The inequity of the student experience

N M SpeirsUniversity of Edinburgh

The importance of the student experience

* The development of graduate attributes

* Leading to an increased employability

* Volunteering, internships, study abroad, student representation, living away from home

The importance of the student experience

* The development of graduate attributes

* Leading to an increased employability

* Volunteering, internships, study abroad, student representation, living away from home

The other curriculum

‘Most scholars who study the impact of college on students agree that what happens outside the classroom - the other curriculum - can contribute to valued outcomes of college.’

‘For about 40 percent of students, the do-it-yourself side of college [what took place outside the classroom] was the most significant educational experience.’

Kuh, G. D., The Journal of Higher Education, Vol. 66, No. 2 (Mar. - Apr., 1995), pp. 123-155Moffatt, M. Coming of Age in New Jersey: College and American Culture. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1988.

The other curriculum

‘Participation in extracurricular activities has been a more accurate predictor of workplace competence than grades .‘

‘Colleges cannot force students to participate in organized campus activities or perform leadership roles. However, they can and should be accountable for creating the conditions that promote such behaviour.’

Howard, A. "College Experiences and Managerial Performance." Journal of Applied Psychology, 71 (1986), 530-52. Kuh, G. D., The Journal of Higher Education, Vol. 66, No. 2 (Mar. - Apr., 1995), pp. 123-155

The WP student experience

Student 1

Good academic performanceLives at home with grandmotherSocializes in home townHas part time job in home townNot part of any student society/clubLow income

The WP student experience

Student 2

Good academic performanceLives at home with 2 childrenOn campus for class onlyLimited contact with staff and peersLow income, receives bursarySupports other family with proportion of bursary

Empowering the WP student

Advertising internships that are paid

Involving WP students in outreach activity

Empowering WP students to take on representation roles

Empowering the WP student

Offering fully funded overseas study opportunities

Funds to support volunteering/internship opportunities

Bursaries to support overseas summer schools

The inequity of the student experience

N M SpeirsUniversity of Edinburgh