June 2008 Archives
I found this story interesting and wanted to pass it along. From the Chronicle of Higher Education:
I must say that here at Behrend (and it seems across the Penn State system), there are no problems keeping facilities clean and always ready for learning.
Findings of a new nationwide survey show a connection between cleaner college facilities and academic achievement, according to the survey’s sponsors, with 88 percent of students saying they are distracted from learning in even casually or moderately messy environments. In addition, 84 percent of students surveyed said good learning environments should be spotless or very tidy.
I must say that here at Behrend (and it seems across the Penn State system), there are no problems keeping facilities clean and always ready for learning.
One thing I’ve
become very excited about as I plan for next year is the ability to experiment with something
called “social mapping” in the residence halls. I got this idea from a
coordinator at the University Park campus who wanted to see his RAs
strengthen relationships with their residents on their floors. In order
to do this, he decided to make the process visual.
This summer I'm creating copies of floor plans for every RA on campus. Each RA would then be responsible for keeping these plans with them all the time, turning them in during regular one-on-one meetings with his or her coordinator. The coordinator would review the plan with the RA. The plan would be color-coded, with strong relationships between the RA and both residents of a room perhaps signified by the color blue, while relationships for improvement might be shaded in red. Not only would the plan contain these colors, but it would diagram relationships on the floor – for example, the RA would mark on the plan that Kimmy from room 201 is best friends and sorority sisters with Lindsay from 203. Finally, RAs would be listing personal information next to each resident’s name. Obviously the plan would get a bit crowded at the end of the semester, but if that’s the case, that just means the RA is doing his or her job.
Our office will get a few things because of this.
1.) As previously stated, RAs will surely get to know residents much better.
2.) RAs will be able to focus on problem areas – perhaps spots on the hall that are low-traffic that may be susceptible to cliques or discipline issues. The coordinator and the RA can then discuss strategies to confront these problems.
3.) The RA-Coordinator relationship will improve. Instead of the traditional floor test, during which the coordinator quizzes each staff member on the names/room numbers of his/her residents, this program will promote teamwork, allowing the coordinator and RA to work with each other and develop more of a one-on-one relationship that is still focused on the job.
4.) The job becomes fun. For both coordinators and RAs, visually representing their job can give it a new meaning and thus, both can be renewed when they see the difference they’re making.
I’ll be sure to report back as I finish preparing this summer.
This summer I'm creating copies of floor plans for every RA on campus. Each RA would then be responsible for keeping these plans with them all the time, turning them in during regular one-on-one meetings with his or her coordinator. The coordinator would review the plan with the RA. The plan would be color-coded, with strong relationships between the RA and both residents of a room perhaps signified by the color blue, while relationships for improvement might be shaded in red. Not only would the plan contain these colors, but it would diagram relationships on the floor – for example, the RA would mark on the plan that Kimmy from room 201 is best friends and sorority sisters with Lindsay from 203. Finally, RAs would be listing personal information next to each resident’s name. Obviously the plan would get a bit crowded at the end of the semester, but if that’s the case, that just means the RA is doing his or her job.
Our office will get a few things because of this.
1.) As previously stated, RAs will surely get to know residents much better.
2.) RAs will be able to focus on problem areas – perhaps spots on the hall that are low-traffic that may be susceptible to cliques or discipline issues. The coordinator and the RA can then discuss strategies to confront these problems.
3.) The RA-Coordinator relationship will improve. Instead of the traditional floor test, during which the coordinator quizzes each staff member on the names/room numbers of his/her residents, this program will promote teamwork, allowing the coordinator and RA to work with each other and develop more of a one-on-one relationship that is still focused on the job.
4.) The job becomes fun. For both coordinators and RAs, visually representing their job can give it a new meaning and thus, both can be renewed when they see the difference they’re making.
I’ll be sure to report back as I finish preparing this summer.
Continue reading Social mapping in residence halls.
I'm writing this blog because there are too many interesting things that happen throughout the year in my job to leave untold. While certain names and other information might have to be altered to protect the privacy of students and other colleagues, I intend on sharing the trials and tribulations that go along with the role of Residence Life Coordinator.
While this summer may allow time for more posts, the school year will obviously bring some time limits with it. I'll probably average about one post a week as I build the maintenance of this into my weekly schedule. Hopefully I surprise myself with my efficiency so that I might crank out a few more posts!
Please comment on these posts and offer feedback. It's the only way a blog can grow and the only way I can assure myself that my words aren't being eaten by a disinterested cyberspace.
While this summer may allow time for more posts, the school year will obviously bring some time limits with it. I'll probably average about one post a week as I build the maintenance of this into my weekly schedule. Hopefully I surprise myself with my efficiency so that I might crank out a few more posts!
Please comment on these posts and offer feedback. It's the only way a blog can grow and the only way I can assure myself that my words aren't being eaten by a disinterested cyberspace.
