Roompact is running a blog series where a variety of authors weigh in on the question, "How can we re-envision ResLife staff training?" Whether it's student staff training... or professional staff training... how can we think differently? Each author provides a unique insight into their point of view. We'll be adding more as we go.... Continue Reading →
Re-Envisioning ResLife Staff Training: A More Flexible And Effective Training Environment
Residence Life training programs have been under a microscope for the past decade, trying to evolve and seek out what is most effective at helping onboard staff members into critical roles within our halls. The biggest shift is understanding how to create a better balance to prevent burnout within the process. However, there are additional... Continue Reading →
Building A Better ResLife Pro Staff Training
When I started as a hall director, I was excited but also overwhelmed by the number of responsibilities. I had to supervise a student staff of 13, manage the hallโs administrative desk, oversee the community budget, advise hall government, adjudicate conduct cases, and all the other duties as assigned. Thankfully I received a full training... Continue Reading →
Retreating in Residence Life: A Tradition Worth Keeping?
When you hear the word retreat, what comes to mind? For me, itโs statements like, โLets start with an icebreaker,โ โEveryone say your name, title, and what you do,โ and โWhat is a fun or little known fact about you?โ Itโs traveling to a near or far location and blocking off your calendar. Itโs sharing... Continue Reading →
Onboarding New Professional Staff to a Student Affairs or Residential Curriculum
Student Affairs offices, particularly those within residence life and education, typically see a steady turn over of professionals year-to-year. When building and maintaining a curriculum, it can sometimes be a challenge to onboard new staff members who (1) may not be familiar with the model at all or (2) are not familiar with your institution's... Continue Reading →
Implications for Staff Member Duties, Selection, Training, and Development When Transitioning to a Curricular Approach
Transitioning to a residential curriculum is as much about educational plan development as it is about organizational change. The reason for this is that curricular approaches are often paradigmatic change--change predicated on an entirely new set of premises. In other words, rather than just rearranging the furniture in the room, you're changing the entire room... Continue Reading →



