MONMOUTH UNIVERSITYOFFICE OF

RESIDENTIAL LIFEThe Residential Experience

Presented By: Raymond D. Gonzalez

Associate Director for Residential Life

Responsible for students residing in 11 on-campus residence halls, 3 on-campus apartment complexes and 3 off-campus apartment complexes

Provide personal and developmental support to residential students

Assist in the development of a community within a floor, wing and building for students to: Learn Grow developmentally Meet new people Mediate conflict Interact with classmates Identify with peers Experience college life in a safe and exciting way!

The Role of the Office of Residential Life

Leadership Team consisting of 2 Associate Directors and 1 Assistant Director

6 Full-time Area Coordinators Staff Members 1st Responders 24/7-365 Supervise Areas Foster Community Train/Advise Student Staff Work with MU Community

50+ Para-Professionals Upper-class students Responsible role models 2.5 GPA or better Show ability to lead

Staffing

Students are Adults– They must know and understand the Student Code of

Conduct– Residence Hall Guidebook and Housing Contract– Contributing members of their floor, suite and residence

hall community– Ask questions and utilize resources on-campus

Respect– Each other, the staff and the community they live in

This is their “Home” now – Personal Accountability See it, Hear it, Report it…Look out for each other Respect MUPD and the building Staff Sign-up for Connect-Ed It is not “OK” to let strangers in Fire Safety – Fire Drills and Equipment

Our Expectation of Residents

Parent Traps: Advice for the whole family

Remember To… Allow your student to experience the

new environment on his/her own Call before you visit and meet in the

lobby Pay close attention to what your

student says and urge them to talk to someone on-campus if needed

Discuss privacy and FERPA with your student since by law, the University cannot release certain information without consent from the student

Reiterate to your student that they need to be active and responsible for addressing their hurdles

Accept that your student may falter during this time of growth and that the University staff shall help them along their way of personal development

Try to Avoid… Dining or socializing with your

student during the crucial first few weeks where he/she needs to be bonding with their peers

Popping in unannounced because your student will be active and engage in a lot of impromptu activities

Assuming that your student will “get over” a romantic break-up, death of a friend, or other personal crisis

Expecting the University to inform you of financial, academic, discipline and/or health problems

Jumping into protection mode and trying to fix any and all problems your student may encounter

“My child is an angel! They would never…”

Move-In and Adjustment Home Sickness Setting Boundaries and Exploring… New Friends and Old Friends Learning about Roommates/Community Dealing with Confrontation Testing the Rules Semester Break

The Fall Semester

Returning to Campus Dealing with the previous fall Spring Break Planning Adjusting Priorities – Academic and Social

Planning for the next Fall Handling Relationships Going Home

Spring Semester

Encourage them to Share Ideas/Backgrounds

Getting Involved Respecting Each Other Managing Time and Avoiding Distractions Becoming a Responsible Participant Knowing how to use resources More Talk – less TEXT Identify Potential Obstacles Set-up and check MU email!

Help Your Student Be a Successful Community Member

Year 1: Assigned by the Office of Residential Life based on the information provided on their housing contract (music, studying, etc.)

Year 2: Housing Selection System for on-campus housing Year 3 and 4

Housing Selection System for on-campus housing Application process for University Sponsored off-

campus housing Housing assignments will be mailed out on or around July

5th. This will include the roommate(s) name, phone number and address

Assignments are random and we are unable to accommodate specific building requests

Housing at Monmouth University

QUESTIONS?

We can be reached at 732-571-3465, Monday through Friday, 8:45am – 5:00pm or via email at

Reslife@monmouth.edu

@MonmouthResLife

Monmouth University Office of Residential Life