Foster Communal Fervor and Sense of camaraderie within the University Community
Feeling Connected Matters: The Power of Collective Effervescence in Higher Education
In the realm of higher education, feeling connected is more than just a nice-to-have — it's a key factor in student retention and overall well-being. According to various reports, a sense of community plays a significant role in shaping the college experience for students. However, challenges like diversity bans and large campus sizes can create barriers to building this sense of connection.
Enter, collective effervescence. Coined by Emile Durkheim, the term refers to the shared emotional experience and sense of connection individuals feel when they participate in a collective activity. And the best part? It doesn't require an extraordinary event to occur.
According to Dr. Shira Gabriel, a professor of psychology at The State University of New York at Buffalo, collective effervescence can take root in everyday moments, like waiting in line or interacting with strangers in an elevator. The experience sparks a primal need that humans share — the need to feel socially embedded and connected to others.
Research conducted by Gabriel and her team suggests that there are two defining aspects of collective effervescence. First, individuals experience a sense of connection to their fellow group members. Second, they feel as though something sacred is happening, which transcends the ordinary and provides a sense of meaning and purpose.
Studies have shown that collective effervescence has numerous mental health benefits. For instance, it can increase happiness, enhance life satisfaction, and boost feelings of thriving. Interestingly, a single powerful collective effervescence experience can continue to improve wellbeing for at least six months!
With this in mind, colleges and universities don't need to break the bank to promote collective effervescence among students. Fostering group activities, organizing events, and creating opportunities that cater to students' interests and passions can generate those coveted collective experiences. By providing students with a space to connect with their peers and feel a part of a larger community, schools can help students thrive and find meaning in their college experience.
Here are some strategies that colleges and universities can use to promote collective effervescence:
- Facilitate Meaningful Collective Experiences — Organizing activities that have visible and meaningful outcomes for students enhances engagement and cultivates feelings of connectedness and collectiveness. This includes events such as academic showcases, concerts, cultural festivals, and collaborative projects.
- Encourage Participation in Group Activities and Rituals — Regular participation in collective rituals, like orientation week activities, student government, sports events, and campus ceremonies, fosters a sense of shared identity and deepens belonging to the university community.
- Support Social Identity and Ingroup Connections — Facilitating activities that allow students to engage with their social ingroups amplifies feelings of connection and collective effervescence, helping students feel a sense of belonging.
- Foster Inclusive and Pluralistic Campus Environments — Encouraging pluralistic and peaceful collective actions among students maintains a cohesive community without fragmenting dissent or inciting conflict.
- Create Opportunities for Visible, Impactful Outcomes — When students see tangible results from their collective participation, such as successful advocacy or recognized academic achievements, collective efficacy and belonging are strengthened.
In conclusion, higher education can be a powerful source of collective effervescence for many students, providing a sense of meaning, connection, and social belonging. By implementing strategies that stimulate collective experiences, schools can help students thrive and create a positive and meaningful college experience.
- In the realm of higher education, fostering a sense of connectedness among college students through collective effervescence can significantly enhance their mental health, happiness, and life satisfaction.
- Science reveals that collective effervescence, a shared emotional experience resulting from participating in a collaborative activity, can improve personal growth and education-and-self-development, providing a sense of purpose and meaning.
- To cultivate a healthy and vibrant college campus, higher education institutions can facilitate meaningful collective experiences, encourage participation in group activities, support social identity, foster inclusive environments, and create opportunities for visible, impactful outcomes.
