Back to Blogging

Oh yeah! ...I have a blog...

I think part of the reason for my blogging sabatical has been that my life outside the job has been much more interesting than my life at the office. It's not really Sac State's or SO&L's fault...I mean, how can they be expected to be more exciting than SF Pride, a surprise visit from my friend Joe, a road trip to LA down the Pacific Coast Highway, and an awesome 4th of July BBQ with friends in Stockton?

The SO&L is a family. We keep getting told this, and it's pretty clear from the interactions I see. Staff meetings are a time for laughter just as much as they are a time for discussion and business. Having fun at the office doesn't seem to be a positive by-product of the work that's done, but rather integral to the success of the work. This group functions as a team, rather than a heirarchical chain of command, likely out of necessity: there are so many facets to this office (all student clubs, the development of a substantial campus-wide leadership program, fraternities and sororities, the PRIDE center, the women's resource center, and dozens of other side projects and collaborations) and so few administrators (4 staff members and 2 administrative assistants) that in order for the office to function, everyone needs to lend a helping hand and everyone's opinion is solicited and taken into account.

I mentioned the variety or programs and centers that SO&L works with. With that comes a variety of students that are served by the office. Something I've noticed are the steps the professionals take to encourage collaboration between the different populations. A specific example is between Greek Life and the women's resource center. Our director, Alysson, is really encouraging Greeks to apply for intern positions in the WRC. In addition, the Greeks are working with the WRC to fund a sexual assault awareness program.

Part of Emily and I's responsbility this summer is to staff the SO&L table at orientation sessions. We get to talk to tons of incoming students and their family members about the benefit of getting involved and what this office offers. We seem to always to have one of the busiest tables, and it is exciting to work for what is essentially the hub of 90% of outside the classroom involvement.

There's still a ton going on with LS 79 and the Leadership Conference, but I will save that for another post very soon. Promise. :)