Logistics of the First Year Integration "FYI" Program

Given the nearly 500 students in Williamson Hall, we've geared our programming and staff efforts to proactively address common first year student transition issues.  These services are available to all Williamson students.

First Year Programming Curriculum

The Williamson Staff takes great pride in developing educational and social activities geared toward the first year experience.  Students in Williamson can plan on theme weeks to aid in their transition.  Topics will be as follows:

Semester I

  • Week 1: Roommates
  • Week 2: Sexual harassment and rape prevention (SHARRP)
  • Week 3: Getting involved
  • Week 4: Alcohol Awareness
  • Week 5: Academic Success
  • Week 6: Getting to Know Professors
  • Week 7: Diversity
  • Week 8: Floor Wars I
  • Week 9: Floor Wars II
  • Week 10: Registration for Semester II
  • Week 11: Roommates Part II
  • Week 12: Assessment and Feedback
  • Week 13: Finals Prep.
  • Week 14: Winter Celebrations

Semester II

  • Week 15: Academic Strategies and Goal Setting
  • Week 16: Involvement and Leadership
  • Week 17: Identity
  • Week 18: Power and Oppression
  • Week 19: Off Week
  • Week 20: Career/Major
  • Week 21: Alcohol Education
  • Week 22: Off Week
  • Week 23: Healthy Habits – Exercise and Nutrition
  • Week 24: Floor Wars
  • Week 25: Registration and Advising
  • Week 26: Between Hall Room Selection
  • Week 27: Student Activism
  • Week 28: Maximizing your Summer
  • Week 29: End of the Year Reflection
  • Week 30: Finals Prep.

 

Key Players

 

Tom Levesque, Hall Director

 

Resident Assistants

 

Staff at the Robert J. Connors Writing Center

 

Office of First Year Programs/ Orientation Office

What's going on
around here...

Service Partnership

Williamson Hall has formed a community service partnership with the Mill Pond Center for the Arts. It is a relatively new partnership however, students have participated in service opportunities ranging from working with area youth to working on the expansive property of the 350 year old historic house that Mill Pond Center operates out of. Not only is it a beautiful piece of the Durham community, it is a cultural gem of the town. You can visit their site at: http://www.millpondcenter.org/

Picture of Williamson Hall Students

Academics

Academics are an integral part to the college experience. For some first year students managing class attendance, homework assignments and exams can be a challenge they did not count on. In Williamson we were extremely proud to acknowledge a large number of students at our first Academic Achievement luncheon hosted by Judy Spiller and the First Year Programs Office. Williamson had 95 students earn GPAs above 3.5. We have realized that we have some very dedicated and talented students in our hall and have been ecstatic to recognize them for their academic achievements this past fall.

Picture of Williamson Hall Students

Programs

We have had some fabulous hall programs this fall and many more to come this spring semester. To date we have had over 162 social programs. Our amazing hall council, made up of about 15 committed Williamson Hall residents have brought in Paul Ramsay a certified hypnotist, organized an in-hall coffeehouse, sponsored a chem.-free Halloween Dance party, Floor Wars (an intra-floor competition) Casino Night, and a Rafting Trip to the Kennebec River in Maine . This semester Love in an Elevator (an educational program about sex and relationships), The Roommate Game is planned for after spring break, and several Relay For Life teams are being organized.

 

Picture of students on a rafting trip

 

FYI Help Desk

Williamson Hall has a desk in the lobby which is staffed seven days/week from 7:00 - 10:00 pm. At the desk, students can get everything from help with directions, to information about activities and events happening around campus, to the ability to purchase study supplies like pens and highlighters.
Students will never have a problem with finding a Resident Assistant in the evening. Hall Council members have also volunteered to staff the FYI desk and have facilitated Hall t-shirt sales and Valentine's Day flower sales. It is a popular evening hang-out spot for many students and staff. You can always find a snack, a resource or a friendly conversation here.

"Quotes"
"I have definitely had a good time here at Williamson. The RA's have been helpful with anything from help with professors and classes, down to events going on around campus, as well as personal issues as well. I like how they are involved, even though sometimes it may be a little invasive. There always seem to be things to do in Williamson, or through Williamson, such as socials or comedians or other fun things. The casino night was probably my favorite night, although floor wars were very fun as well. Williamson helped me get acclimated to not only college, but the whole idea of being away from home. Overall, Williamson has had a great impact on my transition to UNH. " -Grant Ballantyne

"I love everything about living in Williamson. Starting from Day One I have met so many awesome people on my hall and on other floors. I met all of my best friends here, and the girls on my hall are so supportive and fun- we always hang out together. There is always something to do, and there are so many great people- I honestly adore living here." - Marie Coyle

"I have loved so much about living in Williamson this year. Living with all freshmen has its obvious advantages in that all of the residents are on the same page; looking for friends, getting accustomed to the university, and surviving the stresses of the many new challenges. Before coming to UNH, people warned me not to stay in a freshmen dorm because of the freshman "all parties all the time" mentality. I have found that concern to not materialize in this dorm. The active RA's and Hall Council have both planned and attended many events that are substance-free, and a lot of fun. On a structural level, the unique "L" shape of the room makes it seem almost like two singles joined together, allowing each roommate to have his or her own individual area. I have friends who are considering coming to UNH next year, and I have strongly recommended living in Williamson Hall to all of them!" - Lizzie Bartholomew

"When I first came to Williamson, I had a hard time adjusting at first, but I threw myself into activities such as the Williamson Hall Council and Student Senate, where I got to meet some amazing people. Then after floor wars, I became really close with some of the girls on my floor and it has just gotten better from there. Our door is always open now, and everyone is just running back and forth to each room. I really love living in a freshman dorm, it's such a great experience." - Ashley Boisvert

"As freshmen, many students are uneasy about entering college. One of the only comforts some may have is knowing that there are others in the same position. Williamson Hall offers a chance for incoming freshmen to get settled in and comfortable with their new classmates. In my personal experience, I was able to meet a lot of people who had the same major and were in the same classes as me. Williamson is a great hall to start your college career in, and a perfect place to meet new people." -John Condon

"Living in Williamson is an experience I will never forget. I have met some of the greatest friends ever and I will never forget them. I formed a close relationship with all the girls on my floor (including my roommate) and my RA. I would recommend all incoming freshmen request Williamson as their freshman dorm because everyone is going through the same adjustments, it will make life much easier." - Meagan Puchlopek

"Williamson was the best decision I made when it came from making the transition to college. You come here and immediately make friends that, just like you, are new to this whole "college experience" thing. Everyone's really chill and I can't say how much living here helped me socially and academically." - Evan Bonney

"Living in Williamson Hall my first year has been fabulous. All the students, RA's and faculty are a very diverse, sincere group of people. The community in Williamson is extremely friendly and open. I have found that the dorm is not only a great place to do homework and study, but a place where you can meet new and awesome people and form lasting relationships due to the warm environment and atmosphere. All in all, residing in Williamson will only be of great benefit to students in the future." -Sarah Hull

A Bit of History...

Dean Williamson, the namesake of Williamson hall came in for a visit with students on Wednesday February, 16, 2005.  He talked about his experience at UNH and shared memorabilia with the group photographed together

   

More information about Williamson:

About the Williamson
Hall Director

Williamson Hall: Floor Plans, hall dimensions, room capacity, and a virtual tour (Department of Housing).

Facilities-at-a-Glance (Department of Housing).

Williamson slideshow

2007-2008 Williamson Hall Staff

Picture of Williamson Hall Staff



More Information:
Kristin Carpenter, Assistant Director of Residential Life
Beth Libby, Residence Hall Director, Williamson Hall

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