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Residence Hall Success Program
By Rick LaRosa,
Associate Director for Residential Life
Temple University
With many of us pre-occupied with the bricks and mortar of new construction projects and significant renovation work it is unfortunately too easy at times to become sidetracked away from that truly important work that drew us to the profession in the first place...making a positive difference in student lives through our interactions with them.
Not unlike many institutions at the present time, Temple University is going through a renaissance of sorts. Many new and spectacular buildings are indeed going up all over campus including the construction of our third new residence hall in the span of only seven years. The pace is dizzying and the opportunities immense. While we seemingly can't build them fast enough to meet demand, we realize that was not always, nor will it always, be the case. We realize that it is critical that we not take a single student's presence for granted and that we must work hard not only to recruit new students but to also work hard to retain them as well.
Four years ago the residential life staff at Temple identified our new students (freshmen and new transfers) as the group likely to be most at risk and made the commitment to getting them off to the best start possible. Our concern was that if a new student encountered enough difficult situations in their first few weeks of the academic year the likelihood of them dropping out of school or transferring at the end of the semester or year might increase significantly. Recognizing that one could never prevent all difficult situations from visiting our new students it was the staff's belief that we should better prepare them for the reality of being a college student and provide them resources to assist them. The staff decided that the best way for this to occur would be to welcome new students to campus earlier than our returning students and spend a concentrated period of time with them. The primary goals became to;
- Identify typical difficult situations college students experience
- Highlight campus opportunities the University has to offer
- Make connections with a seasoned member of the college community in the hopes that a student might feel comfortable utilizing them as a resource to help them problem solve
The Residence Hall Success Program has taken some interesting twists and turns over the course of the past several years in response mainly to student and student staff input, however, the goals of the program have remained steadfastly the same. It is fashioned to move students from smaller groups to larger groups (ie. roommates, floor mates, building residents, all residents and finally all residents and commuters). In addition, the staff has made a concerted effort to expose the students to as many different venues on campus as possible so that they become more quickly familiar with their campus.
In addition to welcoming our new students back early the residence life staff have utilized the services of student volunteers that help students at check-in, including carrying their belongings to their rooms. Faculty members have been invited to co-host with the Resident Assistant, a students first "floor meeting". An opening barbeque dinner for our new students with their parents and invited faculty and staff has traditionally been included in our new student check-in day. The evening includes floor and building wide social programs. The following day has for the most part taken on a conference style flavor with new students from our three campuses participating in various sessions including;
- "People Skills 101: How to Get Along with Practically Everyone" (consisting of role playing roommate conflict scenarios, etc)
- "Empowerment Rocks: Managing Stress During Your Freshmen Year"
- "U. Temple U. and You" (consisting of a self-inventory and guided discussion focusing on ways a student can achieve their highest goals and dreams)
- "Navigating SEPTA" (our public transit system in Philadelphia)
- "Recreation Services Presents Great Opportunities for You"
- "Getting Involved in Student Organizations"
- "Help Wanted: Smart, Creative, Energetic Individuals Willing to Design Campus Life"
- "4.0 The Total University Experience"
- "Alice the Maid Doesn't Live Here: Tips for FENDING FOR YOURSELF!"
These sessions are carefully placed together and presented by students and staff at the University identified as key contacts for new students. Individuals that want to work with new students and be seen as a resource a student might choose to turn to at some point in the future if they faced a difficult situation and desire advice.
The evening includes a wide variety of social programs at our Student Activities Center where students come together with residents from all the other residence halls.
The following day our new students are invited to participate in New Student Day, a program hosted by our Student Life Office which gives residents the opportunity to spend time with commuter students also new to the University. This program has typically included a new games program and a featured speaker followed by a barbeque and then an outdoor blockbuster movie.
By the conclusion of the New Student Day, most of our returning students have checked into the halls and classes are about to begin. The residence life staff and our volunteers are thoroughly exhausted but rest comfortably with the knowledge that they have done their best to make our new students aware of some of the difficult situations they may encounter, highlighted many of the opportunities the University has to offer them as well as many of the dedicated resource people willing to avail themselves to provide a new student with advice or direction.
It is clear from research offered in the area of college student development and surely through our experience as practitioners, that students that become exposed to and involved in campus life opportunities often enhance their overall college education. This likely occurs because of the additional connections made with other students, faculty and staff. To a student it may all just seem enjoyable and/or helpful in a time of need. However, this knowledge and involvement in campus life organizations and events can result in an increasing sense of belonging, acceptance and support. It is therefore important to a student's personal development and can impact considerably on their positive view of their college environment even when everything doesn't go well. Moreover, students are truly honing important life skills, which compliment the classroom education they are receiving. They are exposed to new and different experiences, which at times might challenge the way they view themselves, others and the world. They are expanding their perspective on the human experience and becoming prepared in many ways for their future.
Helping students get off to the right start at college is fun and rewarding but most important it is a way we can significantly contribute to making a positive difference in a student's life.
About the Author
Rick LaRosa has served the field of Housing and Residence Life for 21 years, as a Resident Director, Area Coordinator, Assistant Director and currently Associate Director at four institutions; Alfred State College, West Chester University, Villanova University and Temple University. Rick is originally from Waltham, MA. He currently resides in Downingtown, PA with his wife, Arlene and his three young sons, Stephen, Christopher and Gregory each of whom he loves and cherishes immensely!