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“I love what you’ve done with the space!”: The Physical Space of Academic Advising Mariam Aslam, MA Academic & Learning Strategist University of Toronto Scarborough Canada
“I love what you’ve done with
the space!”: The Physical Space of Academic Advising
Mariam Aslam, MAAcademic & Learning Strategist
University of Toronto Scarborough
Canada
Physical Space & Advising
As architect and psychologist Roberta
Feldman has suggested,
“The creation of the built
environment isn’t just about
form. It’s not just there for
our visual pleasure, but has
an enormous influence on
the occupants”
(Murray, 1999 cited in Pressly &
Hessacker, 2001: 148).
Physical Space is Important
Advisors say space is important for Academic Advising
because:
1) Space is at a premium
2) Space impacts first
impressions with advisees
3) Space is supposed to be
“safe”
4) Space provides stability
Collaborative
Hope &
Possibility
Approachable Fun!
Reliable
Organized
Warm
Knowledgeable
Physical Space & Rapport Building
Empathetic
Professional
Trusting
What the Research says…
Person-
Environment
Interaction
Theories
Appreciative
Advising
Environmental
Psychology
Other
Academic
Advising
Literature
Person-Environment Interaction
(Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005)
Physical Models (Extrinsic):
- Physical environment
encourages or constrain behaviour
- Behaviour is based on the physical and symbolic characteristics of the setting as well as on the number and individuals in it
Human Aggregate Models (Intrinsic):
- Environment is influenced by the aggregate characteristics (i.e. social identities, goals, values, attitudes)
Environmental Psychology
Wall Colour and Human Adaptation • positive responses to bright colours (blue, green and red) vs.
dark colours (Miwa and Hanyu, 2006)
“Soft Office” vs. “Hard Office” and “Personalized Office” vs.
“Impersonal Office”• “Soft Office” + “Personalized Office” = effect on the perceived
expertise, trustworthiness and social attractiveness of
counsellor/therapist (Miwa and Hanyu, 2006; Nasar and Devlin,
2011)
Credentials • positive perception of qualifications, skills, experience,
achievement, training and authoritativeness (Devlin et al., 2009;
Pressly and Heesacker, 2001)
“Accessories” (Artwork, Objects, Plants)
• Symbolize ownership and control over space; shows
personality of occupant (Pressly and Heesacker, 2001)
• Perceived competency of counselor (Devlin et al., 2009;
Nasar and Devlin et al., 2011)
Furniture and Placement • Intermediate interaction distance with “protected” furniture
placement (counselling with a desk in between) vs. less barriers
between client and counselor (Pressly and Heesacker, 2001)
* Self-disclosure by counsellor =
Increased disclosure by client*
Environmental Psychology Cont’d
Appreciative Advising
Appreciative Advising philosophy includes “help[ing] students
optimize their educational experiences and achieve their
dreams, goals and potentials” (Bloom, Hutson and He cited in
Strain, 2009)
Includes 6 Phases:
Disarm
Discover
Dream
Design
Deliver
Don’t Settle
“…initial creation of a safe,
welcoming environment for
students…to garner trust, advisors
must make a positive first impression
on advisees…because initial
impressions are created in 3 seconds
of meeting (Flora, 2004 cited in
Bloom, Hutson and HE, 2008:35).”
Appreciative Advising Cont’d
The Appreciative Advisor’s office
should be clean and welcoming.
Distractions should be minimal:
cell phones…should be turned off.
The advisee should be offered a
comfortable and attractive seat
where s/he will not feel physically
trapped…To see the view that the
advisee will see, the advisor should
sit in the chair typically used by the
students and judge the comfort
level of that seat (Bloom, Hutson
and He, 2008:37).
Further Advising Literature
•Focus on the physical layout of the advisor’s desk in advising (no barrier between student and advisor vs. barrier)
•Findings: both layouts had positive perceptions
Supporting social justice through advising (Lanatta,
2008)
•Advising space is important in creating “safe” space for students
•Advisors can uphold social justice /equity by creating a “safe” atmosphere where advisees feel comfortable disclosing confidential information
“Approachable” “Intimidating”
“Unprofessional” “Credible”: What do our offices say
about us?” (Eckerty, 2011)
•Focus on the Disarm Phase of the Appreciative Advising Revolution
•Advisors should design their office to reflect their personalities and make students feel comfortable in that space
What message is your office space conveying to
students? (Strain, 2009)
Advisor Perspectives on the Physical
Space of Academic Advising
Theme: Café Table
Café Table allows for:•“emotional protection” for both advisor and advisee
• reducing feelings of vulnerability
• an intimate setting
• “reading of body language”
• a “warmer relationship with eye contact” with a “balanced
distance/proximity” between advisor and advisee
Theme: Computer and Chair
At the computer, “business” or more prescriptive advising
happens (not for “bigger picture” discussions)
The Chair:
• with wheels is used to get to the computer from the café
table (i.e. for degree audits)
• wheeling chair makes mobility accessible
• a non-wheeled chair is for parents to prevent them from
being in the way (mindful of parental investment but
don’t want them dominate the discussion)
• should be at equal level between advisor and advisee to
prevent feelings of hierarchy
Theme: Décor
Décor to personalize physical office space is important:
• pictures of family may open up the need to explain aspects of your personal
life
• pictures also show that “we are warm and open”
• pictures of kids and family provides “balanced information so that the
student doesn’t feel vulnerable”
• décor provides a “fine balance between personal and professional; even
though they have a “window” into my life, I can control their access”
• pictures of family “help parents relate to me as a parent”
• “pictures say a 1000 words” and allows students to open up because the
“interaction is less transactional”
“Décor is a layer [supplement] to the basic necessities of offices
(i.e. computer, calendar, tissue etc.)”
Theme: Credibility/Credentials
• visibility of degrees associated with being
professional
• visibility of degrees demonstrates a
knowledge base of what you are helping
advisees with
• lack of visibility of degrees can bring into
question your credibility
• “I wish I had degrees on the wall since I look
young and they [students] assume I am still
going to school as an undegrad”
Theme: Shared Space “There are more things to
worry about when it isn’t
your space. You wonder
where you will be working
from. Do you have all of your
resources with you? It’s like
being a travelling
consultant.”
“New spaces can be distractions for
some students” (i.e. of working out of
an office where there are pictures of
children that are not yours).
“I find that my
credibility is shaken
because I don’t have
the same space all
the time. I see this
with my regular
students who will
make comments like,
“oh you’re all over
the place.”
Consistency is
important.”
“I feel like I am less of a ‘rock’ for my
student because she refers to me as
hers but my space is not stable so it
shakes my confidence.”
“The placement of office items like where you put your
clock or turning on the computer and not having a login…It
doesn’t hinder the relationship with the student but makes
it challenging when working in a specific timeframe.”
Theme: Interview Rooms
“The analogy to describe interview rooms is
like being on an airplane with a pull out table
– that is all you need. It does what you need
but isn’t the best that it can be. It is borrowed
space...just like your hotel room is never
yours. You never set your roots there, your
office is lived in and your roots are there.
Interview rooms are more sterile whereas we
are more personal, fun and approachable and
we are actual people rather than just being
FAQ databases.”
Student Perspectives on
the Physical Space of
Academic Advising
Personal Space & Advising
Theme: First Observation/Impression
“The pillar was the first
point with the quote
and pictures – they
made me feel normal. It
took away the
assumption that it was
all business.”
“I always look at the
seating arrangement
first. How many chairs
are there, what kind of
chairs? Are they
comfortable? Is the
arrangement inviting or
very formal.”
“I look at pictures/decorations. Are there pictures of
families, friends, significant others?”
Theme: Décor
Photos of the Advisors life demonstrate:
• Advisor is multidimensional (life outside of work)
• S/he will understand my personal concerns
• Advisor is willing to strike a conversation outside of advising topics
Plants/Flowers in the office provide:
• Positive energy
• A sense of hope and comfort and brightens up the office – the colour
is what is important
Artwork/Posters/Signs posted in the office are important because:
• Have the power of positivity (as long as not faith based)
• Colours help me learn more from the Advisor
• They are helpful and calming especially when needing to talk about stress
• Artwork in the form of scenery provides a view/perspective
Theme: Wall Colours
“This is important.
Colours that are too
bright or too bold are
intimidating.
Neutral/warm colours
are best.”
“Colours represent
personality of the
service provider, like
yellow represents
happiness, neutral
colours don’t tell me
anything.”
“Neutral Colours are
like hospitals. Colours
like blue give a calm
and collective vibe and
green is a pick of a
genius.”
Theme: Furniture
Is the furniture
comfortable and
inviting?
vs.
Theme: Books
“All offices need books, they make you look more
legitimate!”
“Books are important when referring students. So books on
student learning and resumes can be referred to in
meetings.”
“Books with uplifting titles are encouraging. Having books
that are popular among the age group can help connect the
advisor and student.”
Theme: Credentials
Credentials can work
both ways. They can be
intimidating and helpful.
May serve as a
motivation but also
make one feel less than.
Don’t really matter
unless you’re a doctor.
But I can see how it may
be reassuring for those
that are forced to come
to advising (i.e.
suspension).
I think the hiring that
university does should make
sure the Advisor has the
right credentials but other
things like a newspaper you
were in or a thank you card
are a lot more important.
Physical Space of Advising & Higher Education
What does you university or college say about Academic
Advising and its importance?
Institutional Mission
Academic Advising Mission
Statement
Programming Goals of
Academic Advising
Tips, Tricks & Tools
Smile!
Let your personality shine!
Eliminate clutter (Eckerty, 2011; Strain, 2009).
Allow students the ability to see documents (Eckerty, 2011).
Clear the way to the seat (Eckerty, 2011).
Further Research Considerations
Confidentiality & Safety
Mental health concerns for Advisor and Advisee
Population specific (i.e. international students and
distance advising)
Physical environment of Advising and
linkages to retention
Thank You, Questions &Evaluations
