Lessons from Live-On:Applying Residence Life Skills to Academic Advising Practice

Margaret Garry, Academic Advisor I, PACE Advising ServicesJeanette Pacheco, Academic Advisor I, PACE Advising Services

NACADA: The Global Community for Academic AdvisingOctober 6, 2015, 8:45 a.m., Las Vegas, NV

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Who are we?

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Objectives

Introduce Academic Advising colleagues to Residence Life organizational structures, policies, and procedures

Address the multiple ways in which students are developing intellectually and socially during the first year of college or university

Suggest ways that Academic Advisors can assist students with issues related to adjusting to a new living environment and social belonging

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General Hierarchy of Residence Life

Organizational structure may vary based on size of institution.

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How are Student Concerns Handled?

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Intro to Maslow

Self-Actualization: “The need for self-fulfillment, realization of one’s potential

Esteem: The need for self-esteem through personal achievement as well as social esteem through recognition and respect from others

Belonging/love: The need for love, affection and interaction with others

Safety: The need for a secure and stable environment; the absence of pain, threat, or illness

Physiological: The need for food, air, water, shelter, etc.

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So… In first year student terms:

Self-actualization: I am learning amazing things and living my best life as a student!

Esteem: I’m doing well in my courses and making myself and my family proud.

Belongingness: I have friends, I’m involved on campus, and feel like a part of my community.

Safety: I’m making good choices and feel comfortable in my environment on campus.

Physiological: I have a physical place to sleep and eat on campus.

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How do you have that conversation?

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We’ll give examples of conversations we’ve had in advising meetings. Tell us how you’d respond to the student. We’ll compare notes. You’ll receive a “Student Concerns Handout” with samples of our responses.

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Student 1: Amber“I love Biology, and I have always been good at it in my AP classes in high school, but I’m struggling in class because I can’t study. The people on my floor and in the study lounge in my building are always noisy and stressful.”

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Student 1: Amber

Needs to meet: Security: (need for appropriate resources for study to be secure), Physiological: (need for appropriate time and place for sleep)

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Student 2: CaitlinI want to know how to transfer to the community college in my hometown. I’m having a hard time being away from home, so I think I’m going to come back. I don’t really do much here other than go to class and talk on the phone with my boyfriend back home.

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Student 2: Caitlin

Needs to meet: Belonging: (integration into university community) Esteem: (finding validation from sources on campus)

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Student 3: MarcusI only want to register for 12 hours next fall. I’m applying to be an RA, because I want to be a role model for incoming students. I want to have enough time for this new position.

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Student 3: Marcus

Needs to meet: Self-actualization: (reaching for a professional goal), Belonging: (working to create a community)

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Student 4: ChristinaAt first, I was really excited to be at the university, but for the last few weeks I have been struggling. I stopped taking my anxiety medication, and since then I have had a hard time focusing in class.

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Student 4: Christina

Needs to meet: Physiological: (making sure she gets medications she needs to be successful in college), Safety: (Security of body, of health)

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Student 5: ClémenceI thought I would enjoy spending time abroad at an American university, but I am so frustrated by the way everyone in this country does things.

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Student 5: Clémence

Need to meet: Belonging: (integration into a new culture and community)

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Student 6: AustinI need to register, but I have a hold on my account because I was drinking in the residence hall and have incomplete conduct sanctions. Also, since I’m a Criminal Justice major, how will my conduct sanctions affect my academics?

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Student 6: Austin

Needs to meet: Safety (Is Austin becoming unsafe as a result of his choices?) Self-Actualization (Are Austin’s choices affecting his ability to achieve his academic and career goals?)

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Bibliography/Notes

Classics in the History of Psychology -- A. H. Maslow (1943) A Theory of Human Motivation. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2015, from http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Maslow/motivation.htm

McShane, S., & Von Glinow, M. (2000). Foundations of Employee Motivation. In Organizational behavior (5th ed., pp. 135-138). Boston: Irwin/McGraw-Hill.

All stock images of students courtesy of Texas State University, Office of University Marketing

Image of Margaret Garry with Resident Assistants courtesy of Madison Shaft

Image of Jeanette Pacheco with Resident Assistants courtesy of Jeanette Pacheco