About Residential Life

Welcome to Hamline University’s on-campus community!

If you are a new Hamline student, the team members within the Office of Residential Life would like to welcome you to our on-campus residential community. If you are a returning student, then welcome back! You are joining a community that is committed to your success both in the classroom and for life outside of the classroom. Research has shown that students who live on campus do better academically and socially. Our Director, Operations Coordinator, Area Coordinators, Student Area Coordinator(s), Resident Assistants, Residential Housing Association Exec Board members, and front desk student workers are here to assist all of our students in their personal development and growth.

The benefits of living on campus

We believe that students who live on campus:  

  • Can make a difference in each other’s lives
  • Grow, mature, and develop while living in the residence halls
  • Have an educational responsibility to create a community that models itself with appropriate behavior, and individual responsibility and accountability
  • Have a significant role in developing their communities

Our education curriculum will facilitate the following learning outcomes of our residents: 

  • Students should be able to communicate interpersonally
  • Students should be able to identify resources
  • Students should be able to define leadership
  • Students should be able to understand their responsibility to community
  • Students should be able to articulate the importance of living in a multi-cultural community
  • Students should be able to think critically
  • Students should be able to identify a healthy lifestyle

As students move on to campus they will find that there are many opportunities they can take advantage of, from becoming involved in hall government, assist in planning programs, meeting individuals from diverse backgrounds that include but are not limited to race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.  Our diversity statement is a philosophy that we are committed to in making the hall communities welcoming and inclusive.  We offer different living arrangements that meet the needs of our students from first year to graduate students, from men, women, transgender, to students who have accessibility needs.  

Our staff is excited to work with you and look forward to having you become part of the Hamline University community.     

Statement of purpose

The Hamline University Office of Residential Life provides opportunities for personal growth and development that enhances students' educational experience. The Office of Residential Life supports residential communities that facilitate a successful transition to college life, provide leadership opportunities for residents, and encourages involvement in the direction and goals of the living environment. The Residential Program provides a connection to campus life, enhances academic achievement, and fosters individual responsibility for actions while recognizing individual interests, multiculturalism, ambitions, values, and abilities.
 

Statement of diversity

The Office of Residential Life fosters living communities that support and affirm all students. A sensitive, well-trained professional and paraprofessional staff provides residents with multicultural programming and opportunities for diversity education that create a safe and healthy environment. The Office of Residential Life supports and celebrates students regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, gender, national origin, marital or partnered status, age, or disability; and does not tolerate acts of intolerance (see acts of intolerance under policies.)

Residential Life student employment

The Office of Residential Life offers a number of opportunities for students to practice leadership through on-campus employment: Resident Assistant, Residential Housing Association Executive Board, and Residential Life Office Assistant.

  • Resident Assistant

    The Resident Assistant (RA) is a full-time student who, under the supervision and direction of the Area Coordinator, serves as a peer educator, counselor, administrator, role model, friend, and team member for the residents of a floor or wing in a residence hall. The RA works to create and maintain a healthy environment that supports the educational mission of Hamline University and the academic and personal growth of the students within their assigned living unit. In carrying out his or her duties, the RA is expected to treat other students, supervisors, and fellow employees with courtesy and respect.

  • Residential Housing Association Executive Board (RHA)

    RHA Exec Board members work with their Advisor, the Director of Residential Life, to help provide oversight for all of our on-campus residence halls. Students hired to these positions are representatives of the Office of Residential Life for on-campus students and it is a stipend position. RHA executive board members are responsible for managing a programming budget, distributing funds to residential programming committees (if applicable) and planning large on-campus programs such as Welcome Week Battle of the Halls, Hamline Halloween, Late Night Study Breakfast (fall and spring) and cross-campus All-Hall Events as well as hosts an End of the Year National Residence Hall Honorary Celebration Event.

  • Residential Life Office Assistant

    The Office Assistant is responsible for assisting with the day to day operations of the Residential Life Office. Duties include staffing the office, key inventory, preparations for early arrival groups, and opening and closing. The Office Assistant must have the ability to perform tasks with minimum supervision/instruction, be self motivated, and have great attention to detail. The Office Assistant represents the Residential Life office and should display professionalism at all times. Confidentiality is vital, and the Office Assistant should never repeat confidential information that is related to them directly or overheard while working in the office. The Office Assistant reports to the Operations Coordinator for Residential Life.

Contact information