Here is some interesting comment obtained from a student survey, NSSE perhaps, which supports what happens at my home institution. The first two are really damning and show that much more of what Louis said happens in classrooms than on the campus in general. I could tell you some real horror stories, but not now, it's still Sunday.
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff 46%of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible 88%of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic 98%of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance 69%of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class Bob >From: "Shearon, Tim" <[email protected]> >Subject: RE: [tips] Random Thought: A Quickie On Retention > >Bob- My experience matches yours. We do have a "Student Life" part to >administration here and sometimes they can be "warm and fuzzy" but it is also >their jobs to be "gatekeepers" and rule enforcers. On the whole, the contact >students have is with the Registrar, the business office, housing officers, >and various deans and their support staffs. It has been my experience that >when students discuss those contacts with me, on the whole their reports are >not tinged with words like "embracing, caring, supportive, encouraging, and >empathetic"! I admit in my earlier days I was more the hard line type but, >even with the sometimes frustrating component of students taking advantage of >me, I've become a bit more prone to cutting folks a little slack. In the >original post, Lewis said, "embracing, caring, supportive, encouraging, and >empathetic connection" - I'm not sure how much embracing I'd get away with but >I do try being the rest of those things (Lewis, I'm just kidding. I know what >you meant.) :) >Tim Bob Wildblood, PhD, HSPP Lecturer in Psychology Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo, IN 46904-9003 [email protected], [email protected] We’re trading a dogmatic president for one who’s shopping for a dog. It feels good. - Maureen Dowd "Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose". -Garrison Keillor We have an obligation and a responsibility to be investing in our students and our schools. We must make sure that people who have the grades, the desire and the will, but not the money, can still get the best education possible. - Barack Obama --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
