By Kaitlyn Boisvert –
Each new academic year at Salve Regina brings change and opportunity. In addition to its dedication to mercy and justice, Salve also works towards providing all students with a safe, accepting and fun environment of meeting all students’ needs. Each new academic year is a chance for Salve to experiment and see what else it can offer in order to help students make the most out of their college experience, as well as helping craft photograph-worthy memories.
- Media Credit: Gerry Willis
Salve Regina’s Residential Life program is one of the many departments on campus that are stepping up to the plate in order to help this goal become possible. As a program responsible for all the living arrangements on campus, it is clear that Residential Life is dedicated to providing all students an easy transition into college life by meeting their needs through acts of accommodation.
The program has recently planned to ensure that all students have the greatest campus living experience possible. Currently, the department is planning to partner with the IT to offer wireless in all the campus residences.
According to Joe Lomastro, the Associate Director for Housing and Operations, the Residential Life department is also planning to renovate many of the common rooms on campus, filling them with new furniture and updated technology sources.
Residential Life provides opportunities for students to become involved on campus, while having their needs met. This goal will be achieved through offering new campus events and asking what the students would like to see being offered.
“The student voice will always remain important to us as we continue to move ahead,” said Gerry Willis, an Associate Dean of Salve, who also works as an Interim Director of Campus Life. “As we progress, we hope to expand our umbrella to all sectors of campus life-to both students on and off-campus.”
Willis was recently appointed to his position in working with Residential Life. His main duties have required him to help organize the Residential Life Advisory Council and participate in planning for new activities and campus features.
The council held its first meeting where ideas were shared, discussed, and planned. Upon conclusion of the session, it was clear that Salve would have a lot of new exciting offerings in its near future.
“While we planned, we were sure to draw upon feedbacks and inquiries given by the students,” said Willis. “It is our desire to partner and work along with them to create the most exceptional living experience in the nation that is both fun and enriching.”
On Feb. 5, Residential Life helped sponsor a safe and fun “Super Bowl Party” where students had the chance to watch the Super Bowl on the big screen in Wakehurst Student Center, Bazarsky and DiStefano Lecture Hall.
The event boasted an impressive number of enthusiastic attendees. Many students wore jerseys that supported their favorite teams and enjoyed the refreshments that were made available to them. According to Willis, around 80 pounds of chicken wings were offered.
The successful turnout of the gathering has inspired Residential Life to help sponsor more events similar to its nature that offer an active, fun environment where students can relax and socialize.
One event that is currently in the process of planning is a local campout. The University has recently delved into the camping theme through hosting mini bonfires both this current and the previous academic semester. The fires were held on Wakehurst lawn and even offered students the ingredients needed to make S’mores. This event met with such success that many students followed up with requests for hosting more bonfires.
“It’s going to be massive,” said Willis. “It will be held right after break, so students can bring sleeping bags and tents. There will be everything needed for a good camping experience-fires, ghost stories, and S’mores made out of Reese’s-which is the all-time greatest way to eat S’mores.”
Willis, as well as other staff members of Residential Life, feel confident that the event will also be successful and encourage all students to attend.
The campout will take place following Spring Break. Interested students are encouraged to bring all of their camping gear after returning from home.
Salve students are also encouraged to “LIKE” the Salve Res Life page on Facebook.
