Final Report, June 12, 2006

Goal 5

Interpersonal effectiveness and an appreciation of diversity and differences, so that students can establish genuine, trusting, and honorable relationships within the broad family of humanity.

Activities:

The office in conjunction with various campus partners have presented diverse programs throughout the academic year that incorporated diverse themes such as, Hispanic Heritage, International Awareness Week, Festival of Lights, The Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Program, African American History, and Diversity Days .

Learning Objectives

Participants will gain awareness and knowledge of difference

Assessment Tools Used

Employing observation, individual feedback, and short questionnaires from the students and participants.

Assessment Results

The outcomes indicate that those who responded (N=77) to the questions regarding their attitude, knowledge, and learning reported (by checking, circling, and or verbal responses that they strongly agree) that their attitude, knowledge, or understanding had changed (N=75 or 98%) after attending the program.

Note: N=77 represent a sample of those who attended the programs

Faculty and staff who attended the programs indicated (by giving verbal feedback) that subject matter added new informational and perspectives to the topic.

The Longwood Citizen's Pledge to Fight Bigotry, and Intolerance (Martin Luther King Program 1/19/206)

• Over 600 students and others pledged to Fight Bigotry, and Intolerance

Base on my observations and the observations of others, there were some students whose attitudes, knowledge, or understanding had changed from their attendance.

A student Learning Outcome question was added to the survey for Spring 2006.

What one thing did you learn from attending this program?

Here are some of the responses (from two programs) to the question:

• that turbans are very long
• that they carry kirpan (a dagger) for religious purposes
• why they wear turbans
• about the religion of Sikhism
• the difference between Sikhism and Islam
• Sikhs are not Muslims
• the challenges that Sikhs face
• Sikhism is different from other faiths
• that most people wearing turbans in the US are not Muslims or Hindus
• that the British were not supportive of Jews during that period
• about the life of the speaker (Jay)
• that anti-Semitism is so strong
• that Jews had to pay to ride to the concentration camps
• that the yellow star had negative meaning in the camps
• about the Holocaust Museum
• that the color yellow can be used to single out any group
• that the world is my neighborhood
• where the word Ghetto came from
• how Jay escaped from the Nazis
• about the genesis of the Museum

Future Plans

The Office will continue to develop programs that present information in different formats and offer new perspectives on diversity. The office will modify how it uses email in order to obtain a better response rate to the learning questions.

A specific questionnaire for faculty members who send their students to the programs and a modified survey form for the attendees including their name (printed), email, and class/faculty member will be developed to capture better information and increase the response rate of students.

Student's hand writing was illegible and they often gave inaccurate addresses or no Longwood email. Additionally, students have not responded promptly to the questionnaire.

What things did you learn from the program will be added to all surveys for the next academic year.

Goal 6

Responsible citizenship, so that students can do their best in ways uniquely their own and are motivated to contribute to a better life for all through community participation and leadership.

Activity

The Director will advise and consult with the International Buddy Program, International students, and the International Studies Hall.

Learning Objectives

Students will gain knowledge or awareness of each others cultures.

Assessment Tools Used

Employing observation, feedback, and questionnaires for student participants (international and domestic) and program staff, (roommates and Buddies).

Assessment Results

International Students: French and English

The outcomes indicate that those who responded (N=17) to the questions regarding learning about the others culture, gaining new information, and increasing their understanding of each others culture reported (by checking, circling, and or verbal responses that they strongly agree) that they had changed their opinions, learned something new, and increased their understanding of each others culture. (N=9 or 53%)

N=2-5 (average of 3.5) 20% of this group were unsure if they gained new information and increased their understanding of each others culture

N=3-6 (average of 4.5) or 26 % responded that they did not gain any new information and did not increase their understanding of each others culture

• The French were more likely to stay in large groups inhibiting individual interactions with American students. The English students N=4 experienced several incidence that may have effected their learning outcomes and responses rates

What one thing did you learn from your interactions with students from another culture?

Here are some of the responses to the question:

• that I am able to adapt to others culture
• that I want to study and work overseas
• relationships
• about food
• that I am able to interact with other cultures
• that some peoples do not want to interact with my culture
• that I learned a bit about American culture
• that I don't like to live with a roommate
• that I am open minded and tolerant of different people
• that I am adaptable and easily accommodates to new cultures
• that your roommates may not want to interact with you
• that I can integrate myself into other cultures
• that I have the ability to adapt myself to other cultures
• that American students are not mature and can not take care of the room
• respect and sharing
• how considerate I am to others

International Students: Chinese

The outcomes indicate that those who responded (N=14) to the questions regarding learning about each others culture, gaining new information, and increasing their understanding of each others culture reported (by checking, circling, and or verbal responses that they strongly agree) that they had changed their opinions, learned something new, and increased their understanding of each others culture. (N=13.5 or 96%)

• The Chinese students were more open to interacting with a broad range of students. Additionally, various students and groups were committed to sharing various aspect of their culture.

What one thing did you learn from your interactions with students from another culture?

Here are some of the responses to the question:

* that I have improved my English and communication with foreigners
* that I learned more about English and American culture
* that I learned about international economics and social problems
* that I need to be careful about culture
* that communication is very important
* that I can talk with American teachers
* that American thinking is not bad
* what America is like
* how to deal with foreigners
* how to study aboard
* more effective and deep feelings
* that I am independent and can study by myself
* team work and confidence
* food and communications
* be polite and be patient

International Buddy Program Participants and American Roommates

The participants in the Buddy Program and the American roommates of the international students were telephoned for their feedback. Both groups felt that they had positive learning experiences and they wanted to continue during the next academic term.

I observed positive interactions with the Buddies during the trips to Washington, DC, Virginia Commonwealth University Intercultural Festival and Virginia Beach.

Program Staff

Verbal feedback from the two Program Assistants felt that they had learned a great deal from working with both the Chinese and the American Buddies.

• how to resolve conflict
• how to work with the Longwood administration
• how to work with various cultural groups
• how to be patient
• how demanding this type of work can be

Future Plans

I will develop a survey form for both groups (Buddies and roommates) to ascertain what they have learned for their experiences with the international students.