I had dinner with a colleague last night and we were of course reflecting about our jobs as Residence Hall Directors. In our positions, there are three very difficult situations that we deal with. One, fight this constant battle to provide alternatives to alcohol and fight underage drinking. Two, we fight this constant battle to get students "involved". Three, UW Oshkosh sets up many initiatives to make our campus more diverse. I have wrestled with these three things ever since I decided to enter the field of student affairs. Sadly, the more I think about it the more bleak it becomes.
College students are going to drink, and educational classes are not going to cut it for some people. I struggle with what might work. Is it large monetary penalties (read: fines)? In the end, finances are very important and hitting someone in the pocketbook will make a difference. I know it sounds cruel, but if the point is to alter behavior, it is something to think about. Are there other options you can think of?
If you really think about it, we should probably wake up to the fact that some college students simply want to get their diploma and get out of here. Without any involvement in campus or hall activities they will get good jobs and lead good lives. I think we need to be OK with this and realize that involvement is not for everyone.
Lastly, we need to realize that we are a regional institution that does not draw many students out of the greater Fox Valley area. Bringing diversity to the campus will be difficult. We need to be conscious about what Oshkosh has to offer and whether or not it will be a good match for students that come to this campus. Why are we bringing diversity to the campus?
I realize that some of these thoughts are quite blunt, but they are forefront on my mind right now and I am still thinking about them. Any thoughts on this? Please share.
Wordle Poetry Month: Day 15
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*Them Next Doors, Amirite?*
You tried to shame me
and chase me off this great porch
won't mince words: *fuck you*
*here are the rules*
*and beware ...
2 years ago
1 comments:
At NIU, all we do is fine students... everything from noise violations to third drinking offenses. Our Judicial office using fines up to $200 to try to "get students on the right track." Unfortunately 9 times out of 10, HDs are on the other end of an angry parent phone call demanding why their son/daughter was charged a $100 fine. In essence, we are making more work for ourselves because the parents pay for the fine and talk with the student... when the student finds out that mommy and daddy pay for their mistakes, it's free reign for them.
As for involvement, we are fighting it too... every school will. I think there just needs to be more effort given to those who want to be involved and others will follow.
With diversity, it's a problem everywhere, and for different reasons. At NIU, I can say we have more diversity than Oshkosh, which makes it VASTLY different than Oshkosh. We fight the issue of diverse differences between students (namely roommates) more than the issue of not enough diversity...
In the end... different strokes for different folks, and institutions.
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