Hallways Handbook - Kent State University

1 - RESIDENCE HALL COMMUNITYThe Department of Residence Services is committed to providing quality services, amenities and programsto enhance our students’ living-learning experience while residing on campus. With this in mind,all students are encouraged to understand and embrace their roles as members of a community. As aresident, your actions and behavior directly affect the community. Therefore, it is your responsibility toread and understand the guidelines for conduct and living in the residence halls as noted in your residencehall contract.As a member of a residence hall, you have access to additional support that isn’t available in off-campusliving environments. One of these supports is your Residence Services Hall Staff: a group ofprofessional and student staff whose goal is to create a strong community of learners on your floor and inyour building and make your stay in your hall as comfortable and fulfilling as possible. They are here toensure a healthy, comfortable, educational and fair environment where learning and all other activitiesof daily life are smoothly integrated. Get to know the staff in your area. They will prove to be welcoming,concerned and very helpful.Benifits of living on campus include:There are numerous benefits to living on campus including convenience, opportunities to developlife-long friendships, and to live in an environment that fosters the educational and personalgrowth of students.The mission of the Department of Residence Services is to provide to residential students a livingenvironment that offers support and assistance to maximize their educational opportunities. Ourgoal is to offer residential facilities, programs and services that enhance student learning andsupport student success.While living in an environment that promotes safety, students also benefit from the opportunityto learn about other cultures and lifestyles, form lifelong friendships and make lasting memories.The concepts of self-respect and respect for others, tolerance of and celebration of diversity,ethical behavior and personal growth are fostered via staff intervention, community-basededucational and social programs and the expectation that hall residents hold one anotheraccountable.The convenience of living on campus provides students easy access to numerous campus resourcessuch as faculty and academic advisors, the library, computer labs, residence hall dining halls andother campus eateries, the health center, recreational facilities and student organizations.Additionally, students have the opportunity to interact with university faculty outside theclassroom by participating in a variety of campus-wide and residence hall programs.4