As part of a series of focus groups I recently conducted at a residential college, I asked student participants what forces were most influential in shaping campus culture. Most of the students gave answers that anyone who has spent much time on college campuses would have predicted: academic rigor, alcohol, residential life, athletics, geographic location, and independent social groups (fraternities, sororities, social houses, etc.). Likewise, many cited dimensions of personal identity such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion. And a few talked about the impact of technology and the role of social media in particular. In the end, though, a one-word answer provided by a single student was the one that most stood out to me: inertia.
Inertia. Indeed.
I have thought of that student and his response several times in the months since. To be sure, in the context of the project on which I was working, his answer provided valuable insight into the influences that shape campus culture. But what strikes me about the idea of institutional inertia is broader and more complex than its relationship to a particular project at one college.
Rather, as I think about the challenges facing schools and colleges to provide a broad-based and meaningful student learning experience, the concept of inertia – retained velocity along a determined path unless acted upon by an external force – is especially interesting. The notion of constant forward motion serves as a reminder that educational institutions are products of their own past; often significantly shaped by history and tradition. As such, effecting change is usually a function of influencing evolution rather than wholesale reinvention. But institutions can be steered via intentional actions taken by thoughtful, purpose-driven leaders. In other words, we can provide the external force needed to influence the future paths our schools and colleges will follow.
With more than 30 years of experience in leadership positions at top tier residential colleges, I believe intentional student life programs are an essential component of a holistic education that prepares students to be thoughtful consumers and producers of knowledge, ethical leaders, and engaged world citizens. During my time as vice president and dean at Colby College, I saw a huge surge in the scope and volume of student needs, increasing pressure to enhance the student experience through co-curricular programs, rapid expansion of campus crises, and unprecedented levels of public scrutiny.
The problem is not a shortage of good ideas or a lack of effective leadership. Based on my own experience and many conversations with deans, college presidents, and heads of school – I have come to believe that effective student life management requires a greater level of expertise and breadth of institutional knowledge than the prevailing model can adequately provide or sustain over time. Rather, to meet increasing student needs, expand and improve crucial programmatic initiatives, and manage the growing number of campus crises and critical incidents, student life programs need to be more efficient and get more value from the resources at their disposal. Put simply, a new approach is needed.
I started James Terhune Consulting (JTC) to help fill the growing gaps facing schools and colleges. My objective is to help institutional leaders bridge the widening gulf between increasing demands and available resources with a range of services specifically designed to support student development programs.
Going forward, successful student life programs will need partners who are experienced, skilled, adaptable, affordable, and committed. My goal is to work closely with schools and colleges to create a new model for student affairs that expands institutional capacity, controls costs, and enriches the student experience.
My intention is to use this blog to address, and promote robust discussion of important topics impacting schools, colleges, and the student experience. To that end, I encourage you to subscribe to the JTC blog and urge you to use the comments section to share your thoughts and raise issues of interest to you. Thanks for reading, be well, and come back often.