About two weeks ago we had a meeting of all the freshmen of Pierpont. Our goal of this meeting was to ask the freshmen to fill out some surveys that would give us more insight into how they studied as well as how they are adjusting to college. I was the skeptic and thought we would only have about 30 students show up, much to my surprise we had over 160 students come.
I opened the evening with. "Welcome Freshmen of Pierpont!" Over the summer Tracie and I had heard concern from both students and parents that Pierpont had to many upperclassmen. Although we tried to assure them this could be a benefit many of them were not buying it. As I watched the students look around the room and see all the others that were at the same place as themselves you felt an air of calm. They cheered and clapped for the Pierpont freshmen and then asked, "Why are we here?"
I explained to them that we are looking to assist them in their academic success and by filling out these surveys and follow-up in their UNIV 101 class we would assist them in becoming more organized. I watched as they filled out the questionnaires. They had their heads down and the room was quiet. They were concentrating.
We are just starting to look at the survey results now and are following up with a meeting next Wednesday. Hopefully we can answer there questions and address concerns.
The freshmen of Pierpont have united to address academics and see that there are others around.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
GAMEDAY BABY!
"AND NOW FROM THE COLLEGE OF CREATIVE ARTS ON THE CAMPUS OF WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF JAY DURY, THE PRIDE OF WEST VIRGINIA, THE MOUNTAINEER MARCHING BAND." I remember the first time I heard that. I was 14 years old and a member of the high school marching band here for Band day. I marched on the Old Mountaineer field with such big eyes, just thinking WOW I get to march on Mountaineer field. WOW
GAMEDAY for me is about the feeling of fall in the air, friends and family gathering for a WVU game with current students. Cheering for our team to get a win for all of us. I love to watch the students facees as they experience the Mountaineers for the first time.
Here at Pierpont Hall, the crowd starts gathering around us about 8:00 o'clock in the morning. Cars slowly begin to filter in around us, people start walking all around. Gold shirts by the thousands stream up and down the road. From small children and little footballs to the big boys throwing the regulation football around you can feel it is the air. HERE COME THE MOUNTAINEERS.
All students need to be at the stadium 30 minutes before kickoff to here the Pride of West Virginia (The West Virginia University Marching Band) take to the field and bring the crowd to there feet with there opening songs. I can feel the chills down my back just writting about it.
LETS GO - Mountaineers!!!!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Learning--From the Dorm to the Classroom
Since my last post the announcement has been made that the RFL program will not be under academic affairs. Although the reporting lines have changed I do not see much change in the way I do my work with the students. I have always made social connections with students so I can then follow-up with my academic inquiries. With the third week (how did that happen so fast) about to begin this has already started.
The first week was met with students asking anything from, "Where do I catch the bus?" to "How do I change my schedule?" Whenever anyone on staff would walk into the lobby they were met with questions of new students navigating their way around WVU. Some students were even asking, "Do I want to go home?" For this questions we asked all these students to look around at the opportunities and to try WVU out for at least a semester so that they could find their niche. At the end of the week all questions were answered and the weekend was meant for celebrating.
The weekend brought more learning. Two students learned you never know when the RFLs are going to drive up. After dinner out on Saturday evening Brian and I arrived at the building to see one cool cat just hanging out outside our door and another placing a bag on the steps and then coming down. All we had to say was "Gentlemen bring down the bag with the beer'" for us to have our first alcohol violation of the year. Brian and I have at least one each a year. The two students were cooperative and learned that you never know when you will get caught so.....DON'T TRY.
Earlier on Saturday we learned a new way to strain spaghetti. Brian had noticed that there were towels hanging from windows on the second floor. He and a RA made there way to the room to inquire why the screens were removed. You need to know the screens in Pierpont are bolted in so students should not be able to hang things from their windows. When they arrived the students tried to teach Brian that they could handle the situation and he did not need to intervene. After some talking with the RA the story is that one the boys arrived home Friday night and wanted spaghetti. After boiling the spaghetti he realized he did not have a strainer. He then cut the screen so he could use it as a strainer. We learned, although quite disgusting, a new use for a screen. While the young man learned that $100 will buy you a new screen and a strainer. An expensive lesson to learn but one that will go down in the history books here at Pierpont.
The first week was met with students asking anything from, "Where do I catch the bus?" to "How do I change my schedule?" Whenever anyone on staff would walk into the lobby they were met with questions of new students navigating their way around WVU. Some students were even asking, "Do I want to go home?" For this questions we asked all these students to look around at the opportunities and to try WVU out for at least a semester so that they could find their niche. At the end of the week all questions were answered and the weekend was meant for celebrating.
The weekend brought more learning. Two students learned you never know when the RFLs are going to drive up. After dinner out on Saturday evening Brian and I arrived at the building to see one cool cat just hanging out outside our door and another placing a bag on the steps and then coming down. All we had to say was "Gentlemen bring down the bag with the beer'" for us to have our first alcohol violation of the year. Brian and I have at least one each a year. The two students were cooperative and learned that you never know when you will get caught so.....DON'T TRY.
Earlier on Saturday we learned a new way to strain spaghetti. Brian had noticed that there were towels hanging from windows on the second floor. He and a RA made there way to the room to inquire why the screens were removed. You need to know the screens in Pierpont are bolted in so students should not be able to hang things from their windows. When they arrived the students tried to teach Brian that they could handle the situation and he did not need to intervene. After some talking with the RA the story is that one the boys arrived home Friday night and wanted spaghetti. After boiling the spaghetti he realized he did not have a strainer. He then cut the screen so he could use it as a strainer. We learned, although quite disgusting, a new use for a screen. While the young man learned that $100 will buy you a new screen and a strainer. An expensive lesson to learn but one that will go down in the history books here at Pierpont.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A Volleyball to the Head
Sunday the staff and all of our freshmen students boarded buses to the Coliseum to take part in the "University Welcome Celebration." As we entered the Coliseum tee shirts with the class of 2014 were handed out and students began to sit down in their assigned sections. Due to the bus schedule we at Pierpont arrived about an hour before it was about to begin. Brian and I walked up and down the section meeting students and answering questions. Then as it was about to begin Josh, a RA, and Brian started the wave and then a cheer of "Let's Go Moutaineers." After this the program began.
The program was filled with speakers relaying their stories of college to the group about to embark on this journey. As I looked around many were texting, listening to i-pods, or just sitting back with blank looks on their faces. After asking them about this ceremony today during UNIV 101, many stated that they were asleep and that addition of the drum line or people talking more about their freshmen year would have helped more. The section of the program they all enjoyed was the Provost's address in which she had them proclaim, "They would attend class," as well as many other habits needed to be successful. They all echoed her words but although they enjoyed her I am not sure they really believe they need to do all she spoke about to be successful, but who am I.
Later that evening we held a Welcome Back BBQ for all the students in Pierpont. 300 young residents came down the stairs to play volleyball and corn hole as well as feast on hamburgers and hot dogs. Four girls who had just met during the weekend sat under a tree and talked while others held a "Dougie" constant. All enjoying themselves and meeting new people. As I stood around and met people I was hit in the head by a volleyball gone astray. I could not help but think many of the new students I was surrounded by will need a "volleyball to the head," in the coming weeks, my hope is that they will all take it with a smile and learn from the bump on the head. Here's to a good semester without to many "volleyballs to the head"
The program was filled with speakers relaying their stories of college to the group about to embark on this journey. As I looked around many were texting, listening to i-pods, or just sitting back with blank looks on their faces. After asking them about this ceremony today during UNIV 101, many stated that they were asleep and that addition of the drum line or people talking more about their freshmen year would have helped more. The section of the program they all enjoyed was the Provost's address in which she had them proclaim, "They would attend class," as well as many other habits needed to be successful. They all echoed her words but although they enjoyed her I am not sure they really believe they need to do all she spoke about to be successful, but who am I.
Later that evening we held a Welcome Back BBQ for all the students in Pierpont. 300 young residents came down the stairs to play volleyball and corn hole as well as feast on hamburgers and hot dogs. Four girls who had just met during the weekend sat under a tree and talked while others held a "Dougie" constant. All enjoying themselves and meeting new people. As I stood around and met people I was hit in the head by a volleyball gone astray. I could not help but think many of the new students I was surrounded by will need a "volleyball to the head," in the coming weeks, my hope is that they will all take it with a smile and learn from the bump on the head. Here's to a good semester without to many "volleyballs to the head"
Friday, August 20, 2010
Welcome Back
Move-in weekend is always exciting here at WVU. Students leaving home for the first time, parents leaving their children for the first time, and the first chance for many to take responsibility for their own actions. A time when excitement and fear simultaneously courses through thoughts as rapidly as water flows through a river. What a wild ride! I say enjoy it.
Students enjoy your time exploring your new environment. Parents enjoy and celebrate the fact that you have raised children that are capable of succeeding at such an integrated university. Enjoy the the knowledge you will gain as new Mountaineers.
Growth from this knowledge will occur. The change in students from August til May is something I still marvel at even after three years here at the dorm. Have fun while growing and take all the oppurtunities that are offered to you.
Welcome and come say "hi".
Students enjoy your time exploring your new environment. Parents enjoy and celebrate the fact that you have raised children that are capable of succeeding at such an integrated university. Enjoy the the knowledge you will gain as new Mountaineers.
Growth from this knowledge will occur. The change in students from August til May is something I still marvel at even after three years here at the dorm. Have fun while growing and take all the oppurtunities that are offered to you.
Welcome and come say "hi".
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Home Sickness
The summer is really slow here at Pierpont accept for the arrival of many of the new athletes. Due to WVU being a Division I school many of them were at the top of their high school teams and were stars on and off the playing fields. For our football and basketball players many were recruited by several schools. In the recruitment process they were treated like a king or a queen in hopes that they would to commit to WVU. They then arrive on campus days after graduating from high school from all over the country and see what the new world they have entered is all about.
Gone are they days of being Number One. They enter the training rooms and work with coaching staffs that comprise Division I sports. Although most of these individuals are caring people they have also been given the task to assist these athletes in being the most competitive players they can be. I have heard grumblings of aches, pains, and making weight. I talk to them about taking this opportunity to grow both as an athlete but more importantly a student. Although many are aware of the opportunity they have been given they still struggle with many of the same issues as the overall student body does. One of these issues is home sickness.
This summer many of the new arrivals have been home sick. In the Fall when students are confronted with home sickness we talk to them about all the wonderful happenings going on here and how if they go out they can be a part of it all. In the summer this is a harder sell as Morgantown is focused more on families and not as much about students. Many of the athletes have been here since May and have already completed six credit hours. To convince them that in just a few short weeks Morgantown will go through a metamorphosis is difficult. I smile, conjole, and talk to them about what is to come. I also inquire about classes and continually ask how their days are going. At times this is met with trepidation while other times it is greeted with a smile.
Brian and I have the unique opportunity to also watch the metamorphosis of these student athletes. Yes, some enter as individuals we know we will be cheering for in the near future while others are looking to be the next star. They all are 18 or 19 and still have the same fears about how they are going to navigate it all. They are also not a group that easily wants to show their inabilities. It is our job to create an environment in which they can share their thoughts with us and be free to ask the questions they need answered.
Last summer friends of mine were here and we had a BBQ in which many of the student athletes attended. When the large new linemen for the football team were all laughing about farts my friend smile and said, "they are just man-boys." It has been our pleasure and will continue to be to watch these man-boys and girl-girls grow into men and women. Home sick, happy, sad, sick, or tired we just work with them to assist them is seeing what the future can hold if they access all the support available to them.
Gone are they days of being Number One. They enter the training rooms and work with coaching staffs that comprise Division I sports. Although most of these individuals are caring people they have also been given the task to assist these athletes in being the most competitive players they can be. I have heard grumblings of aches, pains, and making weight. I talk to them about taking this opportunity to grow both as an athlete but more importantly a student. Although many are aware of the opportunity they have been given they still struggle with many of the same issues as the overall student body does. One of these issues is home sickness.
This summer many of the new arrivals have been home sick. In the Fall when students are confronted with home sickness we talk to them about all the wonderful happenings going on here and how if they go out they can be a part of it all. In the summer this is a harder sell as Morgantown is focused more on families and not as much about students. Many of the athletes have been here since May and have already completed six credit hours. To convince them that in just a few short weeks Morgantown will go through a metamorphosis is difficult. I smile, conjole, and talk to them about what is to come. I also inquire about classes and continually ask how their days are going. At times this is met with trepidation while other times it is greeted with a smile.
Brian and I have the unique opportunity to also watch the metamorphosis of these student athletes. Yes, some enter as individuals we know we will be cheering for in the near future while others are looking to be the next star. They all are 18 or 19 and still have the same fears about how they are going to navigate it all. They are also not a group that easily wants to show their inabilities. It is our job to create an environment in which they can share their thoughts with us and be free to ask the questions they need answered.
Last summer friends of mine were here and we had a BBQ in which many of the student athletes attended. When the large new linemen for the football team were all laughing about farts my friend smile and said, "they are just man-boys." It has been our pleasure and will continue to be to watch these man-boys and girl-girls grow into men and women. Home sick, happy, sad, sick, or tired we just work with them to assist them is seeing what the future can hold if they access all the support available to them.
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Balancing Act
Every year we hire 14 to 16 RAs that assist us in supporting and educating the students of Pierpont Hall. Part of the process is to pair them into teams that will meet the needs of their residents on individual floors. Within this process the RAs strengths, weaknesses, personality, and work ethic all come into play. For the students hired as RAs it is the first information they long to receive.
On April 28, 2010 Tracie and I took time to develop "The Balancing Act" for the 2010-2011 academic year. We paired RAs based on the above factors discussed the pros and cons of each pairing and then went to our final draft. After we had completed our task Tracie sent out the email and the games began. Three of the RAs ran to my office to express their joy at getting the co-RA of their choice. Others came and talked about their concerns.
When students enter Pierpont in the Fall of 2010 they will also have the same reaction to individuals they have chosen or were placed with in their living arrangement. When roommate issue start it is best to look at both sides of the picture and see where you can or can not make a change. You are welcome to make changes in rooms at certain times of the year but remember the grass is not always greener.
In both of these instances students need to consider that we have to learn to live and work with a variety of people. Being an RA or a roommate may be their first experience with this type of "balancing act" but I can assure them it will not be there last.
On April 28, 2010 Tracie and I took time to develop "The Balancing Act" for the 2010-2011 academic year. We paired RAs based on the above factors discussed the pros and cons of each pairing and then went to our final draft. After we had completed our task Tracie sent out the email and the games began. Three of the RAs ran to my office to express their joy at getting the co-RA of their choice. Others came and talked about their concerns.
When students enter Pierpont in the Fall of 2010 they will also have the same reaction to individuals they have chosen or were placed with in their living arrangement. When roommate issue start it is best to look at both sides of the picture and see where you can or can not make a change. You are welcome to make changes in rooms at certain times of the year but remember the grass is not always greener.
In both of these instances students need to consider that we have to learn to live and work with a variety of people. Being an RA or a roommate may be their first experience with this type of "balancing act" but I can assure them it will not be there last.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)