Induction into the ACUHO-I Foundation Parthenon Society is one of the most prestigious honors a campus housing professional can receive. It represents the recognition of contributions to the Association and the field as well as the respect of colleagues. Last month, during the ACUHO-I Virtual Summit, five new names were added to that list. Through a series of videos hosted by Mary Janz, the ACUHO-I Foundation chair, the society welcomed Tom Ellett, Emily Galindo, Colin Marshall, Judy Spain, and Jennifer Wilder.
Tom Ellett, who recently was named Quinnipiac University’s chief student experience officer, previously had been a fixture at New York University since 2001. There he was described as possessing a strong vision for enhancing and expanding the role student life plays in overall learning on a college or university campus. His contributions to housing associations have also been numerous. He has been a faculty member for RELI, the James C. Grimm National Housing Training Institute, and the South Africa Housing Training Institute. He has also been a member of a variety of ACUHO-I committees and task forces, an Eastern District representative, vice president, president-elect, and president. He was also the recipient of the Presidential Service Award and the James C. Grimm Presidential Service Award.
Emily Galindo rose through the ranks at the University of California, Davis, from support staff member all the way to interim vice chancellor, the position she held before her retirement this year. Through it all she was known as an exceptional leader and a tireless advocate for students as well as one who carefully listens, assesses data, and thoughtfully analyzes information. In her nomination it was said that Galindo “leads by example, is an efficient and effective decision maker, and the strongest student advocate I know.” Galindo has served as a WACUHO executive board member, conference chair, host committee member, and engaged presenter. For ACUHO-I she served the Senior Housing Officer Institute as a committee and faculty member as well as a participant, and she was also an annual conference program committee member as a reviewer, coordinator, and presenter of numerous interest sessions.
Colin Marshall, the director of campus life at Federation University in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, is known as someone who builds strong relationships and alliances. He has helped lead the development of his university’s housing program and, through his enthusiasm, to build a dynamic student housing team. While serving on the boards of ACUHO-I (as Globalization Director and as Business Practices and Enhancements Director) and the Asia-Pacific Student Accommodation Association (vice president and president), he has been a student housing ambassador through his support of a number of initiatives designed to expand the international reach of campus housing.
Judy Spain, a trailblazer and pioneer in the profession, was honored posthumously. She spent her entire professional career at the University of Wisconsin–Stout, where she was a mentor to many staff and students, as well as an inspiration to LGBTQ individuals and their allies. For that reason, her name graces ACUHO-I’s award honoring those who contribute to the LGBTQ community through activities that promote positive growth, development, and education. Speaking about her influence, it was said that “if there was a Mount Rushmore for housing professionals, Judy Spain would be on it.” Colleagues recall that she had a wicked sense of humor and a biting wit that kept you on your toes. She gained respect easily, had the heart of a lion, and was one of a kind. Her volunteer experience with ACUHO-I included working with legislative issues, program committees, and special purpose housing. She received the ACUHO-I Award, James C. Grimm Leadership & Service Award, and UMR’s William Sweet Distinguished Service award and has an endowed scholarship in her name at UW-Stout.
Jennifer Wilder has for more than 35 years transformed departments, divisions, and universities with her work. Much of her career has been spent at historically Black colleges and universities where she has served in roles such as resident director, area coordinator, assistant director of university housing, director of residence life, and interim vice chancellor for student affairs – the last of these the position she currently holds at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. Her colleagues describe her as a superb administrator committed to developing staff and partnerships across campus. As one of her sponsors said best, “She has worked effortlessly since her time began transforming our residential culture, which is a testament to the everlasting imprint she has left on the field.”
For more information about nominating individuals for the 2021 Parthenon Society class, contact Scott Boden.
Work Group Provides COVID-19 Planning Resources
The ACUHO-I Future of Housing Work Group recently released a report that looks at eight areas associated with the return of students and staff to campus: capacity and assignments; staffing/human resources; community building; equity and inclusion; student discipline; risk management; liability and communication; and mitigation strategies. The report provides critical insights to consider as institutions develop plans for safely bringing students and staff back to campus.
This work group was formed in late April by ACUHO-I President Von Stange in response to the challenges colleges and universities faced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, many institutions had to find ways to communicate with students away from campus. If students weren’t available to move out within a certain timeframe, staff had to figure out storage plans for their belongings. And as students moved off campus, staff had to figure out cleaning procedures to disinfect all facilities.
As time and developments allowed, institutions began turning toward making plans for future semesters. While specific steps taken will vary from campus to campus, the work group focused on providing suggestions and guidelines for factors to consider when making plans. The group is chaired by Christopher Silva, director of housing and residence life at American University in Washington, D.C. Other members include Vicka Bell-Robinson, director of residence life at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio; Frankie Minor, director of housing and residential life at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston; John Lauer, associate vice president for student life at Colorado College in Colorado Springs; Dan Pedersen, director of housing and residential services at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb; Christina Lowery, director of housing and residential life at the University of Southern Maine in Portland; Kendra Skinner, director of residence life at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau; and Michelle Saldaña, director of residence life and housing services at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, California.
Learn more about the work group and download the Future of Housing Work Group Considerations for Practice During COVID-19 report.
Following the delivery of an Executive Board message reaffirming ACUHO-I’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Association announced a call for members to join a new Anti-Racism Task Force. This task force will lead efforts to assist individuals in the majority to fully invest in learning, reckoning, and active engagement including not only recognizing their privilege but also addressing systemic racism and acts of injustice. The need for and impact of allyship will be a critical component of this effort.
Plans call for the task force to convene in July and conclude its engagement in October 2020. Watch the ACUHO-I website for more information as it becomes available.
Nearly 500 individuals participated in the first ACUHO-I Virtual Summit held June 23–25, 2020. The event featured more than 35 live educational sessions, more than 20 on-demand presentations, and three general sessions. For those who were not able to attend, passes are now available to receive access to recordings of the sessions. Check out the slate of sessions and purchase your pass online.
Changes to the Title IX rule will have an impact on the upcoming academic year. ACUHO-I’s government relations consultant has created a document providing a summary and analysis of the final rule and its applications and implications for colleges and universities.
On May 19, 2020, the Department of Education released its final rule for the implementation of Title IX for both universities and K-12 schools. The new rule, which goes into effect on August 14, 2020, includes many changes that will impact student affairs practice, including a redefinition of sexual harassment, requiring live hearings with cross-examination, and limiting investigations to those filed through formal campus processes and within their own programs/activities. More information is available on the ACUHO-I website.
