Talking Stick - July/August 2011 - 13

YOUR ACUHO-I

PHOTO CREDIT: AZFAR MIAN

Inaugural SHTI a Success
Last April the ACUHO-I Southern Africa Chapter experienced another momentous step in its continuing evolution when it was host to the ﬁrst Student Housing Training Institute (SHTI). The Institute, held April 3-8, 2011, on the Boland Campus of Stellenbosch University, featured 13 faculty members who presented on topics selected from a research study of South Africa chief housing ofﬁcers, drawn from a competency model. The sessions, presented by housing experts from two continents, addressed topics such as budgets, strategic planning, facilities management, student development theory, and more. Pieter Kloppers, co-director of the SHTI and manager of student housing at Stellenbosch, commented after the event, “I listened carefully to the personal professional development plans of the South African delegates and was very impressed about their enthusiasm, the realistic and optimistic nature of their plans, and the impact that will ensue. The faculty was a blessing, and everyone contributed immensely. The South African delegates grew in conﬁdence and community as the SHTI progressed.” Norb Dunkel, the other co-director and assistant vice president and director of housing and residential education at the University of Florida in Gainesville, says, “Working with the SHTI Organizing Committee and participating in this institute will remain a highlight of my career. My ‘ah-ha’ moment was watching the participant presentations of their ideal living unit designs, drawn on newsprint. The time and energy each group placed into their designs was extraordinary. Not a detail was to be missed in the presentations.” Presenter Charmaine January, manager of student life at the University of Cape Town, also appreciated the impact of the event. “It was a life changing experience for me to present at the SHTI in Stellenbosch. I enjoyed all the aspects of the program thoroughly. I built new friendships and learned from the best in the ﬁeld. I wish all housing staff this life-changing experience. There are several highlights: the opportunity to present with John Schuh, whom I quote in my work often, was an immense privilege. The United States faculty, each in their own unique way, made a huge impact on my understanding of the ﬁeld, the way in which one can adopt a professional approach to one’s work, and craft a career going forward.” Another highlight of the week came when Stellenbosch University was recognized as the ﬁrst ofﬁcial home for the ACUHO-I SA central ofﬁce. Additional participating faculty included Suzy Campbell (University of Colorado), Mary Howard-Hamilton (Indiana University), Harry Le Grande (University of California-Berkeley), Azfar Mian (University of Florida), Laetitia Permall (University of the Western Cape), John Schuh (Iowa State University), Mark Seale (University of the Western Cape), Eric Sebokedi (Tshwane University of Technology), Benita van Zyl (University of Stellenbosch), and Glenn von Zeil (University of Cape Town).
JULY + AUGUST 2011

The SHTI and the opening of the central office in Southern Africa were the highlight of many members’ careers.

Talking Stick - July/August 2011

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