Last November, I needed to go back to Saipan for a family emergency. I was notified by my mother around noon on a Friday that I would be leaving on the coming Sunday. I immediately walked across campus and spoke with the vice provost for Academic Affairs, who recommended I email my professors. By about 4 p.m., I had received approval from all my professors to go home.
This only happens at a small college. Through the connections I’ve made with professors and administrators, I was able to fly home without any worries of failing my classes. This is one of the biggest reasons why I support small colleges.
While some may argue that there are fewer opportunities than going to a university with a larger student population, but smaller universities often offer experiences that can be just as valuable to a college student. Some of my closest friends today are because I decided to attend a small university that aims at building both community and leaders of tomorrow. Here are five benefits that students like myself get from attending a small university.
Ability to create a community of other people going through similar experiences
Going to a small college, you tend to see the same people every day. Hopefully, this will naturally lead you to starting a conversation and creating new friends. Every college student on your campus, more likely than not, goes through similar experiences. For example, dreading the idea of waking up early for 8:30 a.m. classes, not being able to find parking on campus, or even funny experiences such as running into your professor at the local mall. Through all of this, attending a small college allows you to meet new people, friends, and professionals alike, share your experiences, and build connections that could last a lifetime.
Small class sizes
At Chaminade, the student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. This allows you to get to know your professor and classmates, who are with you for the whole semester, and sometimes take multiple classes together. Some students that I know who attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa say that there are a lot of students in their classes and the professor doesn’t know all of them by name, let alone check on them to make sure they fully understand the material they are learning. Smaller classes also allow you to get one-on-one time with your professors, giving you the ability to create professor-to-student connections and fully understand the content you are learning, which is harder to find in bigger schools.
Campus resources are more accessible
Through attending a small university, campus resources are more accessible with their locations and the unspoken open-door policy. Resources are found throughout the whole campus, sharing their services and encouraging students to take advantage of them. Offices like Student Engagement and Campus Ministry are located in the central building of Chaminade, Clarence T.C. Ching Hall. Many students walk through their halls every day, never even thinking about the help and support that lies just down the hall. Others walk with a friendly smile, walking into support offices and calling staff by their first name, catching up about their day. Stopping in and saying hello is always a highlight of my day.
More involved and visible administrators
At a small university, administrators such as deans, directors, and even the university president are much more involved and accessible. You often see them walking around campus, attending student events, or chatting with other students. This visibility helps to build a supportive community and environment for students. It’s common to find Chaminade president Lynn Babington and Dean of Students Allison Jerome cheering on the Silverswords at a women’s volleyball game or a men’s basketball game.
Easier access to faculty members
Beyond just small classes, faculty members at smaller universities are usually more available outside of class. Their office hours are less crowded, and faculty often take extra time to mentor their students and guide them so that they can get to know you as a student and a person, as well as your future goals. Being able to meet with your professors outside of class time also allows the students to learn more about the professor, seeing them as more than just an educator, but a resource to be utilized in the future. Professors at Chaminade often respond to their students’ emails no matter the time of day, relieving the stress of not completing an assignment due to questions and concerns. This building of a relationship could end with you leaving as a student, with a good person with great knowledge by your side.