Report of Educational Meeting MSSMPG Core Group
  Re: Residential Life Program at Kents Hill

Discussion with Peter Hodgin at Pepper's Restaurant Dec. 30, 2003

Present: Terrie Frisbee, Nigel Calder, Wenda Hunter, Jane Karker, Mariellen Eaton, Jon Eaton, Paul Chartrand, Alice Chartrand, John McCann

Thanks to a tip from Terrie a hastily organized educational meeting after the holidays was held with Peter Hodgin. (Apologies to parents that weren't notified of the opportunity). The discussion was inspiring and information very valuable. Peter Hodgin is a young and enthusiastic history and economics teacher at Kents Hill who has the added credentials of having grown up in boarding schools with teacher-parents. He spent last summer meeting with a lot of boarding schools to find out how they run their residential life. The mission of his new program is "To better the quality of life on campus, and develop (the students) into well-rounded individuals, to ensure that students graduate as positive contributors to the school and all their future communities. The program focuses on four areas: moral , ethical, and civic development; dormitory life; health and wellness; and student activities and recreation." per Kents Hill newspaper, "On the Hill".

Some structural differences between Kents Hill and MSSM already exist: There is a full time Dean of students who has a vision for teaching community and values to students in daily life. The school lists positive "Core Values" that are referred to prominently: altruism, honesty, compassion, perseverance, sportsmanship, courage, responsibility, tolerance, friendship, and scholarship. There are daily mandatory mid morning school-wide meetings during which announcements are made and during which students sit with their advisors. Many of the faculty live in the dorms. The Director of Residential Life is a faculty member. All faculty are expected to do dorm duty. Student Proctors help to maintain dorm discipline and in return are allowed the privilege of a single room. Student Peer counselors have the role of being available for supportive peer contact. Advisors have a family style dinner with their students weekly. Advisors are expected to initiate communication with Quarantes. One day midweek is a shortened day to allow for and encourage activities including sports . Ages are not mixed in the dorms.

The new program recently instituted by Peter consists of weekly required residential life meetings, which replace the midmorning school-wide meetings once a week. There are 4-5 faculty for about 20 students during these meetings. Their role is to facilitate, to make sure that the discussions are respectful and that varying points of view can be heard. Examples of pre-designated school-wide topics include: respect (cleanliness, vandalism, living with a roommate, theft, homesickness), hazing/sexual harassment, substance abuse, sexual orientation, diversity, seasonal affect disorder, nutrition/eating disorders, "safe sex on a no-sex campus", community service/activism, coping with leaving friends/graduation. Time is also made for topics specific to life in that particular hall (eg gossip).

Some similarities with MSSM exist. Dorm searches may be instituted without warning if urgency is felt. However, dorm faculty often give immunity the first day back from holiday: eg "we realize you may have inadvertently brought back some forbidden items, so feel free to put them in this bag before we search the rooms tomorrow". There are "mandatory fun" events such as themed lectures or activities similar to our themed weekends.

Interestingly, Kents Hill has also had a rash of vandalism this last year. The response by administration has been to talk in the groups about how this is affecting everyone. Police were called to investigate the more serious case (vandalism of bookstore) as a natural and firm response to the violations. The Dean has been clear that he views the student body as being responsible and caring.

John McCann mentioned a model of teaching ethical choices which points out four common ethical dilemmas: Justice vs mercy, individual vs community, honesty/truth vs loyalty, and short term vs long term.

Alice Chartrand mentioned that such a program might obviate the need for the presently required Leadership class, so as to allow for an extra humanities course (or to convert it into a pure philosophy class).

All agreed that the meeting had been informative and inspiring. Peter Hodgin was asked if he might be willing to share his experience with administration and faculty at MSSM and he volunteered that he is free in March when Kents Hill is on break and would be willing to travel to Limestone (free!) to do so if it would be helpful.

Handouts from Hodgin available on request: "Residential Life Program", "Residential Life Program Weekly Residential Life Meetings"