Practicing Liberal Education:
How are students changing?
I
Sandy Olson-Loy and Paula O’Loughlin
Millenials
Strauss and Howe (2003) characterize
this generation (born post-1982) as:
 Pressured and programmed.
 Special and sheltered.
 Bonded to their parents and
networked to their friends.
 Want structure and instant feedback.
Millenials
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They expect to be doted on and
served.
They work well in teams and have
complete confidence in their future.
They fear risk and dread failure.
They have conventional life goals.
They want the system to work.
Strauss and Howe,
Millenials Go to College
UMM Student Data Trends
UMM Entering First-year Student Trends
The American Freshman CIRP Survey
Activities Noted in the Final Year of High School
Civic Activities
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1985
1988
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2002
Performed volunteer work
Performed community service
Attended religious service
Discussed politics
Socialized with another race
Discussed religion
2006
UMM Entering First-year Student Trends
The American Freshman CIRP Survey
Activities Noted in the Final Year of High School
Other Activities
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1985
1988
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
Drank beer
Used Internet for school
Felt depressed
Asked teacher for advice
Overwhelmed by all to do
2002
2006
UMM Entering First-year Student Trends
The American Freshman CIRP Survey
Students' Chances are Very Good that He/She Will...
100%
Engagement & Personal Development
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1985
1988
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
Socialize w/ someone of another racial/ethnic grp
Participate in student clubs/groups
Get a job to help pay for college expenses
Participate in a study abroad program
Participate in volunteer or community service work
Seek personal counseling
2002
2006
UMM Entering First-year Student Trends
The American Freshman CIRP Survey
Student's Chances are Very Good that He/She Will...
100%
Academic & College Expectations
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1985
1988
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
Make at least a "B" average
Be satisfied with college
Communicate regularly with professors
Change major field
Transfer to another college before graduating
2002
2006
UMM Entering First-year Student Trends
The American Freshman CIRP Survey
Essential/Very Important Objectives
100%
Intercultural/Global
90%
Indicate the importance to you personally of each of the following…
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1985
1988
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
Understanding other countries and cultures
Promoting racial understanding
Influencing social values
2002
2006
UMM Entering First-year Student Trends
The American Freshman CIRP Survey
Essential/Very Important Objectives
100%
Civic Responsibility & Involvement
90%
Indicate the importance to you personally of each of the following…
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1985
1988
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2002
Helping others in difficulty
Keeping up in political affairs
Raising a family
Participating in community action
Developing a philosophy of life
Cleaning up the environment
2006
UMM Entering First-year Student Trends
The American Freshman CIRP Survey
Essential/Very Important Objectives
100%
Career/Life's Work
90%
Indicate the importance to you personally of each of the following…
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1985
1988
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2002
Being very well off financially
Writing original works
Becoming authority in my field
Accomplished in performing arts
Recognition from colleagues
Creating artistic work
Successful in own business
Theoretical contribution to science
2006
UMM Entering First-year Student Trends
The American Freshman CIRP Survey
Student Agrees "Strongly" or "Somewhat"...
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1985
1988
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2002
Gov't not doing enough to control environmental pollution
A national health care plan is needed to cover everybody's medical costs
The federal government should do more to control the sale of handguns
Same-sex couples should have the right to legal marital status
Wealthy people should pay a larger share of taxesthan they do now
Dissent is a critical component of the political process
Through hard work, everybody can succeed in American society
Abortion should be legal
The dealth penalty should be abolished
The chief benefit of a college education is that it increases one's earning power
2006
UMM Entering First-year Student Trends
The American Freshman CIRP Survey
Student Agrees "Strongly" or "Somewhat"...
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1985
1988
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2002
There is too much concern in the courts for the rights of criminals
Undocumented immigrants should be denied access to public education
The federal government should raise taxes to reduce the deficit
Marijuana should be legalized
Affirmative action in college admissions should be abolished
Colleges have the right to ban extreme speakers from campus
Realistically, an individual can do little to bring about changes in our society
It is important to have laws prohibiting homosexual relationships
Federal military spending should be increased
Racial discrimination is no longer a major problem in America
2006
Millenials at UMM?
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How does the material presented fit
with your expectations of today’s
students and how does it challenge
them?
What are the implications of this for
your own teaching?
How should UMM faculty as a whole
address these issues in the next
year?