Student Perspectives to Inform Student Affairs About Weaknesses, Possibilities and Strengths

The Division of Student Affairs has been learning from students through various listening and discussion sessions over this past academic year. In November we invited students from various cultural and affinity groups to "WPS" sessions where we asked them about the Division's weaknesses, possibilities, and strengths. 

"Throughout that month, we ended up hosting five sessions with students from a variety of identities," said Erin Butler, chief of staff for Student Affairs and co-leader of the WPS working group. "These sessions were all about finding out from students what the Division of Student Affairs is doing well and what we could do better. I'm so thankful they were willing to share about their experience." 

The working group then compiled the information gathered and shared it with all departments in Student Affairs. Those departments took that information and began working on ways to keep doing things that were working, stop doing things that were not and start doing things that would improve the student experience. "We are calling those our 'Keep, Start, Stops,'" Butler said. "We have created a poster that we are providing to all departments that they can display as a visual reminder." 

C.J. Mathis, director of TRIO Student Support Services and co-leader of the working group, was a U of A student 15 years ago and now works with students in the new Cordia Harrington  Center for Excellence.  

"Having been a part of these WPS sessions from the start, I've been able to see how much every department within the Division of Student Affairs is really committed to doing what they can to make our campus and the various spaces on campus welcoming and inclusive of all students," Mathis said. "I've already seen a few things that departments have done in response to some of the students' comments such as the MC (Multicultural Center) purchasing a rice cooker, UREC (University Recreation) offering programming targeted towards BIPOC students, and the Union taking down décor that was called out by some students as being offensive." 

In March we invited the students from all groups invited to participate in WPS sessions to discuss what we heard from them collectively and let them know what they could expect from the Division of Student Affairs going forward with the keep, start, stops. The students had more questions and there was great discussion about finding and sharing specific resources. 

"I think students should take away that people really do care, but most things don't change overnight," Mathis said. "Returning to campus after almost 15 years, I can say that things are happening on campus that I never dreamed would happen and I'm confident with the passion and leadership that we currently have, that things will continue to progress." 

Some examples of these "Keep, Start, Stops" are: 

Keep: 

• Creating employment opportunities for students of all backgrounds. 
• Providing opportunities for underrepresented students to come together for the sole purpose of connecting. 

Stop: 

• Using incorrect pronouns and microaggressions. 
• Creating spaces with gender binaries. 
• Tokenizing minoritized students and creating spaces where they feel "othered." 

Start 

• Offering more scholarship, employment, and mentorship opportunities for minority students. 
• Creating safe spaces for underrepresented students. 
• Facilitating opportunities for students to gather based on identities. 

"I believe that everything must start somewhere," Mathis said. "Although our offices and departments are sometimes siloed, students' experiences with the University of Arkansas aren't. Each student is having one U of A experience, so it's important that every member of our community be committed to the same values."