General Questions:
1. How many people attend the UNI RA Conference?
Our average conference numbers are over 500 each year.
2. What is the geographical representation of the conference attendees?
We typically have participants from the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota.
3. Is there any sort of role call/poster/banner/spirit award?
Currently there is a mini roll call at the start of our conference. However, in the years to come we are considering adding additional aspects (like the ones previously mentioned) to the conference.
4. Do I bring school “swag”? If so, what kind?
Yes, definitely bring school swag. You may bring anything you want (as long as it is appropriate)! It can be traded at the Swap shop on the last night of conference.
5. As an advisor, do I attend student sessions?
If you’d like! However, don’t forget you can present an advisor program by submitting a program proposal to the Programming Chair and attend any or all of the provided advisor sessions.
6. Are there awards?
Yes, there is an awards ceremony during the closing ceremony of our conference. There are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes for both the planned and on the spot case studies, as well as 1st-3rd place prizes for the pick me up programs and the traditional programs.
Housing:
1. When are housing assignments made? What else should we know about housing?
All housing assignments are made once registration closes which this year is December 21st, 2012. You will be notified about your housing assignments upon check-in. Advisors are typically assigned to single or double rooms where linens are provided; students are assigned to hall lounges where mattresses are provided, but linens are not provided.
2. What if I stay in a hotel is there a shuttle?
Typically, our participants stay in the provided on-campus housing. At this point in time we do not offer shuttle services from hotels and to the conference site.
3. How will we remember all of this information?
Welcome letters are provided in each housing location that contains information about staff on-call and other pertinent information for each hall.
4. When do we get our keys?
Keys are given at conference check-in and are due back at check-out. Delegations arriving later than the posted check–in times need to contact Amanda Mesirow at Amanda.mesirow@uni.edu one week prior to the conference. If delegations are leaving earlier than the posted check-out times on Sunday, they must also convey this information via email to Amanda Mesirow.
Case Study:
1. What is the case study portion of the conference?
Case Studies allow RA's to present on current issues in residence life. Students are given 15 minutes to present on one case study. Participants can either present a prepared or extemporaneous case study. Participants in the prepared category receive the case 2 weeks prior to conference and have the opportunity to prepare for their presentation. Participants in the extemporaneous category receive their case study at conference registration and will have the night prior to make preparations for their presentation.