Residential Education

Hall Councils should provide opportunities for residents to voice concerns, compliments and suggestions for improving their residential living experience, specifically to their hall/community. Under the guidance of the Hall Council’s Vice President for Residential Advocacy, residents should be encouraged to take ownership of their residential community and suggest ideas for improvement through organized town hall meetings, individual conversations with Residential Education staff and connections to make their residence hall a better place.

Hall/Community Councils will provide an array of programming geared towards the entire residence hall or area. Programs are not meant to replace the individual floor/hall programming efforts of RAs, but rather to supplement them by providing opportunities for residents in the building to get to know each other across floors/halls. Examples of events that may be sponsored by Hall Council would include movie nights, barbecues, talent shows and other programs targeted at gathering residents from across the building/residential area. 

With the creation of Hall Councils, there are additional officer positions and numerous community representative positions. This provides a huge leadership opportunity for all students, including first-years. Additionally, the leadership skills gained in Hall Council will assist in the future. Many Hall Council members move on to other leadership positions on campus in their athletic team, fraternity or sorority, student organization and/or onto student leadership roles such as Residential Adviser, Orientation Assistant and Residential College Fellow. We strive to encourage community development that supports a welcoming, inclusive and encouraging atmosphere marked by openness, understanding and true caring.

We encourage community development that supports intentional interactions between faculty and students both inside and outside of the classroom. Our residential experience supports the academic mission of the university by creating opportunities for learning and academic engagement within the residence hall environment.

We encourage community development that supports the creation and cultivation of meaningful interpersonal relationships. By building a strong community students have a space to express themselves freely and openly. We recognize that social experiences provide excellent opportunities for growth and  which enhance the sense of community in our residence halls and campus communities.

We encourage community development that supports the physical, mental, and emotional health and wellness of our residents. Our residential advisers and staff members are always available to talk, recommend other on campus resources and provide advice when necessary.  We also offer programs throughout the academic year that students may find helpful to managing their physical, mental and emotional health while also learning how to balance their classes and activities and succeed at Bucknell and beyond.

• Lost your key? Locked out? Heading home for break? Want to stay on campus during a break or transition period? Having trouble with your roommate? The policies and procedures outlined below have you covered for these situations — and more. If you have further questions, contact Housing Services or stop by our offices in Vedder Hall.
  Learn more about our Housing Policies and Resources
  
• If you are in need of a room change please refer to our Room Change Process.

• The Office of LGBTQ Resources will work with you to provide the best living situation. If you have questions about your housing assignment contact LGBTQ Services or Housing Services.
  Learn more about Transgender and Gender Neutral Housing
• For International Students, Housing Services is here to help you settle into your new home at Bucknell.
  Learn more about International Student Housing

In order to ensure that students have a fulfilling and safe experience, Bucknell provides a new student handbook every year. Please become familiar with these changes so that you can be sure to comply with them and use them as a guide as you become the best version of yourself at Bucknell.

Whether you are entering your first year or about to be a senior, it's an important to know all the residential living options Bucknell has to offer.

First-year students, regardless of major, can choose to live in any one of our nine Residential Colleges. You'll live in a hall together, go on trips, serve your community and broaden your perspectives. As a sophomore, junior or senior, you can choose to live in a themed residence called an Affinity House. This innovative living experience allows a group of students to reside together in one of our 12 small houses across campus.

You can also choose from traditional residence halls and apartment-style housing — the choice is yours.

Learn more about our On-Campus Living Options

Become a Residential Adviser

Residential Advisers (RAs) are student staff who live among their peers in each residence hall on campus and play a critical role in the growth, development and safety of our students. RAs serve as a role model, resource and referral agent, advocate, policy enforcer, programmer and leader for residents in their assigned area. The RA job is an extraordinary opportunity for leadership and personal development and carries with it challenging responsibilities. RAs will receive training on the roles and responsibilities during August training.

Being an RA is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences you will ever have in college. We hope that you will consider joining our team!

To apply, please email resed@bucknell.edu.

The Office of Residential Education oversees the Inter Residence Hall Association (IRHA) and is a student run organization that programs and advocates for the on-campus residential community. IRHA plans events, programs and community service opportunities for the residential community based on student interests. There are 6 Hall/Community councils and an IRHA executive board. Each Hall/Community Council has a general body consisting of 1-2 representatives per individual community (floor, hall, etc.).

The Bison Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) is an honor society that recognizes the top 1% of student leaders in the residence halls. NRHH awards "of-the-month" (OTM) awards in recognition of excellence within residential students, staff, programming, and communities. NRHH encourages the development and continued commitment to leadership within the areas of recognition, community service, and scholastics on the local, regional, and national levels.

High levels of outdoor humidity can create a challenge in some of our older buildings, whose HVAC systems were not designed to remove the excess moisture in the air, leading to indoor mold growth. Learn about Bucknell's plan for mold prevention and remediation, and what to do if you find mold in your residence, in this FAQ.