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The Buzz Around Student Affairs
Newsletter of Today
News for the Month of November 2019
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In response to our first Ask Ed! submission, one of our staff asked the question below:
"In student affairs, there is a reality of experiencing burn out, and if not addressed, it causes staff to either not work as effectively or look for other opportunities. What do you do to address your own burnout and what would you incorporate into our division to address burn out and retention?" -Anonymous
A response from Dr. Ed Mills:
This is a critically important question for all of us to consider and I thank the reader for asking. Providing student services requires a unique mix of customer service and compassion service skills. Burnout is a common concern associated with customer service professions. Compassion Fatigue is a common concern associated with mental and physical health care professions. It has occurred to me that student service professions may be contending with both of these challenges.
For folks involved in direct student services, providing high-quality customer (student) service is core to our work. During the course of service, we strive to offer caring and empathetic support for our students, many of whom are dealing with feelings of stress, depression, and frustration, while others have endured horrific experiences and trauma. Working with students in these kinds of situations and helping them access the support and services they need can be very mentally and emotionally draining for staff.
For individual support, I would recommend our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). For more general information and services, our colleagues in Student Health and Counseling might also be able to provide a presentation to your team or a mindfulness workshop.
Here are a few of the strategies that I’ve used and recommend to others.
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1. Keep in touch with yourself. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of burnout and compassion fatigue. Here is an article that helped me: READ MORE
2. Take a break. When you are feeling burned out or fatigued, the best thing you can do is take a short break. Go for a walk, sit outside in a quiet place, or listen to your favorite song, whatever brings you peace. This is a good time to practice mindfulness.
3. Ask for help. You can talk with your friends and family, your colleagues, your supervisor or the mental health professionals available through the EAP program.
4. Practice self-care. It’s important to try to eat right and get some form of regular activity; whatever activity you can do.
5. Make the most of your vacation and holiday time. Whether you spend time with friends and family, work on a hobby or personal project, take a day trip, or travel when you have time off, it is important to take a break from work and recharge.
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Honestly, I wish I was better at these strategies. We all need to find ways to help us take productive breaks and recharge. I would also add a 6th recommendation:
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6. Be kind to each other. Here is a song I listen to when I need a lift: CLICK TO LISTEN
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| Click to submit a question for next month's Ed Talk.
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Veterans Success Center: Supporting our VeteransIn continuous admiration of our veterans, the Division of Student Affairs would like to take the time to express immense gratitude for all veterans who have served and are currently serving our country in the name of freedom.
In support of student veterans and their dependents here at Sacramento State, the Veteran’s Success Center (VSC) serves as a support system and a one-stop-shop for resources. The VSC offers programs to aid in tuition assistance, veteran counseling, academic support, and strives to provide the necessary tools that students require in order to succeed.
Since its opening in 2010, the goal of the VSC has been to aid and support all student veterans in any way they may need. With more than 400 veterans and 1,200 dependents of military families currently at Sacramento State, the presence of this center is crucial to providing a positive student experience: “The Veteran’s Success Center contributes to the student experience by creating a holistic and welcoming center that provides a myriad of services to our student veterans. At Sac State, we recognize the service and sacrifice our men and women in uniform have made. Our goal is to provide that same level of service and dedication to them as they have shown our nation,” says the Director of the Veteran’s Success Center, Dr. Jeff Weston.
Serving our veterans is a year-round effort. The VSC is currently holding a participation drive in order to create a positive impact on our students with military backgrounds and lifestyles as well as provide continuous support at Sacramento State. The link to donate is open now through November 22.
Click the link below to donate for the success of our veteran students:
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Hornet Football: Having a Historic YearThe Sacramento State football team is having a historic season and you have one final chance to see the team in the regular season. The Hornets are currently ranked sixth in the Football Championship Subdivision — the highest in school history — and will host UC Davis in the 66th Annual Causeway Classic.
66th Annual Causeway Classic
Saturday, November 23, 2019
2 pm
Hornet Stadium
Sacramento State has already tied its record for most wins in a season in the division 1 era and is looking for fans to help break the attendance record at the game. Make sure to get to Hornet Stadium early to enjoy the pregame tailgate festivities as well as honor the team’s 16 seniors who will be playing their final regular season game with the team. Among the group are nine players who have spent their entire collegiate career as Hornets, including four who have already earned their degree. Purchase your tickets ahead of time to beat the crowd and guarantee your seat.
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Ruff, Puff, & Roll
Health & Wellness
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Black College Expo
Conference, Student Activity
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Concert BandStudent Concert
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Causeway ClassicHornet Football vs. UCDavis
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Yoga Night
90 mins of Yoga
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FriendsgivingCooking Demo
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A Taste of Asia and the PacificOn December 3, Student Academic Success and Educational Equity Programs (SASEEP) will host Taste of Asia and the Pacific, promoting Asian Pacific Islander (API) traditions, history, and culture through cuisine from various regions of Asia and the Asian Pacific Islands.
This event is a celebration of the diversity on campus through the shared thread of food. Sacramento State is home to more than 25 sub-groups of API students. Coming together to share a meal reinforces a sense of belonging and being a part of a community.
The event will feature exciting cultural performances by local API groups and a keynote address by Taro Arai, Owner and Chief Dreaming Officer of Mikuni Restaurant Group, Inc., in which he will share his journey from being an immigrant, to becoming one of Sacramento’s top restaurateurs.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
4-6 pm
University Union, Ballroom
Proceeds will support API College Day.
API College Day brings local high school and community college students to Sacramento State, promoting the reality of higher education. The second annual event scheduled for March 2020, will feature a new scholarship helping make the dream of attending college a reality for at-promise API students.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click the link below:
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Black College ExpoSacramento State will host the Black College Expo on November 23, in the University Union. With more than 3,000 people expected to attend, the Black College Expo brings students and families from across the region to campus, to learn about higher education opportunities as they make choices for their future beyond high school and community college.
Sponsored by National College Resource Foundation, California Student Aid Commission, and Sacramento State, this event benefits underserved students and works with post-secondary institutions to provide admissions and scholarship information for students, parents, and schools. There will be workshops, one-on-one advising, and on-site college acceptance.
Saturday, November 23, 2019
9:00am-4:00pm
University Union
Volunteers are needed to support this beneficial event. To learn more: Read more
For more information and to register for the event visit:
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Leadership Initiative 10 Year CelebrationSince 2009, nearly 3,000 students have earned a certificate through the Leadership Initiative, preparing them to be future leaders both on campus and in the community. The certificate program is designed to be earned at a pace that fits student schedules and is in line with CSU graduation initiatives Through in 2 and Finish in 4.
The Leadership Initiative Certificate Program is co-curricular, promoting classroom learning and encouraging students to get involved on campus by joining a club or volunteering. Curriculum is designed to promote leadership self-efficacy amongst students, helping students develop leadership skills, such as self-reflection, critical thinking, communication, self-management, and teamwork.
None of this is possible without their many campus partners. “Leadership can be daunting, but by partnering with other departments, the Leadership Initiative is able to maximize our reach and make leadership more accessible, bringing opportunities to the classrooms and clubs where students are.” says Christina Armstrong-Smith, Leadership Programs Coordinator with Student Organization and Leadership
Bringing together staff, faculty, current students, and alumni, the Leadership Initiative is celebrating their 10-year anniversary with a banquet on Friday, November 15. “The banquet is an opportunity to gather together and reflect on the bigger picture. Taking a step back to celebrate the past and look towards the future.” says Armstrong-Smith.
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DRC 4th Annual Keeping the Dream Alive Conference: Shifting the Undocumented Narrative from Surviving to ThrivingThe Dreamer Resource Center (DRC) will host the 4th Annual Keeping the Dream Alive Conference. The conference encourages educators and professionals to become agents of change in their respective institutions and advance the educational success of undocumented and mixed-status students. This year’s theme, “Shifting the Undocumented Narrative from Surviving to Thriving” brings attention to the challenges of being an undocumented student and achieving well-being despite status-imposed barriers. Panels and breakout sessions will explore what social resources and advocacy efforts are needed in education, family, and community settings to aid undocumented students and students from mixed-status families.
Conference speakers include Armando Ibañez, activist, writer, filmmaker, and the creator of YouTube web series “Undocumented Tales,” and Joshua Davis, writer, film producer, and author of this year’s best-selling book Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream.
Monday, December 2, 2019
7:30am-5pm
University Union, Ballroom
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University Union Grants Holiday Wishes for Children & Families
The University Union is pleased to announce the annual gift donation drive, Wish Upon a Star. For more than 19 years, the University Union has partnered with Sunburst Projects to collect gifts for families impacted by HIV/AIDS. In its history, this annual drive has granted more than 9,000 holiday wishes for children and families in the Sacramento region. In 2018, The University Union received more than 800 gifts, including children’s toys, as well as family essentials such as diapers, wipes, underwear, and more. For some families, the gifts donated through this drive are the only gift that their child will receive this holiday season.
To participate in this gift drive, visit the Wish Upon a Star display located in The University Union main lobby November 22 - December 6, choose a star, purchase the gift listed on the star, and deliver to the first floor Info Desk.
A special gift-wrapping party will be hosted on Friday, December 6 in the Union Redwood Room from 10 am-noon.
For more information and to learn how to volunteer, visit Wish Upon a Star or call the University Union Info Desk at (916) 278-6997.
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The Sacramento Cruz Reynoso Bar Association (CRBA) honors the Dreamer Resource Center (DRC) with the Community Service Award of the YearEach year, the Sacramento Unity Bar, an association of diverse attorneys in the region, hosts the “Unity Bar Dinner.” As part of the event, attendees bestow the Community Service Award of the Year to individuals or organizations dedicated to promoting justice through leadership, education, and/or participation in civic and social activities.
This year, the Cruz Reynoso Bar Association (CRBA), Sacramento’s Latina/o Bar Association (SLBA), honored the Dreamer Resource Center (DRC) for the center’s commitment to helping make the dream of a college degree a reality for undocumented students and students with mixed-status families. The DRC was also honored for serving as a model for other higher education institutions and for assisting institutions in replicating high impact practices and improving the lives of this student population.
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Student Affairs Professional Development Series-COMING SOON Student Affairs is partnering with other units on campus to create a professional development program aimed at supporting new and existing team members, providing opportunities for continued professional growth and development.
To ensure that we are providing you with the information that you want to know, we would like to hear from you. Please take the following short anonymous survey, it includes a list of possible topics and space for you to add your own ideas.
Take our survey and tell us your thoughts.
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