The document discusses mistakes campus activities professionals make that are within their control to correct. The SSAO responds that professionals should schedule flex time in advance, avoid overprogramming events, and create plans for graduate students. They also note the importance of clarifying expectations with supervisors and avoiding comparing their roles to corporate jobs. When asked about improving work-life balance, responses discuss addressing attitudes around long hours, being intentional about balance, and correcting assumptions that student life roles are only for young people.

1. A few words from our survey
respondents will build
excitement and dramatic
anticipation before our session
starts...

2. What are the most serious mistakes you see made by campus activities professionals that are within their control to correct?
What are the most serious mistakes you see made by campus activities professionals that are within their control to correct?
What are the most serious mistakes you see made by campus activities professionals that are within their control to correct?
What are the most serious
mistakes you see made
by campus activities
professionals that are
within their control to
correct?
The SSAO responds...

3. “Not scheduling flex time prior to the
beginning of each semester and marking
days out on the calendar.
“Not looking in total at the schedule of
events/programs and stepping back and
asking if they are over programming OR if
they could collaborate with other areas to
assist with staffing.”
“Not creating a PLAN for Graduate Students
to be used at max capacity prior to their
arrival in the office.”

4. What are the most serious mistakes you see made by campus activities professionals that are within their control to correct?
What are the most serious mistakes you see made by campus activities professionals that are within their control to correct?
What are the most serious mistakes you see made by campus activities professionals that are within their control to correct?
What are the most serious
mistakes you see made by
campus activities
professionals that are
within their control to
correct?
The SSAO responds...

5. “Not clarifying supervisor and/or institutional
expectations clearly.... if someone on my
campus activities staff thinks these things, it
isn't because I or the institution have said so.
Secondly, letting students set expectations of
their time - we have an obligation to model
good behavior for students which includes
strong work ethic (ie., you stay late when it's
needed) and balance (it's okay to protect me
time).”

6. What are the most serious mistakes you see made by campus activities professionals that are within their control to correct?
What are the most serious mistakes you see made by campus activities professionals that are within their control to correct?
What are the most serious mistakes you see made by campus activities professionals that are within their control to correct?
What are the most serious
mistakes you see made
by campus activities
professionals that are
within their control to
correct?
(SSAO responses)

7. “Counting the number of hours you work in a week. As soon
as you do that, you start setting yourself up for frustration/
disappointment.”
“Believing that expectations you've made of yourself are
actually those of your supervisor. If there is an expectation that
is frustrating you, talk with your supervisor - you may find that
you are driving yourself crazy unnecessarily.”
“Ignoring the culture and context of the profession and the
institution.”
“Trying to compare the role of a salaried educator to someone
working in the "corporate" world (particularly around issues
like flex, hours, etc.) is not productive.

8. If you could control one
thing about institutional
or professional culture
that makes work/life
balance difficult for
campus activities
professionals, what would
it be?

9. (This one hurts...get
ready)

10. Attitude. The myth that Campus Activities professionals
work harder than everyone else on campus. The work
in the field of Campus Activities is very visual as it
relates to events and programs. Sometimes we forget
that there are faculty grading assignments late into the
evening who are still expected to do individual research
in their fields along with professionals in other areas
who take work home every night. Campus Activities
professionals really should not complain about late
nights and long hours, no one forced us into this field.
Our work is positive and enjoyable as we help students
grow. Your perspective is key in this balancing act.
Don't alienate yourself from allies on campus by having
an elitist attitude about your work hours. Everyone on
campus is working hard, but I assure you they are not
having as much fun!

11. If you could control one
thing about institutional
or professional culture
that makes work/life
balance difficult for
campus activities
professionals, what would
it be?

12. “Giving permission to be intentional in this process of work/life
balance is the first step. This should be an ongoing
conversation during supervision. Weekly plans should be
developed to address this critical need and issue. To be
successful in addressing this requires that campus activities
professionals work with students to insure that they
understand the delicate balance of support and boundaries for
themselves as well as the professionals. The requirements for
Student Affairs professionals include the investment of time for
which there is little substitution. I have often thought that we
should have 2 shifts--one focused on the day and one on the
evening. There is a way to accomplish this in how we structure
the office hours and the event/meeting hours. This process
requires strategic planning and thinking. The process must
also be transparent and insure that students are part of the
planning. A strong student leadership team can be an
instrumental part of the strategy.”

13. If you could control one
thing about institutional
or professional culture
that makes work/life
balance difficult for
campus activities
professionals, what would
it be?

14. “Correct the assumption that Student
Life is a "young person's" job...that it
is for those who have all the time in
the world, few responsibilities outside
of work, and will move on when they
‘grow up’.”