Initiatives & Programs

Living Learning Communities (LLCs) provide opportunities for students with similar interests and academic goals to live and engage together on the same floor of a residence hall. For more information, visit the LLCs webpage. 

Residence Hall Council (RHC) represents students living on campus. With student representatives in each hall and led by an executive board, they work to "Make DePaul Home." RHC is a liaison between organizations, university departments, and on-campus residents. They work to enhance the quality of life in the residence halls by creating a safe and comfortable community. They serve as a voice for on-campus resident concerns and are dedicated to upholding DePaul’s Vincentian mission. RHC plans events in both the residence halls and the wider campus community to enhance the college experience and to create a friendly environment for all residents. 

Housing & Residence Life believes that every interaction with a student is an opportunity for learning and personal growth. We intentionally design and facilitate events that promote learning and community building in a variety of ways, with the hopes of empowering students to: 

• Demonstrate personal responsibility and respect for others in communities of which they are apart. 

• Demonstrate decision-making skills related to practical life situations.

• Respect the perspective of others and contribute to creating an inclusive community.

• Initiate a sense of belonging with the DePaul community.

ReLI also incorporates four core values that guide the above learning outcomes:

1. Dignity & Social Justice: We value civil discourse, diverse perspectives, and the exploration and appreciation of all identities.

2. Development: We value personal and professional growth through learning outside of the classroom.

3. Community: We value relationship-building that promotes respect, accountability and inclusivity within our residential communities through social, informational, and educational opportunities.

4. Holistic Wellness: We value multi-dimensional wellness, promoting continuous growth of self, and caring for others in the community.

We strive to accomplish the above learning and outcomes by using the following methods: 

• Quarterly Floor Meetings

• Educational Engagement Programs 

• Community Engagement Programs 

• Intentional Interactions 

• Health & Safety Inspections 

• Signature Events 

• Bulletin Boards/Door Decorations 

These are some of the ways we reduce our carbon footprint in the residence halls and across DePaul’s campuses. 

Energy Conservation

• Laundry: Almost all washing machines on campus are high-efficiency, front-loading units that are ENERGY STAR-rated.

• Motion Sensor Lighting: Most communal spaces, including lounges, kitchens, and laundry rooms, have motion sensors to automatically turn off lights when not in use.

Renewable Energy

• Solar Panels: There are solar panels throughout Lincoln Park Campus, including 240 solar panels on the roof of Ozanam Hall and solar charging stations in The Quad and the LeCompte-Munroe courtyard. There are also two solar charging stations on DePaul’s Loop Campus.

• Wind Turbines: There are two wind turbines on Lincoln Park Campus (at McCabe Hall and McGowan North) that help convert the wind’s kinetic energy into electrical energy. 

Water Conservation

• DePaul students are saving 18 gallons of water per day and 468.1 gallons of water per month by using low-flow showers and high-efficiency toilets on campus.

Landfill Divergence

• The recycling totes provided in each unit promote easy transportation of recyclables to centralized recycling receptacles in the halls.

• In the Lincoln Park Student Center, all students are encouraged to discard food waste in compost bins.

• Residence halls have water bottle filling stations to encourage use of reusable water bottles, instead of single-use water bottles that pollute the land, oceans, rivers, and lakes. 

• DePaul has an average landfill diversion rate of over 46 percent. Meaning, of all the waste generated by the institution, almost half of it is diverted out of the landfill by recycling, composting, and repurposing.