issue twenty-eight© 2017 Swank Motion Pictures, Inc. RLC1854 2.17

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FEBRUARY 2017

HAPPINESSThe

Issue

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESSWays to spread good vibes on International Day of Happiness

DIVERSITY ON CAMPUSBULLETIN BOARD INSPIRATIONIN-ROOM WINTER WORKOUTS

A POSITIVE MENTAL MINDSETAdvice on stopping mental health stigmas on campus

RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2017RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA 1

A POSITIVE MENTAL MINDSET Advice on stopping mental health stigmas on campus SPRING BREAK QUIZ! Find your ideal spring break destination THE SNOWED-IN SWEAT ROUTINE Get in shape with these residence hall-friendly exercises THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS Ways to spread good vibes on International Day of Happiness BULLETIN BOARD INSPIRATION Tips to put the "10 Keys to Happier Living" into action

DIVERSITY ON CAMPUS How to help everyone feel safe and welcome

FLOOR IDEA: VOLUNTEER ON VALENTINE’S DAY Easy ways to stop V-Day from becomming a bummer

the HAPPINESS issue CONTENTS

Also in this Issue

16 NEW RELEASES: PROGRAMMING IDEAS

20 CAMPUS SPOTLIGHT

21 MOVIES THAT CONNECT

3

6

8

10

12

14

18

3ENDING MENTAL HEALTH STIGMAS ON CAMPUS

8THE SNOWED-IN SWEAT ROUTINE

Email INFO@RESLIFE.COM for a FREE issue!

RA MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2016RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA 1

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Back to SchoolThe

Issue

AUGUST 2016

Test Your RA Skills: The Roommate Disagreement Version

Stop Scrimping on Sleep!The Risks of Not Catching the Right Amount of Zzzs

PROGRAMMING IDEAS TO HELP YOUR FLOOR BOND!

WELCOME RESIDENTS!Activities, Inspiration, Ice Breakers and Much More

IS PHONE ADDICTION A REAL THING? Signs You Could Be Suffering from Too Much Screen Time

There’s another way to draw attention to your great work. A Campus Spotlight highlights your school through a short Q&A write-up about how you’re using your Residence Life Cinema program.

Residence Life Cinema will soon debut a brand-new website featuring even more movie magic. Here's a sneak peak of what you can do with the new site.

• Flip through and download past issues of RA Magazine

• Download your helpful RA toolkit

• Get inspired by how other schools are using Residence Life Cinema

WANNA SHARE STORIES?

RA Magazine wants your stories, advice and tips to feature in future issues. If you’re a fellow RA with some fun floor programming ideas or information on campus trends, we want to hear from you. Email info@reslife.com to find out how to get featured.

CAMPUS spotlight

MAJOR: Psychology

RESIDENCE HALL: Justin Potter

STUDENTS ON FLOOR: 11

FAVORITE MOVIE: It’s a tie between The Nightmare Before Christmas and Spirited Away.

YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING AN RA: I really like helping residents during the most important transition of their lives.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INTEGRATING MOVIES INTO YOUR RA PROGRAMMING EVENTS? It helps to relate the topic to something visual, rather than hearing another lecture on another topic. Students need interactive and stimulating programs more than just being talked to.

DESCRIBE YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAM WHERE YOU USED MOVIES TO ENHANCE PROGRAM CONTENT. I have not hosted a program about this yet, but I plan to use movies to highlight the important issues in college (stress, drinking, partying, etc). It is easy to get caught up in the hype of college and forget that you are a student.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER YOUR FUTURE RAS? Be personal! If possible, have an open-door policy but don't be afraid to lay down the rules of your building. For those in freshmen halls, help make your hall a home. Personalizing the small things makes it look so much better. For example, we have a community-style bathroom and I have personally brought back a bathroom rug for the shower and bought some inexpensive soaps that look MUCH better than the installed systems.

BEING AN RA MEANS... Inspiring those who are lost, confused, or seeking to find their way.

SHELBY CHAPLINCumberland University

SUBMIT A Campus Spotlight!

Email us at info@reslife.com to submit one today.10HAPPINESS

The Pursuit of

Brand-New Site. Same Great Movies.

COMING Soon

MANAGING DIRECTOR Peter Swank

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Colin Crane

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGERS Alex Pieschel

Cassie Wood

ACCOUNT MANAGERS Stacie Taylor

Amanda Gasich

Jordi Palmer

INSIDE SALES SPECIALIST Dylan Kay

ONLINE CONTENT MANAGER

Kelsey Reizer

COPYWRITER Catherine Rolwes

MARKETING MANAGER Courtney Fritz

MARKETING COORDINATOR Lizzie Maassen

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kara Rinella

WHO'S who

The Natural with Robert Redford. I used to watch it before my Little League baseball games!

Top Gun. Young Tom Cruise is the man.

Notting Hill - everyone needs a roommate like Spike at some point in their life.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall! I am such a sucker for comedies, and this one has so many classic lines that you can't help but laugh. Instant mood improver.

Bring It On always makes me smile without fail because, well..."It's only cheerleading!"

Couples Retreat makes me laugh every time I watch it. I repeat lines from the movie on a regular basis.

Clueless, because it's literally mindless!

What movie always makes you happy?

Be sure to follow @ResidenceLifeCinema on Instagram for contests, programming ideas and an inside look at what's coming soon.

RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 20172

The Wall Street Journal recently reported a 43 percent jump in the number of students seeking treatment at Ohio State University’s counseling centers in the past five years. And they’re not alone.

Nationwide, 17 percent of college students were diagnosed with or treated for anxiety problems during the past year, and 13.9 percent were diagnosed with or treated for depression, according to a spring 2016 survey by the American College Health Association. But these increased percentages don’t mean the social stigma attached to mental health disorders has vanished.

MENTAL MINDSET:Stopping Social Stigmas Attached to Mental Health on College Campuses

There is a dramatic increase in the number of students looking for help with mental

health issues at colleges across the country.

RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2017RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA 3

I like watching Wimbledon. Paul Bettany is pretty funny.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. No, I'm not joking. Something about cute, animated food emulating people makes me smile.

The original Hairspray is great. Big hair, an elaborate bug dress and the Turnblads always turn my frowns upside down.

My sisters and I used to sing and dance along with Meet Me In St. Louis when we were kids. I still love to watch it and remember how much fun we had way back then!

Music and Lyrics always cheers me up. That movie has it all: singing, dancing and Hugh Grant. What more does a girl need?

Crazy, Stupid, Love because it features some of my favorite actors and leaves me in a good mood every time.

5

hear someone on campus perpetrating stereotypes and misconceptions. And be conscious of your own language. Eliminate words like crazy, psycho, nuts, lunatic, paranoid and insane from your vocabulary as they stigmatize and trivialize mental health conditions. ENCOURAGE EQUALITY People should perceive physical and mental illnesses equally. Show the same compassion for someone living with a mental health condition as you would someone who’s been diagnosed with a physical disease. ADVOCATE FOR REFORM Whether it’s at the local, national or university level, be knowledgeable of what mental health policies are up for

voting or need amending. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a great source for information and news related to mental illness, reports things are looking up in terms of mental health policy, but change is still needed. For instance, less than 50 percent of psychiatrists participate in health insurance. Also, a national movement is underway to make a mental health

exam part of a typical physical exam. Learn more, including how to become a NAMI Advocate, at www.nami.org.

Most importantly, as an RA you should make sure your residents know you are someone they can come to at

any time if they need to talk about how they feel or about their mental health concerns. Even if you can’t solve their problems, you can be a compassionate set of ears and a guide to proper resources.

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMARA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 20174

Stigma After Alison Malmon’s brother committed suicide during her freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania, she noticed a limited number of Penn students talking about mental health issues – even though she knew many were affected. Wanting to end the stigma and prevent future tragedies, Alison created the nonprofit organization Active Minds.

In 2008, Active Minds launched their Send Silence Packing program – a traveling exhibition of 1,100 backpacks donated by those impacted by suicide. The packs, representing the number of college students lost to suicide each year, are displayed in high-traffic areas on college campuses to spotlight the severity of the problem.

University of Redlands freshman Rachel Arnold verbalized the impact the traveling

exhibition can have on students when she was quoted in the school’s newspaper saying, “You can say this many people committed suicide but then when you see these backpacks in a field you think, ‘Oh my God. There’s a person for each one of these bags.’ This is such an epidemic.”

Active Minds believes removing the stigma is vital to lowering the number of

suicides on campus each year. If a student isn’t concerned about how they will be perceived by others, or if there is no embarrassment surrounding a visit to the school’s clinic, then there are fewer barriers keeping that person from accessing the care they

need. And combating the associated shame requires a shift on everyone’s part, not just those dealing with an illness.

How You Can HelpTALK OPENLY The most essential thing you can do is talk openly about mental health. Ameera Ladak, a student and Active Minds advocate at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, admits disclosure takes courage. “But talking about mental illness is the best way to reduce prejudice and ignorance,” she says on the Active Minds website. “Most students don’t even know the anti-stigma effort exists. At campus mental wellness events, people rarely approach [our] booth. They don’t want to be seen as crazy.”

We’re all affected by mental illness one way or another – whether it’s a loved one, a friend, a coworker or even our own struggles. If we can each “own” it, then we can demystify it – which might empower others to seek help. BE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND MINDFUL Educate yourself and others about mental health. Be able to speak up when you

RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2017RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

MENTAL mindset

5

ALISON MALMON Executive Director and Founder of Active Minds

© 2017 PeaceLove Studios

If you are interested in bringing the Send Silence Packing display to your campus, log on to www.activeminds.org.

SIGNS OF DEPRESSION

We're all affected by mental illness one way or another - whether it's a loved one, a friend, a coworker or even our own struggles.

The most essential thing you can do is talk openly about mental health.

THOUGHTS

• "Life is not worth living."

• "I'm worthless."• "I'm a failure."• "Nothing good

ever happens to me."

• "I can't do anything right."

FEELINGS

• Sad• Anxious• Irritable• Restless• Guilty• Overwhelmed

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

• Oversleeping or difficulty sleeping • Unwanted weight change• Fatigue • Lack of appetite • Physical aches and pains

BEHAVIORS

• Loss of interest or pleasure• Difficulty concentrating or

making decisions• Decreased energy• Withdrawal from friends and family• Increased alcohol consumption

Residence Life Cinema is proud to partner with leading educational content creators to help you inform students about mental health.

Call your Account Executive for tips on using short video clips before and after movies!

[Photo courtesy of James Madison University]

RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2017 RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA6

Your week of freedom is coming up fast. Having a hard time deciding where to spend it? Answer the five questions below, and we’ll show you the way to your ideal vacay!

1. What does your budget look like?

Vegas Vacation

National Lampoon's Van Wilder

Into the Wild

2. What type of wardrobe would you like to pack?

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Doctor Zhivago Spring Breakers The Way Back

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RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2017RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA 7

SPRING BREAK quiz

3. How do you want to get to your destination?

Titanic Snakes on a Plane

On the Road Midnight Cowboy

4. What do you imagine doing all week?

The Tourist Snow Day Surf's Up 2: Wave Mania

Pay It Forward

5. What kind of food do you dream about?

Chocolat Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Pineapple Express

Mystic Pizza

(Call Residence Life Cinema now to add these great movies to your lineup!)

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Mostly A's The Sea

You want a glamorous trip

worthy of the countless Instagrams you plan to post. Use your platinum

card to book a multi-country European cruise and sail away to the good

life for a week.

Mostly B's The Slopes

You’re looking for

some adventure, even if it means ice on the

ground instead of in your beverage. Let everyone else lounge on a packed beach while you hit the

packed powder all week.

Mostly C's The Beach

You have your heart set

on the classic college spring break. This means

road tripping to your destination in a jam-

packed car, cramped hotel rooms and lots of late

nights. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

Mostly D's The Wherever

You see this week off as an opportunity to give back. Sign up for a service trip or look for organizations at your school to join, like Alternative Spring Break.

Just don’t forget to have a little fun on your week off,

no matter how small.

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JUMP SQUATS1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.

2. Start performing a regular squat with your chest upright and your knees behind your toes, then engage your core and jump up explosively.

3. As you land, let the balls of your feet make contact first then lower your body back into the squat position. Land as softly as possible.

RES-HALL workouts

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMARA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 20178

Don’t let an ice-cold wintery morning or a powdery snowfall keep you from your daily sweat-sesh. Read on to learn four exercises you can do any time in your dorm room. Or, better yet, gather a group to complete the exercises together in a common space.

SWEAT ROUTINE

SNOWED-IN

DREADFUL WEATHER? WORK OUT FROM HOME BASE WITH RESIDENCE HALL-FRIENDLY EXERCISES

THE

SPIDERMAN PUSH-UPS1. Start in the plank position with your hands under your

shoulders and your body in one straight line.

2. As you start performing a classic push-up, bend your left knee and touch it to your left elbow.

3. As you straighten your arms, come back to plank position with your left foot next to your right. Repeat with your right elbow touching your right knee.

“Exercise gives you endorphins; endorphins make you happy!”AS THE WISE ELLE WOODS ONCE SAID:

RES-HALL workouts

RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2017 9RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

5 FICTIONAL MOVIE CHARACTERS

WHO COULD BE YOUR PERSONAL TRAINER

REVERSE CRUNCHES1. Lie down with your arms at your side

and your legs up so that your thighs are perpendicular to the floor with your feet together.

2. Move your legs toward the torso as you roll your pelvis backwards and you raise your hips off the floor. Your thighs should touch your chest at the end.

3. Hold the contraction then move your thighs back to the starting position.

STAR TOE TOUCH SIT-UPS1. Lie on your back with your legs fully

extended and your arms to the sides.

2. Raise your right leg and your torso simultaneously and reach your left hand toward your right foot.

3. Return to the starting position, and repeat on the opposite side.

KASUKI MIYAGI The Karate Kid

FRANKIE DUNN Million Dollar Baby

CHAD FELDHEIMER Burn After Reading

THE BRIDE Kill Bill

IMPERATOR FURIOSA Mad Max: Fury Road

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SINGLE-LEG TRICEP DIPS1. Sit on the floor with your knees

bent, feet flat and your hands about a foot behind your hips. Keep palms shoulder-distance apart and fingers pointing toward you.

2. While engaging your core, extend one leg upward and hold.

3. Bend at the elbows, lowering your hips toward the floor while keeping your leg extended. Avoid bending at the hips to ensure you're working your triceps.

4. Complete all reps for that side before switching legs.

THE PURSUIT OF happiness

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

GIVING Do things for others.

Helping other people is good for them and good for you, too. It makes you happier and can improve your health. A Notre Dame study on generosity reported people who describe themselves as “very happy” volunteer an average of 5.8 hours per month. “Unhappy” people reported just 0.6 hours.

RELATING Connect with people.

Relationships are the most important factor for happiness. Your relationships with friends and family provide love, meaning, support and increased feelings of self-worth.

EXERCISING Take care of your body.

Exercising is an instant mood booster and even dispels depression. Make sure

to also spend time outdoors, eat healthy, unplug from technology and always get enough sleep.

AWARENESS Live life mindfully.

Try to take notice of small moments throughout the day. Be mindful as you walk to class. Eat at a table with no phones, computers or electronics. And be aware of your relationships.

TRYING OUT Keep learning new things.

Stay interested and engaged throughout life by continually learning new things. Learning exposes us to new ideas, gives us a sense of accomplishment, boosts self-confidence and makes us more resilient.

DIRECTION Have goals to look forward to.

Everyone needs motivation. Make goals that are meaningful but realistic – and that bring a sense of achievement when completed.

RESILIENCE Find ways to bounce back.

We often cannot choose what happens to us, but we can always choose how we react.

EMOTIONS Look for what's good.

You should see life as it is and be realistic, but try to focus on the good bits of any situation. Be a glass-half-full person.

ACCEPTANCE Be comfortable with who you are.

Learn to be kinder to yourself. Acceptance leads to an increase in joy, resilience and acceptance of others as they are.

MEANING Be part of something bigger.

Find something bigger than yourself that gives you joy. You’ll be happier, more in control and less stressed.

10 Keys to HAPPIER LIVING

Smile.YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.Your possibilies

ARE

endless.

Visit page 12 for tips on how

to help your residents accept

themselves.

It’s almost impossible to obtain happiness without practicing gratitude. One way to make sure you're actively thankful year-round is to keep a journal. UC Davis psychologist and author of, “Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier,” has a few tips to make sure you’re getting the greatest reward from your journaling:

• Journaling occasionally is more beneficial than daily entries. Aim to write down three to five things you’re grateful for once or twice per week.

• Elaborating on an entry is better than writing down many separate entries. Quality over quantity.

• Focus on people over things.

• Don’t just include the good things. Reflect on what your life would be like without certain blessings.

• Events that were unexpected or surprising tend to elicit stronger levels of gratitude. Make sure to record them.

HOW TO KEEP A

Gratitude Journal

For more tips on how to stay fit, check out page 8!

Check out these movies for examples on how to carry out the 10 Keys!

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BUT:

50% OF OUR HAPPINESSIS GENETICALLY DETERMINED 40% IS CONTROLLED BY OUR

THOUGHTS, ACTIONS & BEHAVIORS

RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 201710 RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

HAPPINESSH

appiness isn’t a new concept. It appears in the titles of hit songs, it’s plastered on motivational

posters, and is, and probably always will be, the subject of many scientific studies. Movies, books and TV shows have struggled with finding the key to happiness for decades.

One of the more surprising results from recent studies is that money can actually buy you happiness. Yes, those with a comfortable income are happier, generally, than those living in poverty. But there’s a catch. A New York Times article reported that Princeton researchers found, “…higher household incomes were associated with better moods on a daily basis — but the beneficial effects of money tapered off entirely after the $75,000 mark.” Once you reach that comfortable standard, it doesn’t matter if you make $100,000 or $1,000,000 annually in terms of your daily happiness levels.

So if the size of your checking account doesn’t have a substantial impact on happiness, what does? There must be a clear way to achieve the ultimate goal, right? Wrong. But, there are some widely accepted guidelines that, if followed, can likely make you a happier individual.

According to the website Happify.com, 50 percent of our happiness is genetically determined. But 40 percent is controlled

by our thoughts, actions and behaviors. One organization helping to get the most out of that 40 percent is Action for Happiness. Backed by leading experts from diverse fields, including psychology, education, economics and social innovation, the organization has created a guide on the “10 Keys to Happier Living.” Learn about each key and how you can implement them in your life on the next page.

The Pursuit ofMarch 20 is the UN’s International Day of Happiness. Get a head start on celebrating and learn some methods to make your life a little happier below!

BULLETIN BOARD of the month

RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 201712 RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

Cover your bulletin board with envelopes.

Write down action items that will help residents improve their happiness on slips of paper. Add multiples of each into every envelope. All ideas should utilize the 10 Acts to Happier Living as a guideline.

Spruce up the board with some stars to tie the theme to the Oscars® on February 26!

Make sure to send an email to your residents explaining the 10 Keys to Happier Living and the new bulletin board.

Need ideas for action items? Check out our list!

10 Keys of Happiness

BULLETIN BOARD INSPIRATION

TIPS TO PUT THE

INTO ACTION

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Send someone flowers. Dress up for no reason.

Introduce yourself to

someone new.

13RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2017RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

YOU AREIN CHARGE

OF HOW YOU FEEL.

CHOOSE HAPPINESS.

Smile.YOU ARE

BEAUTIFUL.Your possibilies

ARE

endless.

BREATHE IN

CONFIDENCE.BREATHE OUT

FEAR.

GOOD THINGS are going to

HAPPEN.

YOU HAVE THE

POWERTO CREATE

CHANGE.

Be the energy YOU WANT TO

ATTRACT.YOU ARE PERFECT

EXACTLYAS YOU ARE.

Cut out the following stars with positive affirmations and tape them to public restroom mirrors to remind your

residents how great they are!

Bonus ACTION

• Make a list of things that make you happy.

• Learn a new skill using YouTube videos.

• Sign up for a day of volunteering.

• Change up your routine (try sushi, take a different route to class, etc.).

• Unplug from technology for the whole day.

• Buy a houseplant.

• Call an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.

• See how many acts of kindness you can complete this week.

• Take five minutes to sit quietly and just breathe, taking in all that’s around you.

• Try meditating (utilize an app, like Headspace).

• Send someone flowers.

Happiness Action Items!Encourage your residents to try out a few of these when they need a quick mood boost.

YOU CAN and

YOU WILL.

Remind your residents that they are the star of their own show, and it’s up to them to make sure it’s not a drama. Inspire them to work every day toward becoming a happier person by creating a happiness action bulletin board!

HOST YOUR OWN Oscar® partyDIVERSITY on campus

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMARA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 201714 RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2017 15

The demand for change regarding equality and diversity is here to stay. As rallies, demonstrations and sit-ins have challenged

systematic ideals and long-standing processes regarding campus diversity, some schools have taken a proactive approach by putting together diversity plans; others already have a task force, group or committee working to create more inclusive, equitable and welcoming campuses.

As incidents now spread like wildfire thanks to the up-to-the-second impact of social media, some students believe these posts are definitely indicative of a bigger, national issue. "We pay money to go to college. It's supposed to be a comfortable environment," Bryan Davis, president of the Black Student Union at Kansas State University told NBC News. "This incident is just a snapshot of the current climate."

Because college is a pivotal time in an adult’s life, a stage where students begin to independently learn more about who they are, the goal is to be conscious that we’re all perpetuating an inclusive culture. “Learning to live away from home by tolerating difference, like ideas one disagrees with, is part of campus life,” according to Connor Friedersdorf, a columnist for TheAtlantic.com. “For some, total immersion in an environment uncomfortably different from any they have known before is what expands their notions of where they might flourish, their limits, and what they should do after college.”

When you have a floor full of students who have more differences than similarities, here are some ways you can make sure everyone feels safe, comfortable and free to express who they are.

REGULARLY ADVERTISE CAMPUS RESOURCES.College can seem like an isolating place, especially if a resident is still trying to find his or her niche. One way to help residents feel supported no matter their race, gender or sexual preference is to make sure they’re aware of all campus resources. Bulletin board, signage and messaging delivered through your Residence Life Cinema program can help spread the word on places to go and who to turn to for help.

Involving campus resources during your regular floor meetings has plenty of benefits, too. Dan Morrison, Acting Assistant Director of Resident Life at the University of Maryland–College Park, uses the staff from the counseling center, the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education, the Disability Support Service, and others to conduct training sessions or intervene when incidents arise.

CREATE A MEDIA PLAN. With new social tools that make sharing something negative easier than ever, it’s extremely important to have a plan of action ready in case an incident does occur. Since hot-button issues like sexual assault, prejudice and discrimination attract media attention incredibly quickly, one post on social media can be shared by thousands in a matter of minutes. When reporters begin asking questions, “College or university public information officers should be called in right away to identify messages and spokespersons and decide how to handle the press,” advises Morrison. TALK IT OUT. Peer-led discussions and problem-solving sessions are another way to help both residents and fellow RAs. Students’ opinions vary greatly about their perception on the campus climate, especially if commonalities are seen as minimal and differences are exaggerated. Glen Lowery, professor of economics at Boston University, suggests, "By celebrating 'difference' and demanding group rights in the name of equality, we have severed bonds of shared experience...and eliminated a sense of mutuality of fate." Discussions that avoid the “either/or” mindset during an open dialog help talk through differences. But how can you get residents to actually talk about these experiences?

Design programs around the desires, hopes, fears and angsts of your floor; it'll help them find common ground you can build your community on. Also, respond to what you see. It will send the message that these are important issues. For example, if sexist graffiti appears on one of your bulletin boards, you might choose to invite a member of a women’s campus group to deliver a presentation on how speech affects the entire community atmosphere. If racial comments are heard, invite your multicultural center to speak to your floor. And remember, experienced RAs are often incredibly helpful in preparing resident programming for the challenges that can occur in diverse living situations.

DIVERSITY ON CAMPUS:

"Learning to live away from home by tolerating difference, like ideas one disagrees with, is part of campus life."

- CONNOR FRIEDERSDORF COLUMNIST, THEATLANTIC.COM

HOW YOU CAN HELPSince hot-button issues attract media

attention incredibly fast, one post can be shared by thousands in a matter of minutes.

"By celebrating 'difference' and demanding group rights in the name of equality, we have severed bonds of shared experience...and eliminated a sense of mutuality of fate."

- GLEN LOWERY PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS, BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Design programs around the desires, hopes, fears and angsts of your floor; it'll help them find

common ground you can build your community on.

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

NEW releases

RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 201716

NEW releases

NEW RELEASES

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2017 17

Programming Ideas Create an original movie event with these inspired programming ideas

The Girl on the TrainR; 112 minutes; Universal Studios

Use this movie’s main character’s drinking problem as a jumping off point for teaching residents about alcohol safety. Simply add colored water to typical alcohol bottles, and ask residents to pour one drink. Then, measure it out to discover the true quantity of their pour. It’s likely that what they’ve been considering to be one drink is technically two, three or even more. Make sure to demonstrate what one drink really looks like for various types of alcohol. Knowing the true amount will help your residents stay safe.

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime WalkR; 110 minutes; Columbia Pictures Industries Inc.

Celebrate President’s Day and George Washington’s birthday on February 20 with a red, white and blue b-day cake. After “Happy Birthday” is sung, test your residents’ patriotic knowledge with a couple rounds of trivia. Include questions about past presidents, dates, historical facts and more. Then sit back and watch as 19-year-old Iraq war soldier Billy Lynn carries out his victory tour.

Star Trek BeyondPG-13; 120 minutes; Paramount Pictures

Help your residents explore the stars, just like Spock and Captain Kirk, with a quick lesson on the night sky before the showing. Ask one of your college’s astronomy professors to serve as the expert to this introduction to stargazing, and make sure to have info of your college’s astronomy courses and clubs on hand for those interested. Added bonus: moviegoers might understand an extra word or two in the movie thanks to their newfound knowledge!

Blair WitchR; 89 minutes; Lions Gate Films, Inc.

Get everyone in touch with nature with a hike at a local park or reserve. Make sure participants bring plenty of water, rain gear, extra socks, gloves and an emergency blanket. RAs should pack a fuel source, first-aid kit and a multi-use knife. Snacks are also a must, but consider pooling everything together to have a picnic at the best view you can find. Back at the residence hall, invite everyone to a viewing of this scary flick. Just make sure to show the film after the hike, not before!

The AccountantR; 128 minutes; Warner Bros.

Help residents better understand money management. Give everyone a “salary” based on their current career path. Then have them go through various stations simulating the budgeting of their salary to meet monthly expenses based on their cost of living and real-time data on loans, salaries, etc. If a resident exceeds their budget prior to meeting their obligations, review their financial choices to see what can be sacrificed.

Deepwater HorizonPG-13; 97 minutes; Summit Entertainment

The April 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster was the worst oil spill in U.S. history. Invite your school’s eco organization to provide background info on the spill and its environmental effects on wildlife, the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding beaches before the viewing. Residents will have a better understanding of the film and a major historical event as a result. Complete the discussion with ways you and your residents could help prevent oil spills.

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RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMARA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 201618

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be stressful. Instead of worrying about having a Romeo to shower you with presents, or whether you have the funds to treat your Juliet like a queen, focus on the more selfless aspects of the holiday. Performing a bighearted act of kindness in your community can boost your mood and elevate happiness levels. Read on for ideas on how to channel Cupid by spreading love this Valentine’s Day.

Field Trip Take a classic approach to volunteering by planning an outing for you and your residents. Ask for suggestions on how and where to volunteer, or simply pick the opportunity that sounds the most rewarding for everyone. Make sure to start the process at least a week in advance so everybody has enough notice. If you need suggestions, check out volunteermatch.org.

Since Valentine’s Day falls on a weeknight this year, it’s probably best to plan the group outing during a weekend in February. Or, just go when needed depending on what you plan to do. Allow your residents to invite a friend or significant other - the more the merrier!

Helpful Heap For an easy way to give back, consider taking up a collection for a charity. Food banks are always in need of donations. Or, theme it around an early spring cleaning and collect unloved clothes and shoes for Goodwill.

Valentine’s Day

VOLUNTEER ON

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2017 19

Gifts that Give Consumerism isn’t all bad. There are many great organizations that focus less on profits and more on making a positive impact in the world. Buy a friend or family member a gift from one of the companies below. Or, hint at your S.O. that you’re lusting after jewelry with a cause, not just any ol’ thing at the mall.

Purpose Jewelry: One hundred percent of the proceeds benefit International Sanctuary, a nonprofit that provides holistic care for young women rescued from sex trafficking.

Ten Thousand Villages: A collection of handmade goods from more than 20,000 makers in over 30 developing countries. Purchases improve the lives of the creators by supporting their craft and providing a fair, stable income.

31 Bits: Handmade jewelry made by Ugandan and Indonesian artisans who are paid fairly and are provided with access to counseling, health care and education.

FLOOR idea

THE pricey effect OF VALENTINE’S DAY

No matter where you fall on the romance spectrum, everyone can enjoy these

classic rom coms:

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After Party No matter how you volunteer your time this Valentine’s, make sure you reward your residents at the end of the day with a small after-party. Get into the spirit of things with festive decorations and a sappy romance. Or, opt for a lighthearted “love stinks” movie marathon. Either way, make sure there’s copious amounts of chocolate, as everyone knows that’s the real heart of this holiday!

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RA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2017RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMARESIDENCE LIFE CINEMARA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 201720 21

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) entertains more than 6,300 on-campus students with movies through Residence Life Cinema’s streaming service and movie channel! Adam Fitzwater, UNL’s Student Leadership Development and Diversity

Initiatives, says they chose Residence Life Cinema for their movie needs because of the service’s easy access and the flexibility to make it their own.

Through RLC’s service, schools can customize informational bumpers and play them before

and after scheduled content. With just a few clicks, UNL is able to communicate important messages to its students campus-wide. All departments are able to utilize this service for advertising purposes.

UNL students have cited the wide variety of titles and ease of use as two reasons why they love using RLC's streaming service, while the Residence Association appreciates the service’s flexibility, great customer service, and excitement they see from students when they learn of the service.

The school’s RAs utilize a variety of promotional materials and methods to advertise the service to students, including posters, magnets, word-of- mouth and announcements before events. One RA told us about how she diligently promotes UNL’s streaming service. When she hears students saying they want to see certain movies, she always points out how much is available through RLC.

To learn more about customizing your RLC platform, call your Account Executive at 1.800.244.6173.

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Campus SPOTLIGHT By now, you’re familiar with the 10 Keys of Happiness (page 10), you have some ideas on how to work toward being a happier

person (page 12) and, on the opposite end, you have a better understanding of depression and how to help your residents who might be suffering from it (page 3). So, take a break and celebrate International Day of Happiness on March 20 with a Happiness Movie Marathon.

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESSA single salesman father finds himself homeless with $22 to his name and a product he cannot sell. He decides to take an unpaid internship at a stock firm with the hopes to land the one position available at the end of the six months. But as a result, he and his young son are forced to live on the streets. Based on a true story, this drama is the perfect example of the importance of resilience and direction when chasing happiness.

HECTOR & THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESSHector is a psychiatrist who decides his routine life with girlfriend Clara is obstructing his ability to help patients. Cut to his worldwide trip from Shanghai to Africa to Los Angeles to discover what makes people happy. Hector learns the answers to his existential questions, and we get a look at how trying new things supports a happiness journey.

HAPPY-GO-LUCKYHigh-spirited school teacher Poppy gets her bike stolen in the opening of the film. But instead of being angry, she’s sad she didn’t get to say goodbye. As a result, Poppy decides to finally learn how to drive. This rom-com drama explores Poppy’s life and relationships as she sees the brighter side of every situation and tries to make the lives of every person she interacts with better. Watch this movie for a lesson in emotion.

AMÉLIEAfter Amélie finds a tiny tin box of childhood memorabilia in her apartment, she decides to return it to its owner. She manages to anonymously get it back to the now-old man, and witnesses the positive affect it has on him. Pleased with the response, Amelie decides to continues her good deeds and spreads happiness to those around her as a result. However, she realizes she needs to prioritize her own happiness, as well. This film is a great example of how to be giving.

MOVIES that connect

© Relativity Media

© Miramax Films© Miramax Films

© Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

THAT CONNECT

Visit reslife.com or email us at info@reslife.com for additional movie suggestions.

Adam FitzwaterStudent Leadership Development and Diversity Initiatives

WWW.RESLIFE.COM | 1-800-244-6173

10795 Watson Rd. St. Louis, MO 63127

© Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.