Create ... Ritual

In our society we have all sorts of rituals. At sporting events there are rituals like signing "Take me out to the ball game" during the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley Field or the ceremonial first pitch. Over Burnham Harbor this summer the city hosted a biweekly fireworks show. For St. Patrick's Day, the Chicago River is dyed green... These are all examples of rituals that occur in our larger community of Chicago.

You may also have heard your RA talk about this "ritual" thing, but what do we mean when we say ritual? Some definitions of "ritual" as described by dictionary.com are listed below:

• A prescribed or established rite, ceremony, proceeding, or service: the ritual of the dead.
• Prescribed, established, or ceremonial acts or features collectively, as in religious services.
• Any practice or pattern of behavior regularly performed in a set manner.
• A prescribed code of behavior regulating social conduct, as that exemplified by the raising of one's hat or the shaking of hands in greeting.

So what type of rituals will we have? In your rooms and on your floors, we want you all to establish collective rites of social conduct which are regularly performed in a set manner.

These rituals will help create a sense of community. They will help you build memories with each other so that during the year you look forward to the cookies being passed out on your floor every week or to the Friday themed pot luck dinners ... whatever your rituals might be, they'll help you bond in a whole new way.

As you progress through your time at Columbia, we hope that you look back on your floor movie nights and Milkshake Mondays as a positive memory of your time at Columbia.

So, what will your rituals be?

Related Articles How to Get Along With Your Roommates So You'd Like to be a Resident Assistant? Residence Life's End of the Year Checklist

Related Links Residence Life Residence Life Handbook (pdf) Living and Learning Communities

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