By the time you read this, I will have completed my 32nd August as a campus housing professional.
Whew.
Experiencing all those move-in days, I’ve seen an untold number of excited students and anxious guardians come through those doors. I’ve watched as the computers got smaller and the television screens got larger. Through all the changes and updates, and despite all the long hours and frayed nerves, it really is one of my favorite parts of the job.
I think one of the reasons August reverberates for me is because it encapsulates almost every aspect of our field. Think about it. The housing and facilities management teams have completed their construction and renovation projects, applied that last coat of paint, and cleaned every surface for the new residents. Our business operations teams have checked the numbers, updated roommate requests, and processed hundreds, if not thousands, of payments. Meanwhile, the residence life staff have conducted RA training, prepared programs, and set the stage to build community and engagement. No one is more important than the other. And everyone must work in symphony to deliver that exceptional student experience for which we all strive. Here’s hoping that your 2024 move-in is a success.
No one is more important than the other. And everyone must work in symphony to deliver that exceptional student experience for which we all strive.
This collection of tasks is also on my mind as ACUHO-I staff and volunteers put the finishing touches on the Business Operations, Academic Initiatives, and Housing Facilities conferences that we often refer to as our content conferences. These are fantastic opportunities to do focused dives into these different pieces of the housing and residence life puzzle. There are also opportunities to see how they fit together. This year, the Business Operations and Facilities conferences will take place at the same time and location, which will allow for crossover with sessions and speakers. Similarly, this year the Academic Initiatives Conference will share space with the Residential College Symposium. This will be the first year that this has occurred, and it will be an excellent opportunity to maximize their shared interests and allow attendees to learn from one another. We offer up a preview of sorts in this issue by interviewing professionals to show the full scope of living-learning offerings. It was very interesting to see the ways in which they intersect.
Finally, I want to take a moment to congratulate the newly elected members of the Executive Board. With only a few months left in my tenure, I can attest to what a rewarding experience it has been for me and, I’m sure, will be for them as well. It is an honor and a privilege to represent the thousands of campus housing professionals who call ACUHO-I home.
— Gay Perez, ACUHO-I President
Talking Stick magazine takes its name from the symbol of international friendship presented to ACUHO-I in 1973 by the Ohiat Band of the British Columbia Indian Nation. The talking stick, or speaker’s staff, is hand-carved, and the inscription explains, “It is a sign of authority carried when proclamations are to be made or a meeting of chiefs is in session. It is a token of common heritage both to Canadians and Americans.”
