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Residental Life Handbook
Welcome From The Office Of Student Affairs
August, 2009
Dear Resident Student,
All of us carry on life’s many and varied activities from within communities. From families to neighborhoods, our schools to our cities, from our nation to the global community we share, women and men work, worship, serve, care for one another and learn as part of a whole that is larger than each of its members. History catalogs the achievements of this uniquely human way of life and its capacity for amplifying the small progress of individuals and the good each of us can do.
Imagine, if you will, one among this endless universe of concentric communities in which all of us live. This is a community whose mission is the fostering in its members of certain qualities— traits such as careful observation, critical thinking, creativity, moral reflection and articulate expression. It brings together extraordinary people from all walks of life: staff, scholars, administrators, researchers, teachers, coaches and students—all dedicated to the pursuit of learning and wisdom, and each working with students to design-build a place where habits of ethical living and moral discernment complement the intellectual. In this place, perhaps more than in other places, the question “how shall I live?” comes to the fore. Only a small and select number are fortunate enough to be a part of this special place. An even smaller number actually live where these historic privileges are bestowed. You have imagined Fordham University and the community of its residence halls and housing areas, and you are one of the fortunate few who will learn in the very place you call home.
Unlike other homes where life is tailored more to the individual, this home is a community of learners collaborating on a project characteristic of and guided by Jesuit and Roman Catholic traditions. This project is the training of students to take leadership roles in service to the people and communities outside our gates. In essence, our campus is the classroom and the lives we lead in it are the lessons. Like the best classes, this one is challenging, and the standards for its successful completion are high. These standards, often in the form of the policies and responsibilities that complement the extraordinary privilege of membership, give meaning to our University’s assurance at Commencement that its graduates are ready to serve the world with both mind and heart.
On behalf of the extraordinary men and women of Student Life, I welcome you to this extraordinary place. We will be here to teach, to help and to talk as we live with one
another in this rare community we call Rose Hill.
Sincerely,
Christopher Rodgers
Dean of Students
Welcome From The Office Of Residential LifeAugust, 2009
Dear Fordham Resident,
On behalf of the entire Office of Residential Life staff, welcome to on-campus living at Fordham University! We are pleased that you have chosen to be a member of our residential community. Living in Fordham’s residence halls will offer numerous experiences, rights and responsibilities. We believe that Fordham's residential community assists residents in developing skills and attitudes necessary to become positive and productive members of society. We, therefore, encourage you to participate in the development of your community. You will be asked to respect the privacy of your neighbors, promote safety, respect and appreciate differences and uphold high standards of behavior. As such, living with a roommate, participating in programming activities, interacting with those who are different from you and learning how to live within the guidelines established for the residential community will provide the opportunity for you to learn more about others and yourself.
The primary goal of the Office of Residential Life staff is, therefore, to provide a comfortable, safe environment in which residents are given the opportunity to extend their learning outside the classroom. The Resident Directors and Resident Assistants are highly qualified staff members who are committed to a vision of creating community in the residence halls. The staff will work with you and challenge you to reach your potential and become well-rounded men and women for and with others. I would, therefore, encourage you to respect the important service that the Residential Life staff provides in developing a positive residential community. In fact, most of the Office of Residential Life staff members both work and live on campus to be more sensitive and responsive to the needs of
residents. All members of the staff are eager to work with you to make the on-campus living experience a positive one.
I would also encourage you to familiarize yourself with the contents of this handbook. This publication is designed to inform you of what you can expect from us and what we will expect from you as a resident student. The policies and procedures have been developed to give you maximum freedom, while defining your responsibility as a member of a residential community. Throughout the year, we will continuously work to provide an explanation and viable rationale for each policy and we invite questions, concerns and comments regarding our policies and procedures. Again, if we can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to seek out any member of the Office of Residential Life staff or stop by our Central Office located in Alumni North Basement. I truly hope that you will take
advantage of the opportunity that lies before you. Get involved, contribute to the campus and take an active part in creating a community within your residence hall.
Best wishes for a successful year.
Sincerely,
Greer Jason
Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Residential Life
Welcome From The Residential Hall AssociationAugust, 2009
Dear Fellow Residents,
Welcome to the Residence Halls!
Your Fordham University Residence Halls Association (RHA) Executive Board would like to take this opportunity to welcome all returning, incoming and transfer students to the residence halls. The Residence Halls Association is one of three student governments at Fordham University. It is the main representation of students living in Fordham's residence halls. Our motto is "The Voice of the Halls" and we hope that over the academic year we fulfill this promise. From advocating resident issues and collaborating with Resident Assistants and Resident Directors to planning campuswide events and guiding local hall boards, we hope to make your resident experience this year a memorable one!
For those of you who are returning to the residence halls, we'd like to thank you for making last year so successful! Some highlights of 2008 - 2009 include raising over $13,000.00 during our Annual Benefit Week; implementing a highly successful Resident Week, complete with a standing room only performance by Dave Coulier; and hosting the largest sold-out Under The Tent dance on Spring Weekend Fordham has ever seen!
For our new residents, we hope that your journey in the residence halls begins with one single step: that you'll take an active role in your community. RHA election packets can be found in all residence halls within the first several weeks of this school year. Simply complete and submit your application to the RHA office, McGinley 201. Don't miss out on an opportunity to be a part of one of Fordham's premier student governments. RHA is comprised of a seven-member Executive Board and a fifty-five member General Board. We strongly encourage you to take that first step and become a part of the Residence Halls Association.
See you all for Resident Week 2009!
Michael Trerotola, Executive President
Marisela Sigona, Executive Vice President
Jake Braithwaite, Executive Secretary
Elisa DiMauro, Executive Treasurer
Alexandra Bennett-Roach, Executive Program Coordinator
Ryan Dicce, Executive National Communications Coordinator
Matt Greene, Executive Director of Publicity
E-mail: rha@fordham.edu
Web: www.fordham.edu/rha
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