Page 30 - Priorities #72

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Meaningful Mentorship
For the past 61 years, the Priory has offered students from around the world the opportunity to live on campus as part of the school’s boarding program. Much has changed about the dorms over the past half century: the addition of female dormers, the hiring of a full-time Residential Faculty, and 24/7 internet access to the President’s tweets. But the hallmark of the residential community today is the
same as it was in 1957–to assist boarding students in living healthy, balanced, and meaningful lives.
While national demand for high-school residency programs is down, the Priory’s boarding program is experiencing something of a “Golden Age” in the moment. The reason? The people. The Residential Faculty–or RFs as they are known on campus–are some of the most talented, energetic, and innovative educators at the school. Each RF is a unique blend of teacher, coach, mentor, parent, therapist, nurse, tutor, cheerleader, and cop. Their hours are long. Their role is often unclear. Their curriculum is ever-changing. But the presence of an RF in the life of a Priory dormer is invaluable.
Over the past few years, the Residential Life Program has embarked on a campaign of positive propaganda. Not surprising, the RFs are at the center of this project. Last summer, the RFs decorated the foyers of both dorms with uplifting slogans. The hallways sport oversized canvases with suggestions for healthy living. Fifty inch computer monitors now broadcast the recent accomplishments of dormers with photographs, personalized messages, and hashtags. These may seem like small additions but as philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein said, “words create worlds.”
The Residential Life Program’s campaign of positive propaganda extends beyond the physical space. Another critical
piece of this project has been the evolving relationship between RF and dormer. As one might suspect, RFs are tasked with enforcing rules, policing boundaries, and disciplining dormers every shift. Being bad cop comes
RESIDENTIAL LIFE