Talking Stick - May/June 2009 - 45

students to experiences beyond the boundaries of their own country. The numbers do not lie; China and India have populations that will fundamentally change how the United States conducts business in the coming decade. Vice presidents, directors, and student affairs staff should recognize this phenomenon and adjust department practices accordingly. When a campus official encourages a department to assume a global perspective, then all boundaries are gone. No longer is a department expected to simply serve the local community. The housing operation, international student offices, student activities and organizations offices, career resource centers, servicelearning and new student programs offices are just a few of the student affairs offices well positioned to advance globalization and service to students from other countries. They can incorporate globalization into the student affairs strategic plan, develop international student focus groups to better understand the needs of various students, commit to traveling to and learning about other countries’ cultures and traditions, and help educate the campus regarding the complexity of accommodating and educating students from other countries. Other campus departments can also make a difference: counseling, faculty development, higher education administration, reserve officer training corps, recreational sports, admissions, athletics, orientation, advising, servant leadership, honors, religion, and health. Imagine the campus that offers cricket as a recreational sport. Imagine training ROTC cadets on international leadership or becoming the first graduate preparation program to provide an international experience for all higher education masters’ students. Imagine what would happen if admissions invested in the largest student populations on the globe – in China and India – or if religious services taught about faith by introducing other world religions. This year’s trip to Hong Kong has galvanized summit participants to think of new ways to strengthen student programs and services. Associations such as ACUHO-I and ACPA look forward to continuing these conversations about globalization. There is still much to learn and still much to teach. tS Norb Dunkel is assistant vice president and director of housing and residence education at the University of Florida. He is also ACUHO-I president. Tom Jackson Jr. is vice president of student affairs at the University of Louisville. He is also ACPA president. Expertise Imagination Partnership Performance Cannon Design is ranked among the leading international firms in planning and design for healthcare, science and technology, education, government, sports and recreation projects. The firm employs a staff of over 800, delivering services in 17 offices throughout North America, as well as abroad in China and India. As specialists in planning and design for campus life, our practice includes renovation, preservation and adaptive re-use, as well as design of new facilities. www.cannondesign.com

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Talking Stick - May/June 2009

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