Ministry team brings home-style comfort to campus

By Erin Chambers

Rebecca Schlatter hasn't moved far since growing up a few blocks from Homestead Road.

"I still live a few blocks off Homestead, just in the other direction," Schlatter said.

As coordinator of the Resident Ministry Program on campus, Schlatter is not your typical minister. Below a stylish blonde bob, she wears jeans, sneakers and, since last September, a sparkling diamond on her left hand. She and her husband, a Lutheran pastor in South San Jose, live in an apartment across the street from Dunne Hall.

Most resident ministers actually live in the residence halls, but the only available apartments in Dunne aren't large enough for two people. Schlatter does, however, attend meetings and keep office hours in the building.

Regardless of her particular situation, Schlatter isn't the first resident minister and she definitely won't be the last.

Through the Office of Housing and Residence Life and Campus Ministry, Santa Clara will post new job openings for Resident Ministers on campus beginning this February. The program currently consists of 14 resident ministers, six of whom have been hired in the last year.

"Resident ministry is really an interesting program to be involved with," said Schlatter. "It's kind of counter-cultural in that no one's quite sure exactly what we do."

According to the official job description to be posted in the next few days, a resident minister's purpose is to "support the spiritual, intellectual, personal and social development of students, faculty and staff in the Residential Learning Communities."

"It's a really broad job description combined with the fact that it's not meant to be a full time job, and what you get out of that combination is people who all do the job a little bit differently," said Schlatter. "And that's part of the strength of the program. People really get to use their own strengths to discern the needs of the community in which they're living."

Evaluating the program has been challenging for university officials over the years because it is difficult to quantify the program's impact on students' lives, according to Schlatter, who was hired four months ago. Actually witnessing a student's spiritual needs being met can be complicated, she said.

"We're the only people that live in the residence halls that don't have some kind of evaluative capacity. I think that's really key," said Schlatter. "We're there as a supportive presence."

Every dorm on campus is equipped with at least one resident minister required to devote 10 to 15 hours per week to ministry as well as perform work in another office on campus. David Thompson, a recent graduate of Santa Clara, works in the Center for Student Leadership and attends law school at night.

Other resident ministers hold positions in admissions, financial aid, the career center, and others.

The majority of programs coordinated by resident ministers are focused on facilitating small groups and building a sense of community amongst residents, Schlatter said. Cookies during office hours and midnight breakfast have been two of the most popular events.

Anthony Vigliotta, who works in admissions and financial aid and lives as a resident minister in Sanfilippo, said the best way to evaluate a resident minister is based on how approachable they are.

"I think a lot of kids think we're nuns or priests in training," said Vigliotta. "But we're really just there for students whenever they need us."

Schlatter and Vigliotta both say that students often come knocking when they're stressed out or seeking advice. An opportunity to provide a perspective on the bigger picture and build a meaningful relationship often results from casual sessions with students.

"In the middle of college - and especially in residence halls - those places can start feeling really small," Schlatter said. "It's like what they do on this campus becomes their whole world."

From the perspective of Housing and Residence Life, the more adults living with students, the better.

Amanda Sequin, resident director of Campisi and Sanfilippo, said the resident ministers often have the greatest impact on students living on their floor, but admits her staff utilizes them as well. Proximity is crucial in the "supportive presence" aspect of resident ministry, she said.

"They are a kitchen and place for' home-cooked' meals when students need some care away from home. They are the place for brownie and cookie making as a study break, while watching the newest and hottest TV show," said Sequin. "I don't think I could do justice to describing the impact my particular resident ministers are for my residents, staff and within the community."

Schlatter said she often runs into students who graduated from Santa Clara years ago who still remember their resident ministers. Senior communication major Shantel Dunning remembers living in Dunne her sophomore year and seeing Resident Minister Michael Colyer in the hallway.

"He was one of those nice unassuming people, always around and always said hello," said Dunning.

Schlatter plans to remain a Resident Minister, a few blocks off Homestead Road, and is excited to begin the hiring process this spring.

"I think resident ministry allows us to be right there. We can be right where students are."