What are some other topics you would like to see us cover? Please let us know your ideas and feedback to keep #SAchat growing strong. Until next week, (if you haven’t already done so) please make sure to LIKE our Facebook Page. Thanks for your continued support!

On April 12, 2013, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) released results of their latest survey detailing social media use by colleges and universities. More than 1,000 institutions participated in the survey that solicited responses on several topics including, how professionals incorporate social media in their communication strategies, goals for social media, and current best practices.

The survey provides several interesting responses for consideration. I encourage you to read the results if you have the time. I found the following intriguing.

• 84 percent of respondents indicated that there are 0-1 full-time individuals at their institution 100 percent dedicated to social media efforts as it relates to their position responsibilities.
• Only 31 percent of respondents indicated that there were training resources provided for staff to focus on engagement strategies through social media and only 34 percent indicated there were training resources on content development.
• The largest identified barrier to the successful use of social media was staffing for day-to-day content management.

Certainly, there are several ways to interrupt data. Yet,  it appears there is still reluctance on the part of many to  invest in social media as tools to achieve institutional goals. This is despite 2010 results that found over 97 percent of college students were on Facebook and a 93 percent growth in students using Twitter from the last year.

Also, somewhat surprisingly, 76 percent of respondents affirmed that “Social media have great potential for achieving important goals in my unit.”

Certainly, the impact of Facebook and Twitter on college students is apparent. Furthermore, we are able to identify that social media has great potential in achieving institutional goals. Yet, there still appears to be reluctance on the part of administrators to commit staff to social media efforts, implement social media strategies, and provide essential training to staff members.

Why?

Is there a stigma associated with social media use at the institutional level? Are there a lack of best practices to utilize when developing strategies? Are the necessary resources allocated to other priorities? Do we believe that social media is a fad that will leave as quickly as it arrived?

Perhaps all. Perhaps none.

We have been too slow adopting social media as strategies for success. I find this concerning, not because we are neglecting social media, but it illustrates our lack of ability to be robust. Often, we discuss concern with the growing privatization of higher education. Often, I hear we must prove our worth, defend our expertise, and convince stakeholders that our specialization is value-added. Social media came quickly and we failed to keep pace. I’m not concerned about social media – we’ll catch up. But, with the rising pressures on higher education, I am  concerned about our ability to react when the next things comes. As departments and institutions, we have to find ways to be more adaptable to the trends that impact our field and our students. Businesses are far better at doing so and there is too much money in higher education for them not to recognize the potential.

I’m curious what you found interesting in the report. Utilize those comments below!

Everyday the #sachat feed is full of great resources, professional musings, and important questions that have been posed to the community. Here is a highlight of some of the tweets from the stream during the last week. We know this list is only scratching the surface, but we hope it will encourage you to keep the conversation going. Chat on!

“You create your opportunities by asking for them.” -Patty Hansen #sachat #leanin #reslife

May 15, 2013 7:30 pm via Twitter for MacReplyRetweetFavorite

@StacyLOliver

Stacy OliverSikorski

“There is always a choice about the way you do your work, even if there is not a choice about the work itself”- #FISH! #SAchat #SAgrad

May 15, 2013 12:34 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@LosForrados

Ryan Lloyd

“Recognize your weaknesses w/o hiding behind them.” -BSM Consulting #highered #acadv #sachat

May 17, 2013 12:56 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@2mrosSia2day

Johnika Dreher

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning -Louis L’Amour #sachat #commencement @binghamtonu

May 19, 2013 10:45 am via HootSuiteReplyRetweetFavorite

@WimerAlberto

Wimer Alberto

“We only do it for the scars and stories, not the fame…” It’s why I do what I do. #HOBY #sachat #sagrad

May 19, 2013 1:18 am via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@richgreenjr

Rich Green Jr.

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. C Maxwell #sachat

May 18, 2013 7:02 am via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@vikoles1

Bill

Looking back on this rainy Graduation Day. I realize I love being an educator. College students = Amazing! Congrats to all! #GoodRHD #sachat

May 19, 2013 8:09 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@GoodRHD

GoodHallDirector

“What have you done with your life? There are many moments I’ll remember, I’ll be proud to say, I was one of us.” B. Andreas #SAChat

May 19, 2013 4:30 pm via BufferReplyRetweetFavorite

@sharonlstead

Sharon Stead ♥♫

Any ideas to get a large number of students introduced to each other in a limited amount of time? Looking for engaging! Help! #SAchat

May 15, 2013 5:18 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@gaffney226

Meghan Gaffney

Do you count time in staff meetings/training towards hourly employee’s time? #ideapop13 #sachat

May 15, 2013 2:27 pm via Twitter for iPadReplyRetweetFavorite

@MelissiaBrannen

Melissia Brannen

What do YOU think colleges should be investing in? http://t.co/pPCvYDxi9x #SAChat

May 17, 2013 6:51 pm via Twitter for MacReplyRetweetFavorite

@HigherEdMike

Mike McCormack

Leadership tips for introverts: http://t.co/GrVDWWNIdl #SAchat

May 17, 2013 4:33 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@c_stu_affairs

shane clark

I love this | 25 Things Every Young Professional Should Know by Age 25 http://t.co/vwLweSCpXK via @HuffPostCollege #sachat #sagrad #sapro

May 17, 2013 9:06 am via Tweet ButtonReplyRetweetFavorite

@__MeganJohnston

Megan Johnston

You Think Your Team is a Family, But Do They? http://t.co/YEJsxCDKay via @Inc #sachat

May 17, 2013 8:44 am via Tweet ButtonReplyRetweetFavorite

@EricaKThompson

Erica Thompson

“Are You Working “In” or “On” Your Career?” Interesting question. Which are you doing? Can you do both? http://t.co/SnTQe4cl4k #sachat

May 15, 2013 7:27 am via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@lmendersby

Lisa Endersby

Please consider how your campus can support the Oklahoma community. We are all connected. #sachat #highered

— SA Perks (@SAPerks) May 21, 2013

Woke up this morning at 6am ready to go. Bags packed, guitar restrung, out of office reply written, online check-in complete…

I am fortunate to travel for my work – I go to conferences and meetings, trainings and events. Every once and a while though, when I print out that lovely boarding pass, I do it 105% for me only. When the baggage is stowed, and seats are in their upright and locked positions, and the landing gear hits pavement in a new place, I am actually and truly on vacation.

As I write this I am sitting in the Portland airport waiting for my plane. I am splurging and getting a foot massage in a few minutes. The spa is dimly lit, and I have a complimentary glass of iced peppermint tea. I can see my polished toes peeking out from behind the top of my laptop. I am wearing a sundress – something I can’t wear to work. I feel relaxed. 9-day weekend, here I come.

But of course it is not that simple. I already know that I will have to check my email. I will have to connect with that colleague who needs me to book a room for the event we are putting on. I will have to log that new student employee into our timeclock system. I will need to call Wednesday night to see how the food pantry went. I will, I will, I will…and if I am not careful it will pile up until I am putting in what amounts to hours when I should be sitting in a hot tub, doing yoga, drinking wine. You know when you sign on for the life of a Student Affairs professional that you will work odd hours, lots of hours, just…well…hours.

I worked as a field guide for a wilderness therapy program before I arrived at Oregon State. When you work in the field you are ON 24-7 for the whole time you are out there. Student needs to use the faciliTREES at 2am? Yep – I am up and making sure they get back to camp in the dark. Lunch might not be until 5 because a kid ran away. I often found myself shivering by a fire at midnight, the kids FINALLY in bed, heating cocoa as the snow accumulates on my shoulders. It’s tough, but one thing I will say for it – when I was not at work, I was not working.

Why is it so hard to unplug? I am sure there are some of you who are thinking as you read this, “duh…I can do it, so can you,” and others who are thinking, “you will only do some email on your time away – lucky!” I think one thing that really contributes to it all for me is being in a world where I can connect all. the. time. My phone streams #SAlife to me second by second, and it is just all too easy for me to go with that flow. Not to mention that my friends are all #SApro, and so my personal life is dotted with reminders of the life. I was out with a friend who was skydiving on the weekend for her birthday. JUST before she hopped on the plane, she got a phone call for work. Another friend and I quickly stepped in to mitigate the situation so she could make the jump.

…and, I will say with pride that I am completing this blog post AFTER my vacation.

So yea, I did take the better part of one morning to take care of the most important bits – and when I think about it rationally, I am unsure how important they really are. I wonder what part of the “I must work, no matter what,” is ego. I had chat with a colleague yesterday about potentially going to school for a doctorate part time (I am leaning toward full-time), and wanted to hear about her experience. She worked 4 10′s and then went to school on Fridays. “I’m not sure I can do that…,” I mused. “Yes you can,” she said, “you have to remember that the work is not about you. If it has to get done, it will whether you are there or not.” It was a good point. I wonder what it would look like for us to truly unplug and see what happened. I imagine that the world would not come tumbling down. Yes, when I got back there were lots of things that were held for me by my students to take care of. There were also decisions made that I would have preferred to be run by me before they were made. In the end though all was well, and if there were issues, there was a strong team of colleagues who could have stepped in to help out.

Maybe next time I go on vacation I will reclaim my morning and go to the pool.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our #SAchat focused on Planning for Faculty Collaboration. This week’s topic produced over 450 tweets from several student affairs professionals, graduate students and undergraduates interested or working in the Student Affairs field!

View transcript here (google doc).

What are some other topics you would like to see us cover? Please let us know your ideas and feedback to keep #sachat growing strong. Until next week, (if you haven’t already done so) please make sure to LIKE our Facebook Page. Thanks for your continued support!

This past Friday night we held our annual Club Leadership Awards.

For this event each Club advisor nominates one student to receive an award for outstanding leadership displayed through their role within the executive board throughout their term.

The assumption sometimes can be that the President of the Club wins the award 99.9% of the time, however, there are times where the vice president, treasurer, and/or secretary can even win the award. Why you ask? Well that’s simple to answer because sometimes the leader is only as strong as its team.

Undoubtedly, there were many awards given to various position holders from clubs however even when the President of the Club won he or she took the time to thank and call up their other executive board members to showcase the power of a team.

This award ceremony is always special to me, my fellow co-workers and my supervisor, but this year was extra special for me. Indeed, this years award winners held many of the students I have helped transition and guide through Bergen. These are the students I first began working with when I began my internship at Bergen. They have impacted my role at Bergen from intern to full time staff as much as I hope to say I’ve impacted them. This graduating class holds a special place in my heart as they are my first true graduating class.

I am not afraid to say that I will shed a tear or two of happiness and sadness, for me, on May 16th when they graduate.

However, as these students transition on I look forward to the next group of students that I get the honor and privilege to work with at Bergen.

How do you celebrate your students on campus?

Everyday the #sachat feed is full of great resources, professional musings, and important questions that have been posed to the community. Here is a highlight of some of the tweets from the stream during the last week. We know this list is only scratching the surface, but we hope it will encourage you to keep the conversation going. Chat on!

“Student development is about becoming a more complex individual” – Susan K. Gardner #sachat#higheredchat

May 9, 2013 3:40 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@zeamendi

Jazmin Letamendi

Remind yoursef: These are the best years of their lives and we are helping them grow into their destiny. #sachat

May 8, 2013 6:28 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@StacyLOliver

Stacy OliverSikorski

“You cannot teach today the same way you did yesterday to prepare students for tomorrow.” John Dewey#SACHAT #Adult_Learning

May 8, 2013 6:34 am via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@U2InterestEd

P Fagan/InterestEd

“Sometimes, you just have to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving.” Yup! – @amy_fynes #sachat

May 11, 2013 4:15 pm via TweetCaster for iOSReplyRetweetFavorite

@JoeSabado

Joe Sabado

The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake – you can’t learn anything from being perfect.–Adam Osborne #failforward #sachat

May 12, 2013 12:23 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@seanmeddington

Sean Eddington

Making someone’s day never gets old. Whose day have you made lately? #sachat

May 8, 2013 10:11 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@Kmagura

Kathryn Magura

Digital tools for the hiring process. What about #studentaffairs? Got any? http://t.co/vOxE5SIigB #sachat #naspa #acpa #sasearch

May 11, 2013 7:56 am via BufferReplyRetweetFavorite

@pglove33

Patrick Love

Great read! Make sure to check it out => Your Student Affairs ‘Selfie’ via @EdCabellon http://t.co/2m7yywXHzh #SAchat #SAgrad #SAtech #SoMe

May 10, 2013 2:03 pm via bitlyReplyRetweetFavorite

@jakefrasier

Jake Frasier

My attempt to simply answer the question, “why does leadership matter?” http://t.co/ZlL1ZjDqSq #sachat #salead #leadership

May 10, 2013 11:44 am via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@pshepRF

Paul Shepherd

You Are Not a Brand — You Are a Person http://t.co/e4eoYTQaY2 #SAchat

May 10, 2013 11:07 am via BufferReplyRetweetFavorite

@EricStoller

Eric Stoller

5 Secrets to Becoming a Kickass Leader http://t.co/khUPLF5utb #sachat #leadership #sagrad

May 9, 2013 9:58 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@studentlifeguru

Scott M. Helfrich

What’s next for higher education? #sachat #satech #innovation http://t.co/E3s35AH4jF

May 8, 2013 6:58 pm via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@vern_rogers

Vern Rogers

One of my favorite SNL digital shorts is one titled “Like a Boss” which starts out with Seth Rogen giving Adam Samberg’s “boss” character a performance review.

Rogen: “Mr. Samberg Thanks for coming to your performance review”

Samberg: “No problem”

Rogen: “So you’re in charge around here, is that fair to say?”

Samberg: “Absolutely, I’m the boss “

Rogen: “Okay, so take us through a day in the life of the boss

Samberg: “Well the first thing I do is…”

Then Adam kicks into a long string of things that are boss like, and some that are not remotely boss like or otherwise. Every time I watch this short I think of my own boss list. One of the items that is always at the top of my boss list is supervision of my staff, or as Adam puts it in the short, “direct work flow”. We can agree that although a core function of most jobs, direct supervision and mentorship of our supervisees is something that we don’t spend as much time on as we would like. Yes we have one on ones, guide progress and help to extinguish fires but we don’t often set up our supervisees with a plan and help them create a clear vision of their development and what they want to accomplish under our supervision. Even in longstanding supervision relationships ease of communication and dialogue can take a backseat to actual structured development.

The book “It’s OK To Be The Boss” by Bruce Tulgan explores the topic of under management and how it impacts functionality, production and overall process in an organization.

Everyone knows what a micromanager is, but do you know what an under manager is? According to Tulgan, an undermanaging boss is someone who, “ doesn’t set expectations, doesn’t monitor and measure performance constantly, is quick to correct failure and slow to give praise”. In this type of managing there is little trust and the supervisor and the supervisee are both feeling lost in the relationship. Those that are in the management positions are often afraid to be labeled a micromanager so they back off actions that they perceived to be under this umbrella. However, providing feedback, guidance, direction and communicating a clear outcome are not unto themselves micromanaging, as with everything it’s the style in which something is delivered that makes the distinction. We as mangers control the delivery of the message even if we ourselves didn’t write the speech. When we build supervisory relationships where there is open dialogue and a bridge towards trust, it makes those speeches that we didn’t write easier to deliver and easier for our supervisees to hear and understand.

Building good supervision relationships often take time, more time than many busy schedules allow. There is the process of building trust between two people but it’s also a process of shared power and influence. Some might think that the power is mostly in the hands of the supervisor. I would say that the power dynamic in how a supervisee/supervisor relationship progresses can and should be one of an equal power exchange. The ideal process is that each person would bring in knowledge and are open to being developed by each other; -Tulgan calls this dynamic, a dyad. He states that a dyad is two individuals or units regarded as a pair being impacted by personality, style, identity and communication skills. To accomplish a successful dyad the following things must happen: there has to be transparency of expectations and boundaries, the dyad must be productive and evolving, supervisors need an awareness and acknowledgment of areas of growth and training, and feedback and motivation are both encouraged.

As we approach the end of the year we often use the time to both reflect and rationalize how well we supervised and how we were supervised ourselves. Sometimes the best thing to do is follow the advice of the lyrical genius of John Mayer “It’s better to say too much then never say what you need to say again. Even if your hands are shaking, and your faith is broken, even as the eyes are closing, do it with a heart wide open, say what you need to say” Don’t be afraid to be the boss-someone’s gotta do it!