Art Sandeen, a former vice president for student affairs at the University of Florida, is being honored by NASPA with the John Blackburn Distinguished Pillar Award for his continued service and contributions to the field of student affairs. Sandeen has had a long, distinguished career in student affairs spanning over 50 years, where he has advocated for students and mentored many professionals. He is being recognized for exemplifying the values of dedication to students and the profession through his work.

1. 2BITS
SUMMER
2014
PILLAR
PROFESSION
OF
THE
ART SANDEEN HONORED AT NASPA 2014
10 TIPS
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
LINDSAY RITENBAUGH, SPHE C/O 2014
A STUDENT PERSONNEL ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS FIRST YEAR STUDENTS
NEXT ISSUE
A SPA GUIDE TO FALL
CONFERENCE SEASON

2. Hello SPHE Family!
I hope that everyone is having a wonderful summer and that
you all are finding time to enjoy yourselves outside of your
hectic work schedules. It is with great honor that I write to you
on behalf of the SPA membership and SPHE cohort members.
First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the entire 2014
Cohort on their graduation and welcome the 2016 Cohort to
the SPHE family. I know that I speak for my fellow cohort
members when I say we have mixed emotions of sadness and
pride for our mentors who graduated and began their
professional careers, but we are also beyond excited to
welcome a new group of amazing individuals to the Gator
Nation! Please help us to welcome and guide our new cohort,
as you have always done, and show them that choosing this
program is going to be one of their best decisions.
As with any transition, there is of course, a lot of work to be
done as we continue striving to promote our students and
excel program as global leaders. As I am sure many of you have
already seen, the University of Florida Personnel and
Counselling Services were just ranked in the Top Five by US
News and World Report! This rating is a direct result of the
amazing divisional support, our faculty, and our alumni who
promote and showcase our program through their
achievements in the field. The SPA Executive Board has a lot of
goals for the year, and it is our hope that we can use this
platform as a springboard to accelerate progress and
momentum towards there successful completion. Before I
share some of our major goals, I would like to introduce the
current SPA Executive Board that will be leading this charge in
the heart of the Gator Nation.
Katie Shapiro- A Graduate Hall Director in Buckman Hall and
Treasurer of SPA (kshapiro90@ufl.edu)
Nikki Steinberger- A Graduate Staff Member in Housing and
Residence Education for Student Learning and Engagement
and Director of New Student Relations for SPA (nsteinberger@
ufl.edu)
Richard Mahler- A Graduate Staff Member in Housing and
Residence Education for Conduct and Community Standards
and Secretary of SPA (mahler90@ufl.edu)
Hollie Daniels- A Graduate Assistant in Off-Campus Life and
Director of Professional Development for SPA
(holliedaniels@ufl.edu)
A couple of our main goals include:
• Recruitment: As we strive to both increase visibility of our
program and attract the highest quality and most passionate
students to the program.
• Membership:We hope to increase representation from SPHE
cohorts, division graduate assistants, and undergraduate
associate members interested in careers in student affairs.
• Professional Development/Alumni Connection: Enhance
opportunities to supplement holistic learning and increase
consistent connection with alumni across the globe
• Various UF Based Projects: Including a practicum database
for students, increased connection and partnership with the
College of Education, and more events and opportunities to
take advantage of within the larger UF Community, and much
more.
I thank you all for your continued support and appreciate your
ongoing assistance as we aim to achieve our goals and make
a positive impact for our students, the university community,
and broader profession.
Warmest Regards and #SPHElove,
Mick Earley
President, Student Personnel Association
mjearley@ufl.edu
WELCOME
a note
from the
president
It all started in 1949 at Florida Field when George Edmondson
looked at the crowd around him as the Gators were playing
The Citadel. Fans were booing the team and George would not
stand for it, he jumped up and got the fans cheering, and so
began the legend of Mr. 2-Bits.
Always dressed in his signature yellow-shirt and orange-and-
blue tie, Edmondson is the only man capable of silencing a
crowd of over 90,000 fan with a mighty blow from his whistle!
Gator fans all across the world are eternally grateful for the man
who starts every Gator home football game with the phrase
"Two-bits, Four-bits, Six-bits, a dollar. All for the Gators, Stand
up and holler!"
Though Edmondson was never a student at UF, the University
has named him an honorary alumnus of the school, and he has
claimed it as his new alma mater. Edmondson receives no
compensation for his service, he does it for the love of the game
and for the love of the Gators.
1 Alumni Spotlight
Two Bits visits with Lindsay Ritenbaugh
SPHE Alum class of 2013
2 Making it Reitz
Construction continues on the renovation
and expansion of the historic student union
3 Sandeen Honored
NASPA honors Art Sandeen with the
prestigious "Pillar of the Profession" award
7 Ten Tips
Starting a job search can be daunting. SPA
gives you a few tips on finding the right fit
9 New Kids on the Block
The SPHE class of 2016 takes shape
11 Quick Bits
SPA Looks into current issues in Higher
Education
Two Bits is a quarterly magazine from the Student
Personnel Association at the University of Florida. This
publication features news from the organization, alumni
spotlights, and happenings from throughout the
Gator Nation. All for the Gators....
What is Two Bits?
In this issue
Photo credits: University of Florida

3. Glass pieces in select sections of the exterior are cut to resemble an alligators scales.
This ties the university mascot into the student union in a unique and fun way.
History Renewed
The SPHE Alum sits down with SPA to talk Gators, Demons, and Fajitas.
Lindsay Ritenbaugh continues her journey in student affairs at DePaul University in Chicago, IL.
From Gator to Demon
1 2
caution
Since 1967 the Reitz Union has been the
center of student activities and the heart
of student involvement. The Reitz Union
serves more than 20,000 students, faculty,
staff, and visitors each day. The dramatic
expansion and renovation project will add
much needed student activities space to
accommodate UF's growing student body.
The project includes the construction of a
new 100,000 square foot multilevel
structure, and renovation of up to 50,000
square feet of the existing building.
Expansion
The Expansion Phase will consist of new
construction of approximately 100,000
square feet of additional space. The new
construction will include offices and
support space for student clubs and
organizations including Student
Government, offices and program space
for the Center for Leadership and Service,
the Department of Student Activities and
Involvement, the Office of Multicultural
and Diversity Affairs, and GatorWell Health
Promotion Services. The new construction
will also include lounges and study spaces,
meeting rooms, dance rehearsal studios,
and a“new”Orange & Brew.
Renovation
The Renovation Phase will consist of
renovation of parts of the existing
building. Priorities include:
Energy efficiency including replacement
of all exterior windows and doors with low
energy glass and insulated frames
Restoration of exterior surfaces and
structural components
Replacement and updating of major
infrastructure systems (electrical,
plumbing, and HVAC)
Updating of interior finishes and lighting
Completion of the project will enable the
Reitz Union to more adequately provide
the facilities, services, and programs
needed to support the needs of the diverse
student population as well as the broader
campus community. The renovations to
the existing facility will increase energy
efficiency thereby saving operational costs,
and greatly enhancing building comfort
and functionality.
Visit the gallery online
For more photo renderings as well as full project info go to MakeitReitz.com
What have you been up to since leaving the Gainesville?
I moved to Chicago in May 2013 and took a job as Program
Coordinator for Student Organizations at DePaul University.
What makes a great student affairs professional?
The ability to navigate change and transition by utilizing your
Strengths and Schlossberg's 4S model--both personally and
professionally.
What advice would you give second years in the initial job
search?
I know this sounds terribly cliche but good things truly do come
to those who wait. Every "no" you receive is just a reminder that
your perfect fit hasn't yet presented itself.Trust the process and
know that you will find a home when it's time.
Looking back on your time at UF, what prepared you most for
your current position?
The practical experience I gained in my internship, practicum,
and graduate assistantship helped me develop supervising and
advisory skills I have been able to use in my first position. I also
greatly appreciated the capstone course and mock interviews
which helped us have an edge on
other candidates from other
institutions.
What's next for you?
I am transitioning into a new role
from Morale advisor to overall
advisor of DemonTHON, DePaul's
Dance Marathon for 2014-2015!
Any advice for the first years?
Don't say yes to every opportunity
that arises. A wise person once told
me to wait ten days before asking to
get involved in anything and
everything as a graduate student.
Don't wear yourself thin in your first
semester or year. Take time for
yourself and focus on being the best
graduate assistant/practicing
student/intern you can be—when
the time is right. It's been to have a
shorter list of impactful
involvement than a laundry list of
superficial involvement.
Favorite practicum experience?
Being a co-advisor with Rachel Rollo Decker and James Tyger
for two years at the Young Leaders Confererence. I gained so
much crisis management and leadership development training
during those two weekends.
Favorite UF Tradition?
Swaying back and forth with 90,000 of my closest friends and
singing along to "We are the Boys" after the third quarter of
Florida Football.
Best food in Gainesville?
Tijuana Flats, even though it's a chain. I would do anything for
Taco Tuesday and their queso. The closest one to Chicago is 6
hours away!
Go-to road trip song?
Let it Go from Frozen
4 Bits
Photo credits: University of Florida

4. Still StandingThough the world of student affairs has
changed significantly over the past 60 years,
one thing has remained the same.
Art Sandeen's passion for students.

5. "I'm no expert..." - David Rowe SPHE '14
"And also, she's a ham." - Lindsay Ritenbaugh
"You could write a paper on that..." - Laura Weissbaum SPHE '14
"Student affairs professionals should be advocates for the unseen." - Lauren Di Giovanni SPHE '15
"Back when I was around, you know, with the dinosaurs..." - Lizzie Martin SPHE '15
"Risk management is a reality, but one hopes that good will, trust, and the education of the student will remain central in any actions
student affairs take." - Brandon William SPHE '13
Quotable Some of SPHE's favorite Sandeen quotes
Photos courtesy of Facebook
"Student affairs professionals should be advocates for the unseen."
-Dr. Arthur Sandeen
UF Press:
In
Arthur“Art”
Sandeen’s 26 years
as head of
University of Florida
student affairs and 14
years as a College of
Education professor, his
love and advocacy of
students gave the university
community a friend and leader
they knew they could count on.
These traits help explain why the
National Association of Student
Personnel Administrators, known as
NASPA, has chosen Sandeen to receive its
2014 John Blackburn Distinguished Pillar
Award for his service to students and university
communities.
The award recognizes a past“Pillar of the
Profession,”a title awarded by NASPA, who has
continued to grow and strengthen the student affairs
field. Sandeen was named a Pillar of the Profession in
1999. He will receive the Blackburn award at NASPA’s
annual conference in March.
Sandeen has been a professor of higher education
administration at the College of Education since 1999. Prior
to teaching at UF, Sandeen was an administrator of
residential services at Michigan State University in the 1960s.
Then, he was a professor and the dean of students at Iowa
State University. In 1973, Sandeen joined UF as the vice
president for student affairs.
UF’s Division of Student Affairs now honors Sandeen’s
legacy through the Art Sandeen Outstanding New
Professional Award, which is given annually to a student
affairs staff member that exemplifies the values that Sandeen
modeled: “dedication to the profession, a love for students,
commitment to mentoring others in the profession, and a
commitment to academic excellence.”UF’s student
government also recognizes one faculty member each year
with the C. Arthur Sandeen “Improving the Quality of Life”
Award.
Between 1999 and 2004, Sandeen served as coordinator of
the graduate program in student personnel in higher
education at the College of Education. But since 2004,
Sandeen has “retired” three times, but something continues
to draw him back to university life. He has been teaching
part-time and serving on doctoral advisory committees since
he first retired.
“I have loved working with students at Michigan State, Iowa
State and UF,” Sandeen said. “I strive for strong connections
with my students because I think that is what you’re supposed
to do if you care about students and about what they’re
doing, and if you are trying to be of assistance to them in any
way.”
When wearing his professor hat, Sandeen teaches his
students that establishing trusting relationships with
students is one of the most important aspects of working in
student affairs. He also advises his students to “be willing to
change with the times.”
Sandeen is exploring the latter quality in a new book he is
writing with Margaret Barr, the former head of student affairs
at Northwestern University. The book, which is the second to
be published by the duo and Sandeen’s eighth overall, will
focus on ways that student affairs administrators can best
cater to today’s generation of college students. According
to Sandeen, one of the biggest issues lies in how university
student affairs will adjust to the increase in residential and
face-to-face campuses moving online.
Sandeen is also the author of three monographs, more than
50 published articles, and 21 book chapters. He received his
bachelor’s degree in religion and psychology from Miami
University in Ohio, and his master’s in college student
personnel administration and a doctorate in administration
and higher education from Michigan State University.
He says he became intrigued by student affairs
as a college student at Miami University in the
late 1950s. At the time, Sandeen was very
involved in campus life through his leadership
positions in student government, Greek life
and other organizations. He also worked in the
dean of students office, where he met the vice
president of student affairs.
“I didn’t know anything about this field except
what I learned from my involvement on
campus,” Sandeen said. “But when the vice
president of student affairs encouraged me to
consider student affairs, I did, simple as that. I
have loved it and have been very lucky.”
The field of student affairs also opened up
opportunities for Sandeen that met his
interests in civil rights and social justice. After
Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Miami University
in the late 1950s, Sandeen realized that getting
involved in student life meant getting involved
with social issues.
“I was a philosophy major, I loved ideas, and I
was raised in a family in which we had a great
concern for people and for rights,”he said.“During the Civil Rights
Movement, I hated the injustice and I saw student affairs as a way
to get involved in such social efforts.”
Sandeen thinks that college students’participation in campus
activities is directly related to the quality of education they
receive. According to Sandeen,“people learn in a variety of
settings and different ways,”like dance groups, cultural
organizations, honor societies and student media. At UF, students
can choose from nearly 1,000 student organizations.
“Students I’ve known over the years who get involved in
something can learn more about themselves and different
backgrounds and cultures, as well as how to get along with other
people,” Sandeen said. “There’s a good deal of evidence that the
students who really learn how to do those things aside from
getting a degree are more likely to be successful in their lives.”
5 6

6. 1. Your Assistantship(s) should not equal
your life
You. Are. A. Student. First.
Never forget that.
Yes, you will become enthralled with your
assistantship(s), and you will have a lot to
do, but you also have a degree to attain.
So attain it!
2. Set Expectations with your supervisor.
Number one should be easier once you do
this.
As soon as you begin your assistantship(s),
haveaconversationwithyoursupervisor(s)
and establish a number of things: modes
of communication, goals, your super-
vising needs, their needs, dress codes
(BOOOOOOO), etc. Ideally, this will ensure
a smooth year full of transparent commu-
nication.
Also, have a conversation with your
supervisor(s) about what words you might
need for your resume. Yes. You read that.
Literally, words.
Resume building is essential throughout
your assistantship(s), and getting certain
experiences may be important to you and
you need to communicate those early in
the process. That way, when job interview
season rolls around, you are prepared to
talk to your experiences.
3. SLEEP
Sometimes you just need to go to bed.
So do it. Your health comes first. Always.
4. Be a Devil’s Advocate.
Diversity of thought is important both in
work and in the classroom setting with
your cohort. Ask questions. Ask for clari-
fications. Be curious. You don’t need to
agree with everything everyone says.
That’s totally okay. An essential part of the
learning process is seeing the other side of
the coin.
Being constructive with your learning be-
gins with being comfortable enough to
question. I feel some of the biggest learn-
ing moments this year came when people
in my cohort challenged each other. We
never took things personally because we
understand that we are all here to learn.
Challenging each other is necessary for
growth.
5. Student Development Theories are not
Gospel.
That’s right. I said it.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t think they are
important. I’m all for the existence of
student development theories. They are
great for foundations of informing
practices.
However, many of these theories are anti-
quated and are in need of rejuvenation—
especially with the constantly evolving
culture of identity exploration on college
campuses. This is exciting because we are
in a unique situation in our generation to
be able inform and revive some of these
theories to better fit our campus climate.
All students are different, and I can guaran-
tee that none want to be placed into boxes.
6. Create/Build your social media presence
I will concede this point to Josie Ahlquist’s
blog post on this very topic.
In today’s landscape of Higher Education, it
is essential to be actively engaged on social
media and or blogging.
Employers are looking more and more into
your experiences and knowledge outside
of the classroom and even outside of your
Assistantship(s).
7. Join a committee, or two, or five
Yes, I served on five committees this year.
Wait, six if I include the search committee.
Committee work is essential if you want
to quickly place yourself at the table with
many important people at your univer-
sity. Committees are great ways to make
connections, network, and learn the inner
workings of an institution.
8. Be up front with your faculty.
If you are getting swamped with work, if
family stuff comes up, if you need to take
time for yourself—make sure to stay in
communication with your faculty. They
understand the nature of this Higher Ed/
Student Affairs beast. Chances are they will
understand enough to give you extensions
upon extensions. However, procrastina-
tion probably isn’t the best excuse as we
emerge into adulthood. So make sure you
are actually making time for your studies.
9. GET OUT!
Getting your work done is important.
Getting some fresh air is also important. So
get out!
This doesn’t only apply to going outside—
which you obviously should do—but go
on adventures. Concerts, hikes, sporting
events—anything! Even if for only a day or
night.
Explore—this especially applies to anyone
going to grad school away from their home.
Leave your campus and be active.
Sometimes you need to just get your mind
off your work and enjoy yourself for a few
hours!
10. Eat well. Take care of your body.
Go to the gym. Go for walks. Pack a healthy
lunch. Take care of yourself.
This is a demanding field and taking care of
your body is necessary in order to avoid
extra stress. Look out for number one!
10tipsforSA
first years
Craig Bidiman
#SAGrad
UMass Amherst
Needingabreak?Here are some of our favorite places to get away:
7
Any Gator can feel right at home at
Lake Wauburg. From Sailing to Tanning,
Wauburg has something for everyone.
Just an 1.5 hr from campus is the
nations oldest city. St. Augustine boasts
great beaches, historic attractions and
some pretty fantastic seafood.
Oh Boy! In love with the mouse?
Disney offers seasonal ticket plans
starting at $20 a month.
Tubing, picnicking, snorkeling,
canoeing, swimming, hiking, and wild-
life viewing. Ichetucknee Springs is an
easy way to experience Florida Nature.

7. Starting Out
A first look at the 2015 cohort
Fun Fact:
I am currently
training for
my first full
marathon!
Leanna Marcus
Fun Fact:
I have ridden
down the
1980 Olympic
Track on a
Bobsled!
Maggie Sutton
Fun Fact:
I have been
bungee
jumping
before
Sean Ferguson
Fun Fact:
I have
two year
identical twin
boys!
Tara McDowell
Fun Fact:
I am
physically
incapable of
whistling
John Vitalis
Fun Fact:
I am
Advanced
Certified to
Scuba dive
Brittany Hoover
I auditioned
for The
Amazing
Race last
summer
Wesley Anne
Hartsell
Fun Fact:
I was born
on the 4th of
July!
Justin Zgombjc
Fun Fact:
I never wear
matching
socks.
Shantrell Jenkins
Fun Fact:
I was quaran-
tined during a
trip to China
because they
suspected I was
bringing Swine
flu from the US.
Jill Pettibone
Fun Fact:
I don't own
pants.
Aubrey Tarantine
Fun Fact:
I was born in
Kansas but
raised in Italy
for the first
part of my
childhood
Cody Sumerix
Fun Fact:
I am a
Starbucks
junkie!
Emily Higham
Fun Fact:
I love Rubix
Cubes!
Alejandra Ramirez
Shellie Banfield
Claire Butler
Jill Faull
Lisa Hill
Laura Quintana
Rachael Rayford
Charity Reynolds
Chisato Taylor
Daniel Usma
Fun Fact:
Brad Teague
Not Pictured but still awesome:
7

8. Nonprofit OrganizationThe Student Personnel Association at the University
of Florida is run by members of the Student
Personnel in Higher Education Master's program at
the University of Florida.
The organizations goal is to provide networking and
professional development opportunities for
members and alumni.
Starbucks Will Send Thousands of Employees to
Arizona State for Degrees
By Goldie Blumenstyk
Starbucks is teaming up with Arizona State University on
an exclusive program that could send thousands of its
baristas, store managers, and other employees to ASU
Online for their undergraduate degrees, with the coffee
company picking up about three-quarters of the tuition
tab.
Read more at The Chonicle of Higher Education.
Pushed by Lawmakers, U. of Florida Dives Into
Online Education
By Megan O’Neil
A little more than a year after Florida lawmakers
committed $35-million to the University of Florida to
create a reduced-cost, online-only baccalaureate program,
university officials say they are taking stock of the
inaugural semester while preparing for the second.
Read more at The Chonicle of Higher Education.
College Libraries Push Back as Publishers Raise
Some E-Book Prices
By Avi Wolfman-Arent
In mid-May, the Boston Library Consortium, which
represents 17 academic libraries in New England, received
an abrupt and unsettling phone call from ebrary, an e-book
library owned by the aggregator ProQuest. A company
representative said 11 academic publishers, including
major players like Taylor & Francis and Oxford University
Press, would be raising the cost of short-term e-book loans
effective June 1. In some cases the increase would be as
much as 300 percent.
Read more at The Chonicle of Higher Education.
Coaching from the Sidelines Instead of the Bleachers:
Our Important Role in College Affordability
By Richard Decapua, ED.D., Boston College; Amy Proietti,
Greenfield Community College; and Edward J. Smith,
NASPA RPI
As colleges and universities across America embark on
another summer, institutional leaders, administrators, and
practitioners exhale a collective sigh of relief, recovering
from the dizzying wave of commencements and end of
year activities. As such, the brief reprieve not only provides
us an opportunity to reflect on the stressful nature of the
last month, but it also allows us to respond to the year’s
Super Bowl of financial news in higher education: the
release of published annual tuition increases, which
occurred a few weeks earlier in the semester.
Read more at NASPA.
College of Charleston, Clemson bill dies.
Jeffrey Collins, Associated Press
A bill to expand the College of Charleston into a research
university and allow Clemson University to speed
construction projects died Tuesday after a conference
committee couldn't get support for both proposals.
The two ideas ended up merged together in a bill with the
South Carolina House backing the College of Charleston's
request, and the Senate supporting Clemson's proposal.
But House members were worried about losing oversight
over Clemson's projects. Senators questioned why the
College of Charleston needed to be declared a research
university so quickly.
Read more at The State Newspaper.
'Test-Blind' Admissions
By Scott Jaschik
More than 800 four-year colleges and universities do not
require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. But of
these "test-optional" colleges, the competitive ones will
look at scores that are submitted. And most selective, test-
optional" colleges, the competitive ones will look at scores
that are submitted. And most selective, test-optional col-
leges report that a majority of applicants (typically a large
majority) submit scores.
Hampshire College announced that it would become the
only such college that will be "test-blind," meaning that it
will not look at SAT or ACT scores even if applicants submit
them a colleges report.
Read more at Inside Higher Ed
Quick Bits News from around the
world of Student Affairs
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