What's new with SACSA?!
October 2017 SACSAlert
 
Hello SACSA Members,
 
I hope everyone is having a great semester! It is hard to believe we are already into October! A couple of updates. In response to DACA, we are offering a webinar for our members hosted by Angi Smith, J.D., Vice President for Student Affairs. She will discuss the impact of DACA for us as higher education professionals and on our students. You can register for the webinar here that will occur on 10/12 at 10:00 AM EDT.
 
In terms of SACSA news, we are finalizing the details for the SACSA Annual Conference with NASPA Region III. We have an action-packed agenda for our members including site visits to CauseWay and Partnership, social innovation speakers, workshops, and many other activities to help you bring change to your campus.
 
We are excited to see you in Chattanooga and I wish you all a great rest of the semester!
 
Matt Varga
President SACSA
DACA Webinar
We are excited to announce a webinar on the changes set forth regarding DACA. The webinar is for October 12th at 10:00 AM. You can register for the webinar here . Angi Smith, J.D., Vice President for Student Affairs, will discuss the implications these changes have for our campuses specifically as it relates to our faculty, staff, and students. We hope you will join us.
Call for Chapters
No Ways Tired: The Journey for Professionals of Color in Student Affairs
We are soliciting proposals of chapters for a book that illuminates narratives detailing the experiences of student affairs professionals of color in higher education, including the strategies, recommendations and practices they have used or use to persevere.

Objective of the Book
Focusing on issues and perceptions of student affairs professionals of color are necessary for their recruitment, retention, and achievement.  A major objective of this book is to articulate a vision for an environment where student affairs professionals of color can thrive. Insight gained from contributors in this edited volume will call attention to issues and challenges facing this set of student affairs professionals.
Knowledge gained from this text will offer recommendations for success for student affairs of color at all levels and ways they can construct opportunities to flourish. By sharing their visions of success, lessons learned, and cautionary tales, professionals who contribute to this volume will illuminate others about challenges and successes.  Our ultimate goal for this text is to promote discussions regarding how higher education institutions can be more proactive in supporting and creating environments that are conducive to the success and thriving for professionals of color navigating higher education careers.

Learn more about the submission process and timeline  here.
Career Services
Southern Placement Exchange Internship
The Southern Placement Exchange (SPE) Internship is an opportunity to provide an undergraduate or graduate student the chance to observe the inner workings of a professional organization program. It's a chance to develop an appreciation and deeper insight into the job hunting process in the world of Student Affairs.
 
Duties include assist with setting up the registration, scheduling and messaging areas for the conference. They will also participate in all planning meetings beginning on Wednesday Night (February 14th) of the conference through Saturday's (February 17th) wrap up meeting. The will also participate in pre-placement exchange planning meetings via teleconference. They will have full responsibility for one component of SPE, i.e., preparing the daily newsletter.
 
Important Details
Arrival: Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 (Afternoon)
Program Dates: February 15th - 17th, 2018
Departure: Sunday, February 18, 2018 (Morning)
Where: University of North Texas campus, Texas

To learn more: southernplacement.org
 
To apply for the SPE Internship, submit your resume and cover letter by December 1st, 2017 to Gerald C. Harris at [email protected]
Career Services Team
If you are looking for a great opportunity in SACSA, look no further than Career Services! In this committee you have to opportunity to assist the membership in meeting professional growth, employment, and advancement needs.  Major responsibilities of this committee include operation of the online Career Center on SACSA's website, maintaining on-line Job Listings and Resumes; assistance with the regional placement conference known as the Southern Placement Exchange; and to staff and operate the Career Services Center at the annual conference.
 
If you are interested in joining us, you can contact Gerald C. Harris at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you all. 
Annual Conference
Conference Registration
We're less than 4 weeks away from the SACSA Annual Conference with NASPA Region III, but it's not too late to register! Registration will remain open through Sunday, October 15.
 
Conference Hotels
A limited number of rooms have opened at The Chattanoogan Hotel, however, these rooms do not qualify for the conference rate. Additional rooms have been secured at The Staybridge Suites Chattanooga Downtown and The Read House Historic Inn and Suites. Rooms at both overflow hotels are filling up fast, so book yours today!
Mulitcultural Awareness Committee
We are happy to present the MAC offerings during the annual conference:

               
                                    

Faculty/Graduate Professional Preparations Programs
D ear Members of the Professoriate:
We look forward to seeing both you and your students at the upcoming SACSA Conference.  The Faculty/Graduate Professional Preparation Programs Committee is excited about the following items below.  Please mark your calendars.

Sunday, October 29, 2017
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Faculty Summit
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - Faculty Reception
 
Monday, October 30, 2017
12:30 - 2:00 p.m. - Faculty Lunch with Executive Council
 
In addition, we have two presentations that we believe you don't want to miss.

Making the Jump from the Field to the Classroom
(please encourage your students that may be seeking faculty roles to attend)
Higher education and student affairs program faculty often enter the field after being practitioners. The transition from an administrator to a faculty member can be a mysterious process with myths about differences in lifestyles, time commitments, and job expectations. Professionals often have questions about research agendas, publish or perishing, teaching, and advising masters and doctoral students. In this workshop, we will discuss these issues along with expectations of new faculty, the job search process, transitioning from being a student affairs administrator to faculty, the tenure process, and producing a research agenda.
Brian Bourke, Murray State University; Danielle Molina, Mississippi State University
Monday, October 30th 9:45-10:45am; Hardy Room
 
Faculty-Led HESA Study Abroad Experience: Lessons Learned
Graduate students in the Higher Education Student Affairs program at Western Carolina University participated in a 10-day study abroad experience to Kenya, where they were immersed in the country's culture and studied the higher education system. They also gained insight into the role of planning and leading a study abroad trip while helping to guide and develop the undergraduate students present, who were studying the K-12 Kenyan education system. In this session, we will discuss the course details, trip logistics, and lessons learned for other faculty or practitioners looking to lead graduate students in a short term study abroad experience.
April Perry, Western Carolina University
Monday, October 30th 2:00-3:00pm; Rose Room 
Elections
We have finalized the election slate for the 2017-2018 Executive Council and opened the elections. 

Individual ballots were delivered to the primary email address on file for active members as of September 15, 2017. The deadline to submit your vote is 11:59pm on Friday, October 6, 2017.

The current Nominees are:
By-Laws Update
The By-Laws Revision has passed. To see all approved changes please visit the website. One major change to be aware of: Only current members as of September 15 are eligible to vote in SACSA Elections. 
Non-Conference Programs
Join us for our next Webinar

Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Student's Story
Description:  Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are accessing a higher education at greater rates, therefore presenters seek to provide SA professionals with a better understanding of ASD, directly share personal journey of challenges and successes in navigating the college environment with ASD, and provide strategies to include and support them utilizing patience and understanding. With the proper support, most people with ASD have the potential to attend college and attain gainful employment.
 
Time:  Oct 3, 2017 1:00 PM in  Eastern Standard Time (US and Canada)
Communities of Engagement
Public Policy
Below is a quick comparison of the OCR 2017 Question and Answer document released September 22 against the 2014 Question and Answer document regarding Title IX.  The 2017 document refers you back to the 2001 guidance, so it looks like they are rescinding the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter and the 2014 Question and Answer document.  Please note, this isn't meant to be an exhaustive list or in depth legal analysis, but rather a broad overview.
 
At a glance, the 2017 document:
  • Retains "knew or reasonably should have known standard" when responding to sexual misconduct.
  • Retains Title IX coordinator guidance and "responsible" employee designation.
  • Retains requirement that schools "adopt & publish" grievance procedures.
  • Provides for prompt & equitable investigation.  No time frame designated. The 2017 document refers to a good faith effort (p.3).  (The 2017 Q&A document seems to be moving away from 60 day language in 2011 DCL and 2014 Q&A document). 
  • Retains similar language on disciplinary procedures as the 2014 Q&A document.  Advises delivery of hearing outcome information to be "concurrent" - seems to be stronger language than 2014 document. (p. 12 2014 document, p.6 2017 document).
  • Specifically authorizes "informal" adjudication of cases if all parties agree. 
  • Requires that the standard of evidence in sexual misconduct cases be the same as the standard of evidence in all disciplinary cases.  Does not seem to require a certain standard of evidence at this point.  

Per OCR, this is an interim document, so I feel confident that we can expect further changes down the road. 
 
Angela Smith, J.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
SACSA Public Policy Chair
C ontinuing Education Opportunities
National Association of Student Affairs Professionals Conference
The 64th Annual National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASAP) Conference Registration is NOW Open.  This year's annual conference is co-hosted by Claflin University.  Please visit www.nasap.net for conference details to register, book your hotel accommodations, submit a Call for Proposal, and submit an Award Nomination. 

Deadlines are approaching fast for Proposals and Nominations. Check the website for more details.

American Education Research Association
The American Educational Research Association ( AERA) invites applications for an Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop to be held Friday, April 13th through Sunday, April 15th during the 2018 Annual Meeting in New York, New York. This workshop is designed to build the talent pool of undergraduate students who plan to pursue doctorate degrees in education research or in disciplines and fields that examine education issues. Applicants are sought who have potential and interest in pursuing careers as education researchers, faculty members, or other professionals who contribute to the research field.

The application deadline is November 15th.
Statement on Inclusion

SACSA recognizes and is committed to our core value of inclusiveness. SACSA values and supports the diversity of all of our members. SACSA is committed to the development and implementation of programs and resources that promote our commitment to inclusiveness.  SACSA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, economic status, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, veterans status, age, ability, ethnic background in any of our volunteer activities, programs, policies and procedures.  SACSA will actively promote diversity and inclusion in all of or our programs and services.
Statement on Conference Locations

In support of SACSA's Core Value to Inclusiveness, SACSA will make every effort to select conference cities and locations that provide comprehensive non-discrimination policies that provide protection for all attendees. Recognizing that our members are located in many states, we also believe it is important to support our colleagues in all states.  In cases where cities do not have comprehensive non-discrimination policies or allow for the exclusion of any person(s)the conference planning team must ensure the following practices are in place:
  • All venues including hotel space, off-site excursions, and any other space which hosts SACSA events, must have established non-discrimination policies.
  • Conference planners and volunteers must plan, promote and implement educational programs focused on inclusion and best practices.
  • Conference materials must include the non-discrimination policies for all venues.
Join the Conversation on Social Media
Don't forget to stay connected with SACSA through social media! Follow us on Facebook (Southern Association for College Student Affairs) , Instagram (@SACSAgrams), and Twitter (@SACSAtweets). In addition, if you would like to join our social media team please contact Jackie Clark, [email protected]
Contact Us:
Phone: (912) 344 - 2510 | Fax: (912) 344 - 3468 | [email protected] | [email protected]

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