This qualitative study employed a constructivist, case study approach to explore how faculty made meaning of their experiences in a newly developed residential college at a large, land-grant research university in the Midwest. Findings revealed that faculty focused on determining how to prioritize the numerous opportunities for involvement while…

No relationship was found between personality type similarity and relationship satisfaction in male college roommates. A sex difference in compatibility factors is suggested. (Author)

Most successful studies of roommate compatibility in residence halls use approaches that match students according to living habits or other factors students view as important. (Author)

Describes factors affecting the development of mutuality of attraction in natural small groups, and tests the hypothesis of the acquaintance process in 41 female residents of three floors of a university dormitory over the course of a year. Two floors showed definite increases in dyadic mutuality over time. (JAC)

Studied the effects of family network therapy on the social climate of freshmen in college dormitories. The University Resident Environment Scale found significant increases in the relationship dimensions of involvement and emotional support for peer network therapy. (Author/JAC)

A comparison of commuting and noncommuting college students indicates that a student's residential context has a significant influence on his relationships with his parents and with his peers, and on his self-esteem. (EB)

These two conference papers from the Biennial Conference on Postsecondary Education for Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing focus on campus life issues for individuals with deafness or hard of hearing. The first paper, "A Customized Residence Hall Experience for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing" (Nancy Kasinski and others), describes…

Children's stories, pajamas, robes, and stuffed animals provide the setting for "story hours," a very successful program in a residence hall setting, that has become a significant support group for students. "Story hours" also provides an ideal setting for exposing students to a variety of thought-providing ideas. (Author)

Those students involved in roommate changes who stayed in a room and those who moved from a room could not be differentiated by any demographic or academic variables. Sex, class level, and GPA were significant predictors of which alternatives students would choose after moving out of a room. (Author)

Describes New Student Welcome Day, an orientation program for freshmen at the University of Maine. Outlines objectives of the three-day program, including assisting students' transition to the university, fostering development of a peer group, creating an atmosphere conducive to favorable attitudes, and reducing anxiety. (JAC)

Grouping by type may increase a sense of community in residence halls. Residence life staff can develop programs that better address the unique needs of these different groups. Students who feel better about their living circumstances have more energy to devote to the intellectual requirements of college. (Author)

Reported is a study to determine whether the homogeneous residential grouping of female prepharmacy students would increase persistence and satisfaction with both the pharmacy curriculum and residence hall living, facilitate peer relationships, and enhance behavioral development. (JMD)

College students' attitudes toward peers with learning disabilities (LD) serving as resident assistants (RAs) were investigated in a study involving 45 students and 24 RAs. Results indicated that, after one semester of interaction with RAs with LD, fellow RAs' attitudes toward LD peers remained favorable and student attitudes became more…

Examined how the preestablished framework of social relationships affect adjustment to the transition from home to a college dormitory. Subjects were 61 female first-year college students. Found that agemate-dominant-type students more easily developed relationships with new agemates and reported fewer difficulties in making the transition than…

Surveyed college students about choice of residence. Results indicated students who chose residence halls felt more positive about their environment because of perceived emotional support and expression. Factors important to offcampus residents included better study atmosphere and new experiences. Suggests these needs be incorporated into…