Like many students across the country, the cost of higher education is a big issue for students at Baldwin Wallace. Being able to afford tuition, room, board, and all the extras that go along with attending college (like books, staying over breaks, cocurricular experiences, etc.) is a huge stressor. A lot has changed since my college days at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the mid-70s. Tuition has increased more than 260% since the 1970s. The average student graduating in 2018 will leave college with almost $30,000 in debt (as reported by Emmie Martin in a story for CNBC’s “Make It”). I know a number of students who work two jobs or work on and off campus in order to afford college. Most college students are forced to work at part-time jobs that pay minimum wage. Being a full-time student and working 20-30 hours per week adds an emotional strain and can hinder classroom success or campus involvement in some cases.
There are a lot of things that make BW unique! First, we are proud of our strong sense of community: whether you are a member of our student population, staff, or faculty, you are a part of our “Yellow Jacket for Life” (YJ4L) family. BW students take this sentiment out into the local community and world. Around 40% of our students spend time studying abroad, either for a semester or for a shorter period of time with a faculty-led trip. This provides our students with real-life experiences that increase their personal awareness about the world around them and not just local issues. In addition to students studying abroad, BW offers a large number of service trips within and outside of the United States. I have been able to serve as an advisor on a number of trips with BW students. These experiences have always been personally rewarding and, more importantly, life changing. Thanks to my participation in these trips, I have a greater appreciation for service, compassion for others, and pride in our BW community.
Baldwin Wallace University has a number of wonderful traditions on campus. My overall favorite is BW Culture Night, an annual event when we celebrate the traditions of BW’s diverse student body. The event includes a student organization cultural fair, live student performances, and different cuisine from all corners of the world. During my time at BW, I have been an attendee, volunteer, and committee member; this year, I will chair the 22nd Culture Night, which is scheduled for Friday, November 15, 2019. The event is open to all BW students, faculty and staff, and the Berea community for free. Last year a group of students from Hiram College attended the event and had a great time. It is great to see so many people coming together to celebrate culture and learn something new.
The late-night phone calls are the most challenging because no one calls you with exciting news after hours. Spending an evening in the emergency room with a student who consumed too much alcohol or a student experiencing a mental health crisis can be emotionally draining. Over the years I have seen an increase in the number and severity of these types of incidents. I feel for our counseling staff and our residence life staff, because they can be overwhelmed with students in crisis. With each passing year, we spend more time training our professional and undergraduate staff in crisis management and supporting students of concern. Unfortunately, I do not see this changing in the future. When thinking of this challenging part of our work, a quotation by Les Brown comes to mind: “Our ability to handle life’s challenges is a measure of our strength of character.” Without a doubt, student affairs – and specifically residence life – is a character-building profession.
WHO'S NEXT?
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