By Nicole Haley

Communications Professor Elise Dallimore talked to students and faculty last Wednesday about her research on how newcomers are taught to fit in. The talk was part of a public lecture series sponsored by the Department of Communications meant to showcase the research and scholarship in communications studies of Northeastern professors and invited guests. Professor David Marshall, chair of communication studies, said the series was designed to make the university aware of what is going on in the department and to make a stronger learning connection between professors and students.

“We wanted to showcase what our faculty is researching so students can be aware of more than what’s in front of them in the classroom,” Marshall said. Dallimore said that every environment has unique steps for the socialization of its members. The process of socialization of Northeastern students, for example, is unique because it involves integrating work experience with lessons in the classroom.

After completing her study of incoming assistant professors at an anonymous university, Dallimore said she observed how people learn what is expected of them through what she termed “memorable messages.” These messages are pieces of advice or information that are repeated over a period of time to guide a person’s behavior. Dallimore said she was surprised to hear the responses of her subjects when asked what they felt were helpful messages.

“Half of the messages had nothing to do with the person’s job,” Dallimore said, after telling the story of a professor who said the most useful advice he received was how to take the bus. Dallimore talked about what happens when the reality of a new environment conflicts with the messages given to a newcomer and violates expectations. In this situation, Dallimore said that people would either use the experience as an impetus for change or simply vent their complaints.

Judy Brown, a senior communications major, said her expectations were violated when she began the co-op program and realized that her vision of advisors obtaining jobs and handing them over to students was not the reality.

“I had to get out and find my own jobs,” Brown said. Dallimore described her own experience with unmet expectations. After three quarters teaching in what Dallimore said was a cramped basement classroom at Snell Library, Dallimore said she chose to make a change by encouraging students to petition to administration for better classrooms.

She said the process of learning to fit in might be easier with more efficient socialization processes. After completing her research, Dallimore said she helped many universities to implement formal socialization programs. Some of her ideas included mentoring relationships across disciplines and levels of experience as well as the use of first year faculty to help orient incoming faculty the next year. “You will continue to get what you’re getting as long as you continue to do what you’re doing,” Dallimore said.

The lecture series is partly put together by graduating seniors in the department as part of their required senior seminar course. Speakers will be in 220 Behrakis during activities period on Wednesdays.

Talks will include a speech about creative industries given by a professor from Australia’s Queensland University of Technology as well as Marshall’s own presentation on celebrity and technology. Next semester Marshall said he hopes to get more speakers from the media industry.