Table of Contents
A
Day in the Life of a High-Tech Liberal Arts Student
Learning Communities - A New Approach to Residential Life
Proposed Wellness Center To Address the Whole Person
Student Center Plans Continue to Evolve
Learning Communities - A New Approach to Residential Life
"Residential areas are where students make meaning of their education," says Gary Hartz, director of the new office of residential learning communities and housing (RLCH), which was created by last year's merger of the former office of residential life (once upon a time called "housing") and the residential component of the First-Year Program. Hartz, who oversees a staff of two new assistant directors, four residential coordinators, two secretaries and more than 60 student community assistants (formerly Resident Assistants and College Assistants, or RAs and CAs), captures the spirit of change with his enthusiasm for what the RLCH is all about.
Among the many books on Hartz's shelves stands a volume entitled Training Character. That name suggests part of his philosophy."Community exists when students realize they can have a positive effect on their environment, and take the responsibility to act in ways that are beneficial to themselves and others," he tells me during an extensive conversation in his warm, comfortable office on a cold February afternoon. "We are giving students a more active role in shaping the residential experience," he says, noting that RLCH offers a growing number of alcohol education, diversity and social interaction programs such as pizza parties and movie nights.
Hartz promises that RLCH will continue to work with faculty and students on initiatives to raise the academic relevance of different residential experiences such as themed living areas, citing the Artists' Guild and the Strategy and Gaming Hall as but two examples of groups of students who can provide educational programming. "We strive to promote community as the heart of learning," he concludes.
Kenneth Okoth '01A native of Nairobi, Kenya, Ken Okoth was an intern in the University communications office in spring 2001, after returning from his fall semester in Denmark.