Collaborating to Enhance Academics in

Living-Learning Communities

What questions, challenges, ideas do you have What questions, challenges, ideas do you have about about

Learning Communities and academic Learning Communities and academic enhancement?enhancement?

June 14, 2007Russ Gill, Jeff Stein

Overview

LEARNING COMMUNITIES

An Academic Affairs & Residence Life Collaboration

1) Background/Identity

2) Partnerships3) Academic Results 4) Questions

Background

Who we are Elon University

Mid-sized, comprehensive university,enrollment 5000, arts/sciences core

Engaged, experiential education 4 credit-hour, ELR Seamless learning from Academics/Student

Life

Learning Communities@Elon:Where Living & Learning Meet

20 Learning Communities, over 35 advisors

Established 1994: Service Learning Community Math, Science & Engineering Floor

Elon’s RLC Mission Statement

Learning Communities provide a rich variety of intentional communities designed to connect students, faculty & staff to support students’ academic, personal & social development & success through:

1. Integration of in-class & out-of-class learning

2. Academic & social programs that foster close-knit residential communities,

3. Social and academic support networks.

Partnership Challenges

Primarily Residence Life Project & Planning

Faculty isolation, burn out Theme communities, limited academic

or departmental connection Student Affairs language, focus Limited budget, common spaces Unclear expectations

Partnership Solutions 1

Inclusive Philosophy & Programs LC Syllabus & Learning Objectives New faculty handbook LC’s as cohorts learning together,

recruitment tools, extension of classroom

Emphasize student-faculty engagement Working towards P&T, reassign time Provost-University strategic plan,

budgeting

Partnership Solutions 2

Inclusive, or Seamless, Staffing Russ Gill, Faculty Fellow Nancy Harris, Associate Dean Arts &

Sciences Arts & Sciences Learning Community Jeff Stein, English Dept. LC Contracts with departments, chairs,

academic deans, Residence Life More systematic faculty development,

models, etc.

Partnership Solutions 3

Academics Each Learning Community must contain an

academic component and link to a discipline. Does “Academic” necessitate a class? Creative approaches

reading group blog, community garden, CNN visit, mini-courses, community sculpture, etc.

Results Linked courses: core 1st year courses New LC applications focused on learning goals New LC halls with common space, faculty-in-

residence Attention from Academic Affairs, University

budget & priorities, faculty meetings Each LC must meet a unique departmental goal

or student need. Start with learning outcomes & syllabi—

naturally leads to knowledge/skill development

Discussion/Questions

1. What does the academic component of your RLC program look like?

2. How have you defined “academic” besides traditional classes?

3. What do Learning Communities contribute to your campus?

4. What causes students to buy into/support your RLC’s?

Russ GillProfessor of English, RLC Faculty Fellow, Distinguished University Professor(336) 278-5629 gillruss@elon.edu

Jeff SteinAsst. Dean of Students for Residence Life & Service Learning, Asst. Professor (336) 278-7300 jstein@elon.edu