Community Development

One of the real advantages of living on campus is being part of a community of one's fellow students. Residents clearly feel more a part of the university community while living here. But a sense of community and belonging is greater in each and every living area—where a group of 40 or so students get to know each other and be of assistance to each other. Residents are exposed to a process we call community development, which emphasizes the importance of individuals becoming active members of a strong and caring community. The process of students getting to know each other and working together, of interacting with each other on a daily basis, is as important as any specific result of their interaction. Living on campus—with lots of mutual support and shared opportunities—can help a student grow, become more independent, develop skills, and become a truly educated person.

• Community Standards
• Residence Life Goals

Community Development Programs and Opportunities

• Residence Hall Association’s website – The purpose of RHA is to enhance overall student life through social, recreational, and educational programs, and to be the resident's advocate to bring recommendations/concerns about current housing and university policies and procedures to the various components of the campus community and the university. The RHA coordinates, supports, and initiates individual and collective efforts in policy and programming issues of concern to the residents.
• National Residence Hall Honorary – NRHH is the only nationwide organization that recognizes residence hall leaders. Memberships in local chapters is limited to one percent of your school's residence hall population, or 15 members, whichever is larger. As you can see, it is a very select group of leaders. Being selected into the membership is an honor in which one can take a great amount of pride.
• Safe Zone – The goal of the Safe Zone program is to provide a more welcoming environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning persons at UIC by establishing an identifiable network of persons who can provide support, information, and a safe zone to GLBTQ persons within the university environment.
• Web Forums – Our web forums provide an area where any current or prospective member of the UIC community can ask questions of to Housing staff or make suggestions to improve our community.

Staff Community Development

• CASCHA, Chicago Area Small College Housing Association Website – CASCHA exists to provide professional development, information sharing opportunities and social networking for enhancing growth among professional staff members from Chicagoland in the area of collegiate housing and residence life.
• CASCHA Summer 2008 Newsletter (PDF)