This just isn’t working… What to do when your Living Learning Community structure is in a rut Presented by: Chelsea Sims– Lehigh University Lauren Petrillo–

This just isn’t working…What to do when your Living Learning Community structure is in a rut

Presented by:Chelsea Sims– Lehigh UniversityLauren Petrillo– Lehigh University

UCERC 2006-2009

• Upper Class Experience Residential Communities– Piloted 2006-2007

– Upperclass students given the opportunity to live and learn within themed residential communities

– Meant to enhance their overall Lehigh experience

– Some of the initial UCERC communities are still with us today in our current structure

• Guiding Forces

UCERC Concerns

• Program contained a large number of communities, but all seemed to operate somewhat separately and not under one centralized umbrella

• Many communities seemed to come and go from the program

• Marketability

Brainstorming and Revamping ensues…

Live Lehigh 2009-2012

• Revamped version of UCERC– All student-driven communities– Marketable with logo, consistent community

structure and overseen by appointed professional staff

• Advisors and other stakeholders

• Processes for communities

• Guiding Forces

Improvements from UCERC to Live Lehigh

• Mission statement revamp

• Community Coordinator role description

• Community coordinator meetings/trainings

• Gryphon recruitment and selection intentionality

• Faculty/staff advisor feedback

• Operating budget for program

• Marketing materials/events

• End of year evaluation/assessment

• National recognition via the Talking Stick

Live Lehigh concerns

• Live Lehigh vs. specialty housing

• Role/Responsibility confusion– Who do students go to for what?

– Who is responsible for what function within the communities?

• Marketing

• Application/presentation/placement

Brainstorming and Revamping ensues…

Live Lehigh 2012-present

Themed Housing Student Initiated

Special Interest Housing University Sponsored

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Each Community includes: • $ ' $ GYLVRU • * U\ SKRQ • &RP P XQLW\ 0 HP EHUV

Live Lehigh

Learning Outcomes 2012-2013 As a result of participating in the Live Lehigh Program, students will be able to:

Themed Residential Communities:

•Create and operate within a meaningful theme and articulated purpose;

•Demonstrate the promotion of the theme through programs and activities;

•Develop strong educational connections through the community’s advisor;

•Develop a strong social connection within the residential community;

•Enhance the overall residential experience and greater Live Lehigh community.

Special Interest Housing:

•Special interest housing provides students with:

•Living options that meet a particular student need or interest;

•Programmatic initiatives planned by the Gryphon with input and feedback from community members;

•The opportunity to live in a niche interest community with groups ranging in size from 8 students to 160 students.

Roles and Responsibilities 2012-2013

•  Faculty/Staff Advisors (Themed Housing Only)• Community Coordinators (Themed Housing Only)• Assistant Director of Residence Life (Themed

Housing & Student Interest Housing)• Gryphon(s) (Themed Housing & Student Interest

Housing)• Community Members (Themed Housing & Student

Interest Housing)

Application Process 2012-2013

• For themed housing communities only• Themed Housing communities go through a

reapplication process each year • The process is led by the Community Coordinator• Consists of a written component (application) and

presentation component focusing on:– Intellectual Development

– Community Development

– Leadership Development

– Live Lehigh Theme Contribution

Housing Selection Process 2012-2013

• Run by the Office of Residential Services

• Communities notify an Assistant Director of Residential Services of their intent to apply/reapply via email

• Community members then receive an online link to sign up for Live Lehigh communities– Student interest and occupancy are considered during the reapplication process

• Once Live Lehigh communities are selected for the following year, an online housing selection process takes place for those communities prior to the general housing selection process for all other students.– Live Lehigh communities may determine their own system of how to select

housing in their individual communities (i.e. who within their community selects housing first, second, etc.).

Best Practices

• Communication– With faculty/staff advisors

– With Gryphons and the Office of Residence Life

– With community members

• Goal Setting and Sharing– Principles of our Equitable Community

• Programming– Focusing on a Live Lehigh theme

• Transition– Community Coordinators

– Gryphons

– Advisors

Visions for the Future

• Plans for Improvements:– Application– Community Guidelines– Increase in Faculty/Staff Advisor participation– Marketing

• Incorporating our new Student Life Curriculum into the Live Lehigh program

Q&A

Contact Info

Chelsea Sims

Lehigh University – Office of Residence Life

[email protected]

Lauren Petrillo

Lehigh University – Office of Residence Life

[email protected]