By Bessie King
With the semester coming to an end and the holidays fast approaching, students are taking a break from finals, papers and shopping to make their residence halls feel more like home.
“We love the holidays and know that this time is about spending time with your family, but it’s also about spending time with your friends who are with you all semester,” said Laura Lee, a middler international business major who decorated her dorm room in 337 Huntington Ave. with help from her two roommates: Sarah Cormiea, a middle bio-chemistry major, and Megan Farquharson, a middler cinema studies major.
The roommates purchased garlands and candy canes to make their room festive.
“We’re going to make cookies and paper decorations, too,” Cormiea said. “It’s always good to decorate because it will make you happy for three weeks before you go home and have the real thing.”
However, some students have come across obstacles in getting their rooms to look more “homey.”
As a result of university safety rules, students are not allowed to hang lights, paper decorations or plastic ornaments that could become a fire hazard.
“I wish I could decorate to keep the Christmas cheer going, but I can’t,” said Martina Skibola, a freshman nursing major who lives in Stetson West. “My RA doesn’t do anything, either, and I wish she would, because it would bring everyone into the spirit even more. I can’t wait to go home.”
These restrictions exist for students’ safety, said Bob Jose, Director of Residential Life. He suggested if students want to make their halls more spirited they can use alternative methods, like getting involved within their buildings.
ResLife encourages students to participate in events throughout the community and enjoy the various programs Resident Assistants (RAs) organize for students. These programs include Christmas card writing for soldiers in Iraq, holiday dinners and toy drives.
“One of the things we feel is important is that as a department we must encourage residents to know they are privileged to be at an institution like this,” Jose said. “They have the responsibility to give back, especially at this time [of the year], and to think about others and how they might lift other’s spirits.”
Recently, staff and residents of West Village E took part in the Angel Tree Program, run by the Salvation Army, which helps bring toys and needs to underprivileged children in Massachusetts.
Residence halls and leased apartments will hold potluck dinners this week for students to celebrate with neighbors.
The Resident Student Association is also involved in the many drives RAs and students organize. If students have programming ideas they are also encouraged to reach their residential staff.
“The staff wants our residents to feel like this is a special time, there will be dinners and special programming and other things to just help them embrace what the holidays are about – peace, giving and care for one another,” Jose said.
To learn about the latest residence hall events and activities, visit www.rsa.neu.edu.
