The new academic year brought new staff transitions into housing and residence life, which could affect 
students experience with housing.
Michael Burns, former director of housing and residence life, left the position in June. Casey Kreger, former coordinator of residence life at Appalachian State University, was hired to the post.
Kreger said he was interested in the position at OCU because he was attracted to the small school environment and the close-knit community.
“The only challenges so far have been the learning curve,” he said. “When you enter a new institution, there are always things people do differently.”
Kreger said he has had a positive experience working with all the staff and students. He has some long-term goals for housing and residence life to incorporate more student engagement.
“We’re looking to have more student activities and further our outreach in the campus community,” he said.
LaVetra Stevenson, former assistant director of student activities, now serves as the residence hall director of Walker Hall dormitory, overseeing the policies and procedures there. Haley Stiles was hired to fill the position that is now titled assistant director of student engagement, and reports to Levi Harrel, who was promoted to director of student engagement. Both are positions that maximize campus involvement for students.
Devon Murphy, former administrative assistant of Cokesbury Court Apartments, is now the residence hall director of Draper and Banning halls. She oversees policies and procedures in these residence halls.
Murphy said she was interested in the Banning position because she lived there as a freshman and loved her time there.
“I had such a good experience here that I wanted to continue that on. So, when I found out it opened, I was really excited,” she said.
Murphy said, even overseeing two different dorms, she doesn’t interact with as many people as she did at Cokesbury.
“Even with Banning and Draper at full capacity, I’m still dealing with fewer residents and fewer students than I was over at Cokesbury,” she said. “Cokesbury holds about 463 beds when it’s at max capacity.”
Both Banning Hall and Draper Hall house up to 75 students.
Murphy said she is excited to bring more activities and events to the dorms.
“Banning has had a reputation of just being a fun place to be, so I want to continue that,” she said.
Sarah Martin, acting sophomore, said she is concerned that students weren’t informed of the staff changes.
“I wish there was more information about these changes to the students,” Martin said.
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