The last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have forced a number of changes in how campus housing and student affairs departments operate. In some cases, this experience has accelerated changes that were on the horizon already. Such is the case with The Placement Exchange (TPE), which will become an online-only event beginning this March. The event will be held March 14–17 online at www.theplacementexchange.org/conference/spring.
While the pandemic forced the original switch to online, for years beforehand data trends suggested that a change was coming for the student affairs hiring practice. In-person events are expensive to produce, and location-bound events created barriers to inclusion and equity for candidates and employers alike. In addition, the hiring window has expanded to become a year-long process.
By moving the process online, TPE will ease logistical barriers associated with travel and lodging, reduce registration cost for candidates and employers, attract a more diverse and robust candidate pool, and open the process to a broader range of institutions and departments. The change will also relieve much of the pressure and stress experienced by candidates and the hiring teams brought about by the long hours and the need to be always on. “As organizations, ACUHO-I and NASPA are working to reduce as many obstacles as possible to our programs, products, and services,” says D’Najah Thomas, director of The Placement Exchange. “It was obvious that moving TPE to an onsite event would be a powerful way to help meet that pledge.”
Registration currently is live for TPE. Registration for candidates is $25 and includes a personalized virtual interview schedule and access to the TPE portal and registered employers as well as to workshops, resources, and other career readiness and job searching resources. The cost for institutions is $250 and includes one virtual interview schedule, one job post, access to the TPE portal and registered candidates, and resources for hiring and recruitment. Additional job postings are $175, and institutional spotlight sessions are available for $75. Questions can be directed to info@theplacementexchange.org.
The ACUHO-I Foundation announced a successful fundraising year for 2021, thanks in part to a number of targeted campaigns. One of the largest successes was the Foundation’s 70th Anniversary Campaign. It more than doubled its original goal of raising $70,000 by collecting more than $145,000. In addition, more than $40,000 was raised during regional housing conference events. Thanks are due to all who contributed as well as to the volunteer leaders who set the course as members of the 70th Anniversary Campaign task force: Shana Alston (chair), Terri Gray, Liz Ingrao, Crystal Lopez, Leon McClinton, Shannon Staten, Tim Touchette, and Marykatherine Woodson.
The Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO) will hold its 2022 Annual Conference in Asheville, North Carolina, on March 1–4. As COVID variants continue to evolve, volunteer planners are developing strategies to keep attendees as safe as possible during the conference, and all attendees are encouraged to be fully vaccinated ahead of the conference, monitor their wellness throughout the conference, and follow CDC guidelines. More details and registration information are available at https://www.seaho.org/page/seaho2022.
In addition, the SEAHO Regional Entry-Level Institute is recruiting faculty members for the 2022 event scheduled to be held in person in Miami, Florida, this summer. Interested individuals should contact Katrina Pawvluk at reli@seaho.org.