BC CACSD Regional Meeting Report

On May 8^th, representatives from Pacific Life Bible College, Trinity Western University, and Summit Pacific Bible College assembled at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford for an opportunity to network and share a meal. The last formal CACSD BC Regional meeting had occurred 13 years ago!  After introductions, representatives shared both their joys and challenges of the academic year. We also explored opportunities to gather during the academic year, along with our student leaders, for further networking and training.  No plans were made other than a commitment to have a similar meeting of representatives in May of 2020. Overall there was a strong sense of collegiality and an appreciation for the ministry of each institution. In addition, a mutual level of trust was established, knowing we will be able to call each other throughout the year if needing advice or encouragement.  Kathleen Doll did an excellent job in providing an overview of the benefits of CACSD membership and encouraged the representatives to attend the annual conference.

Respectfully submitted,
Stan Bahnman

Manitoba Regional Meeting 2017

On November 16th, 2017, Steinbach Bible College hosted the 2017-2018 Manitoba CACSD Regional Conference. Eighteen Student Development professionals from Steinbach Bible College, Canadian Mennonite University, Booth University, and Providence University College gathered together to share a day of reconnection and discussion.

After catching up with old friends and meeting new ones, we began our day with a time of worship led by Danielle Morton (CMU) complete with call and response, contemplation, song, and scripture. Following our time of worship, Debi van Duin (Providence) delivered an insightful session on the “Psychology of Communities”. Debi explained how Christian communities are meant to work using a passage of scripture from Ephesians 4 and then presented points on the secular view of successful communities – all the while highlighting both similarities and differences between the two community types.

After a delicious lunch catered by Steinbach’s Main Bread and Butter, we received a tour of the Steinbach Bible College campus from SBC president, Rob Reimer and then finished the day with round-table discussions led by Jessy Fehr (SBC). At this year’s round-table, we discussed collaborations for the next CACSD General Conference being held at Booth University, how to approach including students across the gender spectrum in residence, and what processes each school is developing for sexual violence/consent education and investigations.

It is always an informative and fruitful experience to get together with our colleagues from other local institutions and we look forward to meeting with the rest of you at the next General Conference in May 2018.

– Sarah Lageer

Alberta Regional Meeting

By Shannon Weiss – Three Hills, AB

On November 23rd, 2016 Prairie College hosted the 2016-2017 Alberta CACSD Regional Conference.  Twenty-five Student Development professionals from Alberta Bible College, Burman University, Ambrose University, Kings University and Prairie College were in attendance for a day of making connections and learning from one another.

We began our day hearing from Prairie’s President Mr. Mark Maxwell, followed by a time of hearing an introduction from each school featuring their Student Development team’s mandate and/or approach. It was interesting to see the diversity of our joy’s and challenges!

This was followed by various roundtable discussions on topics like Spiritual formation, Student Success, Human Sexuality, Sports and Discipleship, and Leadership Development with various Student Development Professionals hosting these important discussions.

We continued our fellowship over lunch in Prairie’s dining hall which was an excellent time to connect on a different level.  The afternoon was filled with more roundtable discussions on the same topics. The discussions proved interesting as many of our schools have chosen different approaches to various important issues.

We ended our time together with Shannon Weiss, Director of Student Development for Women at Prairie, sharing her thoughts on what has kept her in student development for over 16 years. She is finishing up at Prairie in February and moving into full-time overseas mission work in Mozambique Africa.

It was an encouraging and informative day of reconnecting with colleagues and friends.

We look forward to seeing everyone again at the Canadian conference.

 

Manitoba Regional Meeting – 2016

by Samantha Groenendijk

On October 27th, 2016 Providence University College hosted the 2016-2017 Manitoba CACSD Regional Conference. Seventeen Student Development professionals from Steinbach Bible College, Canadian Mennonite University and Providence University College were present for a day of fellowship, re-centering and professional development.

We began our day with a devotional time led by Jessy Fehr and Carla Ackerman (SBC), followed by lunch and tours of Providence’s new spaces. Our afternoon included a conversation around the topic of Healthy Student Sexuality, hosted by Sandra Loeppky and Charlie Peronto. We finished our day with a roundtable, during which we discussed how to more effectively communicate information to students as well as the tabling of the Manitoba Provincial Government’s “Bill 15: The Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Act” and what it will mean for our institutions. This bill will require all post-secondary institutions in Manitoba to have appropriate policies, procedures and educational opportunities in place to prevent and respond to sexual violence on campus.

Our connections throughout the day were both refreshing and informative. It is always a blessing to be reminded that you are not alone in your efforts to serve students well and to gain a renewed sense of purpose in the work you’re doing for the Kingdom. We look forward to next year’s Regional Conference to be hosted by Steinbach Bible College.

Alberta CACSD regional meeting

by Joy Ulrich (Director of Career Services, Ambrose University)

On March 16th 2016 Ambrose University hosted the Southern Alberta CACSD Regional Meeting, inviting all Student Development professionals from faith-based institutions to gather together for a day of sharing and learning. There were 22 participants from 6 institutions (Ambrose University, Alberta Bible College, Prairie College, Burman University, The King’s University, and Rocky Mountain College).

The agenda for the day was kept simple with school and area updates in the morning and round table discussions in the afternoon.  Lunch was served in the cafeteria and many participated in school & residence tours afterwards. The discussions were focused around topic areas and involved idea, experience and information exchanges between the participants, facilitated by a table leader. The topics included:

 Student Tracking Systems (Alison Exner)

 Spiritual Formations (Terry Fach)

 Residential Issues & Concerns (Shannon Weiss)

 Student Success/Engagement (Lisa Moran)

 Mental Health: using psychological assessments with students (Cory Pytlarz)

 Career & Employment Services (Joy Ulrich)

 Addressing students use of pornography & masturbation (Van Williams)

 Supporting students with disabilities (Andrea Hensen)

It was a day filled with re-connections with colleagues and significant conversations. It reminded us that we are all in kingdom work serving God and students; seeking to bring life, wholeness and wellness into our respective institutions.

The event ended with Prairie College volunteering to host the 2017 CACSD Regional Meeting, were we hope to see even more of our student development co-workers.

Manitoba CACSD regional meeting

by Sandra Loeppky

On February 25, 2016 fifteen student life staff from Providence University College, Steinbach Bible College, Canadian Mennonite University and Booth University College gathered at CMU for what has become the annual regional CACSD meeting in Manitoba. The day began with coffee, goodies and conversation as any good student life gathering should begin. Sarah Lageer and Melanie Ward (Providence) led the group in thoughtful group exercise and reflection on Christ’s calling on us during Lent. After lunch, Charlie Peronto and Sandra Loeppky (CMU) facilitated a group discussion about selection and training of student leaders. The day closed with Patrick Friesen (SBC) sharing some of his thoughts and teaching on ‘Social Media Decentralization in Student Development’.

The day was full of lively conversation and connection which is energizing and encouraging as we approach the end of another academic year.  For those of you in other provinces who are in close proximity to other CACSD institutions, I want to highly encourage you to pursue regional meetings in your area.  Taking the time out of your busy schedule to plan and attend another meeting can seem daunting but the refreshment that can happen when you reconnect with your colleagues is almost as good as a vacation!