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Journal of College and Character

Scholarship on character development in college

The Journal of College and Character is a refereed journal that publishes scholarly articles and applied research on issues related to ethics, values, and character development in the higher education setting. The journal focuses specifically on how colleges and universities influence, both intentionally and unintentionally, the moral and civic learning and behaviors of college students.

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Current issue

VOLUME X, NO. 6, September 2009

BACK-TO-SCHOOL ISSUE

Hard Times in Higher Education: Impact and Implications for Student Learning and Development


FROM THE EDITORS
LIVING WITH MAYBES: THE UPSIDE OF HARD TIMES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Jon C. Dalton, Florida State University
Pamela C. Crosby, Florida State University

In this article the authors examine the “upside” of the financial downturn for college students and explore whether the hard times that confront students today may have some unexpected positive benefits, not only for college students but also for higher education.

FEATURED INVITED ESSAYS
HARD TRUTHS IN DARK TIMES: AVOIDING CAMPUS CLIMATE DEPRESSION IN A RECESSION

George Kuh, Indiana University

In these hard economic times, maintaining a high quality experience for many students will be especially difficult, especially at large public institutions, as class sizes grow and faculty and staff numbers shrink.

HOLDING ON TO HIGHER EDUCATION'S HIGHEST CALLING IN HARD TIMES

Diana Chapman Walsh, Wellesley College

The unanticipated and unwelcome detour precipitated by the economic recession comes at a time of vulnerability for American higher education. We can hope that the current economic crisis may be the impetus institutions of higher learning have needed to become experiential learning organizations.

SEASONS OR GLOBAL WARMING: REFLECTIONS ON FINANCIAL CHALLENGES IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Susan R. Komives, University of Maryland

Campuses can learn from their experiences throughout cycles of feast and famine. Leaders in student affairs can build resiliency in their staff and institutions in the face of many kinds of challenges from economic stress.

CHOOSING TO HOPE IN CHALLENGING TIMES

Florence A. Hamrick, Iowa State University

This fall, more students with financial or educational uncertainties may be seeking assistance at student affairs offices with smaller staffs, fewer resources, or both. While offering no concrete solutions to these problems, the three major ethics and professional standards statements are abiding sources of support and guidance as student affairs professionals begin what may be a very difficult year.

HOPING IN HARD TIMES

Larry Moneta, Duke University

Colleges and universities are destined to endure at least a short-term future of economic stress. Hopes and fears operate in a delicate and harmonious interplay...stimulating feelings of optimism and pessimism.
SURVIVING THE STORM: HOW THE RECESSION IS INFLUENCING COLLEGE STUDENTS TODAY FOR POSITIVE CHANGE

Margaret J. Barr, Northwestern University

The author compares the current financial crises to a storm that influences all members of the academic community—students, faculty, and staff. She provides several suggestions for how institutions and individuals could and should react to the financial storm that has changed all of our lives.

PEER REVIEWED
RELATIONSHIP OF ATTACHMENT STYLE AND ETHNIC IDENTITY TO SELF-ACTUALIZATION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

Lisa M. Vaughn, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center/University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Stacey Naylor, Xavier University
Stacy White, Jr. University of Connecticut

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-actualization, attachment style, and ethnic identity of college students.

CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AS A CULTURAL CONSENSUS: STARTING POINTS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS OF DIFFERENT POLITICAL PERSUASIONS

Andrew M. Guest, University of Portland
James M. Lies, University of Portland
Jeff Kerssen-Griep, University of Portland
Thomas J. Frieberg, University of Portland

Noting that diverse possible definitions for social justice seem to underlie some controversies surrounding the concept, the authors conducted a study that employs a version of cultural consensus analysis to investigate actual college student definitions of conditions and actions they associate with social justice.

OPINIONS AND PERSPECTIVES
SCAM-ING SERVICE-LEARNING AND MISSION TRIPS: A SATIRICAL ESSAY
Mark Wm. Radecke, Susquehanna University

What constitutes a “good” service-learning venture or short-term mission trip? This article summarizes, in narrative form, eleven years of research into best and worst practices in service-learning ventures and short-term mission trips.
PROFESSORS AS LEADERS: BEING OPEN AND TEACHABLE

Larry A. Braskamp, Loyola University Chicago

Professors are more apt to be effective leaders if they view themselves as having a unique voice among many voices, share their voice and encourage others to express their views and perspectives within a community of challenge and support, and demonstrate openness to new ideas and viewpoints of those with whom they interact—students and colleagues.
SPIRITUALITY ON CAMPUS
DEVELOPING AN ASSESSMENT OF COLLEGE STUDENTS’ SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES: THE COLLEGIATE RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL CLIMATE SURVEY

Alyssa N. Bryant , Contributing Editor, North Carolina State University
Keith Wickliffe, North Carolina State University
Matthew J. Mayhew, New York University
Laurie Bartell Behringer, New York University

The authors initiated a project designed to examine campus climates and religious and spiritual programming in colleges and universities and each program’s relationship to college student outcomes. This essay describes our journey toward developing a new assessment tool: The Collegiate Religious and Spiritual Climate Survey.
ETHICAL ISSUES ON CAMPUS
THE ETHICS OF ENTERING AND LEAVING ORGANIZATIONS

Larry D. Roper, Contributing Editor, Oregon State University

If it is our goal to be seen as honest, ethical, caring, and civil individuals, we must project those qualities from our earliest interactions with those in an organization. We send messages about the quality of our character from the time we first interact with a prospective employer.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ON CAMPUS
TIERS OF UNDERSTANDING AT THE HARVARD SQUARE HOMELESS SHELTER

Scott Seider, Contributing Editor, Boston University

Scott Seider is currently completing a book about the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter in Cambridge, Massachusetts, run entirely by university students. Some initial findings from this research project are offered in this article, which introduces the JCC's new column on civic engagement.
NEW SCHOLARS AND SCHOLARSHIP
A TRIBUTE TO DR. DEBORA LIDDELL

Jon Dalton and Pam Crosby, Co-editors

After eight years of stimulating interviews and valuable contributions to the JCC, Dr. Debora Liddell will be turning over her editorship of the popular New Scholars and Scholarship to Dr Cheryl Keen.
FINDING THE GOOD LIFE: HOW POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY CAN HELP COLLEGE STUDENTS TO DISCOVER AND UTILIZE THEIR PERSONAL STRENGTHS AND VIRTUES—AN INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW J. BUNDICK

Interview by Debora L. Liddell, Contributing Editor, University of Iowa

Bundick's research focuses broadly on positive development and psychological well-being in late adolescence and emerging adulthood, with much of his current work concentrating on the structure, function, and development of purpose in life.
STUDENT REFLECTIONS
REFLECTIONS OF A WEST POINT EDUCATION IN WARRIOR SPIRIT AND MORAL LEADERSHIP

Samantha Nicoll, United States Army

The rigors of West Point have primed cadets for the challenges they will face in their careers as army officers, and beyond. West Point provides the crucible in which to fail and learn, and most importantly, to lead.
BEST PRACTICES
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER? TO GUIDE THE STUDIES OF OTHERS

Robert A. Waterson, West Virginia University

Issues that are created by real world lessons may lead to deliberations regarding justice, equity, respect, and other virtues that might contribute not only to better students, but to better citizens.
WHAT THEY'RE READING
TURNAROUND LEADERSHIP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Reviewed by Liesa Stamm, Contributing Editor, Rutgers University

The central premise of Turnaround Leadership for Higher Education is that institutions of higher education need to become more “change-capable” to meet successfully the economic and societal challenges of the 21st century.