Penn State Altoona Student Affairs Mission Statement
The mission of the Division of Student Affairs at Penn State Altoona is to provide students with the services and developmental opportunities to challenge, support, and enhance their overall educational experience as they become increasingly active and responsible members of their communities.
Office of Residence Life Mission Statement
Residence Life is committed to the development of a safe and inclusive living-learning community which fosters academic, social, cultural, and personal growth. Our initiatives and services are infused with the values of respect and responsibility for self, others, and the Penn State community.
Vision
Residence Life at Penn State will be a premier living-learning community that is recognized for innovation and excellence.
Educational Priority
Residence Life plays an essential role in the education of Penn State students. Specifically, we connect their in-class academic experiences to their experiences in the residence halls. Furthermore, we have established an Educational Priority that outlines our commitment to facilitating learning beyond the classroom. Our Educational Priority is built on the principles of "Respect and responsibility."
Our Educational Priority is to enable residents to develop respect and responsibility for themselves and their communities. We strive to create dynamic learning communities where students have the opportunity to explore their identities and system of beliefs, connect their experiences alongside those of others, and build the skills necessary to become involved members of the Penn State community and society at large.
Residence Life Curricular Learning Goals
Curricular learning goals describe categories of skills and behaviors necessary for residents to contribute to a safe and inclusive living-learning community. These goals represent the core curriculum guiding the development of specific learning outcomes and activities in our residence halls. The narrative description of each learning goal articulates how the values of respect and responsibility are reflected in these actions:
- Equity and Inclusive Community: Feeling included in the community is crucial for students to develop a sense of belonging. Students promote inclusivity in their community by choosing to interact with others respectfully. Furthermore, students who make positive change in their community take responsibility for respectfully confronting others whose behavior is detrimental to students’ inclusion in the community.
- Conflict Resolution: Resolving conflicts is important in maintaining a safe and inclusive living-learning community. Students who resolve conflict respectfully explore multiple strategies of conflict resolution and utilize resources available to them beyond themselves. Furthermore, they take responsibility for their own actions which may have contributed to the conflict.
- Community Expectations: Students who understand the impact their behaviors have on the community know and respect the Student Code of Conduct, Housing Contract terms and conditions, and other University policies that set expectations in their communities. They are able to articulate how their choices can affect themselves and others. Furthermore, they take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences of their choices.
- Bystander Intervention: All members of a community have a role in maintaining a safe environment. Students who take responsibility for the safety of their community and its members are active bystanders. Additionally, they respect the decision of others to engage in bystander intervention.
