Welcome to our introduction slide. My name is Ryan Harrison, and we will be talking with Cameron a little bit later in the RA section. Thank you, Patty, for your introduction. Let’s dive right in.

First, we’ll look at the Art Center building, located on our Ford campus. This facility features traditional apartment-style living. Incoming students can access two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. In a two-bedroom unit, there are four students sharing one private bathroom for the suite, as well as a living room and a kitchen.

The kitchen is fully equipped with a stove and a fridge. However, we do not provide microwaves, so you are welcome to bring your own. Please note that all kitchen appliances must remain in the kitchen area to comply with fire code regulations.

The pictures you see here depict four-person units. In one of the bedrooms, there are two beds for two students, and the other bedroom mirrors that layout. My apologies for the mix-up—this particular unit is actually a six-person unit. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a shared living room and kitchen.

Here, you can see another six-person unit layout. It includes Bedroom A, Bedroom B, and Bedroom C, with the bathrooms located in the hallway. This unit also offers additional living room space, making it a sizable option for residents.

The standard layout of the bedrooms in the Art Center building typically accommodates two people. Each student is provided with four drawers and hanging space, arranged in a way that allows each student to have a designated area. The hanging space is located above, with two drawers at the bottom, and there are stackable drawers that can be combined or kept separate based on your preference.

The Art Center building also includes community spaces. The gym, located on the ground floor, is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents can use it at their convenience. The front entrance features a security check-in area, and as you proceed down the hallway, you will find our public space designed for socializing and watching television. To the left is our public study space, equipped with soft seating and tables, along with a long work table for collaboration.

Next, let’s transition to the Todman Center. This facility is located about a mile north of the Ford campus and comprises both housing and academic spaces. Here you can see a standard room in the Todman Center, which is about 450 to 500 square feet and accommodates three students. Each room comes with cabinets for hanging space and stackable drawers at the bottom.

The layout includes a bathroom for the three students, but please note that this space is not fire rated, so kitchen appliances are not allowed. However, there is a full cafeteria on the second floor for student dining needs, and there is no need to leave the building for meals.

The rooms feature loftable beds, allowing students to maximize their space by placing desks or other items underneath. CCS does not provide desks, as each department has different requirements. This allows students to bring the most appropriate furniture for their educational needs.

This image shows a view from the hallway into one of the rooms, showcasing large windows that overlook the Detroit city skyline. Additionally, the Todman Center has limited corner units available, which offer more square footage and a unique layout.

An exciting aspect of the Todman Center is its design. The housing area is shaped like a “U,” with residential rooms surrounding public spaces. Each floor has three main public areas. The first-floor lounge is equipped with couches and televisions for social interaction. Additionally, we have a dedicated workspace that is quiet and designed for students who want to focus on their studies.

The sixth floor features extra tables for studying, as well as a workout space exclusive to Todman residents. There are also conferencing rooms for group meetings and a movie theater room designed specifically for watching films with a projector. Lastly, there is a game room with ping pong, pool tables, and television, providing another social space for residents.

Now that we’ve explored the residence halls, let’s discuss how to apply for housing. We have recently transitioned to a new software called Mercury, which you can find in your Access Manager. Please note that Mercury will only become active after you have made your $250 enrollment deposit. This process typically takes about 72 hours, but it may take a little longer during business hours.

One of the benefits of Mercury is that it allows you to provide important demographic information, including gender, which is pulled from your driver’s license. If your gender identity does not match the information on your license and you require gender-neutral housing, please email me so we can discuss your options.

You will also answer five questions regarding your living preferences, such as bedtime and guest policies. This information helps us match you with compatible roommates based on shared living habits.

If you want to live with a friend, both of you must register for housing. You can link your accounts as a roommate group in the system. However, if one of you is already registered and the other is not, please email me so I can assist with the process.

Once you have filled out your housing information and answered the questions, you will need to make your $300 first housing payment through the Mercury website. This payment is applied to your final housing cost for the semester, so it is not an additional fee.

After your payment, your application will be complete, and we will handle any unique requests discussed earlier. We will then use a system called Intell Assign to match you with roommates based on your responses and compatibility.

For more information about living on campus, please visit our on-campus housing page. It contains important documents, including our housing information packet, which covers move-in details, what to bring, and rules and policies for living on campus.

I often receive inquiries about emotional support animals (ESAs). We are required by law to allow students to bring their ESAs, but there is a strict policy regarding the documentation needed. The letter from your doctor must include specific information, so I recommend providing our policy to your doctor for reference.

Regarding gender-neutral housing, students can opt for this arrangement if they prefer not to have their placement based on the gender listed on their driver’s license. This policy allows friends of different genders to live together or for those who do not identify with the gender on their license to find suitable roommates. If you would like to explore this option further, please email me.

We also have a video on the on-campus housing page that walks you through the housing application process, providing helpful tips along the way. If you encounter any difficulties, you can reach out to me for assistance.

CCS does not offer any type of off-campus housing. However, we provide resources and search tools to help you find off-campus options. These are not recommendations but rather tools for students to explore potential housing options.

Regarding meals and meal plans, a meal plan is required for residents of the Todman Center, while it is optional for those living in the Art Center building due to the kitchens available in the units. Dining Dollars can be used at various locations on campus.

The largest cafeteria on campus is located in the Todman Center, featuring diverse food options, including a daily salad and soup station, pizza station, stir-fry station, specialty sandwich station, and a grill station. There is also a wall of refrigerators offering fresh options made offsite.

The Ford campus has a smaller cafeteria mainly for commuters and Art Center students. It features rotating sandwich options and daily hot meal specials. Both buildings also have a 24-hour vending space where students can find fresh food options at any time.

It’s important to note that our meal plan sizes have changed this year to reflect inflation and rising food costs. The meal plan agreements are for the entire academic year, not per semester. If you live in the Todman Center, a small meal plan will be added to your account by default. For those in the Art Center building, if you choose to enter a meal plan agreement, it remains in effect for the academic year.

Finally, regarding campus safety, CCS has been rated one of the safest college campuses in Michigan. We have security staff on campus 24/7, as well as a shuttle service operating around the clock between both campuses. The shuttle provides safe transportation, picking up and dropping off students at the Art Center building.

Additionally, we partner with the Wayne State University Police, who are sworn officers and have a response time of approximately 90 seconds to our campus.

If we have an emergency, our security personnel are here to assist quickly. In contrast, the Detroit Police Department may not have the same response time, so we’re fortunate to collaborate closely with Wayne State in this regard.

Now, I’d like to outline the five security steps a person must follow to access a student room, as we take campus security very seriously. First, we have cameras throughout the campus monitored by a supervisor 24/7, whose job is to observe the screens and coordinate the security staff.

Next, there are patrols walking the campus, which I believe occur twice an hour, although I don’t have that confirmed. Their role is to maintain a visible presence and be aware of the campus environment. This constitutes our first security measure.

The second measure is that you need an ID badge to scan into the building. In the Art Center building, only students enrolled in that building can scan in at the front door. The Todman Center also requires an ID to access campus. After entering the building, you will find a guard present 24/7 at both housing facilities, who checks your ID badge to ensure the color matches your building and verifies your identity against your photo.

The third security step involves needing your ID badge to operate the elevators, which allows access to different floors of the building. Lastly, the fifth step requires a room key; in the Art Center, these are traditional keys, while in the Todman Center, you swipe your student ID badge to gain access.

Additionally, each floor in the Art Center building has one Resident Assistant (RA) who is trained to support students. In the Todman Center, there are two RAs per floor to maintain a ratio of about 1 RA for every 30 students. Both buildings also have a live-in professional: Anne Hawkins in the Todman Center and Rebecca Hannah in the Art Center, both of whom have master’s degrees in higher education and prior experience as RAs.

I believe a significant part of our department’s success is due to the talent and dedication of Anne and Rebecca. I’m grateful to have them on our team. I personally lived on campus with my family and felt safe, so you can rest assured your child will be safe here as well.

Thank you for your patience while I explained this. I’ll now turn it over to Cameron, who will introduce himself and answer some questions about the student experience.

Cameron:

Hello everyone, I’m Cameron Sherman, a senior in illustration and the RA for the sixth floor of the Art Center building. This is my second year on staff, and I’m excited to share some insights into the student experience.

First Question: What’s your best memory as a resident?

My favorite memory is from freshman year with my diverse group of roommates. One morning, I woke up to my roommate singing “I’ve Got Friends on the Other Side” from Princess and the Frog in the kitchen. It was the best alarm clock I ever had! I still keep in touch with my freshman roommates, and I’d rate that experience five stars.

Second Question: What’s it like living in an artistic community?

Living in an artistic community is fantastic. I’m always improving my work through critiques and collaborations with fellow artists. We regularly share opportunities via text, Instagram, and Facebook, creating a strong sense of community.

Third Question: What advice do you have for finding a community on campus?

Stay observant! The school sends weekly emails about events, clubs, and get-togethers. These are excellent opportunities to meet new friends.

Fourth Question: What is your role as an RA, and what are you trained to do?

I see RAs as a bridge between CCS and residents. We listen, mediate when needed, and connect students with relevant resources. We also check on residents monthly and plan events to engage them in campus life.

Fifth Question: What are two programs you’re proud of?

During my time as an RA, I’ve planned many events. One of my favorites from freshman year was “Drinks Around the World,” where we offered non-alcoholic beverages from various countries. Another recent event was a ski trip in collaboration with Pine, where students learned to ski for a low cost. I received great feedback from residents about both events.

Thank you for having me here! If you have questions about being an RA or a student, please feel free to ask.

Ryan:

I’d like to address a couple of questions we received in the chat. One asked if unused meal plan funds carry over to the next year. Any unused funds from the fall will roll over to winter, but unused winter funds will be forfeited at the end of the academic year.

As for adding to your meal plan if you run out, you can use debit and credit cards in the cafeteria. You can also use Flex Dollars, which can be added to your account by students or parents. These can be used in the cafeteria, bookstore, or even applied to tuition.

If anyone has additional questions, feel free to unmute and ask.

Cameron:

Another question was about emotional support animals on the housing application. You can mention it there, but it won’t suffice for bringing an animal on campus. To initiate the process for an emotional support animal, please send me your doctor’s note and vet records.

Regarding availability for the coming semester, we still have plenty of spaces. We reserved beds specifically for incoming students, so you’re only competing with other newcomers. There are currently 9 to 12 available beds in the Art Center building and many in the Todman Center.

I recommend living in the Todman Center for your freshman year, as it fosters connections among students. Most students in the Art Center don’t venture out as much due to the amenities being so convenient.

We conduct placements every 2-3 weeks, and once completed, we email students through their CCS accounts.

Thank you all for joining us! If you have any further questions, please reach out to your admissions counselor or to me directly.

Thank you again, Ryan and Cameron, for the informative presentation on housing at CCS. Have a wonderful evening, everyone!