Uniting Unions 2009 @ University of Northern Iowa!

Educational Sessions

Download a Room Map of the Mauker Student Union [pdf]
Download a Printable Version of the Ed Sessions [pdf]

Block One - Friday, November 6th @ 1:45

Keep it Simple, Stupid: Dealing w/ too many brands
Generate awareness by simplifying your branding message and making it consistent. How we made our Department’s brand stick out within the broader brand of our University. By limiting our message and creating a clear brand, we have generated an 86% awareness rate among our students within 2.5 years.

Collette Litzinger - University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
State College Room
Campus Life & Program Management

Re-Thinking Marriage: Iowa’s Decisive Moment
Were you as surprised as the rest of the country in April to hear that Iowa allows gay marriage? Do you know folks being impacted by this decision? Interested in knowing more about the ways Iowa has changed based on this court ruling? Join with LGBT community leaders and those involved in this historic decision as we explore what the future holds.

T. Todd Masman - Mount Mary College
Andrea Janus - One Iowa
Presidential Room
Campus Life & Program Management

Willkommen! Irashaimasu! Benvenuto! Re-think Welcome!
The Student Union is the center of campus life and therefore it should reflect the vibrant life of your Global Campus! Find out ways to make your Student Union into the most welcoming of environments for all our students, including the international community. We will discuss ways that Student Unions can generate campus wide awareness of the globalization of campus. In addition we will discuss ways to develop a welcoming environment as well as ways to have a global experience without leaving campus!

Laurie Woodward - Minnesota State University - Mankato
Margaret Vos -St. Cloud State University
University Room
Campus Life & Program Management

Celebrating Difference: What’s your Role?
Community = conflict. Many of us avoid heated discussion. We must challenge ourselves and learn about others if we are to create welcoming places for all. Where do you fit in the circle of life? In this session we will discuss differences while creating an environment that is uniquely your own.

Gregory T. Wilkins - Minnesota State University - Mankato
Elm Room
Campus Life & Program Management

Sustainability: From Students to Student Unions
Student unions around the country are working towards providing sustainable options and resources for students, staff and faculty. This session will examine some low cost and impactful initiative that can be implemented in any student union.

Brent Delong - St. Cloud State University
Oak Room
Facilities & Operations

Block II - Friday, November 6th @ 3:30

You-Lead, We-Lead, I-Lead
Our  I-LEAD knowledge gives us the tools to promote a diverse community through participation, personal growth, and challenging the process.
This Is What This Life Changing Program Means To Us:
Team Building: Creating a Foundation
Large Group: Exposure to Differences
Small Group: Becoming a Family
I-LEAD: PRICELESS
Discover the leader within YOU!

Jennifer Austing - Minnesota State University - Moorhead
Katy Jo Bates - St. Cloud State University
Caitlin Herby - University of Minnesota - Duluth
Tyler Luckhurst - South Dakota State University
Presidential Room
Campus Life & Program Management

Stop, Breathe, Stretch
In this interactive session, participants will hear tips on time management, stress management as well as learn basic relaxation techniques. You will walk away feeling great with new information on how to balance the demands of being a student leader and a student too. Open to anyone.

George Micalone - Iowa State University
University Room
Campus Life & Program Management

EMS Scheduling Software Roundtable
Rethink how you are currently using you EMS scheduling software and explore some possibilities that lead to greater scheduling efficiencies. Explore new ways to use invoicing features. Discover the benefits of virtual EMS or Master Calendar and learn about the advantages of the EMS Enterprise version. Presenters will lead a discussion on how to get the most out of your EMS Scheduling Program.

Bob Klackner - St. Cloud State University
Braden Kuznia - Minnesota State University - Moorhead
Elm Room
Facilities & Operations

Re-Claiming Space:  The Technology Commons Concept
The recent renovation of Maucker Union's lower level incorporated a new space with a "Technology Commons" concept. Learn about the process, the concept, and how it was realized in Maucker Union.

Lisa Kratz - University of Northern Iowa
Brad Leeper - InVision Architecture
Oak Room
Facilities & Operations

Block III - Saturday, November 7th @ 9:30 am

Homecoming – Early Bird Gets the Worm!
Procrastination is easy but may leave you starved for success. As the ol’ adage goes, “the early bird gets the worm”. Feed your mind and cultivate a smorgasbord of opportunities by planning ahead and getting the campus community involved in creating a memorable Homecoming.

Megan Gabel - Minnesota State University- Mankato
State College Room
Campus Life & Program Management

Communicating with the “Wired” Student
This presentation will show you how to connect with today’s “wired” student using green tools that speak their language, as well as how to use online forms to reduce waste, use a secure format for sensitive data, and connect with those elusive students!

Beth Galatis - University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Elm Room
Campus Life & Program Management

Campaigning on Campus: An Advisory Approach
Institutions encourage civic engagement and participation in the political process. Review a resource guide created at the University of MN - Twin Cities. Discuss how to advise the Student Groups on your campus regarding positive collaborations with outside organizations, responsibility and adherence to policies, with an Events & Conferences focus.

Kelly Ricke - University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Presidential Room
Facilities & Operations

Giving Feedback:  the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Part I
Remember those times when your supervisor thanked you for doing a good job (or not)? How about those times when you “messed up”; how did your supervisor handle it? Were they comfortable having a difficult conversation? How were you made to feel? Feedback skills are essential to those in a supervisory role, whether you are a student manager or a full-time staff member. Providing feedback “correctly” can increase morale, lead to positive workplace performance and behavior, and increased productivity. Correctly given feedback can also turn problem situations into educational discussions. In short, choosing clear, meaningful language is critical to guarantee two-way understanding of the message, whether it’s mean to praise or correct performance. This is a two-part session. Part one will cover Positive Feedback and Part Two will cover Constructive Feedback. Both sessions include a video and participation exercises.

Tony Trimarco - University of North Dakota
Oak Room
Campus Life & Program Management

Block IV - Saturday, November 7th @ 10:45 am

So I can do this for a living?
Do you really like being involved on your campus or working in your union? Have you ever wondered how your advisor or your boss got their really cool job? Come to “I can do this for a living?” to find out how a variety of professionals came to work in a field of higher education. This will be an open discussion so bring lots of questions.

Jessie Stinson - University of Northern Iowa
State College Room
Campus Life & Program Management

Sustainability and Campus Programming
From campus farmers markets to energy and recycling competitions, sustainability programming presents opportunities for schools to both raise awareness and take concrete action.  Get an overview of different sustainability programs happening at campuses across the country and bring your experiences and ideas to share.

Ryan Ihrke - Minnesota State University - Mankato
Presidential Room

Giving Feedback:  the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Part II
Remember those times when your supervisor thanked you for doing a good job (or not)? How about those times when you “messed up”; how did your supervisor handle it? Were they comfortable having a difficult conversation? How were you made to feel? Feedback skills are essential to those in a supervisory role, whether you are a student manager or a full-time staff member. Providing feedback “correctly” can increase morale, lead to positive workplace performance and behavior, and increased productivity. Correctly given feedback can also turn problem situations into educational discussions. In short, choosing clear, meaningful language is critical to guarantee two-way understanding of the message, whether it’s mean to praise or correct performance. This is a two-part session. Part one will cover Positive Feedback and Part Two will cover Constructive Feedback. Both sessions include a video and participation exercises.

Tony Trimarco, University of North Dakota
Oak Room
Campus Life & Program Management

The Big Dream Revolution™: Helping America Connect and Dream Big!
In 2006, the BIG dream gathering™ was started by Mitch and his wife. It was an opportunity for friends to come and write down their BIG dreams, seeing if they could help each other with encouragement, connections or time.  It was supposed to go for a few hours... but it wound up lasting a week! All sorts of dreams were launched, and a revolution was begun.
In this high-energy program, The ACUI Dream Team could take off with countless dreams reawakened and incredible connections made. Find out what could happen if you, your organization or your community were able to dream BIGGER!

Mitch Matthews
University Room