Rusty Nails Still Build Bridges

A new and popular faculty member has implored this saying to zir students and I believe it is slowly changing the culture of the students at my current institution.

"Excuses are the nails that build houses of failure."

This quote is a variation of many excuses and failure quotes that I have heard over the years but this short, sweet, and concise saying resonates with so many students. I think if they could put it on shirts or banners that would proudly campaign for the cause.

What this new faculty member has done to zir students is transform the culture of low standards and expectations to creating a atmosphere where ze actually cares about their academic growth, their success, and the person.

I question why does it take the efforts of a new and fresh faculty member in search of tenure to revitalize the academic culture of an institution. As student affairs, do we face a similar conundrum? Since I am quickly approaching the likelihood of starting at a new institution, will I be so excited to "change the world" that I am not jaded or affected by institutional let downs, budget cuts, and low support from my peers/colleagues. How can I, as a new professional maintain this vigor and excitement for my first, second, third, fifth, tenth...ect job. Is it possible to stay this excitement that it creates change in my first year simply by speaking up, challenging students, setting high expectations, and not being afraid to rock the boat.

I approach this very lightly because of a very good article I read as my first assignment in graduate school, Don't drink the water: A guide to encountering a new institutional culture (Whitt, 1997). This article is GREAT and I encourage all graduate students, new professionals, and old fogies starting at a new institution to read the article and be reminded that you need to observe the new surrounding before nose diving in.

Back to the notation at hand. I am excited by the efforts of this new faculty member that is possible to change a culture in less than a year. It takes a strong will to be different, stand out from the crowd, and no where your allies lay. I say all this to say, excuses are indeed the nails that build houses of failure and as new professionals, we can not make excuses for our experiences at various institutions. Excuses are merely a poor justification for why we don't do well at our attempts. We need to buckle down and deal with life. No matter how jaded we become or feel there is always an opportunity to try again...and again...and again...and once more for good measure. No matter how rusty the nails become from disappointment, they can still be useful teaching tools for advancing the greater good.

Thats it for now.

Until next time.

Peace. Love. Soul.

NLH

References

Whitt, E. J. (1997). Don't drink the water: A guide to encountering a new institutional culture. In E. J. Whitt, (Ed.), ASHE reader on college [End Page 335] student affairs administration (pp. 516–523). Needham Heights, MA: Pearson.

Doing the Best I Can With What I Can

Retrieved from Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development

ACCEPTING THAT I HAVE DONE THE BEST I COULD DO

I am now receptive to the idea that . . .no matter what it looks like. I did the best I could.
What else would you have done? You keep turning the experience over in your mind. You are rethinking your actions and responses, which leads to questioning and doubting yourself. Instead of making yourself crazy, why not ask and honestly answer this one simple question. "What else could I have done?" Then take it one step further by asking, "If you could have done it, why didn't you do it?"

Could you have been more considerate? Compassionate? Understanding? Probably. Could you have been more patient? More tolerant? More cautious? Well, what do you think? Could you have said more or less? Could you have listened a bit closer? Could you have planned better? Waited longer? Of course you could have, but you didn't.

When you feel sufficiently remorseful, overwhelmingly confused and totally beaten down, you will be on the brink of a divine revelation! You will be face to face with something you probably never considered. Something too simple! Too easy! The truth is, if you could have done it, you would have!] The fact that you didn'tmeans you couldn't for reasons you may not be aware of right now.

Second-guessing yesterday will not help you today. Holding yourself hostage to what was not will not propel you into what will be. As you accept the reality of what you did not do in the past, you open yourself to the luxury of knowing it does not mean you will not do better in the future.
Until today, you may have held yourself hostage with remorse over what you could have done. In fact, you may be pushing yourself to a point of remorseful no return.Just for today, realize you did all you could have done. Take note of what you saw, heard, felt and experienced. Use those notes as preparation to do better at some later date.

Today I am devoted to accepting that I have done the best I could do!
From Until Today

by: Iyanla Vanzant

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This particular post was shared with me by a friend who knows a little something about the choices we make and being satisfied knowing that we can not go back in the past to change our actions. Thank you for sharing SM.

At this particular junction in my life, I am faced with the uncertainty of new employment, graduation, moving somewhere new and the inevitable next transition (in no particular order). In formal student affairs education programs we focus on transition and the developmental process' that take place in our students but we don't actually pay much attention be tending to our self as beings. We are the masters of doing much with little, shaping the minds of students (in various forms), stimulating their intellectual and cognitive development and creating meaningful opportunities and programs that support student success.

I am guilty of preaching the importance of taking time for self, prioritizing, and not procrastinating but those are my biggest shortcomings. I think the difference is I'm aware of these shortcomings and willing to take steps toward improving my life to be the best professional, friend, daughter, and partner. I have done all I can with what I have. I will no longer linger in my past experiences and question why I didn't do something a particular way.

Yesterday is gone and tomorrow hasn't come yet. I must live in the now and take the lessons of my past to shape and mold my future. I refuse to get so caught up in my haves and have nots. Call it faith, hope or just good luck but I believe everything happens for a very special reason and it is not for me to question or doubt why life happens the way it does.

Take time to live, laugh, love and grow. I minus well because life is going on whether I do or not

Stay Away From the "Gay" Table

Carolina Testing and Orientation Program Sessions (CTOPS) orientation fair is a lot like other schools. However this time my perspective was different than any orientation before. Most orientations I have been very aware and in tune with the office representing or the students being "targeted." Today, standing at the LGBTQ Center table helped me see how students (and parents) look at the table. Although the table is full of valuable information, there is some sort of hesitation about approaching the table. Some students who identify as Allys have a hard time coming to terms with it being ok to not be in the (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Inter sex and Queer (LGBTIQ) community and still a supporter without one's own sexuality being questioned.

I noticed that students and parents alike create an invisible aisle amongst the rows of organizations tables. In this aisle is a safe enough distance to "browse" the information without the volunteers and staff members invading one's personal space. In this aisle a student can skim the information without seeming to interested. Never before had I taken notice to this aisle until I was standing at the LGBTQ table.

**Homophobia is defined as the fear and/or aversion to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans gender and queer people. Homophobia happens on a variety of levels from more subtle to overt occurrences, interpersonal to institutional levels and intentional to unintentional instances

I have always considered myself to be very diverse but serving as a representative for the Center challenged me to put aside the funny looks that you know parents are giving or the judging glares as students approach. How as a future student affairs professional do I own up to practicing what I preach and be comfortable in any environment. As professionals it is necessary to create an inclusive environment that is conducive to to total development of a student. Especially if it includes exploration into their identity.** Homophobia hurts everyone. You do not have to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans gender, or know someone who is to be negatively affected by homophobia. Though some homophobia actively oppresses LGBTIQ people, it hurts those identified as heterosexual.

In a conversation recently with a dear friend, I was exclaiming how much I have been learning on the job and a response was, "I don't/wouldn't want to be associated withthat office." Initially I was shocked by the response and then had to examine the context of the society we live in. If you work, support or hang out with members of the LGBTQ community you might get a "guilty by association" label. Attitudes like this is what is preventing the evloution of equality in our communities.

I digress but to bring back up a good point. Back to the org fair at orientation. Stigmas and assumptions that lead to homophobia may inhibit people from forming close and intimate relationships with members of their own sex, for fear of being perceived as LGBTIQ.

It is my challenge to my colleagues and peers to consider being an Ally whether on a collegiate level or in the workplace. As an Ally you aren't identifying yourself as a member of the LGBTIQ community but stating that you are committed to increasing awareness and acceptance of the diverse LGBTIQ community and committing to educating yourself and others about oppression and commiting to personal growth even when it involves discomfort (like standing at the "gay" table)

Empowered Ally relationships including the persons in non-oppressed roles initate the change towards personal, institutional and societal justice and equality.

**Adapted by UNC Chapel Hill Safe Zone

And Then There Were Interns

The Internship
A privilege as well as a great opportunity to learn more about student affairs arose from the opportunity to inter at
UNC. I have been assigned to work in the LGBTQ Center for the first half of the summer and Housing for the remaining part of the summer. The LGBTQ Center is one of three in the state of North Carolina. The others existing at NC State and Duke. Of all the colleges and universities represented in the state...only three LGBTQ Centers is interesting. This leads to questions about politics, equality and necessity. That issue is for another blog on another day.

University of North Carolina (UNC) and the surrounding Chapel Hill area or as I have been informed...the "real" Carolina is a typical college town with many quirks and quaint hangouts that add to the culture and climate of the area. From Dinner at Elmo's to getting lost. It is easy to see a eclectic/indie and maybe even beatnik culture.


About the school
This summer UNC is experiencing record numbers of enrollment which will make for a interesting buzz on campus. Having been on campus for several summers I can appreciate the summer bustle of students on campus.

From a outsiders perspective UNC is ahead of the curve in several innovations or at least a little ahead of things I think should be standard at all institutions. Every campus is professing to be making strides to sustainability but I see the strides, here. Although I haven't been on campus enough to see how entrenched these efforts are from simple things like auto dimming lights in residence halls, that turns off lighting and turns on when motion is detected. One hang up is the low number of recycling bins in foot traffic areas, but, hey..."Rome wasn't built in a day." I do like how many student services are centralized in one building. Like academic services (registrar, academic success and ect), housing, dean's offices, the LGBTQ Center and several other offices. SAS building is like one stop shopping for all things student success.

About the LGBTQ Center
Nestled quietly on the third floor of the SAS building unbeknown to most is the LGBTQ Center. The entry-way is no different from many other offices in the building except marked with a Safe Zone marker. Upon entry is full of resources and pamphlets so that persons wanting information for self or others can be easily reached.

From the web site: "...working to create an inclusive environment for all students, staff and faculty. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified (LGBTQ) individuals deserve equal respect and treatment within the UNC community, and they contribute an essential element to the diversity of the campus, enriching the intellectual and social life of the entire University." The LGBTQ Center is an officially recognized department under the Division of Student Affairs. The programs and services we offer are designed to increase campus and community awareness, improve campus climate, and advocate for sexuality and gender identity issues. My time in the LGBTQ Center will prove to both educational and challenging in that I will challenge a lot of ideals that have been previously formed from experiences and educate myself regarding the community and issues with inequality that often arise. In the coming blogs I will be posing questions that in conversations with the director and the assistant director arise for me personally. Along with the small library of books I have been strongly encouraged to read. Until next time.

In the beginning was NASPA

In the beginning there was NASPA. NASPA is a professional organization for student affairs administration. NASPA has evolved to be a leading voice for student affairs administration, policy, and practice, and affirms the commitment of the student affairs profession to educating the whole student and integrating student life and learning. There are over 11,000 members at 1,400 campuses, and representing 29 countries, NASPA is the foremost professional association for student affairs administrators, faculty, and graduate and undergraduate students.

Over Spring Break I attended the NASPA international conference in Seattle, Wa. Its Seattle and it rained. But to much avail it was the culmination of many of my NUFP experiences in real life. There were thousands of higher ed professionals, future professionals and undergrad students. The best way to explain the NASPA experience is to take all of your friends who in college (or life in general) are the first to do a ice-breaker, lead a discussion or are really passionate about a specific issue; put them in a room and say, "go develop lives"... you have NASPA.

The NUFP side of NASPA was a little less overwhelming. Having been armed with plenty of "Nathan Notes," what to be expected was delivered. As several M/NUFPers emerged on our pre-conference location there was a slight buzz of unknowing excitement. Finally able to put a face to all the faceless emails and identify the future student affairs wonders. Being in the room reiterated how small student affairs really is. From the future graduates anticipating seeing each other at grad interview days to total strangers connected by a mutual acquaintance. There are only three degrees of separation in this industry.

Cheater's Never Win-USC Academic Integrity

In my interview with Kelly Eifert of Academic Integrity, I faced the grim reality that cheating still very much exist at this level of higher academia. The pressure to be the best, brightest and smartest drives students to unbelievable levels to win "by any means necessary."

The Office of Academic Integrity is a considerably young office. Ironically, "cheating" has been around for a long time. However the university only centralized how it handles acts of academic dishonesty recently. Before the office if a student cheated it was up to the professor to lay down the law, sometimes the college would reprimand the student and that college administrator would essentially serve as the judge, jury and final say so on a student's academic discretion.

When a student is admitted to the University they sign the Carolinan Creed and the Carolina Honor Code, both of which clearly states the prohibition of cheating, plagiarizing, and all other forms of academic dishonesty.

The Office of Academic Interity's statement on academic interity states, academic ethical behavior is essential for an institution dedicated to the promotion of knowledge and learning. The University of South Carolina is committed to fostering a university environment which exemplifies the values embodied in the Carolinian Creed. All members of the University Community have a responsibility to uphold and maintain the highest standards of integrity in study, research, instruction, and evaluation; as well as adhering to the Honor Code.

The Honor Code states, tt is the responsibility of every student at the University of South Carolina Columbia to adhere steadfastly to truthfulness and to avoid dishonesty, fraud, or deceit of any type in connection with any academic program. Any student who violates this Honor Code or who knowingly assists another to violate this Honor Code shall be subject to discipline.

With the above being mentioned I am happy to say that the University is taking progressive steps to ensuring the quality of its degrees awarded are more than a fancy sheet of paper but when taken and compared to other worthy institutions an alum with be comforted in knowing hey earned their degree and the academic system hadn't been watered down with those to lazy to DO THEIR OWN WORK.

Student Leadership and Diversity Conference

Black Greek 101 Twisted
The Student Leadership and Diversity Conference also known as SLDC is USC's annual leadership a one day annual conference that is sponsored by Leadership Programs and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs in the spring semester. There will be a keynote speaker for each topic - leadership and diversity.

I had the opportunity to present during one session. Black Greek 101:Twisted. The purpose of the presentation was to provide participants a brief overview of the structure and organization of the National Pan Hellenic Council. For the presentation the format was similar to a class. During Greek 101, we discussed the structure, history and organization of various Greek councils. NPHC, NPC, NIC/IFC, NALFO, MGC and other councils. Once the participants had all their questions answered "class was dismissed." Greek 102 was identifying the differences between the various councils, accepting that the differences exist but embracing the similarities and realizing that regardless the letters on one's chest, we are all Greek and the purpose is to uplift the community, develop its members and sisterhood/brotherhood.

During the presentation we touched on various topic relevant to Greek communities and offered ideas on how to cross councils and aid in the development of a Greek community and not only a system. The difference in s Greek system is several individuals organizations existing separately on a campus with no unique programming for its members. A Greek community is those say organizations coexisting on a campus and being provided networking opportunities, leadership development, joint philanthropies and other events that promote unity.