March 01, 2010
A
visitor to St. John’s University’s newest dormitory on Henley Road
might mistake Matthew Sutton Ph.D., for one of the 400-plus
students living there but his youthful appearance is deceiving. His
college years now far behind, the young Theology professor is
living with his family in University housing as part of St. John’s
new Faculty-in-Residence Program.
Dr. Sutton was one of 27 faculty who applied to live among students
in the off-campus dormitory. Since late August, he and his family
have been interacting with students on a daily basis—in the
hallway, in the lounge, and even over the washing
machine.
“I really like living with the students,” the Theology professor
states. “They’re experiencing University life for the first
time—maybe they’re the first in their family to attend college—and
they feel privileged to be here because of University scholarships.
They’re finding that their ideas matter and, for perhaps the first
time, they’re being treated like adults.”
Instituted this year, the Faculty in Residence (FIR) Program allows
students to interact with faculty on a more personal level than
might be possible in the classroom alone and has been a catalyst
for enhanced student engagement and learning.
“Students’ random interactions with the faculty and the innovative
programming we have here allow them to get to know their professors
‘up close and personal’ and definitely help them to engage with the
University,” says Keith Gorman, Residence Director at Henley
Road.
Providing a residential experience for those who desire it has been
a priority at St. John’s since the opening of its first six
dormitories on the Queens campus in 1999. Subsequently, new on- and
off-campus housing options have been offered to undergraduates,
most recently, the Founder’s Village townhouses and the newly
converted St. Vincent Hall.
Coupled with the quality academic experience offered, St. John’s
students have everything they need to learn, thrive and
succeed.
Young Intellectuals
With the introduction of FIRs, students living away from home have
mentors just down the hall and readily available when the need for
advice or a comforting shoulder arises.
Dr. Sutton, who refers to the students as “young intellectuals,”
works closely with Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Physics
Gina Florio, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor of English Kathleen
Marks, Ph.D., who also live with their families in the residence.
The three have inaugurated once-a-month get-togethers that they’ve
dubbed “Exploring Human Relationships,” consisting of dinner and
conversation hosted by one of the professors.
Last semester, each professor addressed relationships from their
particular expertise. Dr. Sutton discussed “Authentic Human
Relationships and the Culture of Compassion,” using the example of
the work done by Heart’s Home, a Catholic organization in Brooklyn
that not only feeds the poor but builds relationships with
them.
Dr, Florio, who delivered her first child in December, loves living
among the students.
“Last year I had a learning community on campus and I really liked
interacting with students in the out-of class environment. Engaging
them where they live was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. The
relationships are totally different from those created in a
classroom.”
The science professor says the new Faculty-in-Residence program is
succeeding. “It was created to build community and foster student
engagement and that’s happening. The relationship you have with a
student who is your next door neighbor is totally different than
that created in a classroom. Here we’re on a first-name basis, and
can relate as the ‘family next door with the little baby and black
and white cat.’”
She notes that because the program is new, they had to create
multiple social and academic events to bring residents together. A
good example, she says, is the Birthday Club, “which brings
students from diverse backgrounds together each month to celebrate
something they all have in common—a birthday! It’s been great first
step in building relationships.”
Dr. Florio continues to work with her on-campus learning community
and says that Henley Road will be a perfect extension of the
on-campus group. “I can actually host them down the hall or in the
lounge for planned events on science. It’s a good way to bring
students on campus together with those living at Henley.”
For her “Relationships” topic, Dr. Florio chose to discuss that
between mother and child and the role chemistry plays in bringing
it about. Now that Livia Rose has arrived, she thinks she has more
to say on the subject and plans to do a follow-up during second
semester.
Dr. Marks used the book Coraline by Neil Gaiman, to discuss
students’ roles as new adults and how to deal with family. She also
offered a writing clinic to interested students in December and is
considering a tutoring session for dorm English majors in the
spring.
She reports that the FIR experience has been great so far and she
is enjoying the collaboration with the other faculty. “We work
together really well. The relationships and the interactions are
still growing, still happening. I’ve lived in dorms, and this
building is much more than a dorm!”
Beyond once-a-month gatherings, there are formal academic events on
Wednesday nights, informal dinners and movie events. Dr. Sutton
even holds a Bible Study group, “Bridging the Gap,” meant to help
carry Sunday’s spiritual readings throughout the rest of the
week.
Benefits Abound
Dr. Sutton points out that he’s had some interesting discussions
with students over the washing machine in the building’s laundry
room. “I’m an adult who’s approachable, and the informal
conversations I have in the dorm can be just as significant to the
students as those in the classroom.”
His open-door policy allows students to knock at any time when
problems or concerns arise. “I have to teach them to knock
earlier,” laughs the father of three children under five; on the
other hand, he points out that babysitters are never a
problem.
Dominic Petruzzelli, Director of Residence Life, says the FIR
program “is working extremely well and the students are reaping the
benefits. I am pleased to say that I have heard nothing but
overwhelmingly positive feedback from the students, staff and
faculty in Henley.”
He also points out that the building’s configuration into
apartments is “family friendly” and allows the University to
attract top faculty who might not otherwise be able to afford New
York City rent. “It’s a bonus that draws them to the
University.”
“For me,” says Dr. Sutton, “FIR has changed my idea of being a
teacher. From one who prepares in silence, then teaches and grades
in silence, I have now become teacher as converser, in constant
conversation with students in and out of class, in the elevator,
the laundry, we’re always learning from each other.”