The Student Affairs Focus - Spring 2009
In this issue...
Staff Development Enhances Personal, Professional Growth
The Student Affairs Staff Development Series Committee presented its first session, “Inspired Technology”, on Thursday, February 26 in the PSU Theater. Over eighty attendees participated in this engaging session, which focused on how Missouri State and our benchmark institutions are currently using new technology and how Student Affairs can use such applications as blogs, “Twitter”, YouTube, and Facebook to more effectively reach students. The presentation can be accessed through the student affairs website (click here).
The Staff Development Series committee will be offering three more sessions this spring semester...[more]
Submitted by Thomas Lane, Director of Plaster Student Union
A Word from the Vice President
I recently had the privilege to accept an invitation by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) to participate in a “Think Tank.” This opportunity occurred during our recent NASPA National Convention held earlier this month. Joining with close to 30 Vice Presidents for Student Affairs, along with other senior student affairs officers, we tackled the topic of LEADING STUDENT AFFAIRS IN ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGING TIMES. I spent five, 2 ½ hour sessions over a period of three days with my colleagues defining and understanding the economic challenges confronting higher education; and specifically the issues associated with effectively providing the services and student development and learning activities common to student affairs divisions. I look forward to helping with development of resulting publications and white papers from our time together. [more]
Counseling Center Offers Brown-Bag Seminars
Building on the positive feedback we received from those who attended the midday Identifying Students in Distress Brown Bag seminar in the fall, the Counseling and Testing Center staff expanded the noon seminars to three this spring. Faculty and staff are encouraged to bring their lunch and attend these workshops. Workshops address concerns they may encounter in their daily interactions with Missouri State students.
Spring 2009 topics include Dealing with Student Test Anxiety, Identifying Students in Distress, and Working with the Grieving Student. Whether attending to receive credit toward their Missouri State Master Advisor certification, or for information to help them improve their interactions with students, faculty and staff response was positive. Presentations also allowed for participants to ask questions and seek input on specific concerns.
The Counseling and Testing Center staff plans to continue offering this series of programs and new topics will be introduced each semester. These seminars are a vehicle by which the Center informs the campus of student issues and concerns, as well as an opportunity to provide resources to assist students, faculty and staff.
Submitted by Douglas Greiner, Director of Counseling and Testing
Student Activities Council Expands Their Horizons
Student Activities Council is embarking upon a new journey in weekend programming at Missouri State. The Comedy Committee chaired by Senior Chris Kuhn decided to program popular comedians on Friday and Saturday evenings this spring. The first show featured YouTube “cewebrity” Bo Burnham, known amongst college students for his witty, musical comedy. More than 600 students starting lining up in the Plaster Student Union at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30, for the 7:00 p.m. show. The next show featured Craig Robinson known best for his role as “Daryl” in the hit sitcom “The Office”. Again, on Saturday, February 28, students begin lining up as most offices were closing their doors for the weekend. Almost 650 students attempted to enter the theater, while SAC executive members turned 70 students away. The “Lazers of Sexcellence” were featured on Friday, March 6. Approximately 80 students enjoyed the poetry of Amber Tamblyn and Derrick Brown. Amber Tamblyn is known for her roles in “Joan of Arcadia” and the feature films “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 1&2”.
SAC is committed to providing diverse, educational, and fun programming to all students at Missouri State University. The comedy committee and concerts plan to continue their weekend programming throughout the remainder of spring 2009 and fall 2009.
Submitted by Tara Benson, Asst. Director of Student Activities
SGA Offers Local Spring Break Alternative
This semester, SGA is proud to offer a free alternative spring break option to any interested students at Missouri State. This program will give students the chance to volunteer with local Springfield organizations, participate in fun (and free) evening recreational activities, and have meals provided throughout the program.
Students will be able to volunteer for a different organization each day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with participating organizations including Kids Against Hunger, the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, the Springfield Family Violence Center, Ozarks Food Harvest, The Kitchen, and the Ronald McDonald House. In the evenings, recreational activities such as mini golf, bowling, and rock climbing will take place to give students a chance to socialize and relax.
The alternative spring break program is exciting because it allows participants to give back to the community and have fun while making new friends, and also supports the University's Public Affairs mission.
Submitted by Mike Jungers, Dean of Students
Admissions Graduate Assistants Present at Conference
Lisa Mitchell and Alicia Karle, graduate students in the Master of Science in Student Affairs program and graduate assistants in the Admissions Office, presented a session entitled “A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That” at the annual Missouri College Personnel Association (MoCPA) conference on Friday, March 13. Their informative presentation covered areas such as personality types based on colors, organization tips, and teambuilding tips that can be used at all levels. In addition, they provided a packet of information for attendees to use in their day-to-day practice. Great job, Lisa and Alicia!
Submitted by Jill Duncan, Associate Director of Admissions
Greek Community Expands, Wins Recognition
This year has been an exciting time for the Greek community as we have had three colonies receive their charter. A charter is a declaration that a chapter is in full and good status at the university and has worked very hard to achieve this honor. Each of these chapters had different ceremonies which recognized their outstanding achievements in becoming a fully recognized organization. The organizations who have received their charters are:
- Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) received their charter on November 22, 2008
- Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) received their charter on February 28, 2009
- Gamma Phi Beta (GPB) received their charter on March 7, 2009
In addition to these chapter accomplishments, Panhellenic Council was recently recognized on a national level for their Habitat for Humanity efforts. At the Mid American Greek Conference Association, Panhellenic won the Gamma Phi Beta Panhellenic Award. This award recognizes councils who have successfully implemented a program which enhances the image of Greek Life in the eyes of administration, faculty, parents, and the community.
Submitted by Andrea Weber, Director of Greek Life
Residence Life Embraces Universal Design
Many on the Missouri State University campus are interested in incorporating Universal Design (UD) in everything we do. The department of Residence Life and Services is taking the lead in this paradigm shift. UD is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. It is the reframing of how we think about and perceive disability. Rather than waiting for someone with a disability to request an accommodation and then take time and money to provide what is minimally required, we should expect and proactively plan for people with disabilities to be included in our programs and learning environments. This philosophy shows that it is not the person with the disability who has limitations, but perhaps it is the design of our programs, policies, procedures and our learning environments that have limitations. [more]
Submitted by Katheryne Staeger-Wilson, Disability Services
Questions or Comments?
For questions about The Student Affairs Focus, comments, or story submissions, please contact Andrew Crain, Graduate Assistant in the Office of Student Affairs.
Funding Concerns Bring Changes to Rec Center Project
Due to concerns about funding the relocation of the Physical Education Department, the student recreation center project has gone through some changes. Most significantly, the recreation center will no longer be located in McDonald Arena, but will instead be housed in a new, standalone facility. Cannon Design, the architectural firm that has been consulting the recreation center committee, recently completed a location study of the campus and concluded that the best site for a standalone facility would be west of Blair-Shannon, where the tennis courts are presently located.
The change should not have a significant impact on the timetable of the project. Roughly, the timeline of the design and construction process is as follows:
- April - June 2009 Schematic Design Phase
- June-September 2009 Design Development Phase
- September - December 2009 Document Phase
- January - February 2010 Bidding
- Spring 2010 - Summer 2011 Construction
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Fall 2011 Projected Opening