The Acronyms of ResLife

Hey incoming RA’s! It’s PRCA Gavin here. We realize that entering this new world of ResLife can be super daunting. How many times have you talked to a returning RA and wondered

 

“Why did they suddenly start rehearsing the alphabet?”

 

Now that you’ve met our PRC team and read over some of the common questions that new RA’s have, let’s break down some of the acronyms of ResLife!

 

If you folks out there are like me, you might not even know what I was talking about as I first entered ResLife!

 

(A quick preface, some rapid-fire translations)

• Programming – events that you plan for residents

 

• Standards – the rules of residence!

• MD (Marine Drive), OC (Orchard Commons), PV (Place Vanier), Tallerosa (Tallwood/Ponderosa), TFF (Thunderbird/Fairview/Fraser).

 

 

Now in no specific order let’s get down to bizniz (too much)?  

 

 

• ResLife (Residence Life) – The organization that you do work for! Residence Life supports and organizes the residences where over 10,000 people live!

• SHHS (Student Housing & Hospitality Services) – The overarching organization which includes ResLife. SHHS also organizes food outlets on campus, the front desk, building services, among many other services at UBC.

• RLM (Residence Life Manager) – Your residence life manager will be a great support to you as your enter this year as an advisor. They will act as your direct supervisor (Upper Year Residences & Orchard Commons) or indirect supervisor (Totem Park/Place Vanier). Additionally your RLM will plan socials for you and your area team.

• AD-RL (Associate Director – Residence Life) – There are two AD-RL’s, one for upper year residences and one for first year residences. Their role is to oversee the RLM team.

• RC (Residence Coordinator) – While RC’s are exclusive to Totem Park and Place Vanier, they will act as the direct supervisor to advisors. Coordinators lead a team of 6-7 advisors and act as a primary support system to helping advisors transition into their roles.

• SA (Senior Residence Advisor) – Lesser used acronym used to denote your semi-supervisors in upper year residences (and Orchard Commons). Their role is to help lead the team, help you in writing documentation, and be a support to you as you transition into your role (in addition to supporting their own residents). Together with your RLM they will act as your support in the role.

• RA (Residence Advisor) – YOU! You hold such an important role within the Residence Life program as you act as the direct communication to residents. Your role is to do programming, supporting your residents, and enforce standards.

• CA (Community Advisor) – Mature student staff that do programming and oversee Acadia Residence.

• RHA (Residence Hall Association) – This is the overarching organization that encompasses your area council. The RHA acts as an advocacy and programming body that ResLife works with to ensure a positive residence experience. Remember to reach out to your area council during training!

• TPRA, PVRA, MDRA, GRA, OCRA, FFRA, TRA, and PCRA are all area councils! See if you can spot your area council here!

• NRHH (National Residence Hall Honorary) – The recognition body within residence. While it is technically a subsidiary within the RHA, this organization is open to Residence Life staff members. Join if you can! Recognition is important!

• AO (Advisor Orientation) – Training for Residence Life staff members. This will happen towards the end of August (it begins on August 20th at 5:00 pm)! Make sure to make the most of this time, because until banquet, this is the only time you will be together with everyone from all residence areas.

• PRC (Programme Resources Center) – A magical place that offers resources for community building and programming.

 

PRCA (Programme Resources Center Advisor) – The people who work at the PRC. Our goal is to make sure the programming aspect of your experience in Residence is as stress free as possible.