Issue #11– October 10, 2008

Greetings apartment area residents!

by: Sharon Kompalla
Whether you are returning to the apartment area this year or you are new to one of the seven RIT complexes (Racquet Club, Riverknoll, University Commons, Greek Circle, Colony Manor, Perkins Green, and the RIT Inn & Conference Center), I would like to say “welcome” or “welcome back” and take the opportunity to introduce myself to you.  Although I am not new to the Apartment Area, I have been serving as the Area Director for Riverknoll, University Commons, and Greek Circle for the past 6 years, I am new to the position of Assistant Director.  I was promoted this summer, and now have the privilege of overseeing the entire apartment area community, including supervising the professional and student staff who work in our community.  We are all very excited about a future of innovation and creativity, and look forward to meeting you throughout the year at the various programs and events sponsored by Residence Life and your Community Advocate staff. 

For those of you who lived in the residence halls last year, I am sure you are very familiar with the role of a Resident Advisor (RA) and know how those student leaders assisted in building community on your floor and served as a valuable campus resource.  In the apartment area, we have a similar student leader position called Community Advocates or CAs.  These students are enrolled in graduate programs at RIT and live and work throughout the various apartment complexes.  Their role is to assist with community building, and to serve as your advocate in a variety of settings including situations that might involve Public Safety, your neighbors, or your roommates.  They have participated in an extensive training program this summer, and can direct you to various campus resources or assist you with resolving roommate and neighbor conflicts, as well as answer general housing, student conduct, or Institute questions.
 
I encourage you to make full use of your CAs this year – don’t wait until a situation gets out of control– contact us early so we are able to help you be proactive about any issues – addressing concerns or problems as soon as possible.  Additionally, if you have suggestions for programs or events that we could sponsor for apartment residents– please let us know that as well.  We are always open to hearing your suggestions as well as your concerns or frustrations.  If you would like to see topics covered in future issues of the Open Door newsletter– please send in your ideas!  This e-publication will be distributed once a quarter.  Feel free to stop by our office at 1 Colony Manor, contact us by phone at 475-4300, email us at RITAPTS@rit,edu, or IM us at RITAPTS.  We have enjoyed meeting many of you so far this year and look forward to many more opportunities throughout the Fall quarter and the remainder of the academic year.  Keep an eye out for your Community Advocate staff and Area and Assistant Director very soon – we may just be showing up at your door in the very near future!  Happy Halloween!

Sincerely,



Sharon Kompalla
Assistant Director
slkrla@rit.edu

For more articles from this issue, click here