Residence and Life Education Metamorphosis Project
A student-centered initiative to tranform Residence & Life Education
Living on campus and experiencing residence life results in amazing and fond memories that can transcend a lifetime . Your residence life memories may have taken place anywhere from two to fifty years ago , but we take great pride in continuing that tradition today . However , the college environment and the needs of students have changed over the past few years . Our department and university are leaders in student housing , and so we have started a journey towards revolutionizing our residence life experience . We call this journey the Metamorphosis Project .
Because we are committed to providing an outstanding on-campus resident experience while preserving the role of residence life in student development , we are redesigning the Residence Life and Education program .
This three-year project will redesign how Residence Life and Education services , programs , and support are delivered to undergraduate , graduate and professional school students . Our aim is that we contribute to the success of future generations just as we contributed to yours . by LISA DIEKOW AND CALVIN MOSLEY photos by MATT PENDLETON AND JULIA MCBEE
Over the past year , we have moved through a careful design thinking process Soft Skills Group Ideas . to research the on-campus experience , brainstorm possibilities , create solutions , and begin to test new ideas that have the potential to transform Residence Life and Education . Each of these steps involves getting the feedback of students , parents , student affairs staff , and on-campus housing experts . This project has challenged us to look beyond what we think we know , and re-examine old problems through new ways of thinking . In other words , we are trying to discover a new model and approach to residence life that better meets the needs of today ’ s students .
One key area that we will be developing new programs and opportunities in is life and soft skill development . This will assist students in being not only successful at the University of Florida , but also in their long-term career development and life after college . We will be seeking opportunities to help students find , connect to , and build community while living on campus .
When the Metamorphosis Project is complete , we will have an entirely new structure and system in Residence Life and Education . It may look very different from what we have today , but we will feel confident that our new model is based on sound research and an accurate understanding of what our students are wanting from their life in the residence halls and graduate and family housing .
We look forward to sharing more specific details over the next two years .
William " Cole " Thomas , RA in Murphree Area , explaining the
Ryan Winget , Assistant Director for East Campus , brainstorming ideas with one of the focus groups .
William " Cole " Thomas going over one of the ideas of the Soft Skills Team .
JoCynda Hudson , Assistant Director of Housing for Conduct & Community Standards writing down ideas .
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