Fall Summit

Mark your Calendars!

Region 10 Fall Summit:
October 7-8
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Regional News

From Grace Jones, St. Mary’s College:

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect attending my first ACCED-I Annual Conference. When I arrived I was given a bright purple name tag and a green ribbon that labeled me as a “First Timer”. I also received a red ribbon for “Speaker”. I figured that balanced things out.

After debating over the five outfits I crammed in my suitcase, I hunted down the First Timer’s Welcome. Along the way I ran into Matt, was hugged at the door by Michele, and hailed over by the Region 10 table. It was like coming home. Here, in the mist of hundreds of people I didn’t know, were my colleagues and friends. 

The days seem to blur by after that. I was inspired to laugh by John “Wags” Wagner, our keynote speaker. I attended several amazing sessions that covered everything from social networking to how to properly set a table. I learned so many new skills, I was ready to come home and try them out.

Leaving Louisville was a bittersweet experience. I left behind some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met, but took home endless memories.

From Darlene Bratcher,  Longwood University:

With the help of scholarship funds Longwood University’s Conferences & Scheduling office was able to send Darlene Bratcher, director; Matt Spalding, assistant director for conference services; Alison Warren, conference coordinator; and Brandi George, scheduling coordinator to the ACCED-I 30th Annual Conference in Louisville.  This trip was an excellent bonding experience for our staff (18 hours in a car).  The sessions were very interactive, which allowed for networking with our peers.  We met so many people who quickly became friends, and shared memories and made new ones with our old friends.  These friends will be one of the most valuable sources of information for the future, plus we all had such a great time together.  Thank you ACCED-I (especially Region 10) for making this possible.

From Peter Kaiser, Anne Arundel Community College:

Anne Arundel Community College hosted the 5^th  annual MAC Resource 25 Conference on March 12.  Schools from Virginia, Maryland, DC and New Jersey attended.  There were schedulers as well as technical people there.   Michele Whiteside from University of Richmond led the group.  All found something new to be able to apply to their scheduling application.

From Dave Treber, Frostburg State University:

When Dave Treber is setting up a contracted basketball game at Frostburg State, he has told event organizers (at least a thousand times) over the years: “We’ll take care of everything for a great game.  BUT, when that guy is up at the free throw line with a second to go, down by a point, he is on his own.” 

He reports that this year, it finally actually happened… in the championship game of the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament on March 20.  Gonzaga HS player Cedric Lindsay missed them both with 14.4 seconds to go and trailing DeMatha 67 – 66.  And then he got the ball back and got fouled on a three-point shot with 0.5 seconds left (why would anyone foul here?) and hit them both, Gonzaga wins 68 – 67.  Lindsay intentionally missed the third.  A game, and a name, to remember!  This was the 50^th anniversary, so there were a lot of additional festivities.  FSU has hosted since 1977.  The ACITs completed a busy trifecta of basketball at FSU, first the high school regional championships, then the Harlem Globetrotters, then the ACIT.

“In case you are wondering,” Dave added, “The Globetrotters won.”

He also reports with pride, “College Summit, one of the summer groups we host, was recently recognized by President Obama.  There is a cash award with the Nobel Peace Prize our President received, and he divided it among ten non-profits, including College Summit.  Other ACCED-I colleagues, such as Susan Adler at Yale and Margene Weiss at Daemon, host this group as well, which is all about preparing disadvantaged young people for college.  If they can make it to college, they can make it in college.”

From Lesley A. Staffeldt, Salisbury University:

SU Breaks Ground on First Residential-Retail Complex

Salisbury University (SU) officially broke ground on the campus’ new Sea Gull Square (SGS) residence hall and retail complex—the first residence hall to be built on main campus in two decades.

At 230,000 square feet, the five-story, $45 million project, located on the site of the former Allenwood Shopping Center, also will become main campus’s largest residence hall with 605 beds.  SGS will house upperclassmen in 185 apartment-style units with a variety of floor plans and layouts.

“I believe Sea Gull Square will have a transformational effect on Salisbury University and the surrounding community,” said SU President Janet Dudley-Eshbach.  “This ‘Main Street-style,’ mixed-use complex will provide a welcoming introduction to the University from the south and complement the recently opened Teacher Education and Technology Center at the north end of campus. Sea Gull Square addresses our need for more student housing, while its commercial retail space will serve the surrounding community as well, adding to the progressive development of both the University and the City. 

Some 23,000 square feet are dedicated to ground-floor retail space. Construction is expected to be completed in July 2011.  

“The University is thrilled to break ground on this exciting project,” said Dr. Ellen Neufeldt, vice president of student affairs.  “Sea Gull Square will offer many contemporary amenities that students today expect, including a fitness center, single rooms and modern lounges. Apartments will be equipped with private bedrooms, full kitchens, a common room, and washers and dryers.  Much more than the traditional dormitory that many parents remember, it will provide the physical space and atmosphere for a true living-learning experience.”

Other features include a SMART classroom, as well as a faculty office and apartment on the ground floor.  Named for SU’s mascot, Sea Gull Square is the campus’ first mixed-use complex.  The project addresses the need for student housing identified by a 2007 Student and Resident Life Needs Assessment.

With the addition of Sea Gull Square, nearly 40 percent of SU undergraduates will now live on campus, well above the national average, Neufeldt said.  The new beds also give more upperclassmen opportunities to remain on campus for the duration of their time at SU.  National studies show that undergraduates who live on campus have higher retention rates than those who do not.

Upholding SU’s commitment to sustainability, the University is pursuing the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver Certification for the facility.  Efforts include recycling the majority of waste from demolition and construction, incorporating bicycle storage rooms to encourage “green” transportation and adding a roof that mitigates heat island effect.  The building also features energy-efficient HVAC equipment, Energy Star-rated apartment appliances, recycled textile flooring and low volatile organic compound paint. 

30th Annual Conference:

Here are some photos of our region at the Annual Conference in Louisville, KY:

Darlene and Rick	Darlene, Denise, and Grace
Good apple	Grace doing "Vanna"
Rick, Denise, Grace, Matt, and Tom	Sue, Connie, Jeremy, and MaryKay

Click here to read past Region 10 news.

Fall Regional Meeting

Region 10 members at ACCED-I 29th Annual Conference in Boston, MA