JC program to be overhauled

Author: Kerren McKeeman

Beginning next year, Junior Counselors (JCs) will receive a stipend of $2,500 instead of an extra room draw housing point, according to a Feb. 26 e-mail to sophomores and juniors from Dean of the College Tim Spears. In addition, the position will be renamed "First-Year Counselor" in an effort to attract upperclassmen applicants.

Currently, most JCs are sophomores or juniors. In exchange for the mentoring they provide to first-year students, they receive an extra housing point. JCs live on first-year residence halls, serving as a social and academic resource.

The changes proposed by Spears will make the JC position similar to the current Resident Advisor (RA) position, which is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. RAs are required to act as a mentor to other students and live in upperclassman dorms. The RA does not receive housing points, but does receive a monthly stipend.

"We are all aware of the important role that JCs have played over the years," said Spears, "and we very much want to build on these successes in moving forward with these refinements."

"In making these changes," said Spears, "we are following up on recommendations that came of out of the Strategic Plan and the Human Relations Committee report." Commons Heads and Commons Deans have also been instrumental in providing feedback that has contributed to the proposed changes to the JC position.

The switch to a stipend-based First-Year Counselor position is part of a College effort to attract senior applicants who would not benefit from a housing point at the end of their college careers.

"We obviously need to offer more than Commons points," said Spears, "hence the move to stipends."

According to Brainerd Commons Resident Advisor (CRA) Melissa Simpson, the proposed changes may eliminate advantages enjoyed by current JCs.

"JCs are close in age to the first-years," said Simpson, "and JCs can then maintain friendships and act as role models to the [first-years] for the next two years." If First-Year Counselor seniors live in [first-year] halls, "this defeats the purpose of senior housing," said Simpson.

Transforming the JC position into a paid job may create other drawbacks, according to Becca Marcus '07.5, who believes that instituting a stipend may motivate people to volunteer for the money, instead of participating in order to meet and mentor first-years.

"It may be hard for hired students to stay motivated throughout the year," said Marcus, "if they know that the $2,500 will come into their pockets regardless of the amount of hours they put in."

Emily Eliot '07.5 said she appreciated the need for interaction between upperclassmen and first-years, but that such interaction should take place in other venues.

"If the goal is to expose [first-years] to seniors who have come back from study abroad, then this is not right way to go about it," said Eliot. "[That exchange] should take place in other venues or other programs," said Eliot, " and should not be included in the First-Year Counselor program."

Additional adjustments to the current JC position will include changes to the orientation period that takes place during the week prior to the beginning of Fall semester.

"First-Year Counselors will receive additional preparation [and] training," said Spears, "so that they can help support the academic growth of first-year students."

The proposed alterations to the JC positions will not affect those who currently hold JC positions this academic year.

"Current JCs will be able to use their Commons points in drawing a room for next year," said Spears.