Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 9 of 9

Full-Text Articles in Education

Expanding The Conversation: Perspective Taking As A Civic Outcome Of College, Robert D. Reason May 2011

Expanding The Conversation: Perspective Taking As A Civic Outcome Of College, Robert D. Reason

Robert D Reason

The conversation about essential learning outcomes of college has never been more active or important. Although much of the attention on learning outcomes is narrowly focused on cognitive outcomes, especially critical thinking, the need to educate students for personal and social responsibility has never been clearer. In this article the author draws upon data from the Association of American Colleges and Universities’ Core Commitments: Educating Students for Personal and Social Responsibility initiative to argue that one dimension of personal and social responsibility, taking seriously the perspectives of others, is essential to active citizenship in today’s diverse democracy and, therefore, an …


An Examination Of Persistence Research Through The Lens Of A Comprehensive Conceptual Framework, Robert D. Reason Nov 2009

An Examination Of Persistence Research Through The Lens Of A Comprehensive Conceptual Framework, Robert D. Reason

Robert D Reason

Arguably, student retention has been the primary goal for higher education institutions for several decades. Certainly, it has been the focus of much research effort among higher education scholars. Unfortunately, efforts to improve retention seem to be ineffective; attrition rates have endured despite significant efforts to close them (ACT, 2004b; Braxton, Brier, & Steele, 2007; Terenzini, Cabrera, & Bernal, 2001). Notwithstanding the emphasis placed on student retention, decades of research, and countless institutional initiatives, slightly over half of students who begin a bachelor’s degree program at a four year college or university will complete their degree at that same institution …


Developing Social And Personal Competence In The First Year Of College, Robert D. Reason, Patrick T. Terenzini, Robert J. Domingo Jan 2007

Developing Social And Personal Competence In The First Year Of College, Robert D. Reason, Patrick T. Terenzini, Robert J. Domingo

Robert D Reason

The available research on first-year college outcomes remains highly segmented (Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005) and surprisingly incomplete (Upcraft, Gardner, Barefoot, & Associates, 2005). Although research has established the importance of the first year of college for students’ learning and cognitive development (Osterlind 1996, 1997; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005), the importance of the first college year in influencing the development of the psychosocial outcomes for students is much less clear. Although one might logically conclude that the first college year is essential as the foundation for growth in both cognitive and psychosocial areas, little empirical evidence is available to support such …


Rearticulating Whiteness: A Precursor To Difficult Dialogues On Race, Robert D. Reason Jan 2007

Rearticulating Whiteness: A Precursor To Difficult Dialogues On Race, Robert D. Reason

Robert D Reason

This article reviews findings from a related study of 15 White racial justice allies, which highlighted the importance of re-articulating a sense of Whiteness. The author explores how the rearticulated sense of Whiteness demonstrated by these students may assist others to mitigate some of the defense mechanism discussed in the Watt (2007) Privileged Identity Exploration Model.


College Students' Experiences And Perceptions Of Harassment On Campus: An Exploration Of Gender Differences, Robert D. Reason, Susan R. Rankin Jan 2006

College Students' Experiences And Perceptions Of Harassment On Campus: An Exploration Of Gender Differences, Robert D. Reason, Susan R. Rankin

Robert D Reason

Using a campus climate assessment instrument developed by Rankin (1998), we surveyed students (N = 7,347) from 10 campuses to explore the different experiences with harassment and campus climates reported by men and women. Both men and women reported experiencing harassment, although women experienced harassment at statistically significantly higher rates than men. Women reported higher rates of sexual harassment, while men reported higher rates of harassment based upon sexuality. These findings are understood, and implications are provided, using a lens of power and privilege.


Differing Perceptions: How Students Of Color And White Students Perceive Campus Climate For Underrepresented Groups, Susan R. Rankin, Robert D. Reason Jan 2005

Differing Perceptions: How Students Of Color And White Students Perceive Campus Climate For Underrepresented Groups, Susan R. Rankin, Robert D. Reason

Robert D Reason

Using a campus climate assessment instrument developed by Rankin (1998), we surveyed students (n = 7,347) from 10 campuses to explore whether students from different racial groups experienced their campus climates differently. Students of color experienced harassment at higher rates than Caucasian students, although female White students reported higher incidence of gender harassment. Further, students of color perceived the climate as more racist and less accepting than did White students, even though white students recognized racial harassment at similar rates as students of color. Implications are offered for understanding campus climates, providing appropriate interventions, and overcoming white privilege and resistance.


Toward A Model Of Racial Justice Ally Development, Robert D. Reason, Elizabeth A. Roosa-Millar, Tara C. Scales Jan 2005

Toward A Model Of Racial Justice Ally Development, Robert D. Reason, Elizabeth A. Roosa-Millar, Tara C. Scales

Robert D Reason

This paper explores the experiences of White college students as they make sense of their race and their roles in racial justice movements. Findings from two separate but related qualitative studies, when viewed together, result in an exploratory model of racial justice ally development. Racial justice allies are White students who actively work against the system of oppression that maintains their power. The model presented in this paper explores how college affects the development of racial justice allies, which may allow student affairs professionals to more effectively encourage this type of development.


Student Variables That Predict Retention: Recent Research And New Developments, Robert D. Reason Oct 2003

Student Variables That Predict Retention: Recent Research And New Developments, Robert D. Reason

Robert D Reason

This article reviews recent research related to the study of college student retention, specifically examining research related to individual student demographic characteristics. The increasing diversity of undergraduate college students requires a new, thorough examination of those student variables previously understood to predict retention. The retention literature focuses on research conducted after 1990 and emphasizes the changing demographics in higher education. Research related to a relatively new variable— the merit-index—also is reviewed, revealing potentially promising, but currently mixed results.


Community Contracting At Mankato State University., Robert D. Reason, Barbara R. Lee, Paul B. Bixler Jun 1995

Community Contracting At Mankato State University., Robert D. Reason, Barbara R. Lee, Paul B. Bixler

Robert D Reason

High-rise residence halls present unique problems for residential life staff. Since structures of typical high-rises, such as single-loaded corridors, are not conducive to community development, creative programs to encourage the growth and development of individuals within these residence halls must be implemented. Having already been utilized effectively at other institutions (Scheuermann & Grandner, 1986), community contracting seems to be a reasonable strategy to consider.