With the end of its introductory phase, the fall 2023 semester has gone into full swing and brings about the expectations of professors in their respective classes. As such, academic pressure begins to build and new students who have yet to face the mechanisms of university education (or those returning to take on the new beast of upper division classes) are struck with the hard-set truth of scholastic stress. Fortunately for students who are finding themselves in these overwhelming circumstances, a fairly recent collaborative effort for student advancement has been developed by David Runge – academic advisor and member of the university’s Advisement Office – alongside the housing department of SUNY Oswego.
Ideally, the work-life balance between classwork and leisure has an appropriate amount of time set to either sector, yet with a standard of three studying hours per credit, tagged with any extracurricular activities or other out-of-classroom commitments, students are engaged by a new hurdle unbeknownst to them. The resulting strain can thus lead to a plethora of unintended consequences, including subpar academic performance, deteriorating mental health and a possibly skewed graduation schedule in the absence of resolutions.
In response to this social dilemma, Runge worked to pioneer a new drop-in advisement program within the buildings where students reside to mitigate any potential setbacks.
Once a Johnson Hall (also known as the freshman-only dormitory) resident hall director (RHD) himself, Runge has witnessed firsthand the struggles and conflicts of students as they begin to cement themselves into a new setting with new standards. Starting in the fall 2022 semester, Runge initiated an advisement opportunity in partnership with Residence Life and Housing (ResLife), which, in his words, had “no intention points; it’s just about being a resource to the students.”
With a humble beginning, Runge described his earliest sessions as satellite office space: “I’d bring a computer with me, find a table in the lounge, and set up shop.” Here, Runge would allocate an hour or so for students with inquiries or concerns, with “the general theme being academic advisement. ‘What are your degree requirements?’ How do you advance in completing a bachelor’s, a minor, or graduation?” Runge said.
Runge further explained that the level of convenience achieved eases hesitation in reaching out to him and led to the expansion of the sessions to other halls.
“We are trying to make it more accessible to students, or to students that may be shy. It’s one less barrier, having someone in their hall,” Runge said. As a result of these factors, the academic drop-in sessions have been successful across all dormitories, where “there are different student needs between each hall.” While the program has a goal mainly focused on academic advisement, it also acts as a directory route to other assistance outlets, including mental health resources, should they be necessary.
Although there is a constant need for student advisement (even during the winter and summer months), there are notable bursts in popularity with these sessions, particularly during “high traffic times: the beginning of the semester, registration in October or November, and even into the spring semester.” As a result, Runge finds that “as long as the interest remains, I’m happy to keep doing it.”
While the middle of the semester may see a lull in students dropping by to these sessions, Runge emphasizes that his office in the Advisement Center of Marano Campus Center is always open and that the future of this academic program is solidified in the continued interest of the student body. These sessions are incredibly beneficial to those facing academic difficulty and may stand as the buffer between a prosperous semester and burnout in students.
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