If you expected another “Stacy’s Studies” column this week, expect the unexpected. That’s what I did.
So you can imagine my surprise when I received the phone call during spring break.
I’d be trading my cozy desk in Walker 2-84 for a grand office in the sixth floor of ULM’s library.
I left the comforts of my contemporary Latin American literature course to become your new Interim Vice President of Student Affairs. (Be afraid.)
Rest easy, as the change was temporary as part of the annual 31 Ambassadors’ Big Switch event.
But from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., I held the power in my hands. Though it might have actually been a pen I held instead.
While I observed campus below and appreciated how loud the bell tower really is, a prepared Camile Currier arrived in Spanish 4007 with the English translation of our latest story “Chac Mool” by Carlos Fuentes.
Despite the lecture’s delivery entirely in Spanish (probably to his dismay), he handed me some notes that he’d written during the class.
Meanwhile, I recovered from my own initial shock at sitting in an administrator’s chair (without being escorted out by campus police). Soon, duty called.
I answered its call by going through applications for the vacated position of Special Projects Officer and Title IX Coordinator in the Student Affairs office. I completed thorough checklists for the applications on file.
Taking mental notes, I found the resume to emulate once I’ve departed dear ULM with the class of 2016 and entered the job market.
No one called the office while I worked, so I didn’t have to fear answering questions. Perhaps they realized it was in their best interests to not call me and ask me questions?
Though certainly a treat to upgrade from average student to administrator, I don’t know if I’m cut out for the other aspects of the job that I didn’t see.
From my short time “heading” the Division of Student Affairs, I realized the amount of paperwork and meetings the job requires goes beyond what I’d imagined.
Student Affairs provides multiple programs to new and returning students
For the sake of those students, I think I’ll leave this up to the actual Interim Vice President of Student Affairs from now on.
