Committees & Collaboration

The Annual Resident Survey Assessment Workgroup focuses on implementation of the Annual Resident Survey (ARS), our largest assessment tool to understand resident satisfaction and needs as students live on-campus with us. Members of the committee assist with preparation, implementation, and final analysis of the ARS, providing training and work-shopping to community managers to ensure a successful assessment. Members of the committee also work on projects that impact future departmental initiatives and direction.

This committee consists of three subcommittees: professional staff-facing, affinity/learning space facilitators and student-facing. All three subcommittees serve to support DEIB initiatives within Residential Life to strengthen knowledge of identity and cultural competence among professional staff, student leaders and residential students.

The RLT-Facing Subcommittee focuses on strengthening knowledge of identity and cultural competence in full-time staff within RLT. This subcommittee presides over the coordination and curation of DEI sessions that enhance staff learning and development over the course of the year. Sessions may include outsourced presentations on varied topics, guest content experts, videos, articles and interactive development opportunities.

The Affinity/Learning Facilitation Subcommittee works to coordinate a series of affinity/learning group sessions as well as contribute to the coordination of large-group DEIB sessions. RLT currently has two affinity/learning groups: the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Affinity Group and the White Learning to Action (WL2A) Group. Facilitators will find engaging content that achieves unit goals for growth, and support staff experiences and learning in the areas of identity development and cultural competence.

The Student-Facing Subcommittee focuses on strengthening knowledge of identity and cultural competence in student leaders as well as residential students. Subcommittee members provide leadership to specific initiatives and develop and facilitate unit-wide training and education spaces. This committee also facilitates our student leader Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Community Gathering Series, collaborates with unit partners on our Gender-inclusive Housing program and works to support international students across campus. 

The Conduct Committee assists with changes and updates to elements of conduct such as sanctions, workshops, student involvement in the conduct process and proactive policy education. Members of this committee facilitate approximately three 45-minute Community Living Workshops per quarter with a student leader on the Residential Community Standards Committee (RCSC).

The Residential Life Recruitment Committee facilitates the recruitment experience for the Resident Director positions and supports the recruitment process of all RLT staff.

The Residential Life Training & Development Committee works with the Director of Residential Life in developing, coordinating, and facilitating staff training and development activities over the course of the year. Activities may include presentations on varied topics, guest presenters, videos, articles and interactive development opportunities.

The Student Leader Selection Subcommittee oversees the planning and implementation of selection processes for the various Student Leader positions within Residential Life. Committee members review selection processes, craft application and interview questions, provide input on recruitment strategies and content, and collaborate to present information on processes to RLT.

The Student Leader Training & Recognition Subcommittee oversees the vision, direction, development, and implementation of Student Leader training and recognition for all Student Leader roles within the unit. This group also partners with the student-facing DEIB subcommittee for DEIB related trainings.

The Move-In Committee contributes to the planning and implementation of move-in across our residential communities. Largely focused on move-in operations, committee work includes, but is not limited to annual process improvements, staffing schedules, signage and directions, website updates, and collaboration and communication with Residential Life staff and HFS unit partners. Committee members manage individual project work and connect with stakeholders across the department.

The Recognition Committee plans and implements recognition efforts within the unit and department for both full-time staff and student leaders. These efforts include the student leader End-of-Year Celebration, the centralized submission of nominations to campus, regional, and national organizations (e.g. NWACUHO, NASPA) to recognize Residential Life Team member accomplishments, RLT team member recognition (weekly “passing of the…”, birthdays, etc.), student quarterly academic recognition, and student leader and unit partner appreciation weeks. 

Many members of our unit work closely with Facilities services on a daily basis to ensure the operations and aesthetics of our communities are maintained. The facilities team consists of 10 professional staff members, 2 administrative staff members, and a robust team of custodial and maintenance staff members that oversee facility maintenance, custodial services, building renewal, design and space planning, capital planning, pest management, waste management, food service equipment, sustainability, emergency management security,  technology, and  department operations. During the summer, members of our unit may have the opportunity to work with the Facilities team to work on projects that will impact our residents in the next academic year.

Members of our unit consult and collaborate with Marketing Communications (Marcom) about branding and messaging for special projects and marketing initiatives in the residential communities.

Dining at UW is large operation. With over 40 dining locations, students have the opportunity to find dining options that work for them. Many of these dining locations are located in the residence halls.

At UW, Desk Services staff centrally manage a variety of key operations, such as building key inventories, residential mail, and some occupancy processes. We have one large regional desk that serves all of our West Campus residential communities based out of Lander Hall, one large regional desk that serves all of our North Campus residential communities based out of Willow Hall, and desk locations in both our Nordheim and Family Housing communities. These desks are all managed by a Desk Supervisor who oversee the desk staff at these locations. Members of our unit work collaboratively with these Desk Supervisors to ensure that residents are receiving the robust residential experience that we hope to provide for them.

Members of our unit work collaboratively with Student Services regarding room assignments, student billing, and occupancy updates. Additionally, during the summer, a member of our unit may have the opportunity to work on collaborative projects with SSO to provide customer service and guidance to the new class of Huskies living in our communities.

Primarily Community Managers work with Conference Services primarily during summer operations when we host camps or conferences in our residence halls and apartments. Resident Directors also partner with Conference Services regarding room reservations. During the summer, a CM may have the opportunity to help manage these summer conferences and the student staff who work directly with the conference guests.