Programming

One of the most exciting parts of living in the residence halls at Hood College is attending programming designed and run by the resident assistants (RAs). Each RA puts on a monthly program that highlights a unique topic designed to aid residents in their personal and academic development while creating a fun social environment within the halls. House Councils also offer programs and events which bring the community together and often collaborate with RAs to co-sponsor programs.

RAs are constantly coming up with new and exciting programs, so it is impossible to provide a complete list of offerings. Examples of RA programming offered in Fall 2009 include:

Dodgeball

One of the most challenging things about college can be meeting new people, but attending RA programming is a great place to start. One hugely successful community building program was a dodgeball competition hosted in the Gambrill Gymnasium. Over 175 students showed up to participate and many of them met new people that they still hang out with around campus and in the residence halls. Dodgeball is just one example of programs which foster competition amongst the various residence halls. These are common at Hood, and students are known to develop a great deal of hall spirit and pride.

Where in the Coblentz?

Students from Coblentz Hall met in the lounge where they were given their first clue in a building-wide scavenger hunt. After scouring the floors to discover a variety of resources and helpful locations, the winners were rewarded with an exciting prize for being the first to complete the challenge. This program was enjoyed by both first-year students who were new to Coblentz as well as returners who wanted to reacquaint themselves with the resources of their hall. This is just one example of how RAs use programming as a way to connect students with resources on campus.

Stress Blows

RA programs always strive to combine social and educational components. “Stress Blows” was co-programmed by one RA from Smith Hall and one RA from Shriner Hall. During the program, residents got to express their crafty side by making homemade stress balls while also learning about time management and stress-reduction tips. The best part of this program? Students got to meet not only people from the other floors of their building, but from an entirely different residence hall while also learning about how to be successful at Hood. RAs often incorporate guest presenters from campus offices and community resources into their programs in order to bring education into the residence halls and foster academic success.

About Last Night…

During special campus-wide programming initiatives, RAs put on extra programs beyond their monthly requirements to offer additional educational opportunities for their residents. “About Last Night…” is a program put on in conjunction with Alcohol Awareness Week in which students are invited to the Meyran Hall lounge for “drinks” (root beer) and a fun party. After spending time socializing, the party goers are instructed to look at the bottom of their cups where there are symbols which match with a story about how their night ended after the party. This program provides an opportunity for thinking about the freedom and responsibilities that come along with life in college and takes a realistic look at responsible, healthy decision making.

Frederick Explorers

One of the great advantages of Hood’s location that RAs are able to capitalize on the resource downtown Frederick has to offer. During the “Frederick Explorers” program, an RA from Memorial Hall led a walking tour downtown highlighting favorite restaurants, galleries and shopping areas and acquainting new students with their new neighborhood.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF

Each participant receives a “Trick-or-Treat Box”. The students then carry their boxes to classes, athletic events, club meetings, and meals for three weeks hoping their fellow classmates will donate funds. At the end of October, the money is pooled and sent to UNICEF to benefit others. A responsibility to larger society is a key element of RA programming and it is not unusual for a program to bring the community together to benefit a cause.

Iftar Dinner

Hood College is fortunate to have a wide array of cultures and traditions brought to us by our diverse student body. One way that RAs help residents gain exposures to cultures that differ from their own is by bringing them to campus-wide programs run by some of our culturally affiliated clubs and organizations. The Muslim Student Association holds an annual Iftar Dinner which teaches people about the breaking of the fast (called Iftar) during the month of Ramadan. An RA from Shriner, who helped plan this event, brought a group of her residents to partake in the program and dinner and then led a discussion about the significance of this custom.

Picture Perfect

Have you ever had a first impression about someone that was completely wrong? This program helps residents examine first impressions and explore gender-based assumptions that we make every day. Residents look at pictures of male and female residence hall rooms and share what they assume the people in those rooms will be like. Afterwards, the RAs facilitate a discussion about how gender-based stereotypes impact today’s youth culture.

Germ Bingo

One way that RA programming helps residents to be successful students is by teaching them how to stay healthy. In germ bingo, instead of the traditional letter-number combinations, the bingo boards are covered in different bacteria and virus names. Residents then mark the germs that are called out. Along with the germ names, the RA also shares information about transmission, treatment and tips for wellness. As prizes, items are given away that promote physical health such as hand sanitizer, tea, and tissues.

Campus Life.