Residence Hall Community

The mission of the Office of Residential Life and Housing is to efficiently and effectively administer a housing program in a learning centered environment that challenges and supports students to:

    * Enhance self-understanding
    * Value community responsibility
    * Learn from their experiences

To that end, the Office of Residential Life and Housing holds the belief that student development and learning goes on outside the classroom, as well as inside the classroom. The policies, procedures and programs which are established and encouraged by the Office of Residential Life and Housing are those which enhance student learning and involvement outside the classroom. This means the department takes its role very seriously as guarantor of a residence hall atmosphere conducive to work and study. We also strive to provide an atmosphere in which students are encouraged to make informed decisions on their own, take responsibility for their actions, and learn from their experiences. Our goal is to educate. When it becomes necessary to levy sanctions as a result of a violation of policy or regulation, we bear in mind that the judicial process is not just punitive, but an opportunity for education and personal growth.

We offer leadership development opportunities to students in the residence halls through participation in Residence Hall Councils, the Residence Hall Advisory Committee (a student advisory committee to the Office of Residential Life and Housing) and various ad hoc committees formed throughout the year. Participation in these activities exposes students to other departments at the Institute while gaining leadership skills.

At Pratt, each floor in each residence hall forms its own small community, each residence hall forms a large community, and together we are all a part of the Pratt community. Finally, we are also a part of the Clinton Hill community in Brooklyn. Being a member of a community means sharing certain rights and responsibilities with other members of the community, "your neighbors."

The Residential Life staff wants to provide a memorable, enjoyable and successful academic year, but remember that the success of this experience lies within all of us. Through participation, cooperation, understanding and communication, all can enjoy the time spent in the residence hall community at Pratt Institute.