July 2007

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

July 2007

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

July, 2007

Welcome to the Residence Halls!

Your Fordham University Residence Halls Association Executive Board (RHA) 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 representative 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,
collaborating with Resident Assistants and Resident Directors, planning campus-wide
events and guiding local hall boards -- we hope to make your resident experience 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 2006 - 2007 include launching our
new website (fordham.edu/rha), raising over $9,000.00 during our Annual AIDS
Benefit Week, implementing a highly successful Resident Week and hosting a sold-
out Under The Tent dance on Spring Weekend! Not to mention that our organization
became nationally affiliated with the National Association of College and University
Residence Halls – an honor we are so very proud of.

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 s out on an opportunity to be apart of one of Fordham's premier
student governments.
RHA is comprised of a six-member Executive Board and a fifty-member General
Board. All the positions of the General Board are elected positions and are available in
September of 2007. We strongly encourage you to take that first step and become a
part of the Residence Halls Association.

See you all for Resident Week 2007,