Proper Pampering for Prof Participation

I just sat through a WebEx presentation called Using Housing as a Nexus for First Year Student Success and Retention.

The program was directed at College and University housing adminstrators, with a focus on creating living and learning communities in residence halls and facilities, as opposed to simply "wharehousing" the students. Of particular interest to me was the presenters' take on dealing with faculty. Apparently, it ain't easy. Here's some of the advice they had:

Faculty will not be interested without tangible rewards and recognition. It's not enough to help the students anymore. Medals and presentation ceremonies recognizing faculty participation are strongly encouraged.

Develop a thick skin and try to understand the faculty. The presenters feel that academics are specifically trained to attack others ideas while simultaneously defending their own with "extreme vigor." They are apparently often suspicious of any idea that is not their own.

Get over yourself. Well they didn't say it in so many words, but they did say that housing staffers should "be comfortable in the role of a subordinate." Because the faculty won't have it any other way, no matter how many degrees you have.

One "trick" used at the University of South Carolina to make their programs work is called "Out to Lunch." Students are given vouchers good for a free meal anywhere in the University dining system, and they can use to take a favorite faculty member to lunch. Apparently, breaking bread with the little people is oh so much more tolerable if it's free.

To be sure, not all college and university faculty fit into these categories; I had many good professors that would have gone to any lengths to be helpful to their students. Still, the fact that these housing experts felt the need to make it such a prominent part of their presentation is sure telling.