Community

Make yourself at home

The University of Minnesota would be nothing without a thriving and engaged student community, and the same goes for the University’s on-campus housing. No matter what campus building you live in, it should be a place where you feel welcome, respected, and safe.

Housing & Residential Life offers several ways for you to build a strong peer community while making a positive impact in your residence hall or apartment. In addition, your residence director and community advisors are available to provide support and guidance, whenever you might need it.

Meet your community

Expand your network and find your voice by getting involved within your building. Along with regular house meetings, you can create your own housing group, volunteer in sustainability and health advocacy, attend a social justice retreat, and join student boards. There are also paid positions for students who want to be part of the Housing team, ranging from technical support to dining services.

Get Involved

Meet your team

Each of our residence halls and apartment buildings has a dedicated team of full-time and student-peer staff ready to provide support or connect you with services and campus resources. You can learn more about the staff by reviewing the information in the tabs below, and you can contact your building's staff through your building's email or phone number.

Residential Life

Operations

Community Advisors (CAs)

CAs are live-in upper-division student leaders on each floor. They will help you settle into campus life, host House/Floor meetings, and check-in with their residents 1:1. Look to them as a key contact to help you solve problems or find resources.

Residence Director (RD)

Your RD is a full-time professional staff member who works and lives in your building. RDs coordinate all residence programs and services and oversee community advisors. RDs meet with students who may be struggling with aspects of their college experience or those involved in behavioral incidents. Don't hesitate to reach out to them with questions or concerns.

Assistant Residence Director (ARD)

Some buildings also have an ARD, a full-time professional staff member who works closely with student engagement and also meets directly with residents. Centennial, Frontier, Middlebrook, Pioneer, 17th Ave, Territorial, and Sanford/Wilkins all have ARDs.

All RDs and ARDs are available to meet either by appointment or on a walk-in basis. You can also contact them by using your building's email or phone number.

Office Assistants (OAs)

OAs support a building's Information Desk and the Business Operations Supervisor. They work at the Information Desk, and they are available to answer questions, check out items, address problems, and refer students building management other University entities.

You can learn more about what the Information Desk can do for you and check the status of many of these functions using your virtual Info Desk!

Additionally, if you're not sure who to contact, stopping by the Information Desk is a great place to start. They will answer your question or connect you to the right staff member.

Business Operations Supervisor (BOS)

The BOS is a full-time professional staff member responsible for the Information Desk and building business office. They oversee all student desk staff and occupancy-related services such as check-in/out, room keys, reservations, packages, etc.

All BOS staff members are available to meet with students on a walk-in basis or by appointment.

Facility Operations Supervisor (FOS)

The FOS oversees building grounds, custodial work, and maintenance staff. Their teams are made up of dedicated professionals and student workers ready to address concerns with your room or common areas in and around the building.

Submit a Fix It request anytime you need help.

Computer Center Corodinators

Helpful student tech staff can be found in your building's Tech Lounge. They can help you with any technology problems you have while in your building.

Health Advocates

These student volunteers are appointed as a health resource in their residence hall or apartment in partnership with Boynton Health. Ask them for help with health questions and concerns, get connected to campus resources, or ask for health items like cough drops or condoms.

Sustainability Advocates

This volunteer role calls on students to promote, inform, and educate peers on zero waste and sustainable practices within their building in partnership with the University of Minnesota Recycling Program, Office of Sustainability, and Housing.

Other Housing Staff

Central Housing staff are located in Comstock Hall-East, and you can send general questions to the department through the form on the Contact Us webpage.

Other Departments

There are also a variety of University of Minnesota employees who work for other departments that you may see in your building.

Security: The University of Minnesota has its own police and security departments. These employees work for the UMN Department of Public Safety, and they perform rounds and provide emergency response support.
Dining: M Food Co. is the University of Minnesota's campus dining provider. Each residential dining hall has a Food Services Manager who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the facility, and there are a variety of full-time and student employees who work in the dining halls.