Unit Spotlight
ODU’s Dean of Students Office (DoS) serves as student advocates by providing
students with mitigation, problem resolution, and referral services. DoS also provides leadership
for the development of a student centered learning environment outside of the classroom by
establishing programs and services that empower students to make responsible decisions that
embrace healthy social and emotional choices, civic responsibility, and Monarch Citizenship.
Housing & Residence Life (HRL) provides an inclusive residential experience in a safe,
well-maintained community that supports academic excellence, fosters personal development,
and promotes student success. Home to approximately 4,700 students of which nearly half are
first-year students, HRL manages 14 residential communities comprised of 56 buildings, totaling 1.3
million square feet of residential space. The department is a student-centered educational partner
on campus, offering 10 Living & Learning Communities, where collaboration and learning extend
beyond the classroom.
By utilizing a residential curriculum approach to student learning and development,
Residence Hall staff facilitate numerous strategies including community experiences, intentional
conversations and floor meetings to sequence student learning focusing on four learning goals:
Identity Development, Academic Achievement, Wellness and Citizenship. HRL contributes to the
student engagement and learning experiences by placing an emphasis on signature programs
and events throughout the academic year such as Haunted Halls, an annual “haunted house”
where in 2015 more than 800 pounds of non-perishable food was donated to the Food Bank
of Southeastern Virginia; Tunnel of Oppression, a national program that addresses stereotypes
relevant to modern society; and the Oxfam Hunger Banquet, an event focused on educating
students about hunger. One of the largest student employers on campus, HRL employs more than
200 students in the role of resident assi