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She explained that first-years frequently feel isolated when surrounded by upper-class students, who are often too busy dealing with issues related to later years in college to put much of a priority on meeting new people and creating community bonds.

Klein said she plans to provide new ways to connect with the first-year and returning student populations by double-staffing all residential areas, with strong support from RAs and CAs living near the students.

The change let residential life staff address the separate needs of returning students, including programming unique to issues of upper-class students. Klein said the separate communities created by separate living spaces would allow older students with different social needs to “interact with an ‘upper class’ feel, in a less intrusive mindset.”

Klein reports past success regarding the first-year themed floors currently located in Peterson Hall. Nicole
Flam, a first-year living in second-floor Peterson in the art-themed housing area, was highly enthusiastic about themed living.

“I really like [theme housing] ... We have had painting nights, and it’s a good way to meet people on your floor and experience [many] aspects of everyone’s style.”

The switch also aims to improve retention rate of second- and third-year students returning to live on campus, Klein said.

“I’d like to see students staying at least two years, and maybe more. My other hope is that our [younger] students say ‘Wow, I’m glad I’m living on campus,’ not ‘I’m stuck on campus.’”

Another change for residential life is the increase in the number of theme-housing areas. In Drew, there will be a GLBT and ally community, a women’s issues community, and a social justice community, all on the second floor. Third floor will be theme-free.

Klein explains that students don’t necessarily have to be committed to the activities related to the themes; they must, however, be committed to the purpose of the themes that are in place where they live.

There are also several new meal plans in the works, according to an information packet Klein provided.

One is the 100-block plan, which offers a lower number of meals with the same convenience of the 15-meal block plan. A 225-block meal plan will also be offered next year, where students will be able to utilize the benefits of a block plan with an additional number of meals, comparable to the 14-meal weekly plan.

These options were also created with the hope of increasing returning student retention rates across campus by providing a greater variety of options for students who are increasingly busy with heavier class loads and other activities, such as internships and outside jobs.

With the Heights now reserved for first-years, Klein anticipates that first-year students with special health needs will be more easily accommodated, with a greater availability of single rooms. Single rooms may also be given to upper-class students.

“We may put some upper-class students in singles in the Heights, but it’s not our preference,” Klein said.