The Residential Community Experience

The Office of Residence Life joins students in creating a community that supports the education and development of the campus community. Residence Life supports the Elon mission by engaging students in creating their own communities, developing leadership and learning opportunities, protecting students' rights and providing opportunities for students to interact with others, and respecting diverse contributions and backgrounds.

Research shows that students learn most from each other, both in and out of the classroom. The campus learning community is grounded in students' responsibility to one another for creating an educational atmosphere conducive to learning and growth.

The Residential Learning Community
The opportunities abound: jump in and learn life skills, leadership skills, communications skills, how to create a community, how to develop a functional governance system, and even how to live with others. The following areas are coordinated through Residence Life to enhance learning on campus:

Community Programming Model
RSA
Living and Learning at Elon: Our Mission
Learning Communities
Community Rights
Faculty-in-Residence


Community Programming Model
Within the residence life community, we provide even more opportunities for students to get involved. All student staff working in Residence Life provide activities designed to build community within the residence halls. Residents are also encouraged to attend and assist with these programs as well as plan their own activities.

Residence Life Student Staff utilize a variety of programming methods to accomplish the goals listed above. Methods include bulletin boards, newsletters, social events, faculty involvement, trips, cultural events, campus programs and more.

Floor Councils: This group, consisting of a President, Community Standards Chair, and Events Chair and other officers, govern floor community issues and plan floor programs with the assistance of student staff members and funding from Area Councils.

Area Councils: Made up of student representatives from each hall, this group governs area-wide community issues, plans area-wide programs, serves as advocates for residents and oversees area-wide budgets.

Resident Student Association: Comprised of student representatives from each of the Area Councils, RSA's mission is to represent the needs of on-campus students and initiate and plan activities for on-campus students.

Hall Personalization: This fall semester program has been developed to allow resident students an opportunity to design and paint a mural in the hallway or other common spaces of the community in which they live. All residence halls are encouraged to participate, and a contest determining the best mural on campus is held.

Intramurals: Through our Campus Recreation department, resident students sign up with fellow residents to form intramural teams that participate against other teams from across campus. Intramural sports occur throughout the entire academic year and are a major part of the campus life at Elon.

Community Rights
All members of the Elon residential community have the right to sleep, study, pursue individual interests, make friends, and be safe from verbal and physical harassment. Residents possess these rights regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, ability, economic status, religion or culture. Residents are expected to be considerate and respectful of other students, staff members, and University employees. Residents are considered responsible stewards of the Elon community and must take responsibility for what occurs in the community.