Since Michigan State University made on-campus Neighborhoods a part of student life, students have been steadily taking advantage of all they have to offer. And it’s showing where it counts the most.
During the 2014-15 academic year, students who used the academic services the Neighborhoods provide had an average grade-point average of 3.3. That compares to an average of 2.9 among students who did not take advantage of the services.
In addition, the numbers of first-year students who were on academic probation were down – from 9.8 percent of the class last year to 9.4 this year.
Kristen Renn, associate dean for undergraduate studies and director for student success initiatives, said that while the numbers aren’t off the chart, they are significant.
“These numbers are trending in the right direction,” she said. “Say your GPA is 1.9 and you improve it to a 2.1. That could be the difference between keeping or losing your financial aid.”
MSU Neighborhoods is a new model for supporting student success, bringing together where students live and learn as well as other services they need. It focuses on five central themes: intercultural development, academic support, residential support, purpose and development and health and wellness.
The hub of the neighborhoods is the engagement center, which houses resources – from academic to social to health – in one central location. It is here that students gather not only to socialize, but to study, get academic assistance or even see a health care provider.
MSU’s five neighborhoods are made up of 27 residence halls, two apartment communities and 10 residential dining halls.
Here are two other programs offered through MSU’s Neighborhoods.
More than 1,300 first-year students have been designated Spartan Success Scholars. Now in its second year, the program helps students develop the academic, social and personal skills they need to succeed. The selected students work with peers, resident assistants and intercultural aides. Academic advisers and the Neighborhood engagement directors provide additional support to help the students’ transition to college life.
The Neighborhoods are partnering with the MSU Graduate School to train teaching assistants. While TAs – who teach thousands of students, including many first-year students – must know their academic disciplines, it’s also important they know how to promote student success among those students. This program helps prepare TAs to go into the faculty workforce with an awareness of the importance of undergraduate student success.
For more information on MSU Neighborhoods, visit http://neighborhoods.msu.edu/.