Home Work and Staying Sane

When I became an RA (House Fellow) in the early 1980s I had my first foray into working where I lived. Back then, it was a dorm room. Now, it is a nice campus residence on Oakmont Court as a perk of being the Dean of Students. In all of those intervening years I have learned a thing or two about living where I work. I write this post for my many colleagues who are now working where they live.

1. There is no one way or one right way to do this.
This first period of adjustment provides opportunities to experiment with different approaches. The truth is that employers want employees to maintain productivity and serve their students/clients/customers/colleagues. How it happens is less of an issue than just making it happen.

2. Live a life with balance and boundaries.
There is no shortage of advice on-line from experts: get up at a regular time, dress up a little, segregate work and play, have a space at home that can be for work and the rest is for play. We tell this to our students too: Study at the library or CSI and use your residence hall room, with all its distractions, for down time. This is a great idea, until you get sleepy, or hungry, or distracted, or the dog wants to play poker. The other option...

3. Embrace the integrated life.
Accept it, right? You will sometimes be working weekends or at night, or peruse emails with your first cup of coffee and a smoke (oh wait, different era). The upside to this is flexibility. Take a longer lunch to exercise, cook dinner, or organize that out of control spice rack (shape, size, then alpha - just sayin'). You can be good at work and be good at home life. You can wear your wife's pink bathroom and no one will care, except maybe her. The downside is that you don't know where work you and home you begin and end.

4. Be strategic managing young kids.

When my sons were little and we were really broke my wife did freelance writing. This was in the era between typewriters and Macs (she suuuper old). She recently recounted sitting in the bathtub talking on the phone (long cord) to do interviews while cuing up Barney tapes for the boys to distract them. That went well. Today, employees are dealing with kids at home during work hours and sometimes doing so while they are doing remote learning. There is no easy answer here. Between just giving up and working in the bath tub there are some things you can try. There are Zoom meetings that you have to be part of. But there are lots of other hours in the day. Try doing what you HAVE to do when you have to and be flexible with the rest of your time later at night, or early in the morning - whenever the kids are sleeping, hungover, or watching cartoons. This is REALLY hard. But you have to have a plan to get the work done, however you do it (see number 1).

5. Don't judge yourself or let yourself be judged.
Feeling pressure to be productive for work? Feeling the need to produce and care for the family? Experiencing crushing self-doubt about your value? STOP. We all suck. (Got ya.) Listen, you have enough to do without being hard on yourself. Act like you are a millennial. I sometimes go in late in the morning because I have had night time commitments the previous day. I used to want to shout to people "I WAS AT STUDENT GOVERNMENT TILL 10PM LAST NIGHT." I had to get over it. I knew what value I was adding and let it go. You should too! I have had great bosses over the years who knew what I was doing. Want to get them on your side? Tell them your approach. They will appreciate knowing.

I'm sure there are many more pointers out there that I am missing. In these different and most remote of times, do your best, go easy on yourself, and live your values through your priorities. Now get back to work. Those reports won't write themselves. Or maybe just fold the laundry.

Living in the Future - the Covid 19

I like to describe the work in Student Life as dealing with gravity, levity, and absurdity. We are certainly in grave times and the images we see on the daily news are absurd, to be sure. Here are some random things (19 to be exact) on the lighter side to offer a bit of a break from our new reality.

1. Sometimes I go to the grocery store, not because I need anything, but because I might need something. Plus I miss sports. It's as close as we get.

2. I keep getting emails from companies I have never heard of offering services I don't understand telling me that a) They are still operating during these uncertain times b) that they are taking care of their workers and c) that there may be a delay in services.

3. In these times of high alert, it should now be a crime to use the phrase "an abundance of caution," courtesy of Donna Tuttle.

4. When I go back to the office someday my dog is going to be pissed. Or will she be?

5. The term "Mild Symptoms" seems kind of boastful. "Yes, I have it, but it is okay, I am hearty." This reminds me of people from New York City who tell you they have seen a murder to convey to you how tough it is there while being vulnerable at the same time.

6. There has to be a Sanjay Gupta suit at CNN that people wear. Has to.

7. If you have spent any time in Zoom meetings you will love this, courtesy of Professor Aaron Delwiche.

8. What if this disease was spread by excessive hand-washing? Yeah. Who's the idiot now?

9. There are not enough kudos to go around right now at Trinity. The University's people have stepped up bigly. This includes the administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and vendors. It also includes various departments and too many individuals to start mentioning. Trinity has revealed its character.

10. I have learned that half of the decisions we make in crises are about doing the right thing and the other half is to try to minimize the criticism we will face for doing so.

11. If worse comes to worse I can now last months on a concoction of tomato sauce, beans, and paper towels. Yum! I may need protection.

12. "I'm practicing social distancing" is the new "Not tonight dear, I have a headache."

13. Dr. Fauci. Who knew? Look for Fauci masks Halloween 2020.

14. I have gone back to brewing pots of coffee instead of using the Keurig machine in order to save the planet from all of those plastic pods. #environmentalist #silverlining

15. Here is an account of most people's days from the New Yorker, courtesy of Coleen Grissom.

16. If Sanjay Gupta DID get the virus I would be okay with him saying he has Mild Symptoms.

17. I have thought about reading a book. I won't. But I am proud of myself for the thought.

18. I am soooo over that graphic of the disease molecule that looks like someone put seahorses in a blender.

19. One thing you can count on... is that if civilization is on the precipice of extinction the Olmos Park Police will still be issuing traffic tickets.

#YouToo

It takes a lot of work, energy, reflection, training, and continuing education to craft and execute an effective process to investigate and adjudicate complaints about sexual harassment, sexual assault, and a range of what we call Title IX offenses. It is much easier to be critical of these processes. After the Dear Colleague Letter was released by the Department of Education in 2011, sexual assault survivors were emboldened to come forward and challenge their campuses to do better. Colleges were supposed to manage these complaints effectively before then, but many were not doing so sufficiently, so the Department of Education clearly spelled out expectations. At their core, Universities were being told that sexual assault was the most egregious form of gender discrimination. These students were often left to navigate an impossible learning and social environment before, during, and after reporting a grievance.

At Trinity University, we looked at our hearing model and made a seismic shift. The traditional hearing model pits one student against another in a hearing in front of a panel where sensitive and intrusive questions are posed as facts are gathered and credibility is weighed. This can be extremely traumatizing. We switched our model to an investigative process in 2014. Under this model, we have about 25 trained faculty and staff members who serve in different roles in investigations. Each student is appointed a process advisor, there are two appointed investigators, and two others serve, with a student from the Student Conduct Panel, as a hearing panel. (This is our administrative process. The criminal process is handled by TUPD.) The new model shifts the perception of a University-influenced format to one that is represented from an array of members from our campus community.

Certain values are reflected in our process. First, students are only asked to share their accounts once in the investigative interview. Second, the idea is to collect all of the information, have it reviewed by all parties, and prepare a summary report with recommendations. The work is front-loaded and not done in a hearing setting that mirrors a trial. Third, the hearing places the investigators on the hot seat, where the panel asks them to clarify their conclusions and recommendations, mostly eliminating the adversarial hearing model previously used. Fourth, the process is evidence based. While there is always some level of credibility assessment, investigators are trained that it isn't what they think, or feel, but what they know as they draw their conclusions.

Additionally the process is designed to be fair, transparent, and compassionate. Students may include support persons (friends or parents), attorneys, and their process advisors. There are no "got ya" moments, and there is acknowledgement that reporting and responding students each face certain levels of trauma for very different reasons. Reporting students worry that they won't be believed. Responding students worry that they are assumed guilty because of the sexual politics around sexual assault on campus. And in the end, while we want students and their families to assess the process for how it is conducted, many, naturally, assess the process based on the outcome. It is not uncommon that those who agree with the outcome typically find the process, while not easy, to be quite fair. Those who disagree feel less positive. But those who experience it, more and more, understand how decisions are made. We coach students that the outcome doesn't affirm nor invalidate what has happened. The outcome is really about whether or not there is sufficient evidence that a violation took place, or not. There is more, and policies and procedures are available on-line. Campuses, including ours, have a duty to constantly review policies and procedures as well as campus climate. This is evolving and not static.

After The Dear Colleague Letter (now rescinded), it didn't take long before accused students felt their rights were being trampled. In some cases they were. So there was a backlash. This was seen in the new guidelines issued under the current administration through Betsy DeVos, somewhat of a departure from the Obama-Biden era that categorized assault as gender discrimination.The pendulum swung.

While all of these things were making the news and exploding, it was entertainers and politicians that were lobbing grenades at campuses for their "kangaroo courts". Outsiders had simplistic views of these complex issues. First, they would say that the police, not universities, should handle cases. That is absurd because the legal process and criminal standard is so high that it would basically say survivors had no chance to continue their education in a non-discriminatory environment. The administrative process is about rules. Campuses wouldn't allow a physical assault, peddling drugs, and hazing - all illegal acts. Second, the popular notion that schools were sweeping things under the rug was ridiculous in the era of social media. If schools were doing this, they were horrible at it.

And then... Harvey Weinstein happened. Bill Cosby happened. Matt Lauer happened, Al Franken and Roy Moore happened. And the genital-grabbing President of the United States happened. The dishonor roll is LONG and growing. So while Claire McKaskill and others were rooting out problems on campuses, which by-and-large, were developing fair and sensitive processes, the people in government and entertainment were the worst unchecked offenders. Thank goodness for the #MeToo movement for revealing not only their boorish behavior of many men but for throwing open the door on the hypocrisy of those who made colleges the scapegoats of sexual crimes and an overly sexualized culture.

Now, the Brett Kavanaugh case reveals even further double standards. While the new DeVos rules require charge letters, extend investigation times, and hint at a higher standard of evidence, our government ignores the same guidelines and works to schedule a congressional hearing, with no clear procedures, and that likely will re-traumatize the accuser in the most public of settings, and tramples the rights of the accused, regardless of what position one takes on this. The government can't even follow the basic tenets they are proscribing to others. Christine Blasey-Ford is right to wants a proper investigation before she is hauled out in front of the nation to be interrogated in televised partisan hearing. 

The people with power and influence in national tone-setting, in Washington and Hollywood, have passed judgment on colleges and their students and bemoaned a broken system. Many of these people, in their glass houses, create the laws and a culture that deposits sexual discrimination at the doorstep of our universities. Given their horrific behavior, their audacity to criticize colleges, when at the same time their own houses are in disarray, is troubling and two-faced. Perhaps they should stop preaching and try listening and learning. Though we are imperfect, to be sure, taking lessons from American campuses may be a good place for them to start.

The Monster's Inferno

Doom and Gloom?

The Monster is Born
No one is really to blame, unless you want to blame everyone. Decades ago, as colleges and universities started to more aggressively compete for students, they sought every possible competitive edge. At its core, the student higher educational experience should be about access, quality instruction, available courses and majors, and reasonable outcomes, many of us are selling the whole experience. This makes sense. And while the major part of a student's education occurs in the classroom, a great deal of learning happens elsewhere on campus. Students learn self-advocacy, how to live in a community, and have ample opportunities to explore their identity and character in a vast array of settings. We know that having students engaged with peers and involved in meaningful activities increases their satisfaction and likelihood that they will persist to graduation. For traditional campuses, such as Trinity University, we also know that providing a safe, comfortable, and dynamic environments are important to the student experience and retention.

But it costs money to do all of these things. And as school's compete for students there is pressure to outshine competitors in EVERYTHING. Consumers (parents and students) are seeking the best places, the best deals, and the perfect match. So campus A may have a fantastic library, while campus B has the best Art facility, and campus C has the top Business program. This works against all institutions as pressure increases to have it all. "Yes, I like campus X because of their residence halls, but campus Y has better food, while campus C has the best workout facility I have seen yet..." Schools are in an arms race to have as many top experiences and stuff as possible in order to compete. The campus rock wall became a symbol of excess.

Of course, this means we all have to spend more and that means charging more. And thus the arms race is in full bloom as schools are being crushed under their own desires to offer the best while students and families, expecting the best, bemoan the rising costs. Thus the refrain, "For what I pay, I expect this... and this... and this." So all schools struggle with choices. The amount Trinity has spent on high-speed internet is staggering. But we have to have it, though streaming Netflix or porn is not really part of the core academic mission. Complaints about food, parking, library hours, and fitness areas drive improvements while at the same time we have to keep pace with faculty salaries and instructional support. It seems backwards. Sometimes we have to make tough choices and we simply can't have everything.

Excellence versus Perfection
This has been on my mind in recent years and I have talked more and more about it, publicly. We strive for excellence at Trinity. It is one of our core values. After over 30 years here I have seen firsthand that by-and-large the faculty and staff are all pulling the same direction and are committed to offering a top caliber academic and collegiate experience. In offering excellence, though, we have created an expectation of perfection. Every issue and concern, big or small, is presented to the campus authorities as a broken promise of what we sold when we were recruiting our students and families. With each "failure" to deliver, the chorus of disappointment grows louder, harsher, and more dramatic. Recently an old pipe burst, creating a lengthy repair and inconvenience (though no interruption in hot water for a significant time). Nevertheless, some expressed unhappiness that Trinity was somehow falling short on its promise. We are being crushed by the expectations we have created, that every class, every teacher, every dorm room, every roommate, every facility, and every meal is simply perfect. Indeed meeting and managing expectations has become exhausting.

Broken Promises
Students and families are not wrong to have high expectations. In recent years, many issues have percolated up where the University needed to (and needs to) improve. These include dining services, academic support services, and the residential facilities. We are making headway. Currently, there are pressing issues related to advising, Pathways, class availability, student mental health, Chapman-Halsell, more residence hall issues, and diversity. (People are right to express deep concern about being able to have course availability in order to graduate on time. It is the promise we have to keep.) All of these issues are being addressed and our strategic plan has gone a long way in shrinking the list of wants and needs. However, all of these things have heavy price tags that require choices and prioritization, and they can't all be addressed at once. And yet... The expectations we have created bury us in our failures to deliver in every aspect of the Trinity experience. And so we hear, again, "For what we pay..."

Chasing Happiness, Managing Complaints
I hear time and again how for the most part, students and families love their Trinity experiences. The quality of the faculty tops the list as does the supportive community. We offer, and usually deliver personal attention and the campus facilities and grounds are incredible. Students, families, the Board, the administration, the alumni, and the faculty and staff all care deeply about this place and what it represents and what it can be. Mostly, life is good.

So how do we manage complaints when they arise? There are some that are simply minor distractions. Parking is a perfect example. With all the important issues on campus, this is simply low on the priority list, given that there are always spaces, just not always convenient spaces. But there are some really important issues that need attention, several of which were mentioned earlier. As I moderate the parent Facebook page and advise the student government, I routinely hear the issues that are being raised. Myself and some of my colleagues often agree with the issues as presented, though admittedly we are fatigued with the tone, level, persistence and vitriol in some of what we hear. And we don't know how to address the competing needs that all come with associated facility and staffing costs. Again, this is the monster we have created.

The TU Parent Facebook Page and the Student Government Association are perfect venues for parents and students to test out their concerns. Many often begin with "Is anyone else noticing this, frustrated with that, or experiencing what I am?" That was sure effective in getting our attention this August on some residential facility issues. Unfortunately, these issues often evoke everything this post is about: expectations, perfection, disappointment, anger, and resentment.

I have increasingly been coaching students and parents that the best feedback is that which is direct, specific, and immediate. Many issues are isolated. Some are not. Testing the waters with others to see if there are shared concerns should lead to an elevation of issues to the proper departments. If those departments are unresponsive, then contacting the corresponding Vice President is the next best step. In my experience, my colleagues are all-in and extremely responsive to this type of feedback. In many cases minor issues can quickly and effectively be resolved. And bigger issues that require resources are much more likely to be addressed when the decision-makers in the administration hear firsthand the legitimate, impassioned, and powerful concerns of students and families. This is far more effective than throwing comments into the abyss where lower-level staffers like me have to relay concerns that we have no authority to address.

There is Hope
We recently revised our student complaint process, offering students more structure in expressing their grievances. This Complaints Web page may be helpful to parents and families as well, in at least identifying where to register complaints and concerns. Direct, specific, immediate...

We can only improve when we hear from all of our constituents. That can't stop. Feedback stokes change. We have created high expectations and we need to deliver on these, no question. And we also need understanding, patience, and support as we make very difficult decisions to best move this institution forward, and manage the very expectations that sometimes are crushing us.

Risky Business

Sophomore Robert Foye, 19, passed away late in January 2018 after inhaling nitrous oxide from canisters called "whippets." He was beginning the spring semester of his sophomore year and had just communicated his excitement, and optimism for the new term to his dad, Robert Sr. It wasn't even a given Robert would return that January. Substances, including alcohol, had gotten the best of him during his time as a student. But Robert was hard to say "no" to. He came back with a detailed plan to get it right.

Robert became known to staff on campus following a series of alcohol-related issues. Despite this, he was an extremely positive and engaging young man. He was full of life and had a huge personality.  He was well-traveled, bright, and driven. His family worked with me as the Dean of Students, and even more with Robert's Residential Life Coordinator, Nathan Tuttle, my son. Nathan and Robert's mom, Kristianna, had regular conversations about how we could help her son. Things had gotten bad enough that Robert lost his privileges to live on campus. This is highly unusual. But it was decided that while Robert and campus living were not compatible, we all wanted to see him try to continue his education while he tackled some of the substance issues that plagued him. This simply wouldn't have happened save for the extraordinary involvement and support of Robert's parents.

During the first face-to-face meeting between the Foye's (Robert  and Robert Sr.) and the Tuttle's we laid out the plan for Robert's recovery and success. It was evident that Robert Sr., despite living in Shanghai, would be fully engaged in monitoring Robert's academic progress and physical and emotional health. Robert Sr., as was his son, is charismatic, affable, fun-loving, driven, and has a huge heart. While some parents might be mad at the Dean for kicking their kid off campus, Robert Sr. never expressed such sentiments. He was all forward-looking and focused on what would come next for Robert. Without that, we wouldn't have made that arrangement.

At that same meeting Mr. Foye mentioned that he and his son were headed to the Trinity gym to play basketball. An avid hoops junkie, he travels with basketball shoes and a ball hoping to find a game,  anywhere, as a respite from the wine wholesaling business. Well, the Dean and his son play a little ball and we asked if we could join in. So the administrators, the troubled student, and the traveling dad formed a bond over games of two-on-two, a ritual we would continue whenever Senior would travel to San Antonio to keep up with his son.

When Robert was out of contact for two days in late January, Robert Sr. reached out to Nathan who stopped by the apartment and received no response. Robert Sr. contacted the apartment manager who checked in on Robert and made the horrible discovery that he had passed. Robert Sr.'s first call was to Nathan, who then called me. He was in shock, and so were we.

Robert Sr., I should note, is a confident basketball player and a bit of a trash talker. At the campus service for his son the following week he noted how the Foye's never lost to the Tuttle's. Indeed, the one constant in all of the pairings we tried on the court was that Robert Sr. never lost. Of course, he is huge, and bristled at my nickname for him (Chuck Nevitt) as he saw himself as more of a Kobe Bryant style player. The man can shoot. At the service he thought it was too somber and wanted to add some levity by needling me for being bested by him to lift spirits of those in attendance, because of course he would.

Robert's mom and siblings are devastated. Robert Sr.'s grief is intense, and lingering, and he misses his son dearly. But he is also a person who looks ahead and his positive nature is not of the kind that can be constrained. There were some things Mr. Foye wanted to see happen after his son's death. First, he wanted us to create a policy to ban whippets. This is in the works. Second, he wanted us to warn students about the dangers of risky behaviors, including use of these canisters. He has doggedly pursued companies that make access to these items to let them know of the tragic risks they pose. And third, he wanted to set up a scholarship in Robert's name.

While the staff could try to share Robert's story with students we knew there was really only one way to do it. We asked Mr. Foye to do a video (above) and gave him a rough outline. His son William produced it. This was shown for the first time at the orientation for new students in 2018. It was part of a session about student health and safety ("Triage)" that included information on alcohol, sexual assault, mental health, and more. It is sad, impactful, and still has a positive message. The video starts the program and is an attention grabber. It will be used for years to come. The scholarship fund is nearing its goal from Robert Sr.'s sheer willpower. He hopes to raise $100,000 by October for an endowed Trinity Scholarship in Robert's name.

Knowing full well that their son took risks, Mr. and Mrs. Foye want others to stop and think about their choices. They don't want any student and their family to endure what they are going through. For Robert Sr., the video doesn't diminish his pain, but he is pushing forward the only way he knows how, with guts, action, and his big personality. He is doing everything he can to flip his loss. That's all he knows.  

Donations can be made to the Robert Lawrence Foye Scholarship Foundation on PayPal.

Tenth Annual: The Year in Review - 2017-2018

Another academic year is in the rear-view mirror, and as is tradition, I take a look back at the year that was. Rules: I try to think broadly, beyond the Student Life perspective. I have certainly missed some things and invite readers to post on those things in the comment section.I will note that this year I published my 300th post. It was a difficult year for many reasons, so I wasn't as able to post as often as I would like. I hope that changes in the year ahead.

I want to also note that I review the Trinity News Center and the Trinitonian to prepare this piece. The Trinitonian does a fantastic job of reporting a LOT all year long.You can see PDFs of various issues on-line. As I scan past issues I am amazed at the pure volume of news and activity that is generated by the students, faculty, and staff on this campus.

Top Stories
I rank these mostly by impact and long-term/present-day scope and affect on others.

1. A Year of Tragic Loss 
This was one of the most difficult year's in the history of Trinity University. The deaths of students Cayley Mandadi (October) and Robert Foye (January) were tragic and overwhelming. Their lives and deaths had significant impact on those who knew them, particularly their dear friends here.

2. Campus Activism
Whether it was the Trinity Progressives, PRIDE, Black Student Union, TULA, TDC, or Tigers for Liberty, our students were fully engaged in social justice and political dialogue. The national issues related to DACA, immigration, the tragedy of Charlottesville, and the erosion of our societal values prompted student activism and action. Two of the best events annually are the Trinity contingents in the MLK Parade and the Pride Parade. Some students went on alternative spring break trips while others helped with disaster relief for the coast and Puerto Rico following devastating hurricanes.

3. The Completion of the Bell Center Renovation
The renovation seemed to drag on, but mostly for the promise it offered upon its completion. The new Fitness Center and other touches in the Bell Center were worth the wait. Trinity University is committed to student health and wellness as evidenced by the strategic plan, the presence of a Wellness Coordinator, the huge intercollegiate athletic and rec sports programs, and the Tobacco-free designation. So of course, we now have a facility that tangibly promotes physical fitness.

4. Starting Strong: First Year Experience and Advising
Last year I wrote: "As part of accreditation, the University is required to initiate a Quality Enhancement Plan of its choosing. After consideration of several proposals, the campus leadership settled on developing a proposal to improve the first year experience and advising. Trinity is well-positioned with generally committed faculty advisors as well as a strong FYE course and first-year residence halls. Developing support systems and structures for student success are critical and this effort has great potential. Look for it to be further up the list next year." Sure enough, this has moved from number seven to four. With a new director and a commitment to advising, teaching, and academic support, Trinity is addressing an important student issue. 

5.Tiger Learning Commons
The opening of this center toward academic support and success for our students was a home run. Located on the main level of the library, and boasting the new Accommodated Testing Center, TLC includes academic counselors, accessibility services, the Writing Center, and coordinates various elements of tutoring. Students in need of academic help have a place to go for assistance and it is perfectly situated in the library.

6. Dining Services Review
Probably nothing on campus (except Pathways, maybe) is scrutinized as much as dining services. Since Aramark has been on campus since the early 1980's they have been our food service provider. Finally, the University put food services out to bid to see what was out there and was pleased to announce the selection of its new/old vendor: Aramark. The process was competitive and Aramark leveraged its home field advantage. Some changes ahead include longer hours, to-go options, meal point exchanges, a Starbucks in the library, a food truck and a juice cart/truck, a local coffee servery in Mabee, a sandwich shop in CSI and more. Members of the Trinity community have earned the right to withhold judgment on the impact of these changes. I have great confidence that they will be very positive.

7. Bernie
In partnership with community groups, Trinity Progressives brought Bernie Sanders to campus. He was fantastically Bernie. Despite this happening on the eve of spring break, many students rearranged schedules and stood in line for tickets to see everyone's favorite socialist.

8. Football Switches Conferences
The Trinity Tiger football team moves to the Southern Athletic Association, raising the program's profile and competition. Then, Mitchell Globe scoops up a fumble in OT and takes it to the house for the win against Chapman.

9. Residential Life Office
Oh where to begin... City Vista apartments open and are a huge hit, but not without some growing pains. A sewage line broke under South Hall and ick. Melissa Flowers and Wanda Olson leave Residential Life and leave a huge void. Search for new director lands us Deb Tyson.

10. Re accreditation
This is about the least sexy item on the list but could easily be number two. Without it, we are not a credible academic institution. But we got it. Ten more years!

Hits
- 1869 Scholars Mentoring Program
- Ted Koppel
- Matt Desmond lecture on "Evicted"
- Revolve food station rotation in the Commons
- New staff: Alli Roman, Tess Coody, Jim Bradley, to name a few big hires...
- New scoreboards
- Jim Potter Field dedication
- Astros win World Series
- Master Plan
- Standing item: Acabellas and Trinitones

Misses
- Hurricane Harvey (thank goodness!)
- Cashmere Cat
- Kathleen Cleaver as MLK speaker

Under the Radar
- Half Marathon Challenge hits ten year mark!
- Aramark Director Charles Robles and Chef Brent Gorman making a BIG difference with Aramark

Big Hurts
- See number one.
- Our obituary page reflects the losses of former faculty and staff members.
- Stephen Nickle and Catherine Nickle head to the Pacific Northwest

On the Horizon
- Coates Student Center renovation
- Sesquicentennial: The 150th anniversary is almost here!

Archives 
Year 9
Year 8
Year 7
Year 6
Year 5
Year 4
Year 3
Year 2
Year 1

Bonus tracks
In case you missed it, here are the topics I got to write about this year. Trinity is rich with material:

Student Centered
Exceptional Service?
One Day.
Rick Roberts
Embracing Media Interviews
Speaking of... Race
Post #300
Inconvenient Truths
Fathers, Sons, and Holy Ghosts