Residence Life Glossary

Office of Residence Life (ORL)

Widely known as Housing or ResLife, this department manages the operations of BSU’s Traditional Halls (Haley Hall, Holmes Hall, Kennard Hall, Towers Hall, and Tubman Hall) and oversees student behavior management.

Capstone On-Campus Management (COCM)

Capstone/COCM is the university-affiliated housing partner company that is responsible for the operations management of the campus. Operations management includes facilities, maintenance and work orders, assignments, and more. COCM works in partnership with BSU to provide service to residential students.

Graduate Assistant/Assistant Resident Director (GA/ARD)

GA/ARDs are live-in professional staff that assist Resident Directors with managing the residence halls.

Resident Assistant (RA)

Resident Assistants are para-professional student staff who serve as the first point of contact for residents in managing issues within the residence halls, providing programs for residents to attend, as well as conducting periodic health and safety inspections.

Desk Assistant (DA)

Desk Assistants are para-professional student staff who manage the front desks of Traditional Halls throughout the day. DAs ensure persons entering are assigned residents, approved vendors, contractors, maintenance staff, and public safety and emergency personnel. 

Resident Director (RD)

Each residence hall is supervised by live-in professional staff members who supervise GAs/ARDs, RAs, and DAs. RDs also handle behavioral issues, report maintenance issues, connect students with campus support services. 

Community Desk Assistant (CDA)

Community Desk Assistants are para-professional staff who manage and work at the front desks of university-affiliated housing properties ELLC and CMRC. CDAs ensure persons entering are assigned residents, approved vendors, contractors, maintenance staff, and public safety and emergency personnel.