University Communications

"The best thing about the Faculty in Residence program is that it helps to break down some of those barriers that exist between professors and students," agrees Kevin Terraciano '85, M.A. '89, Ph.D. '94, a professor of history who lives with his wife and infant daughter in a DeNeve apartment. "As a young professor, and having gone to UCLA, I always considered myself closer to students. But I realized when I started living here that I still had a lot to learn."

For students, the benefits of having such access to faculty within their living environment are manifest. "It's nice to see the faculty reaching out to us," says freshman Andrew Davis. "It's very encouraging. It shows us that it's not just about test scores and grades; they are truly enhancing our experience here."

Academic development is just one aspect of producing a happy, healthy, well-adjusted, conscientious, involved and successful student resident. The Office of Residential Life also delivers programming and provides resources that foster students' growth as young adults, as community members, as future leaders as well as young scholars.

"Many housing programs just look at one or two of these things," says Hanson. "We believe it's important to do all of them. The student who is developing his personal as well as intellectual capabilities is going to be more successful in the long run."

Toward that end, an infrastructure exists that extends beyond formal programming, one that involves everything from the way that the buildings are set up to guidelines for behavior to messages instilled by the resident and program assistants. Establishing an atmosphere that encourages residents to form bonds and identify with their neighbors is vital.

"I didn't think I would feel as much a part of a family as I do," says Davis a couple of weeks after moving into his room in DeNeve. "But this floor I live on has become like a family."

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