4/2/97 Contact: Patricia Richard, Ohio University, 614/593-1935

ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University is among 21 colleges and universities -- and the only institution in Ohio -- recently selected to participate in a National Learning Communities Dissemination Project aimed at strengthening innovative approaches to college teaching and learning across the country.

Over the three-year project, participating campuses will assess and strengthen their learning community initiatives. When the project ends in 1999, the lessons and successes of these 21 campuses will be the centerpiece of a national conference on learning communities. The project is supported by the Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE), a U.S. Department of Education program that recognizes innovative projects.

Ohio University's learning community initiatives include the Freshman Year Enrichment: Environmental Literacy (FYE-EL) Program and a paired-course pilot project. Since its start in 1993, FYE-EL has grown into a multi-faceted program including summer reading, faculty-led small groups, lectures and informal sessions with the authors of the summer reading books, and sophomore participation as peer mentors. The program will expand to integrate writing more fully, increase course linkages and extend the program throughout the undergraduate experience.

In the paired-course pilot project, students enroll in an introductory English course and a paired Tier II course (the breadth of knowledge component of the general education program) at the same time.

Planners of both programs intend to develop a second FYE track with a different thematic focus to supplement the current environmental concentration, and to link the paired-course project to the FYE initiatives.

Ohio University's proposal was developed by a team led by University College Dean Patricia Richard. The team submitted a proposal describing Ohio University's learning communities initiatives and outlining goals for participation in the national project, which include: learning how best to handle links between writing- and subject matter-based courses; acquiring experience in how to implement curricular changes; strengthening assessment and evaluation; and seeking ways to incorporate learning communities throughout the undergraduate curriculum.

"We are excited about the opportunity the grant provides to build on our positive experience with our learning communities initiatives and to share in this dissemination effort," Richard said. "We also look forward to enhancing and expanding efforts to engage students actively and collaboratively in their learning."

More than 100 other institutions across the United States have established similar learning community programs -- initiatives that enroll groups of students in pairs or clusters of classes, often organized around interdisciplinary themes. Proponents say learning communities help students build intellectual connections between subjects at the same time they build social connections with each other. The initiatives also have proven to foster deeper student engagement in academic work and increase student success in college.

The National Learning Communities Dissemination Project is led by the Washington Center for Undergraduate Education, which is based at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. The center is directing the project with a $208,000 grant from FIPSE. Institutional support supplements the FIPSE funding.

"Involvement in the National Learning Communities Dissemination Project offers a wonderful opportunity for Ohio University to work with other universities and colleges throughout the nation to strengthen the role of learning communities in undergraduate education," Ohio University Provost Sharon S. Brehm said. "In this project, our team will be able to tell others about our accomplishments and to learn about new approaches from other institutions."

Ohio University was selected as part of a competitive application process. Among the other campuses are: California State University-Los Angeles, George Mason University (Virginia), University of Hawaii, Illinois State University, University of Miami (Florida) and University of Wisconsin Centers-Marinette, Barron and Marathon.

A seven-person Ohio University team will participate in a six-day residential institute at the Washington Center in June. Team members are Richard; Center for Teaching Excellence Director Karin Sandell; Terry Hogan, director of student activities and community service programs; Assistant Dean of University College and Geography Professor Ted Bernard; University Writing Program Coordinator Suellynn Duffey; Associate Professor of Chemistry Jared Butcher; and Associate Professor of Classics William Owens. The team also will receive consulting help on learning community teaching approaches and administrative matters, and project leaders will be connected by electronic networks allowing them to share ideas and discuss common problems.