Dances, socials and more RAs for the class of 2017

Freshman Edgar Walker traveled more than 300 miles to come to UNC and now lives in Hinton James Residence Hall — although unlike the dorm’s namesake, he did not make the journey on foot.

Walker, a journalism major from Baltimore, didn’t know many people coming to UNC.

“But everyone has been really welcoming so far, and I’m enjoying the Southern hospitality,” he said.

This year, Walker and other residents of Hinton James have had the chance to participate in a new program that intends to improve social and academic lives of freshmen.

The program, known as the “First Year Experience,” (FYE) includes more social programs in freshman dorms and more resident advisers per hall than ever before.

Sarah Hoffarth, the coordinator of the FYE program, said the RA-to-resident ratio has decreased from one RA per 60 residents to one RA per 40 residents. She said the housing department wanted to increase its staff on campus even more, but were restricted due to budget constraints.

The program was inspired by surveys conducted by the Department of Housing and Residential Education in 2011, which concluded freshmen living in South Campus residence halls were more academically and socially successful than those living in isolated areas, such as in North Campus dorms, Hoffarth said.

Although the program was the brainchild of the housing department, the Residence Hall Association was a key player in its implementation, said association President Kendall Nicosia-Rusin.

“The desire is for us to be intentional with the resources on South Campus tailored to first-years,” said Rick Bradley, the associate director of the housing department.

Hoffarth said sophomores were the first to experience the FYE pilot program last year.

The new programming includes visits to freshman halls from representatives of the academic advising department, the Learning Center, the Study Abroad Office, the Office for Undergraduate Research, and the Office of Student Affairs.

Hoffarth said these academic programs were chosen to be beneficial for students and presenters.

“It’s much easier for us to bring resources to first-years on South Campus when they are congregated in specific areas,” Bradley said. In addition to academics-based events for freshmen, the program has social objectives.

Future programs include dances, ice cream socials and Safetober Fest, when 25 campus sponsors will offer trick-or-treating and ways to stay safe the week before Halloween. Freshmen can also attend “First Year Fridays,” which take place every Friday for the first six weeks at different residence halls.

The number of RAs has increased in halls with mostly freshman residents — Connor, Manning East, Manning West, Ehringhaus, Hinton James, Granville Towers and Craige residence halls. RAs, whose training this year was tailored to the FYE program, also have additional job duties this year, which include trained social media coordinators for each hall and two or three RAs in each community who act as liaisons between students and academic departments, Hoffarth said.

RAs in Hinton James were not allowed to be interviewed due to departmental policy.

Hundreds of students as well as many groups on campus are affected by the program, including Hinton James resident Yanexy Cardona.
Cardona, a freshman biology major from Durham, said she likes the social environment created at Hinton James.

“There are ten floors in HoJo, and although it is hard to meet everyone who lives there, at events like the dance last night, you do,” she said.

Although about 400 upperclassmen chose to remain on South Campus this year along with a large freshman population, their needs as students are still being met through programs geared toward them as well as social events. This program also does not affect current or future students in Living-Learning Communities .

Freshman Stephanie Amatuzzo, a biology major from Charlotte, has felt the positive effects of the FYE program.

“Living in HoJo helps you meet people — the suite style helps with making friends,” she said.

“My only problem may be having too many friends.”

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