Whether you are an incoming, returning, or former student, kick your semester off with new and old friends. You won’t want to miss out.
Housing Scholarships Awarded
For the 2023-2024 academic year, University Housing awarded a record eight students the Jim Day Housing Scholarship, which offers financial assistance to outstanding students to offset the cost of living on campus.
Recipients of the scholarships are current UGA students with on-campus room assignments who demonstrate financial need as determined by the UGA Office of Financial Aid. Recipients also must commit to living on campus for the fall and spring.
These stand-out students contribute to others’ on-campus experiences by actively participating in their communities. Congratulations to the 2024 recipients!
Stephanie Barajas
Danna Cervera
Julissa Flores
Zoe Jordan
Elisa Lara
Sibel Olcal
Mishelle Orrego
Maya Wright
The executive director of University Housing from 1990 to 2006, Dr. James “Jim” Day, conceived and initially funded the University Housing Scholarship Fund.
Housing Facilities Training Lab Sets the Standard
University Housing recently added a new facilities training lab designed to onboard and train the department’s residential building service workers to ensure consistency and standardization in cleaning across all residence halls. The space includes various types of flooring found in residence halls across campus— for practice cleaning carpets, mopping, stripping and waxing—as well as a mock residence hall room, where staff can practice lofting and delofting beds and properly cleaning furniture and fixtures when rooms turn over. In addition to the new training space, the lab also has a dedicated room for vendors to repair equipment such as custodial carts, vacuums and wet vacs. This will allow housing to have a sufficient supply of backup equipment; the vendors can come on-site to repair equipment rather than it being sent out for repairs. The facilities training lab is unique in the area, and vendors for custodial products have expressed their admiration for the university's approach to training its staff.
With this new facility and training program, University Housing is poised to continue providing the highest quality of support for its residents.
Dawgs Ditch the Dumpster program diverts
10.5 tons of waste from landfill
Dawgs Ditch the Dumpster and Donate 2023 wrapped up with University Housing diverting 21,050 pounds from entering the Athens-Clarke County landfill. This was made possible through our partnerships with local organizations and thrift stores such as Goodwill, the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity Restore, America’s Thrift Store, the UGA Swap Shop, the Backpack Project of Athens, Project Safe, and Family Promise. Thank you to the many helping hands from University Housing student and staff volunteers and Waste Reduction Services.
You may notice that our diversion weight has decreased significantly from the 34,139 pounds we diverted in 2022. This may be due to the introduction of the MicroChill mini fridge rental program available to residents (we had more than 730 mini fridges rented), as well as an increase in residents reusing their items or reselling them. We are incredibly proud of the efforts our staff and residents engage in to reduce our footprint in University Housing!
RHA students receive national honors
University Housing proudly congratulates two distinguished Residence Hall Association (RHA) student leaders who were recognized at the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) annual conference this year. In recognition of their exceptional dedication, leadership and service, Paul McCrary, the 2022-2023 RHA resident, and Aisha Lawal, the 2022-2023 RHA vice president and 2023 UGA alum, received the esteemed two-year leadership service award. This award is bestowed upon student leaders who have exemplified exceptional commitment to their campus and NACURH for over two years.
Additionally, Aisha Lawal was honored with the highly regarded NACURH four-year service award, acknowledging her exceptional service to NACURH and UGA's RHA over the course of four years. This significant distinction underscores her unwavering dedication and profound contributions, elevating her position as an exceptional leader and role model.
Furthermore, Paul McCrary was presented with the prestigious 'Golden Louie' award. This exclusive recognition is granted by the SAACURH (Southern Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls) executive committee members to individuals who surpass expectations in supporting their campus RHA and exemplify remarkable leadership within their communities and regions. The 'Golden Louie' serves as a symbol of McCrary's exceptional commitment and outstanding contributions to UGA's RHA and the region.
In addition to his notable accolades, Paul McCrary has also been confirmed as a member of the 2023-2024 SAACURH executive committee. In his new role as the coordinating officer for RHA development, he will provide invaluable support to RHA chapters across the SAACURH region, leveraging his expertise to foster growth and excellence. His selection and confirmation by SAACURH reflect his unwavering dedication to his home campus and the outstanding leadership he has demonstrated in regional spaces.
University Housing extends its sincerest congratulations to Paul and Aisha for their exceptional achievements and unwavering commitment to enhancing the UGA community.
In-room recycling bins are here!
The University Housing waste reduction committee and additional attendees gathered at long term storage to host a sticker party! The group worked together to prepare the 4,200 in-room recycling bins by adhering the educational stickers onto the bins. These bins were distributed to the residence halls over the summer. Every residential room, suite and apartment now has an in-room recycling bin.
Alumni and Friends
Although you were a only a student at UGA for a short time, you are an alumnus for life! Our alumni are very important to us. We want to stay in touch with you concerning events in your area and on the UGA campus, and we also want to know about your achievements as an UGA alumnus. Please contact Susan Dodson, your alumni relations coordinator, if you need any University Housing information or to share your photos or important life events with your fellow Dawgs!
Your community is a strong one. Your pride, your degree, your memories, and your accomplishments will forever tie you to UGA and to your fellow alums. Being a Bulldog is more than great memories and connecting with others like you. It’s about supporting current students. It’s about uplifting your institution. Give back to the university that gave you so much.
Make a difference for students and staff in University Housing.
Give to the Housing Development Fund.
