Professional News

House Calls Welcomes New Students

LEXINGTON, KY. (Aug. 25, 2009) – The Student Affairs' Office of Residence Life at the University of Kentucky is committed to offering residential students a supportive environment that embraces learning opportunities, both inside and outside of the classroom.  Residence Life is creating partnerships with faculty, staff and other offices to create a seamless learning environment for UK students.  To achieve this goal, the Office of Residence Life and the Division of Student Affairs are sponsoring a campus event to support this climate within the residence halls.

The House Calls program is a campus community-building initiative designed to reach out to residence halls students – and first-year students in particular – giving them an opportunity to interact with faculty members and administrators on a more personal level. At the beginning of the year, Residence Life recognizes that students often have questions (both academic and non-academic) about their UK experience and are often unsure where to direct those questions.  This is where faculty and staff can offer some critical support!

Residence Life has committed to making House Calls an annual tradition, one that improves each year with the participation and feedback of faculty and staff.  Most House Calls volunteers have indicated a desire to participate again, and many have provided great suggestions that will make House Calls even more beneficial.  House Calls would not work without the enthusiastic support and participation of UK faculty and staff!

The goal of House Calls is to be intentional in providing students the tools to be successful during the first few weeks of the academic year.  UK is offering two opportunities to get involved. (Additionally, some opportunities for follow-up events are being explored, so be on the look-out for additional information.) Faculty and staff are invited to commit to working three hours one evening on either/both of the following days:

  • Monday, Sept, 14, 5:30 p.m.-–-8:30 p.m., North Campus (Meet in the in the Blazer Private Dining Room.)  
  • Tuesday, Sept. 15 – 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Central & South Campus (Meet in 3rd floor of the Complex Commons)

Faculty and staff volunteers will be provided a dinner to kick off the event.  Immediately following the dinner, they will be paired with residence life staff and escorted to the building to which they are assigned.  Information and materials for the event will be provided at the dinner.  You are asked to join this campus effort in reaching our students.  We know that our students respond positively to this personal touch, and our faculty and staff volunteers have enjoyed their participation.  We sincerely hope you will join us for this year's event!

With the help of the campus community, UK will provide its students with the tools to promote success and persistence.  Anyone unable to attend, but who can refer another faculty member or for more information, contact melorensen@uky.edu

Finally, for new volunteers and returners who would like a refresher, an additional optional volunteer training is available the week prior to House Calls.  More information will be sent to volunteers after Sept. 1 regarding this additional opportunity.

For those interested in volunteering or learning more about the program, email melorensen@uky.edu by Aug. 31, 2009.