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First Year Residential Colleges at Case Western Reserve University

First Year Residential Colleges at Case Western Reserve University. Karl Rishe, Rachel Tuttle & Vicky Wright Coordinators of First Year Residence Education. Objectives. History of Residential Colleges The Undergraduate Experience at CWRU The Residential College Model at CWRU

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First Year Residential Colleges at Case Western Reserve University

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  1. First Year Residential Colleges at Case Western Reserve University Karl Rishe, Rachel Tuttle & Vicky Wright Coordinators of First Year Residence Education

  2. Objectives • History of Residential Colleges • The Undergraduate Experience at CWRU • The Residential College Model at CWRU • Question & Answer

  3. What is a RC? Our Vision… The residential colleges help students transition into their new communities, connecting them with the university through academic support, campus activities, residence hall programs, and other events. Our goal is to help each resident establish a foundation for future success. “A dormitory is organized to provide food and shelter; a college, to provide for the student’s intellectual, social, and personal development.” —Mark B. Ryan, A Collegiate Way of Living

  4. A Very Short History on RC’s • Early 16th century scholars rented a hall for students to live, a fellow was elected to principal the hall. • Mid 16th century, change in student population and change in curriculum (loco parentis). • Mid 17th Century, appointed one person over the hall, unified by the English government to influence future leaders and make a profit.

  5. A Very Short History on RC’s Cont. • 1840’s and 1860’s curriculum overhaul, birth of university life, university teaching as a profession. • United States education is modeled after the German model. • Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson and Harvard’s Abbott Lowell looked to develop the “whole man” and looked towards the English model.

  6. The Birth of Residence Halls • Wilson and Lowell thought the residential experience was an integral part of the undergraduate curriculum. • Colleges and universities have tried to simulate the Residential College structure and ideals since.

  7. History at CWRU • Western Reserve College was founded in 1826 in Hudson, Ohio. • Case School of Applied Sciences was founded in 1877 in Cleveland. • In 1967, after being neighbors for 81 years, the two schools federated to become Case Western Reserve University. • 15 Nobel Prize winners have been tied to Case. • More than 75% of CWRU undergrads go on to graduate school.

  8. CWRU at a Glance • Located in Cleveland's University Circle • Institutional type (Carnegie classification): Research University (Very High Research Activity) • Enrollment (fall 2009): Undergraduate: 4,228 Graduate and Professional: 5,510 States represented: 50Countries represented: 82 http://www.case.edu/president/cir/glance.htm

  9. Concerns • Repetition of negative traditions (vandalism, pranks, professionals not viewed favorably) • Students not recommending CWRU to other students • Low satisfaction of student experience • Students passed burden on to other students (academic struggles, apathy) • No progression in living situations • Residence Life positions not desirable

  10. Charge • Director of Residence Life and Director of Housing were charged by President of the University to come up with a model to solve these concerns.

  11. Eight Types of Programs That Enhance Student Learning • First-Year Experiences • Learning Communities • Internships/Co-ops • Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects • Service Learning • Study Abroad • Writing in the Disciplines • Senior Capstone “America’s Best Colleges 2003”, U.S. News and World Report, September 23, 2002.

  12. Intentional Program Model 1. Work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to establish common and shared learning outcomes for each class year. 2. Utilize established learning outcomes as a guide to develop programs and support services within the residential villages and individual communities. 3. Utilize established and shared learning outcomes to enhance the academic advising experience. 4. Develop assessment strategies to measure and evaluate learning outcomes. 5. Market CWRU as the first Private Research University to exemplify a comprehensive, developmental “Challenge and Support” residential experience.

  13. An Innovative Vision of Residence Education for CWRU The vision of the CWRU residential program is to create an intentional, developmentaland comprehensive residential experience that enhances the undergraduate education of students during their first, second, third and fourth year at CWRU.

  14. Recommendations Improve Undergraduate Education and Life by focusing on: • Curriculum • Experiential learning • Seamless learning environment • Faculty/student Interaction • Academic Advising • Student Life • Campus traditions • New Student Life facilities

  15. Fundamental Questions • What do you know about your student population? • How would you describe a typical student on your campus? • To make each year significant and meaningful what needs to happen? “Focusing more on the “what” and less on the “why”, makes the “how” more evident.

  16. The Case Undergraduate Experience Class Year Class Descriptor Class Themes Talented and motivated, interpersonally inexperienced, striving to balance freedom & responsibility, problem-solving skills underdeveloped Transitions Foundations Connection 1st Year Exploration Engagement Personal Vision Middle child syndrome, trying to find their niche, academic culture shock,academically consumed 2nd Year Preoccupied with graduate/professional school admissions tests, campus leaders, Junior Year Abroad, Co-op Focused Experience Application Future Preparation Upperclass Reflection Transition Connections Celebrations Preparing for the future, academically engaged, “senioritis”, concerned about life skill issues Graduating Senior

  17. THE CASE WAYA snap shot of the Undergraduate Experience Lifelong Scholar Active Global Citizen Ethical Leader Case Western Reserve University 2009

  18. Because of New Approach to Undergraduate Experience… • First Year Dean (Undergraduate Studies) • Faculty In-Residence • Seminar Approach to General Education and Scholarship (SAGES) • Class Cohorts • New Orientation Structure • Second Year Institute

  19. CWRU Residential Colleges CEDAR Residential College Smith House Taft House Tyler House MISTLETOE Residential College Hitchcock House Pierce House Storrs House JUNIPER Residential College Sherman House Norton House Raymond House Theme: Knowledge through Multiculturalism Theme: Growth through the Arts Theme: Leadership through Service

  20. Common Components of CWRU’s Residential College • Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator • Themes and theme-based programming • Opening Ceremonies • Crests • Traditions • Shirts and lanyards • Multiple buildings belonging to one RC • End of the Year Celebration

  21. Because of the RC’s at CWRU… • The undergraduate experience is in line with the Case Way (transitions, foundations, and connections) • Students have a sense of identity before they come to campus and a continued identity and pride after moving out of residential college • Wear t-shirts all 4 years • Alumni boards have been formed that program for current RC residents

  22. Because of the RC’s Cont. • Students have the opportunity to live with others with common interests • Much of the programming is focused around the RC theme • Residents from multiple buildings feel connected to each other • Residence Life positions are desirable and highly competitive

  23. Things Needed to Make the RC’s Happen • Ability to borrow money • President that was supportive of initiative • Faculty was supportive of initiative • Spike in enrollment • Overall need to strengthen morale of student body

  24. Your First College Year Survey • “Students in 2008 rated the overall sense of community among students significantly higher than did their peers in 2005.” (year the RC’s started) Institutional Research, 2008

  25. A CWRU Undergraduate Life-Long Scholar “Educated learners awake to new possibilities” Ethical Leader “Preparing moral and socially responsible life-long leaders” Active Citizen “Prepared and engaged to serve humanity”

  26. Questions?

  27. Thank you for your time! Contact Information and our RC Website! Karl Rishe, karl.rishe@case.edu Rachel Tuttle, rachel.tuttle@case.edu Vicky Wright, vicky.wright@case.edu http://studentaffairs.case.edu/living/residencelife/firstyear/

  28. References • Duke, A. (1996). Importing Oxbridge: English residential colleges and American universities. Yale University. • Case Western Reserve University, The Case Way, 2009. Please see presenters if you would like a copy.

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