Literacy Project. Special thanks goes to the staff of the Office of Civic Engagement, Leadership & Service and Bonner Leader, Jonathan Bender for making this an amazing experience for Bonners from across the nation who participated. 5
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ions t a r ib V So Long to Greg Bocchino Former Career Coach for the College of Arts and Sciences, Greg Bocchino, has left our office to become the Director of Student Services for the College of Arts and Sciences at … that blue school down the road. Matt Real has been named as the interim coach for UofL’s College of Arts and Sciences. 5
Let’s welcome the 2010-2011 SAB Meet the new Student Activities Board: Administrative Chairs: Programming– Robin Chrisman, Promotions–Sarah Cruce, Finance–Chris Bretzlauf, SGA Liason–Ben Donlon, Chairs: Campus Life–Tony Ausick, Diversity–Aisha Ndlovu, Engaging Issues– Taryn Mahanes, Film–Franklin Neff, Outreach–Lauren Baldridge, Spirit and Traditions–Meghan Rouse, Vice Chairs: Campus Life–Lauren Nehus, Diversity–Derek Carpenter, Engaging Issues–Drew Lail, Film–Josiah Brock, Outreach–Jhalak Dholakia, Spirit and Traditions–Kristin Pendley 5
The Importance of Organizational Communication The Student Affairs Professional Development Committee is dedicated to supporting staff and our division in improving communication skills every day. We believe strong communication in all aspects of our jobs, especially between supervisor and employee is the lynchpin of success. Recently a blog from e-myth.com was posted that did a terrific job hitting home on a number of points worth remembering. 1. As managers and supervisors, we must communicate the vision and objectives of the program along with our expectations for their particular position and role in reaching our vision. We should be cautious in not assuming our staff knows how to achieve the vision just because of their title or experience. Additionally, don’t underestimate that everyone in the division can assist in the work of achieving our goals. 2. For important agreements, getting it down in writing is often the difference between effective communication and communication that misses the mark. 3. Consistent communication between an employee and their manager is fundamental to establishing an open, trusting culture. There is really no better way to ensure effective communication than scheduling regular meetings between managers and individual employees.
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ions t a r ib V 4. Communication one can rely on with regularity, along with a commitment to transparency, is the kind of communication that builds trust between manager and employee. 5. Employees will put in that extra effort to create a high performance environment when they are kept informed openly and honestly on all aspects of their job and the business and if they feel that they are being listened to with empathy. Most people will tell you they don’t need you to like all their ideas, but they do expect their boss to listen to them with the goal of understanding. E-Myth Business Coach. (2010). Organization Communication. E-Myth Worldwide. Retrieved from http://www.e-myth.com/cs/user/print/post/organizationalcommunication. 5
Student Affairs Student Advisory Council The Student Affairs Student Advisory Council (SASAC) is an exciting on line opportunity for students to participate in discussions about important campus issues and provide direct feedback to Dr. Tom Jackson, the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA). The advisory council is designed to facilitate discussions on important student issues and to take advantage of existing social networks to make it easy for students to provide feedback and join discussions. It will also provide another venue for students to interact directly with senior administration and it will provide the VPSA additional avenues to gain student opinion rapidly on issues affecting students. To join the Student Affairs Student Advisory Council and participate in discussions about the university community just click on the Follow the VP Button or go directly to the twitter account using the link http://twitter.com/uoflvpsa. 5
Follow the Bird! The Follow the Bird campaign is a new initiative to reach more students about events that are happening here. We have over 900 Followers in just one month! This campaign had many people wondering about the QR code on the flyers and yard signs. The QR code is a scannable graphic image that directs you to a website. By scanning the code with your phone via a scan app, you can go directly to the site. You can Follow the Bird by going to http://facebook.com/ followthebird or if you have a smart phone, scan the QR code! 5
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ions t a r ib V Mark Your Calendar 9/21/10 9/24/10 9/25/10 9/25/10 9/27/10 9/28/10 9/30/10 9/30/10 10/2/10 10/5/10 10/7/10 10/8/10 10/8/10 10/8/10 10/9/10 10/12/10 10/15/10 10/27/10 10/28/10 11/17/10 12/3/10 12/10/10
3:30 pm-5:00 pm 9:00 am-1:30 pm 8:00 am-10:00 am 1:00 pm-7:00 pm 11:30 am - 1:00 pm 11:00 am - 3:00 pm 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Noon - 1:00 pm 1:00 pm-5:00 pm 8:00 am - 3:30 pm 8:00 pm 9:00 am Noon 7:00 pm 9:30 am 6:00 pm - Midnight 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm 9:00 am - Noon Noon - 1:00 pm 9:00 am - 10:00 am 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
State of the University, Comstock Hall New Staff Orientation - SAC W312 UofL Heart Walk Homecoming Block Party Graduate Assistants Lunch - SAC 303A Engineering Career Fair Graduate School Career Fair Learn at Lunch “About Facebook Etiquette” - SAC W312 Alumni and Homecoming SOUL event Counseling Center Workshop - Shelby Campus Intramurals Tug of War Competition Alumni Assoc. Homecoming Golf Outing University Staff Recognition Lunch Step Show - Louisville Memorial Auditorium Parent of the Year Awards - SAC Multi-purpose Room Louisville Festival featuring “OK Go” concert Let’s Talk About Strengths Divisional Staff Meeting Learn at Lunch “Publication Design Tips” - SAC W312 Life in Higher Education Huddle Let’s Talk About Strengths Red Barn 41st Birthday Party 5
Professional Development Kudos
Kim Shaver–Leadership\Service Learning: National Conference on Race and Ethnicity Committee Debby Woodall–Intramurals: Get Healthy Now Committee Cathy Patus–DRC: ADA Committee, Celebration of Diversity Planning Committee, Committee to Address Reduced Courseload/Full Time Enrollment, Diversity Vision Award Screening Committee, Parking Advisory Committee, Technical Advisory Group, WEB Access Group Pam Curtis–DOS: Community Engagement Outreach Recognition Award Review Committee, Community Engagement Steering Committee, Great Places to Work Professional Development Subcommittee, i2a Task Group, i2a Collaborative Learning Community, Community Engagement Awards Selection Committee, Living Learning Communities Planning Group, ISL Program Advisory Group, Professional Development Committee, and SACSA Career Services committee When asked what has been the benefit to being involved in campus committees, Pam said: Most of the committees I get to serve on are full of like-minded professionals who are excited about creating something new for students and UofL. I enjoy the opportunity to get my creative juices flowing with colleagues, especially those I might not get to work with otherwise. I also find
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ions t a r ib V great value in the professional connections made that last long after the committee has dispersed. It has been a terrific way to build relationships, spread good will about our office and Student Affairs across campus.� 5
Special Thanks Thank you James Atkinson, Holli Bradford, Pam Curtis, Joshua Hardman, Shirley Hardy, George Howe, Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., Dr. Michael Mardis, Laura Mercer, Frank Mianzo, Dorothea Muller, Julie Onnembo, Kenny Quisenberry, Dale Ramsay, Kim Shaver, John Smith, Charisma Stigall, Gerome Stephens, Robin Sutherland, Laura Ulmer, and Beverly Wolford for your contributions to this newsletter. The Student Affairs Vibrations newsletter is produced and edited by Susie Cucura, Student Affairs Publications and Marketing Coordinator, susie.cucura@louisville.edu 5
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