Department Programs

The Department of Residential Life supports and assists in developing programming in the residence hall and apartment communities beyond the floor and hall programs put on for residents on campus. 

Life Skills 411 is designed for and offered to all junior and senior women at the College of St. Benedict.  The intent of the program is to provide opportunities to assist these women in developing or fine tuning life skills which will ease their transition to life after CSB.  Examples of programs that have been done in the past include:  understanding taxes, cooking basics, apartment hunting and job search strategies.  At least two Life Skills 411 programs are offered to junior and senior women each month, and once a semester a program themed "Unheard Voices" is put on with a focus on diversity. Additionally, when a student attends 4 programs, she is awarded a reference book with many helpful tips and strategies for life after college.  After a student has attended 7 programs, she receives a second similar and equally useful reference book.

The Leadership Involvement Team, better know as L.I.T. is a series of programs and leadership opportunities designed to get students living in the residence halls involved in an active way in their community. Basically L.I.T. is programming for residents planned by residents in each residential area. As housing at the College of Saint Benedict is assigned according to students cohort group in the residence halls,  L.I.T. is able to focus on programming that targets each cohort group's current place in their college journey.  L.I.T.  offers leadership opportunities for first year and sophomore women who want to be involved in shaping their first residential and gain leadership and programming skills in the process. 

Topics are chosen each year based on research and the specific needs of the residents.  The program development is guided by utilizing the following focuses: academic engagement, awareness of campus programs, skill development or refinement, community connections, personal development, and leadership.  Past programs have included activities and presentations related to study abroad exploration, time & stress management skills, leadership opportunities, ethical dilemmas, Benedictine values, balance, community building, as well as career/major exploration.

The Health and Wellness Community  is a living community in a one of our first year residence halls.  The Health and Wellness Community fosters a residential environment that intentionally supports and explores the health and wellness of the mind, body, and soul.  This experience is intended for students who want to live in a community with others who share common interests, goals and values and are committed to holistic health of the mind, body and soul.  This is an opportunity for students to pursue a higher level of health and wellness in all aspects of their lives.  Students who select to live in the Health and Wellness Community are expected to have a commitment to a substance-free lifestyle. Each year the participants in the first year community are invited to apply as a intentional living community for the following year allowing them to continue their communal living experience into their sophomore, junior and senior years.

The Global Initiative Group (GIG) is  comprised of sophomores, juniors and seniors who work together to create their own learning/living community with a focus on issues of social justice, global awareness, and service. Together, residents will create goals and identify the type of experiences, activities and opportunities they hope to have during the academic year. The broad social justice, global awareness, and service focus will allow the living group to decide for themselves what specific issues to explore. GIG is also an instrumental part of planning for the annual Festival of Cultures celebration on campus in partnership with the Cultural Affairs Board, International Student Programming and other campus groups.