The Challenge.– Social distance and status differences within the ME community limit the sense of belongingness and may negatively affect desirable student outcomes. The social distance among ME community members comes with real costs to academic outcomes and potentially department productivity.
The Outcome.– ME is characterized by a number of informal spaces that promote more informal, social conversations. Students, faculty and staff have more opportunities to share ideas (and food). these spaces represent represent ‘neutral’ turf with no department ownership. People get to know each other as people.
Pathfinder Projects.
- Pathfinder 1: Create Rewire ME, a structured “unplugged” (i.e., no phones or computers allowed!) conversation among students, staff, and faculty in an informal environment to encourage socialization and community building.
- This Pathfinder Project has launched. More here.
- Ed Berger is taking the lead
- Pathfinder 2: Launch ME as Art, an opportunity to share the artistic dimensions of our ME community.
- This Pathfinder Project has launched. More here.
- James Gibert is taking the lead
- Pathfinder 3: Test 10 Minutes of Talent on Thursdays, an opportunity for members of the ME community to perform for 10 minutes during class breaks on Thursdays.
- This Pathfinder Project is currently in the design phase. More here.
- Tahira Reid is taking the lead
- Pathfinder 4: Design ME Why-Games, short competitions between faculty and students that could take place on late Thursday afternoon between 4:30 and 5:30.
- This Pathfinder Project is currently in the design phase.
- George Chiu and James Gilbert are taking the lead
An Example Success Metric.– Attendance of 30+ students, faculty, and staff (with roughly equal
distribution) at Rewire events within the first 3 months.
The team includes.–
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