Programming
What's That??
Programming
Programming is what R.As and PAs organize or create for the residents. As an R.A at UTEP, they are responsible for organizing 4 Active Programs and creating 8 Passive Programs whereas PAs are required to organize 8 Active Programs and 4 Passive Programs. The goals of these programs can differ from program to program but are usually aimed to help the residents become aware of what resources are available to them or can reach a form of social or educational goal. Active Programs usually take place where a large amount of residents can gather and Passive Programs usually take place on the floors the R.As are responsible for.
Active Programs
Active Programs are programs that have the residents participate in fun activities with different educational goals. These programs can bring resources to the residents so they may learn what is available to them as students at UTEP. Active Programs can are not limited to just making the residents aware of their resources, but can also teach important skills to further develop them into strong and independent adults such as learning how to cook without wasting too many ingredients. The biggest thing about Active Programs is to build the community that is present in the Residence Halls. It's a way for residents to take a break from studying or from being bored in their apartments, and get to know each other and realize that Res. Life is full of people from different walks of life whether it would be people from different parts of the city, state, country, or even the world. Active Programs are meant to not only teach skills and show what resources are available, but to bring everyone together so they can have fun together.
Passive Programs
Passive Programs have the same educational goals as Active Programs. The key difference is Passive Programs do no require residents to exit their apartments to engage in different activities. These programs are meant to pass valuable information to the residents in the form of bulletin boards, posters, hand made brochures, goodie bags, etc. The information provided can be from Sex Ed. to learning how to change a tire. Passive Programs do not always have to be purely for education purposes, they can also be used to motivate residents or to boost their confidence in case they are having a stressful time.
What's The Point?
The biggest part of these programs is to help get the residents out of their rooms whether they need a break from studying or are just sitting around wanting something to do and build the Miner Canyon community. Community building is a large part of UTEP Housing and programming is a way to get to really know the residents and for the residents to get to know each other so they can meet people from different walks of life resulting in friendships that could last a lifetime. This experience of learning new skills to benefit being independent, being surrounded by different people of different backgrounds, and getting to know one another and having fun at the same time is something you cannot get in any apartment complex where the people in charge only care about getting paid their rent, its something you can only get in Res. Life.
