Talking Stick - March/April 2019 - 8

VISION

The Bigger Picture
Let me apologize in advance for any typos that may appear in this column. My typing
fingers are just beginning to thaw out from my time in Chicago at the 2019 ACUHO-I
State of the Profession symposium. This year saw almost 90 professionals brave the
Polar Vortex for an intense three days of discussion and debate. The temperature outside may have been below zero, but the presentations inside were heated.
This event, now in its third year, is aimed at senior housing officers with a carefully curated agenda that gets to the most pressing
higher education topics of the day. It is a reminder of the fine line
that housing departments must navigate. On one hand there are the
day-to-day operations and one-on-one conversations that bring us
down into the weeds. On the other hand, though, the impact of our
work on such a large segment of the student population requires us
to look around and take in the bigger picture of what we do.

. . . THE IMPACT
OF OUR WORK
ON SUCH
A LARGE
SEGMENT OF
THE STUDENT
POPULATION
REQUIRES
US TO LOOK
AROUND
AND TAKE IN
THE BIGGER
PICTURE OF
WHAT WE DO.

To that end, this year's speakers included Aida Flores, who is the
candidate for Alderwoman in Chicago's 25th ward. We heard from
Brian Van Brunt who works with the NCHERM Group, which is
doing important work in the area of student mental health. A panel
discussion explored what the future of Greek life may hold.
Of course, politics and business were never too far from mind.
To that end, Scott Jaschik, the editor-in-chief of InsideHigherEd.com,
provided his perspective on the challenges facing higher education in
the coming year before moderating a panel on how to balance issues
of free speech with community development - a subject I'm sure we
would all agree is paramount. Other topics included crisis management, state and federal policy, the continuing role of public-private
partnerships, leadership, and much more.
As valuable as the presenters were, just as insightful were the
conversations participants had during breaks, over dinner, and as part
of the question-and-answer sessions. It was a welcome reminder of
the talent, dedication, and passion of those professionals attracted
to campus housing. It also was a reminder that even in those times
where there may not be one true answer to the challenges we face,
there is value in knowing that there are others experiencing similar
situations. It is in that area that I feel ACUHO-I excels, and I encourage all of you to take advantage of opportunities to connect and share
with colleagues, whether it occurs face-to-face, online, in print, or
any other means. By doing so we can help ensure that the state of our
association and our profession remains strong.
Alvin Sturdivant
ACUHO-I President
 sturdial@seattleu.edu

 @Alvinsturdivant

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

Cover: International
houses help take
the unknown out
of campus for
international students
and give them a
community to thrive
in. Read more about
the history of these
houses and what
we can learn from
their design in the
Facilities story on
page 26.
Photo: University of
Alberta International

TALKING STICK

http://www.InsideHigherEd.com

Talking Stick - March/April 2019

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