Home is one of those words that is bigger inside than out. Just four letters. Only one syllable. Seems pretty straightforward on the surface. How often have we heard toddlers demonstrate perfect comprehension of this word and all that it means, typically with either tears or outrage: “I wanna go home!” What are they saying? “I don’t like here, and I know where I want to be.” Even my dogs know exactly what I mean when I say “Go home!” I don’t have to pull out my GPS or point the way; they just know what home is. That’s the power of simple words and simple concepts.
But “home” is not that simple. Home encompasses a vast network of associations, emotions, and affiliations. “Let’s go home” is a very different statement from “Let’s go to 77 Somewhere Drive.” “Let’s go home” resonates much more powerfully than “Let’s go to that place where we all keep our stuff.” And “welcome home” speaks volumes to someone who has been away but missed, lost but found, sent out but returned, seeking and uncertain but embraced. “Welcome home” says, “This is your place” and “You belong here” and “We’re so glad to have you back...even if you are coming ‘home’ for the very first time.”
We just celebrated homecoming, where Laura Woodworth-Ney came home; where the 1970 football team came home, where alumni came home. This weekend, we will be celebrating Family Weekend, where our students get to showcase their campus home to their families. Everything we do, day in and day out, to make ISU feel welcoming for every one of our family members--our students, our colleagues, our community--will help create the kind of home in which we may all live, thrive, and find our place.
Let’s do everything we can to put out the welcome mat and make sure that ISU is the kind of place to which every one of our Bengals wants to come home!
Warmly,
Lyn Redington
Vice President for Student Affairs
and Enrollment Management
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Seeking Volunteers for Hispanic Youth Leadership Summit October 19 |
We are seeking volunteers to help with the October 19 Hispanic Youth Leadership Summit, which will be hosted on the Idaho State University Pocatello campus. The HYLS Summit is a partnership between the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Idaho State University, and the College of Eastern Idaho. Questions about the summit may contact Staci Phelan at extension 4588. Volunteers may contact Sonia Martinez at (208) 282-1323.
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Opportunity to Share with Students |
Registration for Spring 2022 classes begins on Monday, November 8, for continuing ISU students. Seniors are able to register on this day, Juniors become eligible on November 10, Sophomores on November 12, and first-year students can register for classes on November 15. Students may book an appointment with their academic advisor on the Advisor Directory webpage. Additionally, ROAR into Registration, a one-stop-shop registration event, will be held in the PSUB Quad Lounge November 15-19. All colleges will have advisors on hand to help students register for their Spring 2022 classes.
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Happening Now! NWCCU Accreditation Visit October 6-8, 2021 |
Idaho State is hosting the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) peer evaluation team for our Year 7 accreditation visit October 6-8.
Accreditation is a process universities undergo to help them determine whether they are using their resources to effectively support their mission. To receive or renew accreditation, universities engage in an extensive assessment process that includes interviews with multiple stakeholders. This afternoon at 3:30, our students will meet with NWCCU representatives to discuss topics that impact students: what kind of environment and opportunities ISU creates for student learning and achievement, as well as how the University works (governance, policies and procedures). In your meetings with students today, let them know that their experiences and opinions also help direct the mission and practices of the University and that their voices are critical to this process. All students received a Zoom link for this forum via email.
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"What Is Dating Violence?" Panel Discussion |
Domestic/Dating abuse can be evident in a few ways. A panel discussion will be held on October 21 at 3:00 p.m. in the North and Middle Fork rooms in the Pond Student Union. This panel will feature experts who can illustrate how to recognize signs of abuse. The panel will also address what to do if you or someone close to you is in a violent relationship, what you need to expect if you report someone for abuse, and what resources are available on campus and in the community. RSVP to richstep@isu.edu
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month |
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. College-aged women (between 16-24) have the highest per capita rate of intimate partner violence. 21% of college students report having experienced dating violence by a current partner, and 32% of college students report experiencing dating violence by a previous partner. Peer pressure, the presence of drugs and alcohol, stressful schedules, tight-knit friend groups, and social media contribute to higher rates of abuse, sexual assault, and stalking for students. Young people also have limited relationship experience, and often if a high school relationship was at all violent or unhealthy, it is likely that future college relationships will be unhealthy too.
Join the ISU Gender Resource Center and Family Services Alliance in painting pumpkins to bring awareness to this important topic. Family Service Alliance will have resources and information available for attendees.
Pond Student Union Bengal Lounge Near Fireplace
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The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) just hosted their 40th Annual National Conference, “40 Years of Good Trouble: Equity, Access & Success” conference in Atlanta, and one of our own, Dr. Sari Byerly, who served as the COE board chairperson in the 2020-2021 year, was highlighted for her early work in TRIO.
COE is a national organization that represents federal TRIO programs. As part of COE’s 40th anniversary, they interviewed people they felt had done significant things for the organization or for TRIO legislatively over the last 40 years. This included Sari, whose interview with COE was posted on their blog. In this interview, Sari reflects on the year 2007, when COE brought Sari to Washington DC to speak with congressional representatives because of her research background. The USDOE, wanting to determine the efficacy of TRIO programs, had initiated an assessment strategy that had the potential--indeed, had already begun--to jeopardize access to TRIO services. Sari prompted the institutional review board of the university for which she was working at the time to issue a statement to the USDOE, articulating the ways in which their assessment plan would actually harm students and diminish eligibility and access. Sari’s experience and knowledge enabled her to push for alternative assessment strategies that would enable the USDOE to study these student programs without harming the populations for which the programs were intended.
I asked Sari what she felt as she was being interviewed about this significant year.
“It's weird that this took place so long ago,” she replied contemplatively. “Even when I was doing the interview, I wasn't thinking about it as a highlight in history--just...doing what you do in your job. Then you look back and see it as a significant moment in someone's 40 year history. That’s humbling.”
You can view the interview with Sari on COE blog.
Sari, thank you for sharing your experience and expertise with this important organization and here at home!
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October 25-29 - Diversity Week |
Diversity Week is an opportunity to explore the many different experiences that make us who we are as a community. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in discussions and activities designed to heighten awareness about the different cultures, experiences, and perspectives on our campus and celebrate those contributions. |
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Survivors of Suicide Loss CATS Connections |
Students may connect with others who have suffered the loss of a loved one to suicide. Meetings sponsored by our Counseling Center staff are held on Zoom on the second Thursday of every month, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Register online. Upcoming opportunities:
- October 14
- November 11
- December 9
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