Division of Student Affairs
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1 Table of Contents Introduction to Residence Life ..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. BUILDING BUDGETS ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Building Overviews ................................................................................................................................... 99 Division of Student Affairs ....................................................................................................................... 24 RA Duty Procedures and Guidelines ........................................................................................................ 32 Large Scale Events .................................................................................................................................... 39 PROGRAMMING ........................................................................................................................................... 45 Staff Training ............................................................................................................................................ 59 Student Conduct ...................................................................................................................................... 62 Appendix .................................................................................................................................................. 65 2 INTRODUCTION TO RESIDENCE LIFE The following mission, vision, value, and diversity statements guide the work of the Residence Life office at the University of Pittsburgh. These statements embody the dedication of Residence Life to the educational mission of the University, to the well-being of the whole student, and to the development of inclusive communities. Mission Residence Life commits our collective efforts toward educating the whole student; through their residential experiences, our students will emerge as contributing citizens, scholars, and leaders within their communities. Vision To provide our students with the best residential learning experience in the country. Values These values are guided by knowledge of students as individuals as well as the theories and practices of the student affairs profession. Residence Life adheres to the ethical principles and standards set forth by the American College Personnel Association. Civility We strive to promote an environment exemplified by mutual respect and collective responsibility. In doing so, we challenge our students to understand and appreciate their obligation to fellow community members. With the recognition that students will use this knowledge outside of the residence hall, we will also promote the greater social responsibility beyond the college experience. Collaboration In recognition that we collectively support the University’s educational mission, Residence Life is committed to working in partnership with other departments and stakeholders to develop student-centered programs and services. In an effort to best serve students, we will work beyond departmental lines by striving to maintain open, honest, and consistent communication with others throughout the University. In addition, we will expose students to the various opportunities within the Oakland community and surrounding city. Inquiry We will continuously strive to further the academic mission of the University by fostering an environment in which students and staff members are free to explore, question, learn, and teach. In order to sustain this environment, we will utilize our resources to create and identify opportunities for learning within our residence hall communities. Integrity and Professionalism As a Residence Life team, we expect a high level of professional competence in addition to overall wellness and a healthy balance of personal time. Our decisions and actions are well-informed, objective and consistent with University standards, and reflect the use of empathy and reason. We value the 3 importance of remaining informed of current issues in the fields of higher education and student affairs, and their application to departmental policies. Involvement Residence Life staff understand the value of co-curricular activities and appreciate the importance of the holistic development of our students. We promote and model healthy interactions among students, staff, and faculty. Additionally, we celebrate the unique role we play as educators in the overall college experience. Respect and Dignity We recognize tolerance as a minimum expectation and constantly strive to achieve greater and deeper understanding of human differences. Thus, we as a department oppose intolerance and are committed to helping all personnel further their knowledge, experience, and appreciation of diversity. Office of Residence Life Diversity Statement The Office of Residence Life at the University of Pittsburgh has a strong commitment to acknowledging, advocating, celebrating, and educating all people who live and work in our residence halls. We are professionally and personally committed to creating a community that supports diverse perspectives, celebrates the rich diversity of people who live and work within our residence halls, and fosters an environment of continuous education. We have created this Diversity Statement so that all students and staff may understand the importance of diversity in our residence halls, on campus, and in the world. We will not tolerate any form of behavior pertaining to racism, sexism, bigotry, harassment, intimidation, threats, or abuse, whether verbal or written, physical or psychological, direct or implied. We will not accept ignorance, humor, or substance use as an excuse for oppressive behavior. Acknowledge We acknowledge that human differences comes in many forms, including: race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or status as a veteran. We recognize that the knowledge we gain from interacting with and learning from one another has both educational and personal value. Furthermore, by acknowledging the presence of inequalities and oppression and engaging in uncomfortable conversations, all members of our community experience an incomparable educational experience. These experiences are crucial for developing the requisite skills to thrive as a member of a pluralistic society and as a responsible global citizen. Advocate We strive to create a learning environment that allows all people to advocate for and support underrepresented populations. We maintain a safe and friendly environment that embodies our ideals of cooperation and mutual respect by protecting the right of respectful expression and by confronting hateful or victimizing acts. We will be deliberate in educating our staff and students to respond proactively to such behavior. Celebrate We consider the cultural diversity at the University and in the city of Pittsburgh as one of our finest assets. We endeavor to celebrate all people by offering a wide variety of programs and activities that promote a high level of experiential learning. Encouraging students to embrace diversity is at the heart of 4 our mission to provide a holistic education and to help our students become effective citizen leaders in our communities and in the world. Educate We provide opportunities for holistic education outside the classroom, in part, by prioritizing multicultural education. Through education, students will learn the skills necessary to promote a supportive and inclusive environment. Students will have the opportunity to engage in programs, activities, and discussions regarding current events, as well as social, political, intrapersonal, and interpersonal conflicts. Within the residence halls, multiculturalism is embedded in our commitment to create the best collegiate experience in the world. 5 BUILDING BUDGETS The Residence Life departmental budget is comprised of allocations from the division of Student Affairs and Housing. From the departmental budget, each residence hall building receives a budget allocation based on the number of residents within the building as well as a pre-determined amount of funds for Building-wide/OCC Programs and Weekend Programs irrespective of the size of the residence hall. RDs keep track of the budget for their building and notify their supervisor of any major issues. Budget Categories Building budgets consist of five different categories: Floor Programs, Building-wide/OCC Programs, Weekend Programs, Staff Development, and Donated Services. In addition, the RD receives LLC budget updates from the AD for Academic Initiatives to help guide program development discussions with LLC RAs. Floor Initiatives This category pertains to programs hosted by an RA for a specific floor. Floor programs may be planned or spontaneous. For additional information regarding floor programs, refer to the Programming Section. Building Initiatives This category includes programs open to all residents of the building or programs focused on one of the OCC goal areas that provide participants OCC credit. For additional information regarding building- wide or OCC programs, refer to the Programming Section. Staff Development RDs use staff development funds for supplies, outings, or events that contribute to the development of their staff. Donated Services Sodexo (the food-service company