August 2022 Newsletter

Many college-bound students and their families are preparing to travel to the campuses where they’ll begin one of the greatest journeys of their lives. I’m sure the anticipation of it all has come with a range of emotions. While I hope excitement has been the prevailing emotion, I recognize that uncertainty might also be present. Having a positive roommate experience is probably something students are worrying about and that’s fair. However, as you consider the potential of the year as Dr. Hendrix has shared, I’d like challenge you to imagine the possibilities of how awesome the experience of living with a roommate could be. Here are a few pieces of advice and tips that can assist in fostering a good relationship with your roommate and finding community.

1.     MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS – Connections may not happen immediately and that is ok. Give it some time and allow the relationship with your roommate and others to grow naturally over time as you get to know one another.

2.     KEEP AN OPEN MIND – Know that like you, your roommate and others come from different upbringings and lifestyles than your own. College is all about learning and growing. Both you and your roommate will likely change as you learn and grow through your time together. That difference is not something to be afraid of.

3.     COMMUNICATION IS IMPORTANT – If you haven't begun communicating with your roommate yet...start! Having initial conversations can be a great way to build that roommate relationship early and make plans for discussing how you will live in your shared space. Use the roommate agreement, listen to one another, and be considerate. Those will go a long way during future conversations you’ll have.

4.     SHARE SCHEDULES – It may not seem necessary but sharing schedules can help you and your roommate plan out study times in the room, having meals together, having friends over, and other things such as sleep!

5.     CLEAN REGULARLY – Make it a habit to clean your space regularly, tackling laundry, taking out the trash, making your bed, and washing dishes. All of these will make your space one where both roommates are able to live and study comfortably.

6.     GET TO KNOW THE HALL STAFF – Your Resident Advisors and Resident Directors are there to support and connect you to people and things happening on campus that might interest you, especially if you do not know where to start.

7.     PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE – Try something new and meet others. Attend campus events. If larger events are not your thing, attend your floor meeting or other smaller scaled activities to help you ease in. Keep hope, there are many ways to find your people and get involved!

I know this time is exciting and scary. But with a little courage, time, and effort, I’m certain that students will build lasting relationships and develop a sense of place here at Radford University. We can’t wait to welcome you in a couple of weeks!

Dr. Kendall K. Pete,

Director, Housing and Residential Life

Hi! My name is Ashley Offutt, and I have the pleasure of serving Radford University as the Director for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. I am so excited to welcome you all to the Highlander family! As I reflect on my experience attending an institution in a rural part of the state as a first-generation and car-less and financially insecure student from Louisville, Kentucky - the best parts about my college experience were being able to learn, grow and develop from people and places that I had not experienced back home.  During my time in college, I was able to experience different cultures without having to leave campus. We do encourage your student to get out and take advantage of our off campus learning opportunities/events like Higher Ground, RUOutdoors, Cultural Excursions, and Leadership Conferences and it was great to know that I could experience cultural growth while being on campus. Learning was accessible to me in so many ways! Experiences like these are what lead me to making campus community inclusion my mission. I am excited to share information about the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) with you!

The CDI offers a space to explore and encourage diversity and to promote a deeper appreciation for people from all backgrounds. We envision Radford University as a multicultural institution that provides a forward-thinking and progressive approach to social justice, belonging, and equality. Through the commitment to educating students, staff, and faculty on issues of diversity, our hope is to promote global citizenry that will encourage inclusive communities. We offer a welcoming environment, engaging programming, keynote speakers, conversations around social justice and diversity, cultural excursions, student leadership opportunities, work-study positions, a computer lab, lounges, a conference room, a student leadership office, laptop loaner program, and FREE printing. Our office is also home to the Diversity Awareness Programming Board (DAP). This is a student organization and the that provides opportunities for students to learn, engage and connect through educational, cultural, and social programs, and events that bring awareness to diversity, inclusion, belonging, civic engagement, and social justice issues.

It has been such a joy to share with you all the great things that the Center for Diversity and Inclusion offers to our campus community! I hope that you will stop by and engage with us during move-in weekend, Family Weekend, Homecoming, commencement, or just on a day that you’re sharing with your Highlander! The office is in Heth 157, adjacent to the Financial Aid Office, and across from the One Card and Parking Services Office.

Go Highlanders!