Welcome!

Thank you for taking the time to act by gathering information about the process to join the Crossroads Program.

The Gustavus education aims for the highest levels of academic achievement, challenging students to think critically and ask searching questions, find a passion for life long learning, explore their beliefs, deepen their understanding of the local and global communities, value diverse perspectives, promote justice, and work for peace.

As a College, Gustavus understands that a critical step in changing the world is understanding and experiencing it. Our students need to see the world, and the world needs to come to campus. As Gustavus graduates will lead a world of seemingly unlimited possibility, we commit to approach our work from a global perspective.

The Crossroads Program was created in 1996 to embody the international focus within the Gustavus Adolphus College mission. Crossroads aspires to be a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. It brings together a population of international students; domestic students who have or will live or studied abroad; and students interested in language, culture and the study of the world.

• Invest in understanding yourself and the world
• Collaborate on programs to educate the entire College
• Connect to others around cultures, languages and world issues

About Crossroads

• Crossroads Program Description
• Crossroads Committee Descriptions and Responsibilities
• Crossroads Program Application (Microsoft Word Fillable Form)

2009-2010 Crossroads Selection Timeline

February 9, 2009: Crossroads Program Applications Available

Applications for the Crossroads Program are available for download from this webpage (Microsoft Word 2003 Fillable Form). Completed applications must be printed and delivered to Residential Life by Mar. 6, 2009. Complete candidate files include:

• Application (don't forget to sign it)
• Essay (Approximately 2 pages)

For Current Crossroads Members ONLY

• Support of Committee Co-Chairs to Return to Program (sent as email to Program Advisor)

If an applicant is away from campus Spring Semester 2009, completed applications can be emailed to Troy (tseppelt@gustavus.edu).

February 17, 2009 Crossroads Program Open House

7:30 pm in Carlson International Center

Visit with current members of the Crossroads Program, enjoy activities and food, and tour Carlson International Center. This is your chance to get a feel for the program.

March 6, 2009: Applications Due

4:30pm in Residential Life

A complete application will consist of:

• A completed appicaton (don't forget to sign it)
• Essay Answers (no more than two typed pages)

Week of March 9, 2009: Review of Applications

All Crossroads Program applictions will be reviewed by the Selection Committee this week. The Selection Committee is made up of representatives from Residential Life, The Diversity Center, the Office of International Education, and the two current Student Program Coordinators for the Crossroads Program.

Week of March 16, 2009: Applicant Notification

Applicants will receive a letter in their P.O. Box indicating their status:

• Accepted--New Crossroads Program Members will receive an invitation to the Crossroads Program Social & Housing Selection Meeting on April 5, 2009.
• Accepted, On the Waiting List--Applicants are "alternates" who will be considered for placement if positions open.
• Not Accepted--Applicants did not indicate through the process that their experiences/reasons for applying met the goals for the program.

Students receiving placement or deemed to be hirable will also receive a letter of intent and a Background Check Consent Form to be returned to Residential Life on March 16, 2007.

April 1 , 2009: Acceptance Forms Due

Acceptance Forms Due in Residential Life by 12:00pm

April 5, 2009: Crossroads Social & Room Selection

8:30 pm - 10:00 pm in The Dive, Johnson Student Union

We read your application files to determine your skills, learn your interests, and to understand, on some small scale, your background. With this in mind, the Crossroads Social and Room Selection event is a time for all who have been accepted to the program to begin the process of connecting as a community. We will begin to get to know each other, assign committees, connect potential roommates and select rooms.

Crossroads Program Description

Program Goals

• To create a community of learners and educators committed to connecting to each other and campus community around the topic of international cultures, traditions, languages, and events in order to promote a broader global perspective;
• To assist and challenge members of the Crossroads Program to understand their own level and stage of development as it relates to cultural difference, and grow as cultural persons;
• As a program, provide educational opportunities and experiences for all members the College community through planning and implementing programs within Carlson International Center, in other residence halls, and in other campus facilities.

Individual Responsibilities

• Work to build positive relationships with your colleagues in Carlson International Center
• Be an active member of your selected/assigned Crossroads Committee
• Be supportive of other Crossroads members and the goals of the Crossroads Program by attending Crossroads sponsored events in Carlson International Center and across campus.
• Actively promote Crossroads sponsored events to all members of the Gustavus Adolphus College community
• Complete the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) - Dates to be determined.
• Participate in a small group discussion about individual and group IDI results

Leadership Opportunities

• Crossroads Program Coordinator (requires previous Crossroads Program experience)
• Co-Chair of a Crossroads Committee
• Recruit staff, faculty, other students or members of the regional community to become involved with the Crossroads Program
• Take the lead on a committee organized event

Other Issues of Note

• Active participation in a Crossroads Program Committee is a requirement of membership in the Crossroads Program. Residential Life reserves the right to remove students from the Crossroads Program and relocate them to another residence hall if participation drops below an acceptable level as determined by the Program Coordinators and the Program Advisor. [Note: One-on-one meetings with Program Coordinators and/or the Program Advisor to discuss participation would occur well before removal from the program would be considered

Crossroad Program Committee Descriptions and Responsibilities

Cultural Celebrations and Education Committee

• Responsible for researching ethnic, religious, cultural and national holidays and customs from around the world;
• Plan appropriate celebrations for the entire College community, often in tandem with other cultural orgnaizations or departments;
• Responsible for two large- and two small scale events per semester.
• Previous programs have included: Gustavus Day of Fasting in honor of Ramadan, Diwali (Hindu Festival of Lights), Chinese New Year, Hana Matsuri (Celebration of Buddah's Birthday), Higen-e, and Cinco de Mayo.

Global Activities Committee

• Responsible for researching current issues from around the world, often related to ethnic, religious, cultural and national concerns;
• Plan appropriate educational seminars or observances for the entire College community, to be hosted in Carlson International Center;
• Responsible for three to four events per semester.
• Previous programs have included: Around the World in 60 Minutes (panal of students from around the world), Tai Chi (faculty partnership), Meditation, Global Christmas Celebrations, and a Chinese Cultural Dinner (faculty partnership).

Cultural Peer Educators

• Responsible for creating and facilitating intercultural programs within the residence halls;
• Programs are designed to inform, educate, and challenge the students of Gustavus, with the ultimate goal of increasing cultural awareness and providing an opportunity to examine world issues;
• Work closeley with Residential Life, Head Residents, Collegiate Fellows, and the leadership of other student organizations in order to assess student need and plan events.

In-House Committee

• Responsible for helping to create connections and a healthy community within Carlson International Center;
• Work closely with Collegiate Fellows and the Head Resident of Carlson International Center to plan activities and events that allow members of the Carlson community to share their individual stories, cultures, and histories, as well as connect to each other;
• Responsible for three to four events per semester.
• Prevouse programs have included: International House of Pancakes (pancake breakfast), Progregressive Tapas, and an International Film Festival.

Public Relations Committee

• Acts as the hum of all information related to The Crossroads Program and Crossroads Program events;
• Responsible for gathering information abut upcoming Crossroads Program events and creating a comprehensive public relations and advertising plan;
• Inform faculty, staff and students about The Crossroads Program;
• Specific duties include management of program website, writing the Higher Ground newsletter article, generation of press releases, tabling in advance of events, etc.
• Work closely with The Crossroads Program Advisor in order to maximize the impact of The Crossroads Program.

Crossroads Executive Board

The Crossroads Executive Board is comprised of the two Crossroads Program Coordinators, the Co-Chairs and Secretaries from the five Crossroads Committees, and the Crossroads Program Advisor/Faculty Advisor. The Exec. Board works as a team to create the Crossroads Events Calendar, makes decisions about co-sponsorship of non-Crossroads events, votes on the distribution of the Crossroads programming budget, and is responsible for the overall success of the Crossroads Program.