Allegheny Student Government

I think that it's an interesting idea, though I'm not sure that I understand what exactly is meant by dedicating days specifically to "advisorship," or that other students would be particularly interested in spending a day off hearing about other peoples' comps.

I think that it might be interesting to take the idea of protected days and somehow incorporate them into the themes that are already in place for that year, as opposed to coming up with individual themes for each day.

Maybe during the Year of Health, for example, we could have used one or two days each semester to invite every student on a hike followed by a healthy/organic all-Allegheny picnic outside of Brooks. Or, during the Year of Social Change, we could choose one or two days per semester to invite the entire campus to participate in one or more service projects or day-long events centered around the theme.

So I do think that there's potential to the idea...but I think that it would have to be executed correctly in order to get people to actually to attend. The reality is that we don't get too many days off at Allegheny. So if we want people to actually be active on a "day off," then the planned activities/events would have to be pretty compelling for students to opt to participate (rather than to catch up on sleep or work).

If faculty incorporated the activities/events of the protected days into their classes, then I think that students would be more likely to participate (as we would view it as something that we HAD to do). Or, if the events were interesting, entertaining, or engaging in some way, then I think that students might be more likely to choose to participate on their own.

As one of the people who plans the Senior Project Celebration, I would love that. Many faculty members can't make it to the celebration because of classes. It would be extremely beneficial for underclass students to see what a great senior project looks like in their major/department. Other institutions do this for their Senior Project Celebrations so the institution can recognize those graduating seniors who were really the "best of the best" on their comps.

I think that this is a great idea, too. I wanted to see some presentations this year, but I had no idea whether I was even allowed to attend. To have a day set aside for that would be great for underclassmen.

I'm not so sure about the other days, however. I agree with Zack that the events would have to be mandatory (or, perhaps, we could have some coercive policy to ensure participation?) or else really, really attractive to get people to attend rather than sleep in or catch up on work. However, I think it is "doable" so to speak.

In theory, I think the days off are a good idea. I agree with Lynn and Evan - when I was at Allegheny, I wanted to see some of the comp presentations as a first, second, and third year, but the way they were set up, I felt some awkwardness about fully participating, and so I didn't. And I'm with Zack in not understanding what "advisorship" means.

I think the big thing to consider prior to implementation is the perception of the idea, specifically whether or not community members understand what is being done with these days off. The theme would need to be very carefully chosen, otherwise community members might be confused regarding the whole thing.

And finally, I agree with the sentiment that faculty might need to exert some leverage on students in order for them to participate at the level that would make this program a definite success.

There is one activity that is not popular but is very important for keeping the College on course - for finding out whether our actions are having the desired effect -- assessment. Those surveys that the College does on a regular basis. This is not going to meet Zack's requirement that the activity be compelling for the individual participant, but it has a compelling value for the community.

There is one College that sets aside an "Assessment Day" each year when faculty, students and staff have time to (and are expected to) participate in both taking benchmark surveys and, if they want, participating in discussions about whether the College is meeting its goals. It is an annual opportunity for those who are interested to re-acquaint themselves with the strategic plan and have input on its implementation.

Hello Allegheny Friends!
I am thinking about the Collegiate Leadership Conference (CLC) today. I started thinking about it more in relation to this topic after I read Zack's post. I am interested in the Year of Social Change, and perhaps the three days could be planned during CLC so that students continue discussing the ideas that they develop at this conference for three days throughout the year.
It is true that not all students have the privilege of attending CLC, but this way students will have the chance to participate three days during the year. We often talk about collaboration at CLC, and develop extravagant ideas that don't always develop once classes begin and students become absorbed in all the other programs offered. These three days could ensure that all the ideas we discuss at CLC are carried out and offered to the entire student body and local community. Any thoughts?

I think this is a great idea. I feel as though a lot of students get so caught up with their school work and all their various activities, that often times students don't step back and look at other resources Allegheny has to offer. I love the idea of an day for advising, and maybe even a day career services could sponsor? I know personally if classes were canceled I would definitely have time in my schedule to attend these events, and if enough advertising was done I feel as though there would be a large turn out. Extra credit given in some classes for attendance would serve as extra initiative for students to attend as well.
I also really liked the idea of senior comp presentations. Seniors work so hard on these, and its a shame that the campus doesn't do much to honor these students and really highlight what they are doing. I know some individual departments host senior comp presentation events, but getting the whole campus involved would be more beneficial overall.
I think this would be a great way to also let students know about the year of social change at Allegheny, because I know personally not many students even know that Allegheny has underlying themes for each school year!

I think this is a great idea. I feel as though a lot of students get so caught up with their school work and all their various activities, that often times students don't step back and look at other resources Allegheny has to offer. I love the idea of an day for advising, and maybe even a day career services could sponsor? I know personally if classes were canceled I would definitely have time in my schedule to attend these events, and if enough advertising was done I feel as though there would be a large turn out. Extra credit given in some classes for attendance would serve as extra initiative for students to attend as well.
I also really liked the idea of senior comp presentations. Seniors work so hard on these, and its a shame that the campus doesn't do much to honor these students and really highlight what they are doing. I know some individual departments host senior comp presentation events, but getting the whole campus involved would be more beneficial overall.
I think this would be a great way to also let students know about the year of social change at Allegheny, because I know personally not many students even know that Allegheny has underlying themes for each school year!

I was just surfing the net when I found this blog. I hope it's okay for me to post a comment. Well, here it goes:

I think it would be a fantastic idea to have "protected days"! One of the main reasons why students come to Allegheny is the Senior Comprehensive Project, but it's a shame that current students are restricted from enjoying the hard work many of the seniors would like to share due to classes. There were times I wanted to support my graduating friends and see their comp presentations, but I needed to attend class. I think a special day off for comps would promote a nice tradition here at the college! Also, as a tour guide, I think a special day off to see the comps would be an extremely interesting experience for prospective students, for they get to see first-hand the outcome of the comps. It would also leave an impression on them how much we care about the Senior projects as a community (because we really DO care, if not for others then at least for ourselves). This also goes with any other protected days - these are wonderful opportunities for our campus to come together for a specific value we generally share. Again, prospective students and families will be able to witness just how much our college really does care about different issues that tour guides and admissions counselors preach about time after time.

I was just surfing the net when I found this blog. I hope it's okay for me to post a comment. Well, here it goes:

I think it would be a fantastic idea to have "protected days"! One of the main reasons why students come to Allegheny is the Senior Comprehensive Project, but it's a shame that current students are restricted from enjoying the hard work many of the seniors would like to share due to classes. There were times I wanted to support my graduating friends and see their comp presentations, but I needed to attend class. I think a special day off for comps would promote a nice tradition here at the college! Also, as a tour guide, I think a special day off to see the comps would be an extremely interesting experience for prospective students, for they get to see first-hand the outcome of the comps. It would also leave an impression on them how much we care about the Senior projects as a community (because we really DO care, if not for others then at least for ourselves). This also goes with any other protected days - these are wonderful opportunities for our campus to come together for a specific value we generally share. Again, prospective students and families will be able to witness just how much our college really does care about different issues that tour guides and admissions counselors mention time after time.

You mean, like a second springfest? Okay.

I should have agree with Afsaneh samari. Protected days just sound great!

I second Lynn's opinion. As a sophomore I would really like to get a look at senior's comps to know what I will be getting into.