Louisburg College Department of Housing and Residence Life is a featured program.
Overview of the Department of Housing and Residence Life
Louisburg College is a private, 2 year, residential college associated with the United Methodist Church. While the College is located in Louisburg, North Carolina, only 30 minutes from Raleigh, our students come from 42 different states and 15 countries, although the majority of students come from central North Carolina. The College offers three different associate degrees to our 700 students. Housing and Residence Life falls under the department of Student Life.
Mission Statement for the Department of Student Life
We believe in the value of each student.
We are committed to developing responsible citizens who appreciate life-long learning, diversity, integrity, personal values, leisure, and respect for self and others.
We partner with each student to facilitate this development by providing comprehensive learning experiences in a safe and nurturing environment.
Mission statement of the Department of Housing and Residence Life
“Residence Life at Louisburg College marks the beginning of personal freedom and choice for students. This separation from home and family life carries great responsibility for students. It can also be a time of anxiety and uncertainty as students begin the transition to an autonomous lifestyle. In the diverse community of Louisburg College, students will learn to become responsible for and respectful of themselves and their community. To assist with each student’s transition, both a paraprofessional and professional Residence Life Staff are available. Additionally, Residence Life policies and regulations are established to provide support for the educational mission of Louisburg College, as well as assist in the personal and social growth of the students.”
This mission includes encouraging a residence hall environment which:
- Promotes a sense of community
- Promotes opportunities for individual growth
- Encourages responsible citizenship and a concern for others
- Is safe, clean, and meets the physical needs of residents
- Is free from damages and vandalism
- Is free from undue interruption or distraction
- Is reasonably quiet so that students are able to sleep and study
Facility Overview and Demographics
Louisburg College Residence Life houses approximately 700 students, in eight residence halls. Four of the residence halls are solely female, while the other four are solely male. The College offers two community style buildings, one male and one female, five suite style buildings, three male and two female, and one building that is both community style and suite style.
The College offers two Living Learning Communities. One LLC is offered to first year male and female students and the second LLC is offered to second year female students.
Residence Life Staff-Professional and Paraprofessional
The Department of Housing and Residence Life staffing structure includes 22 Resident Assistants, 6 Community Directors, and one Director of Housing and Residence Life. Each Community Director [CD] manages 1-3 buildings and anywhere between 90-150 residents. In addition, each CD supervises 3-4 Resident Assistants.
Louisburg College: A Two Year Residential Experience
Many students come to Louisburg College because they may not be ready for a large public four year institution although they are still looking for “the college experience”. While community college may be an option for many, Louisburg College stands apart as a residential 2 year college and the oldest residential 2 year college in the nation! A 2 year college has its challenges and those challenges are often times magnified at Louisburg College because more than 90% of our students live on campus! The Department of Student Life works diligently to insure student needs are being met during the time they are not in class.
Residence Life
The Department of Housing and Residence Life strives to provide our students with a number of different options to engage them morning, noon, night, and yes even late night! A number of changes have occured over the last few years – which have strengthened the on campus living experience for Louisburg College students.
During the last two years the College has continued to develop our residence halls by incorporating additional lounge/common space across campus. As of this summer – seven of our eight residence halls now have student lounges! In addition, a new lounge was built in the Multi Purpose Room in the Student Center!
On campus living was also greatly improved when the department transitioned from sixteen Residence Community Coordinators to six Community Directors in 2013. This transition led to the addition of twenty two Resident Assistants and greater student relations between both paraprofessional and professional Residence Life staff and our residents!
Comprehensive Campus Programming Model
Residence Life programming provides phenomenal engagement for the on campus community. RA programs on a weekly basis, large scale men and women’s programs every semester, as well as programs with Campus Police, faculty, and strategic programming within the two living learning communities are offered to freshman and sophomore students.
The traditional department of Student/Campus Activities on most campuses is termed Studdent Engagement at Louisburg College. In addition to Residence Life programming Student Engagement and its supporting student organization, Hurricane Productions (named after the college mascot), play a big role in late night and weekend programming on Louisburg College’s campus. Some signature events include themed dances, comedians, volunteering within the local community, BINGO, and special guest speakers that address current and relevant issues specific to college students. Visitors to campus have included Tawan Perry [Leadership], Kevin Blue [Gang Violence], Sean Johnson and Shaunesi [LGBT], Kyla Lacy [Spoken Word Poet]and comedians Ronnie Jordan and Chico Bean.
Student Engagement has made significant strides in the few years by continually developing and increasing the number of student clubs and organizations, transitioning to a completely student led programming board, and expanding the types of events being offered, as well as the times they are offered. As a result of these changes in Student Life there is a proven higher retention rate, more satisfied students and a positive change in the student body.
One of the primary goals at Louisburg College is to provide students with the essential foundation necessary to transfer to a four year institution. Specifically, Student Life works collaboratively to give students “the college experience” in order to provide them with the foundational academic and social skills college students nationwide learn during their first two years of college life. Although it may be difficult to provide the same college experience to students in a two year setting without the presence of upperclassmen to model student behavior or mentor incoming students, Louisburg College does have great staff members, phenomenal clubs and organizations, and fantastic programming that engages students and provides endless opportunities for personal and professional growth on a daily basis. 92% of Louisburg students transfer to four-year institutions and the most popular schools are East Carolina University, UNC-Charlotte, Appalachian State, UNC-Wilmington and North Carolina State University.
Submitted by Nicolette Stanfill, Community Director, Louisburg College, Louisburg, NC