Living On Campus

Why live on campus?

Living on campus is a major part of the WPI experience. Our residence halls offer much more than just a place to study and sleep.  This is where you’ll explore the richness of your passions, realize your potential, and make an impact.  This is where you’ll meet new people at the center of a dynamic community that supports your academic and social growth.  Do homework together. Watch a new movie.  Collaborate and discover.  Sleep in.  Eat dinner while watching the sun set over the athletics field.  Live and learn.

A Better University Experience

National research indicates that living on campus contributes to greater overall satisfaction with and success in college.

Students living on campus:

• are more satisfied with their living environments
• are more likely to graduate and to enter graduate school
• meet more diverse people
• are exposed to a wider range of ideas and cultures
• develop greater artistic interests
• develop strong interpersonal skills
• finish college in less time
• have more contact with faculty and other students
• are more likely to have greater self esteem

Become a leader now.  Gain skills for tomorrow.

Living on campus will provide you with many opportunities to become a leader.   You can have an impact on WPI through your participation in activities and leadership opportunities.

HREC Student Staff

Who are the students HREC hires?

HREC annually hires student leaders who contribute to a positive learning environment within the residence halls at WPI. They interact and support students, build community, create and plan interactive programs, and build personal and professional skills that will transcend the college experience. These staff members  are pillars in our on-campus community and embody the Housing and Residential Experience Center (HREC) values and promote the Residential Experience Model (REM).

• Community Support Assistant (CSA)

  • The Community Support Assistants (CSAs) will serve as a critical link in creating an environment in which students develop independence and learn to live cooperatively with others. This position would call for someone who is able to relate well to others, navigate critical incidents and conflict, and handle administrative responsibilities. The CSAs will promote resident safety and encourage residents to follow the University and housing policies, help educate residents on the community impact of their actions and decisions, and provide insight on how to collectively create a safe and inclusive environment through resource navigation and support.

     

• Community Development Mentor (CDM)

  • Community Development Mentors will assist students in navigating Worcester Polytechnic Institute and connect them with opportunities for engagement on campus and within their residential community through programming and social opportunities. Community Development Mentor’s will work and average of 20 hours per week with responsibilities for engaging individual students, implementing events, and attending regular meetings

    .

• Residential Mentor (RM)

  • Residential Mentors will assist students in navigating Worcester Polytechnic Institute and support students throughout their experience within their residential community. They will build community and connect with residents in need one-on-one. Residential Mentors will work an average of 20 hours per week with responsibilities for engaging individual students and attending regular meetings. Residential Mentors are solely assigned to all halls.

     

    ---

Please note that these three positions participate in a training session every year prior to the start of the academic year. These training sessions are mandatory, and eligibility for the position might change if not able to attend training. 

HREC values and mission and pillars (student learning objectives):

• Vision
  • Students who live in university housing will be personally and socially responsible community members and independent decision makers.
  • The Housing & Residential Experience Center strives for students living in university housing to meet the outlined learning objectives each year. This is accomplished through a variety of means: both formal and informal conversations, meetings, office processes and procedures, as well as, active and passive programming.
• Mission
  • The Housing & Residential Experience Center (H.R.E. Center) provides a housing environment and residential experience that is focused on supporting students through personal growth, leadership opportunities, academic achievement, and student engagement.
• Residential Experience Model Student Learning Objectives
  • Focuses on four main learning objectives: Diversity, Advocacy, Responsibility and Engagement
  • Students will be able to understand and appreciate diverging views, differing opinions, and the importance of diversity in their community.
  • Students will learn to advocate for themselves as individuals as well as their fellow community members.
  • Students will show care for their residential building as a constructive place of higher learning.

  • Students will develop a sense of connection and responsibility to their residential community.

     

• Hiring process
  • The hiring process for the any of the roles is a three-step process
    • Step one: Digital application
      • What to expect: The online application can be found on your StarRez housing portal. From there you will be asked to fill out general information, approve an academic, conduct, and title IX check, and answer a few open-ended questions.
      • Please pay attention to email and social media marketing from the HRE Center! We’ll let you know through those avenues when the application is open.
    • Step Two: Individual interview
      • What to expect: This is a thirty-minute interview where you are able to talk about your experience and go through some situational scenarios with two of the HREC pro-staff members.
    • Step three: Group interview

      • What to expect: During the group interview you will be asked to collaborate with one or more applicants to problem solve through different scenarios. 

Make friends and broaden your horizons.

By walking down the hall, you will meet people from all around the world.  You'll form study groups and join intramural teams.  It will not take long to make new friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

Opportunities for involvement is one of the many advantages of on campus living.  Movies, field trips, theatrical and musical performances, workshops, guest speakers, sports, and impromptu gatherings are just a few of the many activities waiting for you and your friends.  Residence hall staff and students host social and all-hall programs to enrich the quality of life.

We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities.  Your participation and involvement will help you create an environment where friendships flourish, new experiences abound, and people feel at home.