Simple, inexpensive gestures can make a difference to students

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Most institutions help students learn how to overcome difficulties, but they don’t spend nearly as much time helping students learn how to thrive.

Madison, Wis.—February 22, 2010— Most institutions help students learn how to overcome difficulties, but they don’t spend nearly as much time helping students learn how to thrive.

In a recent online seminar, presenters Brian Van Brunt and Perry Francis offered ideas on how to incorporate “positive psychology”–cultivating the habits and attitudes correlated with happiness–in student affairs work.

For example, they shared an idea that not only helps students in need, but also teaches students the satisfaction of caring for the community–all without much expense.

People who know a student or faculty member who is struggling can write a brief note and place it in a box stationed at a central location, such as a student union, non-traditional or commuter student lounge, or residence hall lobby. A student group can meet weekly to review the notes and brainstorm ways to offer low-cost but meaningful encouragement to the people mentioned in the notes.

While Van Brunt was attending Gordon College, a Christian school, the box was named the “Barnabas box” after a New Testament figure whose name is sometimes translated as “son of encouragement.” But the box could easily be renamed to suit any campus, Van Brunt said. “It’s a very pay-it-forward, kind of positive idea.”

The idea doesn’t cost very much, Van Brunt said. “We had a very small budget–I think it was wasn't more than $500 to $1,000 a year.” But with these funds, the group might decorate a faculty office (with permission of the department head) or place some candy in a student’s mailbox.

“This idea of paying it forward, doing something positive for others, is part of what positive psychology teaches,” Van Brunt said. It encourages students to engage in something that’s correlated with well-being (connecting with the community by helping other members) while offering encouragement to students who are struggling.

If you missed the seminar and would like to purchase it for your institution, you can order the program in CD or print transcript format, both of which include the presenters' handouts.

Magna Publications is a leading publisher of newsletters and other information products in the higher education segment. Magna also manages onsite and online conferences on topics of interest to higher education.

For more information please contact David Burns, Publisher, Magna Publications, Inc., at 608-227-8109, or dburns@magnapubs.com.

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