According to McLellan and Stringer, “student services need to be accountable for providing high-quality services delivered in an efficient manner, to facilitate students’ development and to contribute to student learning” (p 111). To make these goals become reality, student services needs to have a qualified and dependable staff that share the same vision. They also need to know the needs of the students they are serving. It would help to invite the student groups’ leaders to have them share their mission, vision and goals and ask how student services can assist them into achieve those goals. In a similar vein, forms could be created to have them complete them with all necessary information that could show their needs. In that same meeting, student services could also share with them the kinds of assistance that the school provides and encourage them to advertise the services that they are providing to attract more students.
It is very important for student services to consider accountability for services rendered to students. They are accountable to create or foster a support system for students. In this postmodern day and age, students need more than academic support. They need to find ways to relieve the stress caused by academic and other (personal, financial…) pressures. Schools must be more than a place to learn, but it needs to be a place to grow. These students spend more time on campus than they spend at their home. The campus becomes their home. There is nothing like home!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Implications of fund sources for student affairs
This week I would like to pause and reflect on the implications of fund sources for student affairs. This topic may appear insignificant to some, but it is important to both student affairs and students. Student affairs has the obligation to educate students of the various funds that make up their budgets. Some students tend to think that student affairs operate only on the mandatory student fees that they pay. Some do request an account of what their money is being used for, not knowing that the budget is more diverse. Some students tend to request their money in full because they feel that their needs are not being met. Sometimes, this issue could turn into a law suit if not properly handled. The reality is that students are not aware of the various services that are available to them or they don’t know the right procedures on how to access them. I was in charge of the Francophone group (on campus worship group) for a year before I found out in a conversation with Mr. Yeagley, that there is a sum of $300.00 available for the group toward expenses. We could have used that money the first year had we known. At the time, they were in the process of establishing policies and procedures. I hope that by now a system is in place. Clearly, student affairs need to find a better system to communicate with students on their fund sources, the availability of services and their entitlements
Sunday, November 1, 2009
HOT TOPIC 2
Student-centered campus upgrades enhance the academic experience
Student affairs at Oakland University turn to creativity to make students’ lives more accommodating. They connect students with clubs, health and counseling services, tutoring, residential and dining programs, study skills seminars, recreation and more. They have renovated buildings, classrooms, laboratories and more to support the student experience.
Staff at OU is being creative in making changes to help students enjoy their college journey better. The creation of parking space was very thoughtful as it represents a very significant challenge for students and may create or increase stress for them.
To meet the needs of students, student affairs must teach their staff to be creative in their strategies to support them. While moral support is vital, suitable accommodations also play a crucial role in students’ lives.
October 20, 2009 - Student-centered campus upgrades enhance the academic experience By Katie Land, news editor
http://www.oakland.edu/news/?sid=113&nid=5999
Student affairs at Oakland University turn to creativity to make students’ lives more accommodating. They connect students with clubs, health and counseling services, tutoring, residential and dining programs, study skills seminars, recreation and more. They have renovated buildings, classrooms, laboratories and more to support the student experience.
Staff at OU is being creative in making changes to help students enjoy their college journey better. The creation of parking space was very thoughtful as it represents a very significant challenge for students and may create or increase stress for them.
To meet the needs of students, student affairs must teach their staff to be creative in their strategies to support them. While moral support is vital, suitable accommodations also play a crucial role in students’ lives.
October 20, 2009 - Student-centered campus upgrades enhance the academic experience By Katie Land, news editor
http://www.oakland.edu/news/?sid=113&nid=5999
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Hot Topic: The generational challenge
Four generations of workers working together?
An impossible situation? Four generations working together with different mindsets, worldviews, expectations, work styles, ect… As McCLelland and Stringer state, “ Each generation has been formed by events and circumstances surrounding their formative years, resulting in a multidimensional workplace.” (p362) What can be done for a team work to be possible in such a setting with traditionalists, baby boomers, gerenation X and millennials?
I found an article that gives a distinct scenario of four generations working together to bring the best to the workplace. It shows how new communication strategies can help find a good work balance with the different characteristics.
Getting Along: How the generations are working together
http://www.blbva.com/blog/2008/10/31/getting-along/
An impossible situation? Four generations working together with different mindsets, worldviews, expectations, work styles, ect… As McCLelland and Stringer state, “ Each generation has been formed by events and circumstances surrounding their formative years, resulting in a multidimensional workplace.” (p362) What can be done for a team work to be possible in such a setting with traditionalists, baby boomers, gerenation X and millennials?
I found an article that gives a distinct scenario of four generations working together to bring the best to the workplace. It shows how new communication strategies can help find a good work balance with the different characteristics.
Getting Along: How the generations are working together
http://www.blbva.com/blog/2008/10/31/getting-along/
Human Capital the greatest asset of student affairs professionals
Human capital is the greatest asset of any student affairs professionals. Regardless of the rate in which technology is evolving and worldviews are changing, human capital will remain an invincible force in organizations. In student affairs, human capital plays a very visible role because their main interactions are more with students (people) than it is with paperwork. Their main responsibilities shift toward meeting the needs of students, supporting them, holding their hands in their scary and unknown journeys. Not anyone can face these challenges. Student affairs professionals must realize that their staff are their greatest assets and must be equipped to train, educate, help, supervise them and award them accordingly.
Supervisors must invest their time in their staff in training them to recognize and work with their priorities, manage their time, and how to effectively manage their office. There should be a good relationship between them to allow the staff to be comfortable sharing any issues with the supervisor or request any help. There should be regular meetings where staff would be comfortable bringing their issues and challenges that they feel they need help with. They should also be able to share their mistakes, shortcomings and successes. Such meetings would facilitate them to learn from each other’s successes and mistakes. In terms of awards, their work should be evaluated on a regular basis and care should be taken to publically recognize their successes and gifts that are compatible with their likes should be publically given to them to encourage them to excel in their work. Professional development should be promoted in discussing organizational and individual professional development to foster excellence and maintain an environment of hope for staffs.
Supervisors must invest their time in their staff in training them to recognize and work with their priorities, manage their time, and how to effectively manage their office. There should be a good relationship between them to allow the staff to be comfortable sharing any issues with the supervisor or request any help. There should be regular meetings where staff would be comfortable bringing their issues and challenges that they feel they need help with. They should also be able to share their mistakes, shortcomings and successes. Such meetings would facilitate them to learn from each other’s successes and mistakes. In terms of awards, their work should be evaluated on a regular basis and care should be taken to publically recognize their successes and gifts that are compatible with their likes should be publically given to them to encourage them to excel in their work. Professional development should be promoted in discussing organizational and individual professional development to foster excellence and maintain an environment of hope for staffs.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The individual conscience
One of the five domains that make the most sense to me is the individual conscience. I am not undermining in anyway the other domains (the student, the institution, the professions and the community) for they carry a heavy weight on the scale as well. On a Christian perspective, I believe that our conscience is the moral compass on which the Holy Spirit lands. If it is not kept clean, there will be no landing. Without the Holy Spirit, we find ourselves being our own gods. Having said that, when making decisions, we must take into consideration what we can or cannot live with because they will ultimately carry consequences. In this vein, making serious decisions that can impact other domains requires an individual approach without external influences. We are dialogical human beings. We talk to ourselves. We evaluate/assess ourselves. We know what is /feels right or wrong. At the end of the day, it is simply a matter of conscience in decision-making.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The role of spirituality in student affairs
“The starting point for enhancing the spiritual development of our student development staff is our own deep soul work, reflection on our own life and what gives it meaning.” I found the same point made in all three articles this week. You’ll agree with me that it must be important.
Its importance is highly significant because words are lost and forgotten, but our actions go straight to the heart. As Francis of Assissi posited, “Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words.” If we can act in a loving, caring and Christian-like manner with our students, we will build trust, gain their confidence. This way, students will get to know and trust their leaders. Only then will they be open to them and be lead by them. They will receive positive influences that will possible guide their lives even after their graduation or transfer to other schools
Its importance is highly significant because words are lost and forgotten, but our actions go straight to the heart. As Francis of Assissi posited, “Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words.” If we can act in a loving, caring and Christian-like manner with our students, we will build trust, gain their confidence. This way, students will get to know and trust their leaders. Only then will they be open to them and be lead by them. They will receive positive influences that will possible guide their lives even after their graduation or transfer to other schools
Monday, October 5, 2009
I would like, this week, to reflect on how to respond to campus crisis. Responding to campus crisis is a new topic for me. After reading the list of crises in the book from tragic deaths of students to terrorism attacks, I felt overwhelmed.
How do we deal with such a scary issue as administrators? Imagine all these crises occur in one day? “It requires special skills in handling this immediacy of the issues.” (p 603) Dealing with crisis takes on a different meaning according to the discipline. Benjin and Morin define crisis as “a flexible process for a college or university to assume when responding to a crisis.” Though institutions have plans, policies and procedures, there are times that they are helpless facing certain unpredicted situations.
Les us be real here. How much prepared are schools? How well prepared are the staff? Are the staff with the required skills always present when certain circumstances occur? I remember how I started working with refugees, transitioning from social services to refugee resettlement with no trainings or knowledge in the subject. I also remember how I barely survived resettling 100 refugees with the Kosovo war almost singlehandedly. Everyone in the department was either on vacation or sick or retired. The war happened in their absence. I was alone in the department. I had to face all the crises almost alone and making significant decisions solely based on common sense. I must admit that without God’s help I would have lost my sanity.
We must be prepared as administrators. That is a fact. We need to develop plans, practice in preparation, and establish policies and procedures. But we must be open to any eventuality that the inevitable could occur at any time and we can never be prepared enough to face it. How prepared was the country for the 09/11/01 tragedy despite our security systems? We must realize and accept that we can only be prepared in Jesus. He foresees all the crises and can make provisions for us. In the mist of the storms, the Bible reports that He simply says: “Be quiet” to the storms and they obeyed Him. The Bible says that He speaks and things happen. He orders, they occur. As administrators, we need to learn, besides our package plan for crisis, to completely rely on Jesus Christ, our only true crisis preventer and solver.
How do we deal with such a scary issue as administrators? Imagine all these crises occur in one day? “It requires special skills in handling this immediacy of the issues.” (p 603) Dealing with crisis takes on a different meaning according to the discipline. Benjin and Morin define crisis as “a flexible process for a college or university to assume when responding to a crisis.” Though institutions have plans, policies and procedures, there are times that they are helpless facing certain unpredicted situations.
Les us be real here. How much prepared are schools? How well prepared are the staff? Are the staff with the required skills always present when certain circumstances occur? I remember how I started working with refugees, transitioning from social services to refugee resettlement with no trainings or knowledge in the subject. I also remember how I barely survived resettling 100 refugees with the Kosovo war almost singlehandedly. Everyone in the department was either on vacation or sick or retired. The war happened in their absence. I was alone in the department. I had to face all the crises almost alone and making significant decisions solely based on common sense. I must admit that without God’s help I would have lost my sanity.
We must be prepared as administrators. That is a fact. We need to develop plans, practice in preparation, and establish policies and procedures. But we must be open to any eventuality that the inevitable could occur at any time and we can never be prepared enough to face it. How prepared was the country for the 09/11/01 tragedy despite our security systems? We must realize and accept that we can only be prepared in Jesus. He foresees all the crises and can make provisions for us. In the mist of the storms, the Bible reports that He simply says: “Be quiet” to the storms and they obeyed Him. The Bible says that He speaks and things happen. He orders, they occur. As administrators, we need to learn, besides our package plan for crisis, to completely rely on Jesus Christ, our only true crisis preventer and solver.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Internationalization
The new concept of internationalization sounds electrifying. All the reasons , potential benefits and anticipated outcomes given to support internationalization sound very exciting. I am particularly excited with the idea that internationalization fosters understanding and appreciation of different cultures, religions, histories and governments are less likely to engage in conflict and more like to develop a greater understanding of each other. One potential benefit is heightened national and global security. In short, this benefit intertwines with the concept of diversity. Taken from a Christian perspective, it helps us to embrace a common worldview and makes me think of unity written in John 17 where Jesus invites to become one with Him and the Holy Spirit and the Father. It also reminds me of the golden rule: love your neighbor as you love yourself. Who is my neighbor? He or she can be the person next to me or the farthest person as long as we can connect and interact with the gift of technology.
On the other hand, I am thinking from an educational perspective how internationalization may impact students GPA and capacity to remain on top of their studies. With a uniform curriculum, if they can really reach this goal, how are they going to place every student on the same page? The European educational system is different from the American’s. It took me a long time to compare and understand them. Adapting to them took me even longer because the whole systems are different. How student evaluations will be done to ensure that every student received the same instructions? I believe that satisfying these needs will represent quite a challenge for internationalization.
On the other hand, I am thinking from an educational perspective how internationalization may impact students GPA and capacity to remain on top of their studies. With a uniform curriculum, if they can really reach this goal, how are they going to place every student on the same page? The European educational system is different from the American’s. It took me a long time to compare and understand them. Adapting to them took me even longer because the whole systems are different. How student evaluations will be done to ensure that every student received the same instructions? I believe that satisfying these needs will represent quite a challenge for internationalization.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Mission Statement
This week, I would like to comment on the importance of institutional as a challenge for Christian administrators.
As a general rule, Barr, (2000); and Martin, (1982) posit that a mission statement reveals where the institution came from, where it is heading, and how it plans to get there. This statement invited me to pause a moment to reflect the three purposes of a statement and especially on the last two. Of course, one can see in this definition, the importance of institutional mission. However, a Christian college’s mission differs from a secular college’s because the emphasis is put on redemption as seen in the Education Administration’s mission “to educate is to redeem.” Ellen G. White was a great supporter of this concept which she profoundly elaborated on in her book Education. She made clear that the purpose of education is redemption. She asserted that “The work of education and the work of redemption is one.”
What does that tell us as Christian administrators? How can we reconcile White’s broader scope of education in a secular institution with the other elements such as, goals of the institutions, its intentions, span of activities and academic offerings etc…? The law is clear regarding religious activities in a secular setting. It not permitted. This is a challenge that SDA administrators working in secular settings are dealing with. We know that education is about evangelization. We must do our best to represent Jesus in our speeches, actions and decision-makings. As SDA administrators, we are limited in these activities. However, in my humble opinion there are at least two sure ways in which we could evangelize in a secular setting by 1) through our actions and 2) based on our decisions- depending on which values they are based on.
I am inviting my classmates to add to this list if they would.
As a general rule, Barr, (2000); and Martin, (1982) posit that a mission statement reveals where the institution came from, where it is heading, and how it plans to get there. This statement invited me to pause a moment to reflect the three purposes of a statement and especially on the last two. Of course, one can see in this definition, the importance of institutional mission. However, a Christian college’s mission differs from a secular college’s because the emphasis is put on redemption as seen in the Education Administration’s mission “to educate is to redeem.” Ellen G. White was a great supporter of this concept which she profoundly elaborated on in her book Education. She made clear that the purpose of education is redemption. She asserted that “The work of education and the work of redemption is one.”
What does that tell us as Christian administrators? How can we reconcile White’s broader scope of education in a secular institution with the other elements such as, goals of the institutions, its intentions, span of activities and academic offerings etc…? The law is clear regarding religious activities in a secular setting. It not permitted. This is a challenge that SDA administrators working in secular settings are dealing with. We know that education is about evangelization. We must do our best to represent Jesus in our speeches, actions and decision-makings. As SDA administrators, we are limited in these activities. However, in my humble opinion there are at least two sure ways in which we could evangelize in a secular setting by 1) through our actions and 2) based on our decisions- depending on which values they are based on.
I am inviting my classmates to add to this list if they would.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
This week's reading
This week's reading was a refresher with the different developmental theories studied in the student development class. This time I was able to see the different developmental theories in a holistic approach. I enjoyed the way Natasha addressed the questions and she linked the case study to the theories. I also appreciate the fact that she asked the question in different angles which gives every student the oppportunity to address it. Had she not included "student" I would not have been able to participate as I do not have any issue that I could share as an educator or administrator.
On a different note, I found the reading of the theoretical resistance and the five assumptions rather thought provoking. I have dealt a lot with change resistance at home, work, church and school but I have never really paid attention to the theoretical resistance aspect. It reminds me of a former vice president that I worked with in the refugee world who did not have a bachelor degree but whow was incredibly gifted and was excellent at her work. Since she relied mostly on her expertise based on her experience, she did not support much educational theories that go against her thinking. Now I can qualify her attitude as exhibiting theoretical resistance which helped her keep her position in this rapidly evolving postmodern world. I really enjoyed the reading and I am looking toward the next.
On a different note, I found the reading of the theoretical resistance and the five assumptions rather thought provoking. I have dealt a lot with change resistance at home, work, church and school but I have never really paid attention to the theoretical resistance aspect. It reminds me of a former vice president that I worked with in the refugee world who did not have a bachelor degree but whow was incredibly gifted and was excellent at her work. Since she relied mostly on her expertise based on her experience, she did not support much educational theories that go against her thinking. Now I can qualify her attitude as exhibiting theoretical resistance which helped her keep her position in this rapidly evolving postmodern world. I really enjoyed the reading and I am looking toward the next.
Monday, September 7, 2009
My week at a glance
I had a very sick week going from one condition to another. Now I am recuperating from a flu that took all my energy away. In the midst of it, I have witnessed a mother losing her 29 year-old daughter who was not really sick. I did not know what to say to that mother. It is one thing that I did not learn in the seminary. At least I was there for her to hold her and told her that it will be alright. This trauma that I had to deal with did not help my health condition. Mentally, I felt very stressed because I could not stop thinking of my three courses, philosophical foundations which feels like an intensive course, statistics where I find myself completely lost (I missed the first lab) and this class where technology is constantly daring me. It is not that I am complaining because I am an insatiable learner and an achiever. As an achiever, I feel stressed out because I find myself in a situation where I am being controlled by the events around me.
As I was reading Natasha’s posting for the day, it felt like a devotion which is very soothing and encouraging. It helped me to build new perspectives and gear my thoughts towards hope- hope that everything will fall into place with the grace of God and a lot of efforts on my side. As I was viewing David’s hot video from Boston University, I was able to smile because I found it very refreshing and suitable for this generation. The marketing tools utilized are very relevant and capable of convincing students that they are understood and their needs can be met. Overall, I like the manner in which the class is designed (though it requires a lot of time) because it covers an array of information capable of widening our understanding of students services and equipping us to become better leaders to serve today students.
As I was reading Natasha’s posting for the day, it felt like a devotion which is very soothing and encouraging. It helped me to build new perspectives and gear my thoughts towards hope- hope that everything will fall into place with the grace of God and a lot of efforts on my side. As I was viewing David’s hot video from Boston University, I was able to smile because I found it very refreshing and suitable for this generation. The marketing tools utilized are very relevant and capable of convincing students that they are understood and their needs can be met. Overall, I like the manner in which the class is designed (though it requires a lot of time) because it covers an array of information capable of widening our understanding of students services and equipping us to become better leaders to serve today students.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Technology?
As technology is evolving I realize that I must make great efforts to keep up with it. That is the hardest thing for me. This class is giving me the opportunity to face my worst fears: be technologically involved. I am fortunate to have my 13 year-old daughter, Dana, assisting me with this blog. I hope to learn how to navigate the system alone. Who knows? I may even like it one day.
I do not undermine the importance of technology. On the contrary, I appreciate it and value it. In fact, as I was viewing the different student services today, it felt good and made me to realize that this is much better than phone calls to different offices as I did when I was in college. It also felt like we could actually do an internship while being home without having to be physically present. Maybe it is something that schools will consider in the near future.
I do not undermine the importance of technology. On the contrary, I appreciate it and value it. In fact, as I was viewing the different student services today, it felt good and made me to realize that this is much better than phone calls to different offices as I did when I was in college. It also felt like we could actually do an internship while being home without having to be physically present. Maybe it is something that schools will consider in the near future.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
