November 9, 2001

For two decades Robert Reed has made students' college experience liveable

by Jénene Fontenot, A'02, Intern Offices of Publications and Public Affairs

Even if you never worked on the residential life staff, every resident for the past 20 years has come to know and revere Robert Reed, the tall man of few words and director of the Department of Residential Life. Anyone who has worked on staff with him knows that there's one important rule to follow when it comes to Reed: Never use a four-letter word in his presence. When you look up to the top of Buddig Hall, don't point to it and say, "That's one tall dorm." Instead, say, "That's one tall residence hall." So what's the difference? Robert Reed has spent his life making the distinction.

It all began at Slippery Rock State University where Reed served as a resident assistant during his undergraduate years. "It wasn't something I had ever planned to do," admits Reed, who was approached and recruited by the residential life director at that time, "but everything just went from there." After receiving his bachelor's degree, Reed worked as area coordinator at Slippery Rock until earning his master's of education degree in 1976. He decided to stay on at his alma mater as an assistant director of residential life for five years. During that time, Reed also served as coordinator of international student affairs, student standards, and residence hall programs before making the transition from rural Pennsylvania to the Big Easy.

Reed joined Loyola in 1981 as director of residential life. It was time for a change, recalls Reed, who favored Loyola's goal and commitment statements above those by hundreds of other universities. Falling in love with the warm weather and people of New Orleans, he confesses, sealed the deal for him and his wife, Linda.

As director of residential life, Reed provides conceptual and operational leadership and management for all aspects of the department. In short, he juggles an operating budget of $7 million, four full-time professional staff, two support staff, nine resident counselors, 76 student staff, and almost 1400 students in four residence halls every year. And as if there weren't enough on his plate, Reed sat on the Board of Trustees for the Committee on Jesuit and Catholic Identity from 1997 - 1999, and is serving his seventh year as a member of the Loyola Administrative Staff Senate, and his ninth year on the University Parking Committee.

For Reed, what makes a dorm a residence hall is the very thing that makes Loyola more than a mere institution of higher learning: community. His task in achieving this sense of community is threefold, and involves safety, convenience, and student involvement. To improve safety on campus, Reed implemented a card access security system allowing the residence hall doors to lock after hours. He has expanded resources available to students living on campus, such as the Loyola Student Cable Network, which features educational and newly released videos to residents each week. He also established potential tutors and an honors floor, making campus living more conducive to academic enrichment. Reed took a huge step to accommodate students in 1999 with the construction of the New Residence Hall, complete with two floors of apartments, and again in 2000 with a full-scale renovation of Biever Hall. Getting students involved on campus is also paramount to Reed, who serves on the University Planning Team and supervises resident assistants in fulfilling a comprehensive programming requirement to build community in the residence halls.

Reed's dedication to making college a memorable experience goes beyond the residence halls. Throughout the years, his love of sports, diversity, and service to others both on and off campus has led him to participate in many activities. At Loyola, the avid health nut and diehard Wolfpack fan serves on the Recreational Sports and Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Committee, works as a home scorekeeper for the basketball teams, and hits the court three days a week for a spirited competition during the work hour. For his tireless service, the Loyola University Hall of Fame Commission recently named Reed the 2002 recipient of the St. Sebastian Award. The award honors an individual who has demonstrated outstanding support and made a significant contribution to the Loyola athletic program.

Reed continues his commitment to diversity at Loyola as a Multicultural Affairs Regional Representative for the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, and as a member of Diversity Champions, an organization that works to promote cultural diversity and equality in all arenas. Reed also serves as advisor to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and as a member of the Black Student Union Advisory Committee. At home, Reed is the father of two daughters, Rebecca and Emily, and has mentored other youths in the community as a Big Brother. The Archdiocese honored Reed with the Order of St. Louis Medallion in 1996 for his many years of service to Saint Simon Peter Catholic Church.

In 1990, Reed received the prestigious Coadjutor Optimus Award, presented annually to members of Loyola's staff who best epitomize the ideals of the university. Reed was honored once again on October 20 at a Residential Life Reunion commemorating his 20^th anniversary at Loyola. Former staffers and colleagues gathered to share memories and spend time with the man who has played such a key role in their academic career.

Although Loyola has grown substantially in size and prestige over the years, Reed feels that it hasn't changed that much. "As a community, this is still a special place," he says, because the closeness that drew him here continues. Although he has 20 years under his belt, the unexpected keeps the monotonous at bay. "I never thought I'd see a water problem like that," chuckles Reed as he recalls the port-o-potties sprinkling the Res Quad during the first week of school following a burst water main in the city. "It keeps me on my toes."