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Preview Advisor Notebook - 2008
Living Learning Communities

Download Living Learning Communities

Download Key Contact Info

Index

Center for Advising & Student Achievement (CASA)
Living Learning Communities
Colorado State University

2008 Summary

Taé Nosaka
Assistant Director, Key Communities
Work Phone: (970) 491-6042
Work Cell: (970) 689-1260 (best number to reach me)
Email: Tae.Nosaka@colostate.edu
Main Office: 101 Aylesworth Hall NE
(Out on maternity leave sometime soon)

Jess Burge
Coordinator, Key Service Community
Work Phone: (970) 491-2243
Email: Jess.Burge@colostate.edu
Main Office: 100 Aylesworth Hall NE
Preview Office: 126 Braiden Hall NW (12:00noon – 1:00pm on Day 2)

Jessica Klingsmith
Coordinator, Key Academic Community
Work Phone: (970) 491-5663
Email: Jessica.Klingsmith@colostate.edu
Main Office: 102 Aylesworth Hall NE
Preview Office: 125 Braiden Hall NW (12:00noon – 1:00pm on Day 2)
(back from maternity leave June 23)

Brittany Eskridge
Preview Coordinator
Work Phone: (970) 491-6407
Email:  Brittany.Eskridge@colostate.edu
Main Office: 106 Aylesworth Hall NE
Preview Office: 125 Braiden Hall NW (12:00noon-1:00pm on Day 2)

Brian Hayes
Student Coordinator, Key Communities
Main Office: 100 A Aylesworth Hall NE
Preview Office: 125 and 126 Braiden NW

Sara Gacnik
Key Mentor, Key Academic Community
Main Office: 100 A Aylesworth Hall NE
Preview Office: 125 and 126 Braiden NW

Meredith Dickinson
Student Coordinator, Key Communities
Main Office: 100 A Aylesworth Hall NE
Preview Office: 125 and 126 Braiden NW

CASA Learning Community Organizational Chart

Learning Communities @ CASA

Description: The Key Academic Community is a first-year living learning community of up to 190 students living together in Braiden Hall and co-enrolling in cluster courses in groups of 19. Students who participate in the Key Academic Community have the opportunity to build connections with faculty and staff, live with a close-knit group of students who share the values of the community, and develop leadership skills through campus and community programs. Key students are dedicated to high standards for academic performance combined with the support and resources needed for success, an appreciation for diversity and involvement in campus activities.
Primary Values: Academics, Leadership, Diversity, Service and Community
Course Cluster Structure: 10 thematically integrated course clusters (3 classes) anchored by an Interdisciplinary Seminar (KEY 192).
Student Population/Demographics: Currently, the Key Academic Community serves 190 diverse first-year students who applied and were selected to participate.
Staffing: 1 full-time Coordinator position plus the 10 Key Academic Mentors.

Selected Outcomes:
• Program participants are more likely to be retained to the second year than the University average.  The difference is greatest for students of color (6.5 percentage points) and nonresidents (12.2 percentage points).

• Participants earn higher grade point averages for the fall term than the University average.  The pattern for spring term is mixed.

Student-Reported Outcomes:

• 98% of the 2005-2006 Key participants indicated that they planned to return to CSU the following year
• 95% of the 2005-2006 Key participants agreed that they interacted with students from backgrounds different from their own
• 77% of the 2005-2006 Key participants had opportunities to learn about other cultures by participating in Key
• At the end of the fall 2005 semester, 87% of Key students were satisfied with their decision to participate and 90% of Students of Color were satisfied with their decision to participate
• Key Academic and Key Service Community students outperformed non-Key participants in terms of average GPA for the Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 semesters:

Student Statements

Staffing: 1 full-time Coordinator plus 8 Key Service Mentors and 1 undergraduate Work-Study.
Selected Outcomes Related to Retention, Academic Performance and Student Satisfaction:

• 75% of the 2005-2006 Key Service Community students planned to return to CSU the following year
• At the end of the fall 2005 semester, 87% of Key Service students were satisfied with their decision to participate in the community: 90% of Students of Color were satisfied
• 97% of students agreed that they had opportunities to interact with students from backgrounds different from their own
• By the end of the spring semester, 93% of students reported having participated in an active and experiential learning opportunity through having completed a service-learning project.  100% of students reported having gained diversity awareness through cross-cultural learning. 
• Participants in the program’s first year earned higher grade point averages in both the first and second terms as compared to the University average.

Description: The Key Plus community is an optional sophomore year program for students who participated in either the Key Academic Community or Key Service Community. Key Plus is still an academically focused living learning community at Colorado State University, but works more closely with students to develop strong leadership skills. Key Plus is an honorary opportunity with limited spaces. Students must apply and be selected to participate in the program. Students are required to enroll in the Key Plus Leadership Class (IU 272: Leadership in Higher Education) during the fall semester. Key Plus is the next step that provides an enriched educational and social environment.
Primary Values: Leadership, Academics, Service, Diversity
Course Cluster Structure: Students enroll in IU272: Leadership in Higher Education, a 3-credit leadership development course co-facilitated by Academic Advisors at the Center for Advising & Student Achievement.
Demographics: Currently, the Key Plus Community serves 24 second-year students who reside together in Braiden Hall. Students must apply and be accepted into the community.
Staffing: 1 Graduate Assistantship Coordinator plus 1 Key Plus Mentor.
Primary Outcomes:

• Key Plus students are retained to the third year at a rate 9.7 percentage points higher than the University average.
• 73.08% of Key Plus compared to 50% of their peers would recommend returning to campus for year two.
• 100% of the students agreed that since coming to college, they have learned about other racial/ethnic groups
• 96% agreed that Key Plus has allowed them to interact with students from backgrounds different from their own
• 83% agreed that Key Plus helped them to be more aware of activities to be involved on campus
• 88% agreed that they have had opportunities to develop their leadership skills
• 92% agreed that they were engaged on campus and in the community
• 95% agreed that they have had opportunities to participate in educational programs

Student Statements
The most beneficial thing about participating in the Key Plus Community was remaining with the incredible individuals I met in the Key Academic Community. I think we had a phenomenal bunch of students and they were always there to support me when I was going through issues. It was nice also to have a class with them and learn from the knowledge they had to share.
The most beneficial aspect of being in the Key Plus Community was being in the hall with such a diverse group of people.  I have to say that it really opened my eyes to a lot of different personalities and cultures –
 Living with the other students really created an unforgettable experience and sense of community.  
The most beneficial aspect(s) of participating in the Key Plus Community was having a support system within the hall.  I also enjoyed the community service that we did together.  Another thing I liked was the academic progress meetings because it is really nice to know what your grades are. I also liked having all the resources that were provided.
The most beneficial aspect of participating in Key Plus for me was being able to take advantage of the Key Plus Seminar class during the Fall semester.  I truly believe that the class provided me with a new and deeper on look towards leadership and who I am as a leader and overall individual.  I really appreciate the level to which the class was taken and feel that it was not only challenging but also very compelling in terms of pushing each and everyone of us as individuals to keep digging and search for what the true meaning is behind leadership and individuality.

Description: Network CSU is a living-learning community designed for first year students who want to explore the many majors and careers that CSU offers. Students live in Durward Hall and take a year long seminar class with a CASA liaison and a Career Center liaison to learn more about themselves and to discover what CSU has to offer. Network CSU offers support and provides a smooth transition for our exploring students.
Primary Values: Decision Making, Career and Major Exploration
Course Cluster Structure: 2 linked course clusters (2 classes), including an IU180/181 seminar paired with an AUCC course.
Demographics: Currently, the Network CSU Community serves 36 first-year students who reside together in Durward Hall. Students must apply and be accepted into the community.
Staffing: 1 full-time Coordinator
Primary Partnerships: CASA, Career Center, Housing & Dining Services, English, Psychology
Primary Outcomes:

• Network CSU students attained an average 2.97 GPA for the fall 2006 semester, which once again exceeds the university’s average for freshman. 
• The Network CSU community has contributed approximately 217 hours of community service in the Fall 2006 semester.
• In the Fall 2006 Mid-Semester Survey administered to NCSU students, 100% strongly agreed (75%) or agreed (25%) that they were satisfied with their decision to participate in NCSU.

Student Statements:

• In the first month of college, I was asked repeatedly everyday what I was majoring in.   All I was able to say was that I had interests but was still unsure about declaring my major.   It felt as if I was behind several steps from every other freshman that had a major declared.  It was not until I began the seminar with the Network Living Learning Community that I realized I was not behind at all.  Instead, having the opportunity to explore my career options was the best advantage I could have.  Through self assessments, presentations, articles, class discussions, and other career exploration methods, I am glad to say that I have made my decision about majors and feel very confident about it.” – Caro Banuelos
• “Students should participate in Network CSU to get a better understanding of not only the majors CSU has to offer, but whether or not that specific major is for them. As an out of state student I found this program beneficial because I was able to get to know my hall mates in such a short amount of time, and I feel like I have known these people for my whole life. Not only is it beneficial for those reasons, but also there are so many group study sessions we hold and are able to get different views and meaning on the materials we learn throughout the week.” – Sabina Moeller
• “I am participating in Network CSU because, as an undecided student, I obviously have questions about what to do in college. As a member of this community, I have a concrete resource as a place to get my questions answered.” – Jaime Claeys

 Proposed Key Community Structure (starting Fall 2008)
KEY COMMUNITIES

• Sponsored by the Center for Advising and Student Achievement (CASA)
• Learning communities located in Braiden Hall focused on active and experiential learning through interdisciplinary classes, service-learning, academic and career exploration, undergraduate research, and leadership development
• Separate application required. CASA: (970) 491-3658. www.key.casa.colostate.edu.

First Year Tracks
Key Academic Community

• An academically-focused community for 190 first year students who share the values of diversity appreciation, academic achievement, active involvement in classes and campus activities, and leadership development
• Co-enroll in three classes (Interdisciplinary Academic Clusters) with other residents in the community and take advantage of group study opportunities, leadership development, connections with faculty and staff, and living and learning in a diverse community
• Have fun while participating in a variety of activities on campus and in the local community, including Ram Serve, Diversity Conference, Movie Nights, Academic Success Workshops, Broomball, and the Campus Step Up Retreat.

Key Service Community

• A service-focused community for 150 first year students who share a desire for civic engagement, service, academic achievement, appreciation for diversity, and active involvement in the CSU and Fort Collins communities
• Co-enroll in two classes (Service-Learning Clusters) with fellow participants, take advantage of year-long service opportunities with a close-knit group of students, and build connections with faculty and community organizations
• Have fun while participating in a variety of activities on campus and in the local community, including Alternative Spring Break, Cans Around The Oval, Broomball, Diversity Conference, Academic Success Workshops, and CSUnity.

Sophomore Track

• A community (living on the sophomore Key floor in Braiden is optional) for second year students who participated in either the Key Academic or Key Service Community during their first year of college
• Students have the option of participating in one of three tracks: decision making related to majors and careers, leadership skills development, or conducting undergraduate research