2009-2010 Residence Hall Handbook

1.2 University Housing Contact and Staff Information

STAFF

Residential living units exist to provide an opportunity for students to extend their learning experiences beyond the classroom, library, and laboratory. The University Housing staff attempts to create a living environment in which each student is offered an opportunity to develop as an individual in an atmosphere that encourages emotional and intellectual growth.

The University Housing Residence Education staff consists of Resident Assistants (RA), typically undergraduate students who live and work on the residential floors and apartments, many having an academic success or citizenship focus; Coordinators for Residence Education, who live in the residence halls and are responsible for supervising RAs, advising Hall Government and managing daily residence life operations. The Coordinators and RAs receive centralized leadership and support from a Director, Associate Director and Specialist for Academic Initiatives, three Assistant Directors, and two Graduate Assistants. Hall secretaries assist in the administrative operations in the hall and provide customer service.

In addition to the hall staff you will meet Facilities staff members: Housekeepers and Skilled Trades maintenance workers who maintain the living environment in the building. The Office of Information Technology employs ResNet Technicians, students who assist residents by identifying problems with computers on the campus network (including personal computers), and troubleshooting solutions when appropriate.

The Housing Office is on the ninth floor of Hotz Hall. Here you will find several University Housing units: the Executive Director for University Housing; Administrative Services, responsible for room assignments, Housing and Dining Contracts,departmental research and marketing; Business Affairs, responsible for appropriate stewardship of Housing resources including accounting, purchasing, and staff development/human resources management; the Information Technology Office consisting of an Associate Director, Computer Support specialists and Application Designers; and lastly the Residence Education leadership and support offices.

Finally, the Facilities Management office is on the fourth floor of Hotz Hall and houses the supervisory staff for the Housekeepers and Maintenance staff, and Housing offices overseeing Facilities Operations, Safety and Security and Interior Design.

COUNSELORS-IN-RESIDENCE

The Counselors-In-Residence (CIR) are doctoral students who are trained to listen and assist you in making life decisions. The CIR staff is available for assistance with problem solving and decision-making. This is a service provided by University Housing to all residence hall students free of charge. You can contact your RA for more information about the Counselor-In-Residence program.

1.3 Welcome to University Housing

Welcome Home!

As you embark on the start of what I hope will be one of the best experiences of your life, I encourage you to take advantage of the leadership opportunities, involvement opportunities, services, and resources that are available to you. University Housing has a fabulous team of staff members that are committed to your success and development as a student, resident, member of the University of Arkansas community, and most importantly, as an individual.

Students breathe life into the facilities. They are the driving force that stimulates not only programmatic and developmental growth, but also the need for assessment and change. Central to the residential life experience is the community and living environment in which you live. University Housing embraces diversity, respect, ethics, accountability for one's actions, and integrity. This handbook will help you understand housing policies, procedures, services, leadership opportunities, involvement opportunities, and your rights and responsibilities as a member of your hall community.

Remember that you are not alone in your college life experience. College is also an opportunity to establish life-long friendships and develop mentor-protègè relationships with faculty and staff members.

Equally important to Housing's dedication to your success, is your dedication to yourself, your academic success, your development, and your contributions to your residence hall community. The key to your success is in the palm of your hand. We can only provide you with tools that may be able to help you navigate through your journey.

Explore the opportunities!

Sincerely,
Randy Alexander
Executive Director of University Housing

On behalf of Residents' Interhall Congress, the executive team would like to warmly welcome you to an unforgettable year at the University of Arkansas.

Your decision to live in a residence hall on campus is one of the greatest factors that will contribute to your success here at the University. You will have the opportunity to engage in numerous activities, utilize several helpful academic resources, and enjoy a type of lifestyle unmatched by any other experience. Whether or not you choose to live on campus in the years to come, my guess is that you will never take back your first year on campus.

As you may have already discovered, there are lots of opportunities for involvement on campus. Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are a great way to immerse yourself into a student group related to your interests. There are over 300 groups you can join and a plethora that have yet to be created. RSOs can provide you a number of opportunities ranging from political activism, social communities or group governance. A particular governing body that you should and hopefully will become familiar with is Residents' Interhall Congress.

Residents' Interhall Congress (RIC) is the student government organization representing all on campus students. Like our slogan says, we are "The voice of the on campus student", but that doesn't limit us to a mere legislative body. RIC also serves as the liaison for you within our housing community. From representing your interest regarding on campus issues, to providing programs for residents such as the RIC Cookout, Razorback Idol, and Casino Night, RIC's goal is to work for your interests. We work closely with your individual hall governments to improve residents' quality of life and to assist them in reaching their own hall-specific goals.

If you are interested in getting involved in RIC to make a difference for your hall, there are lots of opportunities for you. Serving as an RIC senator, hall executive, or hall senator really are just a few. As an on campus resident, you are already a member of RIC. In just the short time you have lived in your hall, I'm sure you have noticed some things that invite change - let RIC help you accomplish these ideas.

Again, we are really happy to welcome you into our on campus community. If you have any questions, comments or ideas about RIC or improving the quality of life for you in your hall, please email us at ric@uark.edu. Also, check out the RIC website for information on what we're doing: ric.uark.edu. Good luck in all of your pursuits at the U of A. We look forward to working with you, and more importantly, getting to know you over the course of this year.

Sincerely,
The RIC Executive Team

1.4 Purpose of This Website

PURPOSE

This website is a "guide" to life in a University of Arkansas residence hall. It describes policies relating to contractual relationships, fire, safety, and maintenance standards and is intended as your Housing resource. University Housing and the University of Arkansas reserve the right to update and/or change policies throughout the year. Any questions concerning policies and procedures should be addressed to the Residence Education staff in your living unit. Living units and/or residential facilities refer to houses, individual rooms, suites, or apartments in any facility operated by University Housing for which a student has contracted for a space.

MISSION

University Housing is committed to providing a quality living and learning environment that both challenges and supports the personal, social, and academic development of our residents and their diverse communities.

UNIVERSITY HOUSING

University Housing has responsibility for residential student welfare, residence hall and apartment staffing, educational and social programs, student advisement, residence hall and apartment maintenance and repair, housekeeping, and University Housing contract issues. The central office is located on the ninth floor of Hotz Hall. We can be reached by telephone at 479-575-3951 or by e-mail at housing@uark.edu.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

The University of Arkansas is committed to the policy of providing educational opportunities to all qualified students regardless of their economic or social status, and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, sexual orientation, disability, veteran's status, age, marital or parental status, or national origin.