Educational Program Submissions

Before submitting your program proposal, please read the information below regarding the topic areas in which the 2013 Educational Program Committee are interested and all information regarding Educational Program Policies.

This conference will challenge your view of the typical conference education experience and allow you to gain a new perspective of ACUI, the current hot topics within the field of college unions/activities, and the city of St. Louis. We look forward to sharing new ideas and encourage both new and experienced presenters to submit education session proposals for the 2013 conference.

We hope that you are inspired by the theme of "Discover New Perspectives," and we challenge you to embrace the ACUI core competencies and skill sets within your educational program proposal. Consider submitting a proposal addressing the needs/experiences of your institution, region, community of practice, or peer network (senior, mid-manager, new professional, graduate, or undergraduate students).

ACUI core competencies and skill sets

By selecting each individual core competency, you will be able to read in-depth about the skill sets.

• Communication
  • Interpersonal, oral, and written communication
   
• Facilities Management
  • General administration and management; daily facilities management and assessment; environmental and energy utilities management; building design/construction
   
• Fiscal Management
  • Basic accounting; technology related to financial management; policies and procedures; budget development and management; contracting and contract negotiation; fundraising
   
• Human Resource Development
  • Organizational development, human resources laws, and institutional practices; hiring and promotion; training skills; supervision; performance appraisal; volunteer management; healthy lifestyles
   
• Intercultural Proficiency
  • Cultural awareness and sensitivity; communication among cultures; cultural symbols and artifacts; global knowledge
   
• Leadership
  • Self-knowledge; role modeling; integrity; political adeptness; decision-making and conflict resolution; group facilitation; motivation; empowerment; problem-solving; change; vision and planning; collaboration and partnerships
   
• Management
  • Customer service; administrative savvy; knowledge of relevant laws/legal requirements; assessment; policy development and implementation; contracting; project management
   
• Marketing
  • Principles of marketing, advertising, public relations, and communication
   
• Planning
  • Establishing priorities; assessment; goal setting; strategic planning; preparing for the unexpected; real estate development
   
• Student Learning
  • Student development theory; instruction and training; identifying desired outcomes; assessing outcomes; advising
   
• Technology
  • Technology resources; technology application and administration
   

Discovery Experiences and Perspective Discussions

For the Discovery Experiences (flash sessions) and the Perspective Discussions (round-tables) at the conference, the Conference Program Team is looking for facilitators who are comfortable presenting or leading a session on the following topics:

• Staff training
• Strategic planning
• Role of the college union
• Social media
• Assessing learning outcomes
• Evaluating programs and services
• Marketing to students
• Staffing models/reporting structures
• Policies/procedures (facilities/operations)
• Risk management/liability
• Benchmarking operations
• Change management
• Event management
• Mobile technology
• Customer service
• Policies/procedures (activities and programs) 

Top 10 tips for submitting a quality educational session proposal

• Submit a session that focuses on a typically under-represented area, such as fiscal management, human resource development, or intercultural proficiency.
• Be concise but thorough in your session abstract.
• Choose a topic that is specific, not broad. Use the core competency and skill set list to your advantage and focus in on a topic that is directed toward a specific audience. Don't try to fit all 11 core competency areas into your presentation.
• Check out the ACUI communities of practice to see if you can create a program proposal with information that would be relevant to the members.
• Submit a session on a topic with which you are already familiar. Use your career experiences, past/current research, institutional changes/updates, aspects of your current position, etc.
• Have at least two people proofread your proposal before submission.
• When submitting a research-based proposal, be sure to use multiple case studies from a variety of higher education institutions (different sizes, locations, student population, etc.) to support your content.
• Co-present with a colleague who can offer an alternative opinion/experience than yourself on your chosen topic. Or choose a colleague who has more experience in the topic area you have chosen to present.
• Make sure you leave time for reflection at the end of your session. We suggest 50 minutes of presentation with 10 minutes for reflection. Past conference surveys have found that reflection time is important to members. We will develop a general reflection guide for each presenter to assist you in this piece of your conference educational session.
• Make it fun and interesting!