UNF LLC Staff Resource Guide & Workbook

WELCOME &

INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Learning Community Assistant position! As a LCA, you have an important role of welcoming Ospreys to UNF and building a strong community within the Living-Learning Community program. This year you will spend time interacting with residents, programming for the interests of your community, and supporting the growth and learning of students in our residence halls. By choosing to be an LCA, you have made the decision to develop lasting bonds, build leadership skills, and connect deeper with the Osprey community.

My name is Sheresa Divens and I am the Residence Life Coordinator for Educational Initiatives. I oversee the Living-Learning Community programs, chair the department’s Educational Initiatives/Assessment committee, and support large-scale programs in Housing & Residence Life. I will be your direct supervisor for the 2021-2022 academic year. I am originally from Charlotte, North Carolina but have been working at UNF for 4 years. In my spare time, I love to cook, craft, try out restaurants in Jacksonville, any play with my 18 month old daughter.

I am excited to welcome you to the Housing & Residence Life Student Staff and back to UNF! I know that this year will be full of new, exciting, and sometimes challenging experiences for all of us; but we will all grow together.

This binder will serve as a handbook and training guide for your role. Flip through the pages and explore the information and resources available to you. You will need to bring this with you to training and all LCA associated meetings. Make sure to review the training schedule under the second tab.

In the meantime, if you need ANYTHING, please do not hesitate to contact me.

My cell phone number is 704-560-5451 or email me at s.divens@unf.edu.

Get settled and savor your last few moments of summer! I can’t wait to meet you.

Sincerely,

Sheresa Divens Residence Life Coordinator for Educational Initiatives

JUST A LITTLE HISTORY LIVING-LEARNING & THEME COMMUNITIES

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) are opportunities intentionally designed to enhance student’s education by expanding the “classroom” to include their residence hall and the greater Jacksonville community. A Living-Learning Community allows students to connect with their peers that have similar academic interests, take classes together and live on the same floor in the residence hall, while creating meaningful relationships with faculty, staff and other LLC students.

HISTORY OF LEARNING COMMUNITIES AS HIGH-IMPACT PRACTICES Learning communities are based on Tinto's (1993) model of student retention and focus on enhancing student commitment to and integration in the Purdue University setting.

Alexander Astin (1975), a noted scholar and the director of the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, defines community as a small subgroup of students with a common sense of purpose. Using Astin and Tinto's ideas to help define the effort, Purdue's learning communities focus on the development of faculty-led, academic-based communities. As part of most learning communities at Purdue, first-year students take 2-3 classes with other students who share similar majors or interests. In addition to taking classes together, learning community students participate in faculty-led outof-class activities. The cohesive in-class and out-of-class experiences help enhance learning and ease the transition from high school to college.

According to Jodi Levine, a nationally recognized educational researcher and scholar, participation in learning communities provides students and faculty with many benefits. In particular, Levine (1999) asserts that learning communities: Improve student learning and retention ·provide opportunities to integrate courses in an interdisciplinary manner Help students to form academically-based social networks among peers Increase student involvement in learning and college life Provide opportunities for faculty-student interaction Create opportunities for faculty-to-faculty interaction and collaboration that lead to faculty development Astin (1975). Preventing students from dropping out (1st ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Levine, J. H. (Ed.). (1999). Learning communities: New structures, new partnerships for learning (Monograph No. 26). Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina, National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.

LLC BEST PRACTICES MODEL LEARNING PARTNERSHIPS

Inkelas, K. K., Jessup-Anger, J., Benjamin, M., & Wawrzynski, M. R. (2018). Living-learning communities that work: A research-based model for design, delivery, and assessment.

Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, LLC.

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Infrasturcture Clear goals & objectives Partnerships between academics and housing Adequate resources

Academic Environment Course enrollment Faculty mentorship Academic Success initiatives Co-Curricular Out-of-Class experiences Sense of Belonging Career Development Outreach (k-12) Intentional Integration "teachable moments" Leadership growth Connections

Questions to Ask: Do we...

Set goals and objectives that are based on the needs of the population served and desired student learning and development outcomes?

Seek collaborative interactions with stakeholders across campus who have legitimate concerns and interests in the LLC functional area?

Develop and continuously improves programs and services in response to the changing needs of students and other populations served and the evolving?

Promote a community that 3 provides meaningful opportunities for student learning, growth, and integration?

LLCs at UNF Living-Learning communities complement efforts to boost one of UNF's key output measures, student retention, by enhancing student learning. Specifically, the program advances the University's strategic plan by: Increasing students’ meaningful interactions among peers in shared experiences such as participation in service learning, experiential learning, interdisciplinary studies, and career exploration as part of the living-learning community experience Increasing faculty and student interactions, as seen in faculty curriculum instruction, conducting cocurricular programming, and mentoring students in their academic, career and cocurricular exploration Facilitating student learning through introduction of innovative instructional methodologies, as seen in the seminar assignments, cocurricular programming, and residential learning opportunities associated with each living-learning community ·Expanding opportunities for student personal growth and success through participation in the cocurricular activities and student support efforts associated with the living-learning communities Support the transition to college and ultimately enhance the success of all student participants as measured by higher retention rates and graduation rates

THE FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE

LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES ASL ZONE

COGGIN BUSINESS

This community is for any firstyear student who has experience with ASL, is a native ASL user, wants to learn more about ASL, or is interested in the ASL, Deaf Education and Interpreting majors or minors. LLC participants will build connections with fellow students, faculty and staff, and will create bonds within the Jacksonville community.

This community assists you in becoming a competitive candidate for a career in business.

The Coggin LLC creates a cohort of students interested in many areas of business. Applicable majors include business management, accounting, finance, financial planning, economics, marketing, international business and transportation and logistics.

FIRST FORWARD

HEALTHY OSPREY

HICKS HONORS

This community provides an integrated college experience for first-generation college students at UNF whose immediate family members have not completed a college degree. This community is designed to enhance academic success skills, maximize students’ collegiate experience, build a living environment that is welcoming and offer extra support by fostering connections..

The Healthy Osprey LLC is open to all incoming first-year students who want to continue or start living a healthy lifestyle. With a focus on the 8 dimensions of wellness, “healthy” is pursued to the fullest extent of the word.

Participants experience organic gardening, the high-ropes course, group fitness classes, healthy cooking demonstrations and much more.

The Hicks Honors College is intentional in its efforts to create a living and learning environment within our Honors community.

The goal is to create a seamless transition between learning in and outside of the classroom.

Living-learning communities heighten student intellectual and personal growth and promote a greater degree of engagement in campus life.

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNITY The Intercultural CommUnity seeks to cultivate an inclusive residential experience for students wanting to learn more about their own social identities in the areas of race, ethnicity, culture, and worldviews. The Intercultural CommUnity strives to foster a brave space for residents of all backgrounds to share their unique experiences;

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Launching in Fall 2021, This community welcome students passionate about environmental leadership and sustainable practices. Students have an opportunity to engage in the local community to nurture the Northeast Florida ecosystems and create a positive impact on their environment.

M.A.D.E.

MUSIC

The MADE LLC is open to firstyear students who plan to major in education. This LLC will provide a range of opportunities to connect with faculty, explore careers within the education field, and prepare students for the General Knowledge Test.

Students will benefit from skills workshops, classroom tours, leadership opportunities and faculty support.

The Music LLC boasts a musically immersive environment for students to foster creativity, collaborate with other artists, and enhance their musical talents.

Participants can expect a close relationship with faculty and staff from the School of Music, programs catered directly to the interests of the community, and support in establishing your personal musical identity.

PRE-MED

S.T.E.M.

This community assists you in becoming a competitive candidate for admission into medical school. Applicable majors for this community include biology, chemistry and physics.

Also, students interested in pursuing graduate programs in pharmacy, dentistry or veterinary medicine are welcome.

This STEM LLC connects first-year students interested in pursuing a degree or career in science, technology, engineering and math as well as computing. The S.T.E.M. living-learning community will help students develop academic and professional skills needed to succeed in their career and socially at UNF.

THE MULTI-YEAR EXPERIENCE

LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES & THEME HOUSING GLOBAL HONORS

TRANSFER LIVING

STONEWALL

Global Honors Living-Learning Community; previously Honors L.E.A.D. offers upper-class Hicks Honors College and international students supportive and engaging environment to connect culturally and socially while building friendships, learning from others and developing intercultural community across the LLC, Hicks Honors College, UNF, Jacksonville and the world.

Transfer Living Community (T.L.C.) allows transfer students to connect, integrate and engage in the UNF lifestyle in a new way.

T.L.C. will provide transfer students with tools for academic success and professional success while attending UNF.

Residents within the Stonewall LLC will celebrate and affirm the cultural experiences of gender expansiveness while welcoming the diverse and complex identities of every resident. The Stonewall LLC works closely with the LGBTQ Center and UNF student groups to create a community of respect and a sense of family for all residents.

LLC LEADERSHIP TEAM OUR ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Oversight of LLC program framework, implementation, and assessment Collaborate and initiate future campus partnerships with faculty & staff Guide training and professional development of LLC faculty, partners, and staff Implement assessment techniques for program evaluation and program SLOs Supervision of Residence Life Coordinator for Educational Initiatives

RESIDENCE LIFE COORDINATOR Oversight of LLC initiatives, programming, and community experience Coordinate LLC marketing, recruitment, and selection processes Day-to-Day implementation of LLC programs Supervision of Learning Community Assistant

PROGRAM ASSISTANT Oversight of administrative processes such as: Program tracking shopping requests E&G budget Reservations Application processes

LEARNING COMMUNITY ASSISTANT Implementation of social and educational (not academic) programming based on students needs and interests Advocate for care and concerns within the LLC Provide support and guidance as a peer mentor to LLC students Maintain communication with campus parents and faculty regarding LLC cohort Co-Advise LLC Leadership Council

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Expectations of LLC Faculty and Staff Partners I, _________________________________, agree to serve as the lead staff or faculty member for living-learning community (LLC) ____________________ at the University of North Florida and to fulfill the following roles and functions.

1. I have the following individuals committed to the LLC endeavor: 2. I will uphold the mission, vision, and values of this living-learning community.

3. I will review and update the LLC’s mission, vision, and learning outcomes by July 1, 2021.

4. I will meet throughout Summer 2021 with LLC Advisory Council leadership to plan the LLC Retreat and Fall 2021-2022 residential curriculum.

5. I will review and admit LLC applicants throughout Summer 2021 according to the established deadlines.

6. I will submit a final LLC Retreat Schedule by August 6, 2021.

7. I will create and/or maintain a team of at least two faculty and staff partners from my area.

8. The academic department will contribute budgetary resources to the LLC as outlined in the agreement.

9. LLC faculty and/or staff will participate and/or lead the LLC Retreat on August 18-20.

10. The LLC team will collaborate to host the following co-curricular events outlined in the addendum.

11. If applicable, the department agrees to support the course(s) related to the LLC. 12. LLC faculty and/or staff will hold office hours for classes specifically for LLC participants.

13. LLC faculty and/or staff will create opportunities to create an academically and socially supportive climate.

14. Maintain ongoing, informal communication with participants of the program.

15. Incorporate academic advising and/or career mentoring into the living-learning community experience.

16. Plan a variety of activities for my LLC in conjunction with the Learning Community Assistant(s).

17. Assist LLC participants to make connections with faculty, staff, and community members who will enhance their educational experiences.

18. Dedicate the necessary hours per week to foster LLC participant engagement.

19. Active involvement with the recruitment and selection of LLC participants.

20. Represent the LLC program to groups internal and external to the University.

21. Ensure the sustainability of the program with individual members, materials, course (if applicable) and funding needs.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Expectations of Housing and Residence Life Staff The Department of Housing and Residence Life LLC leadership team understands that the most powerful LLCs are collaborative and involve shared expectations. We agree to the following: 1. Upholding the mission, vision, and values of all LLCs. 2. Updating LLCs’ missions, visions, and learning outcomes by July 15, 2021.

3. Marketing all LLCs to incoming students and campus partners in a variety of manners with the goal of involving as many students as possible.

4. Creating marketing materials in conjunction with LLC faculty and/or staff in order to have a consistent message across departments.

5. Communicating with admitted LLC students regarding their acceptance into the LLC and specific details on how to proceed with room selection and finding a roommate.

6. Supporting the LLCs through year-long professional development and training sessions.

7. Providing details to campus partners on key housing processes, such as contract deadlines, room freezes, roommate mediation processes, etc.

8. Communicating as needed and appropriate regarding students of concern within the LLC. 9. Developing an annual timeline for LLC expectations, events, and traditions.

10. Planning the structure for the LLC Retreat and assisting LLC faculty and/or staff with logistics.

11. Recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising the LCA student staff members hired to support the LLCs. 12. Hosting at least four co-curricular events per semester per LLC with clear learning outcomes.

13. Developing overall, community-based, and LLC-specific residential curricula and lesson plans to guide our work.

14. Conducting annual assessment on the LLCs, including review of EBI and NSSE data.

15. Providing budgetary resources to cover costs for the LLC Retreat, LLC End of Year Banquet, and LCA programming.

16. Providing $2500 in funding to LLC sponsor departments.

17. Creating opportunities to support an academically and socially supportive climate.

18. Maintaining ongoing informal communication with LLC students, faculty, and staff.

19. Assisting LLC students to make connections with faculty, staff, and community members who will enhance their educational experiences.

20. Creating opportunities for tutoring, SI, and career advising for LLC participants.

21. Dedicating the necessary hours per week to supporting the needs of the LLC. 22. Collaborating with LLC faculty and/or staff on the selection of LLC student staff.

23. Representing the LLC program to groups internal and external to the University.

24. Ensuring the sustainability of the program with staff, materials, and funding needs.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Your signature on the MOU symbolizes your commitment to ensuring the creation and support of the LLC. In return, Undergraduate Studies will provide $2,500 per academic year to support the LLC. In Spring 2022, the LLC Advisory Councils will meet with Amy Lorenz, Associate Director of Residence Life, to assess achievement of the LLC’s mission, vision, goals, and learning outcomes. LLC campus partners who do not meet the terms of the MOU will receive funding for the AY 2022-2023, and the LLC will be placed on probationary status. LLC campus partners who do not meet the terms of the MOU will not receive funding for the AY 2023-2024, and the LLC will take a one-year hiatus and only be reinstituted according to the terms of the LLC’s probation.

Associate Director for Residence Life: Signature_______________________ Date: Staff/Faculty Member Name: Staff/Faculty: Signature_______________________ Department Chair: Signature_______________________ Dean of College: Signature (if applicable) _______________________ Date:

CO-CURRICULAR EXPECTATIONS Co-curricular refers to activities, programs, and learning experiences that complement, in some way, what students are learning in school—i.e., experiences that are connected to or mirror the academic curriculum. Cocurricular activities are typically, but not always, defined by their separation from academic courses.

KEY ELEMENTS LLC RETREAT

SIGNATURE EVENTS

The LLC Retreat is the critical

These are the large scale events

onboarding and social norming

we host every year, like the LLC

process for all LLCs.

Halloween Bash.

ADVISORY BOARD SOCIALS Informal social interactions

LLC ADVISORY BOARD STRATEGIES

betweeen students, faculty, and

Strategies are planned events,

staff, are our bread and butter

activities, and programs.

and a key factors in retention.

The LLCs follow a co-curriculum focused on the following needs of students:

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

SENSE OF BELONGING

SENSE OF EXPLORATION

SENSE OF RESILIENCE

SENSE OF RESILIENCE

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

SENSE OF COMMUNITY

SENSE OF PRUPOSE

SENSE OF COMMITMENT

SENSE OF CELEBRATION

ADVISORY BOARD STRATEGY DEADLINES The table below outlines the LLC advisory board expectations for implementing cocurricular experiences and strategies as outlines in the MOU and the Co-Curricular outline above.

We encourage LLC Advisory Board members to think creatively in delegating responsibilities and are encourage to utilize colleagues and resources across campus.

LLC RETREATS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL Before students arrive to campus the following preparations occur: LLC Room assignments are verified for the correct building and floor LLC Course registration is verified for the associated courses LLC T-Shirt sizes are confirmed and shirts are ordered Before arrival students should: Schedule a move-in appointment via the associate housing email instructions Complete the LLC Community Agreement and Pre-Assessment Qualtrics Sign liability waivers- those under 18 will need a guardian signature.

MONDAY - TUESDAY LLC Students will self-schedule appointments between 8AM - 5 PM to move-in to their residence halls.

WEDNESDAY LLC retreats begin. Housing and Residence Life staff will be responsible for the facilitation of activities, sessions, and meals. The retreat schedule will begin at 10 AM. THURSDAY LLC Advisory Boards are responsible for the creation, planning, and facilitation of the days activities and sessions. The LLC Leadership team can assist with requesting room reservations and supplies UPON REQUEST. FRIDAY

Scheduling retreat activities on Friday is optional and up to the discretion of the LLC Advisory Board. Many LLCs choose to use Friday as a time to take field trips, complete service-projects, or host their first social event of the year.

GENERAL RETREAT SCHEDULE RETREAT SCHEDULE OUTLINES CAN BE FOUND HERE (HYPERLINK). THESE CAN ALSO BE LOCATED IN THE LLC ADVISORY BOARD TEAMS FILES. DEADLINE TO FINALIZE SCHEDULES IN AUGUST 6TH.

MOVE-IN EVENTS AND PROGRAMS Students move-in the entire week of Monday, August 16 through Sunday, August 22. Since Week of Welcome events do not begin until the evening of Friday, August 20th Housing and Residence Life and Fraternity and Sorority Life have partnered up to develop a robust and engaging schedule of evening events.

Some activities are low social engagement so that the more introverted type student feels comfortable attending and engaging. While others are more active and extroverted in nature.

We welcome campus partners to contact Amy Lorenz if you are interested in volunteering to help facilitate a Move-In program.

The tentative schedule of events is included below. You can find the most updated schedule via social media.

MONDAY, AUGUST 16 11:00-2:00 PM PHOTO BOOTH FIELDHOUSE 3:00-5:00 PM FLOWER POWER OSPREY HALL PAVILION 7:00-9:00 PM TIE DYE SHIRTS MINI GREEN 7:00-9:00 PM THROW BACK NINTENDO GAMES CLUBHOUSE GAME ROOM

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17 SELF-GUIDED NATURE HUNT PICK UP AT CLUBHOUSE WELCOME DESK 8:00-10:00 PM IF AIN'T NEON IT SHOULDN'T BE ON MINI GREEN 8:00-10:00 PM ORIGINAL TRON CLUBHOUSE MPR

MOVE-IN EVENTS AND PROGRAMS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18 9:30-10:30 PM SAVED BY THE BELL ESCAPE ROOM CROSSINGS S ATRIUM 7:00-9:00 PM VIEWING OF CLUELESS CLUBHOUSE MPR

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 7:00-9:00 PM PUTTER PARTY GOLF COMPLEX TBD FAST AND THE FURIOUS MARIO KART STYLE CLUBHOUSE GAME ROOM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 10:00 AM-2:00 PM SELFIES WITH OZZIE FIELDHOUSE 10:00 AM-2:00 PM FAMILY SNACK STATION FIELDHOUSE 11:00 AM-1:00 PM ORG TABLING MINI GREEN 5:00-6:00 PM FIRST FLOOR MEETINGS RESIDENT FLOORS 6:00-9:00 PM FIRST NIGHT EXPERIENCE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 6:00-7:00 PM POPSICLES AT THE POOLS ALL RESIDENTIAL POOLS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22 11:00 AM-1:00 PM BRUNCH ON THE BOARDWALK CANDY CANE LAKE BOARDWALK TBA FIRST FLOOR MEETINGS RESIDENT FLOORS

MONDAY, AUGUST 23 11:00 AM-1:00 PM BRUNCH ON THE BOARDWALK CANDY CANE LAKE BOARDWALK TUESDAY, AUGUST 24 7:00-8:00 PM POTATO PARTY OSPREY HALL PAVILION

GNIKCART NOILLADEM CLL

STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE ALL CURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS OF THE LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITY PROGRAM WILL RECEIVE A GOLD MEDALLION AND A LLC CERTIFICATE IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR COMMITMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT TO BE WORN AT GRADUATION

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ENROLL IN ASSOCIATED LLC COURSE

ATTEND LLC RETREAT

LIVE ON ASSOCIATED LLC FLOOR

LLC PRE & POST ASSESSMENT

COMMUNITY REQUIREMENTS OSPREY CHATS WITH LCA (2x SEMESTER) FALL DATES:

SPRING DATES:

1. _____________________

1. _____________________

2. _____________________

2. _____________________

LLC SPECIALIZED EVENTS (2x SEMESTER) FALL DATES:

SPRING DATES:

1. _____________________

1. _____________________

2. _____________________

2. _____________________

LLC SOCIAL EVENTS (2x SEMESTER) FALL DATES:

SPRING DATES:

1. _____________________

1. _____________________

2. _____________________

2. _____________________

LLC ADVISORY BOARD EVENT (1x SEMESTER) FALL: _____________________

SPRING: _____________________

ACADEMIC SUCCESS EVENT (1x SEMESTER) FALL: _____________________

SPRING: _____________________

PARTICIPATE IN LLC LEADERSHIP COUNCIL PARTICIPATE IN LLC SERVICE PROJECT