Committees & Collaboration

The Assessment Committee 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 group of committees consists of three committees: staff-facing, affinity/learning space facilitators and student leader-facing. All three committees 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 main responsibility for the DEIB Staff-Facing Committee is to develop and facilitate learning opportunities for staff focused on identity, positionality, and the ways these factors influence our work. These engagement experiences need to include introduction of key concepts, application to roles and responsibilities, and how we can implement action steps in our work. The committee can leverage knowledge and experience of both internal staff and external experts to educate staff on the relevance and impact of DEIB in current events, higher education, and global contexts. The committee is encouraged to collaborate with the Training & Development Committee to enhance offerings and share resources that support staff growth and inclusive practice.

The Affinity/Learning Facilitators 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 DEIB Student Leader-Facing Committee focuses on strengthening knowledge of identity and cultural competence in student leaders. In collaboration with the Student Leader Experience Training and Development subcommittee, committee members will provide leadership for/during student leader learning and engagement opportunities. This committee also hosts 1-2 quarterly DEIB learning spaces for student leaders which may include the coordination of external presenters. This committee co-manages the DEIB Resource Library and encourages student leaders to engage in continuous learning.

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.

The Residential Life Recruitment Committee facilitates the recruitment experience for the unit and supports the recruitment process of all RLT staff and ACUHO-I Internships.

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, and one large regional desk that serves all of our North Campus residential communities based out of Oliver Hall. 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.

Each summer, two Resident Directors are assigned to work with our Conference Services team primarily during summer operations when we host camps or conferences in our residence halls and apartments. The two RDs supervisor Summer Resident Assistants in their roles in supporting conference guests. Resident Directors also partner with Conference Services regarding room reservations.