RLH Committees: Part I

We have several committees that meet various needs of the department and the resident student population.  By serving on an RLH committee, you can gain experience in an area of residence life that’s of interest to you.  It’s also a great way to make more connections with RLH professional staff and other student staff.  If you have an interest in any of the following committees, we encourage you to contact the respective committee chair (their email address.

Beth Moriarty has some updates about the Housing Advisory Board and a NEW group specifically for RAs! Take a look:

There are some big changes coming.  Housing Advisory Board will no longer be a Residence Life and Housing Committee.  I am excited to officially announce that Housing Advisory Board will now fall under the umbrella of Residence Hall Association (RHA).  I will be working with RHA on this exciting new partnership.  There is a new committee that I am very excited for:  Resident Assistant Council (RAC).  Beginning this year, each staff will elect a representative to the RAC (not their SRA) who will represent their staff.  This Council will meet with me on a regular basis to discuss the RA position, to  bring up areas of concern and to generally keep the lines of communication open.  The RAC will meet every other Wednesday at 4pm (right before RHA).  If interested, email Beth at bmoriarty@bridgew.edu.

Are you interested in becoming more involved? If so, take a look at some of our committees you can join!

The Departmental Events Committee is responsible for coordinating social events throughout the year by bringing together different facets of the RLH Staff to create a shared experience. We would love the inputs of our students on improving social events and they will gain experience planning, organizing, and facilitating events.  Departmental Events is chaired by Jeff Saint Dic and will meet every other Monday at 2pm in the RLH Conference Room, beginning September 8th.

First Year Residential Experience (FYRE) hosts events that assist with the continued orientation of our first year students.  We host programs in each residence hall that focus on the needs of first year students over the first six weeks of the school year.  We also host three large-scale programs per year that give the first year students the opportunity to meet freshmen from other buildings and also learn new skills that will help them to be more successful.  We have offered Chopped, Storage Wars and The Amazing Race events in the past. Lastly, we offer a six-week emerging leaders training program. The Leaders Developing And Emerging Series (LEADS) has been a springboard for first year students into leadership opportunities over the past four years.  FYRE needs help from RA committee members in order to maintain the levels of success that we have experienced the last couple years.  Please join us and help our first year students with their transition into BSU.  You don’t have to be a first year area RA to be on the FYRE committee.  FYRE is co-chaired by Justin McCauley & Danielle Johnson.  Meeting date/time is still to be determined, but will be in Shea/Durgin.

On Friday, we'll let you know about the rest of the departmental committees!

Facilities & Construction Updates!

There is a lot happening in the halls this summer while you all work on your tans! Joe Amato, our Facilities Manager, is overseeing a number of projects that are all focused on making the resident student experience as great as it can be.

The Great Hill Student Apartments are undergoing an upgrade to the fire safety equipment.  So far this summer new smoke detectors have been installed in most of the apartments and new strobe lights have been installed in the apartments used to house individuals with disabilities.

East Hall has received new Persona locks for every resident room making them a card swipe building and eliminating the use of keys for resident rooms.

Shea/Durgin Hall is seeing a lot of work done to the bathrooms; both Shea and Durgin are getting new air exhaust systems and updates to heat pipes and valves. The Shea hall bathrooms on the second through fifth floor are all being renovated this summer.

Woodward Hall is where most of the attention is being focused this summer. All resident rooms, the RA and RD offices, front lobby, and front entrance are all being renovated. There will be a new layout for the lounge on the first floor, and the Institutional Security Officer’s station will also look different.  The building will look quite different when you return to campus.

The best addition we can make to any of our halls is our students! We look forward to having you back in August; enjoy the rest of your summer!

Submitted by Michelle DeMille

Summer Staff Updates: East Side Staff

What are our professional staff up to this summer?  We asked each of them what their plans are to relax or to stay busy!  And since our theme for training this year is all about music, we also asked some fun facts about their personal music appreciation!

Today, we give you some insight to our staff who live on the east side of campus!

Jon Bragg - Resident Director, Durgin Hall: 

Summer Update: This summer on campus, I have been working with the Orientation sessions welcoming our incoming freshmen, and also working with student staff hiring as we work on hiring our office assistants (OAs) and student security officers (SSOs) for the fall. Outside of work, my wife Brittni and I are preparing to send our son Owen to kindergarten in the fall!

First Album I Purchased: The Very Best of Marvin Gaye

First Concert I Attended: Chicago

Favorite Summer Jam: “Hot Fun In the Summertime” by Sly & The Family Stone

Michelle DeMille - Resident Director, Miles & DiNardo Halls:  

Summer Update: Hello all! I hope you’re all enjoying your summer as much as I am. I visited the Outer Banks in North Carolina in June with 11 of my childhood friends. We rented a house on the ocean for a week, it was very relaxing to hang out with good friends and work on my ‘tan’ (which is really just more freckles). I’m looking forward to July for the arrival of my nephew and hopefully many more beach days. I’m looking forward to seeing you all in August!

First Album I Purchased: The Wallflowers – Bringing Down the Horse

First Concert I Attended: Counting Crows/The Wallflowers

Favorite Summer Jam: Toss-up between U2 - Ordinary Love and The Killers – Shot At The Night

Meg Dumaine - Resident Director, Student Apartments:  

Summer Update: Hi RLH Staff! Life is going great here! I’m currently settling into the area and job- which I’m loving! I’m hoping to learn more about the area and local places at time progresses. My upcoming plans including a challenge 5k in August and whitewater rafting in September. I’m excited to meet you all! See you soon.

First Album I Purchased: I think the original NSYNC album. 

First Concert I Attended: By choice, NSYNC No Strings Attached Tour, By proxy of my sibling,  Billy Ray Cyrus

Favorite Summer Jam: Springsteen - Eric Church

Eddie Grace - Resident Director, Shea Hall:  

Summer Update: I’ve moved into Shea Hall and am gearing up for an awesome year with my incoming staff! I am also excited to see good friends from Arkansas and Virginia in July!

First Album I Purchased: ‘N Sync in 1998.

First Concert I Attended: ‘N Sync haha!

Favorite Summer Jam: So Many!!
a. Problem – Ariana Grande
b. All of Me – John Legend
c. Stay with Me – Sam Smith
d. La La La – Naughty Boy ft. Sam Smith

Jeremy Miller - ACUHO-I Summer Intern:

Summer Update: I am gearing up for another year as a Graduate Resident Director at Springfield College. 

First Album I Purchased: Savage Garden – Truly, Madly, Deeply

First Concert I Attended: Never been to a concert.

Favorite Summer Jam: Strawberry Jam

Richardson Pierre-Louis - Resident Director, East Hall:  

Summer Update: In June my wife and I took our son and daughter to Storyland in New Hampshire, and to Edaville Railroad to see Thomas the train.  In August we are hoping to visit a water park, otherwise we will be staying put and attending various birthday celebrations of our friend’s children
First Album I Purchased: Can’t really remember all of them, but my first BMG music club order I remember Tevin Campbell’s I’m Ready was one of the CD’s.

First Concert I Attended: De La Soul

Favorite Summer Jam: Too many to choose, would need one from each of the Genres of music that I listen too

Jeff Saint Dic - Resident Director, Crimson Hall:   

Summer Update: Attend BBQs, reading, eating, a lot of eating, learn new recipes, strength training, and food festivals; Enjoy the beach, dancing, parties, meditation, the sun, relaxing, napping, and meeting new people; Travel to see family & friends and partake on a few shenanigans

First Album I Purchased: Bad Boy “We invented the REMIX” and Nas “StillMatic”

First Concert I Attended: A Haitian Kompa band live in Haiti as boy (forgot the name)

Favorite Summer Jam: Currently 9th Wonder “Let me talk (instrumental)”

Max Quinn - Resident Director, Weygand Hall:  

Summer Update: This summer I will be very active! I am signed up to run some 5Ks around Boston and will begin to train for the final Half Marathon of a Half Marathon Trilogy Series that will take place on Cape Cod in October. So far, I have run one half marathon in February and another in May, leaving the one in October as the last half of the series (and my career)! I also am planning to spend a lot of weekends at the Cape and on Nantucket. I am going to a Wedding in July and the Tom Petty Concert at Fenway in late August (if our training schedule permits)!

First Album I Purchased: First Cassette Tape: Michael Jackson; Bad | First CD: Chumbawumba; Tubthumper

First Concert I Attended: Kanye West and Jon Legend in 2004 (Let’s just say that it wasn’t exactly my idea…)

Favorite Summer Jam: Now, I am not a fan of County Music (sorry to all you Country lovers out there…). I don’t listen to it on the radio, nor have I downloaded any country music or purchased any CDs. HOWEVER, for whatever reason, the song “That’s My Kind Of Night” by Luke Bryan is catchy… especially the “catfish dinner” part. I had Catfish in New Orleans (last summer), and it was mighty good!!

Summer Staff Updates: West Side Staff

What are our professional staff up to this summer?  We asked each of them what their plans are to relax or to stay busy!  And since our theme for training this year is all about music, we also asked some fun facts about their personal music appreciation!

So on Monday, you heard about the central office staff.  Today, we give you some insight to our staff who live on the west side of campus!  

Mike Goodhart - Resident Director, Pope Hall:  

Summer Update: I've been keeping busy this summer!  In late May, I went as the advisor for our fantastic RHA/NRHH delegation to the NACURH Conference at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.  In June, I enjoyed my traditional week-long vacation in Virginia and the Outer Banks with my family and close friends.  I'm sure I'll head up to Maine to visit my uncle for at least a couple weekends!  Other than that, I plan to take plenty of landscape photographs around New England.

First Album I Purchased: "Dookie" by Green Day

First Concert I Attended: By choice?  No Doubt.  By parental requirement?  Julio Iglesias (that's right - the father of Enrique Iglesias).

Favorite Summer Jam:  "Love Is What I Got" by Sublime

Caroline Horne - Graduate Intern:

Summer Update: Hi Everyone, I hope you all are having a relaxing summer in this beautiful weather. I moved into the Miles apartment a few weeks ago and am very excited for your arrival in August! In my free time I have been enjoying time with my family and friends down the cape as well as going to a few Red Sox games and concerts!

First Album I Purchased: The first album I purchased was an ​*NSYNC cd.

First Concert I Attended: The first concert I attended was an *NSYNC concert.

Favorite Summer Jam: My favorite summer jam is anything country. ​

Danielle Johnson - Resident Director, Scott Hall:  

Summer Update: Hello friends!!! This summer I’m taking some time to get to know the surrounding area as well as spending time with friends and family. My plans are to go to the Cape, see The Phantom of the Opera in Boston, and enjoy the awesome weather! See you all soon! :)

First Album I Purchased: It was either Now 5 or The Backstreet Boys…

First Concert I Attended: The Beach Boys!

Favorite Summer Jam: I have many…”Knee Deep” by Zac Brown Band, “Ain’t it Fun” by Paramore, “Break Free” by Ariana Grande, “When She Says Baby” by Jason Aldean, “Pontoon” by Little Big Town…I could go on but those are some faves. 

George Marshall Jr. - Resident Director, Woodward Hall:  

Summer Update: Spending time with my daughter who is running around exploring everything! Beach! Baking! Cooking! Running! Being Outside!

First Album I Purchased: Dave Matthews Band, Before These Crowded Streets

First Concert I Attended: Pearl Jam

Favorite Summer Jam: "Riptide”, Vance Joy. It’s a great running jam and a funny video, check it out on YouTube! 

Stay tuned on Friday - the east side staff will be representing!

Summer Staff Updates: Central Office Staff

So before we get started with today's blog, we would like to strongly encourage you all if you haven't done so already to join the BSU RLH Staff Facebook group - it's a great way to get connected with the other RLH staff members - both students and pro staff!   

What are our professional staff up to this summer?  We asked each of them what their plans are to relax or to stay busy!  And since our theme for training this year is all about music, we also asked some fun facts about their personal music appreciation!

Today, we give you some insight to our central office staff!  Stay tuned because on Wednesday, the West Side staff get to share their cool thoughts!

Beth Moriarty - Director: 

Summer Update: Hi All!  I hope that you are enjoying your summer.  June was pretty busy for me.  The entire department was busy welcoming new students and their families to campus for six sessions of Orientation.  I was the chair of this year’s Family Orientation program and it was a lot of fun.  I got to spend a week at the University of Georgia in Athens serving as a faculty member for the National Housing Training Institute.  It was a wonderful experience.  It’s an intense week long training for 30 mid-level housing professionals who aspire to be Directors of Residence Life and Housing someday.  Finally, at the end of the month, I traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the ACUHO-I conference (Association of College and University Housing Officers International).  It was a great conference and I got to present a session about the sustainable features of Weygand Hall.  I am looking forward to July and being back in the office for professional staff training and to assist with new student housing assignments.  August will be a big month for me personally as I have a milestone birthday coming up.  To celebrate my birthday, my family has rented a house on the beach in Myrtle Beach, SC.  I am looking forward to some relaxation before RA Training starts.

First Album I Purchased: So I am pretty old so please don’t judge my musical tastes.  The first album that I ever purchased was Pat Benatar.

First Concert I Attended: My first concert was Barry Manilow (don’t judge).

Favorite Summer Jam: I must be old because I have no idea what a summer jam is.

Shelly Keniston - Associate Director:

Summer Update: Traveling up to the island in Maine like I do each year to spend a week of “NO CELL SERVICE or EMAIL”!!  can’t wait.

First Album I Purchased: Michael Jackson's Thriller

First Concert I Attended: Kiss and Tesla

Favorite Summer Jam: My favorite song changes weekly but right now it is JT’s Not a bad thing.

Justin McCauley - Assistant Director for RLCs & Assessment: 

Summer Update: There is not much travel lined up for the McCauley family this summer.  We are very happy to be spending our second summer in our new house.  We have put in a new garden and built a new shed.  Exciting times indeed!  I have gone to a couple concerts this summer.  I’ve been lucky enough to see Dave Matthews Band and Zac Brown Band in beautiful outdoor venues.  Outdoor live music is like heaven on earth for me.  Otherwise, my daughter Teagan is counting down the months until she becomes a big sister this October.  She will be getting a kid brother for her 2^nd birthday.  I don’t know how we will ever top that in the future.

First Album I Purchased: Young M.C. – Stone Cold Rhymin’ (1989)

First Concert I Attended: Boyz II Men and Hammer (He had dropped the M.C. by then) at the Worcester Centrum (Now the DCU Center) in 1992

Favorite Summer Jam: Dirty Water by the Standells (Reminds me of summer games at Fenway Park)

Rita Camara - Assistant Director of Assignments:

  
Summer Update: I am looking forward to my vacation at the beach in Truro during the first week in August.

First Album I Purchased: I don’t remember the first album I bought (it was a long, long time ago) but I do remember the first album I owned.  It was Elvis’ Greatest Hits and my brother bought it for me for Christmas when I was in the 7th grade.

First Concert I Attended: Barry Manilow (he is really old now)

Favorite Summer Jam: Do you mean jam, as in toast and jam?  If so, strawberry.

Amanda Surgens - Assistant Director of Housing Operations:

  
Summer Update: Hello friends, My summer plans include a few fun races – the Finish at the 50, a 10K that finishes on the 50 Yard line of Guillette Stadium on July 3^rd and the Narragansett Beer Festival Half Marathon on July 13^th.  I’ve done four half marathons but never one in the heat of the summer, so it should be interesting!! In addition to that, I’m going with my family to visit friends in Pennsylvania and then vacationing with my parents and sister (and her family) in New Hampshire.  Summer is my favorite season and I’m excited to soak up every minute of it!!

First Album I Purchased: In second grade I got Lionel Richie’s Dancing on the Ceiling record (yes, record)!  Then, TLC’s Waterfall was my first tape.  My first CD was Garth Brooks.

First Concert I Attended: My first concert was in 1996 and was Garth Brooks and the price of the ticket was $17.50!!

Favorite Summer Jam: Happy! I can’t help but dance to it!!

Joe Amato - Facilities Manager: 

Summer Update: Took my first cruise this month.  Went to Bermuda to celebrate our 40^th Wedding anniversary.

First Album I Purchased: First Album that I can remember was “Crying” by Roy Orbison.

First Concert I Attended: The Boston Pops – Arthur Fiedler, conductor.

Kym Turpin - Administrative Assistant I: 

Summer Update: My summer plans are to spend time at the lake. 

First Album I Purchased: The first album I ever purchased was The Rose by Bette Midler for my Mom for Mother’s Day.

First Concert I Attended: James Taylor

Favorite Summer Jam: Classic by MKTO

Meet our New Staff!

We've recently hired two Resident Directors and a Graduate Intern.  Also, every summer, we host an ACUHO-I Summer Intern who assists us greatly!  ACUHO-I is the international organization of professional residence hall staff members.  Here to introduce themselves: 

Meg Dumaine: RD, Great Hill Student Apartments

Hi all! My name is Meg Dumaine and I’m thrilled to be here at BSU. I’ve spent the past nine years at Roger Williams University, where I achieved my bachelors in Political Science and Graphic Design, my Master’s in Leadership and spent five years as full-time hall director. For the past few years, I’ve spent time checking items of my bucket list and creating smaller lists (like summer to do’s). I love rock climbing, whitewater rafting and I’m currently planning to do a challenge 5k in August. I’m a big fan of movies and tv too. 

Danielle Johnson: RD, Scott Hall

Hi there! My name is Danielle Johnson and I’m originally from Gardner, MA (the Chair City!). I attended Keene State College where I received a BA in English. I recently graduated with my Master’s degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, where I was an Assistant Hall Director for two years.  I’m excited to be back in New England! Some of my favorite things to do include hanging out with friends, singing, playing guitar, reading, writing, and cooking and baking. Can’t wait to work with you all!

Jeremy Miller: ACUHO-I Summer Intern

Hello! Thank you so much for hosting me for the ACUHO-I Summer Internship! I am currently working with all of these fabulous Residence Life and Housing professionals, and life is great.  I am a Resident Director at Springfield College and am enrolled in the M.Ed. program there. I study Student Personnel Administration and am looking forward to starting my professional job search.  My hobbies include baking and shopping. I enjoy lazy afternoon and staying in to watch movies.

Caroline Horne: Graduate Intern

Hello! My name is Caroline Horne and I am from Wrentham, Massachusetts. I received my B.A. in Communication Studies from BSU and will be continuing my education as a graduate student in BSU’s Student Affairs Counseling program in the fall. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, going down the cape, and watching sports. I am very excited to be joining the RLH team and look forward to working with you this fall! 

Step to the Rhythm!

Welcome to the BSU RLH Summer Blog!  We hope that you are enjoying your summer so far.  Over the next month, we'll be posting important information about RA training, as well as fun tidbits about what's happening on campus during the summer.  

We encourage you to subscribe to our blog by submitting your email address on the right side of our blog where it says "Stay Updated with Our Blog by Email!"  By doing so, you'll get an email each time we post a new update!

Our theme for Residence Life and Housing this year revolves around music, so we hope you'll join us in stepping to our rhythm, while adding your own individual melodies of course!  

On Thursday this week, we'll introduce you to the new professional and graduate-level staff working for our office -- and following that, we have some fun summer updates and factoids about all of our professional staff!  

Also, mark your calendars - RA training begins on Monday, August 18!  We will have more details about training later this summer!

If you have anything you'd like to submit for our blog, whether it's just about how your summer is going or something educational/beneficial for all of the RLH staff, please email Mike Goodhart at mgoodhart@bridgew.edu.  We would love to hear from you and potentially feature you in a guest blog post!

Enjoy the summer, and please visit our blog regularly!