A Message from OACUHO President Becky Shillington

The landscape of our profession has changed substantially in recent years, and we continue to adapt with it. We have worked to support students transitioning into post-secondary after the pandemic. We created housing policies and fortified off-campus housing offices. We continue to respond to housing shortages and aging infrastructure. Some of us are building, some of us are branching out to private partnerships and creative solutions to ensure that we have enough beds (and enough heads). We are actively supporting international students through the ever-changing IRCC landscape and trying to build campus communities that feel welcoming and supportive amid the uncertainty. Most recently, many of us are facing budget and staffing cuts- which put additional pressure on revenue generation and occupancy

This is to say nothing of the political, environmental, and human rights issues at home and around the globe that continue to impact our students and staff.

The horrors persist, and so do we.

We are innovating. We are adapting staffing models to meet the dynamic needs of our students. We are designing new programs and buildings. We are making room for staff and students whose voices need to be heard. We are conducting research and assessment, and sharing our impact with campus partners and leadership.

Our campuses are changing, and as always, we will need to change with them. OACUHO is here to help us do just that- through connection and collaboration. We are committed to creating ongoing and accessible opportunities for us to share knowledge and resources, and build relationships across the province. Our communities of practice, PD opportunities, and committee work are all great opportunities to build networks and develop your skills. There is a ton of talent, passion, and skill in this organization, and we invite you to get in touch if there is something you'd like to share, learn, or teach.

As we look ahead to developing some goals for the year (and the next few years), we want to hear from you. If you have thoughts about what you need from OACUHO, or what you'd like to see in the future, please reach out to me to chat- send me an email, a wax sealed note, or even a fax (but please then email me and tell me how faxes work!).

The Board is here to serve the membership- if you find yourself disengaged, tell us why. If you have ideas for us to innovate, create, or fill gaps, let us know. We want to make sure that the work that we do this year represents your needs.

Sincerely,

Becky