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Jan. 10, 2002
Vol. 31, No.12

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POLICIES

onCampus accepts columns and letters to the editor from Ohio State faculty and staff for its Forum page. Letters and columns on topics of broad interest will be given preference for publication.

  • Personal attacks will not be published in onCampus.
  • The editorial staff reserves the right to reject any letter, to edit letters for publication, and to limit the number of issues in which letters may be published on a topic and the number of times an individual's viewpoint will be published.
  • This page also will feature occasional administrative messages to the University.
  • Letters should be no more than 300 words. Columns should not exceed 750 words.
  • Letters may be sent by fax to 292-1861, via e-mail to oncampus@osu.edu, or through campus mail to onCampus, 1125 Kinnear Road. Columns must be submitted electronically. All faxed or mailed submissions must be signed and should include a telephone number; all authors will be contacted to verify the submissions' origin.
  • The Forum deadline is 10 days before each publication date.

 

COLUMNS

Programs let students live and learn together

By Hui-Ling Chan and Barb Kefalas, Office of Residence Life

While Ohio State's large size makes a tremendous range of opportunities possible, it is also intimidating or alienating to some prospective students and newcomers to campus.

Many people at the University are ready to help students find their own comfortable niche and to show them how to turn a big place like Ohio State into just the size they want it to be.

One way Ohio State does this is through the living-learning programs housed in the residence halls. These are designed to offer students living arrangements with other students who have similar goals and to give them the chance to extend studies beyond the classroom and into their daily experience.

Hui-Ling Chan Barb Kefalas

What, exactly, is a living-learning program and how does it work? Well, it's formally described as"a dynamic residential community that is intentionally designed to engage student participants in their learning beyond the classroom." In other words, students are grouped in their residence halls with others who share similar academic, cultural or lifestyle interests, and structured and unstructured programs take place that bring these students together to study, explore career options and engage in discussions and activities related to their common interests.

There are over 30 living-learning programs at Ohio State, and each features unique components. We'd love to discuss each one in depth with you, but for the purpose of this column, we'll highlight only a few. You can visit our Web site or contact either of us (at contact information available below) for much more information.

One of the programs that features diversity through experiential learning is MUNDO, Multicultural Understanding Through Non-traditional Discovery Opportunities. This community is for students interested in exploring social justice issues through service learning. It focuses on immersing students in environments in which multicultural understanding is the top priority. Over winter break, a group of MUNDO students went to Los Angeles, where they prepared meals for AIDS patients and explored the city. Prior to departure, the students participated in service learning opportunities in Columbus and attended a pre-trip workshop facilitated by a faculty member.

Students in the Nursing and Pharmacy Living-Learning Program meet with faculty and scholars from the health sciences fields to discuss future opportunities in medicine. One tradition that students have started is watching E.R. as a group in one of the Paterson Hall residence hall rooms on Thursday nights. At the end of each show, students process the health care issues that they may be facing one day.

Down the street in Baker Hall, students in one of the newest living-learning programs, Knowlton School of Architecture, participate in the same survey class, work with professional architecture mentors, and take field trips to various architectural sites in and out of Ohio.

Students have good things to say about living-learning programs.

Meredith Abdow, a second-year student in the Ford Living-Learning Program for students interested in engineering or business, says,"The Ford mentors are really excited to work with us. How many students have mentors in their field that are pushing and encouraging (you) to succeed?"

Megan Kilgore, who participates in the public service and public policy-oriented John Glenn Institute Living-Learning Program, remarks that the Glenn program"provided me with a strong family-like foundation as I entered Ohio State. I live with students who share the same interests as me and who enjoy discussing -- especially debating -- current issues."

However, none of this would be possible without the collaboration and commitment of the academic units, the Honors & Scholars Center, the First Year Experience Office, and, particularly, faculty and staff. Without their dedication to student learning, the success of these programs would not be possible. We'd like to thank each and every one of them for their continued support to the service of students!

If you are interested in finding out how you or your department can become involved in these initiatives, visit the Web at www.osuhousing.com or e-mail www.facultyfriends@osu.edu.

You can contact either of us at 292-3930 or via e-mail at kefalas.1@osu.edu or chan.111@osu.edu.