USG creates committee to review residential advising programs

The USG has established the Residential Advising Review and Recommendation Committee to review the current status and objectives of the advising programs and examining the effectiveness of the programs, said USG Undergraduate Life chair William Robinson '04, who chartered the committee.

A primary focus of the committee is how well the advising programs serve minority students and promote an inclusive, diverse community, Robinson said. At the end of the year, the committee will recommend improvements to the residential advising system to make it more successful in fulfilling its objectives and serving students.

The committee, first proposed by Wilson College Master Miguel Centeno, was chartered for three reasons, Robinson said.

First, it was needed to evaluate the results of the Wilson College Residential College Advisor Pilot Program, in effect for two years now, Robinson said.

Also, he said, the upcoming formation of four-year colleges poses new challenges to the residential advising system, which must be adjusted accordingly.

Finally, the system as a whole has not been reviewed in 10 years, Robinson said, and then it was reviewed only logistically instead of qualitatively.

"It just made sense to get together and discuss the programs as a whole," Robinson said.

Co-chaired by Rachael Bernard '04, a Butler MAA, and Lauren Marlowe '04, a Wilson RCA, the committee will also include five current RAs, MAAs or RCAs and three members-at-large. Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students Andrea Diaz is the committee's adviser.

Marlowe, who as a co-chair will serve as liaison to the Council of Masters, and Diaz, emphasized the committee's interest in ensuring that all students have access to the best possible advising support system.

"I envision an advising support network in which no student is left behind," she said. "Students who feel marginalized for whatever reason — perhaps because they are homesick or because they are a member of an underrepresented minority on campus — present the greatest challenge for advisors."

Robinson said examining issues regarding diversity is of particular importance.

The committee is also investigating how best to serve sophomores in the residential colleges and how to structure advising in the four-year residential colleges, Marlowe said, which will "introduce new variables" into the advising system.

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An RCA in Wilson College, Robinson has seen for himself where the system needs fixing.

"I'm hoping the advising programs in the future can take better advantage of their fellow advisors and increase teamwork," he said. "By working as a team we can serve the needs of all our students better."

The committee will draw on the experiences of other RAs, MAAs, and RCAs as well as current underclassmen. Surveys and focus groups will determine how well the current advising systems are supporting students, Robinson and Marlowe said. The committee is also reviewing University studies and reports addressing the structure of the advising system, the role of the MAA, the inception of the RCA program and race and diversity issues.

The committee will better define the roles and objectives of the residential advising systems and will make recommendations to the residential colleges and the Council of Masters at the end of the year.