A Campus-Wide Initiative
What Is Caring Campus?
Caring Campus was developed by the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC), which found that a student’s sense of connection to their college strengthens retention, supports persistence from one semester to the next, and improves the odds they reach their academic goals.
- An intentional effort to make students feel welcome and a sense of connectedness to Río Hondo College.
- Helps us connect with one another and with other employee groups to create a positive college environment.
- Creates behavior change that influences culture change across campus.
- Helps the college re-examine policy barriers to student success.
Get Involved With These 5 Behavioral Commitments
Please commit to these five behaviors, which anyone on campus can do, to help create a more connected, caring Río Hondo College.
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Wear Your Nametags
- In Person
- Wearing a name tag or a Río Hondo College lanyard makes it easy for students to know whom to approach with questions.
- Virtual
- Make sure the people you are communicating with know your name and that you know theirs. Create an email signature that gives students information about you, including name, department, phone number, and languages spoken, and add your full name to your Zoom profile.
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Ten Foot Rule
- In Person
- If a student is nearby, greet them with a smile, say hello, and offer assistance if it appears they may need help.
- Virtual
- Reach out to students by phone, email, or text to let them know you are there to answer questions.
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Warm Handoffs / Referrals
- In Person
- Call ahead, provide a map, or personally walk the student to the office they need. Follow up to make sure the student received the support they were looking for.
- Virtual
- Use the student’s callback information to contact the receiving office, make the connection on the student’s behalf, and ask that office to reach out to the student.
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Cross Departmental Awareness
- In Person & Virtual
- Facilitate connections with other departments to explore pathways for guiding students and fostering collaboration.
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Welcoming Students
- In Person & Virtual
- As a college, our aim is to create a welcoming atmosphere for students during their first week through engaging activities and effective wayfinding, encouraging them to feel at ease when seeking assistance.
Caring Campus Liaisons
Our liaisons lead this work across campus. Reach out to any of them with questions or to get involved.
