What's it like for a professor living on campus: Paul Shields shares his personal experience
Jordan Rutherford
Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: Feature
If you happen to pass by one of the study lounges in the Living and Learning Center (LLC) on any given night, you would probably see Professor Paul Shields of the English Department grading papers. Your first reaction might be to glance at your watch or cell phone with confusion as you wonder why a professor would be in a dormitory grading papers in the evening. The answer is simple: Shields is a permanent resident of the Living and Learning Center; Shields is one of a few professors who have chosen to live on campus among the students.
"I love it," said Shields enthusiastically, when asked if he enjoyed living on campus. The convenience that Shields experiences as a result of his on-campus residence has allowed him to live comfortably, stay on top of his academic work and take full advantage of all the campus resources.
One might be guilty of assuming that a professor who lives among the students would have to accommodate a certain lifestyle that makes him or her more compatible to the unpredictable - and sometimes difficult - ways of campus life. However, Shields hasn't adjusted or changed his lifestyle at all. "I live the same way I would anywhere else. I spend a lot of time doing what I would do if I lived in a regular apartment," said Shields.
Reading and researching at the library, constructing lesson plans and grading are just a few of the tasks that Shields routinely accomplishes without any dilemmas. Shields also doesn't experience any dilemmas when he becomes hungry because he can choose to go Taylor Dining Hall, dine at Charlie's, or cook a meal in his apartment. Other conveniences that Shields experiences are further demonstrated by the free cable he receives and his ability to walk down the hill and access his office virtually whenever necessary. As Shields' eyes lit up with delight, he stated, "In a sense, the whole Assumption campus is my front yard."
Another neat perk that Shields told me he experiences is not driving in snowstorms, or shoveling large amounts of snow when Nor'easters and other severe weather impacts the campus. With all these beneficial conveniences, you can only scratch your head and wonder why a greater number of professors don't permanently reside on campus.
"I love it," said Shields enthusiastically, when asked if he enjoyed living on campus. The convenience that Shields experiences as a result of his on-campus residence has allowed him to live comfortably, stay on top of his academic work and take full advantage of all the campus resources.
One might be guilty of assuming that a professor who lives among the students would have to accommodate a certain lifestyle that makes him or her more compatible to the unpredictable - and sometimes difficult - ways of campus life. However, Shields hasn't adjusted or changed his lifestyle at all. "I live the same way I would anywhere else. I spend a lot of time doing what I would do if I lived in a regular apartment," said Shields.
Reading and researching at the library, constructing lesson plans and grading are just a few of the tasks that Shields routinely accomplishes without any dilemmas. Shields also doesn't experience any dilemmas when he becomes hungry because he can choose to go Taylor Dining Hall, dine at Charlie's, or cook a meal in his apartment. Other conveniences that Shields experiences are further demonstrated by the free cable he receives and his ability to walk down the hill and access his office virtually whenever necessary. As Shields' eyes lit up with delight, he stated, "In a sense, the whole Assumption campus is my front yard."
Another neat perk that Shields told me he experiences is not driving in snowstorms, or shoveling large amounts of snow when Nor'easters and other severe weather impacts the campus. With all these beneficial conveniences, you can only scratch your head and wonder why a greater number of professors don't permanently reside on campus.
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