Next "AVP Reads" Discussion Scheduled for September 25

AVP Reads is the online common reading group started last fall by NASPA’s AVP Steering Committee.  This is an AVP-exclusive* opportunity to build community, foster networking, and energize ourselves and colleagues by sharing discussion and reflection on current literature and events in the world of student affairs and beyond.

The reading for the next session is “Times Are A-Changing: Social Media, Heightened Scrutiny Broaden Impact of Student Protests” by Mary B. Coburn.  You can access an e-version of the article in the Summer 2015 issue of NASPA’s Leadership Exchange magazine by clicking here.  This article will be our springboard into a discussion about how are institutions are (or are not!) adequately prepared to respond to student unrest and civil discourse on our campuses.  Some of the questions we will be considering:

• The article raises an important issue of the tension between protecting students’ First Amendment rights and preventing a hostile environment that is detrimental to students’ ability to live and learn in a safe community. Reflecting on the recent actions at the University of Oklahoma by a chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the swift response from the University President – what issues do student affairs professionals need to balance?
• How can we as student affairs professionals utilize social media in creative ways to foster communities where students bring concerns to the attention of administration for open dialogue and civil discourse before resorting to public protest and unrest? 
• What challenges come with the role of an institution of higher education to maintain a content neutral stance while focusing on the role of providing a forum for all views to be expressed equally?

The September 25 discussion will be co-facilitated by Angela Lauer Chong, The College of New Jersey, and Eric Grospitch, University of Missouri-Kansas City.  They will get the conversation started and will also count on you to ask questions and offer your perspectives about this critically important student affairs role on our campuses.  We’ll also have the article’s author, Mary Coburn of Florida State University, and contributing authors, Lori Reesor of the University of North Dakota and Joseph Worth of St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley, on the call for the discussion.

Join us on Friday, September 25, 2015 from 12:00-1:30pm ET for this AVP-exclusive opportunity!

We’ll be using NASPA’s Online Learning Community (OLC) to meet virtually for this live discussion.  All you have to do to join is follow these simple steps:

• Hit this link:  https://www.naspa.org/events
• Scroll down a bit and click the blue button that says “LOG INTO LEARNING COMMUNITY”.
• Follow the log in prompts using your normal naspa.org log in information. (If you’re already logged in, you will skip this step.)
• On the next screen, click the “Continue” button.
• The next screen highlights recent activity in the community.  Select “Groups” from the list in the left margin.
• Click on the AVP Reads group.  This group is private so you must enter the access code PCIR-FNOG to join.
• The next time you log in, you’ll find the AVP Reads group under “My Groups” on the left side of your screen.

To join the group, you should complete these steps (and the reading!) prior to the September 25 live discussion.  We hope that you will choose to join us and other NASPA AVPs/”number twos” for some discussion, learning, and networking!

*This opportunity is appropriate for assistant and associate vice presidents for student affairs and other “number twos” (e.g., deans of students) who report to the most senior student affairs officer on campus.