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Over 2,000 tours, countless questions, and a few ice cream cones have
led to the development of a very strong community where friendship and
laughter abound. In just four short weeks, seven individuals became one
extraordinary community—the University of Kansas Student Housing Intern
Community.
The interns were tasked with acquainting incoming students to their new
homes in Student Housing during New Student and Transfer Student
Orientation via information fairs and tours throughout the month of
June. With matching uniforms, white name tags and positive attitudes,
the interns set about their task with enthusiasm. First, each residence
hall and scholarship hall tour room was bedecked with traditional
college gear, complete with ironed sheets! The interns pulled out all
the stops for the new students. Every bulletin board was covered and
filled, no bed was left unmade, and each door had a personalized
decoration. During tours, the buildings came alive with stories and
unique characteristics. Finally, the time had come to prepare for the
information fairs. Armed with fact sheets and personal experience, the seven interns were
grilled by the complex directors and assistant directors alike on topics
from sorority recruitment to the permissible sizes of refrigerators.
With renewed confidence, they left the office for the first fair. From
that first day onward, their table was never devoid of students or
parents. Each day they returned, armed with smiles and great stories, to
excite students about their new living situations. “Where are you living
next year? Oh! That’s great!” was often heard, and every student left
with a smile. The number of contracts completed at information fairs
even increased by 10.4 percent! The KU Student Housing office was alive with new energy as the seven
interns prepared for information fairs and tours. Laughter could always
be heard coming from the intern area in the center of the building, and
when the bat attacked from the basement, the interns were the first
battle it with brooms. The interns have provided an influx of positive
energy during one of the busiest times of the year due to the unique
dynamic in this community. The president of the Association of
University Residence Halls (a residence hall association), the president
of the All Scholarship Hall Council (a residence hall association), one
resident assistant, the national communications coordinator, two
executive board members and one graduate supervisor combine to form a
unique community of student leaders. The interns have also developed a special bond through activities
outside of the office. Whether it is the Tuesday trips to the local ice
cream shop or Super Smash Brothers Tournaments, the interns have learned
to rely on each other in both the social and professional setting. The
weekly sunshine awards are proof of their commitment to recognition.
These awards, developed by their graduate supervisor, are a form of
internal recognition for the group and are used to illuminate positive
contributions to the group. Staff development ranges from stacking Ding
Dongs (chocolate, cream-filled pastries) on their faces to treasure
hunts and brightens not only the interns, but also the rest of the office. The intern community will continue to thrive throughout the summer as
they continue developing projects, planning retreats, organizing the
annual KU Student Housing welcome event, Rock-A-Hawk, and completing
preparations for the year, but June was by far the best month for this
exceptional group of people. They will be remembered for years to come
for their dedication to students, their leadership abilities, and their
positive attitudes. This unique community is not found anywhere else and
greatly deserves this award. Word Count: 590
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