Post written by:  Sean Sherwood

Each year, the Student Affairs Connections Committee has the task of receiving nominations and selecting one faculty member to be awarded the Faculty Connections Award.  This award is presented to the faculty member who goes the extra mile with his or her students.  This faculty member must strive to create a constructive relationship with his or her students inside and outside of the classroom.  The person selected must also create a positive impact on SUNY Cortland students, and establish or maintain opportunities for students outside of the classroom.

This year, the Student Affairs Connections Committee is proud to award the Faculty Connections Award to Dr. Christopher Latimer from the Political Science Department.

Christopher Latimer is the second recipient of this award in recognition of his ability to establish and maintain significant connections with students outside of the classroom.  Dr. Latimer is currently serving as the Political Science Association Club advisor and the Pre-Law advisor, as well as an Assistant Professor for Political Science.  In all roles he has shown strong support of student initiatives and recognizes the need to keep events student-driven so as to allow members to maintain ownership and a vested interest in same. The nominations speak for themselves as they describe how, “Dr. Latimer is a mentor and a professor who has pushed me in and out of the classroom to reach my full potential.”   One nominator highlighted the fact that in their interactions with Dr. Latimer, “He never made me feel like a burden. . .  He was always welcoming and helpful . . . He works for his students above anything else.”

Based on the nominations received, it is obvious that Dr. Latimer goes above and beyond what is expected of him to establish excellent relationships with students. He was also noted for establishing “lasting connections with students outside of his regular teaching duties and I am extremely grateful for everything that he has done to help me reach the next phase of my life.”

Dr. Latimer was presented the Faculty Connections Award at the Provost Award Ceremony on May 7^th.

The other nominations for this award were Dr. Karen Stearns, Sarah Zipp, Dr. Burns-Thomas, Dr. Eddie Hill, Tim Davis, and Dr. Raymond Collings.  These nominees will also be recognized for their hard work and dedication to creating relationships with their students outside of the classroom.

Post written by: Lisa Allen

Student Employment on campus is a big factor in students feeling connected to their college community. The Student Employment office will be celebrating the vital contributions that students make to the campus and community through part-time and seasonal work during Student Employment Week (April 13-17). Please utilize this week to let your student workers know how important they are to you and your office.Ideas to celebrate your student workers include:

1. Letters of Appreciation or Letters of Reference
2. Coupon booklets–design coupons for free soda, home-baked goodies, etc.
3. Notes home–send a note home to the families of your student workers to tell them how much they are appreciated, what they do, and how terrific they are.
4. Certificates–buy or make low cost certificates and make up serious or silly awards and present them to your student employees. (i.e. Best Customer Service, Most likely to show up in a snowstorm, Most professional)
5. Friendship plants–take cuttings from an office plant and give to each student employee as a “live” connection to the office.
6. Prepare care packages to give to student workers with popcorn, trail mix, soft drinks, hot chocolate mix, etc.
7. Send all students a thank you note acknowledging their hard work, signed by all staff
8. Provide “treat breaks” with popcorn, chips, candy, etc.
9. Take student employees to lunch
10. Give student employees a small gift
11. Have department head or Dean, Chair, or Vice President send student employees a thank you letter
12. Tell student employees how much you appreciate their help
13. Award “time off” certificates

Post written and contributed by: Amanda Anderson, Cheri Skipworth, and Steven Canals

An Introduction to Technologies Commonly Used by College Students (Junco & Cole-Avent, 2008) provides us with an overview of the media students use to communicate and how student affairs practitioners are integrating or should be integrating those methods.Student Affairs and technology are not always two terms you hear in the same sentence. Many functional areas include high degrees of confidentiality that make integrating newer technologies into everyday practice very challenging. How, for example, does Disability Support Services set up a group on Facebook without compromising the identities of the students who use those services? Additionally, student affairs is all about the personal touch; it’s our face-to-face interactions with students that distinguish us from other professions.On the other hand, technology is becoming increasingly important on our campuses. Moneta (as cited in Junco & Cole-Avent, 2008) describes the clear delineation between the technology proficiency of students and student affairs professionals. One must wonder if this difference in proficiency is related to a generational difference, unfamiliarity with what is available, inability to use based on office policies, or all of the above.Technology can be a fantastic way to connect with students in other functional areas. Facebook has provided Residence Life and Student Activities a great conduit for advertising and creating groups specific to real life events. The chapter also discusses student affairs trend towards reacting to an inappropriate use of new technology in students rather than proactively addressing it. In general there are great uses for a professional Facebook account; however, there are also some cautions. I for one generally do not initiate the contact with students on Facebook. I have a professional page but I do not seek out students to be “friends” with. We must also avoid the “creepy tree house” effect that was raised as a concern during our recent article discussion. This is the idea that we are encroaching on “student” space. Some students may wonder why the staff and faculty of the institution are lurking around on Facebook.I believe in the end there is some way to use new technology in a positive way for our students. Those offices which have confidentiality to contend with could reach out in more passive ways. Perhaps Disability Support Services could create a blog about a day in the life of a counselor; a Residence Hall Director could do the same. It’s possible that in the end our passive efforts will assist those students who are not so comfortable with the face-to-face interactions we thrive upon.

Post written by: Sean Sherwood, Residential Services

After SUNY Cortland, most students will lose touch with their instructors, professors, and various staff that they worked with in their undergraduate studies.  Why is this?  These relationships inside AND outside of the classroom are so important to both parties’ futures. More often than not these relationships are lost at this institution.

The importance of keeping in touch after college is immense.  For students, keeping in touch with faculty or staff is not only a good manner or of caring-nature. You never know when you will need a reference, and someone that can know you on a more personal level will be able to give your hopefully-new employer a new perspective on your personality and work-ethic.

For faculty, keeping track of students that you’ve worked with is so important.  It is a constant reminder for your students of your professionalism and the respect from your post-students will never be forgotten.  You never know when these students you had become your child’s teacher, your mortgage consultant, or even a colleague in the future.

The truth is, no one knows when a past student or faculty will enter your life once again.  The world is a strange place and the importance of “keeping in touch” with these people can yield positive results.  With today’s technology, a simple e-mail can send a big message, and a couple minutes of your time a week may someday pay off.  So keep in touch, or send a message to someone you haven’t spoken to in awhile…because, who knows?

Post Written by: Amber Ingalls

On May 7, 2009 the Student Affairs Faculty Connection Award Committee will present a deserving faculty member an award for having established positive connections with students inside and outside of the classroom. Last year, Dr. Caroline Kaltefleiter was the recipient of this award and the committee is looking to recognize another deserving faculty member this year.

Nominees considered for this award hold full-time teaching faculty positions on campus and exemplify excellence in providing positive connections with students. This award allows the perfect opportunity for anyone to nominate a faculty member that has directly impacted their lives in a positive way. If you know someone that “goes the extra mile” in order to serve students, do not miss this opportunity to recognize their contributions to our college community.

Nominations for this award are being accepted now through February 23, 2009. Please check out the direct link on the Connectivities Blog to nominate a full-time teaching faculty member today.

Are you, or do you know someone who is, a full-time teaching faculty member who:

Provides a positive impact on students outside of the classroom?

Establishes and/or maintains opportunities for student involvement outside of the classroom?

Demonstrates that they have ‘gone the extra mile’ in order to serve students?

The Student Affairs Faculty Connection Award is an award designed to recognize a faculty member for establishing and maintaining significant connections with students outside of the classroom. Begin thinking of who you feel might be deserving of this recognition as you will have the opportunity to nominate someone to be considered for the 2008 – 2009 academic year. 

Award Application

Post written by: Michele Baran, Career Services

Last week a 107 page report was distributed to President Bitterbaum, his cabinet, department chairs and program heads.  The report summarized data from the undergraduate class of 2007, and provided data on employment and satisfaction with a SUNY Cortland education.As survey coordinator, the most exciting piece of information I look forward to is the “thank you” cards I am able to distribute to the campus community.  Survey respondents are able to list up to three individuals who have “greatly impacted his or her college experience,” then I am able to send each of those people a card.

This year, over 1,400 cards were distributed throughout the campus and given to many, many people from “Candy at Dunkin’ Donuts” and “The Bookmark Ladies” to professors, secretaries, advisors, and President Bitterbaum.It is exciting to see how many people on campus have positively impacted students’ lives, and in the coming weeks, I will be featuring some of the comments those graduates made about their times at SUNY Cortland.

Post written by: Sandra Wohlleber

Dr. Richard Peagler’s time as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs is quickly coming to an end as our new VPSA, Greg Sharer, will arrive in early June. What better opportunity to take a few moments and reflect on the almost two years that Dr. Peagler has graciously held the additional VP responsibilities. Assessment is such a large part of our lives, what could be more fitting than surveying select individuals for their feedback . . .

What strengths did Dr. Peagler bring to this position?
*Excellent listening skills, compassion, and patience
*Focus on and belief in our students, and a sense of humor
*His knowledge about the College, the community, and the Division employees
* A wealth of experience from his years as the Director of the Counseling Center and Student Development Center

What positive contributions has Dr. Peagler made to the College and/or the student body?
*Leadership in establishing a viable Threat Assessment Team in the wake of the tragic event at Virginia Tech
*Continuing the important town/gown relations of the former VPSA and nurturing the excellent working relationship that the College enjoys with the City of Cortland
*Being readily accessible to the students and advocating on their behalf
*Advocating for the creation of the Student Affairs Faculty Connection Award

What impact did Dr. Peagler have on you since he has been interim VPSA?
*He has helped me grow as a leader, as an intellectual thinker and as a person.
*He has been an excellent role model for me and has offered important professional guidance.
*He has been an excellent supervisor — always accessible and always willing to listen.
*He has provided me with a welcome role model through his positive advice, positive outlook and the demonstration that he is a man of integrity as well as being accessible to all students.

What is your favorite memory of Interim VP Peagler?
*His infectious laugh . . . All I have to do is hear that laugh and I can’t help but smile.

If you could offer Dr. Peagler one final piece of advice as he transitions back into his position as Director of Counseling and Student Development, what would it be?
*Enjoy getting back to the work you love!
*Never change! You are awesome and have everyone’s best interest at heart!
*Enjoy the view from Corey Union while you can . . .

The Student Affairs Connections Committee, indeed the entire Student Affairs Division, says “Thank you” . . . thank you for your continued support of our collective mission and for providing us with your insights, your vision, and your positivity during this time of transition.

Post written by: Cynthia Lake

On May 7th, Midnight Breakfast raised over $1,000 for the Cortland Chapter of the American Red Cross. Faculty and staff volunteers cooked and served up something hot for a record-breaking 1,102 hungry SUNY Cortland students, the largest crowd in Midnight Breakfast history.
And that’s a lot of pots and pans to clean!

Many thanks go out to all the volunteers and to the sponsors of the event for providing a delicious way for the SUNY Cortland community to connect. The Student Affairs Connections Committee hopes that you will join us and volunteer in December ‘08! See you then!

Post written by: Michele Baran

“The time I spent @ Cortland were the best years of my life. I received a great education & was provided with numerous opportunities. The life experiences & friendships are invaluable.”

2006 Graduate Response from Grad Survey

“Positive Connections” is a series of short features highlighting examples of ways students have felt connected to SUNY Cortland. Many of the posts will come directly from recent graduates, though any source is welcome!