Resident Life programs and facilities are on the brink of transition. For the last two years we have been studying how to manage and develop our residence hall facilities to better meet our students' interests and needs. Consultants reviewed our residence hall facilities and programs in 1997, and another consultant conducted a market analysis and facilities audit in 1999.
Many upperclassmen prefer apartments and houses to traditional residence halls. About a third of undergraduates live in nearby rented apartments and houses. Roughly 500 students live in Brookwood Court, an apartment complex adjacent to campus operated by Student Lodging, Inc., a non-profit corporation affiliated with the University.
In 1997, a large apartment complex near Millersville refused to renew student leases, creating a shortage of apartment-style housing near campus. A Student Senate Off-Campus Housing Committee survey of 737 students found that nearly two thirds characterized off-campus housing availability as poor or very poor. In response to the need for more conveniently located off-campus housing, in Fall 1999 Student Lodging, Inc., opened 12 new apartments adjacent to campus. While these facilities provide safe, convenient, and comfortable accommodations, we still believe firmly in the on-campus residential experience as important for student growth and development in an academic atmosphere.
Our residence halls are nearing the end of their life cycle. While the residence halls have been improved with computer connectivity wiring in all rooms, they are not meeting the needs of many upperclassmen who prefer apartment-style accommodations. Declining upperclass interest in residence hall living led to the closing of one residence hall, Lyle Hall, in 1995. (It was converted into a student services facility, as discussed in Chapter 11.) Our residence halls clearly need major renovations and enhancements to continue to attract and retain highly qualified students. Consultants have identified necessary building upgrades and enhancements, ranging from replacing outdated furniture to remodeling and tackling deferred maintenance. While we will develop a plan to make these improvements, revenue from room fees is insufficient to finance them, and necessary funds have not yet been identified.
Resident Life is not just facilities; it is also the staff and programs that support the student residents. Traditionally aged students need programs within the residence halls as well as elsewhere on campus to meet their needs and interests. Resident Life staff collaborate with the Resident Student Association to offer programming. In Fall 1998, 354 programs were offered, mostly wing/floor meetings and social/recreational activities such as pizza parties, decorating activities, and intramural teams. A few educational, community service, and cultural/diversity programs were also offered.
Recent consultants see room for improvement. As one consultant noted, "In many respects, the MU approach to programming is what was quite common several decades ago: offer lots of programs, try to keep students busy, and hope that they will have a good time." Consultants suggest developing partnerships with academic departments and faculty so " . . . the conversation that occurs in a classroom or laboratory is extended to the residential facility."
Resident Life is staffed by a Director (newly appointed in 1999 following a retirement), two Associate Deans, six residence hall directors, and 79 undergraduate resident assistants. The professional staff all hold master's degrees, and most have been here at least nine years. Staff seniority has led to unusually high personnel costs and has made it difficult to keep up with national trends and introduce fresh ideas. The new Director is planning to help the staff focus on new strategies and innovation, embrace new practices, and respond to a more competitive student market. Resident assistants currently receive minimal training; their training needs to be strengthened to enhance their skills in meeting residents' needs.
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