Baylor University
Outdoor Adventure Living-Learning Center
Address: One Bear Place # 97313
City: Waco
State: TX
Zip or Postal Code: 76798
Country: USA
Program Director (or best person to contact): Matthew C. Bates
Email: Matthew_C_Bates@baylor.edu
Phone: 254-710-4016
Fax: 254-710-3418
Web Address: www.baylor.edu/oallc
Brief Program Summary
Our mission statement is: "To provide like-minded students an opportunity for personal growth, intellectual stimulation and leadership skills through outdoor adventure experiences." Students in the program have one class together each semester. This class will prepares student for the outdoor adventures that they will go on throughout the year and even beyond college. In addition to this class, students go on trips throughout the year and have the opportunity to hear from speakers once a month. While all activities of the OA-LLC have educational components, some activities of the LLC also focus on the social, service, leadership and spiritual aspects of a student's life.
Sources of funding
The professional staff is funded through our School of Education - Heath Human Performance and Recreation – Recreation and Leisure Services Department. The funding for our programming comes directly from a fee we charge students in the program each semester.
Program Reports To:
Health, Human Performance and Recreation;
Campus Living and Learning;
Outdoor Adventure – Campus Recreation
Are students charged an additional fee: Yes
The number of persons in each of the following categories are teaching academic credit bearing courses
Fulltime Tenured Faculty:
Fulltime Probationary Faculty:
Fulltime Instructors: 1
Fulltime Retired Faculty:
Fulltime Adjunct Faculty:
Fulltime Graduate Students: 1
Fulltime Residence Hall Staff:
Parttime Tenured Faculty: 2
Parttime Probationary Faculty:
Parttime Instructors: 1
Parttime Retired Faculty:
Parttime Adjunct Faculty:
Parttime Graduate Students:
Parttime Residence Hall Staff:
Academic staff involved in the program that weren't included as faculty above
(Academic staff are personnel who are involved in providing academic services to students such as advising.)
Fulltime Academic Staff:
Parttime Academic Staff:
Non-academic staff involved in the program
(Non-academic staff are personnel who are involved in providing services that do not directly involve academics such as residence hall staff or staff who organize social activities that are not tied to academics.)
Fulltime Non-Academic Staff: 1
Parttime Non-Academic Staff: 3
Number of faculty offices in the residence hall:
The approximate percentage of students in each grade level
First Year: 75
Second Year: 20
Third Year: 5
Fourth Year and above:
Graduate Students:
Total Number of Students: 24
Year the Program Began:2007
Academic Courses Offered In The Community
Outdoor Adventure Activities – 3 hours – Required
Outdoor Certification – 3 hours - Required
Other Academic Offerings
Classrooms in hall
1
Summary of Facilities and Facilities Budget We have access to our Student Life Center with a rock wall and ample backpacking supply room. We also have access to the HHPR backpacking gear supply.
Computer Resources in the Residence Hall
Checkout laptops available at the front desk
The Role of Community Partnerships
None at this time aside from a loose relationship with our local Parks and Recreation Department
The Role of Leadership Development
Students that desire to continue their experience another year (or two) may apply for our Leadership Team. Those participating in the Leadership team will gain valuable experience leading trips with the current class, residence halls, and organizations. We train them thoroughly in outdoor skills and leadership.
The Role of Research
None at this time.
Summary of Assessment Activities
We have basic reviews completed by the students yearly on their exit.
Summary of Extracurricular Activities Formally Associated with the Program
We have roughly a trip a month in backpacking, camping, hiking, mountain biking, road biking, fly fishing, caving, sea kayaking, whitewater kayaking, and many more.
The Role of Interdisciplinary Studies
None
How Diversity Issues are Addressed in the Program and in Courses
Being a voluntary program we allow all to apply and do not discriminate who joins the program. We are planning community outreach programs in the future to benefit the town as a whole beyond our current focus.
How Diversity Issues are Addressed Among Faculty and Students
Student Demographics
Faculty Rewards for Participation in the Program
Release Time:
Salary Supplement:
Travel Funds:
Other:
Description of Other Rewards
Disciplines Represented by the Faculty
Willing to Serve as a Consultant:
Yes
Greatest Challenges for this Learning Community:
To be able to grow and reach the most number of students without compromising safety or the community that comes from a small group of students.
Suggested Bibliography
We rely upon the Outdoor Leadership model of Bruce Martin and Mark Wagstaff in their book Outdoor Leadership: Theory and Practice, especially their model of core competencies.