New Student Activities Coordinator joins UIndy
Stephanie Barry accepted the position of student activities coordinator for the University of Indianapolis this fall.
According to Dan Stoker, executive director of student services, the student activities coordinator (SAC) is the primary advisor for the Campus Program Board(CPB), as well as all other registered student organizations (RSOs).
Barry spent six years doing undergraduate and graduate work at Southern New Hampshire University.
Her job as the UIndy SAC is her first since completing her graduate work. Barry said she was attracted by the small campus and friendly, genuine faculty. UIndy has about 1,500 more students than Southern New Hampshire University. Barry said she has spent most of her time as the SAC familiarizing herself with all the organizations UIndy has to offer.
She also said that she has met with CPB president Julie Wehmiller to discuss CPB, met with students about coordinating intramurals and met with other students to discuss starting new organizations.
The SAC oversees the RSOs on campus and also coordinates a meeting at which 50 UIndy RSOs talk about issues and programs. The SAC is also the official advisor for Campus Program Board. The SAC works closely with CPB and intramurals, as well as helps with campus events. The SAC also takes questions about programs and helps contact the physical plant.
Wehmiller served on a committee with two other students who looked through several applications, sorting them into groups by levels of qualifications. According to Wehmiller, the position is usually open every two to three years.
“Essentially, [the SAC] is a resource for us here at UIndy,” Wehmiller said.
“It’s a matter of the organizations,” Stoker said. “It’s mostly working with organizations to make sure the students have the same opportunity.”
Former Student Activities Coordinator Jessica Nickoson left UIndy at the end of May to accept a higher-level director position at another university in Memphis.
UIndy began accepting applications in early June and started conducting interviews over the phone and in person.
The position was filled over the summer, and Barry started on Wednesday, Aug. 11. Barry was chosen from more than 100 applicants.
“I’ve been helping CPB plan for the rest of the semester,” Barry said.
Wehmiller noted that Barry plans to keep all CPB traditions intact. Stoker said that interviewing applicants for the position over the summer, with no students present on campus was a challenge. Stoker also said that while summer is a hard time to interview potential applicants, it also is good downtime, since lacking an SAC would have less impact on students at that time.
“I think she’ll [Barry] be a great addition to campus, and I look forward to our students getting to meet her,” Stoker said.
