Students, profs question faculty-in-residence program

Residential Living touts the faculty-in-residence program as an integral part of the freshman experience. But some freshman have never heard of the program, much less interacted with the faculty member living in their residence. In fact, some students said they could not name their faculty-in-residence. "I don't get anything out of it because I don't know who that person is," said Engineering freshman Dan Saval, a resident of the Class of '28 building in the Quad. And College freshman William Elliot, who lives in Rodney, a building in the Spruce Street House section of the Quad, said he wished his faculty-in-residence attended floor meetings, beginning in September. "There was nothing to begin with," Elliot said. "I don't know mine and I don't know anybody who has had any interaction with theirs either." Philosophy Professor Scott Weinstein -- the faculty member living in Spruce Street House this year -- was unavailable for comment. But other faculty members who participate in the program said they attempt to develop strong contact with the students. "We make it abundantly evident that we're available," Sociology Professor Ivar Berg said. Berg, who serves as the faculty-in-residence for the Butcher-Speakman-Class of '28 section of the Quadrangle, actually lives in McKean, which is located at the uppermost part of Quad. But Berg said the physical distance does not detract from the relationship he establishes with the students. "People will even bounce up when I'm walking the dog," he said, adding that he teaches a seminar in his apartment that is open to Quad and non-Quad residents alike. Seven of the 11 students in the class are Quad residents, but none are from BS'28, Berg said. Berg has also invited students to his apartment for meals or study breaks and has brought in guest speakers. Regional Science Professor Stephen Gale said a major problem with the faculty-in-residence program has nothing to do with the faculty themselves. "We don't know what we are supposed to be doing," Gale said. "We are all waiting for a stronger sense of direction, but more importantly than that, a philosophy which is going to carry this entire program for a number of years." Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said faculty choose to participate in the program because they want to have more interaction with undergraduates. Faculty members participating in the program also receive free housing. Simeone added that the future of the program will be addressed by the Provost's Council on Undergraduate Education. Despite the lack of official guidelines, Simeone said professors do develop their own methods of interacting with students. "I think that students really benefit from the opportunity to informally interact with the faculty," she said. "Students who don't take advantage of the opportunity to interact with faculty are really missing out." The involvement of non-tenured faculty in the program is another concern, Kings Court's faculty-in-residence Jorge Santiago-Aviles said. "This is not perceived by most of the faculty as much of a scholarly activity, so it might hurt non-tenured faculty," the electrical engineering professor said, adding that he disagrees with this theory. Students also suggested that the program be more structured. "There could be better lines of communication," Wharton and Engineering freshman Reshma Sohoni said. And College freshman Vanita Proothi, who lives in Brooks, a building in the Upper Quad, suggested scheduling dinners, lunches or meetings with the faculty members on a regular basis. Those students who did know their faculty-in-residence were often part of a College House or special program, such as the Humanities program in King's Court/English House. Wharton freshman You-Mi Lee said the group of students came together for meetings, events and trips which faculty members also attended. College freshman Dan Hall, a resident of Hill House, said the college house's faculty helped to organize events, signed letters and made themselves known.