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Coyote Connections. UAAC Meeting January 21, 2014. Presented by: Student Conduct and Ethical Development. Dr. Sandra Vasquez, Director Ms. Star Kafovalu, Administrative Support Coordinator II Ms. Vanessa Beckles , Graduate Assistant Mr. Patrick Person, Graduate Assistant.
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Coyote Connections UAAC Meeting January 21, 2014 Presented by: Student Conduct and Ethical Development Dr. Sandra Vasquez, Director Ms. Star Kafovalu, Administrative Support Coordinator II Ms. Vanessa Beckles, Graduate Assistant Mr. Patrick Person, Graduate Assistant
Coyote Connections Background • To provide students with positive peer-to-peer connections of support and a welcome to/back to CSUSB. The program seeks to help peers feel connected and to prevent students from feeling lost, frustration, anxiety, or distress as they navigate new academic territory. • The program was launched to help students: • Find a class or office location • Locate or identify resources to meet their needs • Have a “navigation point” to answer general questionsor requests for information
Why Coyote Connections? • Welcome students from fall, winter, and spring break back to school • Proactive approach to helping students relieve some of their stress and anxiety they may experience during the first few days of school • According to the data from the National College Health Assessment (2011; 2012; 2013), stress and anxiety are two of the top six factors that negatively impact student’s academic performance
National College Health Assessment -American College Health Association, 2011, 2012, and, 2013
National College Health Assessment Reported having the following feelings within 2 weeks to 12 months of each year: 2011 2012 2013 • Hopeless 45.2% 45.2% 44.9% • Overwhelmed 86.1% 86.2% 83.8% • Exhausted 81.4% 81.6% 79.1% • Very lonely 57.2% 57.2% 55.8% • Very sad 60.5% 61.0% 59.6% • Overwhelming anxiety* 49.9% 50.8% 51.0% • Depression* 30.3% 31.3% 31.4% • Overwhelming anger 36.2% 37.1% 37.0% -American College Health Association, 2011, 2012, 2013
A P.R.I.M.E.R. for Maximizing and Cultivating Student Success
Schedule and Location • All three days were scheduled in University Hall at the front entrance • Monday and Tuesday one graduate student worked 10:00 am to 3:00 pm • Thursday two graduate students 10:00 am to 3:00 pm • After the third day, questions or need for help reduced
What We Learned • Students needed help with finding classes, especially classes in the basement of University Hall • During the first few days, parking services was the most requested location • Some students were trying to read the directory in the UH lobby, which needs to be updated • Overall everyone was very appreciative and surprised that we were welcoming them back to school
Collaborating with Other Departments • Multiple departments welcoming students in various locations • Create a friendly environment for the students • Provide more assistance throughout the campus during the first week of school • Enhance student’s sense of belonging and Coyote family pride • Explore the development of a student life handbook mobile application
Results from University Hall • Interacted with a total of 103 students, parents, or visitors • Most requested departments/locations
Observations • Within the three days and one location, the interaction with the Students, parents, and visitors was very positive • Marquee signing can be a helpful resource • Relocating and/or changing the message to make the sign in UH more visible
Future Directions • Each college have a welcome team • Entire first week of fall quarter • First 2-3 days of winter and spring quarter • Welcome teams in the Student Union, Library, and University Hall or other locations that will be beneficial • Comprehensive Campus-wide schedule of welcome/back events/activities • Develop a Coyote Connections sign post or flag to alert students of where they can get help • T-shirts for volunteers • The possibilities are endless
In Closing -The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flat tires called Jobs, but if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, a driver called Will Power, you will make it to a place called Success. Unknown Author Together, we can forge seamless pathways towards success!