Talking Stick - July/August 2008 - (Page 68)

Snapshot Scott Boden What’s the first thing you do when you get into the office each morning? Say hello to other staff and check e-mail. What’s the biggest issue for the students on your campus right now? Our students, like those at most colleges and universities, are very concerned about the costs of their educations and their post-graduation prospects in an economy that has slowed down. Our students come from a wide range of financial backgrounds, and some of them and their families struggle to meet the costs. What’s the biggest issue you see facing the profession right now? I think a growing and important trend is much greater collaboration and integration between academics and student life. Like all change, some people on both sides embrace it, and others resist change. I think we need to take the lead in resolving issues and creating collaborations that increase student success. Another issue I see is professional staff retention through all levels of staffing, diversities, and experiences. What makes your campus unique? There are several things that make us unique. Clearly our size opens doors for many unique opportunities, and our students take advantage of those. Many of our students are also multi-generational Buckeyes. Many of them have always dreamed of attending Ohio State, and that adds to the spirit of camaraderie and the institutional spirit on our campus. What resource can’t you live without? Energy for the work we do with students. What made you decide to work in housing? When I was an undergraduate student at Ithaca College, I was working in the office that coordinated summer conferences. I was glancing through a newspaper titled The Chronicle of Higher Education. I found the jobs section and noticed that there was a degree called “College Student Personnel.” As I discovered more about this field of student affairs, I realized that I had this interest since I stepped inside a residence hall as a freshman. I just didn’t have the language to describe it. When was the last time you awoke to a phone call from work in the middle of the night? Two nights ago. What do you wish was different about your job? That we had more time in the day… Facebook: Good or evil? Good … sometimes. Evil … sometimes. What’s your biggest challenge on campus? I think there are times when people can talk to each other more and understand that our goals in our work are basically the same … helping students. Listening seems to be a skill that can also be refined. What or who is the best session/speaker/book you’ve been impressed by? Johnnetta Cole: She was an ACPA keynote speaker many years ago and was, at the time, the president of Spelman College. What I remember her most for is her statement, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Book: Job one: Experiences of new Professionals in Student affairs. This text is an excellent book to help supervisors get down to the very basics in our work with new professionals. What was your last meal at a campus dining hall? Breakfast this morning. dANTé eScuSA Associate Director of Housing Education The ohio State University, Columbus, ohio What are your favorite campus traditions? I still like to sing “Carmen Ohio” (Ohio State’s alma mater) at football games. There’s nothing like 105,000 people singing together! Talking Stick

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - July/August 2008

Talking Stick - July/August 2008 Contents Online Now Vision Just In Your ACUHO-I Transitions Res Life Facilities Business Calendar When Politics Come to Your Town Support System Conversations First Takes Reporting Out New Members Snapshot

Talking Stick - July/August 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.