Annual Report
2003-2004
Department of Residence Life

I. Mission Statement

The residence life program at West Georgia is dedicated to assisting students in their overall personal development while accomplishing a three-fold purpose: providing 1) clean comfortable housing, 2) academic support, and 3) education al and social opportunities for the residents. Policies which govern the residence halls and the opportunities provided for student involvement in the governance of the residential communities are created in keeping with the purposes of residence life.

West Georgia operates ten residence halls which vary in style, size, and age. A close relationship between the Director of Residence Life and the Director of Operations and Grounds is maintained in order to insure that these residence halls are kept clean and operational. Students are encouraged to report maintenance and housekeeping problems to the hall staff to be passed on to the Operations and Grounds personnel.

The residence life staff recognizes that the primary reason students come to West Georgia is to complete a degree. In order to increase the chances for success, the residence life office provides a variety of services which are designed to assist the students. Courtesy and quiet hours are maintained in each residence hall to help create an environment conducive to study and sleep. Additionally, a series of programs is provided in the residence halls which assist in academic skills such as note taking, test taking and studying.

Perhaps the most prominent purpose in the residence halls is that of assisting students in their own personal growth and development. Numerous social and educational programs are presented in the residence halls to encourage residents to explore values and social relationships and to apply classroom learning to real-life situations. Additionally, students are encouraged to become involved in the governance structure within the residence halls. Hall Government provides numerous opportunities for growth and the development of leadership skills.

II. Departmental Goals

1. Complete a comprehensive housing assignment plan using input from VPs, Deans, and key department heads.

Presented this concept to Deans at the VPAAs Deanps Meeting. Some feedback was received, although there did not seem to be any interest in having special academic groups considered. Feedback will be received as a part of the Master Planning process. This continues to evolve as our facilities change and affect programmatic decisions. It is clear that this plan will have to remain in flux as we work through the logistics of new housing stock.

2. Analyze staffing in the residence life office and explore alternative staffing for the future.

This analysis resulted in the creation of the Coordinator For First Year And Academic Support Programs position. Further modifications in staffing may be made as we continue to add housing stock and as resignations and retirements occur.

3. Evaluate the possibility of distributing all residence life information (ie. Housing packet, handbook, FYRST Application, and Contract) via CD-ROM rather than in printed form.

This goal was actually taken one step further by putting all information on line for access by the students. As with any major change, this has had some glitches, but for the most part has worked very well. Most of the difficulties have come in the programming of the on-line contract, however Michael Richardson has done an excellent job in making this feature happen and in responding to problems quickly.

4. Work with the math department and the EXCEL center to provide live, call-in tutoring sessions via ResView.

This goal is still in progress. I have been in touch with the director of the math lab who has indicated a strong interest in this possibility. I have also gotten some interest from the physics department. We are hoping to have something on air this Fall.

III. Outcomes/Assessments

Each year, the residence life office conducts a Resident Satisfaction Survey in which one fourth of the residents of each hall are asked to complete a series of questions on a five point Likert-type scale. In Spring 2004 surveys were sent 521 residents. Eighty percent of these surveys were returned. The average response on a scale of one to five on the 34 survey questions was 3.70 with only one item averaging below 3.0. A full copy of the results from this survey can be viewed in the Residence Life Office.

IV. State of the Department

The Department of Residence Life continues to operate in strong fashion. Our staff is well trained and qualified for the jobs they are expected to perform. Although we have not had overwhelming numbers of students applying to be Resident Assistants, The number is increasing and those students who are applying and being hired have performed very well in their roles as RAs.

V. Departmental Achievements

Hall staff provided more than 885 programs attended by more than 13,000 residents over the course of the academic year.

— 1094 residents attended alcohol related programming
— 2948 residents attended weekend programs.
— 278 residents participated in community service programs

Hall staff adjudicated 692 disciplinary cases, a 28% decrease from last year.

— 544 students were seen in the discipline system.
— 89 discipline cases involved alcohol.

VI. Staff Development/Accomplishments

Residence Life staff attended several conferences at the state and regional level as follows:

— Association of Georgia Housing Officers (GHO) -- six staff
— Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO) -- six staff
— GHO New Professionals Conference -- three staff
— Georgia Resident Assistant Saturday Seminar (GRASS) -- two staff
— Southern Association of College Student Affairs (SACSA) -- one staff

In addition to attending conferences, staff presented programs at GRASS, GHO, SACSA, and the New Professionals Conference. Several staff are participating in SEAHO in committees.

VII. Student Achievements

Resident Assistants and Hall Council representatives attended the following conferences:

— Georgia Resident Assistant Saturday Seminar (GRASS)
— Georgia Residence Hall Organization
— Georgia Residence Hall Organization Together in Harmony
— South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (SAACURH)
— National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH)
— American College Personnel Association (ACPA)

The Residence Hall Presidents' Council won the regional and National SALT award for leadership training. As a result our students presented at both ACPA and NACURH.

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