submitted by Donna Talbot
Welcome to the new Commission XII members, welcome back to returning members, and greetings to all who read this newsletter. Commission XII Professional Preparation is committed to the recruitment, preparation, and continuing education of student affairs professionals. The majority of C-XII members are graduate faculty, student affairs professionals who are also engaged in teaching, students and others who aspire to be faculty, or other ACPA member interested in graduate education.
Its hard to believe that the summer is over and school is back in session. Chris Phelps Tobin and I have been keeping in touch as we transition from her leadership to my two years as Chair of Commission XII. It feels much better coming into this role knowing that I will have a job if I choose to keep it (having just received tenure in June). By the way, Chris is doing well; she and Kevin, her partner, anticipate the birth of their first baby together in October.
Much has transpired in the last year, with many projects carrying into 1998-1999. For an up-to-date listing of some of our activities and the contact people responsible for them, please visit our web-page (see page 2). C-XII has continued to discuss ways to assist new faculty in their adjustment to academia. To that end, Terry Williams (Loyola), Anna Ortiz (Michigan State) and Will Barratt (Indiana State) have formed a team to investigate creative ways to reach out to new faculty. Once again this year, Commission XII will attempt to facilitate continued scholarship through the granting of several research and writing awards: Lee Ward (George Mason) is coordinating this process. Another on-going (and very political) project is the Quality Enhancement (QE) Project, which links the C-XII CSP guidelines with the CAS Standards. Finally, though the Careers in Student Affairs Week is not longer the sole responsibility of C-XII (it was adopted by the Professional Development Core Council), our members continue to develop regional fairs and provide direction for this initiative.
ACPA Update
The summer leadership meeting was held at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Let's just say that July may not be the ideal time to plan a trip to Atlanta (but March should be great). Many serious conversations took place. Since disaffiliation from AACD, ACPA has experienced tremendous growth, as well as growing pains. Now that the organization is more stable (fiscally and organizationally), it seems like a good time to self-assess, make necessary changes, and plan for a bright future. More specifically, discussions focused on the role and relationship of the Standing Committees to the larger organization (as well as the Commissions), ways to increase the financial base of the organization, the recruitment and retention of ACPA members (which will be handled by a newly developed group led by Bob Caruso and Lynn Reeder). Though the discussion about Standing Committees was triggered by an upcoming proposal for another Standing Committee (Disability Awareness), which will probably come to a vote at the national convention, the conversation was much broader and somewhat emotionally charged. These discussions addressed much more than structure, delving into desperately needed dialogue about ACPA's purpose, goals, values and future. Once again, Charles Schroeder spoke to the group about the Educational Leadership Foundation. In addition, for ACPA''s 75th anniversary celebration in Atlanta, there will be The 75th Diamond Honoree Program. This is a way to have a mentor/colleague recognized and honored at the annual convention, as well as raise money for the organization (watch for flyers and e-mail notices).
Chris Phelps Tobin opened the meeting with introductions. We quickly moved to brief reports from directorate members involved with specific projects.
Budget
The budget is sound, though this year proved to be a tight year since we were subsidizing the QE Project. Despite this, C-XII was able to carry out all its activities. Having a new e-mail newsletter (thanks to Mark Connolly) helped to reduce our printing and mailing expenses.
Elections
For the first time in many years, we expanded our Directorate body to help "staff" some of the projects that Commission XII has taken on. The new directorate body members are: Jan Arminio (Shippensburg), Liz Broughton (Eastern Michigan), Victoria Guthrie (Ohio), Anna Ortiz (Michigan State), Lemuel Watson (Heartland Community College) and Terry Williams (Loyola). The new Chair-elect is Patrick Love (Kent State). All directorate body members are expected to attend all C-XII meetings and activities at the national conventions, as well as take responsibility for at least one of our on-going projects.
Conference Programs
There was a large number of submissions for sponsorship by Commission XII. The selection process was led by Diane Cooper (Georgia). Five programs were sponsored with topics ranging from a computer-assisted experiential exercise to faculty publication information.
Research and Writing Awards
Carol Logan Patitu (Texas A&M) had a busy year with her committee; there were 17 submissions for our four awards. Tracy L. Davis (now a new faculty member at Western Illinois) received the Burns Crookston Doctoral Award. Heather Rowan and Leanne Cannon, two master's students at Bowling Green received the Gerald Saddlemire Master's Research Award. Yesenia Sanchez-Giancola from Loyola University-Chicago received the Robert Christie Essay Award. And, Tracy Tyree, University of Maryland-College Park, received the Nevitt Sanford Research Award. Congratulations to all our scholars!
Directory
Mike Coomes (Bowling Green) provided an update of our web-based Directory. From January 1 to December 31, 1998, the web-based Directory received over 210,000 hits. Given this level of activity, we see it as an imperative that this source by continued and updated. Mike also provided information on how programs can update their individual web pages. With the new Directory tied to the QE project, the plans for publication are still tentative.
New Faculty Liaison Program
Donna Talbot reported minimal activity with this program. She suggested that we develop a focus on new faculty in CSP programs. Three people volunteered to look into this: Terry Williams, Will Barratt, and Anna Ortiz.
submitted by Lee Ward
To recognize outstanding writing by students enrolled in graduate preparation in Student Affairs and Higher Education. All recipients of awards will be recognized and honored at the 1999 ACPA Annual Convention in Atlanta.
Burns B. Crookston Doctoral Research Award
These entries from doctoral students should entail original, journal-quality research on student learning and development or the organization and administration of student affairs programs. Award amount is $100.
Gerald Saddlemire Masters Research Award
These entries from masters program students should entail original, journal-quality research on student learning and development or the organization and administration of the student affairs programs. Award amount is $100.
Robert Christie Award
These entries should be an essay on the theme "Educating Tomorrow's Leaders". Award amount is $100.
Nevitt Sanford Award
The purpose of the Nevitt Sanford Award is to provide financial assistance for research related to student affairs. The award may be used for support of dissertations, theses or special projects. Award amount is $200.
Guidelines for submission:
Submit four copies of each entry, accompanied by a letter clearly specifying the award for which the entry is to be judged to:
Dr. Lee Ward Director of the Center for Leadership, Service and Transitions MSC 1010 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA 22807Entries for Crookston, Saddlemire and Christie awards must not exceed 15 double-spaced, typewritten pages, including references, tables and figures. All writing must strictly conform to the American Psychological Association Publication Manual (4th Edition). Content and style should be appropriate for publication in the Journal of College Student Development or other similar scholarly journals in the field of student affairs.
Entries for the Sanford Award must not exceed three double-spaced, typewritten pages and should address the purpose, methodology and significance of the research, as well as the literature central to subject. The entry must include a separate statement of research expenses, including a brief statement of the plans for supporting the research through currently granted research awards, fellowships, assistantships, self support or other means.
Entries for the Sanford Award must also be accompanied by a letter of recommendation and support from the faculty research advisor. This letter should address the importance of the research project, as well as the need for financial assistance. This letter should be sent under separate cover to the address above.
All submissions will be judged anonymously. Authors are requested to place their name(s), current address, telephone number and E-mail address on removable cover sheets.
A letter from the student's major professor or advisor certifying that the student is pursuing a graduate degree, or was pursuing such a degree at the time that the entry was submitted, and is/was enrolled in at least one term during the current or immediate past academic year.
All entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, January 8, 1999. Judging of entries will begin on January 15. A confirmation of receipt of the entry will be sent to all students submitting a paper for consideration.
The judges reserve the right to make no award if no submission in any category is deemed appropriate or if less than two entries are received in any category.
Additional information describing judging criteria for all awards, as well as application forms for the Sanford Award, may be obtained by sending an E-mail message to Lee Ward at <wardwl@jmu.edu> or calling 540-568-6597.
submitted by Nancy Evans
The Midwest Meeting of Graduate Students (and Faculty) in Student Personnel will be meeting at Iowa State University in Ames, IA from Wednesday evening, November 11 through Friday noon, November 13. This is the 22nd meeting of MMOGSISP and the first time the meeting has been held west of the Mississippi River. The theme of the conference, Building Bridges: Past, Present, and Future, highlights the importance of creating linkages between student affairs and other members of the campus and local community, including academic administrators, faculty, alumni, and community agencies.The conference is also designed to promote colleagiality among graduate students and faculty in student affairs preparation programs. Out goal is to provide conference participants with an inclusive and meaningful conference experience that will heighten awareness of opportunities within higher education.
Major speakers for the conference include Dan Robinson, Professor of Higher Education, Iowa State University; Kathy Humphrey, Associate Vice President for Student Development, St. Louis University; and Martin Jischke, President, Iowa State University. The program will also include luncheon panels on the following topics: small colleges, upward mobility for women and minorities, the road to the vice presidency, and involving colleges: then and now. "Hot topic" sessions will include risk management/alcohol abuse; minority student recruitment and retention; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues; and learning communities. All of these sessions will be led by professionals in the field. In addition, graduate students are invited to submit program proposals for presentation.
Student affairs faculty will hold an informal conference concurrently with the student conference. Program updates, current issues and initiatives, and scholarly activity will be the focus of the conversation. In addition, faculty are invited to attend major speaker sessions and have meals with the students.
Cost of the conference is $60 including dinner and dessert reception on Wed., continental breakfast and lunch on Thurs., Friday brunch, printed conference materials, parking, and entertainment. All events will be held at the Iowa State University Memorial Union. Accommodations have been reserved at the ISU Memorial Union (515-292-1111), Budgetel (515-296-2500), and Ramada Inn (1-800-922-7384). Registration materials and/or information concerning MMOGSISP can be requested by email at
Information about the faculty program can be obtained from Nancy Evans at nevans@iastate.edu or 515-294-7113.
Conference Updates by Donna M. Talbot
Atlanta Dates/Events for Directorate Body Members:
It is my hope that Directorate body members will make EVERY effort to attend all these events.
- 7:30-9:00 am All Commissions Diversity Enhancement/Affirmative Action Workshop
- 9:15 am-12:30 pm Commission XII Business Meeting
- 1:30-4:30 pm Open Meeting /Discussion topic
- TBA-Commission Newsletter Representatives
- TBA-Commission Membership Chairs
Atlanta Conference General Update
Atlanta promises to be an exciting conference.
Anything Goes by Rebecca Oliver
The members of Commission IX will have additions to the slated programs form the 1999 ACPA Diamond Anniversary Convention in Atlanta, GA. The Assessment Exchange is a special program sponsored by Commission IX: Assessment for Student Development. This program will occur on Tuesday afternoon and will take the format of a modified poster session.
The Assessment Exchange will take the form of modified poster session in order to provide an outlet for assessment success stories, resources, research methodology, and other ideas and /or programming. It would also be a place for participants to exchange assessment instruments, both quantitative (i.e. surveys) and qualitative (i.e. interview protocols), from different colleges and universities across the country. In addition, the session would allow for a question and answer forum, possibly with "Ask the Experts" or "How To" booths.
Solicitations for poster sessions will be listed in the Fall Commission IX and Commission XII newsletters, posted on listservs, and in Developments. The current theme of the Assessment Exchange is "Anything Goes". Further information regarding criteria will be forthcoming in the Fall. The deadline will not be until mid/late-December.
Each poster session that is selected will be required to have a poster session (5 minimum, 15 maximum pages), handouts for 50-100 participants, and at least one person to field questions from participants. Poster sessions will be selected by members of the "Assessment Exchange" committee.
In addition, Commission IX is collaborating with Commission XII: Professional Preparation to contact graduate programs across the country to solicit additional poster sessions. The Assessment Exchange committee is also collaborating with the AAHE Assessment Forum, a national network connecting and assisting those interesting in assessing higher education, in promoting this special program.
Marketing of this special program will occur before and during the 1999 Convention via E-mail, listservs, newsletters, and promos during the Convention.
If you have questions about the Assessment Exchange or would like more information, please contact Rebecca Oliver, Chair, at roliver@admin.fsu.edu or (850) 664- 4364.
Lemuel Watson Heartland Community College Daniel Salter Pennsylvania State University