• Living with a Roommate
• Connecting to Campus

  • Community Development Model
  • Cougar Chats
  • Cougar Connect
  • Division Resources
• Residence Hall Association

Living on campus is a unique experience for many reasons, including the opportunity for total immersion into your educational experience. Learning is not restricted to only the classroom. Time spent in the residence halls is time spent getting to know your campus, your community, and your own personal identity. In order to help make the most of this crucial period, the Department of Residence Life has designed and implemented a Community Development Model that offers structure and support to each resident in a personalized format.

Our Residence Life staff begin engaging the on-campus community even before move-in, offering a warm Charleston welcome to incoming residents. Residents can expect to hear from both their specific Resident Assistant (RA) and their Residence Hall Director prior to Cougar Move-In.

One of the first elements of our Community Development Model is the Resident Dossier. The Dossier serves as a brief introduction of residents to their RA. Information shared in the Dossier serves as a starting point for getting residents engaged on campus with their specific interests and needs.

RAs will be checking in throughout the year to see what resources each resident needs, whether a resident is looking for something to do over an upcoming weekend, or they are not sure how to make an appointment with their academic advisor. RAs are great springboards for getting connected to the rest of campus, and reaching out to an RA is the perfect first step if a resident does know who to ask for help.

There are also many opportunities to connect with fellow residents in a group setting. Throughout the semester, the Residence Life staff host group engagement opportunities. Some group engagements will take place in the halls, and some will involve attending events hosted by additional campus partners and departments. The timing and content of group engagements will vary.

The Department of Residence Life solicits feedback from residents at various points throughout the year, using the information collected to improve the residential experience. New ideas for programming and engagement are always welcome!

COVID-19 Note: In accordance with College policies and procedures (outlined on Back on the Bricks), in-person gatherings must follow all appropriate restrictions. While this is a challenge, our Residence Life staff are monitoring COVID-19 conditions and adapting our approach to community engagement in order to provide the most robust experience possible while prioritizing the health and safety of our community.