Karla Thoennes and Rebecca Loney

North Dakota State University

ACUHO-I Living Learning Program Conference

October 16-18, 2009

A Living-Learning Program Journey…Don’t Stop Believing

Session Overview•Historical Perspective

•Living-Learning Program Foundation

•The Living-Learning Program Today

•Impact on Learning

•Lessons Learned Along the Journey

About NDSU… In past 7 years, student

population has grown from 11,623 to 14,189 students

Largest growth in graduate and international student populations

In 2008, first-year class increased by 23%

Land-grant, research university

Located in Fargo, North Dakota

About NDSU Residence Life…

12 residence halls and 4 apartment complexes

House approximately 4,000 students (28% of student population)

First-year students are required to live on campus

Living-Learning Program History

1997• Living Learning Program in two halls

• First-year students only

• Engineering and Architecture Communities already in existence, expanded later

2002• Caring Community of Leaders and Problem Solvers

(CCLP)• Select first-year students

Living-Learning Program History

2005• Wellness Community begins

2006• Living-Learning Program expanded for all students

at all levels• Pharmacy House created

2008• An educational curriculum developed and

implemented

Living-Learning Program History

2009• Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Learning

Community begins

• College of Business Learning Community begins

• First-Year Experience expands

Living-Learning ProgramPhilosophical and Theoretical Foundations

University and Department Missions

What is one word that would sum up your Department and University Mission Statements?

With energy and momentum, North Dakota State University addresses the needs and aspirations of people in a changing world by building on our

land-grant foundation.

North Dakota State University Mission

Residence Life Mission

The Department of Residence Life supports students by providing a vibrant, healthy

place to live and learn.

Living-Learning ProgramPhilosophical and Theoretical Foundations

Student Affairs Learning Agenda Teach students to…

Lead Serve Negotiate and Resolve Conflict Execute Tasks to Completion Function Collaboratively Participate as Committed Citizens of the Community

What we know about… Our NDSU students Student development The potential impact on students

Think about your student population

• Demographics

• Breakdown by classification of on-campus residents

• Predominant Majors/Colleges

SOCIAL AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY

PURPOSEFUL – OPEN – JUST – DISCIPLINED – CARING – CELEBRATIVE*

LAW CURRICULUM

ACADEMICS

LEADERSHIP WELLNESS

*Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Campus Life: In Search of Community (1990)

  AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MARCH APRIL

Participate in the community X X

Develop and exhibit respect for others X

Lead by example 2X 2X

Develop and exhibit good time management X

Participate in meetings X X

Communicate effectively X X

Negotiate and resolve conflict effectively X X

Develop an understanding of your role and purpose in the community 2X

Prepare for and facilitate meetings 2X 2X

Know your leadership style X X

Raise questions & concerns appropriately X

Be a good role model for others: 2X

Plan and execute tasks to completion 2X

Actively serve others 2X 2X 2X

Develop and exhibit good character/integrity X X

Understand the roles of leaders and followers X X

Recognize and encourage leadership in others 2X 2X

Develop and exhibit congruent behavior: "Say what you'll do and do what you say!" 2X 2X

Function collaboratively X

Be actively engaged in the community (seek opportunities to be engaged) 2X 2X

Serve as a mentor to others 2X

Leadership Skill Sets

How do students best learn and where do we as student affairs professionals

intersect?

RESIDENCE HALL:FOR THE MONTH OF: August

LEADERSHIP OBJECTIVE(S)What will we do to develop leadership skills in our students?

Staff members will assist students to develop the following leadership skills by engaging them in the following types of activities:

1. Participate in Community Floor Meeting (Provide Outline) Bulletin Boards Presidential Welcome HG Kick-Off (Progre1-1ve Sundaes) Open Door Contest Welcome Week Programming Floor Programs Staff Open House

X FY Student

Upperclassman

2. Develop and Exhibit Respect for Others Floor Meeting (Provide Outline) Roommate Contracts Community Contracts (Provide Outline) 1-1 Code Quiz Drawing

X FY Student

Upperclassman

3. Lead by Example HG Kick-Off (lead by returners/elected officer(s))

FY Student

X Upperclassman

Upperclassman

Materials and Resources Required:People, Time, Publicity, BB supplies, Paper/Forms, Community Participation and Money (floor meetings/programs/HG Kick-Off)

Leadership Skills Assessment:How do we know we accomplished our objectives/goals?

During this month, student staff will be able to assess the level of success achieved in the area of leadership skill development based on:

Program Attendance, Contract Completion, # Unresolved Issues v. # Resolved Issues, Building Appearance, Students Know other Students and Staff.

LIVING-LEARNING PROGRAM

FOUNDATION:COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LAW CURRICULUM

Leadership and Involvement

Opportunities

• Hall Government• RHA• NRHH• Programming

Council

Faculty In Residence Education

• Faculty Greeters• Faculty Mentors• Faculty in

Residence

Learning Communities

• Wellness• Engineering and

Architecture• Pharmacy• Arts, Humanities,

and Social Sciences

• Business

First Year Experience

• Welcome Week• Learning Teams• Taking Personal

Stories• Academic

Skills/Tutoring

Resources

Staffing

Sr. Associate Director

Assistant Director

12 Full Time HD’s

108 RA’s

Development

Workshops

1:1 Follow-up

RA Engagement

Program Advocates

Student Leadership

Student Affairs Collaborations

Academic Collaborations

Who Would You Bring To The Table?

University 189 Curriculum Revision

Advising Group

Sophomore Year Experience Initiative

Opportunities for Connection and Collaboration

BudgetLiving-Learning Program Budget

Community Development $5,000.00

Resource Room Materials $1,000.00

Environmental Enhancements $1,000.00

Welcome Week Activities $5,500.00

Printing $4,000.00

Special Interest Communities $1,500.00

Faculty in Residence Education

Materials $500.00

Recruitment/Training $1,500.00

Meals $10,000.00

First Year Experience

Training Meetings $2,000.00

Field Trips $2,500.00

Printing $600.00

Academic ImpactComparative Grade-Point-Averages (Spring 2009)

ON CAMPUS

OFF CAMPUS DIFFERENCE

First Year Freshman (new to NDSU)

2.73 2.48 0.25

Freshman Status (semester) 2.64 2.08 0.56

Freshman Status (cumulative) 2.42 1.99 0.43

Sophomore Status (semester) 3.13 2.73 0.40

Sophomore Status (cumulative) 3.12 2.82 0.30

Junior Status (semester) 3.22 2.73 0.29

Junior Status (cumulative) 3.21 2.98 0.23

Senior Status (semester) 3.18 3.01 0.17

Senior Status (cumulative) 3.25 3.14 0.11

SOURCE: NDSU Registration and Records and Residence Life databases, 2008

Educational Benchmarking Survey

Lessons Along the Journey Be Persistent

Be Disciplined Balance Development of New Ideas with Management of Current

Program

Designate Time for Development Retreats In-services Focus Groups

Find Partnerships and Collaborations to Help Navigate Institutional Culture Advisory Group Faculty

Incorporate Assessment (any assessment) into Your Plan

The Next Part of the Journey

Strategic Plan

Assessment

For more information…

www.ndsu.edu/reslife/living_learning_program

QUESTIONS?