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Week in Review: A Reminder to Find the Good

Ali Lincoln

For every vacation, weekend, and most days after work, I fully take a break from the world of news. It’s so necessary for my personal wellbeing to shut down and enjoy my life in the moment so that I can be prepared for the reboot. But, it’s getting harder and harder to log back in—and I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling this way after this week’s horrible shooting in Las Vegas. My daughter is too young to be aware of tragedies like this, but I hate that violence, hatred, and natural and manmade disasters are her normal. I’m at a loss for understanding how to grapple with things of this nature as a human, let alone as a parent. This Washington Post On Parenting piece doesn’t really offer answers on anything, but it was such a needed read this week for me that I’m sharing it here instead of as what I’m recommending. There is good in the world, and I’m going to be damn sure that when my kid is old enough, she knows that she is and can continue to be that good in the face of so much bad. All of our kids can be that good. WE can be that good.

For higher ed news, scroll down for the latest.

What’s new this week:

In a piece for Fortune, Professor Alex Hindman of the College of the Holy Cross explains the strategy behind Trump’s NFL dispute—and why we shouldn’t fall for it.

This week on Inside Higher Ed’s Call to Action blog, be sure to read up on how we’re still missing the mark with diversity marketing.

What we’ve been talking about:

A brainstorming call gave Ali the idea to round up a few tips to get over the remoteness of working remotely.

Teresa lent her expertise to this Inside Higher Ed article on the University of North Carolina proceeding with their capital campaign launch despite a looming NCAA report.

@maloney1118 & @cristalsteuer are taking some advice from @aflinc09 and working from a coffee shop today. #workingremotely

A post shared by TVP Communications (@tvpcomms) on

 

What’s next on our calendars:

Erin will present a session on social media to participants in the NACUBO Fellows Program in Washington, DC, on October 12.

On October 12, Erin and Sandy Baum, fellow at the Urban Institute and trustee of Bryn Mawr College, will participate in an AGB Guardians Initiative webinar, “Let’s Talk About Value: How to Become an Advocate for Higher Ed.”

Teresa will lead a crisis communications session and case study review for the Dean’s Section of the American Association of Law Schools in San Diego, CA on January 6, 2018.

On Feb. 9, 2018, Erin will present “Finding—and Using—Your Voice: A Communications Toolkit for Advocates,” part of Mount Holyoke College’s Advocacy in the Public Domain event series.

What we’re recommending:

Ali Lincoln
I just love this woman’s response to addressing catcalling and street harassment. She takes selfies with the obnoxious men who are objectifying her. While I can’t believe how many of the harassers are posing for the selfies and seem proud of themselves, overall, I think it’s important that she’s bringing attention to the catcalling in a unique way. Street harassment is annoying, insulting, and sometimes even terrifying, and I respect her for putting a face to those who engage in it.

Erin Hennessy
When I was in college, I spent my time on my schoolwork, my campus jobs, and my friends. Clearly, I was quite the underachiever, at least compared to a group of students at the University of Pittsburgh, who in 2015 started an organization called Students Conquering Cold Cases. The group, which is currently, but not intentionally, all women, hasn’t solved any crimes yet but is being taken seriously by law enforcement in their attempts to shed light on old crimes.

Kristine Maloney
I’ll admit ignorance when it comes to college basketball. Yes, I blindly fill out a NCAA Tournament bracket each March and usually find myself getting caught up in the excitement and fun of it all. I’ve teared up at more than a few of the NCAA student athlete spots that run during the tournament and get caught up in that as well. Somewhere in the back of my mind I know all college athletics isn’t as pure as those spots do a great job making me believe, but it’s never anything I spend too much time thinking about. The latest scandal, however, the complexity of it all, the systemic nature of illegal acts, is blowing my mind. And the more I read, the harder it is to wrap my head around it. This Wall Street Journal piece about the man who cooperated with federal authorities to expose the depths of bribery and corruption in college basketball reads like a movie plot. It’s fascinating and deeply disappointing at the same time. And even if no previous scandals had truly tainted my experience watching March Madness, I think this year will be different.

Teresa Valerio Parrot
The Parrots are one week away from their first, official, real weekend of campus visits. Everything we have done up to this point has just been a trial run. All of my free time this week was spent Slacking with my family regarding logistics for our trip. My daughter is responsible for setting up our itinerary (including picking the schools we are visiting) and registering for tours, I’m in charge of lodging and transportation and my husband has been filling the role of Julie from the Love Boat– he’s our social coordinator. I’m pleased to say we have two tours and two open houses scheduled, and the family has plans to squeeze in an art exhibit and a college football game. Wish us luck!

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