The Use of Reflexive Photography in the Study of the Freshman Year Experience

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The Use of Reflexive Photography in the Study of
the Freshman Year Experience
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Demographics of USI

• 8300 students (Fall 1997)
• Freshman Class (Fall 1997)
• Cohort 1949 students
• One Year Retention Rate
• 63.6 (Fall 1996 - Fall 1997)
• Graduation Rates
• 7.3 (4 year - Fall 1993 cohort)
• 23.5 (6 year - Fall 1991 cohort)

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Three Part Study

• 1. Expectations Survey during
• Orientation (CSEX)
• 2. Reflexive Photography Project
• 3. Experiences Survey after Spring
  
• Break (CSEQ)
• These studies made possible through USI Lilly
  Retention Initiatives Grant.

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Reflexive Photography

• 10 freshmen
• 27 exposure disposable camera with flash
• reporters notebook
• Take photographs that will describe or illustrate
  your perceptions of your experiences as a
  freshman at USI
• Summary of pictures (app. 2 pages)
• Photo Elicitation Interviews

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Emerging Themes

• Physical Environment
• Academic Interactions
• Who are all these new people?
• And when will I get to see familiar faces again?
• Adjusting to college life

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Physical Environment
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• I like to sit here and study I am close enough
  to make it to class in 5 minutes. Yet I am still
  far enough that I feel all alone and can pay full
  attention to whatever I am studying - Abby

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• typical guys apartment such original
  decorating techniques - Abby

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• Trails on campus - The trails are by the
  baseball field. My family and I enjoy walking on
  them. - Rob

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• ...David and Betty Rice Plaza. I think our
  campus is well kept and very pretty. I love
  walking on campus, the landscaping is beautiful
  and there isnt any litter laying in the streets
  or fields. - Abby

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• When it rains or snows this is what we have to
  walk through to do our laundry or go to the
  convenient store. - Becky

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• Science annex trailers. Need to build more
  buildings. - Kirk

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• Charlie the shuttle driver is always nice and
  friendly to all the students. This shuttle is
  often packed on rainy and snowy days. - Mary

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• The METS shuttle, a good ride when it is cold.
  We need more than one. - Renee

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• The new Liberal Arts Building will be a welcome
  addition to our university and to the Liberal
  Arts staff. - Mary

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• With the construction of the new Liberal Arts
  building, the back way around campus has been
  closed! This has caused a major problem in
  leaving only one route off campus and also
  causing a potential danger at this intersection.
  - Mary

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• New construction project. This is a very good
  sign that the campus is growing and that more
  space is needed. - Kirk

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• The campus housing at USI is supposed to be
  dry (alcohol free), but every weekend after all
  the partying is over this is all that remains.
  Sure, we have a dry campus! - Mary

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Academic Interactions
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• Psych/Forum class. Huge classroom Dr.
  Donaldson, hilarious, uses microphone to teach
  class. - Lynn

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• ...one of the many speakers who come to USI to
  teach... This seminar was about eating
  disorders. - Abby

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• Dr Everett is an example of the excellent
  teaching staff here at USI. He has hands
  on approach with this teaching style which
  includes interactive teacher-class discussions,
  daily homework, and passing thought-provoking
  questions that make learning fun and
  interesting. - Mary

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• I spend many, many hours at the computer lab,
  doing homework, typing papers, checking my email,
  and browsing the Internet. - Michael

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Who are All these New People?
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• Roommates eating dinner together. It was good,
  but it was nothing like moms cooking. - Becky

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• The USI Childrens Center is where my daughter
  is cared for while I attend classes and work.
  Mrs. Buschkill and Mrs. Cobb take great care of
  the children and parents are welcome to come by
  and visit and voice any concerns they may have.
  - Mary

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• coach and some of the girls getting ready to
  attend study hall. Its an extra study
  session... - Abby

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• Area between FA and Orr Center. Lots of people
  gather between classes to socialize or smoke. -
  Lynn

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• UC dining area students get to eat and study -
  Becky

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• My roommates took this picture of me in the
  morning one day. This picture means feeling real
  tired in the morning after staying up late
  studying. I was thinking how upset I was because
  they were making noise outside doing construction
  and it woke me up. - Mercedes

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And when will I get to see familiar faces?
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• Every weekend, my friends and I go to Premiere
  and rent a movie. Its our favorite weekend past
  time. - Michael

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• This is the mail truck. It is amazing how
  personal people can be when they write.
  I have become closer to my friends through
  letters. I also feel like my mom has
  become one of my best friends rather
  than just a parent. The mail has taught me a lot
  about myself and the important people in my
  life. - Abby

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• Snakes in bedroom. These snakes are hibernating
  in my second bedroom, I really dont want them
  there, but they are my sisters. - John

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• Email at the library to take a break from
  studying. - Renee

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• The mail people have become our contact with
  home. We look forward to seeing them. -
  Mercedes

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Adjusting to College Life
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Being away from home has enabled me to leave my
room and surroundings as messy as I want -
Mercedes
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• French Vanilla Cappuccino machine at the Eagles
  Nest. I was introduced to this and got cravings
  every once in a while. Sweet, hot, caffeine
  fix. - Lynn

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• Picture of the washers and dryers. I spend time
  in the mat at least once a week. - Michael

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Adjusting to college life includes having to
clean up after yourself. And maybe your
roommates. - Mercedes
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What Have We Learned ?

• That the development of student perception is a
  multifaceted, multidimensional phenomenon
• That student perception is rarely created from a
  single event (good or bad), but a combination of
  sometimes dissimilar experiences

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What Have We Learned ?

• That student perception can be measured and
  modified
• That students place major importance on many
  aspects of the educational experience that
  institutions are prone to cast off as trivial -
  mail delivery - campus shuttle service -
  continued relationships with parents, siblings,
  and friends - physical beauty and cleanliness of
  campus

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What Have We Learned ?

• That student perception does not succumb to the
  Group Think phenomenon
• That students are very open and honest in talking
  with you about their impressions, the development
  of these impressions, and the degree to which
  these impressions determine the likelihood of
  their continued institutional attendance

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Dissemination

• Academic Affairs Council (Deans)
• Administrative Council (President and Vice
  Presidents)
• Student Affairs Directors
• Student Government Association
• Board of Trustees
• Formal written report of findings

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What Would We HaveDone Differently ?

• Made the project a year long process
• Used a larger, more diverse student population

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What Did This Cost?

• 10 cameras (135.60)
• 10 reporters notebooks (19.50)
• Film Developing (120.50)
• Food for Photo Elicitation Interviews (50)
• Human Capital Expense (time)
• Bottom Line (325.60 time)

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