SOAR
Student Outreach Alternative Resources
The
transition to college is not always an easy one. Learning new rules and regulations,
experiencing new freedoms and cultures, plus not knowing the people around you,
including your roommate, are just a few of the challenges first year students’
encounter. Because of this, some students will question themselves, their
choices, and perhaps feel isolated. Homesickness during the first few weeks of
being away from family is actually quite common.
PERSONAL/SOCIAL/COMMUNITY MENTORING
SOS sponsors a
proactive, dedicated group of students on campus via Student Outreach
Alternative Resources, or SOAR. SOAR is made up of upper classmen who are
campus leaders wanting to make a difference in the lives of incoming students
by serving students as peer mentors – not in the academic sense, but in the
social world of the Hendrix Community. By creating new avenues via unique and
different interpersonal relationships, participating in alternative activities
for those who want to start out more slowly in social acclimation than the
campus-wide party, and moving around in smaller group activities to help
achieve self-confidence in a big, new world, the SOAR peer mentors provide a
safe, fun experience for new students. This helps first-year students build a
stronger, more fluid transition into college life, making SOAR a refreshing
haven of good friendships and lasting memories.
SECOND SATURDAY SUPPERS
One of the most
attended SOAR events is the Second Saturday Supper. For students unwilling, or unable, to venture
out for a meal off-campus when the dining hall is closed on Saturday nights,
SOAR provides a community meal at 6:00 p.m. for each second Saturday of the
month when classes are in session – September, October, November, February,
March, April. It is a first-come, first
served buffet meal until the food is gone and is held in the kitchen of the
Student Life & Technology Center, SLTC).
ALTERNATIVE EVENTS
SOAR also oversees the planning and running of the alternative campus
events – held during main events - to provide optional, alternative
programming. Alcohol and other
substances are banned from these events.
The category of activities includes, but is not limited to:
Games & Puzzles
Shirt Dec-O-Rama
SOAR Presents: (A Murder Mystery)
Bingo Bonanza
Winter Informal
Lego-My-Eggo
Game-a-Licious!
OFF-CAMPUS SOCIAL
EVENTS
Outside peer off-campus events occur when funding permits. In the past, SOAR
has sponsored events, known as Saturday Socials, a once per month activity that
provides a longer, smaller, more intimate time-period of socialization than the
alternative event. These include but are not limited to:
Little Rock Zoo
Jump Zone
Ice Skating
Ice Cream Social
Pinnacle Mountain Hike
RISE
Realizing Improved Student Engagement
RISE (Realizing Improved Student Engagement) collectively selects first year students who scored below a 2.50 GPA in their initial Hendrix semester. Rise coordinates with various departments across campus to form an informational panel of program and service providers to re-introduce available resources on campus – some academic and some daily living in a campus community. Completing a self-contract after the workshop, bringing that contract in to the SOS office for introspective review, and being referred to the offices on campus which can assist each individual (customized, based on need) in overcoming challenges which hindered class outcomes in their first semester.