Unlike many professors, Paul Harre takes his job to this more personal level.

Harre, an associate professor of electrical management, dedicates his Tuesday nights to the residents of Wright II in University Park.

As part of the Faculty Associates Program, faculty members, such as Harre, volunteer to take part in the lives of students who live in University Housing.

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Volunteers in the program are not required to commit to strict schedules with students, and Harre goes far beyond his duties as a Faculty Associate.

I’m not doing this for praise, he said. I’m looking out for what is best for the kids.

The Faculty Associates Program was intended to help students by building a stronger relationship between students and faculty. The program matches faculty members with different residence hall buildings or floors, so volunteers become mentors for students. The program began in 1995 at Thompson Point and has grown to include University Park. About 30 faculty members take part in the program.

They were not asked to spend time their personal time with the residents, but Harre turns down the chance to prepare class lectures or occasionally rent a movie Tuesday nights. He would rather assist his adopted students.

Mike Shanks, coordinator for resident life at University Park, appreciates Harre’s extra effort with the Faculty Associates Program. He said Harre is able to give the students a better understanding of the people who teach their classes.

He’s reaching out to the students and going to where they are at, Shanks said. He’s a model faculty associate. He’s showing that faculty members are humans and that they really do care about what goes on outside of the classroom.

He makes the students feel very comfortable, and he’s committed to making a difference in the students’ lives.

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When Harre visits Wright II, he spends his time in the building’s third-floor study lounge to make himself available to students.

Rebecca Bunk, a freshman in administration of justice from Foosland, visits with Harre often and finds him to be a valuable resource.

It makes help more accessible, she said. Otherwise you have to go to an office. He has been able to help me with my minor questions about school.

There are nights when no students appear in the study lounge for Harre’s assistance. But Harre diligently keeps coming week after week, leaving Bunk impressed by Harre’s determination.

I think a lot of people would have given up by now, she said. He keeps coming just in case one student wants to see him.

Harre keeps coming to his assigned dorm and tries to answer as many questions as students may have.

I don’t know all the answers, Harre said. But I can point them in the right direction to someone who can help them with their problems.

Harre is just as helpful to his own students by giving them his home phone number and keeping regular office hours. But he still feels the need to reach out to other professors’ students because he feels it is his role as an educator.

In education, we have put out a lot of products, Harre said. There is a little bit of me in many states, even different countries. Many of the skills and values that I have taught to students are taken with them. Other people see that.

I’m here for the students. It’s a good feeling when you know that you have helped someone.

Factoid:Any faculty members interested in becoming a Faculty Associate can contact Kathy Lorentz at 453-3318 for information.