SNAPSHOT STEVE KREMER “WE ALL L I K E TO KNOW TH AT OTHERS THI N K THAT OU R WORK M ATTE R S . THERE I S N O BETTER WAY T O COMMU N I C AT E THIS THA N TO TAKE T HE TIME TO B E OBSERVA N T. ” What’s the biggest issue you see facing the profession right now? The housing profession has developed a mature cultural currency. The housing systems in America and many of the component elements have generationally matured in the American mind. We now manage what is widely considered to be a core rite of passage for young adults. We need to think hard about how to make good on the work of the people who came before us. their shoes to walk the floors of the residence halls. The outcome for the staff was to become more thoughtful about the use of technology in communicating with students. Favorite campus traditions? I really love college sports and the rituals that are associated with them, but my single favorite campus tradition is the signing of the cover sheet of dissertations. When I worked for Ohio State University in Columbus, I had the opportunity to direct graduate housing for several years. The signature page for the faculty committee of a dissertation was something I shared more proudly than a diploma with the student. What makes your campus unique? The University of Connecticut houses approximately 75 percent of the total undergraduate population on campus. This occurs without a parietal rule. The UConn undergraduate experience is closely defined by the collegiate residential community. How do you tell your staff you appreciate their work? I think the most important thing that you can do as a supervisor is to be an observer. Most of us should observe more and say less. I make sure that my staff know that I am taking the time to be observant and that I am a reliable source of support. We all like to know that others think that our work matters. There is no better way to communicate this than to take the time to be observant. What do you wish was different about your job? I wish I had more time with students. This semester I am teaching a first-year experience course and am finding this to be very rewarding. It structures a regular contact for me with 19 firstyear students. New social technology and media like texting and Twitter: How has it helped your communication with staff and students? Is there a downside to this type of communication? I like my Blackberry for the speed that it creates in my ability to respond. We optimize our use of social technology in our department as a contact point with students, but we recognize the downside of losing a human touch to our work. The residence education staff just embarked on a staff initiative called “A Day of Leading with Sole.” Instead of spending time in front of their computers, they spent their day using the soles of STEVE KREMER is the assistant vice president of the residential life office at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Who would you like to see featured? Send your suggestions to camille@ acuho-i.org. 56 TALKING STICK