Introducing... The Topic of the Month!

We've had a lot of conversations with student affairs professionals at colleges ranging from the gargantuan to the teeny, and there is always lots to learn from what people have to say. To preserve and encourage these discussions, we've decided to come up with a topic of the month, every month, and start talkin.

So without further ado, here's this month's topic: (post your answer in a comment section below)

"How many hours per week do you work during the summer months? What is the primary focus of the work?"

Comments

[Melissa Rands]

We work full time! Some student life programming, but mostly policy development for what we want to accomplish over the next academic year(s), evaluation and assessment of programs, and just using the "low time" (as if there is any) to take a look back and forward in an effort to constantly improve our services!

[Ryan Phillip]

Ouch full time...I only work 2 days per week. Truthfully, I don't get a lot done, but it's mostly to check in on the student groups and make sure they are doing their tasks.

[Debra Sanborn]

June is orientation, so multiple presentations daily and full time. Busy as it is, I can generally keep to 40-ish hours per week. I try to take vacation most of July. Then August is back to full time with preparation for fall programming and courses. Full time in the summer, however, is a breeze compared with "full time" during the academic year!

[Eric Stoller]

This summer it's about 50 hours per week. I'm doing half summer orientation and advising work & half website design and copy editing for our college website.

[Tyler Archer]

In the summer I work 5 days a week till the work is done. Normally not more than 40 hours a week in the summer though. We have summer events and activities from live music in the student center and intramural sports and video game tournaments. We stay busy. When we aren't having events we are planning our fall and spring events and activities getting contracts ready and buying supplies. Summer isn't are busiest time at all but there is still a ton to do.

[John Spranza]

Our summer working schedule is four 10-hour days (Mon-Thurs), with Fridays off. Most of my workload involves closing out the previous year's business and gearing up for the upcoming year's programming. Soon, however, we are transitioning the Orientation program to fall under my supervision, so I'm sure next summer will be more busy!

[Brian Root]

I am in Residence Life and work 40 hours/week in the summer... the same as when school is in session in the fall/spring. My summer hours are focused on preparing for RA Training, summer retreats for my student organizations, housing stuff, and assisting with summer orientations.

[Dawn Vanniman]

I work fulltime - 40 hours/5 days. I spend time planning activities, filing, generally getting ready for fall. I also still have clubs traveling during the summer.

[Amy Garrison]

We work full time 9-5 (only 30 mins. shorter than the academic year). I spend most of my time working on long term projects, closing the fiscal year of student org. finances, preparing for orientation and fall events. We get a lot done but it isn't nearly as much fun as having the students buzzing around. It is much less stressful with fewer "fires" and more social time with colleagues.