Mission, Vision and Values
Mission
The mission of Residence Life is to provide an educationally stimulating and purposeful community for residence hall students at the University of Pittsburgh. We care about our students and advocate for their success; Our staff is dedicated to the development of an inclusive community in which students feel safe and inspired to contribute. We intentionally foster relationships and develop programs and services that contribute to the education of the whole student.
Vision
The vision of Residence Life is to distinguish our department as a significant contributor to the educational experience of the student population.
Values
These values are guided by knowledge of students as individuals as well as the theories and practices of the student affairs profession. Residence Life adheres to the ethical principles and standards set forth by the American College Personnel Association.
Civility
We strive to promote an environment exemplified by mutual respect and collective responsibility. In doing so, we challenge our students to understand and appreciate their obligation to fellow community members. With the recognition that students will use this knowledge outside of the residence hall, we will also promote the greater social responsibility beyond the college experience.
Collaboration
In recognition that we collectively support the University's educational mission, Residence Life is committed to working in partnership with other departments and stakeholders to develop student-centered programs and services. In an effort to best serve students, we will work beyond departmental lines by striving to maintain open, honest, and consistent communication with others throughout the University. In addition, we will expose students to the various opportunities within the Oakland community and surrounding city.
Inquiry
We will continuously strive to further the academic mission of the University by fostering an environment in which students and staff members are free to explore, question, learn, and teach. In order to sustain this environment, we will utilize our resources to create and identify opportunities for learning within our residence hall communities.
Integrity and Professionalism
As a Residence Life team, we expect a high level of professional competence in addition to overall wellness and a healthy balance of personal time. Our decisions and actions are well-informed, objective and consistent with University standards, and reflect the use of empathy and reason. We value the importance of remaining informed of current issues in the fields of higher education and student affairs, and their application to departmental policies.
Involvement
Residence Life staff understand the value of co-curricular activities and appreciate the importance of the holistic development of our students. We promote and model healthy interactions among students, staff, and faculty. Additionally, we celebrate the unique role we play as educators in the overall college experience.
Respect and Dignity
We recognize tolerance as a minimum expectation and constantly strive to achieve greater and deeper understanding of human differences. Thus, we as a department oppose intolerance and are committed to helping all personnel further their knowledge, experience, and appreciation of diversity.