Life in Our Halls
Life in Our Halls
The residence halls are our Blue Hens' home at UD. We provide students with different opportunities to help them make connections with others and support their personal growth and development. Students can learn through workshops, programs, and even by meeting with their RA individually or as a group.
Student Leadership & Service Awards (SLSA)
The Student Leadership & Service Awards (SLSA) are an opportunity for Residence Life and Housing to recognize accomplishments and contributions that our students make within their residence hall communities. Student Leadership and Service Awards also celebrate all the exciting programs and work our students complete throughout the year. All students and staff are welcome to submit nominations. Students can be nominated for their residence hall contributions for nine different award categories!
Nominations are open until March 7, 2025
SLSA Awards Categories:
This award recognizes the efforts of an individual, group, or initiative that has advocated to positively impact change within the residence halls. The change efforts and/or initiative was one that reinforced and represented the needs and voices of the community. This award highlights actions carried out through implementation of awareness campaigns, programming, and/or community initiatives that impact students within the residence hall community. An individual or initiative nominated for this award should have identified community needs and contributed in a positive manner to the resolution of that need.
- Nominations may range anywhere from 350 to 600 words.
This award recognizes programs and events that are student initiated and implemented in the halls with community building in mind. The nomination should demonstrate how the program has had an impact on a residence hall community, as well as how the program was planned and implemented by students.
- The nomination statement should summarize the scope and impact of the program on the residential community and how the program was planned and implemented (see above description for more information).
- Nominations may range anywhere from 350 to 800 words in length
This award recognizes an individual who has served in a leadership capacity in their current Neighborhood Empowerment Team and has demonstrated leadership towards the NET goals and missions above and beyond what is expected. The nomination should include detailed examples of their contribution to the floor; how the individual has worked towards creating a sense of community on their floor; how the individual has motivated others in the floor community to participate in NET through SIP's, Community Wide Programs, Spirit Week, and more. Student and staff testimonials are encouraged in nomination letters. Multiple leaders may be recognized for this award Student and staff testimonials are encouraged in nomination letters. Multiple leaders may be recognized for this award.
- This nomination should include a summary of the scope and impact of the leader on their residential community and leadership in fostering a strong NET community (see above description for more information).
- Nominations may range anywhere from 350 to 800 words in length.
This recognition highlights individuals who have had a positive impact on the residence hall experience of another student or students. This award should recognize a resident who has helped make living on campus an experience characterized by kindness, friendship, personal growth, and/or learning. Multiple students may be recognized for this initiative.
- Nominations should include support detailing this resident’s contribution(s) to individuals or the community.
- Nominations may range anywhere from 350 to 600 words.
This award recognizes the efforts and contributions of a student in advancing the UD commitment to embrace, enhance and celebrate diversity in their floor, building, and/or area. The nominee should have a) demonstrated respectful and inclusive ways of being when interacting with others in their floor, building, and/or area; b) promoted, enhanced, and implemented an event that promoted perspective building amongst residents c) advocated for inclusion of underrepresented groups where students feel a sense of belonging in the floor, building, and/or area.
- The nomination statement should summarize the scope and impact of the individual’s contributions to the community.
- Nominations may range anywhere from 350 to 800 words in length.
This award recognizes any community: floor, multiple floors, building, complex, Special Interest Housing or Living Learning communities whose individual members have been significantly involved in the growth and development of the community. The nominated communities also may have made contributions to the larger complex and/or University community. The nomination should include detailed examples of resident involvement in the community (this may include information about NET activities); benefits to individuals in the community; and contributions to complex and University communities. Up to two awards may be given.
- The nomination statement should summarize the involvement of community members and any significant contribution to the larger complex or University community. This nomination should capture why this community is unique to other communities throughout campus.
- Nominations may range anywhere from 350 to 800 words in length.
- At least one statement of support from a staff member is required and should focus on personal knowledge of the nominated community and the community’s contributions to the residence halls. Multiple statements of support will be accepted and each statement can range from at least 1 paragraph to 1 page (350 words minimum).
This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to their community above and beyond what is typically expected of residential students. This award should recognize a resident who is a great role model, and has positively impacted the residential experience of those around them. Nominations should include support detailing this resident’s involvement in complex activities; change they have initiated in self, peers, or the community; and/or other contributions this student has made to their community. Up to two awards will be given (one for First-Year area and one for Upper Division).
- The nomination statement should highlight the impact and contributions to their community outside of formal or elected leadership roles (see above description for more information).
- Nominations may range anywhere from 350 to 800 words in length.
- At least one statement of support from a staff member is required and should focus on personal interactions and observations of the nominee. Multiple statements of support will be accepted and each statement can range from at least 1 paragraph to 1 page (350 words minimum).
This award recognizes a student who embodies the Division of Student Life Values of Amplifying Student Voices, Pursuing Equity, Transformational Collaboration, Learning & Innovation, and Integrity & Respect. Read more about these values on our About Us page. As the Division of Student Life pursues excellence, these values guide our interactions, our decision-making, and ultimately the collective culture we build that enables Residence Life and Housing to achieve our vision and mission. This award should recognize an individual who exemplifies one or more of these values through their contributions in their residence hall or community.
- The nomination statement should include support detailing this individual’s ability to embody the Division of Student Life Values through their actions towards others and within their floor or building communities. Please articulate how the student demonstrates a connection to one or more of those values.
- Nominations may range anywhere from 350 to 600 words.
This award recognizes an individual, organization, or department whose work and efforts to collaborate have contributed to enhance the residence hall experience through day to day interactions with students in the residence halls.
- The nomination statement should address how the nominee has made an impact through their work with students and what outstanding contributions they have made to the floor or building community (examples include but are not limited to, Custodial Staff, Facilities, Dining, Disability Support Services, Student Health Services, Counseling Services Staff).
- Nominations may range anywhere from 350 to 600 words.
“Contributing to my community allowed me to grow my connections with my peers and strengthen my friendships!"
Good Neighbor Award Winner
Congratulations to the 2024 SLSA award winners!
- Advocacy Spotlight Award: Daniel Albanese
- Citizen of the Year: Jordyn Stelma & Ella Babcock
- Community of the Year: Russell E2
- Connection to RLH Mission & Values: Nora Charles
- Exemplary Partnership: Raymond King (South Academy Hall Custodial)
- Good Neighbor Award: Sir William Bauer, Gage Anthony Walker, Angelina White, Jared Miller, Carly Martin, Oluwadamilola Babalola, Jessica Sitlinger, Giavanna Scaletti, James Jeffers & Inara Dennis
- Inclusive Leader Award: Peyton Frazier
- NET Leader of the Year: Christian Hermann, Adyn Isemann, Tyla Kent, Hana Frey, Serena Ballah, Hawa Kallon, Ella Nilsen, Jessica Castro-Sandoval, Meghan Rydell, Sydney Sapienza, Nicole Rinaldi & Brady Patackis
- Student Initiated Program: Cory Yorkovic & Samantha Pelletier
“I was really nervous to meet new people when I started college, but I knew that I loved to plan events and bring people together. Once I knew about NET and SIPs I was able to use what I was good at and enjoyed to bring the community together and meet new people! I was able to meet people of all different backgrounds with different hobbies and passions that opened my eyes to see all that community living had to offer. I tried new things and made new friends by putting myself out there.”
NET Leader of the Year Award Winner and RAILE Gold Certificate Recipient
Blue Hen Support
We're devoted to supporting Blue Hens in their academic, personal and professional success, and these in-hall programs help us do just that.
In-Hall Programs
RA Catch Ups are one-on-one conversations with your RA about your experience at UD so far and your goals for life after UD. Our RAs are trained to help students get connected with resources on campus to support students through their time at UD.
Your RA will first reach out during Move-in and again later in the semester to schedule a Catch up, but they are always there if you need them. Connect with your RA or Residence Hall Coordinator for more info or if you want to meet with them.
Roommate Goals is a helpful tool to help you and your roommate(s) discuss shared spaces, develop expectations, and proactively talk about how you'll handle conflict.
Contact your RA or Residence Hall Coordinator for more information.
Get Involved: RA Catch Ups: youtube.com/watch?v=O4YnBo1fPaM
CULTURAL CELEBRATION SERIES
Each month, a new culture is featured and celebrated in the residence halls. Students can also learn more about cultural events on-campus and access diversity, equity and inclusion resources from our campus partners.
Affinity Months
September 15 through October 15 we celebrate Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month which is an opportunity to learn about the histories, cultures, and contributions of Latinx and Hispanic leaders.
Although this month is nationally referred to as "Hispanic Heritage Month" we recognize that there is indeed a historical difference between the identities "Hispanic" (a person of Spanish-speaking descent) and "Latino/a/x" (a person from Latin America or descended from Latin Americans).
This time period was chosen because it marks the anniversary of five countries' independence: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. It is followed by Mexico's Independence Day on Sept. 16 and Chile's Independence Day on Sept. 18.
This month we want to recognize and celebrate the history and contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with us by diving into the history and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community and all their intersections! In 1994, a coalition of education-based organizations in the United States designated October as LGBTQ+ History Month. During this month, LGBTQ+ communities celebrate National Coming Out Day on October 11 and the first LGBTQ+ March on Washington, which took place on October 14, 1979 and nationalized the fight for LGBTQ+ equity. While we recognize that there is progress around LGBTQ+ justice, we also know that homophobia and transphobia still exist and that our work is not done.
In 1990, Congress passed a joint resolution designating November as National Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month or, commonly referred to as, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The resolution was introduced by Hawaii Senator Daniel Inoyue and Congressional delegate Eni Faloemavaega of American Samoa.
Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month celebrates the broad history of cultures, traditions, and contributions of American Indigenous Persons, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians are indigenous to the land that we now know as the United States.
Living Land Acknowledgement
The University of Delaware occupies lands vital to the web of life for Lenape and Nanticoke, who share their ancestry, history, and future in this region. UD has financially benefited from this regional occupation as well as from Indigenous territories that were expropriated through the United States land grant system. European colonizers and later the United States forced Nanticoke and Lenape westward and northward, where they formed nations in present-day Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada. Others never left their homelands or returned from exile when they could. We express our appreciation for ongoing Indigenous stewardship of the ecologies and traditions of this region. While the harms to Indigenous people and their homelands are beyond repair, we commit to building right relationships going forward by collaborating with tribal leadership on actionable institutional steps.
National Disability Awareness Month is typically celebrated in March, but the Residence Life and Housing celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities which is celebrated on December 3.
In 1992, the first International Day of Disabled Persons (later renamed to International Day of Persons with Disabilities) was proclaimed by the United Nations to celebrate, learn and take action to support equal human rights.
Black History Month was officially recognized in 1976 with a call to the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Today, Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society; from activists and civil rights pioneers such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Rosa Parks to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture and more.
Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California. The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978. The organizers selected the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. The movement spread across the country as other communities initiated their own Women’s History Week celebrations the following year. In February 1980, the first Presidential Proclamation was issued declaring the Week of March 8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week. Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proclamation designating the month of March as Women’s History Month.
Celebrating the rich and diverse culture and contributions of the diverse population of Arab Americans, National Arab American Heritage Month has been observed during the month of April since 2017.
An estimated 3.7 million Americans have Arab roots, according to the Arab American Institute, with ancestries traced to 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
In 2023, a historic proclamation was issued recognizing National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) for the month of April 2023.
In June of 1977, U.S. Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Mineta of California introduced a resolution to establish Asian Pacific Heritage Week, to be celebrated each year at the beginning of May. Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga of Hawaii introduced similar legislation in the Senate. The following year, a joint resolution was signed to establish the annual event, and the first celebration took place in May of 1979. This date was chosen because two important anniversaries occurred date: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in America on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on May 10, 1869. In 1992, the month of May was designated as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The annual celebration honors the many contributions and accomplishments of Asian Americans, Pacific Islander Americans, and Native Hawaiians.
Neighborhood Empowerment Teams (NET)
NET inspires all members of the floor to contribute to and support the community by maintaining a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. Become a leader on campus by being a NET Captain! It's a great opportunity for students to gain leadership skills within a smaller community. Connect with your RA or RHC if you are interested in becoming a NET Captain, contact your RHC.
Get Involved: Neighborhood Empowerment Team: youtube.com/watch?v=a9MTx_HNKm0
Common Questions
NET Captains are the student leaders of their community that work, in collaboration with their RA, to build a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment on their floor. They have the opportunity to host Student Initiated Programs (SIP), encourage other students to join committees, and advocate for the needs of those who live on their floor.
NET Challenges are monthly activities for community bonding and to help students connect to University, community, and floor events! Each month, a new challenge will be revealed and floor communities are expected to collaborate to achieve the goal of the challenge. RA staff will announce the challenges during community meetings and work with the NET Captain(s), NET Floor Representatives, and members of the floor community to implement the Challenge.
Student Initiated Programs
Are you looking for an opportunity to host an event for your community? Check out our Student Initiated Programs (SIPs)! Hosting a Student Initiated Program is a great way for you to have a positive impact on your community and grow in your own skills. Funding (up to $40) for this program is available through an easy request process. If you’d like to plan and host your own event, talk to your RA or Residence Hall Coordinator.
Get Involved: Student Initiated Programs: youtube.com/watch?v=JZ-7XwA2haY
Before You Host a Program
Log into your My Housing Portal and submit a Program Request in the Program Requests and Roommate Agreements section.
Program requests must be completed at least one week prior to your intended program date.
Not sure where to start? Talk with your Residence Hall Coordinator or Graduate Hall Director!
After You Host a Program
After you have hosted your event, fill out the Post Event Form to tell us how your event went and get reimbursed for your program. Post Event Forms must be completed within one week of the date your program was held.
Resident Student Association
The Resident Student Association (RSA) represents students living in on-campus residence halls and apartments at the University of Delaware. Our mission values an inclusive, engaging, diverse, and valuable residence hall experience for all students. We are invested in providing opportunities and resources that empower resident students to lead communities to their full potential Through programming, advocacy, and the mutual support of all our fellow students, we have the ability to make the residence halls a home.
To get involved, please email abbyrenz@udel.edu or talk to your RA!
Follow your community on Instagram!
| Building Name | Instagram Account |
| George Read | @GeorgeReadRLH |
| Redding | @LouisReddingRLH |
| Gilbert | @GilbertRLH |
| Russell | @RussellRLH |
| Smyth | @SmythRLH |
| Lane & Thompson | @lanethompsonRLH |
| South Academy | @SouthAcademy |
| Caesar Rodney | @CaesarRodneyRLH |
| James Smith, Thomas McKean | @SmithMcKean |
| Ray Street | @RayStRLH |
| North Central | @NorthCentralRLH |
| South Central | @SouthCentralRLH |
| Independence | @IndyRLH |
| Apartments | @RLHApartments |