Residence Life Overview

Contents

• Philosophy of Residence Life
• Resident Student Learning Model 
• Statement of Our Community Values
• Residence Hall Personnel 
• Hall Council 
• Themed Communities

Philosophy of Residence Life 

Residence Life significantly expands the opportunity for such development since resident students are immersed in the campus environment.

The goal of the Office of Residence Life is to foster personal responsibility, social awareness, and student leadership through programs and activities consistent with the values of the University’s mission: 

• Facilitating integration of classroom activities with co-curricular and extracurricular experiences 
• Promoting the development of spiritual and moral values, ethical principles, and an appreciation for human dignity 
• Encouraging students to live in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul through innovative service-learning and volunteer activities 
• Providing opportunities for students to be enriched by the diverse resources of this global center 
• Helping students to realize their human potential and striving to develop St. John’s alumni who are lifelong learners, responsible citizens, and people of compassion and integrity 

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Resident Student Learning Model 

Academic Enrichment
Resident students are encouraged to take advantage of the academic culture of the University outside the classroom to supplement in-class learning.

Personal and Professional Development
Resident students learn how to practice healthy lifestyles and prepare for career or life challenges and opportunities.

Cultural Awareness
Resident students are provided opportunities to experience and begin the process of understanding universal diversity.

Spiritual Development
Resident students are guided to explore and understand constructs of personal faith and moral beliefs.

Service Involvement
Resident students perform community service to gain an understanding of the social constructs behind the need for service.

Mission Development/Metropolitan Experience
Resident students explore and experience the historical, cultural, and social venues of New York City.

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Statement of Our Community Values 

The development of the whole individual is our priority within the foundation of our residence hall program. The goal of each of the halls and apartments, in addition to providing a place to sleep, is to supplement learning and provide a variety of educational, social, and recreational activities. Residence halls are living-learning centers for today’s students. Becoming a member of the St. John’s residential community involves students in the special opportunity to live, learn, and grow together. This necessitates the creation of set expectations and community standards to develop a respectful, thoughtful, and educational environment. Our community is a place where a developed sense of integrity and the ability to make good decisions is highly esteemed. It is a place where we celebrate diversity and expressly repudiate discrimination. Also, we are interdependent for the fulfillment of certain needs, and therefore, living in the St. John’s residential community requires each of us to adopt an active understanding of Residence Hall Policies.

The policies are designed to create an optimal environment for every member of the community and those who visit. The policies establish clear and consistent behavioral expectations. Infractions of these policies are documented and adjudicated to preserve and protect the integrity of our community.

The community values set forth reflect the University’s Vincentian mission. St. John’s strives to promote justice, instill personal and moral values, and create a healthy learning environment. In the event that a student is found responsible for violating a section or sections of the Residence Hall Policies, a sanction may be assigned. Sanctions imposed through the student conduct process are intended to facilitate the aforementioned goals. The student conduct process is an essential part of the educational setting, as it stresses personal accountability and respect for others.

The Office of Residence Life at St. John’s is committed to the safety and well being of all community members. We strive to create an environment that is free of acts of violence, harassment, and infringement of rights of privacy and property. The Office of Residence Life is one of many service offices in the University that assists students. As staff, we support students by identifying resources which, based on personal needs, further assist them.

Students in our resident halls come from a wide variety of geographical locations and cultural backgrounds. Experiences with students enhance one’s learning while exposing him/her to different perspectives; stressing tolerance, acceptance, and respect for others; and promoting the standards of good citizenship.

The director, associate directors, area directors, residence directors, graduate assistants, and office support staff are responsible for coordinating the residence hall staff of resident assistants and administering the entire residence hall program which includes, but is not limited to, assigning rooms, helping students with interpersonal conflicts, and training staff.

Residence Life Contact Information

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Residence Hall Personnel 

Resident Assistants
Resident Assistants (RAs) are selected by the Office of Residence Life because of their interest in people, proven maturity, and sense of responsibility. After training, the RAs clearly understand that they serve as agents of St. John’s Catholic and Vincentian mission for their residents. The RAs provide  assistance to each student. Resident assistants assist residents with problems or questions.

RAs are students assigned to directly oversee residents of a particular floor/wing or area in a residence hall/apartment. The RAs are knowledgeable about St. John’s policies and serve as sources of help within the institution.

Senior Resident Assistants (SRAs) are students assigned to assist and oversee the hall staff with administrative work and the ongoing development of a residence hall. The SRAs are knowledgeable about St. John’s policies and are sources of help within the institution. Each residence hall has one SRA on the Queens campus .

In each residence hall, there are 1-2 RAs on duty daily in order to be a resource for residents, perform walking rounds of the building, and to monitor the residence hall environment. RAs can be located in the RA office within the residence hall between the hours of 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. daily.

Graduate Assistants
The Graduate Assistants report to the Area Directors; they are responsible for the management of certain buildings and the implementation of all policies and procedures. They provide after-hours duty coverage and serve as liaisons to Facilities, Public Safety, and the University community.

Residence Directors/Area Director
Residence Directors (RDs) and Area Directors (ADs) are full-time professionals who live in the residence halls and are responsible for one or more buildings. RDs report to an associate director and supervise RAs. The RDs implement policies and procedures, facilitate residence hall programming, serve as primary judicial hearing officers, advise hall councils and perform on-duty responsibilities. RDs and ADs can be located in the RD office within the residence hall between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.

Associate Directors
Our Associate directors oversee housing occupancy, facilities management, and staff and student development. Associate Directors are responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the residence halls, supervising Residence Directors in these areas and serving as liaisons for Residence Life to students, parents, alumni, and University officials.

Director of Residence Life
The Director of Residence Life is responsible for overseeing the administration of the Residence Life program at St. John’s. The Director oversees the professional staff and central office staff.

Support Staff
The central office is staffed by one support person and student workers.

Residence Ministers
The Residence Ministers work with Residence Life to enhance and further the Vincentian and Catholic mission of St. John’s. Residence Ministers live and work in the residence halls and apartments and provide counseling, spiritual guidance, programming, supportive service and referral information to students.

Mission
The Resident Student Association (RSA) on the Queens campus affords a significant opportunity to participate and effect change in the community. Through the RSA, students can construct and participate in social, educational, and service programs that cater specifically to students living in the Residence Village. The Resident Student Association also allows students to have a voice with administration through student representatives. This grants students the possibility to change processes, policies, and other issues affecting resident students and the student body, keeping in mind our Catholic and Vincentian mission. The Resident Student Association is an excellent way for students to get involved on campus and develop individual leadership skills.

For more information on the RSA, stop by the Office of Residence Life in Donovan C-16 (Garden Level) or call 718-990-2417.You also may attend RSA meetings and look for our published announcements.

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Hall Council 

Each residence hall has its own Hall Council with its own distinct constitution and bylaws. The Residence Director advises these Hall Councils with the support of the Senior Resident Assistant. Hall Councils enhance the residential life experience by providing inclusive social, educational, and service programs, while serving as a gateway to solutions through advocacy. Hall Councils are responsible for providing activities for their specific halls.

The Hall Council serves to enhance the residential experience by allowing students the opportunity to advocate for their own needs, meet and discuss potential solutions to resident students concerns with the administration, and provide campus-wide inclusive social, educational, and service programming.

Executive board and committee opportunities are available throughout the year. If you are interested in joining a Hall Council, please contact your Hall Council Advisor.

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Themed Communities

The St. John’s University living experience is enhanced and maximized by themed community options. The goal of these communities is to bridge the academic and residential experience and link students, faculty, and administrators with common interests. Resident students report higher levels of satisfaction and freshmen residents are more likely to return sophomore year.

24 Hour Quiet Floor (Janetscheck Hall and Hollis Hall): The 24 Hour Quiet Floor is a unique living environment designed for those students who like it a little more on the quiet side. While all of our residence halls have 24 hour "courtesy hours" and designated quiet hours during the night, the 24 hour quiet floor carries the quiet hours expectation throughout the day as well. Living in this environment is a privilege; students who have difficulty maintaining the quiet environment may be reassigned to another floor or hall. Students may indicate their preference to live in this community on their application via the housing portal. Participation is based on availability.

Honors Community (Donovan Hall): The Honors Program offers outstanding students the opportunity to maximize intellectual growth and experience personal enrichment. Students meet regularly with the program’s directors and faculty, creating a stimulating environment of thought, research and scholarly discourse. Students are able to participate in this community only through acceptance to the Honors program. This program has a “live together” requirement, and students will be able to select a room via the Housing Portal.

Pharmacy/Allied Health Community (Donovan Hall): The Doctor of Pharmacy Program prepares graduates to serve as medication experts who have the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to promote and deliver outstanding patient-centered care in all contemporary pharmacy practice settings with a global perspective. Graduates will be effective leaders, dedicated scholars and moral and ethical practitioners within interprofessional healthcare teams. Students are able to participate in this community only through acceptance to the Pharmacy program. This program has a “live together” requirement, and students will be able to select a room via the Housing Portal. Ozanam Scholars Community (Donovan Hall)- The Ozanam Scholars program provides a select group of scholars with an innovative learning experience through academics and research, Vincentian service, and global citizenship. Students are able to participate in this community only through acceptance to the Ozanam scholars program. This program has a “live together” requirement, and students will be able to select a room via the Housing Portal.

Ozanam Scholars Community (Donovan Hall): The Ozanam Scholars program provides a select group of scholars with an innovative learning experience through academics and research, Vincentian service, and global citizenship. Students are able to participate in this community only through acceptance to the Ozanam scholars program. This program has a “live together” requirement, and students will be able to select a room via the Housing Portal.

Catholic Scholars Community (Donovan Hall): The  Catholic Scholars program, provides students with the opportunity to be a  part of a multi-disciplinary community of Catholic Leaders who join professors and Campus Ministers in monthly meetings, lectures, courses and prayer experiences that integrate faith, reason and service. Students are able to participate in this community only through acceptance to the Catholic Scholars program. This program has a “live together” requirement, and students will be able to select a room via the Housing Portal

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