Talking Stick - March/April 2017 - 60

SNAPSHOT

ADAM MORGAN
What's the biggest issue for the students on your campus
right now?
Equality is a major part of DePaul's mission, and students are
always concerned about equal rights and freedom of speech. While
we haven't had concerns brought to us lately, it is always at the
forefront of everyone's thoughts. DePaul strives to keep a balance in
the classroom, on campus, and in our residence halls to allow for
understanding of others and to project us forward to make the world
a better and more accepting place.

What's the biggest issue you see facing the profession
right now?
We work to provide students with the tools they need to excel in life
by working with them directly and less with the parents. This can be
difficult as many parents may not agree with this viewpoint, but this
is something we need to work harder to achieve, as the residential
experience offers more than just a place to live - it is an opportunity
for our students to learn life lessons.

What makes your campus unique?
We are in the middle of Chicago, so we are physically defined by
the neighborhood in which we reside. We are an oasis within our
neighborhood with our beautiful grounds, Quad, and buildings,
while still being a major part of the community. As for housing, we
have a great number of unique apartment styles which are managed
as residential halls but still have a Chicago neighborhood feel.

ADAM MORGAN is the assistant
director of assignments for the
department of housing services
at DePaul University in Chicago,
Illinois.
What are your favorite campus
traditions?
We hold an in-person room selection
every April for our continuing students.
This is my favorite part of my job,
as it keeps the personal interactive
communication relevant. Our room
selection allows us to meet with students
on an individual basis and to pair
our unique apartment-style units with
students' needs and expectations. As part
of this event we also offer an open house
which permits our first-year students a
firsthand look at our apartment options
as they transition from our traditionalstyle halls.

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TALKING STICK

What are the most unusual housing or amenity requests you
have received?
We receive many different requests, but the most rewarding are the
ones we can accommodate to meet a student's special need and
improve their quality of life in our halls.

What motivates you the most in your job?
I never lose sight of the fact that the work I do directly impacts our
students. This is a great responsibility which I do not take lightly. It's
a good feeling to know that I have directly helped a student - I have
this feeling every day in my job!

What is the most challenging part of your work?
We have policies and procedures in place, but it can be a challenge
to remain consistent and fair when all students have their own and
varied situations.

What do you think will be the most significant change in
student housing in the next five years?
Student housing is about building communities and lifelong
relationships. How will we continue this goal while mixing in the
continued need for privacy? How will we incorporate ever-growing
student identities while keeping the community and diversity the
main focus?
Talking Stick - March/April 2017

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