PASSing at FTC

PASSing at FTC

"The residence halls at Five Towns College will be devoted to the development of 'wholeness', or balance, among its residents through the use of the P.A.S.S. System"

P.A.S.S.

Physical Development

Topics involving health: Diet, Sleep, Exercise, Intramurals/Sports

Academic/Cognitive Development

Topics that teach: Arts, Culture, Technology, Informative, Altruistic Endeavors

Spiritual Development

Topics that enable stimulation of the spirit: Development/Appreciation of Belief

Systems, Examination/Appreciation of religions and the metaphysical,

"Spiritual Experiences"

Social Development

Topics that bring people together: Establishing Relationships, Improving

Floor/Building Relations, University Clubs, Activities and Organizations

Unique Aspect of PASS Programming:

A Resident Assistant who excels in, and has demonstrated a passion for, a certain area of PASS may be permitted to concentrate in programming for that particular area with a focus of the entire hall. All four of the required formal programs may then be solely of this one area. However, if an RA chooses to concentrate in one aspect of PASS, it will also be necessary for informal programs in every area of PASS other than that of central concentration to be conducted, ensuring balance within programming on each floor.

Accountability:

Programs will be given the designation of being either "formal" or "informal". The difference between the two types of programs will be that formal programs will typically require more promotional and implementation efforts than informal programs.

Formal Programs

A Formal Program Report must be completed for every formal program implemented. Resident Assistants will be held responsible for the implementation of one formal program in every area of PASS(Physical, Academic, Spiritual, Social). The Formal Program Report will be divided into the different aspects of programming, with each aspect being designated a point range. There will be a possible maximum total of 100 points for each formal program.

Informal Programs

An Informal Program Report must be completed for every informal program. The Informal Program Report will be divided into 3 areas of programming, with each aspect being designated a point range. There will be a possible maximum total of 18 points for and informal program.

Important Notes

* The creation of some bulletin boards may qualify as an informal program.

* Over the course of the semester, Resident Assistants will be held responsible for the

accumulation of 400 points. Should an aspect of a program be clearly exceptional,

bonus points may be awarded.

* Resident Assistants may opt to conduct 5 informal programs in an area which will be

considered equivalent to 1 formal program in that same area.

* A very large scale formal or informal program may count as two programs.

PASS FAQs

Q: What's the difference between a formal and informal?

A: Time and effort in planning, promotion & implementing program.

Q: What is an informal program?

A: Interaction with two or more residents that in some way addresses one of the PASS

programming areas. Informal programs are ways of acknowledging the many times you

choose to spend your personal time assisting or interacting with residents in a way that

encourages their balance, or "wholeness".

Q: Why "PASS"? Why programs in every area?

A: It is believed that all of the elements of being a well-rounded human being are

included in the acronym. Programming according to PASS is used to encourage

"wholeness", and thereby enabling students to make the most out of their college

experience and life.

Q: So, in terms of programming, what's required of me?

A: Therein lies the biggest RA advantage to PASS programming--the flexibility to do

what you do best! PASS programming provides with a great amount of autonomy in programming than most other models. Attached is a list of the programming paths you may choose.

Q: Why are there so many program paths/ways to go about completing program requirements?

A. Simply because PASS programming takes into account that there are so many

different strengths on staff, and so many different characteristics and personalities among

the RAs. It allows each RA to make use their strong points while programming, in an

effort to make programming as enjoyable as possible for those that implement them.

Attached is a list of convictions behind the PASS programming model.

Different ways to reach 400 and cover all of PASS

1. 4 formal programs in all different areas

2. 4 formal programs in one area and one informal program in each of the other areas

3. 5 informal programs in one area, and 3 formal programs in the others

4. 5 informal programs in one area, and 3 formal programs in that same area--with 1 informal

program in each other area

5. 5 informal programs in each of two different areas, and 2 formal programs in the other areas

6. 10 informal programs in one area, and 2 formal programs in that same area--with 3 informal

programs to cover the other areas

7. 5 informal programs in each of three different areas, and one formal program in the other area

informal programs in three different areas, and 1 formal program in the other

8. 15 informal programs in one area, and 1 formal program in that same area--with 3 informal

programs covering the other areas

9. 5 informal programs in each of the four areas

10. 20 informal programs in one area--with 3 informal programs covering the other areas.

11. Very large scale formal or informal programs can be injected into any of the 10 ways to reach

400 and cover all of PASS, providing an exponential increase in the number of ways to

complete programming requirements.

PASS Programming Convictions

--if your strong point is interacting with residents informally, you deserve credit for it and should not be

held to the same standard as another RA who rarely informally interacts with his/her residents!

--if your strong point is your ability to bring prominent guest speakers to the Halls, then go with it without

worrying about formal programs in every area!

--if your strengths fall within a particular area of PASS, then go with it!

--if you are not a very strong formal programmer, then make use of the informal programs to complete

requirements!

--if you enjoy and are good at formal programs, then do them!

--the "informal" interactions/programs conducted by RAs are often as influential--if not more so--than

many "formal" interactions/programs!

But first and foremost:

--At many colleges, the informal interactions/programs were considered above and beyond your programming responsibilities. They are looked upon as not applying directly to the programming requirement of RAs. For example, regardless of the number of informal programs an RA might have, they were still primarily responsible for the 6-8 formal programs that were on their contract for the semester. The PASS Programming Model says that you deserve credit for the numerous informal interactions that take place on a daily basis! And MORE SO, you deserve to receive credit for these interactions that DIRECTLY applies to your job requirements!

What the PASS Programming Model asks of you

1. Be mature and responsible--You are not being held to any programming

"contract". The dates and topics are all up to you. Do not attempt to get

them all done within the period of a month--it's extremely unhealthy.

2. Know the PASS Programming Model well--it is extremely unique and has

several aspects to make programming as "user-friendly" as any

programming model ever created--but you must be familiar with it!

3. Don't view points as a huge deal. The sole purpose is to encourage quality

programming and equity in efforts among RAs at Five Towns College.

You'll come to learn that any programming effort will usually be given

points in a very generous manner. You'll also come to appreciate that after you make the effort to create a quality program, another RA will not be given the exact same credit that you received while barely making any effort.

4. When you do not receive full points for an area and do not understand why,

ask us about it.