Miami University

Mosaic: Individuality and Diversity



Address: 227 Warfield Hall
City: Oxford
State: OH
Zip or Postal Code: 45056
Country:
Program Director (or best person to contact): Jackie Elcik
Email: elcikj@muohio.edu
Phone: (513) 529-4000
Fax: (513) 529-1846
Web Address:

Brief Program Summary
In collaboration with the College of Arts and Science, Mosaic explores individuality, diversity, and how the two coexist in an intellectually rich environment. This community offers a diverse and supportive environment for students interested in learning about people with cultures and lifestyles different than their own.

Sources of funding
Office of Residence Life and New Student Progrms Honors Program

Program Reports To:


Are students charged an additional fee: No

The number of persons in each of the following categories are teaching academic credit bearing courses
Fulltime Tenured Faculty: 0
Fulltime Probationary Faculty: 0
Fulltime Instructors: 0
Fulltime Retired Faculty: 0
Fulltime Adjunct Faculty: 0
Fulltime Graduate Students: 0
Fulltime Residence Hall Staff: 1

Parttime Tenured Faculty: 24
Parttime Probationary Faculty: 0
Parttime Instructors: 0
Parttime Retired Faculty: 0
Parttime Adjunct Faculty: 0
Parttime Graduate Students: 0
Parttime Residence Hall Staff: 0

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: 1
Parttime Academic Staff: 0

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: 0
Number of faculty offices in the residence hall: 0
The approximate percentage of students in each grade level
First Year: 0
Second Year: 90
Third Year: 10
Fourth Year and above: 0
Graduate Students: 0

Total Number of Students: 150

Year the Program Began:97

Academic Courses Offered In The Community
IDS 151 (Required for program) (1 hr) Diversity Seminar IDS 159 (3) Strength through Cultural Diversity BWS 186 (1) Identity Interchange ENG 111 (3) College Composition (req. for university liberal arts degree) ENG 112 (3) Composition and Literature (req. for university liberal arts degree) All these classes are taught in the residence hall.

Other Academic Offerings


Classrooms in hall


Summary of Facilities and Facilities Budget n/a

Computer Resources in the Residence Hall
n/a

The Role of Community Partnerships
n/a

The Role of Leadership Development
We develop leadership in students through cross-cultural communication, building leaders for the diverse world of the future.

The Role of Research
The full-time residence life staff person conducts a progam evaluation measuring the program's impact and effects on students through videotapes and journals kept during the six week IDS 151 Diversity Seminar.

Summary of Assessment Activities
All themed residence halls at Miami conducted assessments in the fall semester on the general interests and needs of the students in the community as well as their motivations for joining the program. A more general assessment was done on the living/learning experience of all students in residence halls.

Summary of Extracurricular Activities Formally Associated with the Program
Weekly service in the community. Weekly coffeehouse. Former students in the program participate in a mentoring program with firstyear students.

The Role of Interdisciplinary Studies
n/a

How Diversity Issues are Addressed in the Program and in Courses
Diversity is addressed as a multi-faceted subject--not just race, but many different components of an individual's culture and background. We focus on communication, discussion, and getting to know more about others' backgrounds and cultures through coursework, interaction, and programs.

How Diversity Issues are Addressed Among Faculty and Students
see above

Student Demographics
none

Faculty Rewards for Participation in the Program
Release Time:
Salary Supplement:
Travel Funds:
Other:

Description of Other Rewards


Disciplines Represented by the Faculty
Most of the disciplines in the College of Arts and Science ...Communications, Black World Studies, Women's Studies, Microbiology, Zoology, and many more

Willing to Serve as a Consultant:


Greatest Challenges for this Learning Community:
Creating a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable discussing themselves and their background/culture as well as learning about others.

Suggested Bibliography