I have high hopes that living in our residence halls will be a positive experience for your son or daughter. Our in-hall staff will make individual contact with your student a priority. In addition they will offer a range of educational and social opportunities right in the residence hall. We will also do all we can to help your student become academically engaged as well as positively involved in the UNH and Durham community. I ask that you help us in promoting these positive avenues of involvement. One of our biggest challenges is dealing with misbehavior by a smaller percentage of our students. I hope, as I know you do, that yours will not be among this group. We are committed to creating an environment that supports the academic mission of UNH. As such, we strictly enforce alcohol and drug policies and often give very severe penalties for these and other serious violations. As I said during my speech at orientation, living in the residence halls is a privilege, not a right. Your student received a letter from me on their bed as they moved in earlier today. That lengthy letter outlines our expectations and very clearly indicates that they might be evicted if they choose to violate our alcohol or drug policies. That message will be reinforced tonight and this weekend at their first floor and hall meeting. Here are some highlights of that letter and what we will share with them.

I urge that you work with us to reinforce the strict stance we take regarding behavior. Our goal is to develop a positive community. Most of our time will be spent in such positive pursuits. Our staff plans numerous non-alcohol social activities every weekend at UNH, as well as during the week. Your help is much appreciated in promoting these options for your son or daughter. Please feel free to email me at scott.chesney@unh.edu or phone me at 603-862-1870 should you wish to discuss anything related to the residence halls or your son or daughter. Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

Scott Chesney
Director of Residential Life