Residence Life Curriculum

To provide a foundation of safety, support, and success in an inclusive community that empowers residents to navigate their experiences of personal growth.

The Residence Life Curriculum is the framework upon which we base our work in Residence Life. Our professional, paraprofessional, and student staff work to make our residential buildings not just places students live, but settings for students to have an all-encompassing experience and grow and develop in these 5 areas.

Each Student should:

Get to know their neighbors
Engage in community activities
Support peers in the community (learning, caring/looking out of them, celebrating)
Develop strong relationships with faculty and staff

We Hope to Observe students:

Saying hi and using their name
Telling stories using the names of others
Inviting people by name
Actively participation in events
Exploring formal and informal leadership
Bringing concerns to appropriate authorities
Taking initiative to address situations
Be there during hard times and challenges

Each Student should:

Explore their individuality & articulate their identity
Place value in themselves
Exhibit confidence in their actions
Understanding Others
Understand their beliefs, values, interests, and strengths in relation to major and career goals

We Hope to Observe students:

Articulate who they are
Acknowledge that identity evolving
Engage in self-advocacy
Engage in self-assurance
Defend their actions and choices with conviction

Each Student should:

Assist in the implementation of the guidelines of the community
Learn effective ways to address community concerns
Respect Others
Take action for the benefit of their community

We Hope to Observe students:

Enforce policy and community standards
Know appropriate actions to take
Know when to utilize proper channels
Participate in the creation of a vibrant community
Address toxic behavior

Each Student should:

Understand the intent behind policies and procedures
Learn how to take care of their personal space
Be able to identify multiple solutions to a problem
Exhibit self-care

We Hope to Observe students:

Work to change policy
Discuss policy and the further impact violations have on the community
Seek multiple options
Create areas that are clean and comfortable to their standards
Choose options that work best in the situation for the individual

Each Student should:

Engage in positive behavior, and respect towards others & their differences
Exhibit critical thinking towards controversial topics
Become aware of the world around themselves

We Hope to Observe students:

Hold others accountable in being respectful and positive
Articulate the implications of negative behavior
Actively engage in discussions on controversial topics in hopes of learning and understanding
Can articulate issues of the world around them
Seek opportunities to advocate for change

All members of our staff strive to:

Engage with residents through interpersonal conversations on relevant topics of interest to the residents.
Develop a mentoring relationship and safe space for conversation with a peer leader.
Aid residents in navigating conflicts, life decisions, and other issues.
Aid residents in setting goals and creating action plans to achieve these goals.

Any interaction with our students in an opportunity to connect and build relationships, but we utilize 4 main methods of interacting and educating students to support their growth:

Programs sponsored by staff members that offer opportunities to connect and/or learn new things.
Intentional Interactions for staff to better get to know our students and learn how to support them.
Themed Living Communities for students to immerse themselves in an interest or belief they love.
The Residence Hall Association that provides students learning opportunities, town halls to speak their minds, and take on leadership roles where they can plan events.