Collegiate Times

Out of this community, special focus is given to first-year students and transfer students with the F6 program.

"The Hokie F6 program is designed to assist first year students through the first six weeks at Virginia Tech. And we are also making an intentional effort to inform our transfer students as well. We realize transfer students can face some of the same challenges that our first year students can face," McClinton said.

Hokie F6 will involve a variety of programs that students can ask their RAs about. The Tunnel is one such program making a return to Hokie F6, an interactive event raising awareness of diversity and existing prejudices threatening multicultural cooperation. Canstruction will be an event centered around Homecoming in which students and RAs can create a structure out of donated goods applying to the Homecoming theme. Toward the beginning of the semester, there will be a campus resource scavenger hunt so that students can learn more about the services provided at Tech.

"We firmly believe that if first-year students have a positive experience the first six weeks they're here, they will have a successful experience at Virginia Tech," McClinton said.

Residence halls include Ethernet connectivity, laundry facilities and housekeeping staff for common areas. Many halls have their own mail facilities or a facility close by for students to pick up packages and letters. Residents of Miles, Pritchard, Ambler-Johnston and New Residence East who want to work out closer to their dorm rooms can register to use the in-hall fitness facilities. All residents have free access to the McComas and War Memorial gyms.

While many students find off-campus housing after their freshman year, several students stay on campus for at least another year.

"You have easier access to many of the services on campus," McClinton said, listing reasons why a student may benefit from on-campus housing throughout their career at Tech. "Our latest satisfaction survey show that students really enjoy living on campus."

The survey, conducted in Spring 2008, showed report high levels of student satisfaction with safety and security and overall value of their residence hall experience.

Residence Life continues to expand, converting the once all-male Pritchard hall into a co-ed residence hall, renovating Ambler-Johnston and opening the latest residence hall, New Hall West. For more information on residence life, visit its homepage at www.studentprograms.vt.edu/housing.

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