Hamilton College - Student Handbook - Residential Life: Staff, Facilities and Regulations

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Contents

Residential Life: Staff, Facilities and Regulations

Residential Life

Staff, Facilities and Regulations
Residential Life Policies and Procedures
Housing Agreement
Smoking Policy
Weapons and Fireworks Policy

Because this is a residential campus, teaching and learning in all facets of campus life, both in and out of the classroom, are valued. Much of this learning occurs in the residence halls. When you accept admission to Hamilton College, you agree to live in the residence halls all four years and abide by College policies. Included here is information on the residential life staff, housing options, and residence hall policies and procedures.

Residential Life Staff

Director of Residential Life - The director is responsible for developing a comprehensive student development based residential program. The director is also responsible for housing assignments, the administration of student regulations pertaining to the residence halls and the overall management of the residential systems.

Assistant/Area Directors - There are three full-time, professional staff members who live on campus and report to the director of residential life. They are directly responsible for supervising, training and evaluating the resident advisor staff. They also provide direction for resident advisors and other students to develop educational, social, and cultural and community programs in the residence halls. In addition, they carry out administrative functions such as facilitating room changes and assessing residence hall damages.

Resident Advisors - The primary function of the resident advisor (RA) is to promote and maintain a positive residence hall community, which is conducive to academic achievement and personal growth and respectful of the rights of all residents. By serving in the roles of peer counselor, advisor, role model, programmer, administrator and limit setter, the RA facilitates the personal, social and academic development of residents. Under the supervision of an area director or the assistant director, and ultimately the Director of Residential Life, the RA is the primary facilitator of the residence hall community. Resident advisors are important informational resources and can offer students assistance in many areas of their lives, including residence hall concerns, questions about the College and personal problems. They are also responsible for bringing people together in the halls by planning social and educational activities, encouraging interaction among students, and fostering appreciation and respect among members of the campus community.

Housing Options

First-year and transfer students are assigned rooms on the basis of their lifestyle habits. This information is communicated to the Office of Residential Life through a housing questionnaire. First-year students live in doubles, triples and quads clustered in many of the residence halls throughout the campus. Returning students choose their rooms each spring through a housing lottery process.

Specialty Housing - Students may take advantage of a number of unique housing options on campus. Specialty housing has been designed to diversify the living/learning options at Hamilton in ways that encourage positive interaction among students within their unique residential communities.

Woollcott House: This residence hall allows students to participate in a cooperative meal plan in which they plan, prepare, and serve dinner every evening in the house. In addition, each house member agrees to complete a weekly assignment according to an established work schedule.

Quiet Housing: Students living in quiet housing agree to support an atmosphere that is conducive to sleep and study at all times. The third floor of Major Residence Hall has been designated as "quiet" for the academic year.

Rogers Estate: This residence hall gives students the opportunity to participate in a meal plan in which they have all meals except lunch provided to them at the house. The integration of residential life with academic life is an important part of the Rogers Estate that is reflected in special interactions with faculty and other distinguished guests visiting the house.

Substance-Free Housing: Students living in substance-free housing actively participate in a healthy lifestyle and activities that support an alcohol and drug-free philosophy where alcohol (and, of course, other illegal drugs) are not permitted in the residence hall. Root Hall, Kirkland, Dunham Basement, Wertimer and 100 College Hill Road are designated as substance free for the academic year.

Residence Hall Leadership Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to become involved in several leadership opportunities coordinated by the Office of Residential Life in order to provide input into programs and services.