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A voice for change
February 06, 2019
Congratulations to Church Hall Resident Assistant Charlene Marsh, who was awarded the UGA President’s Fulfilling the Award in recognition of her dedication to social justice!
For third-year RA Charlene Marsh, getting involved in social justice on campus helped her feel at home. “I learned how I could be a voice for change, and how to help amplify the voices of other students. That’s where my passion for social justice was ignited. I got to hear other people’s stories, and that’s what made UGA home for me--we might all have different stories, but we’re united by one university in the south. “
Marsh, a resident assistant in Church Hall, was awarded the President’s Fulfilling the Dream Award in January in recognition of her dedication to social justice. With a double major in International Affairs and Public Policy and a minor in French, she hopes to one day find urban public policy solutions that benefit marginalized groups.
She applies this passion for people to her work as an RA. “Being an RA has shown me that you’re never too old to continue to learn. My residents have taught me so many lessons, and have held me accountable in ways I never expected they would. Seeing them hit the ground running has made me very excited about the future.”
Next up, Marsh plans to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration through the Double Dawgs program, along with her Public Affairs Professional certificate.
University Housing is gearing up for summer and the application site for student staff summer positions is open. The priority deadline for applications is February 28 but housing will continue to accept applications until all of positions are filled.
University Housing is accepting applications for the following positions for summer 2019: conference hosts, desk assistants, office assistants, painter/maintenance assistants and tour guides. These positions are both full and part time and only available to UGA students who have a valid UGA ID number.
In addition, the University Housing marketing department is hiring first-year and returning resident student vloggers to work summer and into fall. Housing vloggers are responsible for creating and posting content on University Housing’s YouTube channel.
The University Housing vlogger position is also eligible to count towards students’ experiential learning requirement, which gives students hands-on opportunities to connect their academic foundations to the world beyond the classroom, through creative endeavors, study abroad and field schools, internship and leadership opportunities, faculty-mentored research, and service-learning. All UGA students are required to engage in at least one experiential learning activity that positions them for success after graduation.
#OneUGA is a monthly event sponsored by University Housing and Multicultural Services and Programs that fosters conversations about diversity and inclusion. Attend in person or follow #OneUGA on Instagram.
Everyone is welcome to participate in the spring 2019 #OneUGA events. Free lunch will be available!
Thurs., Feb. 14
12:30-1:30 p.m.
The Intersection, Tate Student Center 3rd floor Why is Black History Month Important?
Led by Black Theatrical Ensemble, NAACP-UGA Chapter and Black Affairs Council
Thurs., March 28
12:30-1:30 p.m.
The Intersection, Tate Student Center 3rd floor Feminism and Minority Women
Featuring a panel of local women share their experiences and engaging with participants
Thurs., April 18
12:30-1:30 p.m.
The Intersection, Tate Student Center 3rd floor APIDA Heritage Month
Led by the Asian and Pacific Islander/Desi American student association
Targeted to current residents and their friends and families, open house tours are a great way to see what University Housing has to offer for fall 2019 during the room sign-up period ending Jan. 31.
Drop-in tours of student rooms will be available to the public in the following buildings: Brown Hall, Building 1516, Mary Lyndon Hall,* Myers Hall, Oglethorpe House, Payne Hall, Reed Hall, Rooker Hall, Rutherford Hall* and Soule Hall. Visit as many as you like between noon and 6 p.m. and talk to current residents about why they love their community.
Current residents interested in living on campus for the 2019-2020 academic year should register to participate in room sign up by logging into The Dawg House by Jan. 31. Those who register anytime between Dec. 3 and January 31 will have the opportunity to be assigned a random appointment time to choose a space for themselves and their roommates in February or March. For more info and to see the room sign up timeline, visit bit.ly/homeiswherethearchis
NOTE: Incoming first-year students for fall 2019 are welcome to visit, but no first-year-only halls will be available for tours. Please visit the Tour the Halls page for availability of tours in first-year buildings throughout the spring semester.
*Tours of Mary Lyndon, Myers and Rutherford halls start in the lobby of Myers Hall.
It’s time to start thinking about returning to campus next fall - the room sign-up process begins Dec. 31. National studies show students who live on campus earn higher GPAs, graduate sooner and report higher satisfaction rates with their college careers.
Returning residents enjoy the same benefits as first-year residents when they continue to live on campus, including a secure environment of peers and live-in staff members dedicated to providing academic support and promoting their personal growth.
In January, University Housing will offer tours of all non-first-year-only halls so that residents can get a peek at the spaces they may be interested in for the 2019-2020 academic year.
If you are a parent or family member of a current first-year student, please note the returning resident room sign-up process is different from the initial housing registration process; more information can be found on the current students registration page. Missing a deadline may limit the options for the type of housing available to your student for fall 2019.
Students should begin to think now about which hall they want to live in and with whom. Research hall information at housing.uga.edu to see floor plans, photos, videos and rent rates.
The next step is registration. Be sure to register to participate during the sign-up period December 3 through January 31. All registrants, regardless of registration date, will be assigned a random appointment time during which they may log on to The Dawg House and choose any available space on campus, including in the East Campus Village apartments, Brown Hall on the Health Sciences Campus and in the University Village apartments.
The majority of room sign-up participants will receive a first-round appointment time during the first couple weeks of February. At that time, they may log on to The Dawg House, choose any available space and input roommates. There is no obligation at this point, however first-round participants must execute their housing contract by a specific date in mid-February in order to secure their space. Each roommate must also execute their contract by the deadline or he/she will lose the space.
Students age 18 or older execute housing contracts online. The contract is a legally binding agreement between the student, the university and the Board of Regents. To view an example of a contract, visit housing.uga.edu/site/resources. For student-specific contracts, your student may log in to The Dawg House or contact the Housing Assignments Office at 706-542-1421 or housing@uga.edu.
Round 2 and beyond participants will be given appointment times throughout spring semester, with contract deadline information sent to their UGA email address. Students with later appointment times will be able to select an on-campus space as other students cancel out (by not selecting a room or not executing an online housing contract). Students with housing contracts may request to change rooms as often as they like. In past years we have been able to offer everyone who indicated interest a chance to select a room.
Take a look at what housing has to offer by checking out the floorplans, rates and 360-degree photos under the Housing tab.
University Housing is offering two $500 scholarships for the fall 2019 semester through the Jim Day Housing Scholarship Fund. To be eligible, students must be current UGA undergraduate students and demonstrate financial need.
Applicants must:
• Be a current UGA undergraduate student
• Complete the application in its entirety and submit by January 6, 2019
• Have a demonstrated financial need as determined by the UGA Office of Financial Aid
• If awarded a scholarship, commit to living on campus for the 2019-2020 academic year
The application includes a short essay focused on residents’ experiences with and contributions to their on-campus community.
Dr. James “Jim” Day served as executive director of University Housing from 1990 to 2006. Dr. Day conceived and initially funded the University Housing Scholarship Fund to assist students with financial need offset the cost of on-campus housing. In recognition of his devoted service to the University of Georgia and in honor of his personal commitment to helping secure financial assistance for students, the scholarship was perpetually named the Jim Day Housing Scholarship Fund upon his retirement.
Applications for CA (C.L.A.S.S. advocates) and RA (resident assistant) positions for 2019-2020 open November 5. Interested residents should not miss this opportunity to join the amazing team that works every day to support students’ academic success and personal growth!
One of the biggest advantages that students living on campus have is the benefit of a peer leader living alongside them. C.L.A.S.S. (CA) advocates and resident assistants (RA) aren’t just there to enforce policies and enhance security (although they do that, too!), these student staff members play a crucial role in supporting their residents’ academic success and personal growth.
CAs and RAs demonstrate great compassion leadership skills, and are trained to solve the problems of a diverse group of students. The job of an RA can include anything that a group of young adults needs during their first experience away from home.
CA/RAs oversee residence hall life, plan social events and keep an eye out for those who may feel homesick or lonely. They can provide a sympathetic ear and practical advice for students who need help dealing with academic, social, medical or personal problems. CA/RAs will also mediate roommate disputes and enforce residence hall policies.
Overall, the CA/RA should be a person that students can turn to, someone they can trust. If a CA/RA cannot solve a problem or feel that more help is needed, they can direct students to the right campus support center where they can find help.
The job of a CA/RA is not all about solving conflicts. They are also there to ensure college students are having fun, relieving stress in healthy ways, and simply enjoying college life. A good CA/RA will notice when a student seems to be uncomfortable or unhappy and will reach out in an unobtrusive but supportive way to offer help.
CAs and RAs receive free on-campus housing, a stipend, training in crisis management and housing and university policies, and professional development opportunities.
Applications will be accepted Nov. 5 through December 13, 2018. For details on the application process—including mandatory information meeting dates— and to apply, visit the Employment page.
Every year, housing has the amazing opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of local people through Housing Against Hunger, an initiative that benefits the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. Over 15 days, we aim to collect the equivalent of 20,000 lbs. of food—you can help!
The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia (FBNEG) is a 501(c)3 that recovers donated and salvaged surplus food and distributes it to human-service agencies that then distribute the food to residents in need. FBNEG distributes more than 12 million pounds of food each year to hungry Georgians!
Housing Against Hunger is a departmental initiative designed to contribute to FBNEG’s annual Hunger Bowl, in which local businesses, schools and organizations compete to see who can collect the most food (based upon a per person average) and to help the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia reach its goal of collecting 500,000 pounds of food in the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
Collection bins will be in every residence hall, the administrative offices in Russell Hall and in the University Village Office. Anyone may donate nonperishable food items in these bins through noon on Friday, Nov. 9. An even easier way to donate that has a bigger impact is by donating money on University Housing’s team fundraising page through the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. Simply visit http://bit.ly/HAH2018 to donate.
Students who donate nonperishable items or funds may enter a contest (complete contest rules are at http://bit.ly/2SblN82) to win daily prizes and a grand prize of a first appointment time to choose their on-campus space for 2019-2020! To enter for a chance to win, simply donate to the bins or show the desk assistant proof of an online donation. No money will be accepted at desks, only through the secure donation site in the link above.
Creep it real this Halloween! Check out our list of spooky events on campus and in the greater Athens Community. Also, don’t forget to check with your CA/RA for events in your hall!
Oct 24 Haunted High-rises
WHERE: Brumby Hall, Russell Hall and Creswell Hall
WHEN: Wednesday, October 24 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Oct 25 East Athens Community Center
5–7 p.m. $4. www.accgov.com/halloween
Pumpkin Carving and Halloween Crafts
Make a jack-o-lantern. Ages 5–12.
Memorial Park
5–8 p.m. $5. www.athensclarkecounty.com/halloween
Halloween Carnival and Boo at the Zoo
Take a haunted trick-or-treat tour of Bear Hollow Zoo, then stop by the festive Halloween Carnival for fun and prizes. Activities include games, stories and a costume contest. Ages 2–12.
Oct 26 The Foundry
12–3 p.m. FREE (ages 0–5), $5–7. www.wildrumpus.org
Wild Rumpus Monster Mash
Get a head start on the Wild Rumpus Parade with various Halloween activities like a haunted house, crafts, live music, performances and more.
5:30 p.m. FREE! www.akfathens.com Halloween Party
(AKF Athens Martial Arts) Families and friends are invited to come in costume for games and treats. The party is also an open house for AKF. Attendees are encouraged to bring candy for the candy cauldron.
The Rook and Pawn
7 p.m. www.therookandpawn.com
Artist Reception
Dress up and celebrate the Halloween-inspired art of Ali Phillips n "Nostalgiaween."
Oct 27 Creature Comforts Brewery
6 p.m. (pre-party), 8:30 p.m. (march). FREE! www.wildrumpus.org
Wild Rumpus Parade
Throw on your most creative Halloween costume and march through the streets of downtown. Anyone can participate by wearing a costume and joining the procession. A pre-party will be held at Creature Comforts, and live bands will perform along the route.
J & J Flea Market
10 a.m.–3 p.m. sbolin@unitedfleamarkets.com
Halloween at J&J Flea Market
Trick-or-treating, a costume contest and a vendor booth decorating contest.
Oct 30 East Athens Community Center
5:30–7 p.m. $3. www.athensclarkecounty.com/leisure
East Athens Halloween Carnival
Festivities include a costume contest, face painting, haunted house, games and more. Ages 5–18.
Ciné Barcafé www.athenscine.com
Shocktoberfest
"When the fog rolls in... the terror begins," in John Carpenter's The Fog (1980)
Oct 31 Bogart Library
5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart
Trunk or Treat
(Main St. Bogart) Little ghosts and goblins are invited to trunk-or-treat for goodies and games.
Georgia Square Mall
6–8 p.m. georgiasquaremall.com
Mall-o-Ween
Visit the mall in costume for candy stations, balloon art, face painting and music.
Women in Business Scavenger Hunt Social
Halloween Scavenger Hunt Social with Women in Business.
Wednesday, October 31 at 4:00pm to 6:00pm Herty Field
Pumpkin Decorating
Happy Halloween. Enjoy a night full of tricks, treats, pumpkin decorating and more. Costumes encouraged.
Wednesday, October 31 at 4:00pm to 9:00pm
Snelling, Bolton, Village Summit and Oglethorpe Dining Commons
#OneUGA is a monthly event sponsored by University Housing and Multicultural Services and Programs that fosters conversation about current issues, diversity, and inclusion. This month’s topic is Native American heritage!
Two housing student staff members were recognized at the Black Faculty and Staff Organization’s 16th annual Founders’ Award Scholarship Luncheon Sept. 19...
Magali Lapu (RA, Creswell Hall), a fourth-year international affairs and French major, was awarded the Myron G. Burney Service Award.
Natalie Morean (CA, Reed Hall), a fourth-year human development and family sciences student received the Founders’ Award.
Proceeds from the luncheon go toward the BFSO scholarship fund and programming. At this year’s luncheon, a total of $3,000 in scholarships was awarded to six students.
Omowunmi Oni, a resident assistant in East Campus Village (ECV), is planning a career in dentistry, and says she is confident that she was destined to attend UGA because she has received lifelong friendships, great connections and amazing opportunities.
Omowunmi Oni, a resident assistant in East Campus Village (ECV), is planning a career in dentistry, and says she is confident that she was destined to attend UGA because she has received lifelong friendships, great connections and amazing opportunities. As a Residence Hall Association (RHA) representative for ECV, she appreciated being able to vouch for her fellow residents in support of their concerns. She’s an active member of the African Student Association and, as a Georgia football ambassador, she hosted recruits during game days. Omowunmi is currently a volunteer dental assistant for the Mercy Health Center, a free clinic to benefit those uninsured in Athens.
#OneUGA is a monthly event sponsored by University Housing and Multicultural Services and Programs that fosters conversation about current issues, diversity, and inclusion. This month's topic is social justice and the environment!
Drop by for tours of the newly renovated Russell Hall, music, food and fellowship with fellow alumni. RSVP to housingalumni@uga.edu to receive a special gift at the event.
Thousands of students. Millions of Stories. One UGA. Join University Housing and Multicultural Services and Programs for monthly discussions about diversity and inclusion. This month's topic: What is Hispanic, Latina/o, Latinx?
The Athletic Association assumes control of certain housing lots on Fridays preceding home football games. Residents may need to move their vehicles to approved lots.
Our annual contest is back and bigger than ever—we’re looking for the coolest, most creative, most spirited and smartest spaces on campus and giving you the chance to earn first pick of your on-campus space next year, a ton of cool freebies and the title of Room of the Year.
UGA Student Affairs comprises 20 different departments, including University Housing, the Dean of Students, Greek Life, the LGBT Resource Center, the University Health Center, Recreational Sports and more. The Student Affairs mission is to inspire students to engage meaningfully, grow intellectually and build character so they will create thriving communities.
Welcome UGA is a campus-wide collaboration to provide students numerous opportunities in the first six weeks of the fall semester to meet new people, engage with departments and organizations, and learn more about UGA.
Serving as an officer in your hall or community council is a great way to gain leadership skills and participate in decision making about programming and policies in University Housing.
National studies show students who are involved on campus earn higher GPAs and have higher graduation rates. University Housing offers a few ways for residents to be involved in their community and on campus, including Residential Hall Association (RHA), Residential Hall Studios (RHS) and National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH). In these organizations, students gain valuable leadership experience as they facilitate events, socials and service opportunities for residents throughout the year.
As the second largest student organization on campus, RHA helps coordinate housing’s student-led hall councils and actively serves the interest of the residents by assisting with the development of residence hall policies, procedures and programs.
RHS is a student-run studio that produces content for channel 12.1 on University Cablevision. The student leaders involved with RHS are responsible for every aspect of the production process, including writing, producing, filming, pitching and editing for the channel. This hands-on experience gives students skills in television production and project management.
NRHH is a leadership-based honorary society whose members consist of the top 10 percent of University Housing residents. “Getting involved in student organizations that are based in the residence halls allows students to develop their leadership skills and make an impact on the community they live in by providing programs and service activities,” Graduate Resident for Student Leadership Brittany Smith says. “Students are able to listen to the concerns of other residents in their halls and work to make changes for current and future students.”
We’re recruiting volunteers for move in August 5-6 to welcome new students UGA. You can help make campus move in a smooth and exciting experience for new Bulldogs. This year, we’re working with partners across campus to make move in bigger and better than ever - we need hundreds of volunteers like you!
We’re recruiting volunteers for move in August 5-6 to welcome new students UGA. You can help make campus move in a smooth and exciting experience for new Bulldogs. This year, we’re working with partners across campus to make move in bigger and better than ever—we need hundreds of volunteers like you!
You don’t have to be living on campus in the fall to help with move in, however, returning residents who volunteer may check into their spaces early—on August 4 instead of August 5.
Individual Volunteers
- Greet new and returning students and parents
- Give directions to area parking lots
- Direct traffic
- Serve as a resource for residents and their families
- Assist with recycling
- Receive free “Home Is Where the Arch Is” t-shirt
- Receive a free meal during your shift
- On-campus residents may move in a day early (Saturday, August 6)
Student Organizations
- Will be a part of our move-in crew, assisting residents with their belongings
- Wear their own organization’s t-shirts
- Serve as a resource for residents and their families
- Give back by serving first-year students as they begin their journey at UGA On-campus residents may move in a day early (Saturday, August 5)
Student organizations should contact TJ Stewart about being part of the move-in crew: tjstewart@uga.edu
For more information about the move-in process, visit the Move In page at housing.uga.edu and follow #WelcomeUGA on social.
Room selection for fall 2018 is happening soon! Follow along as we show you the process in a new video on our YouTube channel.
The Dawg House at UGA makes room selection easy! Watch as we go through the process of searching for a space in University Housing, choosing a space and adding your roommate. Roommates in the same roommate group can assign each other, meaning the person with the earliest appointment time can pull in their roommate to the same space.
The Dawg Vlog is a collection of student-produced vlogs on housing’s YouTube channel and we’re hiring! Vloggers will be responsible for filming, producing and editing video blogs on various topics throughout the year. Student vloggers provide a unique way of reaching out to peers. The content they create helps promote University Housing and disseminate information to current and future residents. Click below to read more and apply.
Each vlog is entirely the student’s individual work. The vloggers demonstrate ownership of the vlogs and are encouraged to use their creativity to produce unique videos. After producing a vlog entry, the students submit their work to the housing public relations specialist, who provides constructive feedback. Vloggers make suggested edits to their work and submit a second draft (if needed). We encourage vloggers to use their own style and creativity throughout the editing process. The vlogger position provides a professional experience that students can use on their resumes in addition to producing videos they can use in future portfolios.
Every year at move out, we host a donation and landfill diversion event, Dawgs Ditch the Dumpster and Donate. This year, the event runs April 20-May 5, and residents are encouraged to donate unwanted clothing, furniture and household items to benefit local organizations.
In the past five years of spring move out, housing’s annual Dawgs Ditch the Dumpster and Donate program has collected an average of 64,000 pounds each year of unwanted furniture, clothing and other items, which was then distributed to more than a dozen local and regional non-profit organizations.
This year, students may drop off items at designated locations throughout University Housing from April 20-May 5.
Dawgs Ditch the Dumpster and Donate (Dawgs Ditch for short) is an annual landfill diversion initiative and student volunteer opportunity that reflects housing’s commitments to sustainability and student leadership. The program allows residents living on campus to donate unwanted items that may otherwise end up in a landfill. Thanks to a grant from the UGA Office of Sustainability, University Housing coordinates this annual event with help from residents like you.
The list of organizations that benefit from Dawgs Ditch grows each year. Organizations that have benefited in the past include America’s Thrift, Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, Project Safe (a shelter for women and children in crisis), Athens Area Homeless Shelter, Athens Area Humane Society, Friends of the Athens-Clarke County (ACC) Library, Keep ACC Beautiful, the ACC Teacher Reuse Store, and Easter Seals of Northeast Georgia.
Dawgs Ditch the Dumpster and Donate relates directly to core values of University Housing to promote sustainability and community engagement.
To volunteer, visit http://bit.ly/2pXqENd
To donate, simply look for a donation station near your residence hall April 20-May 5.
University Housing is now hiring full and part-time tour guides for summer. Get a summer job that works around your class schedule and gives you valuable customer service and marketing skills.Being a tour guide is a great way to show your love for Georgia while welcoming new students and their families.
Tour guides:
- Receive paid professional training.
- Lead tours of residence halls and answer tour participant questions.
- Participate in training led by the senior public relations coordinator and the UGA Visitors Center.
- Attend resource fairs in order to provide resident perspective to students and their families.
- Attend orientation parent and student sessions in order to provide resident perspective to students and their families.
- Maintain the tour rooms (restock fliers, rehang posters, straighten bedding, submit work requests for any custodial or maintenance issues that arise).
- Represent the university and the department in a professional and friendly manner as well as promote the value of living on campus.
Apply in The Dawg House now for the opportunity to welcome prospective Bulldogs by serving as a summer tour guide!
Housing registration for first-year students enrolling for summer or fall 2018 is ongoing through April. For most students, room selection works on an appointment system based on when they complete their housing registration. We are committed to housing all incoming first-year students but the earlier students register, the greater number of choices there will be available when choosing a space.
As you may know, University Housing is currently renovating popular high-rise Russell Hall. Closing a building for 14 months that normally houses 970 first-year students and contains more than 30 staff office spaces was a challenge but big changes are already well underway.
In spring 2017, residents chimed in with suggestions for study spaces, laundry rooms, kitchens, community and lounge spaces and—of course—bathrooms. Project coordinators from Menefee Architecture and Cannon Design came away with some great input on how students envision the improved Russell Hall.
Plans for Russell include increasing space flexibility in the student rooms through the removal of built-in furnishings. Community bathrooms will feature enhanced toilet and shower privacy and upgrades to modern fixtures and finishes. Students can also expect to see enhanced and updated lobby, lounge, study, programming, laundry and kitchen spaces. More importantly, plans also include renovations of climate control, plumbing and electrical systems as well as making the building ADA-accessible.
UGA determined a renovation of Russell Hall to be more cost-effective than new construction since a main concern for the university is ensuring continued affordability of student housing on campus while also providing adequate reserves for future renovations.
Originally opened in 1967 as an all-male residence hall, Russell Hall is a popular choice for first-year students, who say they appreciate its sense of community. “It is a great place to get connected and make friends at a large university,” said first-year student Aaron Stafford. “I love Russell Hall because no matter what, I always feel at home here.”
The Dawg House is undergoing maintenance between 5 p.m. Tuesday January 29 and 8 a.m. Wednesday January 30. Housing registration and all other functions will be unavailable during this time.
