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The mission of Residence Life is to "enable individuals to live, learn, work and grow in Gospel-centered communities." Learning to live as a member of a community is an important part of personal development for college-age adults. As students live away from home in a community setting, they must learn to respect others' needs and expectations, voice their own expectations and concerns about community life, and resolve differences and conflicts peacefully. Hall advisors have a major responsibility for facilitating community development as part of this learning process.


Hall advisors participate in extensive community development training to prepare to help communities develop. They learn about the role of the community in student development, natural community progression, developing healthy communities, and facilitating dialogue between individuals. Hall advisors also learn about community standards, a program developed to help residents learn to live in a healthy community.


Throughout the year, residents meet in apartment, floor, and hall groups with the resident assistants to establish standards for their living community. Residents also develop goals for their community and establish ways to approach concerns about community life. Resident assistants teach residents about living in a community and act as facilitators in the community standards process. Hall advisors play a vital role by preparing R.A.s to facilitate community development, and by continuing to teach and support R.A.s throughout the process.