Talking Stick - January/February 2011 - 56

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BarB frazee
I am graT ef u l for my m e nTors Wh o “TaughT me The fIne arT of sayIng no and meanIng IT...” and Who “helped me To see The ImporTance of lIfe balance.”
What’s the first thing you do when you get into the office each morning?
I check in with my administrative assistant and then check e-mail before heading out for my many meetings each day.

Last meal at a campus dining hall?
Lunch today: Canadian cheese soup and a tuna salad melt. Yum!

Name the individuals who made the greatest impact on your career.
John Sautter, who was a constant for me in my 29 years at Purdue and a great role model for creating a climate of caring. Lanny Wilson, director of administration, who taught me the fine art of saying no and meaning it. Lisa Kochert, who was a wonderful female role model and helped me to see the importance of life balance.

What’s the biggest issue for the students on your campus right now?
Pressure to be successful and appropriate ways to deal with the stress this causes.

What’s the biggest issue you see facing the profession right now?
Managing risk and meeting the mental health challenges that our students bring to campus.

Favorite campus traditions? What makes your campus unique?
Deep-rooted tradition and being a strong STEM campus drives many of our decisions. Oh, and all the red bricks! Purdue football tailgating, the All-American Marching Band performing “I Am an American.”

What qualities do you think are important in a housing professional?
Integrity, energy, enthusiasm, selflessness.

What resource can’t you live without?
My team of directors and my iPhone.

When was the last time you awoke to a phone call from work in the middle of the night?
April 2010, an attempted suicide on campus.

How do you tell your staff you appreciate their work?
Cards and notes and public praise.

What are you doing when you’re not on the job? What do you wish was different about your job?
That I had more time to spend with staff and students; they are the heart of this work. Watching my 17-year-old daughter play volleyball or basketball or throw shot put. I spend most nights on bleachers.

How do you de-stress? New social technology and media like texting and Twitter: How has it helped your communication with staff and students?
Texting makes you available even when you can’t talk. Read, cook, get a massage.

Have you gotten any unusual housing or amenity requests?
Every year! Requests like if they could bring a service monkey from home or if maid service could be provided in a room.

Is there a downside to this type of communication?
You are never able to turn off work.

What’s your biggest challenge on campus?
Keeping communication flowing to all the right people.

BARB FRAzEE is the executive director of university residences at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Who would you like to see featured? Send your suggestions to camille@ acuho-i.org.

Best book you’ve been impressed by?
Find Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham.

Talking STick

Talking Stick - January/February 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - January/February 2011