How to Survive—and Even Thrive— When Pulled in Many Directions Many Hats, One Head: How to Survive—and Even Thrive— When Pulled in Many Directions Dr. Steve McLeod, Associate Dean Harding School of Theology smcleod@harding.edu

The Mechanic’s Son Too Late to Change the Things he had already done Accept what he had created for himself Do the best that he can

The Doctoral Student

The Luncheon

Georgia Fan

My Setting Small School: about 130 students Branch Campus, Harding University 5000+ Duties—primarily Registrar One-person office A “Banner” school

My Hats Registrar (Registration and Record-keeping) Produce the School Catalog Produce the School Calendar and Class Schedule Chair Admissions Committee Chair Retention Committee Serve on Scholarship Committee

My Hats #2 Assign Academic Advisors Perform Annual Degree Checks Develop Long-term Academic Plans (esp. part-time distance students) PDSO for International students (SEVIS) VA School Certifying Official (VA-ONCE) File Annual Reports: THEC, ATS, VA; previously IPEDS

My Hats #3 Direct Institutional Research Direct Self-Studies for Reaccreditation (HLC, ATS) Contact Person for Auditors from THEC, VA, FBI, Homeland Security, SEVIS Unofficial Personal Finance Counselor (Dave Ramsey fan) Dean sabbatical—chair faculty meetings and handled Academic Affairs Committee requests

How Wide? Larger schools = inch wide, mile deep Small College Registrar = mile wide, inch deep

Banner Transition in 2003 74 year-old assistant, Ruth Encouraged to retire

Banner Transition in 2003 Not permitted to replace her; “budget issues” Not happy Became bitter and angry Students noticed

Change Attitude or Change Jobs Problem with changing jobs? I would still be me; bitter and angry

Love Your Neighbor Change Not Quick 1000 Decisions Many Years Humor

New Twitter Handle @RuthlessRegistrar

Remember the Main Thing “The Main Thing is to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing.” --Lige Turman, Former elder (deceased) Highland Church of Christ, Memphis, TN

What’s the Main Thing? Make Boss Look Good Keep the School Open Improve the School (Institutional Research) Keep Auditors Satisfied (THEC, VA, SEVIS, etc.)

Tips to Handle the Main Thing (and some little ones, too) Don’t take on too much that is not necessary. (e.g., sabbatical from SACRAO executive committee while directing assessment self-study)   2. You can’t know everything, so find a friend who does! (Network) Let them know how thankful you are for their help.

Tips, Cont’d 3. Communication is Key—email (in writing)   4. Take Advantage of Available Resources NAFSA Advisor’s Manual Local Conferences/Training Memphis Internat’l Student Advisor Colloquy 5. Use Technology Judiciously Banner: Yes Third party transcripts: No

Tips, Cont’d 6. Doing it all yourself will not work. DELEGATE!!! (1st Self-Study) 7. If Faculty or Student asks Question, Send Answer to Everyone Who Might Need It

Tips, Cont’d 8. Choose Listserves Carefully Small College Registrar Listserve http://maillists.samford.edu/mailman/listinfo/scr-l ATSRAO:  atsrao@googlegroups.com

Tips, Cont’d 9. Plan Ahead and Work Ahead So You Won’t Get Behind 10. You can’t change others. You can’t control events. You can only change your attitude.

Facts of Life Everyone will ignore your emails. You can get upset but it will not help Laugh and move on

Have Fun Bible Exam FAQs Advanced Introduction Courses Q. I passed 5001 Advanced Introduction to the OT and 5201 Advanced Introduction to the NT. I don’t need to take the Bible exam. Right? A. Wrong. Passing the Intros has nothing to do with the Bible exam. You must still take the Bible exam.

Have Fun Bible Exam FAQs Bible Major Q. I was a Bible major and had a 4.0. I don’t need to take the Bible exam, right? A. Wrong. If you had a 4.0 as a Bible major, you should do well on the Bible exam.

Have Fun Bible Exam FAQs Procrastinators Q. We are supposed to take the Bible exam in our first semester. I didn’t. Does that mean I’m exempt?

Have Fun Bible Exam FAQs Procrastinators Q. We are supposed to take the Bible exam in our first semester. I didn’t. Does that mean I’m exempt? A. Seriously? No. Take the exam.

 Are You Thriving Yet? Observations, Questions, Comments? (No Criticisms; leave those for Guidebook Evaluations) 

Contact Info Dr. Steve McLeod, Associate Dean Harding School of Theology smcleod@harding.edu @RuthlessRegistrar