Getting Involved in Theme Communities

Understanding the Process

Theme Communities follows a student-led, staff-advised format that relies heavily on the entrepreneurial spirit of students to form and run their own communities. Under the guidance of a faculty or staff adviser, student groups will develop their own programming and take part in campus opportunities to create an immersive living and learning experience. Students living in Theme Communities share responsibility for developing a thriving community and meeting community goals. A formal leadership role known as the Theme Program Adviser (TPA) maintains the programming, recruiting, and administrative expectations for the Theme.

Determining Your Theme Community Size

  • Each Theme Community is responsible for selecting and recruiting their own community members. An estimated number of community members is required in order to complete the application. Establishing an alternate list is strongly encouraged.
    • Housing assignments will be based on these estimates, so accurately estimating members committed to living in the block is expected.
    • Within the application, groups will have the opportunity to preference various communities and communicate specific needs related to their housing assignment, such as the need for gender-separate spaces or all-gender housing.
    • In determining a group’s assignment, the organization’s current spaces on campus (i.e. Lounge elsewhere on campus) are taken into consideration.
  • Once a group is accepted, the group is responsible for filling all spaces allotted to them.
    • Communication regarding the room registration process and roster changes will be communicated through the Assignments Team within Residence Life and Housing.
    • Unfilled spaces may result in rescinding the Theme Community offer and releasing spaces for the general room selection process. If an offer is rescinded, students in the group will be required to participate in Housing Selection.
    • TPAs are responsible for completing room registration and communicating with Residence Life and Housing about any concerns related to assignments as soon as possible.
  • Please note that students in Theme Communities are charged normal room rates based on living configuration. Room rates can be found here.

Acceptance into the Theme Community program is based on available space, the quality of the group’s presentation, including the quality of a group’s stated purpose and goals, and whether the group demonstrates an ability to be successful within the Residential Engagement Communities program.

Theme Community Presentations/Interviews

Interview slots are 30 minutes each. The first portion of the interview includes a presentation approximately 10-15 minutes in length. This time is followed by an opportunity for questions, which is led by our Assistant Director of Residential Academic Initiatives and Engagement and any Residence Life and Housing staff that may be present. The presentation and interview should be led by the student identified as the Theme Program Adviser and at least one additional potential member of the community. A computer and projector will be made available, but electronic visual aids are not required. Some form of visual aid or supplemental materials is encouraged.

Presentations should include:
  • Discuss the purpose or mission of the community. Every community needs to have a clear vision of what role it would take within the greater Wake Forest community.
  • Discuss at least three specific goals for the community.  These are goals that the community hopes to achieve throughout the year. Goals can be programmatic or long-term goals, but they must be specific, attainable, and measurable. 
  • Provide a brief action plan for each of the three goals you have described.
  • Discuss your Theme’s Educational Purpose’ – tell us what you and your group members intend to learn or examine by being part of the Theme Community program.
  • Give a brief example of a potential Theme program. Be sure to include any partners or resources you intend to use. 
  • Briefly describe how members are expected to engage in the theme. What will be expected in terms of active participation in programs, activities, and initiatives?

Becoming A Theme Program Adviser

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Have completed at least two (2) semesters of college coursework.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time of application and throughout the assistantship.
  • Be in good standing with the University throughout assistantship (i.e. no disciplinary sanctions pending or currently in effect, including official Residence Life and Housing alcohol warnings). Prior disciplinary actions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

COMPENSATION

  • TPAs receive compensation in the amount of $750 for the full academic year. Payment is contingent upon successful completion of all TPA responsibilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Be responsible for the application and interview process for the following year.
  • Be responsible for communicating information between the group’s members and Residence Life and Housing when necessary.
  • Complete administrative tasks, such as maintaining financial records, as requested by the Residence Life and Assignments team within Residence Life and Housing.
  • Work alongside group members to make progress towards their group’s purpose and goals.
  • Regularly meet with the group’s Faculty/Staff Adviser throughout the semester to discuss the group’s goals and collaborate on events and initiatives.
  • Attend scheduled meetings with Residence Life and Housing staff throughout the year.
  • Complete a monthly report of programs and initiatives (due on the 5th day of every month.)
  • Coordinate programming initiatives and complete program requirements with input from their faculty/staff adviser.
  • Complete at least two programs/events per month. TPAs are encouraged to work with community members and faculty/staff advisers to plan and implement these programs.

Questions?

If you have questions regarding the application process or presentation and interviews, please contact Abbey Rhoads, Assistant Director of Residential Academic Initiatives and Engagement, rhoadsa@wfu.edu