Talking Stick - September/October 2014 - 11

Feed them

4

In the
next
Talking
STick

Food has a way of reducing stress and allowing informal
interaction. On what is a busy, stressful, and - for many parents
and students - an emotional day, providing a little something to
eat and drink can go a long way in helping them to relax. If the
budget doesn't support discounted or free meals in the dining
centers, provide water and cookie stations throughout the halls
or partner with a local vendor to provide free samples throughout
check-in lines. The possibilities are endless and can have a large
positive impact.

5
2

Have fun

Make move-in a fun and engaging event. Invite
the school mascot to come by the halls, invite the
marching band to play and walk around, and invite
senior leadership to come and greet students and
parents. These ideas to implement the element of
fun are simple and easy to set up. Even though it is a
stressful and busy time, make it joyous and fun, and
it will be contagious to students and their parents.

Using these five tips can take your move-in process to the next level or make what
is currently going very well just a little bit smoother. Bottom line, make move-in an
ongoing conversation both internally and externally and ensure that it is something
that people are excited about. Hall move-in is a key cornerstone of the campus
experience and sets the tone for new students and families. We owe it to ourselves
and the institutions we work for to make it the best first impression possible.

On the
Mailing
List

I am writing this afternoon to receive input with regard
to partnerships your department has with your campus
counseling center. We are considering a model at the
University of Mississippi whereby we bring doctoral-level
counseling students into our halls to serve as a resource for
our staff and residents. If you could share the different ways
your department partners with counseling services and any
specific successes or challenges that you have experienced,
that would be most helpful!
Jack A. Harris Jr., Associate Director for Residential Learning, The
University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi

Coming in the
November +
December issue:
*	Handling	allergy	
issues in the halls
*	Compassionate	
management of
student death
*	Housing	through	
a businessoriented lens

Does tHe
Talking STick
reaCH enougH
oF your staFF?
Call (614) 292-0099 or
email talkingstick@
acuho-i.org for more
information about
additional membership
subscriptions.

-Brian Stroup

Hi Jack,
We just opened a wellness center and will have a doctoral
student from the counseling program (supervised by
the counseling center) this upcoming fall semester. This
counselor-in-residence will hold office hours in the late day
and/or early evening and will provide some triage service. I
can provide more information as you have interest.
Hope it helps. Best regards,
Michael Stark, Associate Director, Residential Living
and Learning, Texas A&M University Commerce,
Commerce, Texas
September + OctOber 2014

11
Talking Stick - September/October 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - September/October 2014
