Reflection #17: SCUP Conferences

Once I settled my career in architecture, programming and planning for higher education, I identified Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) as an organization to support and expand my developing interests and knowledge. I attended my first SCUP conference in Vancouver in the 1990’s. At a conference event on a knoll outside the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, I realized that this group of like-minded planners were my kindred spirits. When I reflect on my connections with SCUP and its members, and my ongoing interests in architecture, programming and planning for higher education, I reflect on that first conference, and how a group of people I had not met (yet) included me in their conversations and made me feel welcome.

Since then, I have attended many SCUP conferences, presenting on various topics, including a series of workshops on Project Team Communications and Conflict Resolution with Fran Gast (RISD, UConn), Celia Kent (Harvard) and Christine Jablonski (Daniel O’Connell’s Sons). I enjoy the opportunity to share knowledge and learn from others at SCUP events and I get a lot of energy gathering with my old and new SCUP friends at these conferences.

I have enjoyed attending conferences in cities across the US and Canada, including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Long Beach, Miami, NYC, Portland (OR), Washington DC, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Seattle, Montreal, Quebec, and Vancouver. During SCUP conferences, I have visited nearby campuses as part of conference programs and taken advantage of free time to explore these cities. Sometimes the conference coincides with a home game of the local MLB baseball team - a wonderful way to spend a relaxing evening with SCUP friends!

This July we’ll go to Cleveland, OH, with the opportunity to visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, the Cleveland Guardians will be on the road – but there will be other things to do, old friends to catch up with, and new friends to meet. When I meet a new friend at a SCUP conference, I welcome them into the SCUP family, and I reflect on that group of SCUPPERS on the knoll outside the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. I reach out to make newcomers feel comfortable as I “pay it forward” and grow my SCUP family.?

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