Students and administrators in the residential village are working together to create unique initiatives that address the needs of St. John’s students.

SHE, (Share Hear and Empower) is a women’s group that will meet the first Monday of the month in Donovan community Room. The group, organized by Residence Directors Vanessa Strickley, Sendy Guerrier, Danisha Bailey and Aracelis Vasquez along with Campus Ministers Sue Scacalossi and Sister Margaret Quinvilan.

It is a safe place to discuss women’s issues that are often overlooked. The first event, on Oct. 3, will focus on female sexuality.

Other topics to be covered include Media & Body Image, November; Money Matters, December; Relationships, February and Phenomenal Women, March.

In addition to SHE, work has already begun on a newsletter titled, “A Woman’s Worth.”

The newsletter was an idea of Kaitlyn Kavalus, a resident assistant in Carey Hall. Several RAs are writing for the first issue, due out in October.

Men’s issues are also being discussed. “Men’s Revolution”, MR for short, is a work in progress whose goal is to change the culture of men at St. John’s University.

The group is intended to be an umbrella organization that assists existing organizations in marketing their programs to young men on campus.

In addition to programs focused on gender issues, students who are making impressive contributions to Residence Life are eligible to be recognized in a new honor society called National Residence Hall Honorary. This society “is designed to give local, regional and national recognition to those students making outstanding contributions to their residence halls.” This highly selective society offers membership to the top 1 percent of students living in the residence halls. These new programs address issues important to St. John’s students that have been neglected in the past.

Increased dialogue on gender roles in society by Residence life are welcome changes.

These opportunities are just a few of the reasons why living in the St. John’s community is truly a unique experience.