The Residential Life Office at Lycoming College has developed a Philosophy Statement congruent with the mission of the Student Affairs Division and the College. This statement is a concrete expression of the beliefs, concepts and attitudes that guide our efforts with students.

Lycoming College is, first and foremost, a residential, liberal arts college. Student learning includes the development of personal and individual identity, as well as the exploration and enhancement of social and civic responsibility. While academic goals are the central reason for attending Lycoming, learning and study do not stand alone: individual and community development in a variety of areas will occur throughout the college experience. The connection between academics and residence hall experiences is clear and unequivocal. Residence halls would not exist if it were not for the College itself; therefore, learning within the residence halls is primary to the Residential Life Office.

The context of community is significant: our students do not live alone and the actions of each person affect others. Students learn in all locations and it is incumbent upon us to place liberal arts learning first and, simultaneously, within the residential context. Most students spend more time in the halls than in any other location. Because the residential experience is so central, what occurs in the residence hall, positive or negative, has great potential to impact each student.

High on our list of priorities is the creation of strong, positive learning communities that facilitate student learning within the residence halls and that carry over to other locations. Within this, the acceptance of personal and collective responsibility is essential. We place emphasis on helping students understand how their actions impact those around them. In addition, we work to help students gain a greater awareness of their responsibilities to their communities.

In order to fully learn about one's responsibilities to others, students must become involved with their communities. Opportunities to participate, share opinions and ideas, assume responsibility, serve in leadership roles, and deal with conflicting opinions are all valuable experiences that add realism to the College experience. Experience, in the form of both success and failure, guides what students learn and how they use this learning. The Residential Life Office provides these opportunities to residents and makes decisions with student feedback and input.

Encountering differences is an important part of a liberal arts education and the understanding of human differences is integral to the residence hall experience. All types of people live in the halls and students will interact with one another, regardless of heritage, culture, background, previous experiences, values, lifestyle, or beliefs. This aspect of the residence hall experience is important to individual and community growth and development. Exploring, sharing and celebrating our differences can lead to dynamic, educational, and interesting environments.

The behaviors of the Residential Life staff serve as examples for others and we adhere to several models of ethical and professional behavior. In addition, our work is guided by the vast expanse of research that exists concerning college students. We recognize certain concepts about students that influence and guide our efforts. Each student is unique, important, and worthy of respect. We also believe that students are young adults who must be treated as capable of assuming adult responsibilities. The student's involvement in his/her development is critical to the formulation of new ways of thinking, new perspectives, and new skills. And finally, the major responsibility for the student's personal and social development rests with the student and his/her personal resources (Miller and Prince, 1976, p.4).

Regardless of what lens we use to view students, we care about students as learners and as individuals. We act with integrity and work to reinforce the same in our students. Finally, we work to help instill respect in students for property, feelings, other's needs and their own individual needs. The residential experience should be one that supports and challenges students as they proceed through their years at Lycoming.