In the fall of 2018, IU Indianapolis academic schools and/or departments were invited to develop a Purposeful Pathway Project (P3) designed to focus on equitable access for student participation and outcomes, and intentional efforts to serve traditionally underrepresented or under-resourced students.
As part of IU Columbus campus commitment to student learning and success, the campus proposed “IUPUC Purposeful Pathway Project: In Pursuit of the Student-Ready Campus.” The project goal is to make a “student-ready campus” which is welcoming for all students with an eye toward individual needs and aspirations.
Each P3 team is led by a group of champions who explore concepts around equity, inclusion, and student success. To establish an IU Columbus campus-wide strategic implementation plan, it was imperative for the P3 team to have an accurate current state picture of the challenges faced by our underrepresented or under-resourced students. An IU Columbus Basic Needs Questionnaire was developed to examine student experiences with housing, food, and campus and community services. Of 1,322 total possible students eligible to complete the questionnaire, 457 students participated resulting in a response rate of 34.6%.
Some points of interest:
- Respondents indicated that financial challenges or personal/family illness or injury were the most likely causes for them to withdraw from classes.
- Respondents did not access campus and community resources because they felt embarrassed or ashamed and worried about being judged.
- Respondents did not know about available resources or how to access them.
- Respondents learned about campus and community resources from their academic advisor, their instructors, staff members, or other students.
In cooperation with the Gateway Community of Practice, the Help is Available Resources for Students listing was created as one tool to assist students and connect them with campus and community resources.
“Educators All” was adopted across campus to:
- Educate faculty and staff members about the day-to-day lives of IU Columbus students based on feedback from the Basic Needs Questionnaire.
- Empower faculty and staff members to learn about and better understand campus and community resources available to IU Columbus students and become familiar with the Help is Available Resources for Students.
- Encourage students to self-advocate and reach out to access resources by normalizing the need for resources and promoting availability of resources.
The Office of Development and External Affairs helps by educating potential donors about unmet basic needs of IU Columbus students. The Debra Winikates Student Success Fund was created to provide assistance to students who are most at risk for abandoning their education due to financial hardship. To make a donation to the Debra Winikates Student Success Fund, please use this link DONATE NOW or contact Ashaneé Player in the Office of Development and External Affairs.
“Educators All” will hopefully have an impact in helping reduce the embarrassment that students may experience when reaching out for help. IU Columbus students will feel they are being heard and that “Educators All” care deeply about their health, wellness, safety, and their educational and career goals and aspirations.
