P-A-C-U-R-H.. PACURH.. PACURH

P-A-C-U-R-H..PACURH..PACURH

By John Buchanan

Thanks for checking out Cal Poly and for considering join our amazing team. For many of you the header of this blog is speaks directly to your heart and for some you are just trying to figure out how to pronounce it, and it does matter which one you are or if your somewhere in between. We will catch you up to speed! PACURH stands for the Pacific Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls, which is on region of 8 in a national student leader organization known as NACURH. You may have some experience with this group as a previous conference goer on another campus or through working with student leader groups like RHA, NRHH, IHC, etc. This topic is actually near and dear to my heart because I stared my involvement in residence life as an NCC (National Communications Coordinator) at MACURH (Midwest) 2003. I love the energy and the mission of NACURH and how it provides students a new home and family as they enter the next stage of their journey which is how Ianded the adventure of advising the PACURH 2017 delegation.

This wild and crazy adventure began in early October when our Interhall Council, know as RHA on many campuses, started planning their delegation for the annual conference which was being held at the University of Oregon. I’m currently serving as the NRHH advisor so I was offered the opportunity to attend and I was elated! Having lead delegations as a student I knew what I was signing on for and what potential challenges I to expect, but this was our NCCs first conference. First step was to select the delegation, which meant talking with the NCC about what goals she had for the delegation, what energy level did she want, how do we give continuing leaders the chance to attend but also take first year student to engage them in campus. After hours of theoretical goal setting, an application, and interview process a delegation was selected. The next step was to prep the delegation, which meant prepping the NCC. Supporting our NCC meant challenging her to find the answer, reassuring her that she had the answers, and in MANY cases saying “Breath… now what’s the next step?” Ultimately after 4 weeks of delegation meetings, display building, and travel forms we all boarded the plane and headed to Oregon.

What happened at Oregon was when it became amazing! I can’t explain but somehow it happens every time without fail, it’s the moment when first time students enter the area for Opening Ceremonies and they are clearly thinking “what have I gotten myself into” and then at Closing Ceremonies where those same students say “yep, this is where I’m supposed to me.” Our student cheered and chanted, attended programs, rode their stick broncos with pride (CPP tradition), made lasting connections with others, and most importantly took on the mantle of leadership in their building. Many of the students will join our RA team next fall, some will be the next IHC exec board, and some will provide leadership through Greek Life or our campus cultural center. Regardless of the path of leadership they take, they are leaders and our campus is enriched by their commitment. Which ultimately is what our NCC strived to accomplish and I was ecstatic to support. Just another opportunity for Area Coordinators to honor their passions and have a blast with students. Plus… FREE BRONCO STICK! Just saying :)