Social mapping in residence halls
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.
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