Dear Team,
I notice typos. I cringe when I read something I’ve sent out and realize I’ve missed one, and I confess to a thrill of pleasure when I surprise one in a digital document and rub it out with that ultra satisfying red line. (Welcome to my dark side.)
But typos can also create opportunities to think differently about things we’ve become accustomed to thinking about in predictable ways. Want an example? Well, sports fans, check out this MSN Sports article that first ran in August 2020 with this headline: “This new Denver Broncos hat has the best typo ever.”
Best typo ever? Of course, I had to read it, and I admit I was delighted by the speculations a missing “R” could provoke. I think even I could become a fan of the Denver “Boncos.”
And, of course, that started me thinking about my impulse to eradicate typos. Perhaps I need to think about typos differently.
Walk with me, now, while I do a little mental meandering around the alphabet.
A lot of work life can become very transactional and predictable. In our society, there is a form for X, a process for X, and a department for X. But what if all of our “X’s” went missing? What opportunities might that create? Would that invite us to think differently about how we name, communicate, or even do something? Would it provoke us to indulge in a bit of daring speculation about other ways we might represent ourselves or conduct our services? We work in “Student Affairs”--14 letters (well, 10 if you don’t count duplicates) that try to describe what we do. But, when I think about it, I rarely run into a student or parent who knows what those letters mean. In fact, a student once told me that he had never actually visited “Student Affairs” because he’d never gotten into trouble. Oh dear. Clearly, there are some misunderstandings out there about what “Student Affairs” means.
So what if we misplaced all of those letters and had to find new ones to let people know what we do? What would we come up with, and how might those new, unexpected words make a difference to people who really just need to know that someone cares about them as individuals and is ready to help? No, we don’t need to throw out our division title. But perhaps we can give some thought to what we need to communicate about who we are and what we do.
Think of the possibilities!
Lyn Redington
Vice President for Student Affairs
and Enrollment Management
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March Spotlight: Idaho Falls Student Affairs Team |
It is truly amazing to see the synergy present as our Student Affairs departments at ISU-Idaho Falls continue to meet the needs of our campus community.
Student Activities Board – Idaho Falls (SAB-IF)
Our Student Activities Board – Idaho Falls has done a spectacular job coming up with out-of-the box ideas to offer our students 24 events in fall semester, with a similar number planned for spring. Their fun online trivia competitions and events “In a Box/To Go” ideas have allowed them to safely serve students on campus and to reach many online students who might not otherwise have participated, Covid-19 notwithstanding. Several of these ideas (Movie Night in a Box, Carnival to Go, etc.) will continue even after campus returns to some level of normality.
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Submitting Student Affairs Communications & Marketing Content |
On Thursday, February 25th, you received an Idaho State Today issue announcing a "new process for submitting campus announcements and story ideas." This is part of University Marketing's continuing effort to ensure the efficient dissemination of information across our campuses and to our community. However, this does not change our Student Affairs' process for the development or review of our division communications and marketing. Not all divisions or departments have a Communications & Marketing team to help prepare content for distribution, so University Marketing's new process provides a way for all campus partners and departments to promote their content. For our division, please continue to submit your content to our Student Affairs Communications & Marketing (SACM) team, using the links we have provided in our GUIDE. One of our SA Communications & Marketing team members meets weekly with University Marketing to coordinate publications coming from our division, and University Marketing works diligently to provide support and development beyond our bandwidth. If you have any questions about SA Communications & Marketing, reach out to our Kelly Moor, our SA Director of Strategic Communications, at [email protected].
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Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group |
Losing a loved one to suicide can be a profoundly painful and isolating experience. The complexity of the emotions can feel overwhelming, and often survivors struggle to know who to talk to for fear others won't understand. Counseling and Testing Service offers a group for survivors of suicide loss to connect with others who have suffered the loss of a loved one to suicide. This group is open to students, staff and faculty.
2nd Thursday of each month, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. (Upcoming dates: March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8)
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Education Department Amplifies USDA Expansion of SNAP Benefits to Help Students Pursuing Postsecondary Education During Pandemic |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 23, 2021
Education Department Press Office
USDA Press Office
As part of its ongoing efforts to ease the economic burden on millions of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education—in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—issued guidance to postsecondary institutions to inform them about temporarily expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility for students in need.
“Since the onset of this pandemic, college students already living with low incomes have experienced significant life disruptions including increased food insecurity,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education Michelle Asha Cooper. “No student should have to worry about where their next meal will come from while balancing their studies. Informing eligible students of these benefits can help ease that uncertainty.”
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2021 BENNY AWARDS, CALL FOR NOMINATIONS |
The Division of Student Affairs is seeking nominations for the 2021 Benny Awards.
The Benny Awards recognize the accomplishments of our students, colleagues, and alumni who have positively impacted our campus community in 2020-2021. Having faced so many challenges in our daily lives, it is important to recognize the unsung champions, emerging leaders, and exceptional organizations that make our Bengal Family shine.
Please submit nominations for any of the following categories by visiting ISU Benny Awards.
Undergraduate Student Leader of the Year
Graduate Student Leader of the Year
Roar Bengal Roar (Spirit Award)
Faculty Member of the Year
Staff Member of the Year
Exemplary Service Award
Inspirational Bengal of the Year
Outstanding Event of the Year
Student Organization Advisor of the Year
Student Organization of the Year
Alumnus of the Year
Student Affairs Award of Distinction (Classified)
Student Affairs Award of Distinction (Non-Classified)
Nominations are due by Friday, March 12, 2021
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March 4th - 3:00 to 5:00
Zoom
This presentation will showcase the impressive art and skill one must showcase to do drag make-up.
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Intervene - Bystander Intervention Workshop |
March 5th from 9:00 to 11:00, or April 13th from 12:00 to 2:00
Video: The online 20-minute video Intervene includes brief filmed scenarios demonstrating ways in which student bystanders can successfully intervene in problematic situations. Seven different situations are addressed, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence (emotional abuse), hazing, alcohol emergency, emotional distress, and bias. Characters in the film represent the diverse identities of college student populations including race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.
Workshop: 60-minute workshop provides an opportunity for students to view the video with others and engage in a facilitated conversation to reflect upon the attitudes and behaviors that influence the process of intervening as an individual or with assistance. Participants also discuss additional related scenarios not included in the film.
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Positive Body Image Symposium 2021 |
Join us on March 9th for Positive Body Image Symposium 2021. Register today!
This year's symposium will feature renowned researchers and lectures with expertise in body image. The symposium is free to the ISU community and the general public. Continuing Education credits or CE’s needed with certificates are available ($25.00 for 3 CE's or $10.00 per session for 1 CE). Click here to pay for CEs.
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Support Group now Available for ISU Employees! |
Many of us are feeling disconnected from our normal sources of support during this time, especially working from home and limiting interactions with friends and family in an effort to slow the spread of COVID. While important for staying safe, this social distancing is taking a toll! CATS offers support meetings each week for ISU staff and faculty who would like the opportunity to connect with other employees. This is a time to share about the joys and challenges we face during this unprecedented time. Come weekly or just when you can.
WHEN: Wednesdays, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
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Support Groups for Students |
Know a student who could use some support? Talk to them about CATS Connections! CATS Connection groups are a chance for students to connect with other students who may be struggling with similar issues. We have a variety of options; students can come weekly or just pop in when their schedule allows! While hosted by Counseling and Testing Service, these are not therapy groups and students are not required or expected to be seeking services with CATS.
STUDENTS WHO ARE PARENTS: Thursdays, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
AUTISM SPECTRUM SUPPORT: Wednesdays, 11:00am - 12:00pm
NEW! JUST ADDED!
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT: Fridays, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT: Wednesdays, 12:00pm - 12:45pm
FORMER FOSTER & HOMELESS YOUTH SUPPORT: Wednesdays, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
All groups are ONLINE.
Students must register online for the Zoom link. (groups are listed under "CATS Connections")
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RESPOND Mental Health Training Offered Online |
RESPOND: Mental Health Training offered on 2 consecutive Fridays in March to accommodate varying schedules. This training is an 8-hr in depth training to help recognize and respond to mental health issues on our campus. Open to staff and faculty, as well as students who may encounter issues through various leadership or working roles on campus.
Friday, March 5 and Friday, March 12, 8:30am - 12:30pm (both days required for full training)
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