ASSESSING THE NEEDS AND DESIRES OF YOUR RESIDENTS The first step in programming, which is often over looked, is assessing the needs and desires of your residents. What are their majors, hobbies, interests or career goals? When are they available for programs? What are good days for short stress relieving programs and what is a good time for longer programs? Some of this information you can elicit through conversations with your residents or survey forms, while other information you need to figure out for yourself. Does you floor seem to lack leaders? Are some students in academic trouble? Why is it this way, and what can you do to help? As with most things, talking to your CA, Housefellow or co-workers can help you develop creative programming solutions. Also, consider handing out an survey to your residents to find out their interests and what kinds of programs they would like. GOAL SETTING Goal setting does not have to be a long or complicated process. Sometimes, it will be, but most of the time it will not. It is still an essential step of program planning. Just a few moments of thought about what you are trying to accomplish will make your program much more successful as well as make it easier to plan. If you are having trouble coming up with a specific goal for your program, the needs or desires of your residents can easily be modified to become your ultimate goal for the program. When your CA or HF asks you: "Why should Sudden Life pay for this program?" or when your residents ask "Why should I come to your program instead of studying or watching TV?," your goal will help you give a quick and persuasive answer. If you want additional information about goal setting for programming or your own personal use, see your Housefellow or CA. GENERATING IDEAS Once you have decided upon a goal for your program, you need to decide how you are going to accomplish it. There are numerous approaches to generating program ideas, but seeking advice, brainstorming and using past records are three of the most common. SEEKING ADVICE You can seek advice from your residents, your staff, your CA, past RAs, Sudden Life Professional Staff, Professors, Student Affairs Staff, friends from other institutions...the list goes on and on. BRAINSTORMING Brainstorming is a familiar process. You concentrate on your goal and list as many solutions as possible, WITHOUT judging the quality. When it comes to brainstorming, quantity is better than quality. You can judge ideas later. Below is a list of several hundred program ideas. This list is only a beginning. There are endless creative things that you and your residents can do. Use this list for ideas or as a jumping off point for your own ideas. CAREER/LIFE PLANNING CULTURE & DIVERSITY
EMOTIONAL
INTELLECTUAL
PHYSICAL
SEXUALITY
& SEXUAL COMMUNICATION
SOCIAL
SPIRITUAL
VALUE
Planning the "how to" of a program is important. While last minute, unplanned programs have their place, most programs will not be successful without careful planning. Sometimes it is actually better to reschedule a program at a later date rather than risking a sloppy program. Planning a program is simple when you use our Sudden Life Program Planning Form. This form helps you think about all the important aspects of program planning. There are many different modes of promotion. Pick the combination that works best for your audience and your program.
Make your own in the Resource Room or on the RA computer. Small number Xeroxing may be done in our office. Larger orders may require printing (see Requisition Form in the Money Section for more information). Make your own or for larger programs, enlist the help of a Sudden Life Designer by contacting your Housefellow. Advertise on the RA b-boards as well as other bb-boards that might pertain to your program. Free advertising is available in the 8 1/2 x 11. All you have to do is send Ed Delaney E-mail. The 81/2 x 11 comes out every Monday so get your information to him by the preceding Wednesday at noon. This paper reaches a large number of faculty and staff. Due to the expense, if you are interested in taking out an advertisement in the Tartan you should talk with your CA and Housefellow It is a good idea to contact the yearbook, when you are having a special event. Cheap, large, easy and effective. Paper and pain/markers are in the resource room. The sky is the limit - Be creative. Use chalk, notes in mail boxes, create a floor/building e-mail distribution list, set up a table...
The
Activities Board (AB Tech) - (8-2104)
Since there are charges for all of theses services, if you are interested in using AB Tech, Instructional Technology or Catering, see you CA and HF before ordering. The day of the event, make any last minute reminders. If your building has a DA, inform him or her about the location and time of the program, so they can help direct guests. At the program be sure to introduce and thank any guests, perhaps have everyone introduce themselves. Don't forget to RELAX and enjoy your good work. After your program, be sure to tie up all loose ends. Send thank you notes and bring in any receipts. Finally, evaluate and communicate. Be sure to follow up with your CA about how the program went. At you next staff meeting share how the program went. What would you do differently? What worked really well? Also remember to add your program to the Programming Data Base in the Resource Room so that we can build the database and other people can learn from your successes and failures. Co-planning and/or co-sponsoring a program is usually half the work and double the success. The following list of possible co-planners and co-sponsors is not exhaustive. Feel free to be creative and involve other campus groups or individuals in your programming efforts. Alumni Relations - (Lynn Defabio: 8-2060) The Alumni Relations Office can help you get alumni involved in your programming. The staff is open to all ideas and suggestions. Faculty Many faculty members are very interested in getting involved in the Residence Halls. Some faculty members are interested in purely social interactions, while other may want to share their thoughts, research or experiences with your residents. A list of interested faculty is available in the Residence Life Office Greek Organizations (Renée Camerlengo: 8-2142) Greek Organizations also plan programs. Fraternities and/or sororities may be interested in co-planning and/or co-sponsoring events. In addition to creating a stronger program, working together may help fraternity and sorority members meet new people, and allow your residents to get a flavor for Greek Life outside of a rush situation. (Student Dormitory Council): (8-2114) SDC acts as the primary contact between resident students and the Carnegie Mellon Administration. It offers any resident the unique opportunity to have an impact on their surroundings by getting involved with committees and projects or holding a leadership position. SDC participates in Spring Carnival and offers movies to the community every Saturday night. Encourage your residents to get involved with SDC. Your area should have, at least, one active SDC representative. Office of the Dean of Students (8-2075) The members of the Office of the Dean of Students are always interested in getting to know the resident student population, and in assisting with programming initiatives. Feel free to get them involved with any or all stages of your programming efforts. They also appreciate just being invited to attend to your finished product. Student Activities Office (8-8704) The Student Activities Office is involved with many of the major programming initiatives on campus including International Weekend, Festival Primavera, and Spring Carnival. The Student Activities Office has extensive experience in the programming realm and can be a useful resource for ideas, support, collaboration, and possibly funding. Student Organizations There
are over 100 student organizations all of which are potential program co-planners
and co-sponsors. A complete list of organizations and officers is available
from Student Activities.
There are three ways to pay for programming costs.
A Tartan Card is like a credit card. You can borrow your housefellow's Tartan Card and use it at any vendor that will take credit cards. You must turn in a receipt to your Housefellow. You must also make sure that tax is not charged. Receipt Reimbursements are useful for small or unplanned purchases. After you buy your item, save the receipt and submit it to your Housefellow with the Reimbursement Request Form. Again, it is essential that you submit reimbursements requisition immediately. End of the semester surprises can throw a whammy to an area's budget. All reimbursement requests are subject to the Housefellow's and CA's discretion, so get approval before you spend. There are two ways to make a purchase on campus. Retail establishments such as Printing, Book Store and Art Store, offer Requisition Forms. Other non-retail offices and groups such as Alumni Affairs, Student Affair, and SDC, rely upon journal entries. If you need to make an on-campus purchase, see your CR. | Quick Index | RA Home | Student Life | Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing, and remember the sky is the limit. What
have you done to promote community in your area?
What
have you done to promote academic and personal success in your area?
What
have you done to promote leadership in your area?
Any event promotes leadership if your residents help design and coordinate it!
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