2 BITS

SUMMER 2014

PILLARPROFESSION

OF THE

ART SANDEEN HONORED AT NASPA 2014

10 TIPSALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

LINDSAY RITENBAUGH, SPHE C/O 2014

A STUDENT PERSONNEL ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

NEXT ISSUE

A SPA GUIDE TO FALL CONFERENCE SEASON

Hello SPHE Family!I hope that everyone is having a wonderful summer and that you all are finding time to enjoy yourselves outside of your hectic work schedules. It is with great honor that I write to you on behalf of the SPA membership and SPHE cohort members. First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the entire 2014 Cohort on their graduation and welcome the 2016 Cohort to the SPHE family. I know that I speak for my fellow cohort members when I say we have mixed emotions of sadness and pride for our mentors who graduated and began their professional careers, but we are also beyond excited to welcome a new group of amazing individuals to the Gator Nation! Please help us to welcome and guide our new cohort, as you have always done, and show them that choosing this program is going to be one of their best decisions.

As with any transition, there is of course, a lot of work to be done as we continue striving to promote our students and excel program as global leaders. As I am sure many of you have already seen, the University of Florida Personnel and Counselling Services were just ranked in the Top Five by US News and World Report! This rating is a direct result of the amazing divisional support, our faculty, and our alumni who promote and showcase our program through their

achievements in the field. The SPA Executive Board has a lot of goals for the year, and it is our hope that we can use this platform as a springboard to accelerate progress and momentum towards there successful completion. Before I share some of our major goals, I would like to introduce the current SPA Executive Board that will be leading this charge in the heart of the Gator Nation.

Katie Shapiro- A Graduate Hall Director in Buckman Hall and Treasurer of SPA (kshapiro90@ufl.edu)Nikki Steinberger- A Graduate Staff Member in Housing and Residence Education for Student Learning and Engagement and Director of New Student Relations for SPA (nsteinberger@ufl.edu)Richard Mahler- A Graduate Staff Member in Housing and Residence Education for Conduct and Community Standards and Secretary of SPA (mahler90@ufl.edu)Hollie Daniels- A Graduate Assistant in Off-Campus Life and Director of Professional Development for SPA (holliedaniels@ufl.edu)

A couple of our main goals include:• Recruitment:Aswestrive toboth increasevisibilityofourprogram and attract the highest quality and most passionate students to the program.• Membership:WehopetoincreaserepresentationfromSPHEcohorts, division graduate assistants, and undergraduate associate members interested in careers in student affairs.• Professional Development/Alumni Connection: Enhanceopportunities to supplement holistic learning and increase consistent connection with alumni across the globe• VariousUFBasedProjects: Includingapracticumdatabasefor students, increased connection and partnership with the College of Education, and more events and opportunities to take advantage of within the larger UF Community, and much more.

I thank you all for your continued support and appreciate your ongoing assistance as we aim to achieve our goals and make a positive impact for our students, the university community, and broader profession.

Warmest Regards and #SPHElove,

Mick EarleyPresident, Student Personnel Associationmjearley@ufl.edu

WELCOME

a note from the

president

It all started in 1949 at Florida Field when George Edmondson looked at the crowd around him as the Gators were playing The Citadel. Fans were booing the team and George would not stand for it, he jumped up and got the fans cheering, and so began the legend of Mr. 2-Bits.

Always dressed in his signature yellow-shirt and orange-and-blue tie, Edmondson is the only man capable of silencing a crowd of over 90,000 fan with a mighty blow from his whistle! Gator fans all across the world are eternally grateful for the man who starts every Gator home football game with the phrase "Two-bits, Four-bits, Six-bits, a dollar. All for the Gators, Stand up and holler!"

Though Edmondson was never a student at UF, the University has named him an honorary alumnus of the school, and he has claimed it as his new alma mater. Edmondson receives no compensation for his service, he does it for the love of the game and for the love of the Gators.

1 Alumni Spotlight Two Bits visits with Lindsay Ritenbaugh SPHE Alum class of 2013

2 Making it Reitz Construction continues on the renovation and expansion of the historic student union

3 Sandeen Honored NASPA honors Art Sandeen with the prestigious "Pillar of the Profession" award

7 Ten Tips Starting a job search can be daunting. SPA gives you a few tips on finding the right fit

9 New Kids on the Block The SPHE class of 2016 takes shape

11 Quick Bits SPA Looks into current issues in Higher Education

Two Bits is a quarterly magazine from the Student Personnel Association at the University of Florida. This publication features news from the organization, alumni spotlights, and happenings from throughout the Gator Nation. All for the Gators....

What is Two Bits?

In this issue

Photo credits: University of Florida

Glass pieces in select sections of the exterior are cut to resemble an alligators scales. This ties the university mascot into the student union in a unique and fun way.

History renewed

The SPHE Alum sits down with SPA to talk Gators, Demons, and Fajitas.

Lindsay Ritenbaugh continues her journey in student affairs at DePaul University in Chicago, IL.

From Gator to Demon

1 2caution

Since 1967 the Reitz Union has been the center of student activities and the heart of student involvement. The Reitz Union serves more than 20,000 students, faculty, staff, and visitors each day. The dramatic expansion and renovation project will add much needed student activities space to accommodate UF's growing student body. The project includes the construction of a new 100,000 square foot multilevel structure, and renovation of up to 50,000 square feet of the existing building.

expansion

The Expansion Phase will consist of new construction of approximately 100,000 square feet of additional space. The new construction will include offices and support space for student clubs and organizations including Student Government, offices and program space for the Center for Leadership and Service, the Department of Student Activities and Involvement, the Office of Multicultural and Diversity Affairs, and GatorWell Health Promotion Services. The new construction will also include lounges and study spaces, meeting rooms, dance rehearsal studios, and a “new” Orange & Brew.

renovation

The Renovation Phase will consist of renovation of parts of the existing building. Priorities include:

Energy efficiency including replacement

of all exterior windows and doors with low energy glass and insulated frames

Restoration of exterior surfaces and structural components

Replacement and updating of major infrastructure systems (electrical, plumbing, and HVAC)

Updating of interior finishes and lighting

Completion of the project will enable the Reitz Union to more adequately provide the facilities, services, and programs needed to support the needs of the diverse student population as well as the broader campus community. The renovations to the existing facility will increase energy efficiency thereby saving operational costs, and greatly enhancing building comfort and functionality.

visit tHe gallery onlineFor more photo renderings as well as full project info go to MakeitReitz.com

What have you been up to since leaving the Gainesville?I moved to Chicago in May 2013 and took a job as Program Coordinator for Student Organizations at DePaul University.

What makes a great student affairs professional?The ability to navigate change and transition by utilizing your Strengths and Schlossberg's 4S model--both personally and professionally.

What advice would you give second years in the initial job search?I know this sounds terribly cliche but good things truly do come to those who wait. Every "no" you receive is just a reminder that your perfect fit hasn't yet presented itself. Trust the process and know that you will find a home when it's time.

Looking back on your time at UF, what prepared you most for your current position?The practical experience I gained in my internship, practicum, and graduate assistantship helped me develop supervising and advisory skills I have been able to use in my first position. I also greatly appreciated the capstone course and mock interviews

which helped us have an edge on other candidates from other institutions.

What's next for you?I am transitioning into a new role from Morale advisor to overall advisor of DemonTHON, DePaul's Dance Marathon for 2014-2015!

Any advice for the first years?Don't say yes to every opportunity that arises. A wise person once told me to wait ten days before asking to get involved in anything and everything as a graduate student. Don't wear yourself thin in your first semester or year. Take time for yourself and focus on being the best graduate assistant/practicing student/intern you can be—when the time is right. It's been to have a shorter list of impactful involvement than a laundry list of superficial involvement.

Favorite practicum experience?Being a co-advisor with Rachel Rollo Decker and James Tyger for two years at the Young Leaders Confererence. I gained so much crisis management and leadership development training during those two weekends.

Favorite UF Tradition?Swaying back and forth with 90,000 of my closest friends and singing along to "We are the Boys" after the third quarter of Florida Football.

Best food in Gainesville?Tijuana Flats, even though it's a chain. I would do anything for Taco Tuesday and their queso. The closest one to Chicago is 6 hours away!

Go-to road trip song?Let it Go from Frozen

4 Bits

Photo credits: University of Florida

Still StandingThough the world of student affairs has

changed significantly over the past 60 years, one thing has remained the same.

Art Sandeen's passion for students.

"I'm no expert..." - David Rowe SPHE '14"And also, she's a ham." - Lindsay Ritenbaugh

"You could write a paper on that..." - Laura Weissbaum SPHE '14"Student affairs professionals should be advocates for the unseen." - Lauren Di Giovanni SPHE '15

"Back when I was around, you know, with the dinosaurs..." - Lizzie Martin SPHE '15"Risk management is a reality, but one hopes that good will, trust, and the education of the student will remain central in any actions student affairs take." - Brandon William SPHE '13

Quotable

Some of SPHE's favorite Sandeen quotes

Photos courtesy of Facebook

"Student affairs professionals should be advocates for the unseen."-Dr. Arthur Sandeen

UF Press: In

Arthur “Art” Sandeen’s 26 years

as head of University of Florida

student affairs and 14 years as a College of

Education professor, his love and advocacy of

students gave the university community a friend and leader

they knew they could count on.

These traits help explain why the National Association of Student

Personnel Administrators, known as NASPA, has chosen Sandeen to receive its

2014 John Blackburn Distinguished Pillar Award for his service to students and university

communities.

The award recognizes a past “Pillar of the Profession,” a title awarded by NASPA, who has

continued to grow and strengthen the student affairs field. Sandeen was named a Pillar of the Profession in

1999. He will receive the Blackburn award at NASPA’s annual conference in March.

Sandeen has been a professor of higher education administration at the College of Education since 1999. Prior to teaching at UF, Sandeen was an administrator of residential services at Michigan State University in the 1960s. Then, he was a professor and the dean of students at Iowa State University. In 1973, Sandeen joined UF as the vice president for student affairs.

UF’s Division of Student Affairs now honors Sandeen’s legacy through the Art Sandeen Outstanding New

Professional Award, which is given annually to a student affairs staff member that exemplifies the values that Sandeen modeled: “dedication to the profession, a love for students, commitment to mentoring others in the profession, and a commitment to academic excellence.” UF’s student government also recognizes one faculty member each year with the C. Arthur Sandeen “Improving the Quality of Life” Award.

Between 1999 and 2004, Sandeen served as coordinator of the graduate program in student personnel in higher education at the College of Education. But since 2004, Sandeen has “retired” three times, but something continues to draw him back to university life. He has been teaching part-time and serving on doctoral advisory committees since he first retired.

“I have loved working with students at Michigan State, Iowa State and UF,” Sandeen said. “I strive for strong connections with my students because I think that is what you’re supposed to do if you care about students and about what they’re doing, and if you are trying to be of assistance to them in any way.”

When wearing his professor hat, Sandeen teaches his students that establishing trusting relationships with students is one of the most important aspects of working in student affairs. He also advises his students to “be willing to change with the times.”

Sandeen is exploring the latter quality in a new book he is writing with Margaret Barr, the former head of student affairs at Northwestern University. The book, which is the second to be published by the duo and Sandeen’s eighth overall, will focus on ways that student affairs administrators can best cater to today’s generation of college students. According to Sandeen, one of the biggest issues lies in how university student affairs will adjust to the increase in residential and face-to-face campuses moving online.

Sandeen is also the author of three monographs, more than 50 published articles, and 21 book chapters. He received his bachelor’s degree in religion and psychology from Miami University in Ohio, and his master’s in college student personnel administration and a doctorate in administration and higher education from Michigan State University.

He says he became intrigued by student affairs as a college student at Miami University in the late 1950s. At the time, Sandeen was very involved in campus life through his leadership positions in student government, Greek life and other organizations. He also worked in the dean of students office, where he met the vice president of student affairs.

“I didn’t know anything about this field except what I learned from my involvement on campus,” Sandeen said. “But when the vice president of student affairs encouraged me to consider student affairs, I did, simple as that. I have loved it and have been very lucky.”

The field of student affairs also opened up opportunities for Sandeen that met his interests in civil rights and social justice. After Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Miami University in the late 1950s, Sandeen realized that getting involved in student life meant getting involved with social issues.

“I was a philosophy major, I loved ideas, and I was raised in a family in which we had a great concern for people and for rights,” he said. “During the Civil Rights Movement, I hated the injustice and I saw student affairs as a way to get involved in such social efforts.”

Sandeen thinks that college students’ participation in campus activities is directly related to the quality of education they receive. According to Sandeen, “people learn in a variety of settings and different ways,” like dance groups, cultural organizations, honor societies and student media. At UF, students

can choose from nearly 1,000 student organizations.

“Students I’ve known over the years who get involved in something can learn more about themselves and different backgrounds and cultures, as well as how to get along with other people,” Sandeen said. “There’s a good deal of evidence that the students who really learn how to do those things aside from getting a degree are more likely to be successful in their lives.”

5 6

1. Your Assistantship(s) should not equal your lifeYou. Are. A. Student. First.Never forget that.Yes, you will become enthralled with your assistantship(s), and you will have a lot to do, but you also have a degree to attain. So attain it!

2. Set Expectations with your supervisor.Number one should be easier once you do this.As soon as you begin your assistantship(s), have a conversation with your supervisor(s) and establish a number of things: modes of communication, goals, your super-vising needs, their needs, dress codes (BOOOOOOO), etc. Ideally, this will ensure

a smooth year full of transparent commu-nication.

Also, have a conversation with your supervisor(s) about what words you might need for your resume. Yes. You read that. Literally, words.

Resume building is essential throughout your assistantship(s), and getting certain experiences may be important to you and you need to communicate those early in the process. That way, when job interview season rolls around, you are prepared to talk to your experiences.

3. SLEEPSometimes you just need to go to bed.

So do it. Your health comes first. Always.

4. Be a Devil’s Advocate.Diversity of thought is important both in work and in the classroom setting with your cohort. Ask questions. Ask for clari-fications. Be curious. You don’t need to agree with everything everyone says. That’s totally okay. An essential part of the learning process is seeing the other side of the coin.

Being constructive with your learning be-gins with being comfortable enough to question. I feel some of the biggest learn-ing moments this year came when people in my cohort challenged each other. We never took things personally because we

understand that we are all here to learn. Challenging each other is necessary for growth.

5. Student Development Theories are not Gospel.That’s right. I said it.But that doesn’t mean I don’t think they are important. I’m all for the existence of student development theories. They are great for foundations of informing practices.

However, many of these theories are anti-quated and are in need of rejuvenation—especially with the constantly evolving culture of identity exploration on college campuses. This is exciting because we are in a unique situation in our generation to be able inform and revive some of these theories to better fit our campus climate. All students are different, and I can guaran-tee that none want to be placed into boxes.

6. Create/Build your social media presenceI will concede this point to Josie Ahlquist’s blog post on this very topic.

In today’s landscape of Higher Education, it

is essential to be actively engaged on social media and or blogging.Employers are looking more and more into your experiences and knowledge outside of the classroom and even outside of your Assistantship(s).

7. Join a committee, or two, or fiveYes, I served on five committees this year.Wait, six if I include the search committee.

Committee work is essential if you want to quickly place yourself at the table with many important people at your univer-sity. Committees are great ways to make connections, network, and learn the inner workings of an institution.

8. Be up front with your faculty.If you are getting swamped with work, if family stuff comes up, if you need to take time for yourself—make sure to stay in communication with your faculty. They understand the nature of this Higher Ed/Student Affairs beast. Chances are they will understand enough to give you extensions upon extensions. However, procrastina-tion probably isn’t the best excuse as we emerge into adulthood. So make sure you

are actually making time for your studies.9. GET OUT!Getting your work done is important.Getting some fresh air is also important. So get out!This doesn’t only apply to going outside—which you obviously should do—but go on adventures. Concerts, hikes, sporting events—anything! Even if for only a day or night.Explore—this especially applies to anyone going to grad school away from their home.Leave your campus and be active.Sometimes you need to just get your mind off your work and enjoy yourself for a few hours!

10. Eat well. Take care of your body.Go to the gym. Go for walks. Pack a healthy lunch. Take care of yourself.

This is a demanding field and taking care of your body is necessary in order to avoid extra stress. Look out for number one!10tips for SA

first yearsCraig Bidiman

#SAGrad UMass Amherst

Needing a break? Here are some of our favorite places to get away:

7

Any Gator can feel right at home at

Lake Wauburg. From Sailing to Tanning,

Wauburg has something for everyone.

Just an 1.5 hr from campus is the

nations oldest city. St. Augustine boasts

great beaches, historic attractions and

some pretty fantastic seafood.

Oh Boy! In love with the mouse?

Disney offers seasonal ticket plans

starting at $20 a month.

Tubing, picnicking, snorkeling,

canoeing, swimming, hiking, and wild-

life viewing. Ichetucknee Springs is an

easy way to experience Florida Nature.

Starting OutA first look at the 2015 cohort

Fun Fact: I am currently training for my first full marathon!

Leanna Marcus

Fun Fact: I have ridden down the 1980 Olympic Track on a Bobsled!

Maggie Sutton

Fun Fact: I have been bungee jumping before

Sean Ferguson

Fun Fact: I have two year identical twin boys!

Tara McDowell

Fun Fact: I am physically incapable of whistling

John Vitalis

Fun Fact: I am Advanced Certified to Scuba dive

Brittany Hoover

I auditioned for The Amazing Race last summer

Wesley Anne

Hartsell

Fun Fact: I was born on the 4th of July!

Justin Zgombjc

Fun Fact: I never wear matching socks.

Shantrell Jenkins

Fun Fact: I was quaran-

tined during a

trip to China

because they

suspected I was

bringing Swine

flu from the US.

Jill Pettibone

Fun Fact: I don't own pants.

Aubrey Tarantine

Fun Fact: I was born in Kansas but raised in Italy for the first part of my childhood

Cody Sumerix

Fun Fact: I am a Starbucks junkie!

Emily Higham

Fun Fact: I love Rubix Cubes!

Alejandra Ramirez

Shellie Banfield

Claire Butler

Jill Faull

Lisa Hill

Laura Quintana

Rachael Rayford

Charity Reynolds

Chisato Taylor

Daniel Usma

Fun Fact:

Brad Teague

Not Pictured but still awesome:

7

Nonprofit OrganizationThe Student Personnel Association at the University of Florida is run by members of the Student

Personnel in Higher Education Master's program at the University of Florida.

The organizations goal is to provide networking and professional development opportunities for

members and alumni. Starbucks Will Send Thousands of Employees to Arizona State for DegreesBy Goldie Blumenstyk

Starbucks is teaming up with Arizona State University on an exclusive program that could send thousands of its baristas, store managers, and other employees to ASU Online for their undergraduate degrees, with the coffee company picking up about three-quarters of the tuition tab. Read more at The Chonicle of Higher Education.

Pushed by Lawmakers, U. of Florida Dives IntoOnline EducationBy Megan O’Neil

A little more than a year after Florida lawmakers committed $35-million to the University of Florida to create a reduced-cost, online-only baccalaureate program, university officials say they are taking stock of the inaugural semester while preparing for the second.Read more at The Chonicle of Higher Education.

College Libraries Push Back as Publishers RaiseSome E-Book PricesBy Avi Wolfman-Arent

In mid-May, the Boston Library Consortium, which represents 17 academic libraries in New England, received an abrupt and unsettling phone call from ebrary, an e-book library owned by the aggregator ProQuest. A company representative said 11 academic publishers, including major players like Taylor & Francis and Oxford University Press, would be raising the cost of short-term e-book loans effective June 1. In some cases the increase would be as much as 300 percent. Read more at The Chonicle of Higher Education.

Coaching from the Sidelines Instead of the Bleachers: Our Important Role in College Affordability By Richard Decapua, ED.D., Boston College; Amy Proietti, Greenfield Community College; and Edward J. Smith, NASPA RPI

As colleges and universities across America embark on another summer, institutional leaders, administrators, and practitioners exhale a collective sigh of relief, recovering from the dizzying wave of commencements and end of year activities. As such, the brief reprieve not only provides us an opportunity to reflect on the stressful nature of the last month, but it also allows us to respond to the year’s Super Bowl of financial news in higher education: the release of published annual tuition increases, which occurred a few weeks earlier in the semester.Read more at NASPA.

College of Charleston, Clemson bill dies. Jeffrey Collins, Associated Press

A bill to expand the College of Charleston into a research university and allow Clemson University to speed construction projects died Tuesday after a conference committee couldn't get support for both proposals.

The two ideas ended up merged together in a bill with the South Carolina House backing the College of Charleston's request, and the Senate supporting Clemson's proposal.

But House members were worried about losing oversight over Clemson's projects. Senators questioned why theCollege of Charleston needed to be declared a research university so quickly.Read more at The State Newspaper.

'Test-Blind' AdmissionsBy Scott Jaschik

More than 800 four-year colleges and universities do not require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. But of these "test-optional" colleges, the competitive ones will look at scores that are submitted. And most selective, test-

optional" colleges, the competitive ones will look at scores that are submitted. And most selective, test-optional col-leges report that a majority of applicants (typically a large majority) submit scores.Hampshire College announced that it would become the only such college that will be "test-blind," meaning that it will not look at SAT or ACT scores even if applicants submit them a colleges report. Read more at Inside Higher Ed

Quick Bits News from around the world of Student Affairs

Like us on FacebookFollow on Twitter @UFSPAConnect on Linkedin