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.

Walking Rolodex-Career Development

The University of South Carolina's Career Center in my personal opinion is one of the best career centers I have seen offered by a university. From job placement assistance for current students and graduates, to a top notch resume builder called Optimal Resume, portfolio management, interview assistance and numerous career fairs often specific to areas of interest like Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Careerfest, and assistance with individual college fairs. The Career Center is a bevy of resources for all students, faculty and staff to better themselves professionally.

I met with Viki Fecas, Jan. 26 and will be meeting with Vicky Hamby in the coming weeks. This wasn't the first time I met Viki but this was the first "official" meeting. I sat in on her presentation on the millennial generation entering the workplace during the Students in Transition Conference last semester. Then there was that time in Which Wich, and again when I was in the Career Center for some bulletin board information...or was it when I was getting my resume chopped and screwed. Speaking of resumes...The career center is divided up into two very distinct components Employer Relations and Career Development. Viki was my career development person. She is like a walking USC Rolodex. She has been at USC about as long as I have been in existence. She has done her undergrad, grad and doctoral studies at USC.

The conversation was very informative, first a overview of the career development services the career center offers to her professional advice for me as a future higher ed/ student affairs person. Reaching walking Rolodex status is not achieved by simply waking up and deciding to meet lots of people, but taking the time to establish those connections and relationships and following up with them. Viki shared with me that many of the opportunities that have become available to her were not only because she was qualified, but because someone knew who she was, her capabilities and their was a working relationship there. Being in the right place at the right time doesn't hurt either.

From my chat with Viki I learned that great networks don't just happen. They take work, follow through and asking is there ever something, someone needs help with. By asking to help it not only makes you look like a go-getter but it establishes you as a reliable person. I have worked hard to meet a new person every single day since coming to USC. Initially it was because I didn't know anyone, but at the close of my four year career at USC I can honestly say that everything Viki said about making yourself available to help others puts you in a position to meet others and have influence.

Next note is my reflection on my USC experience...stay tuned.

Thanks Viki... I will be "networking" with you on furthering the millennial research.

NUFP Midpoint

A highlight of my experience thus far has been my attendance to the 15th Annual National Conference on Students in Transition hosted by the National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition. The conference was held early November and highlighted several presenters from around the country. This was an eventful experience because this was my first time being in the presence of student affairs practitioners from institutions other than my own.

The focus of my mentoring experiences has been directed towards issues relative to my institution, the conference helped me hear that no matter the size of the campus, the population of students or geographic location the issues in some way are the same and student affairs professionals are needed to develop innovative and challenging means of servicing the whole student and ensuring their academic, social and mental growth with limited resources. From the conference I further explored my interest in the growing need to address the millennial generation as they embark on the workplace. We are at a place in time where several generations are mixing in the workplace.

For the upcoming semester I expect to further explore offices that I initially did not express interest in like development, the career center, admissions and judicial. This semester I will talk to more of USC’s own upper administrators and gain an understanding of the history of student affairs and the direction they see it moving towards. These conversations will help me understand my further role in higher education and student affairs..

To ensure that I have an opportunity to explore as many aspects of student affairs I will continue to have one-on-one interviews with staff and graduate students in the various offices. Speaking with the grad students is less formal than the staff members because I just want to learn how they came to higher education and essentially, they have helped with my application process. I will gain skills in cultural competency by attending in the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SLDC), I am also presenting on diversity during the New Member Institute sponsored by the Office of Greek Life. My mentor and I actively examine my personal goals, both academic and professional. I plan to keep up better with my blog regarding my NUFP experience, I will be attending the annual conference over Spring Break and continue to read and reflect on articles relative to current events relative to student affairs.

My mentor, Anna Edwards and I will continue to meet each week. Meeting each week, even if not for the whole hour just to touch base on articles assigned to read or comments heard on the news relative to higher education helped build and strengthen our relationship. I really appreciate the flexibility of our schedule. Almost every learning objective as defined for fellows has been met or my mentor and I have identified ways to meet the objectives.