The Role of Residence Life

The Offices of Residence Life and Housing are operated separately at Drew University. For this reason, students are often confused about which office to go to when they have a problem or question.  Provided is a quick reference as to how our offices function.

Residence Life

Residence Life provides more of the “people related” services for resident students. Our goal is to help students thrive, grow, and develop beyond their classroom experiences. To this end, our services include:

1. Initial counseling and crisis intervention for students seeking personal assistance. 
2. A referral agent for other campus offices.
3. Roommate conflict mediation.
4. Room change authorization.
5. Student complaint investigation.
6. Policy development and enforcement.
7. Residence Hall programming and events.
8. Education and awareness on a variety of college issues.

Counseling and Special Assistance is available to a student 24 hours a day. If you need special assistance the Counseling Center is open Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm.  Appointments can be made by calling 973-408-3398.  They also supervise a peer group called the “GOOD” line that is available to all students at 973-408-4663 from 5pm – 9am.  You may also consult your RA or stop by the Office of Residence Life for assistance.  When the office closes at 5 pm, there is always an RA and a CRD on duty.  Essentially there is a ResLife staff member available 24/7 for emergencies.   If your RA is unavailable, there is an on-duty RA available. The duty schedule is posted outside your RA’s door and on the ResLife website here.  If your RA is not available, please contact Public Safety at 973-408-3379 and they will contact the CRD on duty if necessary.  To view more about Counseling Services, please check this out: Counseling Services

Resident Assistant Selection starts at the end of the Fall Semester. RAs should be at sophomore standing when they begin Fall Training. To be considered, a candidate must attend a required information session to pick up an application. Ask your RA for further details.

Roommate Conflicts can be resolved by meeting with your RA. If you find that you still need help, you can make an appointment with your Resident Director.  Check out this: Roommate Conflict Solutions for further Roommate conflict solutions!

Room Changes are not encouraged and only approved as a last resort. If you have a special need you must make an appointment with your CRD. No room changes are made during the first few weeks of school.  After this period, and in consultation with your CRD, you must contact Housing to fill out appropriate paperwork.

Residence Hall Complaints can be forwarded through your RA or to the Office of Residence Life. If your complaint falls under a Housing Office function (as described in the next section), follow up with the Housing Office first. If you need further assistance, contact the Office of Residence Life, or your CRD.

Residence Hall Policies are made for the good of the residence hall community. Therefore, it is expected that resident students and their guests understand and fully adhere to all policies. Please read through the policies listed in Daniel’s Dictionary and ask your RA or Complex Residence Director about anything that may seem unclear.

Residence Hall Programming is provided on floors and in houses by RAs and HAs. Programming for each area is provided by the Office of Residence Life, Residence Hall Association, or Living Council. Programming events are advertised around the residence halls. If you have programming ideas that you would like to see presented in your area, contact your RA or CRD.  Here is the who, what, where, when, why, and how's of programming:  All you need to know about Programming!

Residence Hall Lounges are open and made available for the use of everyone.  If you require to program or to use the lounge for a specific reason, please make sure you request the space.  You may do so by contacting the Office of Residence Life.  If you require an area that is outside of the lounge, please contact HCH to confirm your request.

Education and Awareness is an important component of residence life. We incorporate a plethora of awareness training programs into our professional, graduate and student staff training sessions. Residence Hall programs and events are designed to be sensitive to all residents within our residence hall communities.   The ResLife Staff programs on a variety of topics that addresses the needs of our populations. 

 

Housing, Conferences, & Hospitality

For complete information on specific housing policies, procedures, facilities, and services, please contact Housing, Conference, and Hospitality at 973-408-3103.  Also, you may find more information here: Housing, Conferences, & Hospitality. Although the Housing Office provides a plethora of services, here are the ones that most effect our residential students:

Room Changes are not encouraged and only approved as a last resort. If you have a special need you must make an appointment with your CRD. No room changes are made during the first few weeks of school.  After this period, after consulting with your CRD, pick up a form from the Office of Residence Life.  The form indicated the next steps.  You must also be in contact with Housing.

Room & Roommate Assignments are done through the Housing Office. 

Lottery and room assignment proceedings begin in the early part of the Spring semester. Information will be provided.

Room Reservations that do not involve a residence hall space are done through the Housing Office. 

Furniture Replacement of the residence halls are done through the Housing Office. 

Break Housing (Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring, and Summer) is determined by the Housing Office.  Cost, applications, move in and move out dates, and location are determined by Housing.  Applications are also available at ResLife.

Housing Contracts  should be returned to the Housing Office.  They are located under the Library!

Other Relevant Services

Recycling is mandated by the State of New Jersey and necessary to ensure a less wasteful society. Custodians are responsible for emptying and managing the recycling efforts of the residence halls, however you, as a resident student, are responsible for separating your own trash and placing it in the proper receptacle. Please do not make the custodian's job harder than it already is!

Maintenance requests If you have a maintenance request call the Service Response Center at 973-408-3510, or place a work order in at Facilities Management Work Order

Custodial service is provided (M - F) in hallways, lounges, kitchens, bathrooms, and lobbies. A light cleaning is done on the weekends. Custodians will keep the residence hall areas clean, however they are not responsible for cleaning up excessive messes that students make. Students are responsible for cleaning up after themselves, washing their own dishes, and cleaning their own rooms and bathrooms (if not in a traditional style building).

Laundry facilities are available for use in each residence hall.

Lost keys should be reported to the Facilities Department. Room keys will be replaced only after the University Locksmith changes the lock on your room door. For security reasons a lock change is always performed. There is a charge for this replacement service.