1. Understanding Generational Differences on Campus NACA Regional Conference October 6, 2006 Birmingham, AL D. Kurt J. Keppler Vice President for Student Affairs Valdosta State University

2. Who are the People??? Generations A generation is composed of people whose common location in history lends them a collective persona. The span of one generation is roughly the length of a phase of life. A generation is composed of people whose common location in history lends them a collective persona. The span of one generation is roughly the length of a phase of life. On Campus Today (4 Generations) On Campus Today (4 Generations) Silent (1924-1942) Colin Powell/Gloria Steinem Silent (1924-1942) Colin Powell/Gloria Steinem Boomer (1943-1961) Steven Spielberg/Oprah Winfrey Boomer (1943-1961) Steven Spielberg/Oprah Winfrey Generation X (1962-1981) Michael Jordan/Jodie Foster Generation X (1962-1981) Michael Jordan/Jodie Foster Millennials (1982-2002) Frankie Muniz/ Mandy Moore Millennials (1982-2002) Frankie Muniz/ Mandy Moore “Millennial attitudes and behaviors represent a sharp break from Generation X, and are running exactly counter to trends launched by the Boomers.” (Howe And Strauss,

3. What Impacts Generational Differences? The Big 8 The Big 8 Media Media Popular Culture Popular Culture Technology Technology Current Events Current Events Health/Wellness Health/Wellness Personal Appearance Personal Appearance Economy Economy Diversity Diversity Keppler, 2004 Keppler, 2004

4. Why Does this Matter We have four different generations at work together on campus We have four different generations at work together on campus People are at the heart of what we do People are at the heart of what we do The GAP is widening The GAP is widening Different values, experiences, styles, and attitudes create>>> Different values, experiences, styles, and attitudes create>>> Misunderstandings and frustration Misunderstandings and frustration (ETSU, HR Presentation, 2005)

5. As SGA Leaders…. You will interact with students, faculty, staff and administrators from these different generations! It is important to understand how they look at campus life through their own lens.

9. The New Millennials- better known as “Millies” M ore Conservative M ore Conservative I nterested in Group and Organization Affiliation I nterested in Group and Organization Affiliation L ess Critical of Authority- Follow Rules …. To the “T” L ess Critical of Authority- Follow Rules …. To the “T” L ots More Optimistic about the Future L ots More Optimistic about the Future I ncreased Consumerism- High Expectations & Demands I ncreased Consumerism- High Expectations & Demands E xtremely Technologically Savvy E xtremely Technologically Savvy S tay Busy! S tay Busy! (Keppler, 2004)

10. Howe and Strauss identify 7 distinguishing characteristics for the Millennial Generation: 1- Special —It has been communicated by the culture to the Millennials that they are special and vital to the future of the nation. They are also central to their parents' sense of purpose. Many of their Boomer parents delayed having children until they were financially secure, and a rising proportion went through extraordinary measures to conceive. Unlike the latchkey Gen-Xers, these young people know they are special. 1- Special —It has been communicated by the culture to the Millennials that they are special and vital to the future of the nation. They are also central to their parents' sense of purpose. Many of their Boomer parents delayed having children until they were financially secure, and a rising proportion went through extraordinary measures to conceive. Unlike the latchkey Gen-Xers, these young people know they are special. 2- Sheltered —Since the 1990s, there has been a major youth safety movement. We now see kids decked out in helmets and pads to ride bikes and strapped into elaborate car seats that would survive a nuclear explosion. Baby on Board signs and Tot-finders stickers were created for this generation. The Boomer parents of Millennials tend to be over-protective. 2- Sheltered —Since the 1990s, there has been a major youth safety movement. We now see kids decked out in helmets and pads to ride bikes and strapped into elaborate car seats that would survive a nuclear explosion. Baby on Board signs and Tot-finders stickers were created for this generation. The Boomer parents of Millennials tend to be over-protective.

11. 3- Confident—Millennials have a high level of trust and optimism in comparison to previous generations. They are hopeful of the future and enjoy strong connections with their parents. It remains to be seen whether the September 11 terrorist attacks and recent economic downturn will significantly alter this characteristic. 3- Confident—Millennials have a high level of trust and optimism in comparison to previous generations. They are hopeful of the future and enjoy strong connections with their parents. It remains to be seen whether the September 11 terrorist attacks and recent economic downturn will significantly alter this characteristic.  4- Team-oriented— Millennials have spent much of their time working and learning in groups. As such, they have established tight peer bonds.  5- Achieving— This generation may well become the best-educated American generation. They are goal-directed and achievement-oriented, with even sixteen-year-olds creating resumes for themselves.  6- Pressured— Millennials are pushed to study hard and avoid personal risks, pressured to succeed.  7- Conventional— Millennials, as a generation, will support conventional social rules and standards of behavior.

12. Things that will separate Millennials from many of their mentors: 1. For many of them today, it’s all about the “bling, bling.” 1. For many of them today, it’s all about the “bling, bling.” 2. They know who the “Heroes in a half shell” are. 2. They know who the “Heroes in a half shell” are. 3. Peeps are not a candy, they are your friends. 3. Peeps are not a candy, they are your friends. 4. They have been “dissing”and “burning” things all their lives. 4. They have been “dissing”and “burning” things all their lives. 5. They can expect to get a ticket for “ricing out their wheels.” 5. They can expect to get a ticket for “ricing out their wheels.” 6. They knew how to pop a Popple and trade a Pog. 6. They knew how to pop a Popple and trade a Pog. 7. They can still sing the rap chorus to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the theme song from Duck Tales. 7. They can still sing the rap chorus to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the theme song from Duck Tales. © 2003 Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin

13. Ten Trends of the Information Age- The Millennial Mindset 1- Computers are not technology 2- The Internet is better than TV 3- Reality is no longer real 4- Doing is more important than knowing 5- Learning more closely resembles Nintendo than logic 6- Multi-tasking is a way of life 7- Typing is preferred to handwriting 8- Staying connected is essential 9- There is zero tolerance for delays 10-Consumer and creator are blurred (Oblinger, 2003) (Oblinger, 2003)

14. Generation X 25-43 year olds (roughly) 25-43 year olds (roughly) The Direct 6 The Direct 6 Determined-- persevere, dedicated, self-assured Determined-- persevere, dedicated, self-assured Introspective– thought-provoking, analytical Introspective– thought-provoking, analytical Recreational Wizards-- experts at having fun, partying, stress release Recreational Wizards-- experts at having fun, partying, stress release Enterprising– creative, artistic, curious, “beat the system” Enterprising– creative, artistic, curious, “beat the system” Challenging– demanding, expect reasoning for decisions, efficient user of resources Challenging– demanding, expect reasoning for decisions, efficient user of resources Tolerant– broad-minded, merciful Tolerant– broad-minded, merciful (Keppler, 1995) (Keppler, 1995)

15. Generation X Influences MTV MTV Game Boy Game Boy Personal Computer Personal Computer Divorce rate tripled Divorce rate tripled Latch-key children Latch-key children Litigation Litigation Description- “Skeptical”

16. 13 Challenges for the 13 th Generation 1- Create Good Jobs 1- Create Good Jobs 2- Protect the Planet 2- Protect the Planet 3- Control Crime 3- Control Crime 4- Prevent Aids 4- Prevent Aids 5- Reinvent Social Security 5- Reinvent Social Security 6- Design a Post-Cold War Military 6- Design a Post-Cold War Military 7- Make Education Affordable 7- Make Education Affordable

17. 13 Challenges Continued 8- Give Equal Rights to Gays 8- Give Equal Rights to Gays 9- Help End Homelessness 9- Help End Homelessness 10- Guarantee Freedom of Choice 10- Guarantee Freedom of Choice 11- Trim America’s Budget 11- Trim America’s Budget 12- Win Affordable Health Care 12- Win Affordable Health Care 13- Reform Our Politics 13- Reform Our Politics (Howe & Strauss, 1992)

18. The Boomer Paradox Boomers (roughly 43-60 year olds) believe strongly in the following: Boomers (roughly 43-60 year olds) believe strongly in the following: Loyalty Loyalty Seniority Seniority Hard work gets results Hard work gets results Success is earned Success is earned Their national heroes made a difference Their national heroes made a difference Competitive Competitive Question Authority Question Authority $$$$ $$$$

19. Baby Boomer Influences Suburbia Suburbia Television Television Watergate Watergate Civil Rights Civil Rights Heroes Heroes Sex, drugs and rock “n roll Sex, drugs and rock “n roll Vietnam Vietnam Key Word--- Optimistic

20. The Silent Generation (Traditionalists) Traditionalists (60 +) value…. Traditionalists (60 +) value…. Logic & Discipline Logic & Discipline Status Quo- don’t appreciate change Status Quo- don’t appreciate change Their legacy Their legacy Patriotism Patriotism Influenced by---- Great Depression, Roaring 20s, 3 Wars, G.I. Bill Key Word--- Loyal

21. So as SGA Leaders, What does this Mean??? Like, geography, ethnicity, religion, social economic status, family history, etc….. Age plays a part in campus diversity!!!!! An awareness of generational influences can contribute to better communication.