Students Lay Out a Format for Student Success during SIU System’s Conversation of Understanding
Academically doing your best, utilizing campus resources, getting involved and finding support groups are behaviors that lead to student success, according to a panel of Southern Illinois University (SIU) System students.
Seven students, undergraduates and graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, shared their expertise and experiences during SIU System’s Conversation of Understanding (COU) on Monday, Feb. 26.
The session was moderated by Sheila Caldwell, EdD, SIU System vice president for anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion (ADEI). SIU System President Dan Mahoney, PhD, was also part of the panel discussion: “No Decision About Us Without Us: Students Perspectives on Student Success.”
Student speakers included:
- Rushma Baskota, SIUC, Center for International Education and Representative of Student International Council
- Sarah Alli-Brown, SIUC, Black Affairs Council Board
- Lauren Harris, SIUE, SIU Board Student Trustee
- Taylor Lawrence, SIUC, University Housing Resident Assistant
- Tyler Lawrence, SIUC, Dawg Pound Chief of Operations
- Victor Ludwig, SIUC, SIU Board Student Trustee
- Caleb Sewell, SIUE, Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR) Graduate Assistant
“Getting good grades and obtaining your degree are important,” said Alli-Brown. “But what is also significant is making sure you are using the resources available to you on campus. All these things will help with student success.”
Tyler Lawrence agreed that succeeding academically is critical, but he also mentioned the significance of becoming involved in student and campus organizations and holding leadership positions within those groups.
“Being able to meet Chancellor (Austin) Lane and have a student-mentor relationship with him has been so beneficial,” said Taylor Lawrence (Tyler’s twin). “My brother and I have also had the privilege of interacting with President Mahony, and he has been very supportive.”
“None of us are successful on our own,” Caldwell illuminated. “You need to surround yourself with a supportive network.”
Caldwell’s next question to the panel dealt with gains as it relates to student success initiatives on the various campuses.
“I’d like to see more diversified ways of learning,” said Harris. “When I was 21, I was diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and learned that I don’t learn the same way as everyone else. It would be good to have more opportunities, whether that be in tutoring sessions, supplementary instruction and more, where there are different ways for students to learn.”
Another question Caldwell had for the panel dealt with the sense of belonging.
“What has been beneficial for me are having spaces on campus outside of the classroom that are centered on inclusion,” said Sewell. “Having spaces, initiatives and resource centers of inclusion that are focused on our identities can disrupt feelings of isolation. This lets students know they are supported outside of academics.”
“In what ways could the college improve the flexibility of course offerings to better accommodate your educational goals and scheduling needs?” asked Caldwell.
“I work 30 hours a week on top of being a student trustee, doing community activism and trying to make A’s in every class,” said Ludwig. “It’s difficult. Then there’s the financial reality that I must keep a roof over my head and food in my stomach.”
“I’ve had a lot of conversations with non-traditional students, students who have people and families that they are financially responsible for,” Ludwig continued. “Have flexible course offerings and allow people to get through this experience in a way that will work for them. We also need a way for students to explore. Introducing proactive pass/fail courses will do that. Lengthen the window in which assignments can be finished. Also, have a wider array of support services that are open outside of the regular business hours and days.”
When it came to questions on improving the financial picture for students, the responses were quick and heartfelt.
“It has been a big issue for international students,” said Baskota, who is from Nepal. “International students are only allowed to work on campus and can only work 20 hours a week, even in the summer when they have fewer classes. It’s not enough time, but students are doing it.”
Caldwell referenced some of the student assistance programs on the campuses. Mahony noted how both SIUE and SIUC have raised the income threshold for the SIU Commitment, which covers all of the tuition and mandatory fees for students who qualify. Prior to this year, tuition was covered for students coming from families with an income below $63,575 and assets below $50,000.
“Both chancellors have changed their campuses commitment levels,” noted Mahony. “Edwardsville has raised the income thresholds for the SIU Commitment to $113,575 and Carbondale has raised it to $103,040.”
How can the campuses empower students and ensure that their input is considered in the decision-making progress?
SIUC and SIUE Trustees fielded the question with the following suggestions. Ludwig recommended giving students autonomous decision-making power.
“Don’t just push students and their ideas aside,” said Harris. “Listen genuinely to students and student leaders.”
Conversations of Understanding have become a fixture across the SIU System’s individual campuses. They are a series of exchanges where students, alumni, faculty, staff and the broader SIU communities can share their experiences and thoughts on a variety of themes related to antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion. SIU aspires to be a model for others in higher education and be recognized as a leader in the southern Illinois region and beyond for fostering understanding of relevant contemporary issues.
The Southern Illinois University System enriches students and diverse communities through inclusive excellence, experiential education and innovation. The system creates and shares knowledge that enables stakeholders to achieve their full potential, serves as an economic catalyst for the region and state, and advances global change, opportunities and social justice. Over the course of the last 150 years, the SIU campuses have grown from humble beginnings to be recognized as ever-expanding centers for learning and research. During that time, SIU Carbondale and SIU Edwardsville have developed into the core of a modern university system that provides learning opportunities to more than 27,000 students.
Photo:
Students from SIUC and SIUE offered their views during an SIU System Conversations of Understanding panel, “No Decision About Us Without Us: Students Perspectives on Student Success.” Top row left to right: Sarah Alli-Brown, Rushma Baskota and Lauren Harris. Bottom row left to right: Victor Ludwig, Caleb Sewell, Taylor Lawrence and Tyler Lawrence.