Students helping students in residence: how suite it is...

ABSTRACT

The Computing Advisor Program at the University of Virginia started in September 1997. From the beginning, first-year students have been hired into the program as Computing Advisors (CAs) in their respective residence halls in order to assist their peers with computing problems. Interested students submit applications during the early spring after they gain acceptance into the University of Virginia, and are interviewed while here for mandatory Summer Orientation in July. The program has enjoyed great success and has been enhanced over the past two years to include Upper Class and Senior Computing Advisors.The goals of the program are to provide computing help to students in their residence halls, to act as the liaison between a student with a computing problem and the Help Desk, and to reduce the need for extended Help Desk hours on nights and weekends.In 2000 the program was expanded to include two Senior Computing Advisors. These advisors were chosen from alumni of the first-year program. With demonstrated leadership skills and an ability to solve basic computing problems, the Senior CAs give guidance to their first-year colleagues as well as perform specific administrative tasks. In the fall of 2001, there are plans to expand the program by piloting two Upper Class CAs in residence halls, extending this service to the far-reaching areas of grounds.

REFERENCES

• 1: Information Technology and Communication, Progress Report 1999.
• 2: Information Technology and Communication, Progress Report 1998.
• 3: Husser, Chris, "A Student's Perspective of the Computing Advisor Programs"

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Training, help, and documentation

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.3 Group and Organization Interfaces
          Subjects: Collaborative computing

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Training

General Terms:
Management, Performance, Theory

Keywords:
ResNet, computing advisors, customer service, help desk, orientation, residential computing, student consultants, student employees, student services, student training, students