Our Mission

The Department of Residential Life at Bemidji State University is committed to fostering safe, caring, inclusive environments that encourage student learning through academic success, respect, personal development and a sense of responsibility toward our community, our environment and global society.

Our Values

  • Altruism – unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
  • Trust – in ourselves and others.
  • Inclusiveness – recognizing, appreciating and celebrating differences and similarities.
  • Honesty – behaving in accord with stated and implied values and principles.
  • Empathy – understanding others’ feelings or difficulties.
  • Opportunity – providing for development for self and others through involvement.
  • Excellence – always striving toward a further goal, developing, never complacent.
  • Fairness – behavior and attitudes that reflect fair play and openness.
  • Respect – for oneself and the esteem and value of others, environment and community.
  • Love – dedicate self for the purpose of enhancing one’s own or another’s good.
  • Lifelong Learning – pursuit of knowledge to enhance development and competitiveness.
  • Accountability – stewardship of resources and purposeful assessment and practice.

Our Goals

Facilities

  • Share responsibility with our residents for maintaining safe, clean and comfortable facilities.
  • Assess facilities and programs on a continuous basis in order to plan for improvement and growth, and sustainability.
  • Practice fiscal responsibility in managing facilities and resources.

Staff

  • Serve as caring and supportive models of ethical and professional behavior.
  • Serve as advocates for residents with their concerns and act as a resource.
  • Empower staff through interactive training, personal supervision and leadership development.
  • Provide staff with strategies for developing community and meeting the needs of students.
  • Follow a comprehensive staff selection process that is intentional and fair that results in the hiring of outstanding and diverse staff.

Community

  • Partner with students and staff members to develop community expectations that encourage civility, respect for others and property and individual rights and responsibilities.
  • Provide a dining service that offers quality and value.
  • Support our students and the University mission by collaboratively working with faculty and staff to enhance student development and learning.

Academic Success

  • Provide environments that are conducive to student learning and fostering student success.
  • Develop learning opportunities that complement the academic mission of the University.
  • Provide current technologies, programs and facilities that support academic success.
  • Engage in intentional academic intervention and support with professional and peer staff leading to student success.

Student Development

  • Provide resources and support for successful transition to and from the collegiate experience.
  • Support and challenge students to foster autonomy and personal development.
  • Utilize policies, procedures and activities which lead to self-exploration and enhance respect for oneself and others.
  • Encourage student awareness, understanding and appreciation of the diversity of individual backgrounds, beliefs and ideas.
  • Encourage participation in community service and cultural awareness activities to enhance understanding of one’s role in a larger society and the need to contribute positively to it.