Talking Stick - May/June 2008 - 62

44 for the Future 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 12. Sympathize with a Sophomore It is important to acknowledge the changes that greet students when they return to campus for that oh-so-important second year. Their friendships will change, classes will be more difﬁcult, and they will be expected to navigate the university on their own. Find a way to help make that transition a bit easier. 16. No Place Like Home When was the last time you took a look at the live-in policies for your housing staff? Do the offerings match up with what today’s new professionals are looking for? Consider changes to rules concerning everything from domestic partners and pets to meal plans and facilities. 17. Mental Health Care 13. Challenge Yourself (Mentally) Participating in a book group or cultural event can help to deepen understanding and knowledge of today’s diverse student body. So make the time to complete an activity that challenges cultural assumptions and views. You may ﬁnd that the more you learn, the more you have to learn. Attend – or organize – a workshop on identifying at-risk or distressed individuals. Make sure that you and your staff are in sync on this sensitive topic in all areas from legal responsibilities to best practices. 18. Ride-A-Long Pick a night and sign up for a ride-a-long with one of the campus police ofﬁcers. Spending some time on their third (or late-night) shifts will foster a better relationship with the ofﬁcers on the shift that you deal with the most. Plus, it may help you gain some insight into what exactly happens if a student is arrested, transported, cited, or warned. 14. Challenge Yourself (Physically) It doesn’t have to be running a marathon or climbing a mountain, but for many the challenge of a sport or event like a mini-triathlon is appealing. And be sure to ﬁnd creative ways to reward yourself for maintaining your accountability and commitment to an exercise program. 19. Give Thanks Take the time to recognize a mentor who has contributed to your professional growth. It is important to let the people who have touched your professional path know how much you value what they have done for you. A quick note or telephone call can go far. 15. On Duty For some it might bring on a wave of nostalgia, but spending a day or night in charge of the duty pager can also be a great opportunity to brush up on some department protocol or take a new look at some existing policies or procedures. At the very least it could provide some empathy for those who have that responsibility on a daily basis. 20. Bag the Waste There are lots of places to improve sustainability efforts across the campus. Find one and get started. For example, make it a goal to eliminate all plastic bags from the dining centers and replace all Styrofoam and plastic containers with compostable sugarcane containers. 62 Talking Stick

Talking Stick - May/June 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - May/June 2008