OATdb Archive

2009 - 2010

Residence Life

Goal
Enhanced Technology
Continue to enhance technological changes in Residence Life

Objective
Installation Of Surveillance Cameras
Residence Life will continue the installation of surveillance cameras in residence halls

Indicator
Reported Vandalism
The amount of vandalism that occurs in the residence halls will be measured based on the monetary amount reported by residence hall staff each fiscal year.

Criterion
Reduction In Vandalism Rates
Vandalism rates will be close to or mirror rate reported in 2008-09, which was a total of $3610.80.

Finding
Expected Constant Or Reduced Vandalism Rate
The amount of money billed for vandalism for the Academic Year 2009-2010 was expected to be close to or less than last year's total.  This year we had a total of $2912.00, which is a decrease of actual vandalism damage from last year.


Action
Installation Of Surveillance Cameras
Residence Life will continue the plan to install cameras in public areas of all residence halls.  Estill Hall is currently in the process of having cameras installed to be completed by Aug 15, 2010.  The next hall will be Elliott Hall for installation in summer 2011.

Objective
Web-based Services
Web pages will be utilized by student residents to electronically handle all assignment-based business with the department, such as applications, renewal, roommate matching and other services.

Indicator
Quality Of Life Survey (regarding Intentional Use Of Web Pages)
Intentional use of the web pages for performing assignment-based business will be measured by the frequency of students choosing to perform their business tasks over the web.

Criterion
Implementation Of Additional Web-based Housing Services
At least 60% of student surveys will show an interest in handling more housing business over the web pages.

Finding
Expected Increase In Using Web Pages For Business
The Quality of Life Survey results showed that 92% of students answering the survey used the web pages to apply for housing; 81% had used the web to apply for a meal plan, and 68% had used the web to renew their housing contract for the following year.  These are all increases from last year.  In addition, the new web-based Roommate Matching programs had 1508 students enter their profiles and use the service between September 1, 2009 and July 1, 2010.

Action
Increase Web-based Services Through Purchase Of Software
Using the information from the student survey in conjunction with the university implementing Banner, Residence Life has purchased StarRez, a software program that will integrate with Banner and provide many more opportunities for students to handle their housing business on-line.  We are currently building data tables, with implementation beginning in Spring 2011.

Goal
Program Development
Demonstrate continuous program development/enhancement

Objective
Residence Life Cinema
Create more opportunities for student-targeted programming through media with Residence Life Cinema.

Indicator
Quality Of Life Survey (regarding Residence Life Cinema)
Popularity and usage of Residence Life Cinema will be measured as part of the Quality of Life survey.

Criterion
Demonstrated Student Satisfaction With Residence Life Cinema
At least 60% of student surveys will show satisfaction regarding the use and popularity of Residence Life Cinema.

Finding
Expected Success Of Residence Life Cinema
The Quality of Life Survey results showed that only 37.77 % of respondents agreed that they watched Residence Life Cinema.   Of those respondents, only 17.86% were satisfied with the quality of picture and sound, and only 22.7% believed their viewing of RLC movies increased their awareness of social issues and solutions.

Action
Discontinue Contract With Residence Life Cinema
The results of this year's Quality of Life survey indicates that students are no longer watching the RLC channel and are not satisfied with the picture or sound quality.  A solution could not be found to better improve the picture and sound quality; therefore, Residence Life is no longer contracting for this service, ending with August 2010.

Objective
Residence Hall Programming
Student residents are provided with educational and social programming opportunities to facilitate personal growth and development.

Indicator
Quality Of Life Survey (regarding General Hall Programming)
Specific questions within our Quality of Life survey will measure the success of, and participation in, general hall programming in the areas of Wellness, Diversity, Life Skills, Social Issues and the like.

Criterion
Demonstrated Student Satisfaction With Residence Hall Programming
At least 60% of student surveys will show a positive reaction to, and attendance at, residence hall programs provided by hall staff.

Finding
Expected Satisfaction With General Hall Programming
Only 32.86% of students responding to the survey said that they have attended hall programs and only 23.19% of the respondents felt that the programs increased their awareness of social issues and solutions.

Action
Improvement In Hall Programming
Due to the low satisfaction percentages, the department is currently undergoing discussions regarding a change in our programming model. Although this was also the same action reported for last year, we were unable to thoroughly work on a solution for this upcoming Fall; therefore, we will continue with the same model this year and focus on obtaining a larger audience and finding ways to increase our students' awareness of social issues and solutions, with hopes to change our model by Fall 2011.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement Residence Life is committed to installing more cameras in hallways and public areas and expect that vandalism rates will decrease from previous years.  Residents are not responding to the Quality of Life Survey in numbers that would make the results meaningful.  Staff will meet this summer to determine a better method of collecting preference information related to various areas of Residence Life. There will also be an attempt to revive the Residence Halls Association (RHA).