Housing and staff members in the residence halls hosted the first House Calls event on Sept. 17, as an opportunity for students living on campus to open their doors to their peers, as well as faculty and staff as they toured each building.

“The event is designed to let students know that the professors have their best interests at heart. We want to make sure they have had a good start to the semester,” Steve Hilton, associate professor in the Juanita and Ralph Harvey School of Visual Arts, and faculty-in-residence, said.

The halls of Legacy were new to staff and faculty, but not all. Hilton lives in the hall, and he said that he loves being around students.

“It is the reason why I teach. I like to be around students, and I think that moving forward, there should be a faculty-in-residence in each dorm,” Hilton said.

The House Calls event marked an opportunity for students and professors to learn more about one another, and they allowed closer relationships to form between faculty and residents.

“Often, students don’t think faculty are approachable. The House Calls event will allow students to see their professors as people too,” Hilton said.

Each resident assistant made sure their respective wing was ready for the evening.

Rogelio Nunez, psychology junior and resident assistant, detailed how he went about preparing for the evening.

“I wanted to show the staff the community aspect of the residence hall, but also things like how clean or unclean it can be, and generally just what it’s like living in a dorm,” Nunez said.

The students too were important to the success of the event, organizers said.

“I also wanted to make sure that both staff and students got as much as they could from this event, so I made sure to encourage all of my residents to come out and say hello” Nunez said. “It’s beneficial for the students to see professors outside of the classroom. It can really open their eyes and help them connect on a personal level.”

To those who are new to MSU, or on-campus housing, there are many who can offer some great advice.

“I’ve lived in Legacy for two years. If you have any questions or needs, ask us, but ask early,” Hilton said. “The sense of community is the reason why everyone should spend a year living on campus.”

Students also are ready and willing to help out new Mustangs who are living in housing, giving tips about how to make the most out of the years spent in the dorms.

Amelia Ecevido, biology junior, said, “Try and keep your room as tidy as you can. It can be hard because you’re so busy, but if your room is clean, you will feel more organized and feel that your life is more together, which will reduce stress.”