Community Development includes the offices of Civic Action & Engagement, Multicultural Affairs, Residential Programs, and Student Development & Activities.
February 2012
Brownstone Review Committee
I am convening a Brownstone Review Committee that will oversee a fair review process that will determine which groups will reside in the 536, 542, and 546 brownstones located on 114th Street. The committee, which will consist of students and administrators, will meet to develop criteria that will outline a successful application process for groups who are interested in living in these residences. Students interested in serving on the committee must complete the Brownstone Review Committee Application so that we may vet for a committee that is as fair as possible. While there will be both Greek-affiliated and non-affiliated students serving on the committee, no student serving on the committee may be part of the application process. Students who serve on this committee must be in good academic and judicial standing.
Role of the Committee:
- Develop the criteria for a successful application
- Hold open information sessions to help answer any questions or clarify the process
- Review completed applications
- Make recommendations to Dean Shollenberger for final decision
Timeline:
- February 24th Students interested must submit completed applications by 5:00pm
- February 27th Review and vetting of applicants begins
- March 9th Committee convenes to hear charges and expectations
- April 13th Brownstone applications available
- April 15-28th Open information sessions
- September 28th Completed applications due to committee by 5:00 pm
- Oct Applications reviewed
- November 19th Decisions sent to applicants
If you are interested in applying to serve on this committee, please visit the Brownstone Review Committee Application page.
Sincerely,
Terry Martinez
Dean of Community Development
and Multicultural Affairs/
Associate Dean of Students
Follow me on Twitter: DeanTMartinez
January 2012
Welcome Back!
The beginning of any new cycle always brings renewed energy, focus, and commitment. Members of Community Development, which include Residential Programs, Student Development and Activities, Multicultural Affairs, and Civic Action and Engagement, made a commitment at the beginning of this academic year that continues to permeate our work this semester.
Our commitment to excellence in our daily interactions with students, in our approach to the thinking and planning of our programs, and to our own professional development has all shown in several ways. I have seen this manifest in our conversations with those involved with the Student Wellness Project, as we partner with Fraternities and Sororities to implement the new ALPHA Standards, as we develop programs to address issues of civility and community, in dialogues with various constituent groups about isolation and marginalization, and in our focus on open and honest communication.
I hope you will contact me directly to share any concerns or ideas you may have as we all invest in shaping our community experiences into spaces of excellence.
Best of luck for a successful spring semester.
Sincerely,
Terry Martinez
Dean of Community Development
and Multicultural Affairs/
Associate Dean of Students
Follow me on Twitter: DeanTMartinez
December 2011
Semester Reflections
As the semester comes to an end I hope that you will take a moment to consider not only the challenges we have faced as a community, but also the moments that have drawn us together. The common conversation that permeated the semester once again focused on our individual and collective responsibility to our community, how we engage in difficult dialogues in ways that can be productive, and about finding ways to connect with each other. One particular highlight for me was an invitation earlier in the semester to the 5th floor of Shapiro for a dinner which a few students made for me and Dean Shollenberger. It was a great meal and the conversation seemed to easily flow from one subject to another. We spent a lot of time laughing! It was a reminder that connections can be easily made if you simply reach out ….all one needs to do is ask! I hope to find many more ways to connect with a greater number of students next semester by using Twitter to invite you to join me at campus events and to have open conversations over dessert. I hope you will invite me to meet with you as well.
Enjoy the break. See you in 2012.
All my best,
Terry Martinez
Dean of Community Development
and Multicultural Affairs/
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Rethinking Winter Break
Now that the semester is over and the stress of finals is behind you, take time to reflect. Are you looking back and judging your performance from the past semester? Are you beginning to worry with anticipation of what the next semester will bring? Let go of these thoughts. Instead, acknowledge your efforts and your accomplishments. Take a moment to congratulate yourself for your hard work and for completing a semester at Columbia!
As winter break approaches and you return home, it is important to attend to yourself both body and mind. Let go of worrying about past or future performance. Up to now your energy has been focused on your academic life at Columbia. In the stress and strife of the semester’s end, it is easy to lose yourself. Think of the resources within you and how you used them to learn and meet daily challenges. You can redirect these resources to refuel yourself. In nature, winter is a time where everything slows and quiets down. Think of winter break as hibernation and rejuvenation. This is a natural time to regroup, refocus and listen to yourself.
Here are some tips to help you connect with yourself and your environment.
- Have fun
- Stay in the moment
- Don’t fret about the past
- Make your environment at home comfortable
- Seek out connections with old friends
- Rest and sleep
- Do something exciting
- Listen to your body and pay attention to your needs
- Your life as a student has been so planned .. . .try doing something spontaneous
Taking time to rest and have fun is not wasteful. You will gain increased energy and enthusiasm.
The break can also be a time of many obligations. Reuniting with family and meeting expectations can be stressful. Try to balance taking care of yourself while attending to your family and friends. It is important to find your own way of participating in family activities. Making a choice feels better than allowing yourself to be pulled into family activities. And if someone asks “Have you decided on a major? What are your plans for internship? Future career?” You can say: “Not thinking about that now, I am taking A BREAK.
Here are some links may help you de-stress:
Victoria Grosso,Ph.D.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Health services at Columbia