Benefits of RBA

RBA combines the two major support networks for first-year students—the first-year advising system and the residential community. One of RBA’s strengths is that it allows for a cohesive living and learning environment that evolves throughout the academic year. 

• Your advising group will be made up of students that live in your residence.
  
  
• Your advisor is a Housefellow for your residence.  As a Housefellow, your faculty/staff advisor does not live in the house, but will be an important resource for you and will be involved in academic, social, and health/nutrition related activities with your residence.  

• Upperclass students (Resident Associate Advisors or RAA’s) in your advising group live with you in your residence and work with your faculty/staff advisor to set up programming and activities that are of interest to your advising group and to your entire residence.

• RBA works with four unique living groups (Next House, McCormick Hall, Chocolate City, and Spanish House). These living groups offer RBA participants a wide spectrum of cultures and activities to choose from.

• Both Seminar and Traditional advising options exist in Next House and McCormick (Chocolate City advises in a Seminar, and Spanish House has a Traditional advising group).

• Every month RAA’s sponsor academic, social, and cultural activities for their entire residence.  These activities have included Apple Picking trips, Ski Trips, Dinners out in Boston, Resume Workshops, How to Find Summer Internship talks, Nutrition and Eating Healthy Workshops, Open Mic Night, and Cooking Contests.