Talking Stick - November/December 2008 - (Page 64)

53 CONTINUED CONVERSATIONS: Small Colleges Equal Big Opportunities at the level of Virginia Tech, but we did have a suicide on campus two years ago. Grand Junction Police got involved and called in their Victims Assistance Program individuals. The campus dining services and college center staff helped our students out by staying open later because we had to clear out the hall that the suicide took place in. Our president came over and talked with residents and our staff. He was very supportive during this time. Our contracted counseling agency was on site within hours to help with the grieving process. When asked to debrief about this situation, I summarized the experience in one statement: “When we were in a pinch, I was able to call any of you (other campus departments and our president), and you were there for not only my staff, but most importantly our students.” That one statement summed it up for us and is a shining example of how smaller colleges can and do work together for the common good. Also, in relationship to the control that Jim mentioned, if your upper administration has created a shared vision with the campus you can start to tie your own department’s vision in with it. Communication has been our key, at least from my perspective, to succeed. We have been able to foster the connections among departments, staff, and our students. This has helped us create a united student affairs front which has allowed some academic departments to get involved with our areas. collaborative. When we are working at our best, we are developing partnerships and creating programs that are consistent with the goals found in the Learning Reconsidered documents. In fact, Chapter 9 of Learning Reconsidered 2 focuses entirely on the need for collaboration in higher education. It is apparent from this conversation that we are building collaborative relationships to bridge the divide between academics and student affairs. In doing so, we are moving closer to achieving the highest goals of our profession. ts Wiltgen: It is amazing to consider the stories that we have shared about the level of collaboration that is occurring at each of our institutions. We often lament the limits of our resources at small colleges. However, that same limitation forces us to be more creative and more Editor’s Note: Conversations is dedicated to capturing dialogue between high-level professionals on the topics that affect campus housing. If you would like to be a part of a future conversation – or have a topic you want to see discussed – let us know at talkingstick@acuho-i.org.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - November/December 2008

Talking Stick - November/December 2008 Contents Online Now Vision Just In Your ACUHO-I Transitions Res Life Facilities Business Special Focus Calendar Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places The Evolving Role of the Resident Advisor Conversations First Takes Reporting Out New Members Snapshot

Talking Stick - November/December 2008

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