Engaging today’s college student in a residential experience

renee piquette dowdy | mary janz | jody jessup-anger

continue their experience

today’s student

structure

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best practice

•All existing living learning communities were for first year students

•Searching for ways to engage sophomore students in meaningful activities

•Current living learning students were seeking a way to continue their experience

Today’s College Student

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•Significant way to live out Marquette University’s mission

•Opportunity for students to share their talents with the neighboring Milwaukee community

•Natural collaboration among the academic programs, service learning and residence life

•Develop a community that benefits the residence hall as well as Marquette community

•Why Dorothy Day was selected

Why a Social Justice LLC?

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•Availability of many professionals

•Many ideas with, at times, different end goals

•Different interests and conflict of interests

Challenges of Collaboration

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•Residence Life Staff

•Office of the Provost

•Faculty (Theology and Philosophy)

•Service Learning

•Center for Community Service

•Students

Stakeholders of the LLC

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•Clarify goals

•Select key staff from the Provost’s office

•Ensure committee members see the potential

•Utilize resources and connections that members have with other institutions

•Research other programs

•Create an advisory board

Collaboration Best Practice

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• Structuring classes–Connections across classes to

promote integration of knowledge and experience–Faculty commitment to holistic

student learning

•Service-learning as text

Course Design

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• RA Role• Advisory board• Justice Interest Groups• Expectations

• Retreat

• Monthly community meetings

Integration in the Halls

Measuring the Experience2010 Dorothy Day Survey (n=41)

Satisfying Relationships

Personal Devleopment

Intellectual Growth

Comfort in class

Intellectual Discussion

Social Issue Discussin

Studied together

Assignments

Wel

l Bei

ngAc

adem

ic In

tera

ction

s

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

82.9

85.4

78

87.8

68.3

58.5

53.7

46.3

17.1

14.6

22

12.2

31.7

41.5

46.3

53.7

Agree or Strongly Agree Disagree or Strongly Disagree

Measuring the Experience2010 Dorothy Day Survey (n=41)

RA cares

Hall staff dedicated

Event participation

Event organization

Personal growth

Social justice

Milwaukee Connection

Real world connection

Deepened course discussion

Deeper course work

Serious conversations with students of a different race/ethnicity

Students with differeing religious beliefs, political perspectives, values

DDSJC encouraged diverse contact

Meaningful conversation about social justice with diverse peers

Shared personal feelings with diverse peers

Participated in cultural awareness events

Rela

tions

hip

with

staff

Serv

ice Le

arni

ng E

xper

ienc

eIn

tera

ction

s with

Div

erse

Pee

rs

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

85.4

70.7

43.9

31.7

82.9

80.5

65.9

65.9

58.5

51.2

58.5

63.4

43.9

46.3

39

22

14.6

29.3

56.1

68.3

17.1

19.5

34.1

34.1

41.5

48.8

41.5

36.6

56.1

53.7

61

78

Agree or Strongly Agree Disagree or Strongly Disagree

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• Hierarchy of membership in the community

• Living-learning experience as a catalyst for relationship building

• Conflict in the community was evident but avoided

Preliminary Findings – Qualitative Study

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•Class feedback

•Living experience

•Desire for retreat

•Need for greater interaction with advisory board

•Greater understanding of the purpose and goals of the community

Focus Group Results

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• Consolations/Desolations reflection in class

• EBI Data

• Informally through Community Meetings and RA communication

Other Sources

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• Unique needs of sophomores• Navigating interdependence• Understanding own emerging identity • Roommate conflicts

• Creating shared understanding of what is social justice

• Balance in structured vs. unstructured activities

• Participant recruitment efforts• Street Team• Referrals

Lessons Learned

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•Board members: Residence Life, Service Learning, Faculty, Resident Assistants, Community Service, Campus Ministry

•Meeting structure

•Communication with students

•Planning and assessing the year

Advisory Board

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What is happening with sophomore LLCs on other

campuses?

Questions?