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HOUSE is an acronym for the five major areas in programming that you and your
staff will need to address during the academic year:
H - Health/Holistic (nutrition, drugs, safety)
O - Open-mindedness (ethnicity, culture, art/music, religion)
U - Unity/Togetherness (social events, and contests)
S - Service Learning (volunteerism, citizenship, community service)
E - Everyday Skills (life skills, increasing autonomy, building
independence)
So now that you know the main areas that help develop a well-rounded individual,
you should begin to have a clear picture of why we have programs in residence
life, and realize their importance in enriching student lives beyond the
classroom.
The RA has the most important role in this process! You are the brainstormer,
planner, facilitator, and evaluator for each of these enrichment opportunities,
and without you, our department would not be successful, our students would be
more introverted and less social, and our buildings would be less like
communities and more like motels!
In the next few pages, we provide preliminary guidance for your new role:
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How to brainstorm,
plan, and facilitate a program.
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Your programming
requirements each semester, and using the HOUSE chart.
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Evaluating your
programs and charting your progress.
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Many resources and
ideas for each area of the HOUSE.
What about floor socials?
Each month, each individual RA is responsible for at LEAST 1 social event with
their floor. This is important for you and your residents to feel like they
belong to a community, and to interact with “that room down the hall.”
This does not need to be as complex as your team program. It is your opportunity
to get to know your residents on a social level, and most RAs run floor socials
informally. Yes, you can plan a more involved event (like a trip or contest) but
you can also easily plan a floor dinner, movies in your room, go to a campus
event, or just have a monthly meeting with your floor to discuss any issues they
may have.
In order to keep track of these requirements, you should fill out a program
proposal form online (use the first link on the left menu of this page). Once the event is over, your RHD
will properly chart it.
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Pathway Home
Four Steps to a Successful Program
STEP 1:
Brainstorming and Gathering Resources
Often, when we think of programming, we limit ourselves by imagining gatherings
in an area of the building at a set time that last about an hour. This is OK for
some programs, necessary for others, but definitely not the only way! There are
so many ways to de-centralize programming, depending on your topic.
For Example:
If you are planning a health program relating to binge-drinking, how about
making an interactive bulletin board that last for a few days, instead of a
boring lecture in the lounge?
Or:
If you’re addressing women’s history month, put related trivia in mailboxes and
under doors, and sponsor a contest where the entries w/ the most correct answers
wins a prize…
As you gather your ideas, you should be gathering resources. This includes
making contacts with the people and/or organizations, books, and web sites that
will provide you with the help you need to put together your program. Always
check out the extensive list at the end of this binder.
Ask other staff members, faculty, clubs, and students, for ideas too.
Remember that thinking creatively almost always pays off!
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Do (Trees): |
Don’t (Rocks): |
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| Use the web. |
Repeat unsuccessful programs. |
| Use other RAs and RDs. |
Make last minute (short notice) calls. |
| Get help from your residents. |
Have a pessimistic attitude. |
| Use off-campus resources. |
Only research one resource. |
| Take creative risks. |
Focus only on your interests. |
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STEP 2:
Proposal, Scheduling the Event and Communicating to Staff
Proposal:
Before you schedule your program, you must give your RD a Program Proposal (see
attached example) Complete only the top half. This 3-ply form is due to your RD
on the due date of the month BEFORE your program. Your RHD will approve or
reject the proposal, usually the same day, or ask you to make adjustments before
he/she approves it.
The proposal will be returned to you. HOLD ON TO IT UNTIL YOUR PROGRAM. You will
use the bottom half to evaluate the event.
After the event, return the completed form to your RHD, who distributes the form
appropriately.
ONE BIG HELPFUL HINT:
Plan ahead! Work with your RHD and staff early in the semester to come up with
what parts of HOUSE you will be tackling each month, this way, you can
brainstorm for the entire semester. This will save you time, and prevent you
from scrambling, making last minute phone calls, and throwing together a lame
program!
Scheduling/Communicating to Staff:
If your event requires a budget, see RHD/Hall Government right away.
Ask potential presenters at least 2 weeks before you would like your event.
Make sure the space you are using (if needed) is available at that time. Don’ t
schedule against large campus events.
Once the event is confirmed, let your staff know ASAP at your meeting or utilize
voice mail.
Mark it on your calendar. |
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Do (Trees): |
Don’t (Rocks): |
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| Give presenters ample notice. |
Schedule against major campus events. |
| Choose appropriate time/locations. |
Forget to plan on funding for program. |
| Let RD and RA/ATM staff know. |
Schedule events right before breaks. |
| Confirm the day before. |
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STEP 3:
Advertise and Plan Details
Advertising:
Posters of course (at least one per corridor, lobby, bathrooms and stalls, near
water fountains, as doortags.) Posters should have intrigue. “Sex Education
Program at 8 p.m. in not intriguing. “Sex and Cream” at 8 p.m. in the lounge is.
(The program included ice cream as refreshments.) Posters should be bright and
simple. Posters should be put up 2 to 3 days before the event, and taken down
immediately after. Posters should not be your only advertisement.
Building wide voice mail.
Personal door- to- door invitations (especially for your own residents.)
Last minute recruiting, i.e. “There’s an event in 5 minute, come on down…”
Offer rewards and incentives (raffles and prizes to be given out at the end of
the event.)
Use WONY, Venue, contacting other staffs, email, mailings, Channel 78.
Remember that few numbers does not mean failure. The level of enjoyment and
learning for those who do attend is most important.
Planning Details:
Be sure you’ve confirmed with your presenter(s).
Do you have everything you will need? Is it set up and ready?
Did you remind the other RAs?
Arrive early to greet your presenter.
If your event is in a lounge, set up the lounge to facilitate conversation: move
the seats in a closer circle, throw out any garbage, etc. |
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Do (Trees): |
Don’t (Rocks): |
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| Make intriguing signs. |
Forget to get all supplies. |
| Use voice mail. |
Forget to do last minute recruiting. |
| Go door to door and personally invite. |
Hang signs the same day. |
| Advertise in strange places. |
Make signs that blend in. |
| Offer rewards/incentives. |
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STEP 4:
Hosting and Evaluating the Event
Hosting your program (if it’s the gathering type) can make or break its success.
A sluggish, bored and inattentive host will create a similar audience. Here are
some tips that you should always follow.
Do you have your Program Proposal ready?
Introduce the program and thank attendants for coming.
Don’t leave or interrupt.
Avoid serving refreshments or giving out prizes in the beginning.
Do watch the time. If you are facilitating, politely cut lengthy discussion.
Most students won’t want to commit more than an hour to most programs.
Remain excited and attentive.
Thank the presenter (s) and the attendants at the end.
Make up a thank you card ahead of time, and the attendants sign it. The next day
send it to the presenter (s)
If your program involves a more creative approach (like the interactive bulletin
board) be sure that you update it as needed in a timely fashion. Don’t slack, or
your participants will.
Evaluating should be quick and simple. Just fill out the bottom half of the
Program Proposal (preferably right there) and turn it in to your RD. Keep in
mind areas that needed improvement, and be sure to give yourself credit for a
successful event. |
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Do (Trees): |
Don’t (Rocks): |
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| Set up lounge to facilitate interaction. |
Serve refreshments first. |
| Greet your presenter and introduce them. |
Leave or interrupt. |
| Welcome all attendants. |
Forget to thank presenter/attendants. |
| Involve self and residents. |
Be discouraged with poor attendance. |
| Take a head count. |
Neglect opportunities to improve future events. |
| Evaluate the program within 24 hours. |
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