Welcome to Augustana Residential Life

Residents give a thumbs up to living on campus! The Office of Residential Life is responsible for providing your home away from home. We hope you enjoy exploring all the exciting opportunities we have to offer!

At Augustana first through third year students are required to live in College housing. This may be significantly different than other schools' housing programs, but we have found that on-campus residency enhances your educational experience on many levels. In fact, national studies indicate that students housed on campus tend to graduate within four years, perform better academically, and generally connect better to campus life. And, these studies don't begin to address how you grow personally within our vibrant, dynamic communities.

Our Mission

The Office of Residential Life at Augustana College is committed to taking full advantage of the unique residential living environment to support and enhance the academic experience and encourage self-exploration, development, individual respect, and community responsibility.

Living and Learning in Augustana Housing

Congratulations! You've made an A+ choice to enhance your education at Augustana by living on campus. More than just a place to hang your hat, the residence halls are dynamic living and learning centers providing programs to complement what you will experience in the classroom.

Our main goal is to support the academic mission of the college. We do that by creating a living environment that is conducive to success -- quiet for your academic pursuits, open and friendly, respectful of others, and challenging for your brain.

So what does all this really mean? Well, as a result of living on campus this year we believe that you will learn and grow in the areas listed below.

Cooperation

You will learn how to work cooperatively with others both in and out of the classroom. How? For starters, you'll share a relatively tiny room with another person and that takes a lot of cooperation! You might work with others on your wing to design and order special t-shirts. Your wing may come together and develop a schedule to take turns cleaning up the social lounge. Or maybe you'll do some volunteer work together. All of these experiences will help you when it comes to working in groups or teams for your classes.

Civility

You will learn to discuss and resolve issues in a civil manner. Huh?? In a community of 500 people, conflict is bound to happen. It's not easy and seldom fun; but, we expect that people will deal with problems in a mature, respectful, and civil way. So, try not to yell at your roommate because he drank your last Pepsi or she wore your favorite shirt without asking first. Instead, we want you to resolve the situation quickly and then talk about it calmly the next day when everyone is less frustrated (i.e., "You know, I would prefer that you ask me if I mind before using my things. And I'll be sure to do the same for you.") And don't worry, we have trained staff to help when it comes to practicing this important life skill.

Communication

You will learn enhanced interpersonal communicatioin and relationship skills. It stands to reason that all of this cooperating and civility (see above) will take listening, talking, compromise, and sensitivity to others. Meeting new people and forming friendships will hone your skills so that you will be ready to communicate like a pro both in and out of the classroom.

Connection

You will feel connected to the campus community. We want you to feel like a part of this place. And we're going to help you! Your Community Adviser (CA) will put together lots of activities to help you meet other people, learn about student organizations you can join, hear about ways to volunteer on campus and in the local community, interact with faculty, and much more. Take a chance...go to these programs and make your mark.

Diversity

You will learn to respect people of diverse backgrounds and their values, opinions, and skills. We live in a "mult-everything" society. In college and in life, you will encounter people who look different from you, believe different things than you, and speak differently than you. Living on campus will expose you to new people and new ideas. Learn from these experiences and you will be well served in your future career...and life.

"How could youths better learn to live than by at once trying the experiment of living?" ~Henry David Thoreau

(Special thanks to Southern Illinois Univeristy Edwardsville)