Department of Housing and Residence Life Mission Statement
Mission:
The Mission of Housing and Residence Life at WSSU is to provide a Residential Experience that fosters a holistic-learning atmosphere which challenges a community of diverse scholars while encouraging collaboration, accountability, responsibility, service, and leadership preparing our students to engage in the global community.
Instrumental to the success of our mission is to provide:
- Safe, Secure, and Comfortable living conditions which are conducive to the pursuit of academic excellence
- Programs that address cultural, physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and intellectual development of our students
- Technology that enhances intellectual pursuits and student success
- An Awareness of the benefits and needs associated with community living
Vision:
Winston-Salem State University residence halls operate on a "living and learning" concept. Here, students are challenged to improve interpersonal relationship skills. Students are also challenged to live peacefully and to interact with others from different cultural, regional, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our students enjoy a healthy range of adult freedom while carrying out their responsibilities at Winston-Salem State University.
We believe that:
- Service to the students at Winston-Salem State University is our highest priority. We serve by preparing our students to be tomorrow's leaders.
- Winston-Salem State University is committed to excellence, embracing those programs and activities that we can deliver at an exemplary level.
- A community of learners and scholars is built around high expectations. We expect all members to use their unique talents to make WSSU a better place.
WSSU Wellness Wheel
The Wellness Wheel is a framework which can be used to organize, understand, and balance human growth and development. Within the Wheel, individuals learn to appreciate themselves as they are today, and begin to build the experiences and traits that will lead them to the persons they choose to become. Residential Life believes the Wellness Wheel is a great tool for developing the whole person. Based off of original student development work at Wisconsin Steven’s Point University the wellness wheel concept is a great tool. Applying lessons from the classroom as well to personal experience will allow our students to understand themselves and how they play a part in the larger community.
Cultural
Cultural Wellness involves recognition, acceptance and appreciation of racial, ethnic, cultural, and lifestyle differences. Development in this dimension includes seeking opportunities to understand and appreciate the differences and similarities between people. This is accomplished through observation and interaction with others different from oneself, as well as experiencing awareness through the arts. A healthy person is not exploitative of others and is tolerant of alternative orientations. The world is growing smaller, technology making things faster, developing cultural awareness is key to being a global citizen.
Physical
Physical Wellness involves maintaining the body at an optimum level of functioning. The physically well person exercises regularly, follows a healthy eating plan, utilizes health care resources, and practices appropriate self-care. A basic aspect of this dimension is avoiding the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and substance abuse. It focuses on making informed choices and taking responsibility for one’s actions concerning your body. Physical Wellness includes maintaining a high level of physical energy. Only if we are at our best can we be our best.
Emotional
Emotional Wellness emphasizes the awareness and acceptance of personal feelings. It involves learning to express them appropriately while being sensitive and responsive to the emotions of others. Important components are having the skills to deal effectively with stress, create psychological energy, and be emotionally self-sufficient when necessary. A healthy person is not exploitative of others and is tolerant of alternative orientations. Emotional Wellness includes the capacity to put the past in perspective and plan for the future, while still living in the present.
Social
Social Wellness involves balancing the needs of self with the needs of others. Development in this dimension includes respecting the rights of others and contributing to the common welfare of the community. Socially healthy people experience the benefits of being alone, being with others, and being in a crowd. They also strive for harmony in relationships but recognize that disagreements are inevitable and need not destroy friendships.
Spiritual
Spiritual Wellness involves a search for meaning in life. This journey includes struggling with the issues of origin and destiny, learning to make moral decisions, and formulating a basic philosophy of life. One
of the results is learning how to experience joy and peace in daily activities. Spirituality does not only pertain to a church or religious denomination, but also what makes up an individual's inner core. Development in this dimension also involves an increasing consistency between values and behaviors.
Intellectual
Intellectual Wellness contains the elements of curiosity and creativity. It involves thinking logically, distinguishing facts from opinions, making appropriate decisions without complete information, and recognizing that answers often generate more questions. As a liberal arts institution our residential students will be challenged to argue factually and have the ability to discuss and appreciate broad topics.
