2019-2021 James C. Grimm National Housing Training Institute HOST PARTNER INSTITUTION APPLICATION
James C. Grimm National Housing Training Institute 2019-2021 HOST PARTNER INSTITUTION APPLICATION Applications are now being accepted to serve as the Host Partner Institution for ACUHO-I s James C. Grimm National Housing Training Institute (NHTI). The Host Partner Institution will collaborate with the NHTI Coordinating Committee by facilitating the 4-day institute on their campus. The Host Partner Institution will be selected in 2017 and will begin working with the NHTI Coordinating Committee to transition the Institute from its current hosts in early 2018. The selected Host Partner Institution will welcome NHTI to its campus officially in 2019, and subsequently in 2020 and 2021. The Institute provides an intensive professional development experience for professionals with three to seven years of full-time experience who are looking to further their career in housing and residence life. Participants meet and interact with other colleagues, establish mentor relationships with experts in the field, create professional development plans, and gain skills and competencies needed to meet the current and future demands of the profession. The Institute recognizes the importance of the evolving housing and residence life profession, and it strives to provide participants with the knowledge and skills they will need to be successful in the ever changing field. Role of the Host Partner Institution The Host Partner Institution plays a critical role in the success of the NHTI experience for participants, faculty, and stakeholders. In collaboration with the NHTI Coordinating Committee, the Host Partner Institution: Maintains a strong NHTI culture of a small-group, immersive experience through outstanding execution of both content and logistics. Establishes on-campus leadership committee appropriate for the campus setting so that they may implement a high-quality Institute. Manages local arrangements and hosting of the Institute in collaboration with the Coordinating Committee. Engages Institute Faculty for comprehensive training in collaboration with the Coordinating Committee. Facilitates development of community and community building among participants and faculty. Contributes to programmatic assessment in collaboration with the Coordinating Committee. Why Be A Host Institution? Hosting NHTI affords a campus the opportunity to contribute to the future of the profession by providing professionals a venue to reflect and plan for their future in the housing profession. The Host Partner Institution will identify two professionals on their campus to serve as Co- Directors - both of whom will represent their institution as members of the NHTI Coordinating Committee and assist with the planning and coordination of all aspects of the Institute. This opportunity allows the Host Partner Institution the opportunity to experience the benefits for NHTI by auditing session presentations, as well as interact with NHTI participants and faculty. The Co-Directors are instrumental in managing on-site accommodations, meeting spaces, meals, travel, and other critical logistics. Institute faculty and participants will also learn about the Host Partner Institution campus and their housing and residence life operation. Former NHTI participants and faculty have been known in the past to apply for positions at the Host Partner Institution due in part to the exposure to the campus environment and personnel. The NHTI Host Application Process Institutions apply to be considered as a host in a two-stage selection process: STAGE ONE Interested host campuses complete and submit the preliminary online application, which is available online via the ACUHO-I website. The application includes narrative responses and requires some supporting documentation. For full consideration, interested institutions must complete the application and submit all documentation no later than Monday, November 6, 2017 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Members of the NHTI Selection Workgroup will review all submissions between Tuesday, November 7 and Monday, November 13, 2017. A group of finalists will be identified and all submitting institutions will be notified of their status on Monday, November 13, 2017. STAGE TWO Finalists will be invited to submit a full request for proposals (RFP), which requires candidate institutions to supplement the information they provided in the preliminary online application with additional details and supporting documentation. Complete information will be provided to finalists upon notification. Full RFPs are due Friday, December 1, 2017. Finalists will also be required to schedule a virtual presentation to highlight aspects of their RFP submission and engage in a question-and-answer period with the NHTI Selection Workgroup during the week of December 11-15, 2017. Members of the NHTI Selection Workgroup may schedule a one-day campus site visit during the week of January 8-12, 2018 to assist in finalizing their decision. We anticipate officially announcing the successful 2019-2021 NHTI Host Partner Institution on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. PRELIMINARY ONLINE APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 11:59 pm ET on Monday, November 6, 2017.
Guiding Principles for Site Selection ACUHO-I is committed to the ideals and the practice of diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe that our diversity enriches the educational experience, and as an organization, we honor, respect and celebrate differences among individuals. ACUHO-I models inclusive practices in all of the association s work, including reflecting these values when selecting locations for sponsored conferences and workshops. Conferences are a valuable resource of the association and provide participants the opportunity to enhance the network of our community and to share knowledge among colleagues. The selection of a conference site is made in recognition of the needs of our members and the association. Factors such as venue size and configuration, cost to participants, and previous offerings hosted in the region are considered. In the instance that local legislation may prevent the ability of some members of our professional community to fully participate in the conference, the association will select sites that are in alignment with ACUHO-I s values. As educators, we recognize the power of information and will leverage the influence of the association to advocate for inclusive environments. When entering into agreements with venues, ACUHO-I conference planners will negotiate to include language which enables the association to terminate a contract without penalty should local legislation be enacted that is contrary to the association s values and ideals. Decisions regarding cancellation will be made in consultation with appropriate members of the Executive Board. If it is determined that cancellation is not possible, for either financial or logistical reasons, the association will work to provide education on the legislation in question and to ensure a safe and inclusive experience for all participants, especially those who might be otherwise marginalized. Financial Considerations of Hosting NHTI The Host Partner Institution will be provided a block grant of $30,000 annually to cover the costs associated with hosting the event. This block grant is based on a total of 52 attendees (40 participants, 10 faculty and 2 coordinating committee/ staff) attnding the Institute. Expenses encompassed by the block grant should include: overnight accommodations, food and beverage (including meals and snacks), early arrival of faculty (meals, transportation, and accommodations), any facility, audio-visual equipment/management, or local transportation needs - and any miscellaneous costs that might arise from hosting the Institute. The Host Partner Institution will be permitted to expend funds not to exceed $3,000 for onetime setup costs to be agreed upon in consultation with ACUHO-I. Any other expenses generated by the Host Partner Institution beyond these amounts will be the responsibility of the institution and will not be funded or reimbursed by ACUHO-I. Some expenses will be managed by the ACUHO-I Central Office, including marketing, corporate faculty expenses, faculty honoraria and airfare, and some registrant expenses that are managed centrally (e.g., pins, awards at the end of the Institute). More detailed information regarding Institute budgeting will be provided in the RFP stage of the application process to those institutions who are selected as finalists. Information to Gather For the Application In addition to basic contact and profile information institutions will submit in the preliminary online application, candidates will also be asked to furnish responses to the following questions: Location 1. Please provide the location and physical distance of the nearest airport(s) relative to your institution. 2. Is the airport municipal, regional, national, or international? 3. What are the available options for ground transportation between the airport(s) and your institution? 4. Does your campus maintain a fleet of vehicles that could be used in lieu of other ground transportation options? 5. Indicate the location of the closest bus station relative to your campus. 6. Indicate the location of the closest train station relative to your campus. 7. Is your campus able to provide free or discounted parking to participants who choose to drive to the Institute? 8. Please provide any additional information you think would be helpful for us to know about your campus location. Staffing and Support 9. Please indicate the number of professional staff that are currently employed by your housing and/or residence life department. 10. Have you received full support to host NHTI from your department? Your division? Your institution? 11. Please provide a brief description of the level of professional staffing your program will be able to dedicate to hosting NHTI on your campus. This should include administrative support and activities in between institutes, and staffing and support during the Institute itself. 12. Is your institution able to provide a staffed front desk operation that is open during the Institute periods? 13. If yes to the above, how many hours per day will the desk be open and staffed? 14. Is there a residence life staff member at your institution that can be accessed by Institute participants, faculty, and guests while they re on site, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, in case of an emergency or other urgent issue? 15. Please indicate any other information you d like us to know or consider about your staff, and the support it can provide to NHTI.
On-Campus Accommodations 16. Can your campus provide single-bedroom accommodations for all participants, faculty and guests (approximately 55 individuals, total) for the duration of the Institute? 17. Is your program able to provide space for at least ten (10) small group meetings (4-5 people) near the designated on-campus accommodations? 18. Are there larger social/lounge spaces available in your residential spaces that can accommodate a hospitality suite, informal gatherings, etc.? 19. Are all accommodations that would be used for the Institute air-conditioned? 20. Is there a bed linen/towel service available in all Institute accommodations? 21. Are the bathroom facilities within the available on-campus accommodations: private (one dedicated, private bath per person ensuite); semi-private (shared in a suite or common space by a small number of individuals, but still self-contained); or communal (shared in a hallway by a large number of individuals with open sinks and/or grouped toilet stalls)? 22. Can your program accommodate early arrivals or late stays for Institute participants who might need to flex their travel options? 23. Is there internet available to participants a) in their rooms; and b) in common areas? 24. Are your accommodations ADA accessible? 25. Are there recreation or fitness facilities nearby on-campus accommodation that would be available to participants during their stay? 26. Will participants require transportation to navigate between their accommodations and other spaces used at the Institute? 27. Does your institution maintain a fleet of vehicles that could readily transport participants between venues? 28. Are there other attributes or information you d like us to know about accommodations on campus? Meeting Space/Assets 29. Is your program able to provide a meeting room that can comfortably fit 40 participants and 10 faculty members at round tables for large sessions? (Yes/No) 30. Is the space mentioned above - or a nearby space - able to accommodate interactive activities where participants and faculty can move around comfortably? 31. Is the meeting room readily equipped, or does it have the capacity to be equipped with, the following options: Lectern Built-in microphone Lapel microphone Wireless microphone Screen A/V cart or LCD projector Internet connection Video (DVD) player Audio connection External laptop or tablet connection 32. Is there reliable internet/wifi available in meeting spaces and rooms for participant use? 33. Can all rooms be locked while participants are not in them? 34. Are all of your meeting spaces ADA accessible, including transition between buildings if held in more than one facility? Meals 35. Is your campus able to offer full meal service (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) when the Institute is in session? 36. Please indicate how those meals would be available to participants (check all that apply): A residential dining facility that is open for all students, camps, and conferences that will be on campus A residential dining facility that would be opened specifically for NHTI participants A satellite dining facility that is on campus but not located in or near on-campus accommodations Catered meals 37. If you replied with any option other than catered meals above - what is the minimum travel time (walking) that participants would require to get to and from the facility and meeting spaces? 38. What measures would your dining program/catering service take to accommodate special dietary needs or restrictions of Institute participants? 39. Does your campus have the capacity to provide day-long snack/beverage services in between meals that could be readily accessible to participants? If not, can they be brought in from off-site? 40. Are there eateries, grocery stores, or sundries in the campus vicinity? 41. Is your institution able to serve a more formal meal for the Institute s closing event on campus? If not, what are other available options? 42. Are there other considerations about your campus dining services we should be aware of? Budget Considerations 43. Can your institution offer all of the services, accommodations, and equipment listed above at or below the amount listed under the Financial Considerations (page three) section of this document (a block grant of $30,000 plus a one-time set-up cost of $3,000)? 44. If no, please describe what obstacles for various items would prevent you from offering them at or below the cost shown. 45. Does your institution charge any fees associated with NHTI (i.e. conference services fees, required local/state taxes, etc.)? 46. Is your institution able to work legally with a block grant funding model - i.e. institutions receive a lump sum of funding from ACUHO-I to pay for Institute expenses, returning any remainder to the association and tracking all expenses with receipts and bookkeeping software?
47. Are there any other considerations connected to budget on behalf of your institution that we should consider? Institute Values 48. An inclusive environment is very important to ACUHO-I and NHTI, where participants, faculty, and guests feel welcomed and included. Please describe the measures and initiatives your campus offers to provide its guests with a strong sense of inclusion. 49. Can your institution abide by ACUHO-I s Principles for Site Selection (outlined on the second page of this application document)? Additional Documents Institutions may (but are not required to) submit additional documentation (i.e. letters, maps, brochures, etc.) by uploading materials in a single PDF file at the end of the online application. Learn More Members of the NHTI Coordinating Committee and the ACUHO-I Professional Staff will be hosting a live webinar regarding the Host Partner Institution application process on Thursday, October 26 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm ET. This information session will discuss the over-arching goals/objectives of the Institute, host roles and responsibilities, selection criteria, and application requirements and timelines. A question-and-answer period will be built into the webinar agenda. Registration is free, but those interested must sign up using the link below to guarantee a space and receive login information: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6175639440385860866 Other questions about the application process can be directed to any one of the following individuals: Holly Alexander, NHTI 2018 Chair, holly@wm.edu Alan Nordyke, ACUHO-I Workforce Development Director, nordyke@ucmo.edu Sheila Meyer, ACUHO-I Senior Director of Finance & Admininstration, sheila@acuho-i.org Grant Walters, ACUHO-I Director of Educational Programs, grant@acuho-i.org Billy Molasso, ACUHO-I Senior Director of Education & Research, billy@acuho-i.org