Priority Points System

The priority point system is a value-based system that is designed to reward those students who consistently meet high academic standards, participate in campus life and its programs, and have an excellent disciplinary history.  Students may earn priority points by maintaining a high grade point average, joining campus clubs and organizations, participating in residence hall activities, and adhering to the Student Code of Conduct.  Through this program, students can earn an opportunity to live where and with whom they desire while at Seton Hall University because the student’s priority points total helps determine how early in the room selection timeline they may select a room, and whether or not they are able to self select their roommate(s). Below is a complete outline and explanation of the priority point system.

GRADES

The higher the student’s cumulative grade point average the more priority points they earn.  Students’ cumulative grade point averages will be recorded as of March 1st of each year; whatever the GPA is on that date is the GPA to be used to calculate priority points earned.  Students attempting to have grades changed need to know that we cannot consider grade changes unless they are completed and posted in the student’s transcript by the established date.

CUMULATIVE GPA              POINTS

Freshmen who have a 1.99 or lower will have the opportunity to submit mid-semester progress report to earn an extra point in this category.  These requests will be considered only after consultation with the Department of Freshman Studies.

JUDICIAL STATUS

Judicial status is based on the student’s disciplinary record and it is fairly straightforward.  It is the student’s responsibility to know and understand the policies and procedures of the Department of Housing & Residence Life, and of the University.  Behavior consistent with those policies and procedures will result in good judicial standing, and in turn more priority points.

CURRENT SANCTION LEVEL      _          POINTS

Students who have any questions about their disciplinary status must be sure to meet with their Residence Hall Director (RHD) and/or Community Development prior to turning in a housing application for room selection.  Current disciplinary sanction that is final by the date the housing room selection process begins will affect the priority point totals in this category.

RESIDENCE HALL INVOLVEMENT

Residence Hall involvement is taking a role on the floor and building you live in.  Every resident has a responsibility to the residence hall community, and those who are most involved in fulfilling that responsibility will benefit the most.  Not only will those students enjoy the residence halls more, they will be rewarded with more priority points in this category.

Residence Hall Involvement points reflect attendance at residence hall programs and activities (in their entirety), including non-mandatory floor meetings, participation in Hall Council, assisting with planning and coordination of floor or hall activities, as well as any other sustained participation in the residence hall community.  Based on your level of involvement throughout the academic year students can be awarded up to 10 priority points in this category.

Students who go beyond the expectations, in order to promote community on their floor and in the Residence Hall, are eligible for an additional “Star Resident” priority point in this category (not to exceed the maximum allowable 10 priority points).  The “Star Resident” points will be awarded based on recommendations from the Residence Hall Director (RHD) and Residence Coordinator (RC).

ACTIVITY LEVEL      _                              POINTS

The residence hall staff will regularly keep residents informed of activities and ways to be involved via email and posted flyers.  Your point total will be given to you when your housing application is received during the housing application drop off period in March.

Here are some points to consider about Residence Hall Involvement:

What is active and regular involvement?  We define that as participation on a weekly basis.  That participation may be attending a hall council meeting, going to a program, helping a resident assistant with a bulletin board, organizing your fellow residents to go to a movie, volunteering for a service project or more. 

How will this be measured?  Attendance will be recorded during most residence hall program and activities, including but not limited to hall council, hall socials, hall service projects, etc.  Points will be awarded based on the average number of programs attended by residents of each hall.  For example, if the average student in any particular residence hall attends 15 programs and activities then this student will receive between 3-4 points.  If a student attends more than 15 programs and activities, they are likely to receive between 5-6 points.

What if a student is not able to attend many programs?  Students can be involved in various ways outside of program attendance, those students who help their RA in creating and preparing for programs, students who are actively involved in Hall Council, and students who take part in their community building process can also earn priority points in these area through the recommendation of the professional staff (RHD and RC) in their residence hall.  Although we expect our resident students to participate in programs created for them, we also recognize that some students may not be able to attend as many programs as they would like based on their schedule and availability. 

CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT

Active participation in a university club, Greek letter organization, honor society, varsity team, intramural team, campus volunteer experience, and a campus job will enable students to earn priority points in this category.  The number of priority points students receive for their involvement is based on the recommendations of the club or organization’s officers and/or advisor with final decisions on the allocation of points by the Department of Housing & Residence Life.  The maximum number of points awarded in this category is 10 and participation in the activities must be continuous throughout the academic year.

Campus Involvement cannot be measured as an exact science, but these are some of the criteria that will be used:

Involvement in any on-campus clubs, organizations or intramurals; participation in multiple clubs, activities, intramural teams, etc., will help students earn higher point totals.

Clubs/Organizations:  These activities are highly regarded based on our acknowledgment of the direct impact clubs and organizations have on the student development closely related to the mission of the University of servant leadership and volunteerism.

Intramurals*:  These points are awarded to students who participate in sports activities as recognition of their involvement in University sponsored activities, and their contribution to building a strong campus community.

Student Employment*: These points are awarded as a recognition of the student’s commitment to the campus community by working on campus rather than an off campus site; while considering their time commitment is compensated monetarily.

Other Factors:

Here are some points to consider about Campus Involvement:

How will involvement be measured? The Department of Housing and Residence Life will work with the clubs and organizations to verify student involvement.  It is the student’s responsibility to be sure that clubs or organizations they are part of keep track of your involvement and submit the information on time to our office.

So what do I need to do to earn 10 points?  Most students will earn 4-6 points in this category.  Students who are involved in and actively participate in many activities will be the highest point earners.  Some students will not be as involved, participating in perhaps a few activities each month.  Those students will earn a lower number of points according to the information above.