Residence Life and Student Housing
Strategic Plan
Mission Statement | Departmental Highlights | Departmental Challenges | Departmental Goals
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Department of Residence Life and Student Housing is to advance the goals and objectives of the University by creating residential communities that empower residents to value learning, citizenship, and leadership in comfortable and well-maintained facilities.
2010-11 DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS
Residence Life and Student Housing had many highlights. First, the creation of new positions within the department afforded more effectiveness and efficiency. The accounting, technology, student conduct, and academic initiatives areas met specific needs and assisted in meeting the Exemplary Division of Student Affairs pillar. Second, continued emphasis on sustainability, including more initiatives in this area, brought the importance of this ideal to our residents. This was a successful collaboration with other departments across the University. Finally, we implemented a successful New Century Scholars community, in collaboration with Academic Affairs, in order to provide more leadership and community service opportunities for new resident students.
DEPARTMENTAL CHALLENGES
Our major departmental challenges center on the development of the Residential Commons Model over the next three years. As the current halls are converted to this Model, the result will be lost space for current students until the new housing comes on-line in 2014. Ultimately, it will mean lost bed spaces for returning students as our commitment is to First Years as a guarantee. The transition to this Model means we have to work more diligently to stay focused on the needs of our current residents as we want them to have a great residential experience as well without everyone seemingly focused on what will be in 2014. Additionally, the development of a plan for the transition to the Residential Commons is an immediate challenge that is a top priority.
DEPARTMENTAL GOALS
Student Success
Host SWACURH 2011: An energetic group of residence hall leaders, along with members of our and other Student Affairs departments' professional staff serving as advisors, are planning this conference for November 2011. This regional conference serves residence hall leaders from four states and will bring more than 400 attendees to SMU..
Student Learning
Assessment of Current Living/Learning Communities: Involvement of our faculty partners as well as student residents of these communities will enable us to see what works and what should be modified to maximize student learning.
Development of Residential Commons Program Committees: Students will be included on these committees designed to lay out what the programmatic aspect of the Residential Commons will look like.
Exemplary Division of Student Affairs
Collaboration for SWACURH 2011: This conference, discussed under the Student Success pillar, will highlight SMU for conference attendees.
On-line Housing application for FYs: This will be created and implemented beginning with the class entering fall 2012. New students will complete their housing application on-line as returning students beginning this academic year.