Miami University
Residential Service Learning
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
Residents of this coed hall engage in service projects and
volunteer opportunities throughout the year. The Residential
Service Learning community (RSL) for first-year and upperclass
students integrates academic pursuits and community service,
fosters learning about the larger social issues that are
driving the need for service, and defines service in terms
of social justice instead of charity.
Sources of funding
Office of Residence Life and New Student Programs
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: 1
Fulltime Probationary Faculty: 0
Fulltime Instructors: 0
Fulltime Retired Faculty: 0
Fulltime Adjunct Faculty: 0
Fulltime Graduate Students: 0
Fulltime Residence Hall Staff: 0
Parttime Tenured Faculty: 0
Parttime Probationary Faculty: 0
Parttime Instructors: 1
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: 0
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: 0
Parttime Non-Academic Staff: 0
Number of faculty offices in the residence hall: 1
The approximate percentage of students in each grade level
First Year: 85
Second Year: 15
Third Year: 0
Fourth Year and above: 0
Graduate Students: 0
Total Number of Students: 82
Year the Program Began:1994
Academic Courses Offered In The Community
EDL 171: Learning Through Service (non required, 1 credit hour)
taught in hall living room
Other Academic Offerings
Classrooms in hall
Summary of Facilities and Facilities Budget
Computer Resources in the Residence Hall
n/a
The Role of Community Partnerships
RSL has an ongoing relationship with several local service
groups working with low-income families, local schools, soup
kitchens, and a group that refurbishes apartments for low-
income families. Students are regular volunteers with these
groups throughout the year.
The Role of Leadership Development
The Role of Research
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 of
student satisfaction with their living/learning environment
was conducted in all residence halls in the spring.
Summary of Extracurricular Activities Formally Associated with the Program
The Role of Interdisciplinary Studies
How Diversity Issues are Addressed in the Program and in Courses
How Diversity Issues are Addressed Among Faculty and Students
In working with various service organizations, students are
confronted with issues of class, race, and age. Staff work
with students to discuss these issues of diversity and help
students learn more about people different than themselves.
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:
Greatest Challenges for this Learning Community:
Holding students accountable for voluntary commitments.
Suggested Bibliography