SEAHO Report - Winter 2013 - (Page 35)

SEAHO FEATURE Best Practices: Student Athlete Population in Housing By Kimiya Bond Graduate Admission Representative Clemson University In fall 2012, I had the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and explore the world of housing through a graduate internship. I lived in the residence halls during my undergraduate years; however, it never crossed my mind to get professional experience in this functional area. As a former student athlete my passion lies within college athletics, but I wondered how I could get athletic experience within residential life. I reached out to Lani San Antonio, the Assistant Director for Residential Life in Suites and Apartments at Clemson University about doing an internship. She oversees an area that houses many student athletes, creating a unique chance to marry athletics and housing. Through my internship we conducted research on athletics and student athletes to better understand this student population, to learn about their needs as a population, and to discover best practices to serve them in housing. Our research included: the history of athletics and Title IX, student athlete characteristics, NCAA regulations, institutional structures, and relating athletic rules to residential life. We gathered this information and presented at the South Carolina College Personnel Association’s annual conference to share ideas with other student affairs practitioners on ways to better support student athletes in residential communities. Additionally, we used this knowledge in conjunction with information from a Resident Assistant focus group I conducted to create a survey for student athletes in housing. The survey was administered during a student athlete program that garnered one of the largest turnouts in this specific housing area thus far. The following information includes a background in athletics to help student affairs professionals understand the student athlete population, as well as, best practices for housing officers who work directly with this population. SEAHO Report Winter 2013 Athletic Background Information 1. Know the role of athletics on your campus Is your institution a football school or a basketball school? Do you know how many and which sports are on your campus? This information is important to recognize how the campus environment is shaped by athletics. Additionally, how are sports governed at your institution? Rules from Division 1 or Division 2 schools may differ which affects what rules student athletes abide by at your institution. 2. Understand Title IX and how it applies to teams on campus Title IX requires gender equality for males and females in every funded educational program. In relation to sports, Title IX provides all student athletes with equal opportunity to play, proportional distribution of scholarships, and benefits such as equipment, tutoring, medical training and locker rooms. 3. Learn the perceptions & characteristics of student athletes All student athletes are not the same; therefore, it is important to stay away from stereotypes. Recognition of personal biases and your institution’s perception of student athletes are essential to address when working with this population. For example, not all athletes are in “easy” majors and not every student athlete has received a full scholarship. Become aware of these biases and manage them appropriately. 4. Follow the rules & regulations relating to housing The NCAA rules of Amateurism and Employment Earnings are apparent within residential life. Student athletes cannot represent any other athletic team including professional 35

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SEAHO Report - Winter 2013

SEAHO Report - Winter 2013
Contents
SEAHO President
SEAHO “Editor”
SEAHO News
Officer Elections
RELI – 10th Annual Institute
SEAHO 2013 Conference Schedule
Bridging Academic & Student Life Missions: Faculty- Inclusive Community Building in Residence Halls
Are We Ready?
Staff Development Tactics
Sustaining Sustainability: How Housing and Residence Life Can Impact the Sustainability Movement
Starting something that Matters—James Madison University partners with TOMS Shoes
Putting Professional Competencies into Practice
Ten Tips to Revolutionize Your Work Using Your iPad
Advising 101
Hiring Practices and Staff Supervision: Integrating Multicultural Competency to Foster an Inclusive Work Environment
Shifting Sands: Technology and the Shifting Landscape of Residence Hall Student Leadership
Best Practices: Student Athlete Population in Housing
Student Affairs Around the Region
Alabama Updates
Florida Updates
Kentucky Updates
Mississippi Updates
North Carolina Updates
Tennessee Updates
Virginia Updates

SEAHO Report - Winter 2013