In this Q&A, the focus is on Residence Life and interview with Schwartz Hall Resident Assistant Emma Smith, senior, public health major, and one of eight RAs there. Also answering questions is Residence Life Director Stephen Sweet. They tell us about the roles, responsibilities and initiatives that shape the nine residence halls and living on campus.
1) What is the overall mission of Residence Life on campus?
Resident Assistant Emma Smith: To create a welcoming, inclusive and exciting places to live for all students. It is our goal to make students feel this is their home that they can be comfortable and thrive in.
Director of Residence Life Stephen Sweet: Our mission is stated as follows: ‘The Office of Residence Life will utilize a student-centered approach to create a safe and inclusive environment that develops communities, supports personal and academic success, and establishes a purposeful and holistic residential experience.’
2) How are housing policies created and enforced?
ES: Housing policies are created by following trends in the residence halls. These policies are enforced by all RAs, desk attendants, and staff acting as role models for residents, such as adhering to these policies ourselves.
SS: Some things, like our Housing Contract and the Student Code of Conduct, are authored by the Board of Regents for Higher Education. Our Guide to Living on Campus is reviewed each year and published by the
Office of Residence Life. Enforcement really begins with students holding themselves and others accountable to our shared community standards.
3) What are the most common issues students face in the residence halls?
ES: Noise complaints, roommate conflicts and acclimating to campus living. RA presence in the residence halls is a huge support [to solve these issues].
SS: Students in the residence halls occasionally experience roommate conflicts, and other challenges that can emerge when sharing common spaces and living with other students.
4) How are roommate conflicts handled?
ES: By conducting mediation meetings. RAs meet with all roommates involved separately and then meet altogether. RAs set ground rules for the meeting such as using “I” statements and not disrupting others while speaking.
SS: Residence Life also facilitates a Roommate Expectations Agreement for all roommates to help guide some of these important conversations about how to live together, share space and respect boundaries. If a roommate conflict requires Residence Life intervention, our first step is revisiting the roommate agreement to reset expectations.
5) What support systems are available for students living on campus?
ES: [The university] has so many support systems including the Wellbeing Center, counseling services and the Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services.
SS: Students living on campus have access to all of the support systems available to all SCSU students with the added convenience of living just a short walk from all of the offices and services designed to help students thrive, matter and succeed here at Southern. Students living in the residence halls also have the support of our incredibly talented and dedicated RA team.
6) What safety measures are in place in the residence halls?
ES: There are many such as all the doors to enter the building are always locked and can only be accessed with a Southern ID. Additionally, every resident is required to sign in themselves, or guests, every time they come into the building at the front desk. This provides another level of security for our residence halls to ensure that every person in the building is accounted for.
SS: Our residence halls remain locked 24/7, with card access available only to those students living in each building. Each residence hall is equipped with smoke and fire detection systems.
7) How are RAs trained for the role?
ES: RAs are trained before the start of every fall and spring semester. The summer training in August is two weeks long and has sessions or meetings with staff each day.
SS: RAs receive intensive training in the weeks prior to the start of the fall and spring semesters. Throughout the semester, RAs attend weekly staff meetings to grow and learn together and attend monthly in-service training sessions to take a deeper dive into special topics.
8) What opportunities are there for leadership in Residence Life?
ES: The opportunities include joining hall council in your building, Residence Hall Association and, of course, resident advisor. Each hall has a hall council that puts on programs or events for students living in the building. The Residence Hall Association coordinates large programs for every hall collectively.
SS: Residence Life has many opportunities for leadership, from serving on Hall Council or RHA, to serving in one of our many student employment positions, such as desk attendant or RA.
9) How does Residence Life build community among students?
ES: By having engaging programs in the building that are social and educational. These allow for RAs to get to know their residents, but also helps residents meet each other and make new friends. I always try to talk and
engage with my residents to check in on how their week is going because I want them to know there is always someone here to support them.
SS: Residence Life builds community through a number of formal and informal student interactions and programs. Community building is also facilitated through regular floor and community meetings, and our ‘Owl Chats’ initiative.
10) What advice would you give to new students moving into campus housing?
ES: The advice I would give is to be open-minded, attend any or all events and not take it for granted. Living on campus in college is a major transition with a lot of new perspectives and lifestyle habits, and I think being open-minded would allow students to have personal growth with their communication skills and independence.
SS: My advice for students moving into campus housing is to appreciate the incredible opportunity living on campus represents. Come with an open mind, get involved and help others feel welcome.
