Talking Stick - May/June 2009 - 72

snapsHot chris addingTon textIng Is fantastIc. wIth 518 resIdents I use It all the tIMe to contact students. What’s the first thing you do when you get into the office each morning? Say hello to staff and students, check my e-mail, and read the nightly log book. What’s the biggest issue for the students on your campus right now? For the residents of University College they are just getting into the second week of lectures for the year. Coming to grips with the reality of university study for the first time can be very challenging for many of them. What’s the biggest issue you see facing the profession right now? I’m only in my second year of the job, so it is a bit hard for me to comment on the profession. Balancing the management and bureaucratic demands of the job with the demands of providing a positive and lively residential atmosphere is always challenging but rewarding. What makes your campus unique? Dunedin is very much a student town. With 20,000 students living in the heart of a small city of 125,000 it makes for a very vibrant and lively place. What resource can’t you live without? Cell phone and e-mail. What made you decide to work in housing? If you hadn’t chosen housing, what would your job be? I spent 20+ years in secondary education with the last six years as a high school principal. I had several very enjoyable years as an RA at Stanford University in the 1980s, and this seemed to be a logical and positive career move. CHris aDDington is the master of University College at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. Who would you like to see featured in Snapshot? Send your suggestions to camille@acuho-i.org. When was the last time you awoke to a phone call from work in the middle of the night? Can’t remember the last phone call but I do get up quite a bit for the fire alarm – it has always been a false alarm since I have been here. What do you wish was different about your job? I am always looking for more time to spend with the residents planning and preparing positive, fun activities, taking photos, etc. New social technology like texting and Facebook: Good or evil? Texting is fantastic. With 518 residents I use it all the time to contact students. I don’t have a Facebook site, but it is one of the most popular Web sites for students. What’s your biggest challenge on campus? My personal biggest challenge (and also my greatest joy) is managing 518 residents – 487 of whom are first-year university students. Best speaker you’ve been impressed by? I was recently very impressed by Andy Gourlay, who is the founder of the Australian group Red Frogs. He has a real heart for young people and a very positive organization for supporting them. Last meal at a campus dining hall? Dinner last night. Beef with black bean sauce was the main course – very nice. Name the individuals who made the greatest impact on your career. My fellow colleagues in the other Otago residential colleges. Favorite campus traditions? Graduation parades down the main street of Dunedin led by a pipe band. 72 Talking STick

Talking Stick - May/June 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - May/June 2009