The Students’ Association Senate met Monday evening to discuss issues surrounding South Dakota State University.

Senators toured the Dana J. Dykhouse Student Athlete Center before the meeting and learned about the center’s facilities as well as its remaining construction and vision for the stadium.

After the tour, the senators congregated in the Lewis and Clark room for the weekly SA meeting. The Senate was approached by a representative from GetFruved during the Open Forum section of the session. The representative informed senators about the organization and its mission to educate college students about living healthier lifestyles.

During the session, Resolution 15-03-R, A Call for Faculty Support for Appreciative Advising, was passed by the Senate.

Kristen Uilk, assistant director of the First Year Advising Center and academic advisor, and Meghan Peterson, nursing student service coordinator, spoke in support of the resolution.

“It creates a positive experience,” Uilk said. “Advising appointments are more meaningful. We’re not just there for registration, but because we really care about the student’s hopes and dreams.”

Sen. Robert McLean used the Appreciative Advising method during his work as a New Student Orientation Leader this summer. McLean said the students he worked with felt grateful afterward because they hadn’t been asked about their dreams since they were young.

“I think this is a great opportunity for students,” McLean said.

Peterson said the quality of her advising relationships has improved for herself and her students.

“It’s that intention of saying, ‘I want to know you as a person first, then I’m probably better able to serve you as an advisor,’” Peterson said.

The Appreciative Advising approach uses six stages: Disarm, Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver, Don’t Settle. The stages are used to create meaningful partnerships between advisors and students, create “co-constructed” paths to success and provide tools for personal development.

According to the resolution, the “Appreciative Advising strategies has resulted in improved GPAs for high risk students and increased freshmen to sophomore retention rates.”

In addition to SA, Appreciative Advising has garnered support across campus. Some in support of the approach include Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Laurie Nichols, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dennis Papini, Dean of the College of Nursing Nancy Fahrenwald, Director of the First Year Advising Center and Coordinator for University Academic Advising Jody Owen and others.

The next Students’ Association meeting will be held in the Lewis and Clark room Monday, Sept. 14.