Talking Stick - July/August 2016 - 8

VISION

Decision Time
The other shoe has dropped.
After months of speculation, the United States Department of Labor has released
the details of its revisions to the Fair Labor Standards Act. More specifically, it has set the
salary exemption level ($47,476) and the deadline for compliance (December 1, 2016).
This means that it is time for businesses, including campus housing departments, to
research, plan, craft, and enact their processes for how they will proceed under the new
guidelines.

. . . WHILE THERE
CERTAINLY ARE
THE FINANCIAL
RAMIFICATIONS
OF THE
DECISION, I
THINK THE REAL
CASE IS THAT IT
STRIKES AT THE
HEART OF WHAT
WE DO AS A
PROFESSION.

This issue has caused as much conversation, debate, and concern
as almost any that I can recall in my career. As a profession we have
prepared ourselves and our students to respond to infectious diseases,
budget restrictions, alcohol abuse, mental health concerns, and several
other issues including other governmental regulations, yet this one
seems to be causing the greatest consternation. Through the past
weeks I've thought about why this might be the case. I've come to the
conclusion that, while there certainly are the financial ramifications of
the decision, I think the real case is that it strikes at the heart of what
we do as a profession.
There are several subtleties to consider, but, at its core, the FLSA
regulations will affect the structures that we have erected to respond
to after-hour emergencies and evening programming: some of the
most important and unique services that our departments provide.
Responding to this issue, particularly at smaller institutions, will result
in some wholesale changes. We all know that change can be scary and
difficult but that one can come out on the other side of it stronger than
before.
Recognizing the importance of this issue, ACUHO-I has marshalled
a great many resources to help prepare members to respond. Along
with the feature article in this issue of the Talking Stick, ACUHO-I
already has hosted two webinars, participated in two others, and
scheduled one for later this month. In addition, we have put together
a roundtable session to be held at the annual conference and will
report on those findings. Finally, the Public Policy Advisory Committee
continues to monitor reports out of Washington, D.C., looking for any
news that could be of assistance to our campus preparations.

Please watch for more resources from ACUHO-I in response to this news. Also,
please don't be afraid to share your stories as well by posting messages on our online
community or reaching out to association leaders. There is no greater resource than
the collective wisdom and experience of our membership. Together, we will continue
under this new way of doing business, just as we have always responded before.
Allan Blattner

TALKING STICK
Symbol of International
Friendship
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."

ON THE
COVER

In the Fast Lane
FLSA and ACA are changing how
housing works.

July + August 2016 | Volume 33, Number 5

published by the Association of College and University
Housing Officers - International

Staff stand at the
ready for move-in
at Ohio State in
Columbus. Read
how members are
reacting to the latest
FLSA information on
page 52.

ACUHO-I President
 allan_blattner@unc.edu
 @apblattner
 ablattner
 allan blattner
8

TALKING STICK

Photo Credit: The
Ohio State University

Talking Stick - July/August 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - July/August 2016