Saturday, July 13, 2013

Avenmarg - Week 4 - Dept. of Housing and Residence Life

Activities:
- RD TRAINING

Reflection:
I decided to forego listing out every single activity included in RD training since that would take up this entire page. This past week has been great. I've really gotten to see some of the work we've been doing come to fruition. More things have gone to plan than haven't, so I really can't complain. It's been an especially busy week for me because I've been doing a lot of running around for my new graduate assistantship, as well as helping with RD training.

I was able to really learn a lot while the new RD's were listening to various presentations on procedures regarding housing assignment, emergency situations, evidence life organizations, and other aspects of their jobs. Not only was I learning from the presentations themselves, but I was also observing what was important for new RD's to know, especially those who did not attend State for the undergrad. This next week will include Behind Closed Doors, the aspect of training with which I have been the most involved. However, I will be on family vacation for the entirety of the week so I will miss the RD BCD's. Luckily, I will be back in time to help gear up for RA training which will also include BCD's that are somewhat more specified and diversified than those designed for the RD's.

I'm also looking forward to helping out with Moving You to MSU (MVNU2MSU). As a side note, I'm fairly certain that is the longest and most contrived acronym for any move-in day event, but, hey, it rhymes. This year, they're streamlining it so that there are two centralized locations for check-ins instead of having all initial traffic come through the Humphrey Coliseum. I've never experienced MSU move-in day so I'm looking forward to seeing it from this perspective.

Hope you all have a good week!
- Noelle


2 comments:

  1. Hi Noelle,

    I was in my office when the RD's came to listen to our staff of recruiters for their training. I was really amazed at the idea that RD's truly do have to know almost all, if not all, areas of student life in order to help their residents in the best ways possible. I think it is great that you get to learn along with the group of RD's. I am really impressed with the amount of collaboration I have seen within all practicum sites. For example, in the Office of Student Life, we collaborate with many different offices, specifically Admissions with regard to orientation. I see that the Department of Housing and Residence Life works with every office at MSU during training. I think this is a very valuable lesson for us to learn as future student affairs professionals. Collaboration will always be importance for us, whether it is with academic affairs or other departments. We will almost always be working in collaboration with other offices. I am glad you are enjoying your experience, and I look forward to hearing more!

    Nici McLarty

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  2. I think you are very fortunate to work with the Department of Housing and Residence Life during this time of year. So much is going to prepare for the upcoming year and all the new students that will be calling Mississippi State campus home for the next 10 or so months. Like Nici has already said, Housing and Residence Life have to work with every office on campus to prepare the RD's and RA's. Hopefully you will be able to benefit this collaboration your office has been utilizing for training. It seems you are gaining experience in other aspects of Student Affairs that just Housing and Residence Life.

    Cody Smith

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