Texas State University Residential Curriculum

Overview The components of the Texas State Residential Curriculum This document will discuss. . . The components of the Texas State Residential Curriculum Topics Learning Goals Required Learning Objectives Syllabi The required learning methods in the curriculum Resident Conversations Roommate Agreements Community Agreements Other learning methods and assessment Social Programming

Topics After almost two years of planning, the following topics for the curriculum will be used for the 2016-2017 academic year: Embracing Responsibility Reflect on Their Experiences Cultivate Intercultural Awareness

Learning Goals In each topical area, there are learning goals that residents must be educated about: Embracing Responsibility Demonstrate basic principles of life skills Investigate their overall wellness Recognize good citizenship Reflect on Their Experiences Examine their personal identities Express themselves appropriately Cultivate Intercultural Awareness Practice communication tactics with others whose identities differ from their own Provide examples of learned information related to other cultures

Required Learning Objectives Along with the topics and learning goals, staff will also be required to provide learning experiences for the following learning objectives: Required Learning Objectives Alcohol and Drug Education Financial Literacy Academic Support Resources Navigating Differences

Syllabi Each hall will create a syllabus together on how they will go about achieving education and assessment of learning around the topics, learning goals, and learning objectives of the curriculum. Each syllabus will include the following: DHRL Mission Statement DHRL Residential Curriculum Staff Expectations (tracking information, assessment, funding, communication) Learning Community Requirements (if applicable) Hall Curriculum

Required Methods of Education: Resident Conversations While staff have the ability to create their resident’s educational experience within the hall, the Residential Curriculum Committee has also decided upon specific methods of education for all residents. Resident Conversations (replacing House Calls program) Length: 15-30 minute long meetings Frequency: 4 meetings per each student for the year Conversation Occurrence Convo #1 – August/September Convo #2 – October/November Convo #3 – January/February Convo #4 – March/April RAs will utilize the Resident Conversations guide when speaking with residents

Required Methods of Education: Roommate Agreements All residents who have roommates will be required to complete a Roommate Agreement form. Roommates will receive a form from their Resident Assistant and are required to meet and discuss the information on the form with each other. The RA will also meet with the roommates to go over the decisions that were made regarding each topic.

Required Methods of Education: Community Agreements Each floor/wing/building will create Community Agreements in the fall semester and review them in the spring semester. RAs will have a conversation with their community around a variety of community-related subjects and take notes on what the community decides. At the end of the conversation, each community member will sign the paper in understanding of what the community has agreed. Below are some possible subjects to bring up during the community agreement discussion: Noise Bathroom Usage Noise level Opposite sex ability to use or not Study hours Personal Safety Conversations when there are concerns Addressing non-residents Damages Cleanliness in the public spaces Addressing and reporting damages Hallways Bathrooms Floor representation on Hall Council Lounges/Floor Lobbies Floor activities and meetings Study Rooms Floor dinners Kitchenettes/Kitchens Birthday celebrations Water fountains Floor Intramurals Recycling

Other Learning Methods As you learned in the first Residential Curriculum document, programming is only one tool that can be used to help residents learn. You and your staff will work with your Residence Director to develop other learning tools to help meet the Learning Goals and Required Learning Objectives. Below, you will find “outside the box” learning methods that you might consider! Question of the Day/Week (use social media) Using social media During room lockouts During Emergency Device Inspections Hot Topic Brown Bag Lunches Newsletters Flyers in restrooms Interactive bulletin boards What methods can you think of that would be considered ‘outside the box’ and not necessarily a program?

Assessment Many people find the word ‘assessment’ very nerve-wracking, but this doesn’t have to be the case! Assessment can be very simple and take very little time. It is essential for measuring the learning of the residents from your educational method. Every educational method that you and your staff develop with your Residence Director will require a way to be assessed for learning. Below are some easy ways to assess learning: 1-minute reflections writing Skits/Role-playing Misconception/Preconception Checks before a learning method Using games with the material in the learning method What other ways of assessment can you think of that you would like to try?

What Happened to Social Programming? We talk a lot about the education aspects of the Residential Curriculum, but it is important to note that you should still do social programming with your residents! Social programming will be one of the main ways you will let your creativity shine. In the Community Building and Event Planning Learning Module, you will learn more about how to plan events (and evaluate them), how to advertise, and how to get funding if you need it. Your Residence Director will provide expectations regarding how many social programs will be completed and what parameters are around them.

Final Notes While this curriculum might seem to be a lot, the Department of Housing and Residential Life believes that you and your staff can accomplish it! Working with your staff to plan will be key in your success along with time management and relationship building with your residents. You are a vital part of making this curriculum work, and we know that you will be the student leader we hired and take on the challenge of making an impact on your residents and peers here at Texas State!