At your service

One hundred and sixty eight. That's the golden number for those of us who work in student affairs because it's the number of hours in a week students on the Bloomington campus must fill. Sure, a significant part of those hours is devoted to classes and studying. But our student affairs staff supports students even while they are in the classroom and the library. And they certainly contribute to all the hours in students' lives that are not consumed by the University's formal teaching and learning activities.\nStudent affairs includes the residence halls, health center and campus buses. We are the bookstores, Student Legal Services and parking operations. We advise student government, the fraternity and sorority governing councils, and hundreds more student organizations. We form the campus community's symbolic center (the Indiana Memorial Union), as well as its outer edge (the Motor Pool), and much of what lies between. \nThe student affairs staff represents student interests through student advocates, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services, the Disability Services and Veterans Affairs offices. We enforce the institution's behavioral expectations through our discipline system (Student Ethics & Anti-Harassment Programs). We entertain (the IU Auditorium), sustain (the development office) and explain (the Parents Association). And we encourage student contributions to the world beyond by way of our oversight of the Volunteer Students Bureau, Dance Marathon and other service activities.\nVexing social problems, such as alcohol abuse, get our attention (Alcohol-Drug Information Center) just as personal ones do (Counseling & Psychological Services). And we keep at least one eye on the reality that life for students beyond our doors usually includes careers and work (Career Development Center) and may offer opportunities for professional and intellectual renewal in the years ahead (Conference Bureau).\nI like to think of our staff as the heart behind the limestone, the place students go when they need a helping hand, an open mind or an attentive ear. Our staff provides opportunities for students to fill time in enriching ways, through involvement in campus decision-making processes, participation in cultural events or meeting kindred spirits in student organizations. \nBut there is one critical element in this mix that is beyond our reach: student choice. What students make of the dizzying options we offer is entirely up to them. Engagement or disengagement? Should they seek help when they need it or go it alone? Will they become part of something larger than themselves or sit on the sidelines wondering what relationships they might have had?\nOur doors are open -- we're always nearby -- and we care deeply about student success. Each and every student's success. Your success. Come see us, or invite us to come see you.\nThere isn't room in this column to list all our offices' locations, so I'll give you mine. It's a new one -- they moved me just this summer while some of you were away. I'm eager for students, individually or in groups, to stop by Bryan Hall 205, call 855-8187 or e-mail mckaig@indiana.edu. \nUntil then, you have my best wishes for a wonderful school year. I hope we see you soon -- and often