Introduction
Carleton College is a residential liberal arts college. An important and exciting part of being a Carleton student comes directly from residing with other students in the residence halls and houses.
Living at Carleton is a challenging and rewarding experience—an experience of intellectual, emotional, and social growth. By living in a residence hall, students learn from other students a great deal about themselves and how to work and live with others. In all residential settings, students have the opportunity to learn about citizenship and responsibility by developing community standards.
At Carleton, students are encouraged to develop mature new interests, skills, and attitudes. As a vital part of this growth process, they are held accountable for adult standards of behavior. Residence hall regulations are minimal, because students are expected to know proper standards of conduct and to make every effort to adhere to them. Residence hall living is unique to educational institutions and some regulations are necessary. All students are expected to know and abide by the regulations and policies that govern residential community living at Carleton.
Residential Life Purpose
Residential Life strives to provide a safe and supportive residential environment which complements and extends the educational experience of students. Student-centered programs and services are developed and implemented with an emphasis on holistic individual and community development, student leadership, individual responsibility, advocacy of academic inquiry, and freedom of thought, opinion and expression in the spirit of mutual respect. These are the hallmarks of the Carleton residential experience and provide the essential foundation for a quality liberal arts education within a diverse and dynamic community.
Residential Life Goals
- Assist residents with their adjustment to living with roommate(s) and floor/house residents.
- Help residents learn to accept responsibility for self and personal actions.
- Assist with the development of self-management, health and wellness skills.
- Assist with the development of balancing life’s pleasures and responsibilities.
- Encourage residents to get involved with and provide leadership to residential activities.
- Work with students to develop a sense of respect for self, others, and property.
- Help residents to learn civility and gain an understanding of diversity.
Supporting Students
The Residential Life staff consists of the Director, Associate Director, Area Directors, Resident Assistants (RAs), and office staff.
Each community has one or more RAs. RAs are upperclass students who play a primary role in developing social and educational programs, and serve as peer advisors and campus resources. These student leaders are the first people residents can contact with concerns about anything related to their residential experience.
A full-time professional Area Director is connected to each living area. The Area Directors supervise and work closely with RAs. Additionally, they help develop residential programs and activities and serve as resources to students. They coordinate room changes, facilitate roommate discussions, and collect and disseminate Residential Life information. They also participate in the Residential Life emergency on-call system and work with student crisis. These professionals live in apartments within the Carleton community.