Framing an Engineering Residential College

1
Framing an Engineering Residential College

• J. Nicklow, L. Gupta, J. Mathias, J. Tezcan, K.
  Pericak-Spector, R. Caffey, B. Chrisman, C.
  Pearson, R. Kowalchuk, and E. Lewis
• College of Engineering, Southern Illinois
  University Carbondale (SIUC), Carbondale, IL
  62901 Phone [phone] http//www.engr.siu.
  edu

Background The SIUC College of Engineering will
open an Engineering Residential College in fall
2007. In doing so, we aim to create and sustain a
strong, living-learning community where students
can easily access resources and become part of a
support network for one another. Building
Blocks Freshmen and sophomores live on
campus Three residence halls dedicated to
engineering and technology students Blocked
sections of early Math, English, and Speech
Communications courses offered in the
residence hall Mentoring by designated peers,
faculty, and practicing engineers from
industry Peer mentors reside on floors with
mentees in the Residential College Free
on-site tutoring provided
Selecting Mentors and Tutors Invitations to
apply for peer mentor positions were mailed to
all current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.
More than 60 applications were received for
approximately 30 positions, in part because the
program pays well. Selection criteria being
applied includes GPA and demonstrated leadership
and communications skills. The latter has been
difficult to assess because many are young and
still trying to establish themselves within their
academic programs. To help, we are soliciting
recommendations from faculty and staff regarding
peer mentors. Tutors have been hired using
similar criteria. Faculty mentors have been
less difficult to recruit their core represents
the co-PIs on the current project, and others
simply have a long-standing commitment to
undergraduate education. Likewise, there has been
little difficulty in finding interested
practicing engineer mentors. Many are long-time
supporters of the College and some already
participate on College advisory boards. Some are
concerned about the time commitment involved,
particularly with respect to traveling. However,
not all interaction between mentors and mentees
need be on-site. Communication with students via
e-mail and phone calls will in many cases
accomplish similar objectives.
Overcoming Challenges Getting Other Units on
Campus to Buy In After negotiation, University
Housing has reserved the necessary space to form
the foundation of the Residential College. Space
has been allocated for freshmen and sophomore
housing, peer mentor housing, and instruction of
courses in the residence halls. The College will
be required to pay for the use of space for
engineering-designated sections of courses, but
in a grand scheme, this is a very cost-effective
investment. Housing has also agreed to help
train the projects peer mentors. Mentors will
participate in a one week training course that
precedes the fall semester and will take a 1-hour
course during the fall term that focuses on
interpersonal relationships, counseling, and
conflict resolution. The PIs have also
negotiated with Departments external to the
College to provide engineering-designated
sections of corresponding courses and to offer
these courses in the residence halls. These
units were very amenable the most significant
obstacle to overcome was convincing these
Departments that we are not trying to isolate our
students from others on campus, but rather that
we are building a cohesive learning community.