One of the most important responsibilities of an RA is the development of a successful community within their space and wider residential community. However, this is a skill that is very specific to housing and you won’t hear the phrase “community development” very frequently outside of this environment. So, what does “community development” mean, and why is it so important?
Community Development is…
While different disciplines and even different universities may have their own definitions of “community development,” I can give you an approximate definition that will work for our purposes. It can be understood as the process of fostering community participation and promoting the participation of community members to contribute and create change within their communities. For RAs, this means that your job is to establish an environment of inclusion, support and positivity for your residents to learn and thrive within. As a representative of your university, the behavior, programming, and values that you model will help to determine the culture of your community.
In on-campus housing, a community can be developed through a variety of active and passive methods. Active methods are what they sound like, actively engaging with your residents, and fostering a sense of community through those interactions. Passive methods differ in that they typically relate to the physical environment of your community. Decorating your hall so it feels more personal to your residents, using door decs, bulletin boards, or any other ways your department allows you to customize your space are examples of passive community building methods.
How do I build a community?
As previously mentioned there are both active and passive ways to build a sense of community in your hall. Additionally, Roompact has several great articles that go in depth into how you can build a community, such as, “Building a Strong Community as a Student Staff Member or RA”. But let’s discuss a quick overview. There are three main elements to building community, and they break down to:
- Spend time with your residents.
- Get your residents to spend time with each other.
- Prioritize a supportive environment.
There are many different ways to go about building a community in your hall, and everyone you talk to will have different methods and tips for you to try out in your own community. The best piece of advice I can give you is to consider what kind of community you want to live in, then ask your residents what kind of community they are looking for. Having an honest conversation about goals and expectations, can help your community start off on the right foot.
