Office Location: Bixler Hall, Bottom Floor
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Contact: [email protected] or 203-932-7076
An interview with Becca Kitchell and Lerone Joseph
What can you say about the history of this office?
Originally, the Office of Residential Life was established to manage Bethel Hall, which was the first residence hall at UNH. The university acquired Sheffield, Winchester, and Dunham Halls in the 1980’s, and later had Bixler and Botwinik built. In the last eight years since Becca Kitchell became Associate Director, New Hall and Soundview were built while Ruden, Forest Hills, the Main Street Apartments, Savin Court, and The Regency were acquired.
Who comprises the staff?
Beginning with the administrative staff, Nicole Mcgrath is the Associate Dean of Residential Life, and Becca Kitchell is the Associate Director of Residential Education. Meghan
Ryzdik serves as the Assistant Director of Housing and Operations, and Denise Mackin is the office staff secretary. Recently, two area coordinators were brought on board: Whitney Marlatt to supervise the first-year residence hall areas and Janelle McAllister to supervise the upperclassmen residence hall areas. There are then eight Graduate Resident Directors (RD’s), each of whom is primarily responsible for a residence hall, its residents, staff, and events. Lastly, there are 56 undergraduate Resident Assistants (RA’s) and six Academic Peer Mentors (APMs) who live in the residence halls to provide support to a hall and its residents.
What services does the office provide to students?
The Office of Residential Life (ORL) wears many hats and provides an entire range of services around campus. Primarily, the office is responsible for the residential halls and living areas that the university owns and leases, both on and off-campus. This includes assigning people to the halls, hiring staff to manage the buildings, implementing programs and initiatives to improve the residential experience and handling emergencies as they arrive. However, ORL also manages the meal plan system with Sodexo, handles the student conduct system alongside the Dean of Student’s Office and provides a multitude of other services in coordination with many other offices on campus.
Is there anything else you would like students to know?
The office is hosting an open house on Monday, November 7 from 3: p.m.-5:00 p.m. where students can visit and learn about the many services that ORL offers. People can also like UNH Residential Life on Facebook to receive important updates and information. Lastly, in addition to its stated roles, the Office of Residential Life is committed to the happiness and success of the students in the university, and to that goal welcomes students to come in with any question they may have, whether related to the residence halls or not: “When in doubt, come find us!”
