First Year Experience
The Plan…
We know you are excited about the first year of college. But you might also be
apprehensive about being in an unfamiliar place - a residence hall at the
University of Richmond. We have compiled this brochure to introduce you to the
Richmond College Dean’s Office and our program for helping new students
transition to college.
At the University, all first-year men live together in two buildings, Dennis
Hall and
Gray Court. As a result, we can easily focus on what new students need in their
first year of college. We train our resident assistants to help new students
find a niche in the Richmond community, adjust to living away from home and
safely navigate the campus social scene.
The dean’s office staff also organizes events specifically for new students. The
First-Year Experience program addresses issues such as preparing for the
University’s academic rigor, choosing a major, effectively handling stress, and
connecting in-class lessons with everyday life. You can look forward to
receiving “The RC Chronicle,” a series of informational fliers designed to guide
first-year men at the University.
Although we are not professors or academicians, we are here to complement what
happens in the classroom. Simultaneously, we are faced with the challenge of
helping our residents to develop as individuals. We hope that you will take a
moment to read more about how the RAs and our programming aim to help new
students adjust to the University.
The RA Spotlight…
In Dennis Hall and Gray Court, there are 14 upperclass student staff who live in
the first-year residence halls. They focus on building community in their
halls through programming, paying attention to student conduct and serving as
hall resources. All in all, they are the “go-to-guys” for any help you may need.
Programming: Throughout the year, the RAs organize events that are open to all
residents.
Conduct and Safety: The RAs work to create an environment of mutual respect that
encourages residents to comfortably interact with each other.
Hall Resources: Residents only have to walk down the hall to the RA’s room to
get advice about choosing classes, settling roommate conflicts and getting
involved on campus. The RA staff serves as a listening ear for any concerns
residents have.
Our Programs…
The First-Year Experience is available to all first-year men and focuses on
helping students adjust to college academics, new leadership opportunities and
the campus social life. Since we know students’ free time is at a premium, we
bring the events directly to the residents in their living space - the residence
halls.
The programs draw on resources from across campus (faculty, staff and
upperclassmen) in order to connect new students with an array of people at the
University. Below is a sample of what you can expect.
President’s College Associates (PCA): This program places faculty members
in the halls to lead events aimed at linking what students learn in school to
the world outside the class.
Life Skills and Career Moves: The Career Development Center and the Office of
the University Registrar help new students through the advising process,
choosing a major, selecting classes and getting on a career track.
Residence Hall Association (RHA): This student group encourages a friendly, fun
residence hall atmosphere through programmed activities, which are planned by
the hall presidents. The RHA strives to be a respected hall resource, as well as
an excellent leadership opportunity for new residents.
First-Year Class Cabinet: An extension of the Richmond College Senate that
provides social leadership experience within the first-year class. The cabinet
is directly involved in unifying the men in Gray Court and Dennis Hall through
various social programs, service projects and class spirit activities.
VOICES: A series of panel discussions and conversations held in the residence
halls with experts and professors about current events of interest to students.
This year’s topics included the effects of "big box stores" on local economies,
the global AIDS epidemic, the conflict in the Middle East, and the perception of
the United States.
For more information, contact: Patrick Benner,
Associate Dean
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