Newswise — Members of The University of Findlay's Residence Life staff, which include sophomores, juniors and seniors are an integral part of on-campus living and campus life. At UF, students have a variety of campus housing options " from a traditional dormitory to a house. Regardless which option students choose, living on campus puts them in close proximity to academic buildings, campus activities and campus amenities such as a cardio center and computer labs. More than 1,300 students live on campus. As a Residence Life staff member, Cleveland native Nina Smith, a health communication major, encourages other students to get involved on campus, answers other students' questions about campus and addresses any issue that may arise in a campus housing facility. "The best part about being a resident assistant is being able to have a positive influence in my residents' on-campus experience," said Smith. "As an RA, I have the opportunity to make someone's college experience a positive one." Each summer, the University completes renovations and upgrades to campus housing options to make campus a "home-away-from-home" for students to return in the fall. This year, two residence halls " Bare and Fox " are receiving window heating and air conditioning units in each room, which will allow students to individually control the temperature. To accommodate the new units, each building also is getting new windows and upgraded electrical systems. Previously, each hall had 200 amps of electricity; after the upgrade, each will have 2,000 amps, a necessary improvement for the new heating and air conditioning window units. All residence halls will be upgraded with new units during the next three years. Group housing for sophomores and juniors has increased in popularity. First started in 2006 in response to a growing freshman class, group housing gives students an additional housing option. Students apply in March for a group house in self-chosen groups of between four and eight. Applications exceed availability, and house assignments are based upon the total number of credit hours taken by the group, giving preference to those who have completed more courses. The University is renovating five houses this summer for this purpose, bringing the total available to 24. According to Brian Treece, assistant dean of students and director of housing and residence life, the group houses are a good option for students who want a little more independence than the dormitories provide, but who still want the benefits of living on campus. The group houses are fully furnished, have a fully functional kitchen and an in-house washing machine and dryer. During the 2007-2008 academic year, Smith was a resident assistant for eight group houses. In the fall, she will be a resident director for all of the group houses on Defiance Avenue. There are other options, as well. More than 100 students live in UF townhouses, which have four bedrooms (two single and two double rooms), three full bathrooms, a family room and a kitchen in each. UF cottages house between two and four students and offer studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom options. Special interest houses offer students with like-minded interests a place to live. In addition, two men's and two women's fraternity and sorority houses are available. Visit www.finday.edu, Keyword: housing, for additional information on the variety of housing options available at UF. Any student resident director or resident assistant will agree, living on campus completes the college experience. The obvious benefits are being in close proximity to classes, the library, computer labs and the cafeteria. Other benefits include more opportunities to meet new people and get involved with more than 300 events and activities offered each year, as well as with more than 70 student organizations.
"The best part about living on campus is having the convenience of going to events," said Smith. "I love walking home, and all of a sudden I'll hear a band playing on campus. I can just stop and enjoy! I love all the events we have on campus."
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