Bridging the Gap: Student Affairs and Sustainability

Bridging the Gap: Student Affairs and SustainabilityAASHE Conference 2012Los Angeles, CaliforniaWelcome and Introductions.

Todays workshop is focused on bridging the knowledge gaps between the student affairs and sustainability professions. For those of us in the room who are primarily focused on sustainability programming, we are asked to actively recruit and retain student leaders while eliciting behavior change in students, faculty, and staff campus-wide! Thats a tough request to follow through on without any real understanding of models of effective leadership development and behavior change management. Vice Versa, those of us functioning as student affairs professionals are being told to figure out how to use sustainability to our advantage.students and administrators think its sexy and important and they need you to completely understand everything about it so that your programming can innovatively capture sustainability. Ohbut, you werent given any classes on sustainability during your training, so go figure this out in your spare time. So, today will, hopefully, be a crash course in what we can do in our positions to collaborate on campus to create effective programs, encourage student development and please campus administrators. Thats a lot to claim to be able to do in a short session, so lets dive in.1What are we working with?Which do you identify with more: Student Affairs ProfessionalSustainability ProfessionalBoth of the above equally

What are you trained as:Student Affairs ProfessionalSustainability ProfessionalTraining? I was thrown into this!

Before we get into the thick of things, wed like to get a feel for who is here today.2Sustainability101The 30 second renditionAfter much deliberation, we decided that this week would be chock-full of discussions on fundamental theories or concepts relating to sustainability if you dont already have it. So, we wanted to take a quick moment to discuss how to explain this incredibly complex topic to student affairs professionals. We have to offer a very basic initial approach because they may feel that this topic is completely separate from what they do every day. Heres how we communicate it at our schools. 3PEOPLE PLANETPROSPERITY(profit)SustainabilityWere taught to take a triple bottom line approach to sustainable solutions on our campuses. Each stakeholder at the table will have a different agenda and its the sustainability professionals job to find the reasonable solution that catapults the university forward. Each individual at a university, though, is expected to be able to utilize these concepts in their every day work. Where environmental, social and economic ideals come together is where we find sustainability.4

Sustainabilityrecyclingcompostfood wasteeconomic developmentwellnesswater conservationenergy usetransportationservice learningland usesocial justicefood securitywaste mgtconstructionagriculturepermaculturetechnologyrecreationresidential lifestylesclimate changeSo, sustainability is really this huge umbrella conversation that impacts every facet of what we do. There are the obvious issues that most student affairs professionals will understand (click next for animation), but they need to understand the holistic approach we take to sustainability (click next for animation) so they can start to infuse a variety of practices into their work at the institution and the investments they make with students. And, those of us focused on sustainability at our institutions can help them by creating a bridge between our offices.5Student Affairs 101Overview of theories and trendsAnd, now onto student affairs.a less frequent discussion among sustainability professionals, so wed like to offer a deeper understanding. Just like the previous slides were just grazing the surface of what sustainability professionals do, we will now just offer you a tiny idea of some of the guiding principles used by student affairs professionals.6Utilizing Student AffairsYou dont have to memorize all of thisrespect it so you can utilize those in the student affairs profession at your institution.Student affairs professionals are theoretical, sustainability professionals are more hands-onwhat a perfect collaboration! Join forces and use each others resources and skills!Student Affairs Theories:Maslows Hierarchy of Needs

Social Change Model of Leadership Development

Chickerings Theory of Identity Development

Social ChangeWhy it relates to Sustainability: It is less about the individual leader and more about the community8

Maslows Hierarchy of NeedsSocial Change Model of Leadership DevelopmentGroup Values:CollaborationCommon PurposeControversy with Civility

Societal & Community Values:

Citizenship

Individual Values:Consciousness of SelfCongruenceCommitment

CHANGEEstablished in 1994, the Social Change Model approaches leadership as a purposeful, collaborative, values-based process that results in positive social change. The Model was built upon the following assumptions:Leadership is concerned with effecting change on behalf of others and society

Leadership is collaborative

Leadership is a process rather than a position

Leadership should be value-based

All students (not just those that hold formal leadership positions) are potential leaders

Service is a powerful vehicle for developing students leadership skills The Social Change Model of Leadership is based on seven dimensions, or values, called the Seven Cs: consciousness of self, congruence, commitment, common purpose, controversy with civility, collaboration, and citizenship. All seven values work together to accomplish the transcendent C of change. Each dimension interacts with one another.

The individual dimension consists of the values: consciousness of self, congruence, and commitment. The group dimension consists of the values: common purpose, collaboration, and controversy with civility. Finally, the societal/community dimension consists of the value of citizenship. All of the values contribute to the ultimate goal of change.The "Seven C's"Individual ValuesConsciousness of selfAwareness of the beliefs, values, attitudes, and emotions that motivate one to take action. CongruenceThinking, feeling, and behaving with consistency, genuineness, authenticity, and honesty. CommitmentMotivational energy to serve that drives the collective effort. Commitment implies passion, intensity, and duration. Group ValuesCollaborationWorking with others in a common effort. It constitutes the cornerstone value of the group leadership effort because it empowers self and others through trust. Common PurposeWorking with shared aims and values. It facilitates the groups ability to engage in collective analysis of the issues at hand and the task to be undertaken. Controversy with CivilityRecognizes two fundamental realities of any creative group effort: that differences in viewpoints are inevitable, and that such difference must be aired openly but with civility. Community/Societal ValuesCitizenshipProcess whereby the individual and the collaborative group become responsibly connected to the community and the society through the leadership experience. ChangeChangeHub which gives meaning and purpose to the 7 Cs. Change, in other words, is the ultimate goal of the creative process of leadership - to make a better world and a better society for self and others. GoalsThe Social Change Model of Leadership has two primary goals: To enhance student learning and development; more specifically, to develop in each student participant greater: Self-knowledgeUnderstanding ones talents, values, and interests, especially as these relate to the students capacity to provide effective leadership Leadership competenceThe capacity to mobilize one-self and others to serve and work collaboratively To facilitate positive social change at the institution or in the community. That is, undertake actions which will help the institution/community to function more effectively and humanly.

I stole this directly from: http://www.shsu.edu/~org_cls/about.html 10

The most relevant pieces of this in relationship to sustainability: lasting personality changes may not occur in a blinding flash. ( behavior change programming can be impacted by this theorys tenets)The average college student is influenced by factors such as environment, economy and personal issues---the tenets of sustainability. By combining the expertise of student affairs professionals and sustainability professionals, we may be able to allow positive student growth while having the student approach adulthood through the lens of sustainability. What an exciting opportunity!Developing Congruence: Matching personal values with socially responsive behaviors (practice what you preach)Competence increases as students receive and respond to feedback. So, if you want competent, reliable student sustainability leaders, you need to be able to offer them a mentorship, not just work.Establishing Identity: the student will respond to objectivity.allow them the opportunity to explore all sides of an issue and make an informed decisiontheir work with you will become more meaningful and long-lasting.Developing Purpose: Their purpose will evolvewhat will you do to provide them with an outlet for the changes in evolution...will you allow them to change in their role within your office?

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Chickering: Identity DevelopmentMoving from Autonomy to InterdependenceManaging EmotionsDeveloping CompetenceEstablishing IdentityDeveloping PurposeDeveloping IntegrityDeveloping Mature RelationshipsThe most relevant pieces of this in relationship to sustainability: lasting personality changes may not occur in a blinding flash. ( behavior change programming can be impacted by this theorys tenets)The average college student is influenced by factors such as environment, economy and personal issues---the tenets of sustainability. By combining the expertise of student affairs professionals and sustainability professionals, we may be able to allow positive student growth while having the student approach adulthood through the lens of sustainability. What an exciting opportunity!Developing Congruence: Matching personal values with socially responsive behaviors (practice what you preach)Competence increases as students receive and respond to feedback. So, if you want competent, reliable student sustainability leaders, you need to be able to offer them a mentorship, not just work.Establishing Identity: the student will respond to objectivity.allow them the opportunity to explore all sides of an issue and make an informed decisiontheir work with you will become more meaningful and long-lasting.Developing Purpose: Their purpose will evolvewhat will you do to provide them with an outlet for the changes in evolution...will you allow them to change in their role within your office?

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As with any profession, use of these theories remains relatively silent. Being aware of them on our own can allow us to navigate the waters each day. It is common to use a variety of theories for any given situation and many professionals will probably point out that they arent always actively aware of the fact that theyre utilizing the theories. Theyre now so ingrained in the work that many of us do that were able to navigate our work without being obvious in our use of the theories. We dont let students in on our use of theorybut, we can quietly utilize their wisdom to provide quiet guidance and comfort to students during a time of significant life transition.13Case StudiesLinking theory to practiceGroup Work:At each of your tables is a folder containing two scenarios. Open the folder and, as a group, develop a solution to the issue at hand.The folders also contain Student Development Theory Cheat Sheets. Be sure to consider these theories in your decision making and note which theories were used.10 minutes.Youll be asked to share your solution in a 2-3 minute presentation.Scenario #1: Volunteer ManagementYour office experiences high numbers of volunteer sign-up at the beginning of each semester, but has poor retention rates.By the third week of the semester, you have usually invested approximately 30 hours to new student orientations. Such repetitive activity is causing you to burn out and make weaker investments in your students.

What procedures can you put into place to avoid burn-out but still harness the energy of the committed students?Scenario #1: Volunteer ManagementGroup PresentationDefine Case StudyHow would the group approach the issue?What theories were used in developing this solution?17Theory in Action: Volunteer Management What did the institution do? Created a volunteer orientation event to occur 2x per semesterWhat theories did they use to get here?Leadership identity, servant leadership, social learningScenario #2: Student Leadership FatigueYour office sponsors a diverse set of events, programs and services annually. At the turn of each semester, you regularly lose one or more student leaders who implement the programs; their reasoning is consistently noted as: Burn-out. The constant loss of quality student assistance is causing your small staff to also feel the burden of programming.

What can you do, as the manager of these students and staff, to foster a healthier, more sustainable approach to programming that doesnt cause students to burn out?Scenario #2: Student Leadership FatigueGroup PresentationDefine Case StudyHow would the group approach the issue?What theories were used in developing this solution?20Theory in Action: Student Leadership FatigueWhat did the institution do? What theories did they use to get here?Scenario #3: Program OutreachAn Office of Sustainability performs and audit of events and notices a great deal of money being spent on programs with the same students attending all of them. Additionally, you receive feedback from other departments on campus that few are aware of the existence of an Office of Sustainability.

How does the office reach out to the greater campus community without an increase in staff or budget?Scenario #3: Program OutreachGroup PresentationDefine Case StudyHow would the group approach the issue?What theories were used in developing this solution?23Theory in ActionProgram Outreach What did the institution do? Stopped hosting events and only facilitates services and programs. Developed a mini-grant programWhat theories did they use to get here?Scenario #4: Program ScopeUpon a program assessment exercise, you discover that a certain tradition of your office is costly, makes a small contribution to institutional greenhouse gas emissions, impacts only .2% of the student body and is stressful to your staff.Your student staff recognizes the drawbacks but also points out that many members of the community expressed deep appreciation for your offices involvement.

What action, if any, do you take?Scenario #4: Program ScopeGroup PresentationDefine Case StudyHow would the group approach the issue?What theories were used in developing this solution?26Theory in Action What did the institution do? Eliminated the programWhat theories did they use to get here?Scenario #5: Sustainability ProgrammingYou are the Coordinator of Student Activities at a college.Your supervisor has instructed you to start programming with more sustainability initiatives in mind because she has been told sustainability can be an excellent recruitment tool. You have no formal training in sustainability and your students give you a diverse set of definitions to the concept when you ask them about it. What short-term and long-term planning can you create to accommodate this request with sincerity and intention? How do you broaden the scope of sustainability to help you better accomplish your work, regardless of discipline. How to communicate and define sustainability.

28Scenario #5: Sustainability ProgrammingGroup PresentationDefine Case StudyHow would the group approach the issue?What theories were used in developing this solution?29Theory in ActionProgram Scope What did the institution do? What theories did they use to get here?Scenario #6: Communicating SustainabilityHuman Resources is hesitant to provide detailed information for an upcoming STARS submission.You realize their hesitancy is tied to their lack of understanding of sustainability and that they are in need of a tailored definition of sustainability.

How do you explain sustainability to them to allow them to understand the connection between sustainability and equity?

What other offices may need a tailored definition?Working on STARS compilation, reaching out to HR, they are hesitant to give information, what does this have to do with sustainability?. How do you explain sustainability to them so they understand how to equate equity to sustainability? EQUITY! Its a gateway to getting people involved. Get out of our Sustainability Heads! Moving toward Citizenship31Scenario#6: Communicating SustainabilityGroup PresentationDefine Case StudyHow would the group approach the issue?What theories were used in developing this solution?32Theory in Action: Community SustainabilityWhat did the institution do? Accessibility and Inclusion meeting, redefinition of office programs, change in communication processWhat theories did they use to get here? Ethic of Care/Maslows Hierarchy of NeedsMoving ForwardAssessment of your current student-engagement practicesIdentifying your personal relevance to student affairs what are you role modeling?Collaboration with other departmentsAnd, other institutions/communitiesUtilize collaboration to avoid professional burn-out.Adapting how you communicate sustainability and student engagementMore meaningful student engagementParticipation versus engagementBy gaining a better understanding of student development theories, we can begin to work more collaboratively with other departments on our campus. Now, there are, of course, other student affairs theories and entirely different fields of study that were not mentioned here today. But, by gaining a deeper appreciation for the work that our colleagues are accomplishing on our campuses, were hopeful that we can begin to engage students more fully into the implementation practices of our sustainability efforts.34

Post-presentation slide in case the discussion of Example programs is approached:

1.) Theyre constantly offering food-related eventscan you help make those events focus on local, sustainable food options that educate on food waste issues on your campus?2.) Do you have great green space on your campus that isnt utilized by students? (Click) Help create programming that utilizes personal sustainability ideals and takes advantage of that space.3.) Partner to create social justice and personal sustainability programming on a cause that your student body can really relate to.4.) Offer student affairs and student clubs with education on how to make their programs Zero Waste events..

These are simple examples that can actually lead into much deeper conversations about sustainable policies and behavior change programming.

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