By Sandra Johnson
Reading the March 6 editorial, “Housing process caters to underclassmen” reinforced an opinion that we have been talking about in Student Affairs and across campus in recent weeks. While all of the changes to improve student life at the University are designed to benefit students from entry to graduation, the changes that have been most visible to students are those focused that are on the first year. It is clear to us that we need to do a better job at telling upperclassmen what plans are in place, and what we are doing for you specifically.
Despite the feeling expressed in the editorial, we have not forgotten about you! First, let me talk about next year’s housing changes. While it is true that national research shows many benefits for first-year students living together, we also heard from upperclassmen that they often prefer to live only with other upperclassmen who have already gone through the adjustment process of living away from home. Formerly, there was no way to offer upperclassmen a guarantee of that type of housing. By permanently designating rooms as first-year-only, upperclassmen will know at the time of room selection whether they’re choosing an upper-class only or mixed floor. In addition, programming in the halls will now be targeted to the needs of the specific population residing in the area.
We also wanted to address another problem of past years that disproportionately affected upperclassmen. In the past, students who did not receive a room during the room selection process in March were required to wait until the end of the summer, after all incoming first-years were housed, to receive their room assignments. With the designation of first year spaces, we will know exactly what upper-class spaces are available and will be able to make assignments quickly.
Therefore, this change will benefit incoming students and benefits continuing students. While this is the issue you focused on in your editorial, this is not the only change made this year to benefit upperclassmen. Of course, we cannot list everything here, but some initiatives include: Living/learning communities created for first-year students are being extended as special interest housing for upperclassmen.
For students who choose to live off-campus, Commuting Student Affairs has expanded its programming and support and has created resources about the in’s and out’s of living off campus. Students are now assigned to an advisement dean who will offer continuity in general advising from orientation through graduation. This resource is in addition to the faculty advising that students receive from their department after they declare a major.
While this year’s seniors were not assigned-since they were already established with their departments-next year every continuing student will have an Advisement dean. Students were also assigned a designated Student Accounts representative and Financial Aid counselor to round out their support team. Having an assigned individual allows staff to learn your “story” and build continuity over time.
We introduced “Major Days,” a series co-sponsored by academic departments, University Advisement, the Career Center and Alumni Affairs. These programs are intended to help sophomores and juniors learn more about academic majors available, and to hear from our alumni who graduated in those fields.
We continue to refine ways to support our student groups and organizations through the Office of Student Leadership and Activities and the newly created office of Multicultural and International Student Programs.
Renovations were made to the Student Center dining room and we are finalizing plans to renovate the Recreation Center. While these changes and others are already in place, many more are in the works.
A group of faculty and administrators are looking at ways to create academic experiences targeted to the unique needs of each class year.
In Student Affairs, among other things, we are looking to extend the trips offered by our “Explore Next Door” program to upperclassmen, and to think about a fall “welcome back” event for continuing students.
All of our students are important to us. Each group of students (freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, transfers, international, etc.) has a unique set of needs, and our hope is to continue to improve our programs and services to address every one of them. I would invite all students to share your thoughts, ideas, comments and concerns by either contacting me at telephone extension 6933, or drop a note in the virtual suggestion box on the student portal. We welcome your involvement!
Sandra Johnson is Vice President of Student Affairs. You may e-mail her at [email protected].