The Department of Residential Living has put together an excellent staff made up of professionals and upper-class students, who work together to maintain a positive community environment in the residence halls. A total of 145 people (100 students, 30 housekeeping staff, and 15 professionals) are readily available to assist you with your living and learning experiences at Western Carolina University.
The Department of Residential Living, a Part of the Division of Student Affairs, is located on the first floor, west wing of Scott Hall. Residence Life programs and resources, room assignment, housing facilities and maintenance, central residential living mail operations and Student Judicial Affairs are all located within this office. Staff Positions for the Department of Residential Living are as follows:
Assistant Director (AD) - The Assistant Director is responsible for the operational and educational functions of a group of residence halls. Each Assitant Director's office is located in the west wing of the first floor of Scott Hall. In addition to keeping track of what goes on in your hall, your AD is a counselor and is in close contact with other university and community resources, which you may find helpful. He/She also is responsible for crisis intervention, program planning, and implementing the disciplinary process. Get to know your Assistant Director, He/She can be an important part of making your college experience go smoothly.
Resident Director (RD) - The Resident Director is responsible for the overall management of a residence hall. The RD performs all the functions of an Area Coordinator, supervises Resident Assistants (RA) and provides assistance to residents. The RD also is responsible for advising your Residence Hall Council, Coordinating check-in and check-out, and keeping an accurate record of room assignments in your building. He/She lives in your building and is available at a variety of times during the day and evening.
Both the Assistant Director and Resident Director are full-time professionals with master's degrees in student personnel, counseling, or a related field of study.
Head Resident (HR) - The Head Resident of your building is an upper-class student paraprofessional who has ha previous experience as a Resident Assistant. He/She is familiar with student needs and concerns in a community living environment. The Head Resident is directly responsible to the AC or RD and works with the RAs. In the absence of an RD, the Head Resident is responsible for advising your Residence Hall Council, coordinating check-in and check-out, and keeping and accurate record of room assignments in your building. He/She lives in your building and is available at a variety of times during the day and evening.
Resident Assistant (RA) - The Resident Assistants are probably the most visible members of the Residential Living Staff. RAs live on the floor with the residents and are attuned to particular resident interests, needs, and problems. RAs are trained to help with most situations that occur on the floor, such as adjustments to college life and personal, academic or maintenance issues. Your RA will assist you and your hall mates to be aware of, and sensitive to, each other's needs and concerns and will ensure that mutual respect and consideration prevail. RAs help residents plan different types of activities, and they also serve as information resources about the campus and the residence life program. Most of all, your RA is a fellow student and a friend.
This team is committed to making your experience in a residence hall as meaningful a part of your experienceat Western Carolina as possible.
Other Supporting Staff Positions 