R. Steve Dick/University Relations
Tara Eisenhour Vereen is the assistant director for assignments at Student Housing. She handles applications for student housing and pairs roommates, among other duties.
CAMPUS CLOSEUPTara Eisenhour Vereen - Assistant director for assignments, Student Housing
Years at current job: I earned my five-year pin last May!
Job duties: My staff and I are responsible for the application, contracting, assignments and cancellation processes for all of KU’s residence halls, scholarship halls and apartments. We maintain waiting lists for the scholarship halls, Stouffer Place apartments and Sunflower duplexes. I also supervise the front desk of the Department of Student Housing, including the main phone line and housing@ku.edu e-mail.
As assistant director for assignments, what are the most important factors you consider when matching roommates? We match roommates by request only. Of course, residents may request specific roommates, but most students living on campus are placed “potluck.”
What, in your opinion, is the biggest benefit of campus residence life for students? Connectedness with KU – our residents arrive and are encouraged to participate in Hawk Week events in order to meet people and learn KU’s traditions. There are numerous other benefits, as well – the majority of our residents enjoy the convenience of not having to pay monthly bills for rent and utilities, their meals are prepared (and their dishes are done) for them, and they live in close proximity to their classes. Also, there is never a shortage of activities in our communities, so there are plenty of opportunities to explore new ideas and engage in new activities.
What is the most common concern incoming students have about life in residence halls? Community bathrooms are probably the most common concern, but some students and parents worry about how to fit everything they view as “essential” into a residence hall space. Others worry about having a roommate who is different from them. The really wonderful thing about KU students is that, after they’re here for a couple of weeks, they feel completely connected to their community – it’s really not about the amenities, it’s about the communities.
Do you have any favorite horror stories of residence hall pairings gone wrong? This is a funny question, because compatibility is something you just can’t predict. Sometimes life-long friends cannot function well as roommates and total strangers become friends for life.
Because we work primarily with students before they arrive on campus, we’ve been seeing an increase in “pre-roommate conflicts” related to information posted on social networking Web sites. While it’s awful to have a parent or student call with ethnicity, religious or orientation challenges, I really appreciate that we have an educational opportunity in that conversation and that we may take action before move-in to preempt a roommate “horror story.”
There is much more to residence life than being in a “dorm.” What are some offerings of student housing that are not well known? Our residential staffs work hard to enhance the KU experience. We have undergraduate and graduate students as well as professional staff living and working throughout our communities. These folks’ goal is to assist in making our residents’ KU experience easier. They help new freshmen find their classrooms before the first day of classes. They recommend various campus and community resources, mediate conflicts and support leadership development by encouraging participation in our four housing government systems.
What do you enjoy most about your profession? There are really two things that keep me coming to work every day: my colleagues at the Department of Student Housing and the students at KU. DSH is a large entity and I love having personal connections with as many members of our organization as possible. Although we all have vastly different roles and responsibilities, I am always most proud when we come together as a team and work to reach a common goal.
I was a high school teacher for six years and working with young people really keeps me energized. At our front desk we are blessed with an intelligent and professional student staff and it’s fun to watch them develop skills they can take into their first “real life” jobs. I also get to watch our residential staff and government leaders develop by working with them on committees and projects. They are at an interesting place in life and are entertaining people to get to know. Our grad students, RAs, proctors and desk and security staffs are the heart and soul of DSH; they are the true front line in dealing with resident concerns, rumors and, sometimes, crises. I am grateful for their willingness to guide and mentor their peers and also for our well-developed training that helps them refine and utilize the skills they need.
Having previously worked in large dysfunctional institutions, working in a place that is both professionally and personally encouraging is important. The environment at DSH is one that pushes personal and professional balance, and I also appreciate the role Human Resources and Equal Opportunity plays in helping me be a more supportive supervisor to my staff.
It is fun and engaging to work with students new to KU and the Lawrence community. I appreciate the dynamic that occurs between a high school senior and his/her parents as they fill out the housing application. Sometimes parents cry. Many times, students roll their eyes at this. As a parent, I understand both sides and it’s great to be able to help them all feel supported through the process. I also particularly enjoy finding a home for a new international student who shows up at our office with just a suitcase. I moved to Lawrence just to live in Lawrence and I have a fabulous opportunity to share my pride in this community every day at work.
What are some aspects of your job others might not realize you’re involved with? Because of my experience at the DSH front desk, I’ve done some Student Success committee work on providing integrated student information services across campus and creating a structured exit process for students leaving KU. I have also served on the DSH Undergraduate Recruitment Committee for several years, which has given me the wonderful opportunity to get to know residents who want to step up into peer-mentoring roles in our communities.
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