This article documents the results of an exploratory qualitative study of parents of first-year college students at a doctoral-extensive institution in the Midwest. The qualitative survey instrument asked parents to respond to questions about transition and involvement issues during the first college year of their students. Findings suggest that…

This article examines a stated philosophy of university housing and the philosophy's effect on the facilitation of the personal and intellectual growth of students residing in the residence halls and the development of a sense of community. This particular philosophy governs the housing operations at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.…

Why do we do what we do? Why is what we do important? What are the best practices to ensure that our "why" is accomplished? These are questions of philosophy--a topic of immense importance since the "why" behind the work influences everything about the "how" and "what" of daily affairs in the world of college and university student housing…

This qualitative study explored how male undergraduate students experienced living-learning community environments. Findings revealed that living-learning communities provided men a "safe haven" from rigid gender role expectations, offered a plethora of involvement opportunities, and fostered relationships with faculty and peers. The findings…

Examines changes in students' sense of autonomy and in their ability to manage their emotions, as described by Chickering's vectors, in relation to residence hall environments. Results neither support nor refute the all-freshman hall. Participants moved developmentally along the Autonomy Scale. Freshman women increased their scores on the Impulse…

Discusses the purposes of the university and the importance of the reflection of educational goals in the planning of student residential systems. Encourages active participation on the part of faculty and administration as well as students. Presented at the Big 10 Housing Officers Operations Meeting, November 16, 1976. (DOW)

Presents four notions about community: values, developmental socialization, identity, and group living; and discusses why each must receive the attention of professionals if residence halls are to achieve a sense of community. (Author/PG)

Presents various ways in which a residence hall environment may be specifically engineered to encourage individual participation in the process of education. Invitational engineering is defined as one way to transpose psychological principles to residence halls so they contribute to the developmental life of students. (RC)

Questionnaires were administered to students and faculty to evaluate a university living/learning program. Results indicated that students' experiences at the Living/Learning Center seem to help them become independent adults. Factors enhancing or impeding a student's chances for a successful experience in the center are discussed. (RC)

Assessed the quality of students' roommate relationships, their communication skills, their psychological adjustment, and the interrelationship of these characteristics. Results indicated that roommates with high levels of trust and intimacy are significantly more satisfied with their relationship and are more emotionally adjusted than those with…

Presents "upstream", a model for the utilization of professional counseling services in the residence halls, encompassing developmental, preventive, and remedial approaches. Suggests that the professional counselor can assist in four capacities in the actualization of these approaches: as a therapist, as a consultant, as a change agent, and as a…

Demonstrates how a Wellness model can be an effective vehicle for promoting developmental programs in residence halls. The Wellness model is examined in terms of marketing, student development theory, and balanced programming. (BL)

Explores the need for assessment and evaluation in residence halls, reviews some of the pertinent literature, and suggests some research topics that may be worthy of more attention. Includes list of 16 questions that housing officers may wish to address. (NB)

Discusses publications, "Involvement in Learning: Realizing the Potential of American Higher Education" (Study Group, National Institute of Education, 1984) and "The Undergraduate Experience in America" (Boyer, 1986). Comments on major themes of publications to illustrate view that housing profession has simultaneous awareness of publications'…

Describes a workshop led by resident assistants offering communication skills to roommates in university residence halls. Results of an evaluation showed most participants as well as RAs found the workshops a positive experience, although significant differences in roommate relationships between participants and controls were not observed. (JAC)