In line with Providence College's ongoing mission of fostering community and responsibility, the Office of Residence Life has initiated a program that brings service opportunities directly to the residence halls.

This year, each resident assistant is responsible for overseeing a year-long service project in which his or her hall's residents will participate. Each month, the resident assistants are required to provide a specific opportunity to work on a project related to their broader service goal, such as homelessness or children's issues.

These initiatives have taken a variety of forms: distributing food to the homeless of Providence through Breadlines--a local, church-sponsored program--, writing and performing skits for pediatric oncology patients at a local hospital, and tutoring children at the Smith Hill Library, among other examples.

According to Dr. Steven A. Sears, dean of residence life, the effort is designed to promote "morally responsible living" among the students of the College.

"The goal of these service projects is to have students participate in community service, raise their awareness of the local community, and encourage students to have a sense of moral responsibility for their community--local or global," he said.

"A key part of our mission is preparing our students to be responsible and productive citizens. These yearlong community service projects foster a community that incorporates the many aspects of lifelong learning and community involvement," said Sears. "We believe that immersing oneself in the surrounding community teaches lessons that cannot be taught in the classroom."

- Joe Miller '10