Honors Experiential Learning Project Proposal Form - Community
Basic Information
Full Name: Nathan Bodenschatz
UC ID #: M03609196
UC Email: [email protected]
Phone: 330-546-2402
College: Engineering
Major: Aerospace
Title of Project: University of Cincinnati Commuters Association
Expected Project Start Date: 09/2010
Expected Project End Date: 06/2011
Project Information
1. Provide a brief overview/abstract of your proposed honors experiential learning project.
The Commuters Association is a new group that will be honoring and advancing the college experience of commuter students. Lasting the entire year, we will do our best to enhance what commuters get to experience throughout their year to get them more involved with the University. As a founding member of this organization, I will find ways to help the commuters get involved with events on campus. Events that they may need a way to get involved with throughout the year are Homecoming, Sigma Sigma Carnival, and sporting events.
Furthermore, one of the goals of is to build a sense of community and home at UC. They live at home, and it would be beneficial for them to look forward to coming to UC and spending time on campus. Connecting commuter students will provide a similar sense of community that they do not get from living in a dorm. It will allow them to build relations with other students who are in a similar situation as them. I will assist in the development in this large portion of the student population and write a reflection of my efforts at the end of the year.
2. Clearly state how each of the following elements will be exhibited in your work:
The UCCA focuses on providing equal privileges to less privileged UC students. More importantly, it focuses on giving commuters the same opportunities as those who live on campus. They should not feel left out or less welcome on campus simply because they do not live here. Also, we want commuters to be included in the community that is developed at UC. We want them to know the University cares about them so that they will care about the University in return.
Leaders within the UCCA have the opportunity to build relations with other students and develop a group that is otherwise neglected into a significant part of campus life. Also, leaders have the chance to offer guidance, support, and advice to others who do not know all that is available to them. One of the largest aspects is to give commuters advice as to all of the things campus has to offer, be it athletics, academics, or other extracurriculars, it has a lot to offer.
I will take it upon myself to find activities that I enjoy and convince commuters to attend when they normally would not. For instance, I would encourage them to partake in homecoming events. Also, I will convince them to participate in smaller events, such as fundraisers that are smaller (homecoming 5K, UHA 5K, etc.). Furthermore, I would like to talk to people on campus to try to find a place for commuters to hang out during the day. Access to the common areas in the dorms or an office or lounge on campus would work well.
Throughout the project, I will disseminate the involvement of the commuter group on the University Honors page on Facebook. I will post pictures of their participation (Homecoming float, runners in a race, etc.). I will also blog about their involvement on campus through the Honors page. Furthermore, I will create a UCCA Facebook page that will allow me to share events with those involved. I will also share the accomplishments and successes of their fellow commuters. It will be a page devoted to the involvement opportunities and to recognize those who get involved on campus. This will be a good way to spread word about others getting involved, get the word out about opportunities, and find friends to go with.
At the end of the year, I will write a reflection looking back at all that I have done for the UCCA throughout the year. I will determine whether or not I succeeded in my goals and aspirations for the club. Also, I will reflect on whether or not I made a difference in any of these people’s lives. After all, the ultimate goal is to make a difference. I will reflect on what I did well and what I did poorly throughout the year. I will brainstorm ideas of how to improve the bad aspects of what I did and start a plan for improvement. My reflection will help me identify my strengths and weaknesses in the organization, and I will, therefore, improve my ability to contribute and be a driving force in the community.
Dr. Ric Sweeney - [email protected]; College of Business/Marketing professor
Full Name: Nathan Bodenschatz
UC ID #: M03609196
UC Email: [email protected]
Phone: 330-546-2402
College: Engineering
Major: Aerospace
Title of Project: University of Cincinnati Commuters Association
Expected Project Start Date: 09/2010
Expected Project End Date: 06/2011
Project Information
1. Provide a brief overview/abstract of your proposed honors experiential learning project.
The Commuters Association is a new group that will be honoring and advancing the college experience of commuter students. Lasting the entire year, we will do our best to enhance what commuters get to experience throughout their year to get them more involved with the University. As a founding member of this organization, I will find ways to help the commuters get involved with events on campus. Events that they may need a way to get involved with throughout the year are Homecoming, Sigma Sigma Carnival, and sporting events.
Furthermore, one of the goals of is to build a sense of community and home at UC. They live at home, and it would be beneficial for them to look forward to coming to UC and spending time on campus. Connecting commuter students will provide a similar sense of community that they do not get from living in a dorm. It will allow them to build relations with other students who are in a similar situation as them. I will assist in the development in this large portion of the student population and write a reflection of my efforts at the end of the year.
2. Clearly state how each of the following elements will be exhibited in your work:
- Substantial Content and Quality within Community Engagement Theme
The UCCA focuses on providing equal privileges to less privileged UC students. More importantly, it focuses on giving commuters the same opportunities as those who live on campus. They should not feel left out or less welcome on campus simply because they do not live here. Also, we want commuters to be included in the community that is developed at UC. We want them to know the University cares about them so that they will care about the University in return.
- Connection to Academic Goals and Theories
Leaders within the UCCA have the opportunity to build relations with other students and develop a group that is otherwise neglected into a significant part of campus life. Also, leaders have the chance to offer guidance, support, and advice to others who do not know all that is available to them. One of the largest aspects is to give commuters advice as to all of the things campus has to offer, be it athletics, academics, or other extracurriculars, it has a lot to offer.
- Initiative, Independence and Creativity
I will take it upon myself to find activities that I enjoy and convince commuters to attend when they normally would not. For instance, I would encourage them to partake in homecoming events. Also, I will convince them to participate in smaller events, such as fundraisers that are smaller (homecoming 5K, UHA 5K, etc.). Furthermore, I would like to talk to people on campus to try to find a place for commuters to hang out during the day. Access to the common areas in the dorms or an office or lounge on campus would work well.
- Reflection & Dissemination
Throughout the project, I will disseminate the involvement of the commuter group on the University Honors page on Facebook. I will post pictures of their participation (Homecoming float, runners in a race, etc.). I will also blog about their involvement on campus through the Honors page. Furthermore, I will create a UCCA Facebook page that will allow me to share events with those involved. I will also share the accomplishments and successes of their fellow commuters. It will be a page devoted to the involvement opportunities and to recognize those who get involved on campus. This will be a good way to spread word about others getting involved, get the word out about opportunities, and find friends to go with.
At the end of the year, I will write a reflection looking back at all that I have done for the UCCA throughout the year. I will determine whether or not I succeeded in my goals and aspirations for the club. Also, I will reflect on whether or not I made a difference in any of these people’s lives. After all, the ultimate goal is to make a difference. I will reflect on what I did well and what I did poorly throughout the year. I will brainstorm ideas of how to improve the bad aspects of what I did and start a plan for improvement. My reflection will help me identify my strengths and weaknesses in the organization, and I will, therefore, improve my ability to contribute and be a driving force in the community.
- Advisor (list the person’s name, title, and contact information)
Dr. Ric Sweeney - [email protected]; College of Business/Marketing professor
- Budget (if applicable)